‘1940, and war rages across Europe. The future looks bleak. But now, emerging from the shadows, the Royal Academy of Witches offers its help. And so it is tasked with finding an ancient artefact that, were it to fall into Nazi hands, would help Hitler fulfil his twisted Aryan dream . . .’

I read this book to get out of my comfort zone and embrace other genres, and this was a great fit. I was hooked on the premise before I started to read, but didn’t expect to enjoy it as much. We follow Lydia Polk, a young witch at the Royal Academy of Witches, who, after watching her mentor die, is tasked with finding an ancient grimoire before the Nazis do. I loved the characters of Rebecca and Henry, and would love more of Rebecca’s story in particular.

Unbelievable debut novel and a great foray for me into fantasy! Thanks to @netgally for an ARC for an honest review

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Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy!

This was a really atmospheric and captivating read, following three unlikely people trying to stop Nazi witches from getting their hands of a grimoire that would help them win the war, and destroy the world.
With its twists and turns, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and wondering who to truly trust; I will say that I loved the characterisation of Lydia and Rebecca, it was Henry the handsome Haitian-American that really interested me most and would love a sequel following him and what he would be up to after this daring-do!

Full of heartbreak, courage and gumption, I highly recommend this book if you're just getting into historical fiction or want a little something different to escape into.

Lydia, a strong-willed 19 yo, is finding her place in the world, and WW2 has broken.
She teams up with Rebecca and Henry and together they fight Nazi (witches).
Interesting concept and characters.
The writing is good too. The ending and the pacing were slightly less favourable for me.
Overall, a good read, not a basic YA read or a clunky debut, a genuinely good read.
3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this advanced reader's copy and the opportunity to this early. Review has been posted on Waterstones and Goodreads.

War torn England, witches and Churchill…

This was a fantastic story. Witches, World War 2, Nazi's, Churchill. This was an alt. history story at its finest, there was enough history, enough 'what if' that you could almost believe it.

I was a little worried at times we would meet the man himself, but I'm relieved we didn't. The story would have fallen flat if it had actually gone to Berlin, but instead we stayed with the witches. It is their story after all.

And its about family, about blood, about love. Magic is in all of that, and it's wonderful.

There were a couple of loose ends at the end, a couple of things that were never explained that I would have loved to have known. What actually happened to 'villain'? Their fate was debated but we never actually saw what happened to them. What did our characters do in the last two years? A time skip after such a dramatic moment was a little frustrating, although at the same time it had to happen because the story needed to end in the time it did. But not knowing those things stopped it from being a five star.

Now I'm going to go hug my mum.

Wow did this book hit. I absolutely loved it and fantasy historical fiction is definitely one of my new favourite genres. Right from start of the first page, I knew it would be a win and one I’d love and look forward to returning back to.

Loved the characters, loved the plot, just loved it all. It had the same feel as some of my favourite books of all time and I was solidly hanging from every page.

Settling down with a cup of tea, my kindle and a bundle of blankets - it was honestly perfection. This author is certainly one to look out for!

Gripping, inventive, and brimming with heart, A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan weaves magic into the darkest chapter of human history with effortless skill. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this historical fantasy debut delivers a truly spellbinding adventure, one that captures both the thrill of the hunt and the deep emotional stakes involved.

Lydia Polk, once an unremarkable girl from a modest family, is now a witch of the Royal Academy, tasked with locating powerful magical relics before they fall into Nazi hands. When a devastating betrayal shakes the Academy to its core, Lydia is left to pursue the deadly Grimorium Bellum largely alone. Her journey into occupied France introduces her to unforgettable allies: the fiery resistance fighter Rebecca Gagne and the charming Haitian-American art historian Henry Boudreaux, both as layered and compelling as Lydia herself.

Morgan Ryan’s writing is a real triumph. The pacing is expertly handled, with tension rising steadily but never feeling forced. The atmosphere is thick with menace, yet the moments of hope and camaraderie shine through, adding real emotional weight. The magic system feels organic to the world, seamlessly integrated into the fabric of wartime Europe rather than sitting on top of it.

Lydia’s fear, courage, and growing strength are portrayed through action rather than exposition. Every choice she makes, every risk she takes, adds to a portrait of a woman fighting not just evil forces but the prejudice and distrust of the very country she seeks to protect.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

This book totally grabbed me with its witchy World War II premise. Imagine a secret coven working behind the scenes with Churchill! The writing kept me hooked, and I even got a little choked up at the end. Definitely a fun, magical escape, and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction with a twist. It's a solid four stars from me!

Thank you to the author and publishers for allowing me an ARC via NetGalley!!

Firstly, I can’t believe this is a debut novel. The writing is incredible! The blurb for this really hooked me cause I’ve never heard this premise before. I wanted to dip my toes into historical fiction mixed with fantasy, and this book absolutely delivered.
Every single character has depth and a nice amount of backstory/context given which humanises every person. This book is full of emotions - it broke my heart multiple times and made me cry, and that is not an easy feat!
I had gotten to a stage where I felt quite overwhelmed with my TBR, and I was in a bit of a slump, but this book really delivered as it was a shocking, kind-of-cosy, emotional story. The pacing was perfect, and although sometimes I questioned whether certain parts were relevant or where they fit into the story, once I finished the book it all made sense.

Overall a sensational debut novel and I can’t wait to see what other things the author brings out.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)
*rounded up to 5 stars on the scoring*

An amazing story of witches using their occult abilities to fight the second World War. Great characters especially the main character Lydia Polk, but there are a number of other characters who are equally well drawn, including Isadora, Sybil, Kitty, Evelyn, Henry and Rebecca. So many characters in a story, but all distinct and playing a key part in a fine tale.
And what a page turner this story was, I literally only put it down when I was too tired to read any more then eagerly picked it up again to finish it the next day. It reminds me of the books of Dennis Wheatley in part, and I would give it more than five stars if I could.

, I,