With echoes of a 'Six of Crows' vibe, 'To Drown a Witch' was a perfectly paced fantasy mystery full or unexpected twists that kept you hooked right to an ending that makes you gasp. The world-building was excellent, and the characters well-developed with all the flaws and foibles you'd expect from those forced into situations out with their control, where every move they make is one in a battle to survive.

This is a book perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo, V E Schwab and Samantha Shannon, which is (in my opinion) suitable for older teen readers as well as adults.

To Drown a Witch has such a strong, dark atmosphere that really pulled me in. It’s the kind of story that feels a bit heavy and tense in the best way, and I found myself really drawn into it.
I especially liked the emotional side of the story and how it explored things like fear, power, and identity without feeling overcomplicated. It’s quite moody, but still easy to follow, which I appreciated.
Not the lightest read, but definitely a gripping one. A great pick if you’re in the mood for something a bit darker and more atmospheric

I was incredibly riveted by the book from the first page. The characters were well developed and the flow of the story was beautifully executed, and so poetically written that I don't quite have words to describe it. And not to mention the romance, and the betrayal and the plot twist, oh my goodness yes, just a beyond wonderful book.

✨ Book Review ✨
This book completely pulled me in from the very first page and did not let go. Dark, atmospheric, and filled with tension, it delivers everything I love in a romantasy.
The world of Gadore feels rich and dangerous, where magic is feared and the stakes are constantly rising. The mystery surrounding the Witch keeps you hooked throughout, with just enough twists and reveals to keep you guessing.
Toran and Nes absolutely made this story for me. The forced proximity, the distrust, the slow build of tension… it’s everything you want from an enemies-to-lovers romance. Their dynamic is sharp, emotional, and addictive to read, with chemistry that simmers beneath every interaction.
I also loved how the story balances action with emotion. The hunt for the Witch is intense and gripping, but it’s the secrets, the shifting loyalties, and the deeper truths that really elevate this book.
If you love: ✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Dark fantasy worlds
✨ Magic, mystery & high stakes
✨ Slow-burn romance with tension
…then this is definitely one to add to your TBR.
A gripping, magical read that blends danger and romance perfectly. I’ll be thinking about this one for a while.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@Donna’s Book Addiction

This one pulled me in more than I expected.
At first, I was just curious about the concept, but it did not take long before I was fully invested in the story and the dynamic between the characters. There is something about the mix of mystery, magic, and tension that keeps you wanting to know more without it feeling over the top.
I especially liked the relationship between Nes and Toran. It starts off with that clear distrust and forced proximity, and I found myself really enjoying how slowly that shifts. It is not instant or easy, and I liked that it felt a bit uncertain at times. The tension sits in the smaller moments, and those ended up being the parts I looked forward to the most.
The atmosphere also really worked for me. It has that darker, slightly heavy tone, but it never felt hard to follow. There is always something just under the surface, whether it is the mystery around the witch or the characters’ pasts, and it keeps things interesting the whole way through.
I also liked how the story balances the plot with the emotional side. There are twists and reveals, but it is really the characters and their choices that kept me invested.
Overall, I ended up really enjoying this. It is a darker, more atmospheric read with a slow-building romance that pulled me in more than I expected, and I am definitely curious to see where the story goes next.

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for an honest review.

This was absolutely incredible. The twists, the turns, the betrayals! I demolished this in a day and already chomping at the bit to get the next.

“Or safety could mean being in the arms of someone you love, someone who loves you. There might not be real, physical protection there, but you could still feel safe in their embrace. Because the threats of the world fade away when they’re there.”

I am distraught in the best way. This was such a refreshing read. The plot was wonderful, the characters well rounded with depth and edges. I absolutely adored the prose, Lindsey Olsson is a beaitiful writer. But most importantly, I am UNWELL after that epilogue. I need the next book and I need it YESTERDAY.

This book delivers everything I want in a romantasy and more.

The world feels dangerous in the best way. Magic is feared, the stakes are constantly rising, and there’s this underlying sense of dread that keeps you hooked the entire time. The mystery surrounding the Witch?? I was INVESTED. Every reveal just made me need to know more.

The forced proximity, the distrust, the slow build of tension... It’s the kind of enemies-to-lovers that actually earns it. Nothing feels rushed or easy, and the chemistry sits in those quiet, charged moments that make you feel EVERYTHING.

I also loved how well this balances plot and emotion. You’re getting action, twists, betrayals… but also depth, vulnerability, and character growth that hits.

