I'm absolutely bewitched by Netherford Hall. This book is being described as Pride and Prejudice and Witches, but I think that calling it a Pride and Prejudice retelling does it a disservice. 

There's so much more to this story, so I don't want to focus on comparing it to the classic.

Netherford Hall is the story of Edith and Poppy; Edith is the new gentlewitch of Netherford which means she is also the owner of the house Poppy's family lives in. The gentlewitch should be powerful and provide safety and prosperity to her town, but Edith only came to claim her house after most of her family died in a fire that destroyed their London house. That and the fact that she's not really powerful is why she has a hard time understanding and acting on her feelings towards Poppy.

As for Poppy, she's bright and energetic, but also has family troubles. They are higher born but not rich, often depending on help from others. And they have some secrets. 

Their first meeting doesn't go too well, but both women feel a connection to each other. 

I loved their relationship, and the way it evolved through the book. But I kinda wish they had more scenes together, some of their issues are resolved a little too quickly. 

I really enjoyed the world creation, and how the author used adding witches to "our" world to change a few other things, like same-sex marriages. I would love to know more about witches and their world, but I guess we will have to wait for the next part of the series. 

The non-romance plot was really well written and thought through. Maybe the ending felt a little too rushed, but I really enjoyed it.

This book was sort of all over the place. It felt very scattered, in a way that kept making me wonder if I’d missed something. I also think it’s being mismarketed as a sapphic, magical Pride & Prejudice retelling. There are some resonances, perhaps, and a few verbal easter eggs, but anyone coming to this book hoping for familiar story beats, characterizations, or interpersonal dynamics will be disappointed. But even without making that comparison, the supposedly central romance is underdeveloped — at first nonexistent, then suddenly inflamed, but with no real connecting points along the way. Too many of the side characters felt extraneous and shoved in either for no purpose at all or out of plot convenience. It sort of felt like this book didn’t really know what it wanted to be — a Regency romantasy, a gothic fantasy, a mystery — and so it ended up a haphazard hodgepodge.

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.

This was an interesting ride. I went in expecting a Pride & Prejudice (loose) retelling but what I actually got was a book about witches and humans coexisting in an ecosystem similar to the great estates of old with entire villages attached to estates and dependent on them for a livelihood.

Edith Rookwood is at her dilapidated ancestral seat at Netherford Hall after a tragic fire killed most of her family except her uncle and very young nephew, Henry. Neither adult was meant to be taking up ancestral responsibilities because more talented or magically potent members of their family were taking up the mantle but now they must muddle through despite their grief and trauma.

Poppy Brightwell is one of the tenants at Harrow House who feels a strange attachment to Netherford Hall, despite its run-down state, and can't quite explain it. Her family is deeply averse to witches in all forms so a Gentlewitch moving into Netherford Hall is not welcome news but somehow the two are attracted to each other despite their disparate social standings and magical use.

I particularly enjoyed how diverse the world is. We have people from all ethnic backgrounds, along with queer unions being commonplace, even amongst the gentry. We also have the fae, witches who the government sanctions, as well as vampires and werewolves (only mentioned), added to make this an incredibly diverse and interesting world.

The only thing I didn't quite like about this book is that it sometimes feels like too many subplots are crammed in this first book rather than extended out to future books. I prefer the first book in a fantasy series to set up the players and factions and relationships and then dive into more complexities in subsequent books. For example, the vampires felt extraneous for the most part and we don't get enough information about them to understand their allegiances and powers. Perhaps this will be fleshed out in a sequel but having them in this book feels a bit puzzling to me.

While the plot and characters are interesting and engaging, I think the real standout in this book is the lovingly described clothing and accessories. We have a primary side character who is a modiste and one of the main characters takes great care with her appearance and dress and it shows in the appreciation of how everyone looks and the descriptions of their formalwear.

Overall, an engaging and interesting fantasy world crossed with regency romance.

This book made me feel complicated feelings.

The main character's personality felt very erratic and I couldn't catch her vibe or what type of person she was supposed to be besides "a lot", that eventually got better but for the first half of the book her actions didn't make sense to me because I couldn't understand her character. Her sister did not feel like a real person beyond beautiful older sister archetype. The Rookwood's felt a little more clear and consistent in their characters but the random child had close to no impact on most of the story except to drop a few ominous warnings then provide crucial assistance in the final battle. Would have loved to see more of Poppy, Edith, and Henry all interacting together.

