Set in the 70s, Hendrix did a remarkable job of setting the atmosphere and issues of the time. The relationship between these pregnant teenagers forced to live and work under the same roof was realistic and deep, carrying the book and making this story all the more special.

This book is however way too long. Especially at the beginning and during the birthing scenes which drag on unnecessarily. However, this did not prevent me from being completely hooked on this story. I often found myself thinking about it when I was not reading and when I was, I was devouring the pages.

Even though I had a great time with this book and its characters, I would have hoped for more witchcraft. Especially when the few witchy scenes we got were just perfect and well incorporated into the story.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Have you read Grady Hendrix? He’s one of my favourite authors. The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is among my all-time favourites, and I also loved The Final Girl Support Group. I’m drawn to the horror, supernatural, and gothic worlds he creates—they take me back to winter vacations in Shillong, watching horror movies with my sister. Since reading The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires, I’ve made it a point to read his books.

So, when I came across Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, I had to pick it up. Aren’t his titles brilliant? This story, set in a 1960s home for pregnant teens, explores the harsh realities these girls face, often bearing the consequences of one decision while the boys remain untouched. It’s not horror in the traditional sense, but rather the horror of patriarchal consequences. A witchy librarian arrives, and her intentions are unclear—is she a saviour or something darker? You’ll have to read to find out.

I wouldn’t say it’s his best work, but I enjoyed it and hope to listen to it on Audible one day—that always adds to the experience.

It's not easy to talk about this book. It made me feel old and miserable. The ending left me heartbroken; hopeful, but still: heartbroken. Hope costs too much in this book, so it's best avoided. The theme is unwanted teen pregnancy, at a time when girls out of wedlock had to hide themselves in Homes till they gave birth and then surrendered their baby for adoption. And then forgot everything and left the whole 'mess' behind. That was the 70s for you, before Roe. Family and society against the "wayward girl," ready to humiliate her if she dared to step anywhere with a swollen stomach and no ring on her finger. History, superstition, shame, guilt, even hate, her daily diet. Better find a place to hide her, isolate her, ostracized from church and family. That's what maternity houses were for. To accept (for a price) sinners, i.e., rule-breaking young women, and treat them as such, till they were returned to "ordinary life," after being coerced to give up their babies.

The book features four girls in such a maternity home in Florida, an old house in the middle of the woods. The story has several twists, always respectful, stunning in detail and utterly compelling in its psychological understanding. The plot is immersive and quite addictive. I was worried that things would go sideways when witchcraft would be brought to the scene, but it turned out I had nothing to fear: the book did not turn into dark fantasy or romance or any such drivel, it kept all its horrifying aspects, deepening the themes of guilt, powerlessness, and grief. In fact, there may be too much horror in this book: the realistic scenes of birth shook me , the social indifference shocked me, and I have no idea what the impact might be on female readers.

I recommend the book wholeheartedly. It's the kind of fiction that traumatizes you, but, as with everything important, it's worth it.

Thank you to Grady Hendrix, Pan Macmillan, Tor Nightfire and netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Book review || Witchcraft for wayward girls by Grady Hendrix
Edition : ARC
Rating : 5/5⭐️
⚠️Spoiler review⚠️

Quotes :
-For girls like us, down there at the Home, the devil turned out to be our
only friend.
-THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR CHILDREN OR MORONS.
-"Because you're witches?" Fern asked. "Because we're women,"
-"I'd rather burn the library," Periwinkle said, "than build it on bodies."
-This is the world we live in, Diane said. It's not perfect, but it's the only world we’ve got.
-We were never girls. We were witches.

