4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2020/12/08/the-once-and-future-witches-by-alix-e-harrow/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : More than meets the eye

On the face of it TOaFW is a tale of three sisters reuniting and creating magic during a turbulent period when such activity was forbidden. However, at the same time its a story that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s a tale of strife but also a tale of hope, of women remembering the power of words and the power of unity and using both these things as a catalyst for change.

Future Witches is an alternate history, set in America during the 1800s. The industrial revolution has made its appearance and factories and industry are booming (for some), meanwhile, work and living conditions, particularly for women and children, are dire indeed. This is a period of women’s suffrage, when women began to realise that they needed a vote to make their voices heard and this quest for emancipation led them to discover their own inner strength.

I won’t over elaborate on the plot as there are already numerous excellent reviews that do so. Briefly, Future Witches is about three sisters, literally and figuratively, finding themselves again and during the process inspiring other women to stand up for their rights. Of course, there is much more to it than that but I’m aiming for ‘short and snappy’ here.

What worked really well for me in particular.

The writing. Harrow has a fantastic way with words. She is indeed a master storyteller but more than the lovely words, strung together in a fashion that is mesmerising in itself, is her innate ability to conjure a place so strongly and populate it with such incredibly distinct characters. The three sisters could easily become blurred and yet they have clear voices and personalities and a sad tale that will eventually unfold as the story progresses.

There’s also a charm about this that belies the violence of the times and this is built upon by the witchcraft used here. Basically, witching never went away, instead it has been passed down through the generations in the most subtle way using rhymes and songs. I couldn’t help but be put in mind of Norrell and Strange to a certain extent, I think simply in terms of the magic and the way that belief strongly plays into the ability to wield it. For me, the magic in the story is a symbol that represents something else – power, maybe, or ‘rights’, the right to be equal and have some measure of control, the right to decide what happens to you.

The tension really builds and the grande finale is the unlikeliest combination of horrifying, bittersweet and yet strangely satisfying all rolled together.

In terms of criticisms. Not really a criticism so much as an observation. This is a story that requires time and patience. It’s not really a story that you can race through and in fact the early chapters are quite slow paced but the payoff is worth every moment and in fact I would recommend that you savour the words. I would also mention that although this book is very much about women standing together that’s not to say that along the way they didn’t have help from some very good men. Just thought I’d chuck that in for good measure.

Any misgivings or worries that I may have harboured when picking this up, purely because the author’s debut was such a resounding success and surely difficult to top, have been firmly laid to rest.

I highly recommend this one and look forward to seeing what journey this author will take us on next.

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

This was the perfect book for me, mixing historical fiction with magical elements and written in the most glorious prose! It tells the story of the Eastwood sisters who are hoping to help the suffrage movement in New Salem by finding the Lost Way of Avalon and returning magic to the world. I loved the Eastwood sisters, each of which was beautifully drawn and unique with totally authentic motivations and behaviours. The way they responded to situations and each other always felt completely true to their character and I loved the complex relationship between them. I thought the setting was fantastic, with enough historical details to feel firmly placed in our own world, but with delightful little hints that make sure we know things are a bit different here - such as the fairy tales written by the Sisters Grimm, to name but one. The way in which Alix E. Harrow slowly slowly dropped magic into the narrative was absolutely masterful and the pacing of the plot was spot on for me. This is definitely a contender for my favourite book of the year and I can't wait to see what Harrow comes up with next.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book and requested an ARC copy from NetGalley - I'm not always the biggest fan of fantasy-type novels, but I love storylines centering on witchcraft. particularly historical witchcraft, so I thought it might be worth a try.

This novel was SO much more than I'd expected, beautifully combining several storyline strands - witchcraft, feminism, the suffragette movement, diversity, difference - to weave something truly special. The writing style was beautiful, full of loveliness and wisdom, and I fell hard for the Eastwood sisters, each of whom had a distinct and wonderfully-drawn personality, each spiky or difficult in her own way.

