History, fantasy and magical politics all blend into a worthy debut novel!

Set against the backdrop of Europe during the early days of the war, the story skips through almost 5 years of Lydia's life as she becomes embroiled in a Witch Resistance movement against the Naz!s.

Lydia grows in confidence from being favoured apprentice to right hand woman of the Lead witch to nominated new head witch in charge.  A position she neither wants nor feels she is ready for.  She sneaks away to France with SOE on the hunt for a magical Grimoire that a certain moustache-man wants his hands on and meets a ragtag bunch of allies. Henry, American transplant to France and a person of colour hiding out and attempting to save priceless works of art. Rebecca, French resistance fighter, orphan and reckless risk taker.

I loved the blend of historical fact and fiction.  The fantasy blended seamlessly with what we already knew about the MM obsession with the occult.  Some parts were difficult to read but only because the author tried to be as true to the period as she could and some of the language used does give you the ick.

Liberally sprinkled with such appropriate quotes:

“You talk as if we were still in the Middle Ages. The world has changed, Vivian.”
“Has it?” Vivian’s tone was mocking. “Show me a world that does not hate a powerful woman, and I’ll show you a world without men.”

Lydia is intense, honest, strong minded and opinionated.  She will not be swayed to a course of action that would make her life easy, she'll stay the path she has decided until the end.  She does have a softer side that she hides well and I loved her relationship with Henry. There is so much potential there and perhaps if there are further adventures, we'll get to see them become more than friends.

Well worth a read and I'd definitely read more from this world.

Witches and Winston ✨ Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Solid debut, good pacing and story line, enjoyed.

I loved this book, what an amazing debut!

The plot is such an intriguing premise, a secret academy of witches joining the war effort to stop Nazi witches getting hold of a destructive magic book. The plot mostly takes place in London and occupied France, so it doesn’t feel like yet another WW2 book, and I really enjoyed these different locations and perspectives on the war. The magical elements are well woven into a realistic wartime setting too, so even if you’re not typically someone who would read a book about magic or witches, you might enjoy this one for the history, the characters, and the suspense.

The main characters are really well portrayed, and they each bring something unique to the story. The book switches between the main three characters for different sections, and all three had strong personal voices so there was never a ‘weaker’ part to the book. I almost wish the book had an extra 200 pages so we could read even more detail on each of them, especially Henry!

The book crams a lot into its 400 pages, and is well paced and balances description and action very successfully. There are so many twists and turns (some more predictable than others), and there are some really bleak and grim moments, which support the realistic wartime setting while also heightening the tension and level of threat for the protagonists. As a reader I couldn’t put it down because I was desperate to know what was going to happen next!

Overall, a brilliant strong debut novel, and one I would highly recommend looking out for.

5 ⭐️
The authors DEBUT novel, and it absolutely smashed my expectations out the park.

A clever, imaginative story that explores themes of camaraderie, family (both blood and found) and questions what radicalisation really is at its core.

Since the trials and witch hunts, witches have lived in secrecy alongside society. Keeping their identities and magic hidden, they have existed only to hide away. But, as Hitler rises to power and starts to become more involved with the occult, witches of London decide to assist Churchill in resistance activities in France. Leading to dark discoveries about Hitler's true intentions, and an assignment that will threaten the course of the war.
Lydia, a young witch from the academy in London, is at the center of the conflict. Desperately trying to prevent a dark, polluted magic from finding its way into the Nazi's hands, she fights for everything she believes in. But is it enough? And is she fighting on the right side?

Story: 5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Spice: 🫑
Pacing: 4.5/5
Plot twists: 4/5

This story was an unexpected gem. The pacing was perfect, just the right balance of information and plot progression. There was always something to anticipate, something coming next.

I initially struggled with the multiple POVs, as I just wanted to get back to Lydia, but quickly the characters of Rebecca and Henry became essential to my enjoyment of the story. They were sympatric and real, and I loved the twists that came within their individual stories.

The magic and the way the witches were established was also very clever. The magic was understated in a really believable way. Despite being a fantasy, it didn't feel fantastical. And I mean that as a compliment, it was so well woven into the story that it never took you away from the believability of the story. The story taking place within the resistance activities in France just furthered this feeling that it could have really happened.