And the twists?? I was not prepared. Like at all.

If you love:
✨ enemies to lovers
✨ dark, moody fantasy worlds
✨ magic + mystery + high stakes
✨ slow burn with REAL tension

…this needs to be on your TBR immediately.

This was such a gripping, addictive read, and I will absolutely be thinking about it for a while. I need the next book ASAP.

Still having to recover my brain cells from the floor after reading this book, here is my very non professional BUT very much honest review of To Drown a Witch:


Definitely a 5 ⭐️ because this book grabbed me and shook me senseless like an olive tree and I’m still processing WTF happened??!

It’s witty, gripping, with layers and layers of secrets and twists!!

Look it was all sunny today - I should have gone for a walk or anything productive - but I COULDNT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN and I ended up hours reading this on my couch like the fat seal that I am. And I have ZERO regrets.

Now Lindsey, don’t make me wait eons for the sequel or I might combust, please 🙏🏻 .

If I could only pick three words to describe To Drown a Witch those words would be; incredible, exciting, and devastating.

I was really drawn in by the description of this book, and from the opening chapters I could tell I would love it. The main characters, Nes and Toran, are so interesting from the start. Both with mysterious and tragic pasts, they easily captivate readers. I guess I have a slight bias here because while I do like first person pov I prefer third, so this book being third person dual pov was absolute perfect for me. The banter and yearning in this book is wonderful.

The world building is fantastic, and I hope in the sequel that we get to see some of the other places that are mentioned. I read a lot of books that include Witches and magic and felt that they were so unique in this book.

There is so much mystery in To Drown a Witch. I had so much fun coming up with theories and trying to work out what was going on. So many of the secrets and revelations blew my mind, and I love the amount of unanswered questions I'm left with. The ending of this book is easily one of the most exciting but devastating cliffhangers I've ever read. I won't spoil anything, but it made an already amazing book even better. I have no doubt that the sequel is going to be just as amazing.

🩸 To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsen absolutely delivered THAT experience. It claims to be for fans of The Crimson Moth, and honestly, that comparison checks out. The vibes, the tension, the moral greyness are all there.

Most of the twists were predictable for me, but in a good way. The foreshadowing is just right, so when things happen, it feels earned rather than shocking for the sake of it. I kept having those “I KNEW IT” moments, followed by immediate satisfaction.

The main character is genuinely trying her best with the cards she’s been dealt, which made me root for her even when things got messy. The male lead is very much a hero type, which sounds great in theory… until it clashes with her reality. Their dynamic creates tension that feels natural rather than forced.

Netgalley ARC ⭐
I absolutely ate this book UP. It was so addictive. Very fast paced!
I was like is it witch x witch hunter? Is it enemies to lovers? Is it even romance subplot? I literally didn’t know which way it was going. There’s a lot of twists in this, some I seen coming, some I didn’t!! The rope & well scene had me SAT.
I’m somewhat confused by the end. Was the woman at the very end made out to be Loriana or Nes? 🫣 and what happened to Nes after?! Abrupt ending and I don’t feel like it rounded up very well? UNLESS, There’s another book???? I need answers!!!!

Suspenseful, heart-wrenching and gritty, To Drown a Witch is an absolute masterpiece. Enough mysteries to keep you guessing, twists that throw off twists, and a whole cast of interesting, engaging and intriguing characters. I loved every single second of this book.

This was an absolutely superb fantasy mystery that held my attention from the first page right until the last word. The atmosphere, the romance, the main characters - fantastic.

This was such an easy read for me! I absolutely loved the premise, it was unique and gripped you from the get go. I’m always a fan of a sassy FMC, and the banter between Nes and Toran was witty and done perfectly. The twists were also very well written- enough to make you guess they’re coming, but still be surprised when they happened. The ending on a cliff hanger suited the story perfectly and really excites you for book 2- I can’t wait!

this book kept me wanting to read, i thoroughly enjoyed it! i really loved the twists that happened, and really found the magic interesting in it. loved the use of nature; the trees, the sea it was honestly pretty beautiful! and MY GOD, that ending! i need a second book asap 👀

This was a really fast-paced romantasy which I loved as the writing drew me in pretty quickly. I picked this up from the hype of an upcoming book box but also because I love anythink spooky / halloweeny and the premise of a dark witch romantasy sounded right up my street. I especially enjoyed the twists surrounding the Witch and the way the mystery unfolded. This was such an entertaining read and now I have so many questions and patiently await the next installment!

