Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
 

My thoughts:

Something was missing in this book. Marketed as an occult horror, it unfortunately felt much more like YA fantasy for most of the story. The Devil — or perhaps the Wendigo — awakens from a long slumber, hungry for blood. His three little helpers often appear as grotesque creatures with children’s faces — and they behave like children, too. Only the opossum can articulate words; the other two are mute, which is probably for the best, since they rarely have anything intelligent to say.
From a bloodthirsty beast, the Devil/Wendigo quickly turns into the protagonist’s companion, struggling to remember his identity. I think that part disappointed me the most. I was hoping for religious psychosis — for a real trap, with Abitha caught between fanatical Puritans and the horned apparition she perceived as the Devil.

The book constantly reminds us how conservative and fanatical Abitha’s community is. Church service is mandatory for everyone twice a week, and any deviation from this rule results in public punishment and being pelted with filth and manure. And yet, when drought comes and Abitha has to water her field herself, drawing water from the well, she’s granted a dispensation — free to work in the field as much as she likes and avoid the village altogether. And that’s such a missed opportunity to give the story (which, after all, aspires to be a horror) a bit more darkness and tension — some suspicious glances and growing paranoia.

Abitha not only faces no consequences but also receives help from her fairy godmother — the Devil/Wendigo.

I really liked the character of Wallace. Greedy and misogynistic, he was a very well-crafted villain. I enjoyed his conflict with Abitha.

The ending salvaged the book, but still, I expected more. I hoped that when the story reached its climax, Abitha would savor the moment — revel in it with cruelty and precision. Instead, it all felt like a frantic rush from point A to point B, and so on.

The epilogue felt completely unnecessary in the form it was written. I would’ve much rather learned the fate of the Carters, who were completely forgotten.

If you’d like to read a story set in the 1600s, exploring the lives of the first settlers and Indigenous people — one that beautifully portrays colonialism and religious indoctrination — I highly recommend Daughters of the Deer by Danielle Daniel.