I really wanted to like this book, but I struggled with it.
The timeline got confusing a bit at times for me but other than that the writing was good.

Think that in this instance this was more of a me thing than the book itself and I think there are plenty out there who would enjoy it.

Loved the interconnected stories, the timelines did feel a bit confusing at times but I’m glad I pushed through. The writing was beautiful and I felt like the way the story was told was unique.

This book was so different in such a fun way. A supernatural tale that is full of revenge, greed, and sorrow. I loved the different perspectives that we get in this book. Amazing and magical.

I really struggled with this one. If I’m being honest with myself I probably should have DNFed and if this wasn’t an ARC I would have done. This book just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into this and historical fiction isn’t my favourite. However if this sounds like something you would enjoy you should definitely give this a go. This review is purely down to my own opinion.

A huge thank you to NetGalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my unbiased review.

I loved that this book followed a dual timeline and had paranormal themes. And while both timelines were intricate in their own right I heavily preferred the 1940s timeline to its more modern 2013 counterpart.

There’s a lot of generational trauma explored in this book and it was fascinating to see how similar yet different the LaFountain women’s struggles were throughout the decades.

Although, the book deals with other heavy themes such as loss and grief, non consensual intercourse, and drug usage, and I would’ve preferred to see a trigger warning for these. But overall, I feel like this story captured the paranormal aspect of things perfectly and created a unique reading experience by mixing historical fiction with social and supernatural elements.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Although I am grateful for the opportunity NetGalley has given me to read this book, I have to say I wasn't abel to finish it... I thought I was gonna really like it, but I only read half of it and the job to read it all the way through was exhausting.

I don't think it's a bad book, the way it's written it's really good, but it just wasn't for me. I hope the author of this book has a lovely life !!

This wasn’t for me, but I am confident there will be people who love this.

I loved how everything connected up, I loved the generational matriarchal lineage of power, and I loved how magic was interwoven in a really believable way. However, for me, I didn’t like the plot, I didn’t like the characters and most importantly I was felt feeling a bit sad and unsatisfied at the end.

The dual times here were very cleverly done and added so much to the storytelling. The Split POVs also really enriched the story and allowed for a much deeper exploration into the generational heartbreak and trauma at play here.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with any of the characters. Max we obviously don’t like, but I wanted to feel swept up with Suzanne and Addy but I just couldn’t get on board. Both seemed easily dragged along by other, stronger, characters and I just could not connect with them. I think a lot of my issues with the characters come from struggling with their motivations and just not resonating with them and their reasonings.

Which leads me to the plot which was fundamentally based around the characters motivations and so just didn’t hit home for me. I just felt so hopeless reading this. The ending felt very unsatisfying and it was all just a bit sad.

Overall, this just wasn’t for me. It’s a well written story with characters and a plot that I just know will resonate with some people, I just wasn’t one of them.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed reading this story although I did have some minor concerns with it. The story itself was engaging and the characters were well fleshed out but I couldn’t really connect with any of them. Something just felt like it was missing with the characterisation. I liked the different timelines and how everything came together but at the same time some of the timelines I felt to be a little boring & I would just skim them to get to the ones that I was more interested in. I do feel like this book will be a favourite for someone other than me as I find it hard to pinpoint exactly what it was that didn’t quite work for me but I appreciate being given the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an arc of this book with which I was able to read and review.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author to allow me read this story it was indeed an excellent fantasy but I do understand that this isn't a book for everyone, I saw a bit more than a story and fantasy but people growth and dealing with trauma and uncomfortable things, the different perspectives also made perfect sense.. This was definitly a good surprise

This book offers an atmospheric setting and intriguing magic realism, but its characters and relationships didn't resonate with me. The dual timelines and character dynamics felt jarring and hard to follow, which, combined with the toxic romance, made it difficult to fully engage with the story.

From the first chapter I loathed this book. Women being horrible wives, hiding and lying important things from their husbands... What garbage. I kept reading because I thought there'd be a good reasoning for it in the end, but over all there wasn't. Not for me at all

I want to thank NetGalley and Atmosphere press for the ARC of this book

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Deborah Trahan’s A Southern Enchantress invites readers into a richly atmospheric New Orleans, where the mystical and the everyday collide. The story follows Suzanne, a clairsentient enchantress wrestling with her heritage and supernatural gifts. Her reluctant embrace of her powers is catalyzed by a tumultuous relationship with Max, a morally dubious rogue, setting the stage for a narrative that intertwines magic, love, and personal growth.

The novel excels in its setting; Trahan’s vivid descriptions of New Orleans create an immersive backdrop that feels as alive as the characters. Themes of generational trauma, self-acceptance, and resilience are skillfully woven into the story, offering depth beneath the surface magic. The dual timeline structure adds complexity, although some readers may find the shifts between past and present disruptive initially.

