I did not expect to be in tears by the end of this book, but here we are. This was stomach-turning and gut-wrenching, and above all, rage inducing. Witchcraft plays a role but not a hugely prominent one, instead it’s used as a tool to highlight the helplessness and fear that wracks the poor girls in this book.

The real horror is felt in the girls’ lack of agency, it is in the heaviness of their bellies and the shame of existing as a woman who has chosen wrong. Power must be taken, and witchcraft gives them the means to be heard and to choose for their own.

There is a lot of body and pregnancy related horror in this book, so fair warning for some gory birthing scenes. A few trippy witchcraft and folk horror scenes but the strength of this book lies in the girls’ anger when they are faced again and again with societal expectations that leave no room for their own desires.

It is messy, it is terrifying, and powerfully transports the reader to the home for wayward girls.

4.5 stars

This books is very atmospheric and at times reads a lot like historical fiction due to the slow pace. The intersperced horror elements mixed with the general horror of the treatment of these girls really worked for me. It was not an easy read but I’m so glad to have read it!

I'm gonna start by saying that this horror was different from what I expected. I just felt so awful for those girls and what the adults made them go through: The control put on them, the choices they have to make as teenage girls, but also the way those are not real choices because the choices are made for them... all spooky and somehow too real. And mainly body horror, which makes sense since... pregnancies! And also, maybe don't read it while pregnant ;)

I like the way each of the girls have their own mind, and sees the world differently. How their opinions change as they go through the pregnancy and also through a lot more... How they discover the world they know might not be the one the other girls know.

I really liked the way the story was wrapped up.
Mainly I would say, this book isn't just about magic, but that's ok.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for access to the ebook against an honest review.*

[ARC provided by NetGalley and Pan Macmillan. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.]

Rating: 5/5

Having never read any of Grady Hendrix’s other books and knowing little of what this story would entail, I dove into Witchcraft for Wayward Girls with no expectations. Horror doesn’t always work for me, so generally, the less I know, the better; otherwise, the story might lose some of its impact. And wow, this is certainly an incredibly impactful story. Packing an emotional punch that clawed into the deepest depths of my heart, this is a heartrending and unforgettable Southern Gothic tale that you won’t want to put down despite flinching away from each page.

But before getting into this review, I want to highlight some important content warnings. This book contains graphic depictions of pregnancy and childbirth, and also racial discrimination and themes of body autonomy and women’s rights which may be distressing for some readers. If you are sensitive to these topics, I strongly encourage you to check out more detailed trigger warnings online before reading.

Combining historical realism with the occult, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls introduces us to Wellwood House, a home where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret. Terrified and alone, fifteen–year-old Fern arrives at the home in the summer of 1970 and meets other girls in the same situation. Under the watchful and strict eyes of adults who claim to know best, Fern finds a way to take back some of the power she and the other girls have been denied, but power demands a price, and often it must be paid in blood.

When I started to get a feel for the direction this story was heading, I had to pause and reflect on my comfort level with a man narrating such a tale. The intertwining themes of pregnancy and women's rights are delicate and challenging to portray accurately, and I felt a sense of unease as I progressed through the book. However, by the time I reached the final page, I was thankful for the sensitivity and care Hendrix demonstrated in his storytelling. The themes are weighty, the setting is oppressive, and yet, the narrative is handled with such deftness that it evokes a profound emotional response.

This is undoubtedly a heavy story. With themes grounded in reality, such as systemic oppression, women’s rights, and body autonomy, the most horrific element is how real and familiar it is for women who have experienced something similar. Being quite squeamish about body horror, I had a visceral reaction to the graphic scenes of pregnancy and childbirth. Hendrix pulls no punches, revealing every gritty detail these young girls endure. It’s raw and horrifying, yet moments of solidarity shine through, offering glimpses of beauty and hope.

At its core, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a story about the dynamics of power and the various ways these girls strive to resist the control exerted over them. Even beyond Wellwood House, societal attempts to suppress women’s rights are ever-present in the lives of women across the country. Witchcraft becomes the perfect means for these girls to reclaim agency, offering the power of collective action through female solidarity. However, it also underscores that actions come with consequences, as the main characters become increasingly aware over time.

