Nightshade and Oak

by Molly O'Neill

An Iron Age goddess must grapple with becoming human in this delightful historical fantasy of myth and magic from the author of the instant hit Greenteeth.

When Malt, the goddess of death, is accidentally turned into a human by a wayward spell, she finds she's ill-equipped to deal with the trials of a mortal life.

After all, why would a goddess need to know how to gather food or light a fire?

Trapped in a body that's frustratingly feeble, she's forced to team up with Bellis, warrior daughter of Boudicca on a perilous journey across Roman-occupied Britain to the afterlife to try to restore her powers. As animosity turns to attraction, these two very different women must learn to work together if they are to have any hope of surviving their quest.

Genres: Fantasy, Adult, Queer, Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Historical Fiction

288 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Molly O’Neill is a fantasy author and engineering geologist. She was born and raised in the Cotswolds and moved to Australia in 2019. She now lives in Sydney, on the land of the Gadigal People.

Molly writes fantasy books inspired by the beautiful landscapes of her two countries, and by the folklore of the British Isles. She particularly loves the darker Arthurian legends and the Welsh myths of the Mabinogion and often uses them as a foundation for her stories.

Her first novel, Greenteeth, is out now. Her next book, Nightshade and Oak, is coming Feb 2026.

Reviews

[Maeghan 🦋 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugeee thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for a chance to review this arc!!
4.25✨

I want to say this was a delightful read as much as it was heartbreaking. It pulled at my heartstrings and just made me ponder about how wonderfully complex it is to be a human being.

Malt, the goddess of death - is accidentally turned mortal by a spell gone wrong. She has to team up with Bellis, a warrior princess - in order to right the wrongs.

This was a perfect blend of historical fantasy mixed with mythology. I loved every second of it and binged in 2 sittings.

Malt & Bellis were both such strong FMCs. They had depth, complexity and were just amazing characters to follow. I immediately loved them and couldn’t get enough. Malt was so used to being the best at everything (being a goddess and all), that turning human was actually quite hard for her (obviously). There’s a few instances that made me laugh in the first half of the book because she is just so dramatic (within reasons but it was still funny). Both Malt & Bellis go through amazing character development through this book and it was wonderfully done.

The main plot never wavers and the subplots were really interesting as well. There’s a slow burn sapphic romance as a subplot and I absolutely devoured it.

The pacing was perfect for this story and I really loved the writing. This was a very unique concept. The ending was fitting for the story.
I will read everything this author writes.

[Joey O'Neill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the finest book ever written (I assume)

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really looking forward to this next book since I adored Greenteeth! Will update my review once it is released.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bittersweet fairytale wrapped in the brutal realities of war, Nightshade and Oak is a journey through conflict, gods, and grief, led by a stubborn fallen goddess and the warrior who broke her.

Mallt Y Nos is a goddess of the dead and dying, helping lost souls find their way to the afterlife. In a region ravaged by war, she has her work cut out for her, laying battlefields of thousands to rest. When her hurried pace leads to a careless mistake, she is cursed by a bungled spell and reduced to a frail human body. The caster of the wayward spell is Belis, a rebellious warrior attempting to heal her dying sister. With Mallt clueless about what mortality truly entails and Belis willing to do anything to rescue her sister’s soul from the limbo it now lies in, they strike a deal to travel together to the afterlife, to restore Mallt’s godhood and return the soul of Belis’s sister. But the horrors of war only add to the perils of their journey, and they must fight through monsters, both man and beast, to reclaim what they have lost.

This immediately started off strong with an incredible first chapter showing the aftermath of a battlefield through the eyes of a benevolent goddess. After the aforementioned magic misfire, the journey Mallt and Belis take feels fresh, hopeful, and almost fairytale-like, despite the bursts of action that pop up along the way. Things are a bit meandering, but all-around solid. I loved seeing the world through Mallt’s eyes, unaccustomed to the pains of survival in a body with limits and hungers, yet mesmerized by the fleeting beauty of love and joy that come with it. I especially adored the traveling and camping sequences, Mallt and Belis’s petty power struggles, and the descriptions of this beautiful but troubled land.

Around the 40% mark, the plot takes a darker turn, and so does the tone. No longer a whimsical journey to right their wrongs, things become grim and gory, and the story shifts its focus to the harsh realities of war and pain. I obviously can’t spoil what this section entails, but as a whole, it felt a little disconnected from how the story had previously presented itself. The beginning of the book almost had me thinking this was a cozy fantasy, while the second half is bleak and despondent in a way that feels detached from where we started. I think this section ultimately ties well into the themes and overarching story, but it did feel jarring and, at times, frustrating, as it is not where I necessarily wanted the narrative to go. The final quarter struggles to reconcile these two disparate halves and ends up flip-flopping between tones, but it does settle into a conclusion that I really appreciated, and I felt that it tied everything together nicely.

There were also some hiccups with the characters, though they were overall solid as well. Mallt is sort of this little fawn, stumbling through the mortal world without any real strength and with her eyes wide to the full gamut of human emotion. She has a bit of a hot temper too; she has this intense ego to her (and why shouldn’t she, when she’s used to humans deferring to her godly power), but it’s never done in a way that feels irritating to the reader. It strikes a perfect balance where you can objectively recognize how annoying she can be, but it’s all delivered with so much over-the-top drama that I found myself enjoying her attitude even when it was demeaning and quite rude.

