Book Review: The Bane Witch by Lesley R. Shaffer
From the moment I stumbled across The Bane Witch, the premise drew me in like a moth to a flame. The idea of a story steeped in dark magic where vengeance intertwines with the plight of women is not just appealing; it’s provocative. Lesley R. Shaffer crafts a narrative that feels like the love child of Poison Ivy and the unsettling charm of the cult classic film Teeth. Given that backdrop, I was eager to dive into a world that promised both enchantment and feminist subversion.
At the heart of The Bane Witch lies a menacing society littered with terrible men, a fact that feels both exaggerated and painfully relatable. While it initially struck me as too over-the-top, I can’t deny that the everyday horrors in our world often reflect this level of villainy. Shaffer manages to not only demonstrate this through her world-building but also provides a rationale that ties it all together, making this seemingly hyperbolic portrayal feel rather grounded.
The magic system in this book truly shines, effortlessly weaving a lore that piqued my curiosity without bogging itself down with excessive rules. It invites you to suspend disbelief and let your imagination explore—an element that has left a lasting impression long after closing the book. I found myself reflecting on how well Shaffer balances explanation with intrigue, almost like she’s handing you a handful of enchanted seeds and urging you to plant them in the fertile soil of your mind.
However, it’s worth mentioning that while Shaffer’s third foray into writing is remarkably polished, there are moments where the dialogue feels a bit excessive. Characters sometimes launch into monologues that, while filled with rich exposition, seem to linger too long at a party where the host has already bid “goodnight.” It’s a small quibble, but one that occasionally disrupted the flow of the story for me.
As for the pacing, it faltered significantly during the climax. Just when I thought I was at the edge of my seat, a deus ex machina came crashing down, almost as if to say, “Surprise! We’re cutting this crescendo short!” This abrupt shift took me out of the moment, and despite reading and re-reading those pivotal pages, I struggled to grasp the transition. It was a tough pill to swallow, especially considering how engaging the previous sections had been.
Nevertheless, the central characters—powerful, confident women—are a delight. They carry the narrative, unfolding layers of strength and vulnerability that make you root for them wholeheartedly. The men, unfortunately, seem to serve as mere plot devices, their arcs often disappointingly inconsistent.
Ultimately, The Bane Witch wraps itself up rather neatly, albeit without delving too deeply into its potential for richer exploration—especially in terms of queerness and subverting the cis-heteronormative lens. Despite my grumbling about pacing and missed opportunities, I genuinely vibed with the first seven chapters. The escapism it offers is both thrilling and cathartic.
If you’re a fan of stories that champion women reclaiming their power, or if you simply enjoy an entertaining romp through a fantastical world ripe for vengeance, The Bane Witch is a worthy read. While it may not tackle every societal criticism with the depth it deserves, it is an exciting and unapologetic journey into the heart of female empowerment. So grab your broomstick, and prepare for an adventure—I certainly did!
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts are my own.