Thank you to the publishers for granting me an arc!

This was such a fun read! I enjoyed Nes and Toran’s banter and loved Suri. I think I have an idea who or what Suri is but hopefully there will be a second book to give me answers on that.

The plot twists were sooo good. I’m usually pretty good at working out what’s happening but this took me by surprise.

Really hope there’s a second book as the ending left it on a bit of cliffhanger.

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ - knew it'd be this from 40% in.

This may sound very very dramatic but this is honestly my favourite YA book of 2026 so far.

It is expertly plotted to keep you guessing and I loved EVERYTHING.

❤️ The dual POV King's Guard X Criminal FMC with a sense for magic ✨ Both incredible characters with emotional back stories

😭 Brutal but gripping setting - similar vibes to Powerless. The king is hunting witches and one particular witch has been causing them issues...

🥵 Brilliant tension. I absolutely loved the chemistry between the MCs. Also she is one sassy, likeable character.

😊 Side characters with their own stories and pasts!! Yeahhh I firmly believe that all my favourite books work so well because every character has a secret and this is very true for this book!

🫨 The ending - ABSOLUTELY KNOCKED ME OUT. I had suspicions of where it was going but I did not expect how utterly captivated I would be by what happens!!

All I can say is...GIMME THE NEXT ONE.

Thank you to the publisher for the earc!

Your next fantasy obsession has arrived! To Drown a Witch was exactly what I expected, and more. Get ready for a next level witch hunting, with deception, secrets, promises and betrayal.

In Orlonea using magic is a quick way to the bottom of a well. They fear the Witch, someone can wield magic as no one else. It’s been 18 years since the last Witch, but once royal guards show up dead, there’s no denying, she has returned. Toran is tasked with finding her, and bringing her alive to his king. He meets with Nes, and thus starts the journey full of twists.

I really enjoyed the story. I love a good cat and mouse game, and it was very well done. The Witch was always one step ahead of them, no matter how well prepared they were. There are very many revelations in just one chapter about ⅔ in the book, and let me just say, some were obvious, but some took me by surprise. The last few chapters were very intense, and the very last scene was simply cruel. How should I wait patiently till the next book?

I loved the characters, and the side characters were amazing in this. Though there are a few, I’d love to learn more, hopefully in the sequel we’ll see more of them. My heart broke for Toran multiple times. He lost his friends, he lost the love of his life, and so he turned to drinking, hoping it’ll drown out the pain. But he gets a new assignment from the king, and he can’t turn it down. He has to pull himself together, and find the Witch before more innocent girls are drowned. Nes was smart, always one step ahead of everyone, doing whatever it took to get his father out of prison. If it means she has to work with the Crown, so be it.
I want to see more of Quint and Kohen in the next book!

The only thing I didn’t like is something that seems to be a problem with books lately. The relationship between Nes and Toran was so quick. I miss the build up, going from reluctant allies to friends and to lovers. Things just happen so quickly, one moment they are strangers, in the next they are trying not to fall for the other. Where’s the tension, the yearning? But it’s not the only book I noticed this, so I guess I’ll just have to accept this new trend.

Highly recommend if you want a fantasy world with forbidden magic, secrets and betrayals that’ll break your heart!

If you enjoy dark, atmospheric YA romantasy, it’s definitely worth checking out.

The story is fun and the dynamic between the FMC (love Nes!!) and MMC is great. It has the classic enemies-to-lovers banter that I love. I also liked the eerie maritime folklore!

The plot twists were clever and the cliffhanger was a good surprise.
Overall, it’s an entertaining, solid story.

Thank you very much to Harper Collins and Lindsey Olsson for this ARC.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. Will I read it again? Yes. Did it make me stare into space for so long after finishing it that my husband asked me if I was ok? Also yes. I then had to explain to him that I have been betrayed by a book. That I am filled with shock, confusion, grief, rage and a bitter betrayal that it will take me a while to recover from. Would recommend. But I’m so confused.

Will I be reading the next book? Absolutely yes!

After having read several books about witches, I found it really refreshing that in “To Drown a Witch", the witch is indeed the villain.
This book convinced me with its dark atmosphere and strong characters. Also, the magic system and world build appeared well developed and really drew me into the story. Since this is suspected to be in an upcoming FairyLoot subscription, I am really looking forward to seeing Nes and Toran in beautifully designed endpapers.

To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Jul. 16, 2026 | Archive Date: Aug. 6, 2026

First of all, thank you to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read To Drown a Witch.