Unfortunately, this also made Mallt a much stronger character than Belis, especially given that nearly the entire book is from Mallt’s point of view. While I found myself sympathizing with Mallt’s struggles adjusting to mortality, Belis came across as a more typical strong warrior archetype with no weaknesses or defining traits for me to gravitate towards. Even with the inclusion of her "Belis Before" chapters, I had a hard time connecting with her and found her to be a bit plain. In theory, I love the idea of a hot, tall, buff, and gruff warrior girlfriend, but in practice, I wanted more from her character, especially when Mallt was right beside her shining like a star.

One thing I don’t necessarily have strong feelings about but do want to note is that going into this, I didn’t realize there was a historical fiction/retelling aspect. Mallt-y-Nos is a figure from Welsh mythology, while Belis is the imagined daughter of the real queen Boudica of the British Iceni tribe. Boudica’s failed uprising against the Romans is a real historical event and is heavily featured in this book, and because we know very little about her daughters, not even their names, that is where O’Neill expands into fiction. I didn’t know much about this subject beforehand and only briefly researched it after recognizing Boudica’s name in a flashback chapter, so I can’t speak to the historical accuracy. I feel fairly neutral about its inclusion, but it is worth mentioning!

Overall, I really enjoyed this cozy-yet-dark fairytale, and it was a lovely introduction to O’Neill’s work. I fell for the first half so hard that I actually went to my local bookstore mid-read to pick up Greenteeth. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy fantasy, a good old-fashioned redemption journey, or is interested in fantasy set within this specific historical period.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Suki J · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Mallt, an ancient goddess, is accidentally turned human by the daughter of Boudicca, Belis, they set off on a journey together to restore Mallt, and to heal Belis' sister.

I went into this book having loved Green Teeth by Molly O'Neill last year, and I was very keen to read more by this author.

Firstly I loved the setting. The combination of ancient Britain and mythology was magical, in a similar way to Green Teeth. The feel of the book was cosy with stakes, which is a combination I really enjoy.

Secondly the characters were likeable. Mallt as a goddess in human form was endearing and at times amusing, and I loved the power of Belis, as a warrior Iceni.

Unfortunately it was inevitable that I would be comparing this to Green Teeth, and it just didn't hit in the same way. Still an enjoyable read though, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Molly O'Neill does next!

[Ivy Rylander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the e-arc!
I enjoyed this! This was a cozy, historical fantasy with folklore and adventure. I loved our main character, Mallt Y Nos, the Nighshade and Goddess of Death and her learning what it means to be human.
The pacing was a little inconsistent for me, but I was so invested in Mallt and Belis’s journey.
I will definitely keep reading what Molly O’Neill writes!

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy from Orbit Books via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date February 3rd, 2026.

I liked O'Neill’s faerie-based Greenteeth, and I was interested in the premise of her latest novel. In Nightshade and Oak, Mallt is the goddess of the unquiet dead in Roman-era Britain, until an accidental spell leaves her trapped in a mortal body. Before the dead begin to rise, Mallt must travel with her reluctant ally, the daughter of Queen Boudicca, on a quest to regain her immortal aspect.

Nightshade and Oak is, first and foremost, a walking quest book. While witches and Roman legions and the unquiet dead occasionally interfere, mostly it’s Mallt and Belis walking very slowly across southern Britain. With the blisters and bedrools and hiking packs to match. While Greenteeth had a protagonist with a strong and distinctly inhuman voice, this novel is a little closer to home. Mallt is deeply alienated from mortals, since she only interacts with people in the extremity of death, but her voice is much more conventional. With the exception of the stray how dare you address me like that mortal, and forgetting she can’t walk on water and so forth. Personally, I’d prefer a protagonist that could theoretically eat a party member at any moment, and also some nice plotting and scheming over Fantasy Hiking Trip.

The tone and focus of the plot switches very abruptly about halfway through the novel. I won’t spoil it, but it felt a bit disjointed, like half of a different novel was pasted on with limited foreshadowing. However, I did enjoy the bittersweetness of the ending, which gave the story just a hint of bite. It’s nice when authors aren’t afraid of mixing in a bit of tragedy. Some readers may also want to keep an eye out for the sapphic romance, but my impression was more of an obligatory subplot than passionate relationship. We have to see Mallt fall in love to acknowledge that she’s truly embraced mortality, or something.

Solid enough execution, but I just don’t get along well books that are heavy to action scenes and walking. Still, recommended for fans of Grace Curtis’ sapphic fantasy, particularly Idolfire.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit books for the ARC of Nightshade and Oak.

If you liked Greenteeth I think you will like this book.

I love how we start out with a goddess who loses her power of not her own free will or as a direct punishment. This is such a well written story and I love the way Molly Oniell captures you with perfectly imperfect characters.

The twist of adventure in the middle really got me and drew me in. If you like stories about witches, fae, gods fantasy with lots of adventure I think this book will be for you.

I think where I felt Greenteeth dragged on in parts where they were travelling this did a great job of continuing the story and not making it feel like too much of a slog.