The twists weren't ground breaking, but they were well executed and deftly written into the story. They were also so true to the characters, at no point did I feel like anything was done purely to forward the plot, there was always such believable intent.

The ending was fantastic. Tense, action packed, I didn't know which way it was going to turn. And I found, to my surprise, to be utterly heartbroken at the end. The writing and the conclusion hit me at such an emotional level.

Also, I loved the underlying challenge of what it means to be a radical, what it means to kill for the purpose of a wider ambition and the 'greater good'. Are some people's views and actions so very different to the radical ideals that Hitler held?

Lastly, I reiterate: a DEBUT novel. What an incredible way to start your writing career which such a unique and poignant story.

Thank you so much to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC, all views and opinions are my own ✨

Spice rating:
🫑- low to no spice, just kissing
🌶️ - Low spice foreplay, fade to black/closed door sex
🌶️🌶️ - One or two open door “soft” (not overly explicit) sex scenes and/or spicy foreplay
🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Multiple open door explicit/detailed sex scenes and detailed spicy foreplay
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ - Lots of open door sex scenes and spicy detailed foreplay
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 🌶️- more sex than plot

A witch abandoned by her coven must journey to find a book of unspeakable power before it lands in the enemy’s hands. A literal and metaphorical journey to understanding her heritage, coming to terms with the sins and secrets of the past and recognising the deceit that inherently festers within her own community. A beautifully researched exploration into history steeped in magic and intrigue.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐧 | 𝐕𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧

4.25 ⭐ Just by the blurb i was hooked. Historical fiction, nazi witches, an evil book. You won’t be able to put it down. Unfortunately the twist was very obvious but i enjoyed it all the same. I loved the side characters, their chemistry. An incredible debut novel!!

During WWII, Lydia Polk, who is part of Britain’s Royal Academy of Witches is given the task to stop a deadly magical artifact - the Grimorium Bellum - from falling into Nazi hands. After the Academy is attacked, Lydia goes rogue, teaming up with a French Resistance fighter & a Haitian-American historian, who has a secret of his own! Their mission? To recover this powerful book! As they face both human and supernatural dangers, Lydia must resist the book’s dark power and help turn the tide of war.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a beautiful mix of historical fiction & magic, with strong women, secret spells & a powerful story about resistance & sisterhood.
The writing is lovely & easy to get into, and I was hooked from the beginning. I loved how real the characters felt & the setting was so atmospheric - dark, magical & full of tension.
For a debut novel, this was incredibly well done. If you like witchy reads with a historical twist, this one’s for you!

I think I enjoyed reading the blurb about "A Resistance of Witches" by Morgan Ryan a little more than reading the book itself. I thought the introduction to Lydia Polk, Churchill and the Academy was set up well and I was invested in the book. It somewhat fell apart for me when she was dropped in France, trying to locate the Grimoire Bellum, that the Nazis and Hitler were trying to locate so that they could win the war. I guess it ventured too far into fantasy for me. However, the ending was good and this could easily be the start of a series of books. Although not sure if it is a series for me.

A Resistance of Witches is a tension-filled historical fantasy perfect for fans of the HMRC series. I liked Lydia Polk and her commitment to the sisterhood she was a strong protagonist. Henry was another favourite I'd love to see more from him if this were to continue as a series. I did feel it leaned into a YA read sometimes but that didn't affect enjoyment in reading.

Witches? Check. WWII? Check. A high-stakes hunt for an ancient magical book while Nazis lurk and secret covens brew tea and rebellion? I was in before I even hit page one.
This book absolutely enchanted me. The worldbuilding is so seamless, the pacing relentless in the best way, and the characters—oh, the characters. Lydia Polk is everything I love in a witch heroine: stubborn, underestimated, and willing to burn it all down for what’s right. Add in Rebecca (a French resistance fighter with bite) and Henry (ghost-seeing historian with soft boy vibes), and you've got a trio I’d follow into any war.
Morgan Ryan writes with the kind of confidence that makes you forget this is a debut. She blends history and fantasy so naturally, I honestly had to remind myself this wasn’t based on a true story. And don’t even get me started on the emotional gut-punches—yes, I cried. More than once. Yes, I’m recommending this to everyone who will listen. If you're looking for a book that gives you magic, mayhem, feminist fire, and the feeling that the pen might just be mightier and witchier than the sword, this is it.I'm not saying I'd sell my soul for a sequel… but I'd definitely consider a binding spell.