When reading this book, I felt overwhelming grief and sadness for what these young women endured. Coming from a place of innocent ignorance, Fern and her friends have never been in a position to make the wisest or best decisions for themselves. The consequences of pregnancy are forced upon them, as are the consequences of witchcraft. They are never given the full story or all the information needed to make informed decisions, making it heart-breaking to witness the sacrifices they are forced to make.

In addition to its thought-provoking themes, complex characters, and the isolated setting they inhabit, it's worth mentioning that the prose in this book is truly fantastic, and the pacing works perfectly. Initially, I felt the start was a bit slow, but in retrospect, I see that it was necessary to set the scene and build crucial tension that pays off later in the book.

I’ll admit that I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. I wanted to give horror a try, and with Grady Hendrix receiving glowing reviews, this seemed like a safe place to start. However, I wasn’t anticipating how much this story would resonate with me. My biggest takeaway is the reminder that women are incredibly strong and resilient, and that our greatest strengths lie in the bonds we form and the depths of our bravery when faced with adversity. This book won’t be for everyone, but it’s an important story and one that I’m glad I read.

***advance review copy received from NetGalley in return for an honest review***
I really enjoyed this book. There was something about it that gave me echoes of When Women Were Dragons (another excellent read), although the stories aren’t really that similar.
I don’t think I’ve ever read anything by this author before and I will check what else they’ve written as I hope to enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed this.
The only niggles I had were that the home didn’t seem as threatening as it could have overall, but then this may be a specific choir to show that people were not necessarily evil but simply all forced to act in certain ways due to the laws at the time.

Grady Hendrix's Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a gripping mix of horror and heartbreak. Set in the 1970s, it follows a group of pregnant teens navigating life in a controlling, judgmental institution. While there are supernatural elements, the real terror lies in the everyday cruelty they face and the harsh realities of pregnancy and bodily autonomy. It's raw, emotional and unsettlingly relevant.

THIS BOOK. it was so freaking good and i devoured it. I was intimidated by the length but honestly I read this faster than I read some books below 300 pages and i wanted MORE.

This book was definitely not my usual genre but I am so glad I gave it a shot!

The story was beautiful yet tragic, and so incredibly thought provoking. I will say that I was dubious when I saw a male had written about pregnant, teenage girls who were ignored by society. But I’ll give it to the author, they did a good job on conveying the emotions and message behind the story.

I would highly recommend you give this book a read if you enjoyed Gallang by VE Schwab or Wayward by Emilia Hart.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for granting me access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a character-driven supernatural horror set in 1970s America which tells the story of four teenage girls spending the summer at Wellwood House in Florida, a place where young pregnant girls are sent to give birth in secret.

Fern, Rose, Holly, and Zinnia have been abandoned by their families, cut off from everyone they know and forced to assume pseudonyms to hide their true identities. From the moment they arrive, they're treated with prejudice and callous indifference by the home's owner, Miss Wellwood, and the doctor and nurse who work for her. In exchange for food, board and medical care, they're expected to hand over their babies for adoption to the highest bidder and provided with little emotional support for the trauma they're going through.

By chance, they encounter Miss Parcae, an enigmatic traveling librarian who loans them a spell book and encourages them to use the information within it to reclaim power and control over their own destiny. The offer is understandably tempting, but the girls soon discover that witchcraft comes with a price. Like all the other adults in their lives, Miss Parcae has little regard for their thoughts or desires and the girls are quickly caught up in supernatural events beyond their understanding..

It’s hard to say whether the true horror in the book lies in its supernatural elements or in its raw and unflinching portrayal of teenage pregnancy. Set in a pre-Roe vs. Wade era, the story is chillingly relevant given the ongoing erosion of women's rights in the US today and it's a stark reminder of the grim reality facing many women during that time in history. Grady Hendrix's meticulous research shows throughout in the book, skilfully telling the story of these four young girls, pregnant through naivety, ignorance, or abuse, and then cast out and mistreated by the world around them at a time when they needed all the support they could get.

