Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery is a dark and captivating novel by Gerald Brom, known simply as Brom, an artist and writer celebrated for his gothic fantasy works. Published in 2021, this book blends historical fiction, horror, and folklore into a richly atmospheric tale set in colonial New England. It’s a story of vengeance, identity, and the clash between Puritan rigidity and the wild, untamed forces of nature—both human and supernatural.
The novel centers on Abitha, a young Englishwoman who arrives in the Connecticut colony in 1666 to begin a new life with her husband, Edward. Abitha is spirited and headstrong, traits that immediately put her at odds with the strict, God-fearing community and her dour brother-in-law, Wallace. When Edward dies under mysterious circumstances, Abitha is left vulnerable, battling both Wallace’s attempts to seize her land and the suspicions of the townsfolk, who whisper of witchcraft. Enter Slewfoot, a horned, cloven-hoofed entity awakened from the forest—a being tied to the land’s ancient, primal past. Known to the local tribes as a spirit of renewal and retribution, Slewfoot is no simple devil; his nature is ambiguous, shaped by both his own forgotten history and Abitha’s growing defiance.
As Abitha and Slewfoot’s paths intertwine, the story explores themes of power and resistance. Abitha, branded a witch by her community, begins to embrace the very wildness they fear, while Slewfoot grapples with his identity—is he a demon, a god, or something else entirely? Their bond becomes a catalyst for chaos, unleashing a bloody reckoning on the hypocritical and oppressive settlers. Brom doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the era, weaving in visceral imagery of violence and decay that mirrors his signature artwork (he also provides haunting illustrations throughout the book).
The narrative excels in its pacing and atmosphere, balancing quiet, tension-filled moments with eruptions of grotesque horror. Brom’s prose is vivid yet accessible, painting the bleak Puritan settlement and the eerie, sentient forest with equal care. Abitha is a standout protagonist—flawed, fierce, and relatable—while Slewfoot’s enigmatic presence adds layers of intrigue. The book also subtly critiques the misogyny and fanaticism of the time, though it prioritizes storytelling over heavy-handed messaging.
Fans of Brom’s earlier works, like The Child Thief or Krampus, will recognize his knack for reimagining folklore with a dark twist. Slewfoot draws inspiration from the witch trials and Native American legends, but it’s wholly original—a tale that feels both timeless and fresh. It’s not for the faint of heart, with its graphic depictions of gore and suffering, but for those who love grim fairy tales or historical horror, it’s a standout. By the end, Slewfoot leaves you questioning who the real monsters are—the accused, the accusers, or the forces lurking just beyond the firelight.
You can buy Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom with my Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/42g15ZT
The novel centers on Abitha, a young Englishwoman who arrives in the Connecticut colony in 1666 to begin a new life with her husband, Edward. Abitha is spirited and headstrong, traits that immediately put her at odds with the strict, God-fearing community and her dour brother-in-law, Wallace. When Edward dies under mysterious circumstances, Abitha is left vulnerable, battling both Wallace’s attempts to seize her land and the suspicions of the townsfolk, who whisper of witchcraft. Enter Slewfoot, a horned, cloven-hoofed entity awakened from the forest—a being tied to the land’s ancient, primal past. Known to the local tribes as a spirit of renewal and retribution, Slewfoot is no simple devil; his nature is ambiguous, shaped by both his own forgotten history and Abitha’s growing defiance.
As Abitha and Slewfoot’s paths intertwine, the story explores themes of power and resistance. Abitha, branded a witch by her community, begins to embrace the very wildness they fear, while Slewfoot grapples with his identity—is he a demon, a god, or something else entirely? Their bond becomes a catalyst for chaos, unleashing a bloody reckoning on the hypocritical and oppressive settlers. Brom doesn’t shy away from the brutality of the era, weaving in visceral imagery of violence and decay that mirrors his signature artwork (he also provides haunting illustrations throughout the book).
The narrative excels in its pacing and atmosphere, balancing quiet, tension-filled moments with eruptions of grotesque horror. Brom’s prose is vivid yet accessible, painting the bleak Puritan settlement and the eerie, sentient forest with equal care. Abitha is a standout protagonist—flawed, fierce, and relatable—while Slewfoot’s enigmatic presence adds layers of intrigue. The book also subtly critiques the misogyny and fanaticism of the time, though it prioritizes storytelling over heavy-handed messaging.
Fans of Brom’s earlier works, like The Child Thief or Krampus, will recognize his knack for reimagining folklore with a dark twist. Slewfoot draws inspiration from the witch trials and Native American legends, but it’s wholly original—a tale that feels both timeless and fresh. It’s not for the faint of heart, with its graphic depictions of gore and suffering, but for those who love grim fairy tales or historical horror, it’s a standout. By the end, Slewfoot leaves you questioning who the real monsters are—the accused, the accusers, or the forces lurking just beyond the firelight.
You can buy Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom with my Amazon Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/42g15ZT
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