Some thoughts i had while reading: Everyone's actions were confusing and nobody's emotional responses made sense. Why is everyone crying suddenly, is this world strict and Victorian or not, why are these people so mad at each other, etc. It felt like with the pacing and character attitudes that this should be a YA book except there's semi explicit romance so it's very firmly adult but with a touch of "I would have liked this more when I was a youth".

Okay I was really harsh but this book is still 3 stars because even with all the little things that bothered me I was still interested enough in the story, the mystery, and the character arcs of all those silly little guys, to finish reading the book and find out what happened to them. I think the ending was a bit rushed and there were a lot of plot points left unanswered but this book ended very clearly preparing for a sequel series to follow which I might end up reading who knows.

I was enchanted by the gay witches and diverse body representation in both size and ethnicity and the concept of a magical England with no racism or homophobia apparently. God bless.

DNF@ 34%

I didn't like the way it was written, and the only character that really had any personality was Poppy.

A big thank you to Net Galley and Rebellion for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5 Stars

I was immediately intrigued by the description of “Pride and Prejudice and Witches”, but I had to remind myself throughout that this was not Pride and Prejudice. It’s set during the Regency period in England, but that is where the similarity ends for me. It stands up much better without that in the description.

I enjoyed the overall story. Queer regency era with witches and a more diverse set of characters? Yes please! Parts of it felt rushed or not fully thought out. Some of the early attraction and chemistry between Edith and Poppy felt forced and too soon, but by the end felt much more believable.

The abrupt switching of POVs in the middle of chapters was a little jarring but I got used to it after about 1/3 of the book. There was no visual queue that POVs changed and I think that might help.

I didn’t love the cliffhanger ending / lack of resolution, as I didn’t realize this was the start of a series, but I will definitely pick up the next book!

I recommend this to anyone who likes queer fantasy with romance thrown in.

Sadly this Regency Fantasy was a big disappointment.
I am a sucker for Pride and Prejudice, love fantasy, am always excited to see more diverse casts of characters and so I jumped straight in with a lot of expectations... and was sorely let down.
The pace is excruciatingly slow, with painfully long and pointless descriptions (unlike the classic - yep this managed to have more descriptions than novel from the 1800s).
The emotions of the characters were weird, all were either angry or in heat, and none of it actually stemmed from any of the events on the page. The writing of all the inner conflict was very confused and shallow.
Nothing happened for almost 70% of the book, and when something finally did, the characters all made themselves so unlikable that I truly didn't care what happened to any of them. There was hardly any threats or possible dire consequences for any characters until the end of the book and no goals for anyone to follow. Maybe that is meant to pass for cosy writing?
I didn't think it was possible to make vampires, witches and magic boring.

Netherford Hall is a sapphic romance in regency era England with witches, vampires, and other assorted creatures. The characters are interesting, and I like the plot, but for me there’s a bit too much going on. There are so many different plot lines and the main characters don’t get the build of their relationship near as much as I wanted. It’s still good, it just left me wanting a little.

I've been obsessed with Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell for years, and this book did the same things for me--an absolutely standout novel that went in surprising places, seamlessly integrating history and magic--except that Netherford Hall is also delightfully queer. In short, this novel was the most delightful surprise! It reads like a Regency novel, and I mean that in the most complimentary sense--although the world of Netherford Hall has witches, vampires, and other sorts of magic, as well as a diverse cast, the world building is so skillfully integrated with history that this could easily sit alongside Jane Austen's novels and not feel out of place.

In short, I adored this and highly recommend it to fans of Regency novels who wish those books were magical and queer!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

1.75/5

I was disappointed by this book. I was expecting something better, frankly.

For a book that is marketed as a Pride and Prejudice sapphic retelling with magic it lacks the most important part of the book: the romance between the characters. The chemistry just wasn't there, there was no banter or any connection, really. Is it a retelling? A bad one. It's more of a distorted copy - one that includes all the iconic lines from the original book like "it is the truth universally acknowledged" etc. Unfortunately, the style it was written affected the book.

Jane Austen lived in 19th century so she wrote the way she spoke. It feels authentic because it was authentic to her. Unfortunately, Natania tried to copy Austen's style too much. It didn't feel genuine or effortless - it felt pompous and disgenuous.

