As soon as I read the blurb I had to read it. With a massive love of all things witchy I thought I'd love it. I really enjoyed the idea behind the book, but unfortunately it just fell a bit short for me. I know it's YA but I still think there could have been more more depth given to the characters, especially Ivy. It seemed hurried at parts but also dragged a little. I would have loved a bit more character building and back story.

This was intriguing. When Ivy, in foster care, reconnects with her birth mother, After receiving a letter from her mum, warning her to stay away as mysterious forces are after her, strange things start to happen. Looking for answers, she heads to her mother's home on a remote island off the cost of Wales, where there's stories of witches and evil shadows that change everything she ever believed about who she is.

Pacey, creepy and very well written, with punchy, often stark similes that bring the characters to life. A snarky lead with a loveable sidekick that wins you over. This is an interesting story with a very different take on witches. The cover doesn't do it justice. I would definitely read more books by this author.

I was less interested in the Merlin element, hence four stars. I would have liked to have seen a new antagonist which this author would have been very capable of creating. Excellent writing overall.

Steeped in mythology, this YA fantasy book didn’t disappoint. It follows 17 year old Ivy who has finally got her life in order including tracking down her mother who abandoned her at birth. Despite being warned not to, Ivy decides to visit her mum on a Welsh island which is full,of atmosphere at which point she starts to discover who she really is. Very enjoyable read.

Note to self when re-reading this book don’t read it before bed as it is so creepy, it will give you nightmares. But with that being said I absolutely loved this book and really struggled to put it down. I don’t know much about mythology but I found the King Arthur/ merlin concept of the story really interesting. I liked Ivy’s the time the witches and I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2 especially with Tom and Ivy.

A great read for teens and adults interested in mythology, witch Arthurian legend. I really enjoyed Waking the witch and its teenage characters who were believable and yet able to accept the strangeness that developed around them. This wasn't a kiddie magical story

I really enjoyed this witchy tale with a blend of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology. I was hoping for a bit more of the Welsh elements, to be honest - it felt a little light and just a few bits thrown in here and there, but some elements were done really nicely.

I'm not sure that using the Arthurian characters added a great deal to the story, as the witches themselves were interesting in their own right, and the link back felt a little tenuous. I did enjoy the twist on Merlin, and I think if a second book spends more time in that world and expands those elements, it may flesh out really well.

The writing style was compelling and kept me reading, with creepy descriptions and elements. The pacing felt a little off - it took a long time to get to the lighthouse and start the magical elements of the MC's plot, and by then things are racing toward the finish. It also cuts off in a way that really needs a second book.

I loved the bug elements, the descriptions and personalities of the characters, and overall was really rooting for both. There is some good light-hearted comedy, and a cute slow romance. I think it's a good YA and has a lot of potential, and I'd definitely read the follow up :)

Waking the Witch

Amazon Summary

'I tried to keep you safe, but I see now that I can't. They won't stop until they have you . . .'

When Ivy's search for her mother draws her to a remote Welsh isle, she uncovers a dark secret about her past.

An ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy, and her only chance of survival is to look deep within herself.

For not every story in legend is true, and some evils are not what they seem.

An unputdownable novel steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend, from the bestselling author of THE TWISTED TREE and THE CROOKED MASK

My Review

What a great read! One of my favourite genres of books and this had all my favourite things, Arthurian retellings/Welsh Mythology Witches, coming off age fantasy.

With beautiful world building, an intriguing plot and creative characters what more could you want in a novel.

I could not put this book down and and has 4 stars written all over it (not literally).

This was a fun witchy adventure, featuring family and an interesting cast of characters. I enjoyed reading about the magic system, and learning more about Ivy, her mother, and the mysterious island.

PLEASE TELL ME THERE IS A SECOND BOOK
This book definitely got me out of my reading slump I fell in love with Waking The Witch and I need to know what happens next
Such an amazing book to read this Halloween season ❤️💙💛💚💜

A brilliant blend of feminist literature, folk tale and YA fantasy, Waking the Witch is an absolute treat for readers of all ages.

If you're at all into mythology, this Welsh-set tale will delight you with its creepy atmosphere and skilful writing, which delves into Arthurian legend. Witch lovers, don't hesitate to pick this one up, and who knows, it could be just the thing to attract newcomers to the spooky genre!

Teenage Ivy is forced to a remote Welsh island in search of her long-lost biological mother who abandoned her years before, but in looking for her she begins to uncover even darker secrets about her past. The island is a character in itself, so wild and alive it is even when not a soul is to be found apart from Ivy herself.