I loved this a lot, I am trying so hard to leave spoilers out - but it was so beautiful

[The Nightwatch Desk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallt Y Nos is the Nightshade Goddess of Death. She roams battlefields in search of lost souls that need help reaching the afterworld. Until the day a witch’s spell misfires and turns her into a human.

The culprit is Princess Beliscena, the daughter of Boudica, who was trying to save her younger sister's life. They agree to work together to reach the entrance to the afterworld—in search of a solution to both their problems. It's a perilous journey that forces them to face Roman soldiers, corrupted magic, and their own flaws.

🌳Adult Fiction
🗡️Mythology Fantasy
🌿Magic & Adventure
🌳Ex-Goddess x Warrior
🗡️Sapphic Romance Subplot

'Nightshade and Oak' is a magical adventure that reimagines the aftermath of Queen Boudica's death. It's set in a fantasy version of the late Iron Age with Romans, Britons, Gods, fae, dragons, and other beasts. This story depicts a brutal time period and highlights how war makes everyone suffer.

Mallt is a grouchy goddess who doesn't think much of humans but does think highly of herself. She's hilarious as she experiences life for the first time (with plenty of complaining and bickering involved). At its core, this book is about her evolution as she embraces humanity, love, and empathy.

Belis is harder to get to know. She unravels slowly as a grieving warrior who’s loyal to her family above all. I enjoyed the fact that she didn’t have an instant connection with Mallt, and that they truly disliked each other at first. Their dynamic was set-up perfectly to remind the reader that romance isn’t the point of their relationship.

The first half of this story is a steady quest that focuses on the characters. After that it pivoted in a different direction, which slowed the pacing and felt disjointed. The ending was a little unsatisfying and was missing something.

Overall, this was sort of like a literary version of 'Xena: Warrior Princess.' I also learned quite a bit about Boudica and the Britons through the flashback scenes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orbit Books for providing an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Orbit Books for the advanced copy! You can pick up Nightshade and Oak on February 3, 2026.

Although the premise of this book is a bit light-hearted initially (goddess loses her immortality, must adjust to being in a mortal body, etc), it's filled with surprising heartache, tenderness, and the brutalities of war. Mallt, the goddess in question, accidentally loses her powers when the daughter of Boudica steals her magic to save her sister's life. Together, Mallt and Belis must travel across Briton, evading capture by the Romans on their way to the afterlife to seek the help of the god Arawn.

Though the majority of the story is told from Mallt's first-person POV, I loved the snippets we get of Belis's past as well, told from a third-party perspective and detailing what it was like to grow up the daughter of Boudica. Seeing how much she trained and fought for her people leading up to this big battle helps us understand Belis's motivations for bringing her sister back and continuing her mother's legacy.

Mallt, meanwhile, has forgotten what it's like interacting with humans, and goes through several humbling experiences as she realizes the limitations of her physical body. Belis is an unwanted but necessary ally, making their interactions cold and tense for the first half of the book. But as Mallt learns more about what it takes to live as a human, we see her and Belis soften toward one another.

I did not expect a secondary, bigger B plot to happen once they reach the afterlife, but the cadence of the story was fascinating from there on. It almost follows the rhythm of a fairytale or folktale, as Belis and Mallt must complete certain tasks to prove their readiness to undertake the final quest.

I really appreciated how sweet the romance built up to be, and the ending was heartwarming and heartaching in the best way. Def pick this up if you want a historical fantasy with a sapphic romance that's steeped in British folklore.

[Appel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly did it once again! I found Greenteeth early this year before the release and it was my most surprising find of the year.
When Molly mentioned on her insta her new book I've been keeping an eye out here for the arc. Super happy I was allowed to read it again so early before the release!

And I've not been let down. Nightshade and Oak is, just like Greenteeth, a very fun standalone that is a lovely read.
We follow Mallt y Nos, Nightshade, she who guides souls to the next step and she gets wrapped up in something that turns her into a human! What the heck, why does my feet hurt and am I feeling like I can't breath- what do you mean I am only tired?? What is this torture humans go through each day.

I love this aspect of the book so much, I gobbled up all the (side-)quests she and Belis embarked on and didn't expect more high stakes later on in the book even. The ending was very sweet, it was actually perfect for the book and really appreciated it. Here and there the pacing was suddenly a bit off, but other than a 'huh' we vibed on, as it was not something that tossed me out of the story.

Everyone, get this book, it's perfect inbetween bigger series, or for those who want to start with some fantasy and a few drops of sapphic love.

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malt is a goddess of death but when she accidentally gets in the way of a wayward spell she gets turned human. She's ill equipped to deal with everything that entails so she teams up with Boudicca's daughter, Belis, to venture to Annwn and get her powers back. Belis in turn is on this mission to get her sister's lost soul while trying to avoid Roman soldiers. 

I struggled a little with the tone of this book. It felt very YA and cozy leaning through a lot of it. With the characters having to complete little tasks to be taught lessons. But then there are some very dark themes and moments, due to the historical setting of the story, that felt out of balance with the rest of the story. 

However, even with this unevenness there's a lot to enjoy about this book. Both Malt and Belis are interesting characters with plenty of flaws. Malt is a bit of a (adorable) nightmare at first but it's Belis who surprised me the most. The story sets her up as this grand hero and only with time, we find out that she's not this perfect white knight. 

