Title: Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery
Author: Brom
Pages: 305
Genre: Horror, Fantasy, Historical Fiction
Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.
Connecticut, 1666: An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector.
The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil.
To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help.
Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.
This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom’s haunting full-color paintings and brilliant endpapers, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.
Evenin’ Brave Bookworms!
Another review here and this book felt like stepping into a cursed fairy tale where nature has teeth, superstition rules, and revenge grows wild.
I waited far too long to read Slewfoot, and to say I’m a fan of Brom’s work would be an understatement. Between his hauntingly beautiful artwork and his unique approach to storytelling, he never fails to pull me in.
Set in Puritan New England, this story follows Abitha, a strong-willed and resourceful woman who is shipped across the ocean to begin a new life as a dutiful wife. Unfortunately, life has other plans. Bullied by the women of her community, faced with the sudden death of her husband, and forced to battle his greedy, self-serving brother for the right to keep her farm, Abitha quickly learns that survival comes at a cost.
Then enters Samson.
A mysterious being of the forest, long asleep and newly awakened, Samson has forgotten who he is. Guided by the wildfolk -Forest, Creek, and Sky, he begins a journey of self-discovery that soon intertwines with Abitha’s own struggle for freedom and belonging. Their growing friendship becomes one of my favourite parts of the novel, blossoming in unexpected and fascinating ways.
Of course, this is Puritan New England, and anything different is bound to attract suspicion. Before long, whispers begin, fear spreads, and accusations of witchcraft are never far behind.
I’ll leave the rest for you to discover.
What I appreciated most was Brom’s approach to the period. While the setting is rooted in history, this feels far more like dark fantasy than historical fiction. Throughout the novel, I found myself wondering if Brom was making a point about the true nature of monsters. Not the ones lurking in the forest, but the ones born from fear, greed, fanaticism, and mass hysteria. Maybe that’s just my interpretation, but it’s one of the reasons this story had my mind racing.
I will admit there were a few too many “mayhaps” sprinkled throughout the dialogue for my liking, but that’s a very minor complaint in an otherwise captivating read.
This is definitely a slower-paced story, rich with atmosphere and creeping dread. But once things begin to unravel, it absolutely delivers. Having loved Brom’s Krampus: The Yule Lord, I had a feeling this one would be a winner too.
If you enjoy atmospheric reads, folklore, witchcraft, dark fantasy, and stories where the forest feels alive and watching, then I’d highly recommend giving this one a try. If you’re looking for historical accuracy surrounding the witch trials, however, this may not be the book for you.
Hope you enjoyed the review and as always…
Meet you after dark.
💀Your cozy-macabre book bestie
Beneath the Book Light 