Well well well, I don’t even know where to start.
I DEVORED this book, I had never read anything from this author so I went in 100% blind.
Learning about houses in the states where young unwed girls who got pregnant had to be kept in secret was SO interesting.
I never saw the whole horror - witchy part come, I was so surprised and I loved every part of it.
This book really resonated with me as a single child from a young single mother.
There’s so many quotes and moments that made me put the book down and try not to cry but I’ll be honest and I cried when I finished the book.
This is one of those books where you will think about the characters for the rest of your life and will carry a bit of them with you everywhere you go. I love it when books inspire you to become a better and kinder version of yourself.
The book tackled very deep subjects such as SA, underage pregnancy, medical unwanted modifications. But also with who you become from becoming a mother and what your life becomes after it. It was so beautifully written and I hope that so many people will read it.
In a way it reminds me of the hunger games were everyone is SO young and SO brave. I am always grateful that I live in a very safe environment and accepting family and I would never have to face things like that. Remember, we see you, we hear you and we BELIEVE you. Whoever you are and whoever you want to be. You are NEVER alone.
I felt so close to all the girls since I also have a flower name (Nasturtium) and I like Fern so much, the way she gave up her name reluctantly and claimed it back at the right time. The deshumanization when she became juste « the patient ».
I feel sad that there’s so many girls we won’t know the story of but that’s also exactly the point. There were SO MANY girls that went trough this and they were just forgotten and felt shame all their lives. Trying to forget whatever had happened after everyone turned their backs on them.
Being a girl and becoming a woman is hard and will continue to be as long as we still let patriarchy dominate us and let men decide for us women.
This was SO empowering and eyes opening.
I’m more a vampire girl but I’ve been loving really witchy books were magic has to be earned and is a sacrifice. It inserted itself so well in the book and even if it’s horror/witchy inspired it just feels like it could happen and fern is a reliable narrator. She isn’t at all and that’s amazing. She’s just a scared girl who was pregnant and left all alone.
Thank you again for this amazing opportunity !

In 1970s Florida, teenage ‘Fern’ finds herself shut away in the sweltering heat at the strict Wellwood House, a ‘home’ for pregnant unwed teens.

After being given an occult book by the travelling librarian, Fern and would-be friends Rose, Zinnia, and Holly see the possibility of a tiny bit of freedom in their lives. However, magic comes at a high price.

This is a slow-burning and sad tale, a frightening and empathetic depiction of teenage girls with no choices and no one to rescue them. They are forbidden to talk about their past and they are even renamed after flowers and plants

Nothing is romanticised, from the gory depictions of childbirth to the enforced adoption of the babies.

Whilst the plot feels a little convoluted and slow at times, Hendrix’s story is emotionally and physically visceral, leaving us reeling from the pain of these trapped girls and their bid for some kind of autonomy.

A dark tale of powerless girls grasping for an iota of control.

Thank you netgalley for the chance to read this as an arc copy
This is a genre that I don't read much of so I would say it's a bit out of my comfort zone but I had no trouble while reading it. The writting was so good and easy to fly through
I would recommend this book if you're getting started in the horror genre and I myself will probably be reading the rest of this authors books

Sometimes you find a book that you enjoy so much that it makes you want to wash your brain and pop it back in just so you can experience it afresh (just me?). This novel about a home for “wayward” (pregnant) teens in the 70s gripped me from the first page. I mean this in the most complimentary way, but at one point I had to Google Grady Hendrix just to make sure I had it right that he wasn’t a woman - he writes women so well, not shying away from the pain, complexity and occasional gore that comes with being one of the fairer sex. I got so attached to the characters in this that I’ll be thinking about them longer after finishing reading. Some traumatic themes in this novel, and a few scenes that definitely shouldn’t be read while you’re eating, but this is 100% one I’ll be buying a physical “trophy” copy of when it’s released in January.

Thank you to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for the arc!

🌟🌟🌟/5

'Witchcraft for Wayward Girls' is a misleading title. It raises readers' expectations but does not have enough supernatural in it to fulfill them. The horror comes not from witchy elements but from horrific human actions. This was my first Grady Hendrix and honestly, I've not completely figured out my feelings about this one.

Sure, this is not a book that readers are expected to 'enjoy' but the graphic content left me uncomfortable. There are two extremely graphic childbirth scenes, which certainly did not need to be as long as they were. The characterization is done well, though, and I couldn't help but feel for these girls. The author did well at showcasing the situation of the time period, but the gore was a bit too gratuitous for me to fully appreciate the themes. The first quarter of the book is very slow paced and the witchcraft doesn't come into the picture until around the 30% mark. Personally, I'd have preferred more supernatural elements to do justice to the title.

While I'm interested in reading more GH books, this was a miss for me. I'm sure this will find its audience. For me, reading this was a forgettable experience.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is the new horror novel from Grady Hendrix, focusing on the treatment of pregnant teenagers in 1970s America. Fern is given a floral name as soon as she steps inside Wellwood House in Florida, and then she's no longer her former self, but just a pregnant fifteen-year-old hidden away from the world with other pregnant girls. Everything about their time and their bodies is controlled by the adults who work there, but when a strange librarian gives Fern a book about witchcraft, she and her new friends discover that power can change hands, but not without a price.