While the plot and themes are compelling, the execution can feel uneven. Some parts of the narrative are beautifully crafted, while others feel rushed or overly ambitious. Suzanne’s journey is engaging, but the romance with Max doesn’t always hit the mark, sometimes veering into melodrama.

Overall, A Southern Enchantress is an evocative tale with strong atmosphere and themes, but its pacing and character dynamics may not resonate with all readers. It’s a solid read for fans of magical realism and New Orleans-inspired fiction.

I really liked the setting of the plot. I really didn't like the characters. I'm just getting into magic-realism and I found the portrayal of the spellwork and ritualistic witchcraft enchanting but the motives behind the characters' actions seemed lacking to me. None of the characters were likeable. I don't know if that was the point or a plot device but it didn't let me connect to any of the characters and I felt pretty disconnected from the story. I liked Addy's storyline better. The narrative was confusing in the beginning with two timelines and then time jumps in each of them. I found myself puzzling over who is whose sister in the middle of the book too, that was resolved well by the end. I liked how the story came full-circle and went from one set of sisters fighting it out to one of sisters helping each other out. This did open up the genre of magic-realism more for me and I'm looking forward to reading more stories like this.

DNF @ 16%

Unfortunately this book was just.not for me. I was really intrigued by the blurb but found that the first 50 pages dragged for me. Although I found the writing style easy to read and descriptive, I was not interested in the relationship between Max and Suzanne or their stories.. The relationship was toxic and secretive from the jump, and neither character coming across as someone I would want to root for.

While the blurb made me intrigued about the clairvoyance and spectre aspect, I was not interested enough to work through the three POVs in timelines that jumped back and forth in order to get to the point in the plot that it became more central. I feel like this book would have benefited from less jumping between timelines, for example, with it jumping from Suzanne and Max being together, to before they were together, I found it too jarring and hard to keep track of and delve into. I also would have loved a bit more utilisation of the clairvoyance to help pull me in. I acknowledge that I only read the first 50 pages but typically I can be drawn in within the first 50 pages and have an idea of whether the book will be interesting for me or not. I am sure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.

Incredibly well written, it had me gery well hooked with the time lines of greed and sadness and revenge 👀
Thankyou for giving me the opportunity to read this !

A Southern Enchantress is a generational supernatural tale that weaves together the lives and stories of a line of hereditary witches— “Enchantresses”, from one decade to the next.
The echoes of their interconnected pasts surge forward to encircle the fate and determine the choices of the present-day Lafountain descendant. And to what end? Revenge… In a deliciously southern kind of way, of course. This impressive matriachiarchial lineage of spellcasters proficient in their own particular brand of folk magic with a sprinkle of clairsentient abilities makes for a fascinating read.

Author, Deborah Trahan does an exceptional job at developing individual character arcs to evolve and ensnare the reader. Evocative organic language, well-paced flow and magical realism build a world of mystique set amidst the haunting beauty of New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I couldn't help but crave more and devour this book, I most certainly did.

The fact that romance is a secondary element in this storyline tickled me pink. It’s always refreshing to explore the depth and motives behind strong women whose grit, power and inner resolve are the driving force behind the core plot. And that no matter the circumstances, these Enchantresses will not be held down and they will be avenged— even if from beyond the veil. Thrilling!
A must-read novel you don't want to put on the back burner of your TBR. Make sure you get onto this ASAP!

Deborah Trahan's A Southern Enchantress is a delightful blend of romance and Southern charm. The story is rich with vibrant characters, but Max truly stole my heart—his blend of charisma and depth makes him an unforgettable hero. The chemistry between him and the protagonist is electric, filled with witty exchanges and genuine emotion. Trahan’s vivid descriptions bring the Southern setting to life, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. If you’re looking for a captivating read that weaves magic and romance seamlessly, this book is a must-read!

Told in dual timelines, A Sountern Enchantress weaves a gripping bound of generational love. A perfect tale weaved in atmospheric New Orleans. Perfect for spooky season.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I enjoyed this book so much!

The book is in dual timeline (one with Suzanne and Max´s POV and the other with Addy´s one) which was a bit confusing at first but after some chapters I was totally into it. I loved Suzanne´s journey and the whole plot of the book. All of the characters were well described even if I wish we had some more information about some of them (Esty and Jack). The writing style was superb!

I liked the magic system, folk magic, tarot etc., this is the first book I pick with this kind of magic system and it was really original.

Will definetly read more books from this author!

Amazon, Goodreads and Instagram Post will be posted tomorrow (19/09)