Powerful, emotional, and increasingly relevant, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a book that will leave you simultaneously heart-broken and filled with pure rage against a system and society that treated young women so terribly, that ripped children away from their mothers and that profited off human tragedy. In this day and age, it should probably be compulsory reading.

"We were girls: girls in trouble, unsocialised girls, fast girls, loos girls, emotionally immature girls, wayward girls. Whatever you wanted to call us, we were children."

Going into this, I already knew that Grady Hendrix is a solid pick for an absorbing horror novel to pass the time. But, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls exceeded my expectations, quickly landing itself a place in my favourite books of 2024.

WFWG isn't just a pulpy horror story. It's a story which takes its time to build its characters and setting, building atmosphere and suspense against the nostalgic backdrop of 1970s America. It's a touching story of friendship and strength against all odds. And, to top it off, it has witches.

The story revolves around Wellwood House, a 'mother and baby home' in Florida, where young girls who have fallen pregnant out of wedlock are sent. Fifteen-year-old Fern is the protagonist, and we follow her from her arrival on a sweltering hot day, scared and alone, as she slowly grows accustomed to her new surroundings and find solace in her new friendships.

The home is visited weekly by a travelling librarian, dropping off books to keep the girls entertained. One week, the librarian entrusts Fern with a different type of book, a special book which unlocks the power of the occult and gives these vulnerable young women real power for the first time. But, their newfound power comes with a cost, and the girls become embroiled in a witches' coven and entangled in a centuries-old curse.

The witches are creepy, but the most disturbing parts of this book are the graphic childbirth scenes and the horrific treatment of the young girls. The real villains of this story are the people of authority, who use that authority to exact power over women's bodies.

Overall, this is horror with a lot of heart, a multi-layered story which will evoke a whole range of emotions, and an excellent, empowering read.

This book was weird and creepy because first you can not call it horror at all, it was more witchy and supernatural. I was attached to the main character Fern from the very start and the character work was pretty immaculate. My favourite characters, however, are Rose and Zenny, both are strong in two different ways and I'm all for it. The pace of the story could have been a bit faster and I wanted to be more invested in the story but I could not.

This was my second Grady Hendrix book (after My Best Friend’s Exorcism), and it didn’t disappoint! Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a chilling mix of witchy vibes, raw emotion, and skin-crawling horror.

Set in a harsh 1970s Florida home for unwed, pregnant girls, the story follows 15-year-old Fern, who discovers a book of witchcraft that offers her and a group of struggling girls a way to reclaim their power. The house is oppressive, the girls are shamed and controlled, and Hendrix doesn’t shy away from the brutal realities they face. His vivid descriptions—sometimes graphic and gory—made the horror disturbingly real.

As a mother, I felt every painful detail Hendrix poured into this story. His ability to capture the fear, bravery, and trauma of these girls, especially as a male author, is remarkable. This story also hit close to home, as my mum was born in a home for unwed mothers, making the pain and injustice in the story even more poignant.

The heartbreaking ending brought me to tears, blending horror with themes of rebellion, friendship, and the dangers of power. Even if horror isn’t usually your thing, this book might surprise you. Just don’t read it on a full stomach!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the advanced readers copy of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.

I was so excited to get the ARC of this book; I've read a few other Grady Hendrix books over the past few years and let me tell you, this one did not disappoint! We follow Fern, who arrives at a 'home' for unwed pregnant women in the summer of 1970, and finds friendship and a book of spells to see her through the long summer before she can go back to her normal life. But the girls discover that their spells have a cost that they're not necessarily willing to pay...

Grady Hendrix books are so SMART and so on the nose, particularly when it comes to issues affecting women. I have never read a male author who can write female characters half as well as Grady Hendrix does; the way the girls' pain and frustration is described in this book is really something. I really grew to love all the girls in this book, especially Holly. I'm so happy we get to see how her story ends!