Let’s start with the obvious: the banter absolutely carries. Nes and Toran’s dynamic was instantly engaging and easily one of my favourite parts of the entire book.

This story follows Nes, a hired hand from “The Ditch,” and Toran, the Crown Prince, who are reluctantly paired together on a mission to track down a witch and bring her back to the king for judgment. What begins as a straightforward task quickly turns into a layered journey filled with danger, shifting loyalties, and unexpected revelations.

I really enjoyed the character dynamics in this one. Nes is sharp, grounded, and easy to root for, while Toran brings a more reserved intensity that slowly unfolds as the story progresses. Together, they create a really compelling push-and-pull that makes their scenes together incredibly entertaining.

The writing is immersive and easy to fall into, and the world feels vivid without ever becoming overwhelming. I could picture the settings clearly, and the magic system is intriguing in a way that feels both accessible and interesting to explore.

The pacing starts off a bit slower, but it steadily builds momentum as the story progresses. Once it finds its rhythm, it becomes very hard to put down. I ended up finishing it in a day, which says a lot about how quickly it pulled me in once everything clicked.

There were moments early on where I questioned where the plot was heading, but the payoff really worked for me. Things that initially felt unclear or questionable came together in a way that made sense by the end. And that ending—completely caught me off guard in the best way. I absolutely need the next book.

Overall, this is a fun, fast-moving YA fantasy full of tension, twists, and character chemistry that really stands out. If you enjoy witch hunts, reluctant alliances, enemies-to-lovers energy, and stories that gradually ramp up into something much bigger, this is a great pick.

Excuse me... WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! 😭😭😭

I absolutely devoured this book and could not put it down. Every chapter pulled me in deeper until I was completely consumed by the story. 🌊🖤

The slow burn? EXQUISITE. 🤌🏼 It had me kicking my feet one moment and screaming into my Kindle the next. Every interaction built the tension so perfectly that I was completely invested from beginning to end.

And can we talk about those plot twists?! 😳 Every time I thought I had figured something out, Lindsey Olsson proved me spectacularly wrong. My poor neck was practically snapping left and right from all the twist slaps this story threw at me. 😂

Ness was such a wonderful protagonist. I adored her from the very beginning. She feels incredibly human, with strengths that make you admire her and vulnerabilities that make your heart ache for her. In fact, that's something I loved about this entire cast. None of the characters felt one dimensional. Their fears, flaws, and emotions made them feel so real that I couldn't help becoming attached to all of them. ❤️

I also really loved Lindsey Olsson's writing style. The prose flowed beautifully, making it impossible to stop reading. "Just one more chapter" quickly turned into "where did my Saturday go?" 📖✨

By the end, I had bitten off what felt like all my nails... and then THAT ending happened. 😭 Seriously?! I have no more nails left to bite! You can't leave me like this! I need book two immediately because I have so many questions and I am desperate to know what happens next. 🥹🙏🏼

If you loved The Crimson Moth, I genuinely think this book deserves a place on your TBR. It has the same addictive magic, heart pounding tension, unforgettable characters, and the kind of ending that leaves you staring at the wall wondering how you're supposed to wait for the sequel. 🖤✨

Thanks so much to HarperCollinsUK and Netgalley for providing me this beautiful eARC!

“Magic is not my friend. It is my fear. My shame.”

I really enjoyed the world this book created.

We follow Nes, a magical bloodhound trying to pay off a debt in the city’s criminal underworld, and Toran, the King’s Crown and most skilled soldier, as they reluctantly team up to hunt the Witch. In this world, once the Witch dies, another is reborn, and the cycle begins again.

One of my favourite parts of the book was the magic system. Magic is illegal, feared, and can get you killed, but I loved the idea that it can also be consumed, with each person manifesting different abilities depending on how they react to it. It was such a fun concept, and I wanted to learn more.

Around the halfway mark, the story really found its footing for me. The underground criminal network, the hunt for the Witch, and the growing mystery kept me turning the pages.

My biggest criticism was the romance. It felt very rushed, and I never quite believed the connection between Nes and Toran. One moment they were reluctant allies, and the next it felt like they were suddenly in love. I think a little more character development would have made that relationship much stronger.

The twist wasn’t something I saw coming, although afterwards I realised the clues had been there all along, which I always appreciate.

The final 10% throws a lot at you. Some moments felt a little chaotic and I wasn’t entirely sure why certain things happened, but it was very clear the author was setting up the next stage of the story.