I'm a big fan of Grady Hendrix, both earlier more concept-focused novels and then the great mix of creepy horror and emotional depth that was How To Sell A Haunted House, so I knew I had to read this one. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is very different again, with the titular witchcraft being less horrifying that the treatment of the teenage characters and body horror-filled descriptions of giving birth. Hendrix carefully uses the narrative voice to play with perspective and how the main character is viewed, and in particular the scene in which she gives birth is a clever way of doing horror, and one that has nothing to do with witchcraft. The start of the book is quite slow, feeling like historical literary fiction, but a lot more happens later on, even if the witchcraft element never quite feels embedded into what is already a horrifying story. The tension between different options for the girls, including witchcraft, does bring good complexity to the book, but people looking for the witchcraft element might not enjoy it as much, as it isn't just The Craft vibes, but instead something delving much more deeply into who feels the impact of actions and decisions.

I found it satisfying to see Grady Hendrix continue to play with expectations, not giving the simple witchcraft novel that it sounds like, and the pregnancy and childbirth depictions are packed with appropriate body horror that really makes the point about the horrors these teenagers faced. However, it didn't always feel like the witchcraft was fully integrated into the narrative, but sometimes just seemed like a useful narrative device that was easily resolved. This is one for fans of historical horror that explores the trauma of real kinds of situations.

Reading review of this book before going into it, told me that this wasn't a typical Grady Hendrix story. The horrors are very much grounded in the real (childbirth as opposed to witchcraft!) and the discomfort comes from the treatment of the girls, how they're disbelieved and belittled for their circumstances. The hospital scenes were absolutely brutal. My only wish was that the friendships has been stronger to offset the pain. It was more 'witchcraft lite', and I appreciated that because that meant it wasn't taking away from the real horror: 1970s society.

I am a huge horror buff but this was not horror. It was neither scary or interesting.

Set in the 50's Fern gets pregnant and is sent to a home over her summer holidays to have her baby. She meets other girls there Zinnia and Holly and they form a bond. They pray everyday for bad things to happen to the people that got them pregnant and one day enters a witch. Problem is, she just isnt scary, like at all, i didnt find her terrifying in any way at all, the scariest thing she did was create a storm with hail stones, oooo im shaking!!!

Tame and Tedious.

Witches often navigate challenging lives, yet they find joy in unexpected places. Living on the fringes and in transitional spaces, they resist societal norms whenever possible.

Grady Hendrix's Witchcraft for Wayward Girls offers a profound look at adolescence, empowerment, and the pervasive influence of societal control, all set within a 1970s Florida maternity home for unwed mothers. The story centers on fifteen-year-old Fern, who arrives at Wellwood House pregnant and filled with dread, her existence dictated by the stifling rules imposed by adults. The novel opens with a poignant depiction of Fern's emotional struggles, providing an intimate view into the lives of other girls similarly ensnared by their circumstances.

The narrative takes a transformative turn when Fern discovers a witchcraft book from a librarian, acting as a catalyst for change. This book represents the possibility of empowerment and rebellion against the constricting societal norms. It challenges the idea that everything labeled "bad" is truly harmful; perhaps it's time to stop conforming blindly and start thinking independently.

The plot navigates the tension between the allure of witchcraft as a means of reclaiming autonomy and the potential dark repercussions that such power can bring. This is fundamentally a story about power: where to find it and how to wield it effectively. In today's world, understanding personal power—over oneself and others—is crucial.

Power is not a gift; it must be claimed, as those who possess it are often reluctant to share. For many young women in this narrative, their desires are largely ignored. They cry out for recognition—yet what has it achieved? They remain hidden away like forgotten photographs, punished for engaging in the most natural act.

One cannot simply plead with the world for what they want; instead, they must assert their will upon it. This is the lesson imparted by the book.

Miss Parcae, often viewed as a villain, presents herself as a figure who genuinely wants to empower these girls. She offers them the tools to address their issues but demands loyalty in return. Is that too much to ask?

Hendrix skillfully illustrates how the girls’ pursuit of independence can lead them toward both liberation and peril. The setting is steeped in gothic elements, characterized by the oppressive summer heat and the suffocating atmosphere of Wellwood House. Every interaction is charged with tension, creating a claustrophobic yet vibrant backdrop.