It's not for the faint-hearted because there are some pretty graphic scenes of giving birth, but let's be real - no one writes grisly and gruesome details quite like Grady Hendrix.

I have given the book 4 stars, only because I felt that the beginning was a little slow and there was a little too much exposition. I think the story could have been a bit faster-paced.

I loved this book! It has spunk, humour and a lot of heart. I keep forgetting Grady Hendrix isn't a woman because I thought (wrongly) that only another woman can understand the pain of patriarchy and oppression that he's expressed in the book.

I loved these characters (Fern, Rose, Holly, Zinnia, Hagar, Miriam) and the adventures this book had. It surprised me with its intensity and at one point I felt like I was reading a Harry Potter book (back when I was a kid). There are places when the narration is off and the story is flat but on the whole, I recommend it to readers of all ages.

Thanks to Netgalley & Pan Macmillan for the e-copy!

4.5/5

Firstly I have to say I've been a huge fan of Grady Hendrix for a while now. So getting accepted to read this was like all my dreams coming true. So fast forward a quarter of the way into this novel, and I'm thinking to myself, is this really Grady? It didn't feel like any of his previous books, not one little bit. But... this hits differently, this is Grady in a more serious frame of mind, the kind that makes you feel the character's pain, and makes you root for them with all your heart!!!
So in the book, we start off following a young 15-year-old girl who is being taken to a facility miles from home due to her becoming pregnant out of marriage. When she arrives at this home she meets up with a bunch of girls in her exact situation and also finds a highly regimented set of rules and routines they all have to follow. This is a new world, a world of rules and regulations. The only thing is the bookmobile, surely that couldn't change anything, right? Well, that's all from me about the plot, but I will wind this up and state that despite being unlike his previous material, this is a fantastic book which deserves all the praise I'm sure it will get and is best approached with no set expectations.
Simply magical!!!

I unfortunately had to DNF this book 50% in.

I went into this expecting more magic and witchcraft than what we actually got. The beginning was super slow and I just felt like it was dragging a little bit. Albeit it was good to get to know the characters and learn more about them, I didn't actually connect with any of them, and therefore did struggle to care somewhat. It's horrendous what they're going through and I felt so sorry for them but otherwise, I just wasn't invested unfortunately.

I did also struggle massively with the body horror in this. I probably should have expected it, with it being a book about pregnant girls but it truly turned my stomach just a little bit too much. Which is obviously a me problem not the books. And I suddenly realised it was probably only going to get worse once we got more into the girls giving birth, etc. So I've made the decision for my own sanity and mental health to dnf this one.

Grady Hendrix’s Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a spellbinding blend of horror, nostalgia, and dark humor that grips you from the start. Hendrix masterfully weaves a tale of sisterhood, secrets, and the eerie consequences of the past. The story is equal parts chilling and heartfelt, with unforgettable characters and a sinister atmosphere that lingers. Perfect for fans of witchy tales with a sharp edge, this is a must-read for anyone who loves their horror with a side of depth and wit.

Thank you to the publishers for kindly providing this advance copy of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.

I was initially drawn to Witchcraft for Wayward Girls because of the premise, particularly the exploration of female rage and witchcraft as a form of rebellion. The first few chapters delivered on that promise, and set up a dark atmosphere. Though as the story progressed, it began to falter.
Despite being invested in the characters, the middle section of the book felt repetitive and the narrative was not moving forward.

Characters revisited the same conflicts and themes, which made the plot feel stagnant, so l had to DNF it at 64%. While I appreciate the initial ideas and themes Hendrix brought to the table, they weren't developed in a way that held my interest. The strong start gave way to a muddled middle and I couldn't justify continuing.

If you're a fan of Grady Hendrix, you may want to give this a try, but for me, the execution didn't live up to the potential. A disappointing read.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is my first Grady Hendrix book, though I’ve been meaning to try his writing out for years. I'm glad I finally did! The premise of this one intrigued me, with its historical setting and the very timely issues it raises around reproductive justice and bodily autonomy. I thought Hendrix handled said issues pretty well throughout, writing his pregnant teenage characters with compassion, especially Fern and her mini-coven.