I'll admit the ending completely got to me and it made me see the whole story in a different light, it made me even shed a tear and made the whole book a necessary read for everyone.

Thank you to Molly O'Neill and Orbit for the ARC.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Having loved Greenteeth last year, I was really looking forward to Nightshade and Oak. While it didn't quite live up to my high expectations, this was a super enjoyable read, with an immersive setting and compelling characters.

I really loved the Roman-era British setting with Boudicca's rebellion as an anchor in time. From a mythology standpoint, the push-pull of the old Welsh and British gods and way of life beginning to give way to the Roman incursion added an extra layer of tension to what was already happening with the people of the land. Belis and Mallt are also great characters. They don't understand each other at all at first, but finding a way to work together and face their fears along the journey really gave the book a beautiful arc.

This isn't a "happy" book. The ending is fitting if bittersweet, and the horrors of war, conquest, and sacrifce are fully on display. There were some very heart-wrenching scenes, and some very tender ones. The character work is the star here for sure. So while I didn't love this the way I loved Greenteeth, I'd still highly recommend it.

[Lis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy death Goddess and a Princess with a very large sword? Sign me up!

This is a very charming adventure story about grief and doing the right thing even when you don't have to. If you are a fan of Greenteeth you will enjoy this. I feel that it was slightly more disjointed but the characters make up for it.

Mallt Y Nos, a goddess of death, somehow is loses her immortality and her powers and now must learn how to be human with the assistance of a warrior princess by her side. She is so grumpy and mean and funny while trying to get her human legs under control, it actually had me giggling at certain points. Lucky for her Princess Beliscena, the daughter of Boudica, is there to protect/teach her as they try to make it to the gates of Annwn to save her sister.

The one thing I really didn't like is a mention of SA, that just felt unnecessary? It was to show the brutality of the Romans but I think the reader is able to tell that without needing to heavily imply SA. It's also never mentioned again or discussed in the main story. I also wish her hounds were included more in the story, they sound like a large part of her lore that would have been really cool to explore.

This was a fun sapphic adventure story! It explores and teaches the reader about the Welsh / Celtic mythology that has a severe lack of options in the fantasy space. I want a whole book with just the witch Vatta, she stole the story in less than 20 pages.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit for an advance copy of this title in exchange for a honest review.

[Venneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know that what I'd always wanted was a goddess of death embodied into human form by accident on a road trip with a Celtic warrior woman to try and restore the order of the supernatural world by restoring her form and falling tragically and beautifully in love along the way, but goddamn did I get it here. This is an exquisitely written novel, and the yearning and how some of the most fundamental people in your life may not always be with you for the full road of your life, and to treasure what you have with them. Comes out this February, pre order it now!

[Maddie]

I GOT THE ARCCCCC

[Faye Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nightshade & Oak is a standalone historic fantasy, with a sapphic romance subplot. Now that I've finished it, I understand why it's categorised only as Sci-Fi/Fantasy and not as a romance, as it doesn't have a HEA for our two main characters, Mallt and Belis. It was definitely bittersweet, and I'll admit that it took me by surprise as I was expecting them to stay together. I enjoyed the plot and the characters,  particularly Mallt who initially doesn't respond well (physically or emotionally) to losing her goddess form and being trapped within a mortal body. Her sort of superiority as a former-Goddess was funny without being irritating, which is a difficult balance!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea of the book was great but the execution was a bit lack luster. I personally love books under 500 pages but I feel like this one definitely could’ve been longer. I would’ve enjoyed a dual point of view of both Belis and Mallt. I also think some of Belis’ back story wasn’t entirely explained and I think that would’ve helped too. I really liked this author’s other book, Greenteeth, but this one fell a bit flat for me. I think it need more details to really help develop the story and characters.

Thank you to Molly O’Neill, Orbit Books, and NetGalley for this eARC!

[rose ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️

whew if there’s one thing molly o’neill is going to do it’s make me cry at an ending

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nightshade and Oak by Molly O'Neill is a strong, compelling read that masterfully blends Welsh folklore and Iron Age history. The premise of the Goddess of Death being turned human and embarking on a quest to the Afterworld is fantastic.

I loved the rich world-building and the expertly handled slow-burn romance between the goddess and the fierce Iceni warrior, Princess Belis. The genuine character moments are a highlight.

My only reason for four stars instead of five is that the pacing occasionally dipped in the middle section. Overall, it's an excellent historical fantasy that I highly recommend for its heart, magic, and engaging queer love story.

[Lynn Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2026/01/26/re...
My Five Word TL:DR Review: History and Mythology Perfectly Blended

I absolutely adored Greenteeth and couldn’t wait to read more by this author and Nightshade and Oak certainly didn’t disappoint. O’Neill has a way of blending history and folklore that is quite magical, she also seems to like to bring together two totally different characters, who, on the face of it, really shouldn’t get on, and then throw them into a situation. In Greenteeth we had a lake monster and a witch and in Nightshade and Oak we have a Goddess and a warrior.