My only complaint was that it was so good I couldn't put it down - I finished it over two afternoons, so it was over far too quickly!

This was the first novel I have read by Alix Harrow, but it absolutely won't be the last. A beautifully told story of love, repression, magic, and activism. I loved every minute of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher who gave me an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely fantastic book to start November off with. Every word was exquisite and the three Eastwood sisters are the kind of characters you don't easily forget. This is a spellbinding story of sisterhood, power, and taking back what women deserve. Perfectly paired with Taylor Swift's "Mad Woman".

This is the ideal read for Autumn, featuring witches, sisters, familiars, magic, feminism, romance and more!⁠

This was my second time reading a book by Alix E. Harrow and I’m still not sure wether I enjoy the writing style or not.
I want to be honest: it took me months to finish The Once and Future Witches. I wouldn’t even say that I disliked the book, I just felt completely apathetic towards the story or the characters.
The book was also too long for me, it felt like it dragged at some point.
Overall I think I would’ve enjoyed this book more had I been in the right mood for it, but in the end I had to force myself to finish reading it.

Lately I feel like I’ve read too many witch books do I wanted to steer away from them, the unfairness of the subject and the persecution just makes me feel sad and outraged. But then I saw this book was also about the suffragettes and I was instantly intrigued and I am so glad I took the chance on this one because it is easily one of my favourite books ever now and definitely the best read of 2020.
There are so many layers to this book, mixing witchcraft, sisterhood, motherhood, the inequality of women and the fight for the vote, it’s such a delightful and empowering read, with 3 incredible sisters that you fall in love with, and the writing is just stunning. I stopped and re-read so many moments just so I could relive it - this is a book I loved living in and will stay in for a long time :)

This book was stunning. I am so impressed with this story. We follow 3 sisters, Juniper, Agnes and Bella. All three are completely different characters. This is a slow burner, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I liked getting really involved with the story. There are many examples of fairy tale retellings in this story which I thought was a lovely addition to the story, and really brought up the fantasy component to this novel. I am pleased that there is a bit of history steeped throughout this novel regarding witch hunting and the prejudice against women in this time. There is a diverse cast of characters which was brilliant to see. This was such a well written story I enjoyed it so much. Thank you for the copy of such a wonderful story.

That's what I am talking about when I ask for a witching book! It's atmospheric, it has remarkable characters and the world building is pretty realistic. The only down side for me was the pacing. It's was a bit toooo slow sometimes in a way I kind of lost interest. Overall it's a great book

I loved the atmospheric writing!
I also really appreciated the relationship between the sisters.
It was just a little lengthy for my liking.

I loved this book SO much! It's long but in the best possible way, the sort of book you just want to keep going and going. I got so wrapped up in the story and every twist and turn kept me hooked. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a witchy tale.

Beautifully written with a fantastic story, this is a witchy tale easy to love. The inclusion of the rhyme-poetry was a brilliant addition, and I found that once you read the first fifty pages it was very difficult to put down.

I’m not sure I’m ever going to be able to find the words to do this remarkable book justice, especially at the moment when my brain seems to have turned to mush with everything going on in the world right now. But I’ll try my best to convey just how wonderful I think this book is and what an astonishing new talent I find Alix E. Harrow to be.

I didn’t think anything could ever top The Ten Thousand Doors of January, but with The Once and Future Witches, Alix E. Harrow has done just that. In her debut novel the author made me remember why I fell in love with reading in the first place, but in this, her second novel, she has reinforced that feeling and swept me away on a magical high I never want to come down from. I honestly can’t even find the words to say how her words make me feel. She has masterfully incorporated fairytales and nursery rhymes into a story that encompasses everything from a woman’s right to vote to racial inequality and beyond. That she has done this so effortlessly in an awe inspiring story filled with magic and witchcraft is quite simply incredible.