The characters weren't written well. Poppy was a fun character, but the rest weren't. Where Edith was supposed be a brooding Darcy and Poppy a light-hearted Elizabeth, it gave them a role reversal. Darcy (Edith) was the one who struggled trying to keep the family together from cousins who tried to take away everything, while Elizabeth (Poppy) ... What, exactly? There weren't many elements from Darcy's live in Poppy, perhaps except for a loving sister. But unlike the original book, Poppy wasn't the eldest and she didn't have to be a parent to her siblings.

Like I mentioned, the writing was just bad. The chapters were long and pov changed between the paragraphs so fast, it was jarring. I couldn't get into a mind of one character and try to understand their motives and try to like them, before I was ripped away from them, forced into someone else's pov and the process began from the start again. I didn't like that, and it made me enjoy the book even less.

Thank you, NetGalley and Rebellion publishing for providing me with an ARC for my honest opinion.

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ thank you netgalley and rebellion for this arc!

i wanted SO badly to be able to ride for this book. i wanted to love this. i really did. it had so much potential!!! pride and prejudice, sapphic romance, witches and vampires! but unfortunately i was left disappointed. I DO STILL THINK ITS WORTH READING IF ANY OF THOSE THINGS SOUND APPEALING. i just personally was not a huge fan.

i was most excited for the romance between poppy and edith but the chemistry was just not there. there wasn’t much banter, the yearning felt forced and they honestly didn’t talk to each other that much.

when the romance wasn’t hitting, i was hoping the plot would make up for it… well. unfortunately the climax felt to me like the author just wrote down an outline of what she wanted to happen and then decided to leave it there. it felt so procedural and out of place compared to the rest of the book.

i feel like if you really love historical romance and you also love fantasy and want to read something wueer, you would probably still have fun with this. but it just wasn’t as good as i was hoping :(

Sapphic Jane Austen with a twist 🌈✨
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Being totally honest, I was never a huge fan of JA. I liked the style but lacked the connection. However… this book was the perfect mix for me!

If you’re a fan of fast paced novels or romances this might not be your jam, or I’d recommend reading something more fast paced in addition. It def. Takes time to build up, but if you’re willing to enter into the new world then it should be okay.

I know some people are mentioning the characters and even though I agree with their description of one being less pleasant… I think I read that this will be a series. Had this been a stand-alone that would’ve lowered my score. But knowing we’ll get more it opens my mind to changing my thoughts on said character.

Thank you so much for creating a sapphic regency read!!! I must def. felt part of that world 🌈🌟

Netherford Hall is everything you could dream of in a magical witchy sapphic Pride and Prejudice retelling. It blew my mind and wrenched my heart!!
I fell in love immediately with Edith and Poppy - as well as Auden and Viola and the supporting characters. Edith is the perfect stoic brewing gentlewitch, and Poppy is amazingly wild, intense, and feisty.
I won’t spoil the plot but it is FASCINATING - I was spellbound the entire time and read it in record speed. The prose is gorgeous, the conversations are incredibly written.
I loved it so so much.
Thank you for this ARC!

3.5 - I really enjoyed this book, as I have a fondness for regency and sapphic stories. The characters were amazing, and I loved getting to know them. It reminded me of a magical version of Gentleman Jack. The beginning of the book was slow, but it picked up later on. The bits of information revealed throughout the story kept me interested and eager to find out what would happen next. My only complaint, which lowered the rating, was that the ending felt too convenient, particularly (without spoilers) regarding the vampire aspect. However, overall, it was definitely worth reading and offered a refreshing change of scenery.

Title: Netherford Hall

Author: Natania Barron

Rating: ★★★★

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to mix the elegance of Regency romance with a dash of witchcraft, look no further than "Netherford Hall" by Natania Barron. What a combo!This enchanting tale weaves magic and romance into a delightful story that will captivate your heart.

After a mysterious fire forces Gentlewitch Edith Rookwood and her family to relocate from Regency London to their ancestral home, Netherford Hall, in Kent, Edith is thrust into a whirlwind of challenges. The hall needs costly repairs, her family’s standing is precarious, and her inheritance is under threat from a forgotten American branch. Marriage seems like the only solution, but then she meets the chaotic and charming Poppy Brightwell, her new tenant.

Poppy is everything Edith isn’t—lively, unpredictable, and utterly fascinating. As the two women navigate their growing attraction amidst a backdrop of societal expectations and personal secrets, they must also deal with an array of tenants, rivals, suitors, and enemies who converge on Netherford Hall.

Barron masterfully blends the sophistication of Austen-esque romance with a twist of the supernatural. Edith and Poppy's journey is filled with delightful banter, heartwarming moments, and thrilling discoveries. The chemistry between the two leads is electric, and their relationship develops with a perfect balance of tension and tenderness.

