Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

By: V. E. Schwab

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Katie Leung, Marisa Calin

This program is read by a full cast, including Grammy-winning narrator Julia Whelan, who has narrated over 600 audiobooks and is a multiple Audie and SOVAS Award winner; Marisa Calin, an Audie, Odyssey, and AudioFile Earphones Award winner; and Katie Leung, best known for her role as Cho Chang in Harry Potter.

From V. E. Schwab, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying novel about immortality and hunger.

This is a story about hunger.

1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

A young girl grows up wild and wily—her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But María knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, María makes a desperate choice. She vows to have no regrets.

This is a story about love.

1827. London.

A young woman lives an idyllic but cloistered life on her family’s estate, until a moment of forbidden intimacy sees her shipped off to London. Charlotte’s tender heart and seemingly impossible wishes are swept away by an invitation from a beautiful widow—but the price of freedom is higher than she could have imagined.

This is a story about rage.

2019. Boston.

College was supposed to be her chance to be someone new. That’s why Alice moved halfway across the world, leaving her old life behind. But after an out-of-character one-night stand leaves her questioning her past, her present, and her future, Alice throws herself into the hunt for answers . . . and revenge.

This is a story about life—how it ends, and how it starts.

USA Today, 15 Most Anticipated of 2025

BookBub, Most Anticipated of 2025 (and Reader’s Pick)

Reader's Digest, 20 Most Anticipated Books This Year

Paste Magazine, Most Anticipated Fantasy Books of 2025

BookRiot, Most Anticipated Books of 2025

Men's Health, 25 Best & Most Anticipated Books of 2025

The Nerd Daily, SFF to Devour in 2025

Goodreads, Readers' Most Anticipated Books of 2025

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2025 V. E. Schwab (P)2025 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil crosses centuries, continents, and cultures to tell the story of three women…. whose afterlives are not what they expected. Vampire fiction the way it should be done, and a compellingly dark companion to the more life-affirming Addie LaRue."—Paste Magazine

"Schwab delicately intertwines the three storylines, which are compelling individually even before the reader knows how they will connect…..A beautiful meditation on queer identity against a supernatural backdrop."—Kirkus Reviews (starred)

"Schwab's fantasies are always a big draw, and this enticing tale of lesbian vampires that crosses centuries [is] irresistible."—Booklist

Captivating story

I really enjoied the story orbiting around the strong female characters. It was a great blend of history and fantasy.

Beautiful book

“You are my heartbeat. My feral rose. I laid you down in the midnight soil. I watered you until you bloomed. It is my job to tend our plot, and prune any weeds that try to grow.”

What a beautiful read! Her prose is just beautiful. The way she pulls you into a story and has you hanging on to each word like a lifeline. Definitely a book I'll be rereading.

amazing

outstanding performance by the narrators. engaging characters, beautiful writing, entrancing story. couldn't stop listening and read the entire book in one day

Fantasy and Folklore Collide.

If you like vampires… I’ve read the reviews of others describing this book as “haunting” I would have to agree.
This follows the journey of three women living their lives in a an oppressive male world. They each share an attraction to their same-sex. Their journeys are triumph, heartache and discovery. I recommend this book if you’re looking for something different, a darker fantasy rich in culture and folklore.

6 out of 5 Fangs

The writing is exceptional, the story is spellbinding, the characters bewitching, and the prose is intoxicating.
This is the vampire book we have all anxiously desired, but nothing quenched the bite until now.
Bury Our Bones is truly the nocturnal read of the year. I'm surprised it didn't release in Autumn, as it screams out for a warm cup of tea, a chilly evening, and a pile of blankets while reading. That being said, I wouldn't recommend waiting for fall to read it- as it is utterly delightful, instead just pick it back up and re-read it again (which yes, is what I shall be doing).

This is Schwab at her best, her most and her finest. <3

To say it was delicious is to put it too mildly. Have fun devouring it.


Concept 5/5
Setting 5/5
Characters 6/5
Magical Ambiance 5/5
Plot 6/5
Coherence 5/5
Romance .. it feels odd rating this one?
Audio Readers 5/5
Final Rating 6 out of 5 fangs
Audio Speed- 1.7x

Will I reread- absolutely
Is the audio worth it - 110%
Do I regret purchasing a special edition- not in the slightest
Will I be gifting a copy? Already have

This honestly leaves me out of my mind excited for what is coming in Victorious. I fear with how limitless her recent works have become- that it will probably be the death of me. I will burry myself in the midnight soil until Victor and Eli call my name.

Verdict- Morbidly Exhilarating- 6 out of 5 fangs

The Audio performances were great

However, they can’t make up for really drab, sad book. It is beautifully written, but pointless. If you want something with a melancholy, gothic vibe, this is it.

Best Narration!

Excellent! VE Schwab is a mastermind. Julian Whalen is excellent, as always. Katie Leung speaks directly to my heart! Marisa Calin’s voice is like sunshine on a rainy day. All the stars and more.

Great Character Building and Storytelling

The book was really good and the voice acting was amazing! Loved how the story progressed and had different themes throughout. I loved that I went in blind because I didn't realize it was about vampires until it hits you in the face. lovely surprise and loved the brutality at times. Her rules in this world for vampirism were clever, interesting, and practical. this is only the second book I've listened to, but I think she is my new favorite author...

Gripping story! Blindsided by ending!

Wow, I’m floored by this book. Once again this author knocks it out of the park!

Narrators were 👌perfect.
Story following 3 women growing up in different time periods, their stories woven together. Forced marriage, toxic love, vampires, immortality through hundreds of years, friendship, revenge, shocking ending. Love, love, LOVE this book!

V.E. Schwab does it again! Richly engaging and thoroughly gorgeous storytelling from start to finish.

V.E. Schwab does it again: brilliant prose, exceptional writing and rhythm, complex storylines, interesting timelines, and richly intriguing characters. Like her Addie LaRue, such a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read. THANK YOU!!!!