The Once and Future Witches tells the story of three sisters who join the suffragists of New Salem, determined to reclaim the power women once had. But the road to success will not be easy, with the sisters not only haunted by evil forces who will stop at nothing to prevent them from winning the right to vote, but also by their own past and the rift that once tore them apart.

To say any more would be to do this incredible book a disservice as this is a tale, much like The Ten Thousand Doors of January before it, that needs to be experienced for yourself. I’m in awe of Alix E. Harrow’s writing and the power of her words. Her world building is second to none, her characters strong and memorable, telling a story of the power of women and how no one should ever underestimate what they’re capable of. Oh my word, what a gifted storyteller this superb author is!

I fell in love with this book from the very first page. It grabbed my attention from the introduction and didn’t let go until the final, thrilling page had been turned. There is so much in this book to shout about, I don’t even know where to start! A thought provoking and exciting read that has shot straight to the top of my list of must read books of the year. By turns both devastating and magical, I honestly can’t rate The Once and Future Witches highly enough.

So there you have it. I’m not sure I’ve been able to do this remarkable book justice, but suffice to say Alix E. Harrow is a rare talent and I can’t wait to read whatever she comes up with next. The Once and Future Witches is an outstanding read that I will never forget.

Highly recommended.

The Once and Future Witches is a slow, but immersive read.

It's been a long time since I have annoyed a read that I am content reading only a few chapters a night and not feeling the need to rush to the finish.

The characters are well written and really stand out as individuals. The book covers very poignant topics; feminism, racism, equality. But also covers family dynamics and highlights the dangers of jumping to conclusions.

The read is deep, meaningful and as said before, a slow burner. But being slow is not bad with this book. The author let's you absorb the feelings of the characters, the atmosphere of the locations and imagine the smells in the air.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me access to this ARC. Thoroughly enjoyable.

TheLadyDuckOfDoom fell in love with the book, sometimes every page all over again. She especially loved the part on page 399 – 401, which her imagination wants to paint rather badly. It’s the part where old meets new, and no further spoilers will be heard from her, because she loved every part of the story deeply and will not take anything away from potential readers.

I was also gifted the e-ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is one of the chunkier books I've read this year at 513 pages but I loved every single page.

The themes in this book are poignant particularly about women's rights, racisms, social injustice and homophobia. I loved the Women of New Salem all coming together throughout this book and showing solidarity. Women supporting women.

The plot is intricate and releases information to you at a steady pace keeping the reader engaged throughout. There is also a hefty amount of mystery about what's going on and the character's development and relationships with each other.

I enjoyed the use of Children's stories and Nursery rhymes throughout the book. Stories that are familiar to most of us. They felt like a way to move the story on. They each had a purpose and underlying point to help the plot develop. The changes that Alix made to these stories are super interesting, and gave food for thought on a number of the themes but also clues to what was to come.

Each chapter starts with a spell which is super interesting. I love the inspiration the author has found for each other these little spells. By the end of the reading, you can't help but wish that Witching was real for us to partake in today.

One of my favourite things about this book has to be the characters. Bella, Agnes and Juniper, three very different sisters. Each sister is so unique and flawed that they worm their way into your heart. I also think it would be impossible not to find a characteristic within at least one of the sisters that don't resonate with you as a reader. These three women are naturally strong and fierce but due to trauma in each of their lives, their character development is vital to the story and so empowering to read. Every woman, at least, has experienced the feelings of one of these women. There is a wide range of really interesting side characters that just add to the cherry on the cake. The cake being this enduring community of women/witches.

The writing is amazing and does everything to pull the reader into the world of New Salem and Witching. There is so much to learn and find out. I found myself on the verge of a book hangover after this book, I really wanted the world of Witching and the Eastwoods to continue. I cannot recommend this book enough, I haven't read Alix E. Harrow's other book The Ten Thousand Doors of January but based on the amazing quality of this book I cannot wait to get stuck in.