The characters are richly developed; each girl reflects different aspects of youth and motherhood—Rose embodies idealism while Zinnia represents pragmatism. Their varied personalities weave together a tapestry of experiences that resonate deeply with readers.

Hendrix's writing is both engaging and evocative, blending horror with insightful social commentary. He balances humor with pathos effectively, making the story both entertaining and thought-provoking. Some scenes are graphic—especially those portraying childbirth—but this visceral quality underscores the harsh realities faced by these young women. While some may find certain elements unsettling, this discomfort is essential to the story's impact.

As an author recognized for his unique fusion of horror and heartfelt narratives, Hendrix has carved out a significant niche in contemporary fiction. His ability to tackle intricate themes—such as autonomy, societal pressures, and femininity's darker sides elevates Witchcraft for Wayward Girls beyond mere horror; it serves as a profound reflection on women's struggles within patriarchal structures. Through this work, Hendrix encourages readers to examine their own views on power and agency in their lives.

Grady Hendrix does it again!

Honestly I loved this book! It felt like a true representation of being a young woman in this era being scared and cast aside. Which is impressive for many reasons including that Grady is in fact a man.

However it wasn't as spine chilling as how to sell a haunted house and felt like there could be more witch craft than what there was.

I wouldn't recommend if you're a bit screamish about body horror!

I have been a Hendrix fan for as long as I can remember. Whatever he produces never fails to keep me gripped and intrigued, he's a magician, for sure. Be warned there are some heavy topics in this book surrounding pregnancy and childbirth.

So as the title gave The Craft vibes and I was excited to see where it was going. I didn’t need to read the blurb, I’ll like it regardless of the story. The whole premise for this book is spot on, and I cannot faut a single thing. The horror aspect is perfect, the writing is perfect and the plot is perfect. Hendrix never falls short on his work, its phenomenal.

The witchcraft used in the novel, is not just the witchcraft we know, its beyond complicated and Hendrix portrayed it perfectly for a reader to not only decipher but also understand. But don’t be fooled because witchcraft isn't the main theme in this book. Although there are aspects of witchcraft the story if more about these women, their story and the pain they go through.

I loved the friendship that came from these poor girls, who were all but shunned by their family. They helped each other and even began to create bonds with one another, even if it was short term bonds.

Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before proceeding with this book.

4.75 ⭐ When i started reading this i didn’t expect it to be what it turned out to be. I’m shocked this book made me feel all the feels, both negative and positive feels. All girls had such powerful and meaningful stories i was rooting for them for things to work out well for them even after going through hell. The only thing that disturbed me in this book was the very realistic and descriptive births. THAT on its own made me feel what they were going through.
All though it’s a slowly unpacking story i enjoyed it a lot! (besides the fact i got a bit bored at 30% but it got so much better after that). A page turner that makes you wanna find out more about what’s gonna happen and what end will these girls have.
This book will definitely stick with me and its one of those books that i’ll be thinking about for a very long time

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review!

This was a fun read. It was a little slow in parts but after the half way point and the witchy bits kicked in I flew through it.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls felt like a unique mix of Girl, Interrupted and The Craft, but with heavily pregnant teenage girls in the 1970s. At first glance, the Book might seem like your typical story of teenage girls dabbling in witchcraft and seeking revenge on those who’ve wronged them—but it’s so much more than that. Beneath the surface, this novel delves into the struggles of women under patriarchy, exploring themes of female friendship, motherhood, and the emotional and physical tolls of young pregnancy.

What Worked
The second half of the book is where it truly took off for me. This is where the action, suspense, and horror aspects kicked in, and I found myself glued to my Kindle. Grady’s writing during the action scenes was especially gripping. His use of capital letters to amplify intensity might not be for everyone, but I found it effective in creating suspense and urgency.

The characters also felt multidimensional, which added depth to the story. At one point, when they took revenge on a particular character, I was conflicted. Despite not liking the person, I couldn’t help but feel bad for them, which made me appreciate the complexity of the characters and their actions. I was expecting to fully support the women in their pursuit of revenge, but the story left me feeling more conflicted, which I enjoyed.

Additionally, the unpredictability of the plot kept me engaged. Just when I thought I had a sense of where the story was going, it shifted, often in unexpected and satisfying ways.

What Fell Short
The first half felt slow, more like literary fiction than horror. It focused on relationships and the girls' lives, while the supernatural and horror elements stayed in the background. I felt some conflicts were added just to stretch the story unnecessarily.

