The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

The Once and Future Witches

by Alix E. Harrow

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 three Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten 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 must 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.

Reviewed by niamh on

5 of 5 stars

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This book definitely deserves all the hype its currently getting and more - the story is simply spellbinding and had me completely captivated and believing in the everyday magic again. I'm still processing it and just WOW! The Once and Future Witches is once of my favourite reads of 2020, and has a place on my all-time favourites list. I'm not even sure I can find the right words to do this wonderful story justice.

In an alternative reality, The Once and Future Witches follows the story of 3 sisters trying to survive in New Salem, with an added pinch of witchcraft, and the fight for women rights.
This story is beautiful, but also heartbreaking. I was cheering for our characters but also crying with them, they all felt so real.

I definitely wouldn't mind another book about some of the secondary characters, Miss. Quinn especially, or even a spin-off book that reads like a grimoire. I am so hungry for more when it comes to this world.

Harrow has created such a beautiful magic system that reminds the reader that magic is not just one thing, but it is everywhere and means something different to everyone; whether it be in the food we cook, our sewing and darning, or even little day-to-day sayings. These ideas are so well ingrained and baked into the story, I couldn't stop thinking about how everyday magic might be real. It definitely felt real whilst reading this spellbinding story.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 October, 2020: Finished reading
  • 1 October, 2020: Reviewed