"Netherford Hall" is a spellbinding tale of love, family, and self-discovery. With dark secrets, magical elements, and an enchanting romance, it’s a book that keeps you hooked from the first page to the last.

Highly recommend this enchanting read for fans of historical romance, magical adventures, and anyone who loves a good twist on a classic tale!

Thank you to The Publisher Rebellion | Solaris Nova , the author Natania Barron & Netgalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Netherford Hall sounded interesting in its premise: a relatively untalented gentlewitch who never expected to become head of her family must relocate to her family’s country seat when the remainder of the family dies in a fire. The nearby neighbors to this house, the Brightwells, are an impoverished family, the eldest of which has been secretly exploring (trespassing in) Netherford Hall for years. I struggled with this book because the style is clearly an attempt at mimicking the writing style of Jane Austen that didn’t really pay off. Additionally, Barron attempted to add and take away different social classes in order to tell the story, but it ended up being difficult to parse despite ample exposition.

A witchy sapphic pride and prejudice mish mash. I have never actually read P&P so I can’t say how much inspiration has been taken in the writing of Netherford Hall. The book itself is quite slow up until the last 30% but we get lots of exploration of the surroundings and people involved. Poppy is a magnificent main character. I would love for her to be my best friend. She’s charming and fun and interesting. Unfortunately she’s quite the contrast to Edith who seems quite miserable and moody. The romance between the two of them didn’t entirely hit for me. The side characters are also all good additions and add to the story.

A sapphic regency romance based on Pride and Prejudice, with added fantasy elements like magic, witches, and vampires? Sign me up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Rebellion, Solaris Nova for this eARC.

Firstly, I love when queerness is integrated into the worldbuilding in an almost nonchalant way, just an everyday normality, and this was a fantastic example of that. The magic of this world was also very interesting and I was itching to know more about the origins of it.

While Poppy's characteristics and personality grew on me over time (she’s the definition of a chaotic bisexual and I love her for it), Edith's went in the opposite direction, sadly. The more I read, the more I disliked her, and it had an impact on the overall enjoyability of both the plot and the romance. Around the middle of the book, the romance starts sparking up and getting saucier, but it just left a weird taste in my mouth by the end. Edith had grown so distant that I just couldn’t feel the honesty in her at all.

As for the plot, it was easy enough to follow, but some pathways were taken and choices were made that just didn’t feel right. I would have preferred different angles or perspectives in certain parts, but there were a few mysterious storylines that loomed in the background from quite early on that made me intrigued and kept me looking out for anything suspicious. The resolutions and revelations with these mysterious bits were so well done, too. I was actually very surprised by some of the plot twists and thought they felt very different and fresh (Poppy's entire storyline, for instance!) and were very well planned and executed.
In large chunks throughout the book, the pacing was achingly slow and only sped up into the peak of the action right at the end, and I will admit that I struggled to push myself through the slower parts.

It is quite a solid book overall, and I think it sets up really well for the rest of the series!

This is a beautiful, engaging and fresh fantasy romance that delivers what I was searching for in Bridgerton and more. I absolutely adored Netherford Hall as it serves up a delicious pairing of regency-era romance and fantasy world-building filled with witches, magic and vampires.

This interpretation of Pride and Prejudice is extremely well done. Barron has taken just enough inspiration from the source material to make Netherford Hall reminiscent of Pride and Prejudice but adds her own special twist to it, making it feel fresh and as a unique story in its own right. I appreciated the exploration here of themes also found in Pride and Prejudice, such as marriage, reputation, misjudgements and the dichotomy between the town and country. That said, readers can definitely enjoy this book without having read (or watched) Pride and Prejudice which speaks to how strongly it stands as its own story.

The writing itself is wonderful - the prose is beautifully written, especially the descriptions of clothing. The characters are distinct and convincing. The chapters occasionally switch between different perspectives, and there is always a clear change in style to reflect the personality and quirks of each character which made this a joy to read.

As a whole, I found myself thoroughly entertained throughout this story. This is the perfect book to pick up for readers looking for a cosy fantasy read with a romance plotline, and/or who are looking for a regency queer love story.

The dedication reads "for every queer heart who wished for their Darcy." Readers who resonate with or are intrigued by that (as I did) are sure to enjoy this read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I did not realize this was in a genre I don't review. My profound apologies. I won't be doing a review elsewhere but wish the author great success!