A Resistance of Witches takes place during WWII as Lydia Polk is chosen to work under Isadora Goode, the Grand Mistress of the Royal Academy of Witches. Prime Minister Winston Churchill has requested the witches of Britain to join the war effort. Lydia has to track down magical relics to stop the Nazi’s getting them including an ancient book that Hitler craves.

This was written well and I think this is made for a very specific audience and I’m not necessarily part of that. I liked the beginning with the Prime Minister mostly because that reminded me of the Doctor Who episode when Churchill requests the Doctor’s help. This was fine but I didn’t find it to be very engaging.

There is a lot going on in this story—some of it based on real people and events. *ahem* I would have liked to see more build-up as to why. Why were the witches now being called in? Why was she at the academy? Why did it matter? Who was she? Also the system of magic matters. Is this made up? Being in England, an influence of true folkways would have been good. Neither Gardnerian nor Alexandrian Wicca existed yet. I also did not quite get the use of Tarot section names other than being tied to the occult and witchcraft.

Fans of Juno Dawson's HMRC series will love this piece of second world war alternate history where witches battle to prevent Hitler from possessing the most powerful and evil book of spells ever known. It has a strong flavour of Indiana Jones to it and a real sense of danger and the occult. The characters are interesting and rounded and you are drawn into the hidden world of magic and witch politics. I hope there will be a follow up!

If harry Potter witches mixed with nazis. YA territory for me, didn't get it. All a bit weird, I'll pass.

London, 1943: Lydia is a 19 year old witch, second-hand to the grand mistress of the British witches who offer Churchill the aid of the academy against Hitler. Lydia must use her skill as a projectionist to track a grimoire of war capable of mass murder before it falls into Nazi hands.

In France, Rebecca is a member of the resistance in a precarious position as a woman rebel with a traumatic past.
Then we have Henry, a black man who is an art curator who is like a gentle teddy bear - oh, and he can see ghosts.

I think this had the potential to be veer into questionable territory. Whilst I did occasionally get the ick and cringe at the euphemisms and the ‘Heil Hitlers’, I think it was managed well.

I do think so much could have been done with the Nazi invasion and propaganda and camps, but I guess this book would have had to be a lot darker and longer to incorporate that.

<b>“You talk as if we were still in the Middle Ages. The world has changed, Vivian.”
“Has it?” Vivian’s tone was mocking. “Show me a world that does not hate a powerful woman, and I’ll show you a world without men.”
</b>
Lydia is hardheaded, and honest to a fault. She refuses to give in to anyone when she knows she is right even when it would save her a heck of a lot of trouble.
Rebecca is badass and does not give her trust easily.

There were a few conveniences for the plot where explanations were along the lines of ‘this is how it works, accept it’.

I didn’t feel any of the emotional beats, probably because this was so fast-paced and more focused on Lydia and her quest rather than character connections.

<b>It sounded so logical, so reasonable. It sounded like peace, if peace meant the destruction of anyone who would dare stand against you.</b>

I flew through this as it reminded me of the witchy books I read as a pre-teen.
(ThreadNeedle by Cari Thomas).

Physical arc gifted by Transworld Books.

Nazis and witches, what a combination the blurb pulled me towards this book and it lived up to my expectations.
This is a novel which mixes magic and reality in a very satisfactory way. We meet a young witch who attends a witch Academy and is approached to go undercover in occupied France to recover a magical book which has the potential to end World War II.
The book trips along at a fair pace there’s some very exciting scenes where the main character is running from the enemy. The naturalistic sections of this novel are believable real and compelling.

At the same time there is the element of a hidden Witch Academy in the middle of London, where witches meet and make spells. This is highly visual and I couldn’t help but feel this would make a great movie. I love the way that the academy was hidden behind the front of a florist shop.

