A Blood Witch is the second book in The Haunted Women series by Joseph Stone. The story takes readers back into the life of Fran Tarantino as she gets the chilling revelation that the protective ghost she believed was her mother is, in fact, Daedrian. Daedrian is a seductive and ruthless spirit who has haunted the women of her bloodline for generations. Following her Great-Aunt Aurora's mysterious death, Fran inherits cryptic letters revealing her true legacy as a witch and Daedrian's predatory nature. As she begins studying at Barnard College with her cousin Mary Jane, Fran must confront the terrifying reality that Daedrian is far from being a guardian. He intends to claim her next. Fran must navigate her newfound identity and the escalating threat of Daedrian, who is determined to make her his next bride in a cursed lineage. Can Fran break this cycle? Is it too late for her?

Author Joseph Stone has created an incredible supernatural story of resilience. I loved how the author merged gothic horror with Fran's coming-of-age story as she understood what it truly meant to be haunted by something as sinister as Daedrian. I absolutely loved Fran. She was a fantastic protagonist. She enjoyed her new freedom, was sad at losing Aurora, but was empowered by the knowledge left to her. Fran was no shrinking wallflower; in fact, she was the go-getter of the story. She was determined to get to the bottom of things and understand why the women of her family were haunted by Daedrian and if there was a way out of it or not. I enjoyed the narrative style, I loved the pace, and I loved the emotional depth of the story. This story is best suited for adults. I highly recommend it

Joseph Stone’s A Blood Witch is a dark fantasy that blends historical intrigue, supernatural horror, and emotional depth. Set in a bygone era in Boston, the story follows Violet Ralston, an apothecary who becomes ensnared in a dangerous relationship with Daedrian, a cruel and temperamental married man. Violet’s desperate attempt to escape his grasp leads her to a forbidden ritual, binding his spirit to her bloodline and haunting generations of women in her family. The exploration of generational trauma is particularly poignant, as Fran, a descendant of Violet, inherits the curse and must confront Daedrian’s ghost. Fran’s journey toward understanding her ancestors’ mistakes and her resolve to end the curse highlight themes of empowerment and resilience.

Joseph Stone’s prose captures the emotional intensity of the characters and the eerie atmosphere of the story. The dialogue, reminiscent of the period, adds authenticity to the historical setting, though some readers may find the period language challenging. The novel’s exploration of trauma is unflinching, examining the psychological scars left by abuse and the resilience required to confront such horrors. A Blood Witch is a dark tale that will appeal to fans of historical fantasy and gothic fiction. It blends emotional depth, supernatural horror, and historical richness. For some readers, it might be more beneficial to read book one to have a better understanding of this story, as it can become complex at times. There are scenes that some might find disturbing, but for those readers who enjoy dark fantasy, A Blood Witch offers a chilling, cathartic experience.

In A Blood Witch, book two in The Haunted Women series by Joseph Stone, Fran has intensely vivid dreams after moving into her Aunt Aurora’s house, with Aurora’s memories of the chimeric Daedrian. Fran reads Aurora’s diary and sees contradictions in Daedrian’s nature and violent past. Fran confronts Daedrian, and he claims mastery over her, only disappearing when approached by Fran's Great-Aunt Lily. Fran attends therapy and jogs in the hope of relieving her concerns. Her cousin Mary Jane develops a relationship with Professor Zach McWaters, who does the unthinkable when possessed. Fran investigates supernatural phenomena through films and books, learning about ghosts as electromagnetic energy residues. Fran and Mary Jane have their ghost-eradication methods dismissed, but refuse to simply allow Daedrian to destroy lives, researching occult material through limited library resources related to witchcraft and her deadly family history.

“Amongst the most potent abilities afforded to the witch is that of Blood Magick....” A Blood Witch by Joseph Stone offers readers a darkly haunting family saga. I did not read book one, A Perfect Night, but didn't see this as a hindrance at all. I think I will go back and read it regardless, since A Blood Witch is excellent. The prose has an elegance to it, and from dress fittings at Oscar De La Renta to hushed conversations in the kitchen, each scene is carefully constructed. Fran and Mary Jane have their priorities and restraint sketched in real time, while Aurora's is written from the past. The supernatural presence of Daedrian is always there and is the singular diametric undercurrent, an antagonist and a spectral critique of a terrible birthright and consequence. Sexual violence is prevalent but never gratuitous. With polished dialogue and purposeful staging, the story maintains momentum, with scrupulously arranged moments that demonstrate the author's talent.

A Blood Witch: The Haunted Women, Book 2 by Joseph Stone follows Fran Tarantino’s push to uncover and confront the dark family legacy tied to the malevolent spirit Daedrian. After attending Aurora Ciccone’s funeral and inheriting part of her estate, Fran digs into journals and documents revealing Daedrian’s historical manipulation, seduction, and abuse of female ancestors, including Aurora, Angelina, and others. Daedrian exerts supernatural control, demanding devotion and causing suffering within the family. As Fran and her cousin Mary Jane work through college life, they face Daedrian’s ongoing influence, including his possession of those trusted by the girls, with devastating consequences. Fran fights against the spiritual and psychological impact of Daedrian’s presence while attempting to protect her family and assert independence against strict family rules enforced by Great-Aunt Lily.

A Blood Witch by Joseph Stone is a fantastically written tale, thoughtfully and disturbingly told through multiple point of view characters, including journal entries that reveal an understanding of the entanglement between the young women in the family, and Daedrian. This is not light reading, and some horrific things happen throughout, but it is balanced by Fran and Mary Jane's relationship, which provides moments of true human connection that contrast sharply with Daedrian’s cold domination. The dialogue is sharp, and the time jumps are expertly handled, as are the textured, almost cinematic depictions of each scene. I love a lavish social event, and Stone delivers, while privately facing the haunting presence of Daedrian, whose affection and violence arrive in equal measure. The pacing has a steady rhythm that maintains focus on Fran’s isolation and endurance, and with a fierce mix of the supernatural and psychological, Stone takes us on a ride that refuses to slow down. Very highly recommended.