This novel blew me away and I'm in awe of the prose, vivid storytelling and unusual, powerful characters. The three Eastwood sisters drew me into their story like the witchcraft they practise and they refused to let me go. Forget sleep, chores and reality, I had to read as long as I could. It is a book for a lazy, indulgent weekends where you have no distractions.
Blending the suffragette movement with women fighting for the vote with a movement to release witching from its shackles so women are empowered is clever, powerful and urges the reader to read more. The characters of the Eastwood sisters are so well developed they leap of the page and the descriptions of location make the story form a movie in the mind. The twists and turns along with the love, anger and hate the sisters encounter as they find their way to Avalon make this book unforgettable.

The conclusion is unexpected but is perfect.

Alix E. Harrow's second novel is just as brilliant as her first. More character driven than her debut - all of them an interesting, flawed and fully rounded bunch, including the villain/antagonist(s) & several who you will change your opinion of several times (though, being an eldest sibling, book-lover and library assistant, I did have a soft spot for Bella) - and beautifully written, with a lot of relevant themes (and some world-building that makes for an interesting alternate history - for instance, there are quite a few famous historical figures mentioned, but they might not be the same gender you remember). The only things I'd mention - and I won't call them criticisms, because they're far too small and niggly for that - is that, early on, it is established that men can and do do magic, but later on a character asks how it is a man could work witchcraft, which did confuse me a tiny bit (unless men's magic and witchcraft are meant to be seperate & I failed to get that) and the other is the retellings: I could have read MORE of them! :D If you loved the Ten Thousand Doors of January, definitely check this one out too!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for review.

Three sisters, Juniper, Agnes and Beatrice have been estranged for seven years, Beatrice is the eldest at works at the library in New Salem and she finds herself in the town square at a women’s suffrage rally where she feels a strong force, that she has not felt before and then she is shocked to see two faces that she has not seen for many years, her sisters. They have not spoken and the three are very different in character. Juniper is the youngest, scary, fearless and hard. Agnes is the middle child, strong and the mediator, she is also pregnant.

Agnes and Beatrice left Juniper with their tyrannical father, and now Juniper is wanted for witchcraft and murder. What has brought them all together again?

Juniper decides that she wants to join the women’s movement in the town, but when it is vetoed by the mayor she has other ideas she is not one to be told what to do. She convinces the other members to covertly do the protest but when they are attacked Juniper takes matters in her own hands and she gets expelled from the group. So the sisters decide to set up their own group The Sisters of Avalon to restore women’s rights and powers.

This is a very detailed and intricately woven novel, which focuses on the characters of three sisters and I really loved the fairy stories that are interlaced into the main narrative. It has a strong feminist theme and is a complicated but gratifying read, be prepared to be transported to New Salem as the sisters vow to make the world a better place for women. A A powerful read and you like witches, the supernatural and a character driven novel you will love this book.

𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 5/5 STARS ⁣
⁣
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Agnes, Juniper and August ⁣
⁣
𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦: So, I’ve been meaning to read The Ten Thousand Doors of January for so long—I’m now waiting for the sub press edition. I have no hesitation in buying it now because Alix E. Harrow is officially one of my favourite authors. ⁣
⁣
Her writing is so beautiful and lyrical, I was enveloped by the story from the very beginning. I love witches, I love fairytales and I love when books take a thread of history and twist magic through it. This book had all of those things and more. ⁣
⁣
This is a story about sisterhood and feminism, the oppression of women and how they were condemned for so long. It is a book about standing up and using your voice, it is a book about how generations of women pass on their stories and their strengths to one another. This book, I am sure, will cement a place in your heart. ⁣
⁣
𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥: readers looking for the perfect witchy read.

I fell in love with Alix’s writing in The Ten Thousand Doors of January and I was not disappointed with this. Alix does such a good job of really immersing you in the story. I absolutely fell in love with each of the three sisters and loved watching as each of their stories unfolded. This is a slow paced book but this works really well of the type of story that is being told here. This is such an empowering read and I gave it 4.5 stars.