The start of the story is amazing. We witness the Goddess of Death, Mallt Y Nos, and her pack of dogs roaming as they sweep through the carnage of a battlefield. Mallt is responsible for sending souls to their final resting place, helping those that are stuck or unhappy. Unfortunately, during her work she is struck by an errant spell that strips her of her immortality. She becomes a frail human, no longer blessed with great strength and speed. The person responsible for this action is a female warrior called Bellis, daughter of Boudicca. The Iceni tribe were making a final stand against the Romans, it didn’t go well and Belis was trying a spell of healing. The two are now thrown together through need and to be fair, although they set out on a quite simple quest things become much more complicated along the way.

What I loved about this.

It’s a really easy story to engage with, similar to Greenteeth. It’s set in a period where myth and magic were still believed in and it blends into the story easily.

I love Mallt. She’s a great character to get along with. She’s been a Goddess for so long, she barely thinks about the things she now does, it’s all automatic, she takes for granted her long life and her abilities so when she loses them not only is it devastating for her but it does make for some situations that definitely bring light relief. She’s so naturally arrogant, but then she finds she can’t climb a hill without hurting everywhere, she feels hunger, she can’t run fast, and she’s smaller in stature than Belis. It’s all quite unbelievable to her and she has to go through a massive learning curve, understanding once again how to speak to others, how to ask for help and finally realising that she can be hurt, both physically and emotionally. She’s interesting and easy to read.

Belis isn’t quite as quirky so in some ways she takes a back seat. She also doesn’t share as much page time as Mallt so although we are treated to little chapters where we see her in the past, it’s not as easy to become attached. Don’t get me wrong, I liked this character, she’s steadfast and clearly been taught well but a lot of what she does takes place off page so you don’t really witness her capabilities. It’s like we’re more wrapped up in Mallt’s conundrum than Belis’s. Which I really didn’t mind.

The world building is to the point. It definitely is the sort of story that expects readers to pick up and run with things and I can’t deny that I found that easy enough to do. This isn’t a history lesson and I’m not sure how historically correct certain story lines depicted are but I enjoyed the way the story blends the Roman elements with the mythological. I also really liked the dialogue and the style in which the story is told. It isn’t heavily described but it conjures a picture and the dialogue isn’t olde worlde but at the same time it isn’t modern and I really appreciate that.

I think I’ve seen the author described as ‘cosy’ fantasy. I can see where this description fits in some ways as there is almost a fairytale element to her storytelling, probably more so with Greenteeth I think, but, I don’t know that I’d say this is cosy. This certainly doesn’t shy away from warfare and death. There is a very slow building romance but there’s also a bittersweet ending – which to me felt like the only real way that this story could end.

Overall, I had a really good time reading this and in fact practically completed it in only two sittings because I didn’t really like putting it aside. I think I can safely say that Molly O’Neill is an author that I will be watching with interest.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

[Henni (hshouldbereading) · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a wayward spell goes horribly wrong, Mallt, the Goddess of Death, and Belis, Princess of the Iceni, have to travel together to the Otherworld to restore the Goddess to her former glory and to save the trapped soul of the Princess’s younger sister, Cati. But cooperating on this dangerous path through a war-stricken Britain seems not so easy for the Goddess turned human and the daughter of the famous rebellion leader Boudica. They struggle under the expectations of those around them – while the souls of the dead haunt them both. Can they save each other and all of Britain?

This book started with a very intriguing concept: what if the Goddess of Death was turned human by accident and had to survive the mortal world to regain her immortality? What if, the goddess-turned-human was aided by a strong-willed, rebellious Princess whose recklessness leaves not only their fate but the fate of all Britain in limbo? Safe to say, I was hooked from the start.

"I am Mallt-Y-Nos, Mallt of the Night. The Nightshade. I am the Shepherd of the Dead and Dying. I have been easing souls to Annwn since your grandmother’s grandmother was a girl. I am darkness, I am endless."

The story is rooted in Welsh mythology and the historical backdrop of Boudica’s rebellion – which, as a history and mythology nerd myself, I think fits well together. While I do know about Boudica (as she is one of my favourite female historical figures), I didn’t know much about Welsh mythology prior to reading this book. A little glossary or pronunciation guide would’ve helped the reading process. Nevertheless, the most important concepts and figures like Mallt, Annwn, Arawn, Caer Sidi, Dormath, etc. are explained throughout the story. However, I found it a bit frustrating that dialogue was used excessively as exposition to explain the historical background or mythological facts – which made the dialogue itself unrealistic and hard to read.

"I am Beliscena of the Iceni, daughter of Oak. This is my younger sister, Catrisca. You may call me Princess Belis, or your highness."

The plot of this story is very straightforward: Mallt and Belis have to cooperate and travel together to Annwn and beg Arawn to help them restore Mallt’s powers and save Catis’ soul. As expected, not everything goes according to plan, and Mallt and Belis have to grow as characters in order to achieve their goals. I like these sorts of forced-proximity, character journey, quest to the underworld stories a lot, but it all fell flat due to the writing… This book needs to go through some serious rounds of editing before publishing day. As already mentioned, the dialogue felt unnatural, there was so much exposition, more telling-than-showing, and overall, for a book set in 60 AD the language was waaaaay too modern. I expected old English prose and not Gen Z phrases.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but am saddened by the fact that this could’ve easily been a 5-star read if not for the bad execution. The concept is brilliant, and the historical backdrop is so intriguing and underrepresented in the current publishing world. Perhaps I had too high expectations for this book, but I truly wanted to love this so badly!

Thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK and Netgalley UK for providing me with a digital arc in exchange for my honest review. Even before receiving the arc I added this book as one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 as I am a sucker for any historical fiction/fantasy!

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book about a death god, this was hella wholesome.

Nightshade and Oak follows two protagonists, Mallt and Bellis. Mallt is a god stripped of her immortal form, trying to find her way back to her realm and work out what she is without it. Bellis, the daughter of Boudica, is fighting to protect her mother’s throne while also trying to save her sister after a wayward spell leaves her in mortal danger. When their paths cross, they’re forced into an uneasy alliance that quickly becomes something far more compelling. Understanding the stakes means surviving a torrent of supernatural creatures, Roman battalions, and one very ancient god trying to figure out how the hell a human body works.

This was, at its core, absolutely delightful.

I loved having Mallt as the core character. So often books like this are set from the POV of a character like Bellis, someone naive and overwhelmed, thrust into the grasp of an omniscient, ancient (usually male) figure who promptly takes control. Being inside Mallt’s perspective felt genuinely refreshing, especially with how O’Neill introduces us to a sprawling, interesting world through a lens that is powerful, disoriented, and deeply curious all at once. Mallt and Bellis fill a fascinating gap together and work off one another beautifully. They learn from and teach each other in ways that feel organic rather than scripted. They’re both hotheaded and formidable, but neither dilutes the other, and both stay completely distinct in the best way.

Their dynamic was so much fun. Bellis’ complete irreverence toward Mallt (and, to an extent, the wider world’s irreverence too) was genuinely charming. Watching Mallt come to understand and appreciate mortals and mortality is such an interesting framing device, and O’Neill really lets herself lean into it. That blend of warmth and power, of awe and exasperation, gives the book so much of its heart.

My only real issue was the dual timeline. It’s used sparingly, but it didn’t feel like it served a clear purpose for the story. Every few chapters there’s a “Before” section, and these leaned more toward telling than showing, largely to situate the present chapters. For me, that disrupted an otherwise strong flow. It also created moments of confusion where I felt like I was being pulled out of the momentum to be handed information that could have been delivered more naturally in the main timeline. I kept wishing that material had been woven into the present through character choices, dialogue, or discovery, because the story is already strong enough to carry it without those pauses.

As a minor disruption to an otherwise fab read, it didn’t deter from my enjoyment too much. Still, I can’t help wondering how much better it could have been if O’Neill had trusted the reader a bit more, and trusted her own story to reveal itself without those signposts.

I also found this especially refreshing because (minor spoiler) Mallt keeps her powers by the end. In a genre where so many female protagonists end up stripped of their power, authority, or identity as the cost of resolution, I absolutely loved that this book refused to do that. I won’t spoil anything further, but there’s a beautifully handled melancholy to the ending that still leaves room for hope. I’d love to read more from O’Neill, and I’ll be seeking out Greenteeth and anything she releases next.

[Maria P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nightshade and Oak is a lovely tale of learning humanity.

Despite Mallt supporting humans for centuries, she doesn't have a clue of what it means to not be the goddess she's always known. I love Molly O'Neill's take on the human experience as perceived from a fae god. There are many aspects that we take for granted, but she's gone into the exact detail behind it all - and I particularly enjoyed the exploration of human emotion.

However, her first meeting with Belis (princess on the run) and the subsequent interactions felt over-exaggerated. There's a strong enemies/reluctant allies theme behind their relationship, but it reads more YA than Adult in my opinion. Mallt and Belis are both childish in their initial conversations, spoilt from their previous life and expectations. Though this does make it easier for them to grow later in the story.

There was also a strange blend of language, where Mallt and Belis spoke in what I'd consider a more modern way meanwhile the Romans spoke with a lot of terms appropriate for that time period (most of which I struggled to follow).

The journey Mallt and Belis take together is an interesting one across a variety of settings, which I enjoyed. However, the earliest part of their journey felt as though it focused more on Mallt's internal processing rather than any external events and thus slowed the pacing a bit compared to the rest of the book.

They meet an good cast of characters along the way, but I didn't feel a lot of depth to any that weren't the main pairing. In fact, I felt more connected to the snippets we saw of Belis' history, than most of the happenings on their present path. I wish we had gotten a bit more length to the story as well as a dual POV to really spend time developing the characters and their stories further. This would be particularly helpful for the romance subplot, as Belis feels like the more self-aware one though we don't get any of her insight besides longing looks on occasion.

However, the over-arching plot is still the star of the show and what drew me to Nightshade and Oak in the first place. The concept is very interesting, and to see it develop as I read was joyous. Mallt truly becomes a better version of herself (as does Belis) and the last 30% of the book is the strongest.

Finally, we get to see some truly difficult scenarios that have severe consequences. Mallt has to make some hard choices to ensure the best result, and Bellis has her own priorities to take care of - it's a complicated ending but one that feels hard earned and right.

Overall, Nightshade and Oak was an interesting take on romantasy with a unique central pairing, and fans of the historical sub-genre would appreciate this mythical offshoot from existing iron-age fact.

