Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab is a historical sapphic vampire story you can sink your teeth into. Schwab fills the void left by vampire queen Anne Rice. Her vampires are beautiful, tragic, vicious, and queer. This is a story about women born without power who must die to achieve it.

The book will draw many comparisons to Interview with the Vampire because of its lyrical language, sapphic scenes, and queerness. However, Interview with the Vampire focused on men, while this novel places women at the center. One of the most effective elements is how it highlights the privilege of men, even vampire men, over women. It made me think about Interview with the Vampire differently when it comes to privilege. Interview with a Vampire is often read as a thinly veiled allegory for gay men. This book is not an allegory for lesbian relationships. It is a bold and fresh exploration of how queerness and power have shifted across time.

The story is framed through history, showing how women and lesbians were treated from 1592 to 2019. It follows three women who become creatures of the night. They are born decades apart but are united by their struggle for independence. For most of them, becoming a vampire is not a curse but an escape.

The storytelling is rich and immersive. The structure mirrors The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, moving back and forth between past and present, with details in each timeline echoing and informing one another. I found myself far more invested in the past than in the present, but the payoff brought everything together in a satisfying way. The pacing worked well, though I did find myself reading the present sections more quickly just to return to the past.

The ending is split into two parts. The first did not fully work for me, but Schwab completely delivered with the second, which elevated the entire conclusion. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil may be my second-favorite Schwab novel. I will rank them at the bottom.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil won the Goodreads Choice Award for Fantasy 2025.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil was first published on June 10, 2025, by Tor Books.

Why Did I Read Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab?

Schwab has slowly become one of my favorite authors. My first exposure was Vicious, and I was immediately hooked. I have since read six of her books, and for me, she has only ever been a four or five-star author. She does not miss. Every time I pick up one of her novels, I am blown away by the story.

Schwab has said that Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is one of her most personal books, as she is a proud lesbian. I will read anything she writes.

In 2025, I introduced my wife to her work, and she is the one who bought the signed edition of this novel. I have also added two of Schwab’s upcoming books to my most anticipated reads of 2026: Victorious, the third book in the Villains series, and The Ending Writes Itself, written with Cat Clarke under the pen name Evelyn Clarke.

Plot Summary:

Maria was born in sixteenth-century Spain. She is a free spirit who longs for independence and believes marriage might give it to her. Instead, her husband tries to take that freedom away. She encounters a strange pale widow in the woods who offers her another path. Power and freedom will come with consequences, but Maria is willing to accept them.

Alice was born in the 2000s in Scotland and now lives in a Harvard dorm in the United States. A once in a lifetime connection ends her human life. Reborn as a vampire, Alice searches for answers about why she was chosen and what this curse truly means.

Lottie was born in the 1800s and always knew she was different. She loved women in a society that offered her no such freedom. Forced into a world of balls and marriage prospects, she discovers another fate, one she will not be parted from even in death.

All three stories converge by the end.

What I Liked:

The writing is lyrical and poetic, with a flow that is easy to fall into. It is lush without being difficult to read. Schwab weaves beautiful imagery throughout, often using flowers as metaphors for women. The title itself comes from a poem referenced in the book, with the line “Soft red petals hiding sharp white teeth,” which perfectly captures the tone. Maria’s story and her wild journey were especially compelling. Lottie’s enormous heart, even after she is turned, is deeply affecting. Alice took longer for me to connect with, but by the end, I fully understood and appreciated her arc. Sabine is the character who elevates the novel from great to unforgettable. Once she appears, the story reaches another level. Alessandro, the artist, was also a standout, particularly in his philosophy about life and creation.

The vampire moments are brutal and vivid. Like Interview with the Vampire, the novel does not rely on constant action; however, when violence does occur, it is striking and bloody. There is a shocking turning scene, several furious confrontations, and several heartbreaking deaths. The LGBTQ representation is powerful and central, and it is refreshing to see vampires portrayed through such a richly queer lens.

What I Disliked:

Lottie’s introduction before her transformation felt slightly too long. A few of the ballroom scenes could have been trimmed. There is also one interrupting scene in her section that felt included mainly to create a break in the narrative, and I wanted it to serve a stronger purpose.

Recommendations:

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil is a phenomenal read. I was disappointed that I had to move it into my 2026 reading list instead of 2025, because it would have ranked fourth on my Top Books Published in 2025, just above My Friends by Fredrik Backman. Fans of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles should absolutely read this. The style and language are very similar to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. While there is no direct connection, the two novels feel like sister stories, exploring the same kind of supernatural space. I cannot recommend Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil enough. It is a remarkable book.

Rating:

We Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab. I rated it 5 out of 5.

The language, the characters, the themes, and the storytelling are all top notch.

Ranking of all the V. E. Schwab books I have read and fully reviewed on my readingwithmyeyes website.

1. Vicious
2. We Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
3. Gallant
4. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
5. A Darker Shade of Magic
6. Vengeful