A Resistance of Witches
by Morgan Ryan
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Pub Date 17 Jul 2025 | Archive Date 20 Jul 2025
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Description
'Prime Minister Churchill, the Witches of Britain are at your service . . .'
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 . . .
Stubborn, plain-spoken and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be chosen to work under Isadora Goode, the Grand Mistress of the Royal Academy of Witches.
Now, three years into her apprenticeship, and with Hitler’s armies rampaging across Europe, the Witches of Britain have joined the war effort – but not without some resistance from within, the British government having originally forced the witches into hiding.
As Lydia’s power grows, she too joins the cause, tracking down magical relics in order to keep them out of Nazi hands. But a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences and suddenly Lydia’s mission becomes even more urgent . . . Somewhere out there, hidden amidst the chaos of war, is the Grimorium Bellum - an ancient book that Hitler craves, a book so steeped in dark magic that it has the power to wipe out civilisations - an artefact that Lydia must find and secure at all costs.
Dropped into the heart of Occupied France, Lydia finds allies in Rebecca Gagne, a French resistance fighter with a secret, and Henry Boudreaux, a Haitian-American art historian who seems to possess a little magic of his own. But tracking down this book is only half the battle - for the Grimorium Bellum seems to have a dark agenda all of its own . . .
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780857506139 |
| PRICE | £16.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 416 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Nicola W, Reviewer
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!
The_Secret_Bookreview ., Reviewer
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.
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