Thank you to Molly O'Neill and Little Brown Book Group UK for the opportunity to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[nihaarika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

the main reason behind my requesting nightshade and oakwas that premise. the second i read that plot, i knew i needed to read this book early. the idea of a goddess accidentally becoming mortal and losing her powers, learning how to be and feel like a human, while also on a dangerous journey with a tall warrior princess - doesn’t it sound like a fun adventure? for the most part, it really is.

the world-building is a stunning blend of history and mythology, where in rome-conquered britain, magic is prevalent, and all sorts of creatures walk the earth. our main protagonist, malt, is one of them. she’s such an interesting perspective to read from because of her sheer difficulty in grasping that she’s human now. the book doesn’t hesitate to show how she’s struggling with things that were as easy to her as breathing. she’s stubborn and refuses to accept the truth of her reality, but as the story progresses, she truly comes to accept who she is. her character development is done so well and was one of my favourite parts of the book.

bellis was also such a fascinating character. daughter of british legend boudicca and a warrior princess, she’s on a quest to save her sister and is forced into partnership with malt after a spell goes awry. their dynamic was so well written, and i really really wish we had gotten chapters from bellis’ perspective; personally, they would have elevated the book much higher. even the few chapters that we got with her backstory were so wonderfully written.

without spoiling, the romance between malt and bellis was pretty much the best part about this book. the banter was amazingly well written, and the (kind-of) slow-burning nature of their relationship was pretty fun to read about.

my one main issue lay with the ending. it was beautiful and melancholic, yet i felt like it ended so abruptly. i honestly thought i had missed something so i double-checked my arc too. an epilogue, although not necessary, would have been a nice way to wrap everything up neatly.

overall, nightshade and oak was pretty fun and while i didn’t like it as much as i wanted to, i loved the writing and i will definitely be checking out what molly o’neill writes next!

thank you orbit books uk for sending me an e-arc!

[Kim Collum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Orbit and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Fantasy
Subgenre(s): Quest
Themes: Loss & Grief, Self-Discovery
Trope(s): Warrior Women
Representation: LGBTQIA+, Sapphic

In Nightshade & Oak Molly O’Neill chose to put her own twist on the ancient myth of Mallt-y-Nos, a crone doomed to ride with the Wild Hunt in search of wayward souls. In O’Neill’s version Mallt is a tall beautiful goddess who, with her abnormally large hounds, roams the land to guide wayward souls to the afterlife before they become twisted.

I loved this version of Mallt and her exploration of what it means to be human and the emotions, experiences, and strife that comes with it. When she is stripped of her powers and immortality she becomes a character full of tenacity and grit, but also one who learns the importance of community and leaning on others.

This is a classic quest fantasy with walking, self-discovery, interesting characters you meet along the way, and monsters blocking the main characters from their ultimate goal. I found it to be equally delightful and tense. The setting was full of magic and wonder, and the side characters ranged from silly to downright unhelpful.

There was a romantic sapphic subplot as well that I thought was really well done. O’Neill did a great job imo with weaving it into the story without making the main characters lose sight of the quest at hand. The love interest Belis was such a great character with her own motivations, and I can’t stress this enough, I LOVE a feminine love interest that’s described as strong! This whole lady knight/warrior trend needs to keep going forever!

While I really enjoyed this one, I did find that the story as a whole didn’t flow as well as Greenteeth did for me. Most of the issues I had were due to abrupt changes in scenes that made me wish O’Neill had the characters sit a little longer in the moments to demonstrate the emotional range they were going through. These abrupt changes made me constantly think I missed something so I kept having to reread pages and limited the emotional depth of the characters.

This was yet again a very fun fantasy quest from Molly O’Neil and I’m so excited what she will come up with next!

[rebeccareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction meets folklore meets fairytale in Nightshade and Oak, Molly O'Neill's gorgeous follow-up to Greenteeth. Mallt y Nos, a goddess of death in Welsh mythology, is accidentally transmogrified into a human by Belis, daughter of the Iceni's Queen Boudica. I adored these two as main characters - Mallt's sumptuous mythology and Belis's bloody history bring an immediate richness to the tale. Their slow-burn romance, fueled in equal measure by desperate circumstance and cute grumpy banter, takes most of the book to fall into the place, but once it does it feels well worth it. The bit about feeling each other in their elbows! So sweet.

There are a few clunky moments on their journey to the underworld in order to re-empower Mallt and save Belis's sister - some stilted dialogue, too-convenient turns, a bit too much world-building by way of info-dumping. Otherwise, though, their on-the-raod arc is well-done. It's engaging, keeps the plot moving, develops our characters, and even offers a few genuine laughs. I also really enjoyed Belis's flashbacks, mostly for the time spent with Boudica, though I'm not at all convinced they did much for the overall story. (There were several occasions when I wondered if Boudica would have been a more compelling heroine, historical husband aside.)

