The Witchstone

De: Henry H. Neff

Narrado por: Ramiz Monsef

An unforgettable, high-stakes, laugh-out-loud funny novel, The Witchstone blends the merciless humor of The Good Place with the spellbinding fantasy of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.

Meet Laszlo, eight-hundred-year-old demon and Hell’s least productive Curse Keeper. From his office beneath Midtown, he oversees the Drakeford Curse, which involves a pathetic family upstate and a mysterious black monolith. It’s a sexy enough assignment—colonial origins, mutating victims, et cetera—but Laszlo has no interest in maximizing the curse’s potential; he’d rather sunbathe in Ibiza, quaff martinis, and hustle the hustlers on Manhattan’s subway. Unfortunately, his division has new management, and Laszlo’s ratings are so abysmal that he’s given six days to shape up or he’ll be melted down and returned to the Primordial Ooze.

Meet Maggie Drakeford, nineteen-year-old Curse Bearer. All she’s ever known is the dreary corner of the Catskills where the Drakeford Curse has devoured her father’s humanity and is rapidly laying claim to her own. The future looks hopeless, until Laszlo appears at the Drakeford farmhouse one October night and informs them that they have six days—and six days only—to break the spell before it becomes permanent. Can Maggie trust the glib and handsome Laszlo? Of course not. But she also can’t pass up an opportunity to save her family, even if it means having a demon as a guide …

Thus begins a breakneck international adventure that takes our unlikely duo from a hot dog stand in Central Park to the mountains of Liechtenstein. As the clock ticks down, tough-as-nails Maggie and conniving Laszlo will uncover a secret so profound that what began as a farcical quest to break a curse will eventually threaten the very Lords of Hell.

©2024 Henry H. Neff (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

Clever and highly entertaining

I’ve read Henry Neff’s previous books, and this one is just as entertaining! I can see growth and maturity. This book has a unique premise and it was so nice to read something I don’t feel I’ve already seen a dozen times. I highly recommend this audiobook!! The narrator also does a terrific job with his acting and differentiating between character’s voices. Download now!

Great minus one

i really enjoyed this more than I expected to. The story progresses in a fun amd natural way. the characters grew and changed in ways that were fun to read.
the wad only one spot that gives me cause to not give it the 5 stars. There is one scene that made it quite tricky to share with my sons. I enjoy sharing with them and discussing the books after they finish. But one scene, you will know witch but no spoilers, isn't really PG13. Yeah.
So, as long as you have a mature audience this is great but since one of the characters is the age of my boys I had developed preconceived notions about the whole book being safe for that age group. Now I have to hold off for a couple years. oh well.

Great story

I looked forward to every minute of this book. I enjoyed the story, the characters, some unexpected twists, and the narrator was very good. I hope there’s a sequel.

Great story

I loved the characters, I was sad when the story ended I wanted to know more of what happened with the family when the curse was broken

curse bearers, sineaters, demon levels...

The Magi are one of my secret favorite topics! I was not expecting that at all. The narrator does a great job--- I really think I might know Elizabeth Campbell Drakeford from Connecticut with her brittle terse judgements.

Best book I've read in such a long time

Loved this book so much. I could say that it's like if Neil Gaiman and Douglas Adam's had a demonic baby... but it's better even than that. The bureaucracy of hell was intensely funny, the main character Lazslo was simply fantastic (one of those characters who I will literally never forget) and now everyone needs to read this book so I can make funny references that people will understand. The world building was also superb. It would make a great movie. Reeeeead it. You definitely won't regret it.

Evil curses, Demons, and Hell as a corporation - What more could you need!

The hilarious, cozy, adventure fantasy books just keep coming this year but The Witchstone may be one of my favorites of the year though!

I had so much fun listening to this book ( I smiled during the entire epilogue) but the substance was not lacking at all. The narration is so so well done! The story follows Laszio, a nepo-baby demon who works for the society of curse keepers (think of Hell like a corporation) and Maggie Drakeford, a human who is next in line to be cursed by the very curse that Laszio keeps. Laszio is in some tough shit at work so he decides to “work with” Maggie and her brother, Lump, to save himself. The partnership leads to a laugh out loud, descriptive adventure that takes our characters all over the world.

Some how Neff is able to create an incredible story and world while also developing Laszio, Maggie, and Lump! Maggie’s development over the course of the story was so wonderful, and there were moments that felt so real and true. The supernatural elements and supporting characters are also so well done and add to the story in every single way. Finally, this book is ridiculously funny- not only just the dialogue but also the character description (Clarence will always be my fav)!

So Much Fun

This book made me inordinately happy. I loved the larger than life characters. I adore the snarky irreverence. I am giggling at the visuals of a dapper Laszlo in Gucci loafers traipsing around in the mud. For some reason I am reminded of Heide Goody, Ian Grant and Mark Cain. It is especially satisfying to realize that Henry H. Neff has written other books that I will be reading. Ramiz Monsef as narrator was exceptional and added fullness to each of the characters.

Wonderful Witchstone experience

Listening to the Witchstone and diving into the plot was a great experience, especially since I’ve been waiting for something from Neff since Impyrium dropped.

Like the tapestry series, the Witchstone balances sad, deplorable moments with beacons of hope that drive the characters into acting how they know they’re capable of acting, despite what they may think of themselves or their nature. I’m eager to see what comes next for these characters and the lives they’ve made for themselves.

Laszlo, Lump and Maggie thoroughly entertain

This novel had me eager for each listening session. The performance was superb with terrifically articulated voices (from disturbingly deep-voiced mega-demon, to smart-ass Laszlo, to obsequious Clarence, to no-nonsense mom Elizabeth to earnest Lump/George, and more). The story... just so dang entertaining! Just when I thought I had the storyline figured out, a new plot twist appeared. I just really enjoyed this romp through lands of witches, magi, curses, demons, monsters, sin-eaters, spell-casters, along with a supporting cast of intriguing humans. Bravo!