An accused murderess accepts work in the wilds of NC—where the mistress is locked away and her new employer might be the devil.
A Vow for Breaking is for fans of T. Kingfisher and Ava Reid, with the dark fairy-tale mood of Pan’s Labyrinth.
A Vow for Breaking
Appalachian folk horror and gothic horror — set in Western North Carolina—with dark fairy tale vibes.
By: L.M. Riviere
Description:
A Vow for Breaking is an Appalachian take on a classic folk tale where nothing is as it seems and almost everything is hungry. Fans of T. Kingfisher and Ava Reid will find something to love here!
Coming Soon!
*This is a signed preorder. Copies begin shipping April 2026.
Personalization available: add your request in checkout notes
for fans of appalachian folk horror, gothic horror, and dark fairy tales
Appalachian setting
A protagonist with a dangerous secret
Slow-burn tension and dread
Mansion in the woods
An ancient evil
If you loved Juniper & Thorn → you may want A Vow for Breaking (gothic horror + dark fairy tale)
If you loved Pan’s Labyrinth → you may want A Vow for Breaking (dark fairy tale mood, hunger, dread)
If you loved T. Kingfisher (The Twisted Ones) → you may want A Vow for Breaking (rural dread, uncanny)
If you loved Revelator (Daryl Gregory) → you may want A Vow for Breaking (mountain gothic horror)
If you loved The Boatman’s Daughter (Andy Davidson) → you may want A Vow for Breaking (Southern folk-horror fable energy)
Comparisons are for reader reference only; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A Vow for Breaking is Appalachian folk horror with gothic horror atmosphere and dark fairy tale elements.
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A Vow for Breaking is set in Western North Carolina, using an Appalachian setting and local mood to shape the folk horror tone.
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Readers searching for Appalachian folk horror with gothic horror atmosphere and dark fairy tale edges can start with A Vow for Breaking.
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Readers looking for unsettling folklore logic, gothic mood, and dark fairy tale consequence can start with A Vow for Breaking.
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A Vow for Breaking is a dark Appalachian take on the ancient fairy tale Bluebeard— with many narrative diversions from the main tale. It is not a direct fairy tale retelling, rather a new fairy tale inspired by the old tale.
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Yes. A Vow for Breaking uses unsettling folklore logic, gothic mood, and consequence-driven darkness, delivering dark fairy tale atmosphere and an intense horror finish.
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Yes. A Vow for Breaking includes intense horror content; add specific content notes that apply, such as self-harm, sexual content, or graphic violence, is present.
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A Vow for Breaking is plot-forward and atmosphere-driven; relationships matter, but the story’s engine is folk horror tension and consequence.
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A Vow for Breaking stands on its own as Appalachian folk horror, separate in genre focus from L.M. Riviere’s epic fantasy work— but it DOES exist in the same universe.
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A Vow for Breaking is very dark and ends with intense horror scenes, with escalating dread, high-stakes consequences, and graphic moments consistent with Appalachian folk horror.
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Yes. A Vow for Breaking leans into folklore-driven dread, gothic atmosphere, and escalating horror, with dark fairy tale logic and a very dark ending with intense horror scenes.
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Yes. A Vow for Breaking is Appalachian folk horror set in Western North Carolina, built around gothic mood, regional unease, and dark fairy tale edges.
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No. A Vow for Breaking is an adult horror-leaning fantasy title with mature themes and intense horror scenes, and is not recommended for audiences under 14; parental discretion is advised.
Comparisons are for reader reference only; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.