I probably could've done without the whole happenings in the underworld itself - once that (IMO, overlong) part is concluded, it's back to on-the-road, very human vibes, and it made the preceding plotline feel both somewhat out of place and not alllll that necessary to where the story is actually headed. (Also, it undercut the god-turned-human vibes considerably, which then return in full force once we're back to dealing with the Romans.) Even so, once we get there, the conclusion is wonderfully bittersweet, and very expectedly so. It's poignant, powerful, and feels earned by the story. Masterfully done, and I'll certainly be picking up further works by O'Neill.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Bookish Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

Nightshade and Oak caught my attention with its premise, and especially with the promise of a sapphic story set against a historical fantasy backdrop. I was very curious to see how mythology and history would intertwine here.

Set in Roman-occupied Britannia, the story follows a goddess turned human by a ritual gone wrong. Faced with the loss of her powers and a land that could be overrun by lost souls she can no longer guide to the Afterlife, Mallt begrudgingly allies herself with Belis, daughter of the legendary Boudicca... and the human responsible for her fall. Hunted by Roman soldiers and forced to rely on one another despite the animosity between them, the two must journey to the doors of the Afterlife to restore Mallt’s powers and save Belis’s sister.

I ended up rating this 3 stars, as I wasn’t quite as sold on the execution as I had hoped to be. That said, there was a lot I enjoyed: the Roman Empire/Britannia setting was interesting, the historical references were a strong point, and I loved the contrast between the two protagonists - a goddess turned human for the first time, facing unexpected weaknesses, and the daughter of Boudicca, raised to live off her own strength. I also appreciated how their relationship developed over time, particularly a heartfelt conversation that marked a clear turning point for them. Their growth felt actively shown on the page, which I really liked.

Where the book didn’t fully work for me was in the writing style, which felt a bit simplistic at times and gave the impression of both characters being much younger than their actual age and role (an immortal goddess and a 25-years old warrior princess). Additionally, many conflicts were resolved very easily; even when suffering or danger was involved, there always seemed to be a neat and convenient solution, which lowered the stakes for me.

Overall, Nightshade and Oak can be enjoyed by readers who like historical fantasy combined with a romantic subplot and want a quicker read.

[Kelsey Vargo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

Now mortal Malt—the Goddess of Death—finds herself traipsing through the Underworld in search of her immortal form. Basic tenets of existence seem beyond her, never before has she required food or rest to survive. Another's help is gravely needed to reclaim her powers: cue the Knight Bellis, a string of plans gone horribly awry, and a quest that may end in a more romantic place than anything could expect.

A death god and mortal romance that's sapphic and angsty sounds right up my alley... Unfortunately reading this felt like pulling teeth.

This was simultaneously too passive and too self-focused. A continuous battering of I statements ("I thought," "I felt," "I saw," etc) strung together for paragraphs does not make for an enjoyable reading experience. We're trapped in a mind that must comment on every little thing, leaving no real room for reader interpretation or nuance. Malt doesn't directly do anything, she thinks about things musings offered incessantly.

Any conflict or pitfall on the quest this story follows felt like it was solved a few sentences later. I never felt tension or stakes for what transpired, whatever happened would be brushed aside. Contrivances formulated to bulk up a manuscript have their place in the writing process–marking places to flesh out in late drafts–but in a text that's ready to print are hollow. Perhaps this is a bit exaggerative, but the reading experience certainly felt like this.

I haven't read the author's debut and rarely dip my toes into the Romance genre proper, so I'm not sure if this is due to artistic stylings or genre typical staples. Whatever the cause may be, it certainly wasn't for me. I don't think this was a horrible book by any means, just a bit mediocre for my tastes. I want a tale about a death god(dess) to be darker and bloodier instead of vaguely morose.

I am a Horror fan through and through... Hope this reaches the right audience, aka people that prefer Romance to Fantasy in a Romantasy offering

[Jewels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars

A goddess forced to become human. A warrior trying to save her sister. A journey to the Celtic underworld.

Nightshade & Oak is a historical fantasy, featuring Celtic/Welsh mythology, set during the Boudican revolt against Roman invasion (~60 AD). Kind of gives cozy adventure with stakes, or a mix between cozy fantasy and epic fantasy. Reminds me of The Hobbit in that way. I don’t think the blurb really captured the essence of the story, more so the setup. By 40% the blurb was pretty much exhausted; it needed just a hint of what was coming after.

I liked both Mallt and Belis, and generally all the side characters. Mallt and Belis’ journey to friendship was lovely and I think they really brought out the best in each other. I also loved their character growth by the end. As for the attraction/romance—I was left a little wanting there. I think the blurb advertised this book as a fantasy romance when it wasn’t.

The chapters about Belis felt a bit out of place, and I’m not sure they added that much to the story. Since they were present throughout the book I was honestly expecting a chapter explaining the events leading up to Belis and Mallt meeting in her perspective.

O’Neill’s writing style is very engaging and I think she did quite well with the action portions as well. The Belis plot twist was super interesting, though I would’ve loved if O’Neill did a little more with it honestly. The explanation of the main issue was questionable to me, but it did provide interesting adversaries. I was slightly confused on the timeline/pacing. At one point the main character mentioned her human body was months old, but I would’ve thought a month, maybe a month and a half MAX, had passed.

Overall, this was an enjoyable cozy fantasy adventure standalone. (Obviously) the story concept is amazing and I think Molly O’Neill did a good job with the story and the characters. Thank you to Orbit for this ARC!

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