I also expected more witchcraft, but instead, the graphic childbirth scenes took center stage, which was disturbing, especially given the girls’ ages. While historically relevant, this shifted the book’s tone toward bleakness rather than the female rage and witchcraft I had anticipated.

Final Thoughts
The premise is intriguing, but it took a significant portion of the book—about 40%—to really get into the storyline. Overall, I came into this book expecting more female rage and witchcraft, but instead, I found a story that leaned more into the tragic lives of teenage girls under a patriarchal society in the 70s, mixed with the horror of childbirth. The true horror in Witchcraft for Wayward Girls isn’t the supernatural elements, but rather the way these girls are treated by society and the people around them. There are some creepy supernatural moments, but the real terror lies in the exploitation of these young girls.

"The consequences of a working should scare you. Unleashing the power of a coven's will is not for the weak-hearted. But everything worth doing is accompanied by fear."

Grady Hendrix is easily one of my favourite writers working today. When I see he has a new book out, I get my hands on it as soon as possible and when I learned he was turning to witches as the subject of his next book? I couldn't wait. Which is why I was so delighted to be given this ARC for his upcoming novel Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.

Fern, not her real name, is 15 and pregnant. The year is 1969 and her father is taking her to a home for unwed mothers, where she can be hidden away until she gives birth before returning to her life as if nothing happened, while the baby is adopted. Fern's body is turning into something she does not recognise and she is treated by those around her as simultaneously a stupid child and a careless woman, She is subjected to confusing medical examinations and treatments and emotionally manipulative meetings with social workers, finding herself entirely at the whim of adults who believe they know what is best for her. But no one is asking her. When a strange book is given to her by the mobile librarian, Fern and some of the other girls living in the home are given the chance to claim power for themselves... but magic demands a price.

I loved the premise of this book, as I always love Hendrix's horror premises and I think he executed this one really well, especially considering the fact that sometimes when male authors decide to discuss women's bodies they can end up being a little... strange. This definitely wasn't the case here though. I thought Hendrix did an excellent job depicting the ways in which the body changes during pregnancy and the ways the girls were feeling regarding their confusion and lack of control while also using it as the setting of a horror novel. He portrayed the situation as terrifying rather than implying pregnant women's bodies were monstrous which I think was very well done. I also really liked the way he engaged with witchcraft, using it in its more violent and scary form rather than the cozy approach which is often utilised. Witchcraft in the novel, is not black and white (pun somewhat intended), and it is complicated which I think was a good way of doing it. He does delve a little into the reasons which result in girls being sent to a home like this one, but I think it could have been explored a little more, but overall I do see why he approached it as he did.

One of the best things about having read Hendrix's work for many years is that I get to see him grow as a writer and master elements that previously were not his strong suits, namely in previous novels his characters could be a little wooden but it hardly mattered because the concepts were so strong. I noticed in his previous novel, How To Sell A Haunted House, that this has definitely changed and I'm so glad to say that that trend has continued in this novel. The characters in this novel are fun, sympathetic and interesting all while retaining the trademark Hendrix humour and use of archetypes.

I really enjoyed this book and it more than met my expectations and highly recommend it.

This is the first book I truly don’t know how to rate. I wouldn’t say that I enjoyed reading it, as there were horrific birth scenes, and the true horror was how realistic they were. It was very uncomfortable and even painful for me to read about women struggling during labor, but the story as a whole was very touching and I even teared up at the end. The witchcraft in this book is not the main theme; it wasn’t even witchy until the 20% but after the witch was introduced, thigs got very interesting. I loved the characters - Zinnia was my favorite girl, she was the voice of reason and Rose was the rebel one that I needed to be more in the book than she actually was. Fern as a main character was relatable, but there were moments of repetitiveness where she was constantly thinking about her family and her normal life that it was a bit boring to me. Overall I think this book is very special and is not the typical comedy horror that Grady Hendrix writes. Heavy triggers for pregnancy, child abuse, birth.
Big thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with the ARC.

This book is ideal if you want to scare teenagers from having underage sex. I don't think I would have had them if I'd read the hospital birthday chapters!

Set in the 70s, Fern is a 15 year old girl who falls pregnant and is sent away by her family so as not to bring shame upon their family name. It tells the story of her struggles and friendships whilst in her last trimester, in a group home for pregnant children.

It is 90% wayward girls and 10% witchcraft. I think if you go into it with that in mind, you will enjoy it.