This is one of those books where most of the Horror lies in human cruelty rather than anything supernatural. There’s a fair bit of body horror, but again, most of it relates to regular pregnancy and childbirth. I would not recommend this book to a currently pregnant person or their loved ones, that’s for sure. But that’s the point and Hendrix delivers it with expert precision. The horrors of pregnancy and motherhood, its (potential) loss of personhood and body horrors, are the focus. The fact that not much has changed in that regard between the novel’s 1970 setting and now also feels ominous in the context of the loss of Roe Vs. Wade and other assaults on abortion access. The casual misogyny and cruelty towards Fern and the other unwed “mothers,” even from relatively well-meaning characters, was honestly one of the scarier elements on the book and felt like a warning for our reactionary times. Add to that the medical misogyny and paternalism, threat of institutionalisation and complicity in rape culture and child sexual abuse and you don’t really need witchcraft for the book to be scary. In fact, the supernatural elements were not particularly frightening, and I wouldn’t say my fear threshold is that high. Instead, we get some suitably otherworldly and spooky scenes of witchcraft and magic, some gore and one particularly gross supernatural “birth.” All of which are overshadowed by the extended and excruciatingly detailed description of natural childbirth, which felt like a deliberate choice and an important point, given how pregnancy tends to be romanticised and its risk diminished.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls might not be for you if you’re looking for more straightforward supernatural chills, but I liked that the supernatural mostly took a backseat to the human drama. For me, said drama and the creeping dread and anticipation of childbirth was engrossing. I was rooting for Fern, Rose, Holly and Zinnia and the other residents of Wellwood House. Hendrix is very good at poignant little character sketches that quickly make us care about background characters, and I liked the solidarity between all the girls, even the annoying ones. I will say, though, that based on the book’s description, I was expecting much harsher conditions in Wellwood House. The girls are shamed and controlled, their wishes and concerns dismissed, but they are nowhere near as mistreated as women and girls consigned to actual historical institutions for unwed mothers, like the Magdalene Laundries. That said, Fern and all the other girls are decidedly middle class and are relatively privileged, which is a scary thought, considering how powerless they are. It might have been interesting if this point had been raised, I would have liked to see more commentary on class here.

Also, while I liked all the main characters, I found Rose more compelling as a character than Fern. That said, making the aggressively average girl the protagonist, rather than the non-conformist, was a smart choice. Fern is an Every Girl, and in a horror revolving around reproductive justice and autonomy, that’s important. Most people aren’t spitfire feminist hippies making principled stands at every turn. Most people are more like Fern, conditioned to go with the flow and desperate to get back to their regular lives. It made her perspective a little frustrating to read, at times, but I enjoyed watching her journey, realising the injustice of the world and her situation and mistreatment in particular, and learning to stand up for herself, even against “feminist” would-be “allies,” like the witches. I also thought the plot’s resolution with said witches was a little predictable and dragged a bit, but I really liked the epilogue.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. Minor criticisms aside, it’s a timely commentary on misogyny and reproductive rights with well-drawn characters and enough witty asides to lighten the mood. It would be a good choice for someone looking to test the waters of horror, assuming they're not too squeamish. Just don’t read it if you’re pregnant.

A young girl sent to give birth at a home for unwed mothers well girls really. Now she's Fern with her life strictly monitored and controlled but despite all that she finds a kindred spirit or two. Then a librarian gives them a book that might change their lives forever or could it end them?

I am such a fan of Grady Hendrix's books, they're always so unique and thought out. You just never know quite what to expect. This was no exception. It was a dark and twisty, suspense filled ride. Its a little slow to get going as the scene is being set but the drama soon ramps up and I was gripped. The plot was clever, creepy and heartbreaking at times. I really liked Rose but had a true soft spot for Holly and all she went through. This does touch on difficult themes but they're handled honestly for the time the story is set in. A brilliant read.