Recent Reads: The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow
Publisher: Redhook
Publication Date: October 13, 2020 

 

Format: Paperback/ Audiobook
Source: Bought in paperback and via Audible.

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters--James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna--join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Review: 

This book was a lot of different things... it was a story about witches, past and future, it was a story about sisterhood and relationships, it was long and sweeping, and it was about rebellion at its core. 

In this book we follow the Eastwood sisters, three women, born witches but since seperated and whp really don't use their powers all that much, if at all, except one. An event occurs bringing them together and pulling others into their cause to re-ignite witching in New Salem. The use the Suffragette movement and rebel against the men in the city looking to take over their lives and their powers.

The plot was dark, angry at times, but also showcased love and affection. I really enjoyed the sisters - there was a bookish type, the driven firey type, and the more maternal type and they all had their place in the tale. This book isn't for the faint of heart, it is 517 pages and pretty slow moving a lot of the time. I bought the paperback and then also the Audible book to read along with and the audio really helped me push through the slowest parts. In addition to the length and slow bits, this book also showcases feminism, racism, transphobia, and has a few gay couples interpersed as well. So there is a lot here. 

I really enjoyed this book, but it is hard to put my finger on just one thing I enjoyed about it. As a whole it was just a lot of really fun reading. The world that Harrow built was realistic yet fantastical and i love a good witchy tale. If you think that might be for you... go grab this one. This would be a great read for the upcoming Fall/Autumn months.