The story reminded me a lot of Scottish-set The Lighthouse Witches by CJ Cooke, as well as her Norwegian-based novel The Nesting, and I think fans of this author will also love her work.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. It had all the elements of a book I would love - witchcraft, Arthurian mythology, family reuinions - but something about the writing style just didn't gel with me. However, I'm sure some people will love it,.

I absolutely adored the rich atmosphere of this novel, the rugged island, the rain and wind and biting cold. Such a great time to read coming into the colder months.
I haven't read too many novels based on elements of Welsh mythology, so I'm always happy to learn more and see different authors put their own spin on things.
The cormorant witches reminded me of the Harpies from Greek myth which was another bonus.

I think my favourite take away from this story was how the author wrote about mental health. Not in a direct way but slightly removed. But the reader can see between the lines. How the demons and manifestations grew when she refused to speak her feelings. I thought it was such a great metaphor for how things, especially mental health, can fester when they're constantly pushed down.

I also liked the smaller romance side plot here. I was glad it didn't encapsulate the entirety of the story but I think it added some great light-hearted moments and their dynamic was sweet and humorous.

My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K. Hot Key Books for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Waking the Witch’ by Rachel Burge.

I quickly fell in love with this coming of age tale set in Wales that incorporates aspects of Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend. I had read her previous novel, ‘The Twisted Tree’, and was confident that she would weave a compelling story.

The plot is centred on Ivy, who has spent most of her seventeen years in foster care. She has been seeking her birth mother and recently located her living on the remote Welsh island of Bardsey. Yet when Ivy contacts her, she warns Ivy to stay away. Does Ivy heed this? Of course not!

Ivy has been working at a butterfly sanctuary though falls afoul of a creepy boss and is fired. Leaving a note for her foster parents, she heads westward. She is accompanied by her co-worker, Tom, who offers to drive her to the ferry and to the island. There they discover that her mum runs the lighthouse and is the only inhabitant during the winter months.

Things get creepy quickly as according to folklore the cormorants that fly over the remote isle are actually terrifying witches from Arthurian legend. According to her mother they have been searching for Ivy, which is why she warned her to stay away. Now Ivy is in their territory. No further details to avoid spoilers.

I was pleased that throughout ‘Waking the Witch’ Rachel Burge was unapologetic with respect to the inclusion of Otherworldly elements and aspects of Arthurian legend. She also adds some interesting twists to the traditional tales.

However, I was a little disappointed that she didn’t provide some endnotes about her interpretation of Welsh mythology and Arthurian lore for those readers like myself with an interest in these subjects.

I was pleased that the ending allowed for the possibility of a sequel. Still, whatever future projects Rachel Burge has planned, I am looking forward to reading them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hot Key Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Ivy is a relatable protagonist, her struggle with opening up to people and keeping herself hidden is a universal pain that a lot of us can relate to and the way she deals with her trauma and unfolds across the novel is heart-warming. Her character goes through a lot of growth across the novel and this is handled delicately by the author. I love the symbolism that runs throughout the novel. Ivy works at a butterfly farm and the novel opens with a description of a caterpillar going through a metamorphosis into a butterfly and how the caterpillar has to essentially sacrifice itself to make the change. This symbolises Ivy’s entire journey through the novel as she starts as a caterpillar, closed-off and alone and has to sacrifice a part of herself to the witches to make connections by the end. We only get a glimpse of Ivy the butterfly before the novel abruptly finishes leaving the reader gagging for another instalment to discover how the ending has changed her. Another symbol in the novel is that of the lighthouse on the island. Lighthouses traditionally symbolise defiance, resilience, omens, isolation and madness, all of which are laced within the narrative creating the perfect gothic backdrop for the witches’ story to unfold.

Once the witches appear the novel takes a dark, sinister turn and descriptions of pale, haggard, nightmare-inducing hags haunt every single page. Warning – if you’re reading this at night be prepared to turn the light on! The descriptions of the witches evoke such horror, it’s like reading a horror movie, with each page I experienced goosebumps as the witches gave their guttural cries. The novel links the witches to the historical myth of King Arthur and Merlin, to me feels a little forced and I would have preferred a simple witchy story rather than a Merlin story however, the way Merlin is portrayed as a misogynistic super villain is entertaining and unique.