The other has a clear easily read prose style the book was a very enjoyable read
I particularly enjoyed some of the written descriptions in the novel. I loved this sentence for example.
“men have power at the moment they enter the world women have to make her own”” so very true then as now
Although they are witches, the human characteristics of the main characters are well described and they feel like real people.

I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an unbiased review. The book is published in the UK on the 17th of July 2025 by Random house UK, Transworld publishers
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, Goodreads, StoryGraph, and my book blog bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com
After publication, it will also appear on Amazon UK and Waterstones

I love a witchy book, but I had a particularly good time with this one. It felt quite unique. I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This book takes place in the Second World War and we have a coven of British witches who are assisting with the war effort. This isn’t a decision loved by all members though and some of the witches believe they should stay out of it to keep their existence secret. Our main character Lydia is apprenticed to their leader and poised to one day succeed her. She is assisting in locating and recovering magical artefacts to stop their enemies from getting to them first since they are exploring the occult.

A particular mission sees Lydia travelling to France to obtain a magical grimoire that has been hidden by people trying to secure art in a chateau from the Louvre. Here she will meet and work with two companions to evade her enemies and try to achieve her task.

The blending of witches in this historical setting was brilliantly done. It never felt jarring or over the top, just so effortlessly natural. I was so impressed with the subtle world building and the way this time and place was realised. The story felt so perfectly described within this world too. It was really cleverly done.

The character work here was also excellent. We see three different perspectives, all with their own histories and challenges and how they can for a common goal. The enemy and villains are clear and concerning with a strong sense of jeopardy throughout. I also loved the relationship between Lydia and her mum and how this grew in the story.

This is definitely a book I will be recommending.

I confess to never having read a novel of this genre, and now know why: I don’t believe in or have any interest in, the supernatural or occult, nor witches and their magic. Many a time I considered giving up, but there was that inevitable pull of curiosity to see it conclude. The synopsis looked a promising read, based at the time of WW2, but sadly this was no more than just a passing glimpse. England and Germany at war, but the outcome depends on which witches coven is the strongest and the power of the crusty old book “The Book of War”.

The characters were an eclectic mix, the story bold and at times mentally challenging before being turned into ash. Sadly, this novel was too far removed from reality but I imagine it might be popular with fans of Rowling’s novels.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Though not a fan of Churchill as a whole (if yk yk), I loved this take on WW2 and Britains witches moving to help defend their country. The act of defending Britain in itself has the witch community divided but with a growing coven of witches for the third reich, ultimately something needs to be done.

Throughout this we see magic from all sorts of cultures, from British witch history to the German witches based off of tales of old and even a Haitian character whos family history is steeped in phantoms and vodou history. Connections are central in this story, from a slow burn romance, to familial connections and even found family in friends through shared traumas. Half the magic i found was set in motherly love and i loved the narrative this brought of love and intention in actions made.

Our conclusion almost killed me off as the betrayal within the plot was both brutal and completely unexpected. A story like this that had me hooked enough to read it in one day will stay with me for a long time, but the twist will have me none stop thinking about this for a while.

This is a fantastic, beautifully written story historical fantasy about a coven of witches who support Churchill during WW2 to stop Nazi witches from getting hold of a dark magical book. Internal politics at the witches academy complicate matters and the story is a fight for good over evil.

Lydia Polk, is such a fantastic main character and I loved the journey she went on from trainee at the academy of witches to coming into her power and fighting to save the coven and ordinary people. I also really loved the other characters; Rebecca, the French resistance fighter and Henry, who had mystical powers of his own. The relationship between the 3 friends to help each other in wartime was well crafted and really magical (no pun intended) The theme of sisterhood and mother & daughters was also beautifully wrought throughout the book; I really enjoyed the feminist unity in life & death.
The historical fiction parts about the French resistance against Nazi occupation were superb; tense, suspenseful and full of emotion and action. I was so emotionally invested in their survival. The twists and peril kept me gripped and I cried big fat sobs towards the end.

My only hope is that this turns into a series as I’d love to read more Lydia Polk stories and be in that world again!

Thanks to the author, NetGalley & Penguin Viking for the ARC to review.