Ivy’s friendship with Tom is adorable, it is clear from the very first page that Tom is desperate for a connection with Ivy but she is closed off from connecting with anyone but her birth mother. As the novel progresses and they are thrown together into danger, Ivy is forced to connect with him. Their friendship soon blossoms and through this Ivy is given a lifeline for she no longer has to clam up but can share her hardships with someone. As Ivy feels the warmth of connection for the first time, she can see beyond the witches as hags and embrace their part in her destiny. Overall, Waking the Witch is an eerie, haunting, gripping ride that is unlike anything else you will read this year.

A dark fantasy story, gripping and fascinating. It mixes legends and fiction.
I liked Ivy and the story kept me turning pages.
It's not a long book and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I was not sure about this before I started it, but I have to say that I loved it. Whilst there are dark elements to the story, the horror aspects are kept on a slow simmer, rather than a full boil. The mix of Arthurian legend with Welsh mythology works brilliantly and I can't wait to read the follow up to this.

It was a lot of fun reading and discussing this one! I am a sucker for mythology and legend so the fact that this dives into Arthurian legend just got my nerd senses tingling!

Let’s get stuck in:

⭐️ The myth, the magic, the depiction of Arthurian figures being told in a different light under the female lense rather than the male one that has guided these stories for so long.
⭐️ The location of Bardsey tying in so well to the story - can’t say anything more!
⭐️ Our main characters! I had such a soft spot for Tom, a particular scene in a kitchen had me laughing out loud. I appreciated the insight into Ivy’s emotions regarding the search for her mother and her identity
⭐️ The butterflies! 🦋
⭐️ I mentioned the depiction of Arthurian legends, but also the depiction of witches was brilliant.
⭐️The themes around sisterhood, found family and identity are all explored in an accessible way.
⭐️ Whilst this is perhaps ‘younger’ than I would usually read I found it enjoyable and know that my teen self would also have loved it!
⭐️ The ending does leave it open slightly, and I do hope that we’ll see a sequel, but if not the ending has allowed me ponder on how our characters do in the future.

This was a great book to read whilst the weather was becoming a bit more autumnal

I’d like to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book and Tandem Collective UK for inviting me to take part in the prompt only readalong. This was a first for me and I was very excited. A special shout out to Sammi from Tandem for organising the readalong.

Waking the Witch is a dark and creepy story riddled in Arthurian legend and mythical beings. Listening to the audiobook I felt that the atmosphere was turned up a notch or two and didn’t dare listen to this one late at night.

From the start of the story, when Ivy travels to Wales to find her mother, I felt there were so many questions that I wanted answers to. The banter between Ivy and Tom kept the first part of the book a little more light hearted for me and Tom ended up being one of my favourite characters. It was clear from the start where their budding friendship was heading but I had no problem egging them on.

As Ivy learns more about her past and what danger she has put herself in by travelling to the Island, the darkness of the story really comes alive. What’s even better is knowing that the Island is a real place and the restrictions that are mentioned in the story are true in real life as well. When a story is based on factual places my need to look them up and see if they match what I thought it would look like in my head intensifies. I’m pleased to say Rachel Burge painted the Island beautifully in my imagination and weaving in the story of Arthur and Merlin (with a twist) was brilliantly executed.

I really want there to be a book two! Everything was tied up to a point but you can definitely feel that there’s a second story brewing in there. Fingers crossed it comes quickly! I’m now off to find Rachel Burge’s backlist and add it to my collection!

I usually love a witchy fairytale, but I was really disappointed with this story. It's very repetitive - shadow attacks, run away, attacks again, run away. The whole book reads as filler for a big event, but the ending fell really flat for me. The way it finishes, I thought would lead onto another book, but from what I can find online, this novel is meant to standalone. So it's 300 pages of very little happening.

The story follows Ivy on the journey to find her birth mother, with the help of her friend Tom.

It's a story of reincarnation, but the characters are too underdeveloped - you learn very little about any of them, and I have no connection or care for anyone involved. Ivy goes round in circles, fighting not to show emotional. She basically repeats "I need to wake the witch" and then "I'm too scared" over and over. The reveal of what happened with her friend Katie is teased throughout, but when you finally learn what happened, it's disappointing. I saw a review that used the description "Tracy Beaker-esque" and I completely agree.

It's a tale of good vs evil, but it's so predictable that it became boring. I wanted a lot more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Waking the Witch was far different from anything I could’ve expected. Its premise was unique and it had an eerie feel all the way through. It was so hard to predict what would happen next.

It was very easy to become frustrated with Ivy and the decisions she made until you sit back and realise she is only 17. I wish she’d have been more open with Tom though, he was so good to her!

I particularly enjoyed the sisterhood within the book. It was nice to see how it all fitted together! This will be a great spooky season read.