And honestly… it worked.

That ending left me genuinely excited to see where book two goes, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

3.75⭐ (rounded up to 4)

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun with this and add in some delicious banter and enemies to lovers and it's everything I always love, I couldn't put it down. I enjoyed the way the plot developed and how well done the twists and turns were and some I saw but others completely took me by surprise.

I loved how it ended and I'm hoping there will be another book as it certainly leaves a little mystery about it.

Okay, I totally get the hype for this one now, omg.
To Drown a Witch starts off with this eerie atmosphere that immediately creates questions and mystery, so I was sucked in completely and ended up binging the whole thing in just two sittings. I loved that the world was easily imagined, without needing pages and pages of explanation…and the magic was new and fresh, instead of feeling like another variation of something I've already read a dozen times.
The biggest win for me, though, was how cleverly this story plays with your expectations, and it does this CONSTANTLY. I was forever making little theories, feeling super pleased with myself... only for the book to quietly prove me wrong. More than once. It's one of those stories where, as soon as you finish, you immediately start wondering what was hiding in plain sight all along… tbh I missed a few things that occurred to me when I reached the end. AND THAT ENDING - genuinely made me sit there for a minute because I did not see it coming, I reread certain pages more than once to let it all sink in!
Nes and Toran were easy characters to like, both carrying their own baggage while slowly learning to trust each other. I really enjoyed their dynamic and the little moments between them, although I do wish the romance had been given a bit more room to breathe, it did feel slightly insta-lovey. It wasn't enough to take away from my enjoyment, but I think an even slower burn would've made the emotional payoff hit harder.
Soooo, if you're in the mood for witches (always!), dangerous secrets, betrayals, stacks of "wait... WHAT?" moments and a story that just ABSOLUTELY refuses to do the predictable thing, then this is the YA fantasy for you. It's a seriously impressive debut, and I'm already totally impatient for book two because I need answers after that crazy ending.

To Drown a Witch came as a great surprise. It hardly seems like a debut because Lindsey Olsson did such an amazing job of creating a tense and mysterious mood. The plot kept me on my toes, and the pacing was perfect to keep me immersed in the misty dark city of Gadore.

The plot doesn't seem that complex at first. You're on a witch hunt throughout the book. But as you keep getting deeper into the story, you soon realize that not all is as it seems. These realizations come subtly and gradually, making you question yourself and your guesses. It was a truly amazing reading experience.

This experience was further elevated by the character of Nes. She is hiding so many secrets, but in book one (I assume we will be getting more), we only get to see so much. I am very intrigued by her past and where the future installment(s) will take her.

I enjoyed the romantic plot quite a bit. I actually prefer it over some typical tropey romances we get these days. I cannot say much without revealing some key plot twists, but it is all definitely worth it!

I don't think I've ever read a Criminal/Royal Guard romance as good as this. These two were so buzzy and their chemistry had me giddy with the tension. The Crimson Moth comparison is relevant however I think these two surpass even rune and gideon with their back and forth.

This book was insanely good. We meet Nes who's only purpose is to free her father. He's been captured for desrting and when the opportunity to free him comes she agrees.
She was an amazing character. Strong, independent and smart. Toran our MMC was a complex character who was consumed by guild and grief. His only purpose now is to find the witch and prove the King that he is still worthy of his trust and his title.
No one is who they seemed to be and everyone have a secret.
The story quickly consumed me from the begging. The mystery sub plot was strong and left me wondering who the witch might be. The twists towards the end left me at the edge of my seat and I literally flew through the last 15% of the book.
That ending though.. absolutely amazing and I was left with so many questions that I need answers for.
Thank you so much Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction and the author for sending this earc. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 stars!

To drown a witch has been my biggest surprise of the year so far, incredibly entertaining with a really unique take on witch hunting.

I really loved the way magic is imagined in this world. Consuming diluted magic has different effects on different people, they may make flowers or money with it and they may get addicted.

I really liked the way the author balanced how ruthless Nes was in her battle to survive with her guilt at innocent girls being drowned as the witch to hide her secrets.

I liked the banter between Nes and Toran. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to talk about the ending of this book though, I feel personally betrayed. 😩 The cliff hanger was devastating and I now desperately need to know what happens to Nes and Toran …. And Suri and Phineas.

I’m interested to know more about the kind of magic Damari uses in the next book and to learn more about Xell’s, surely they are going to be important. I’ll need to next book in this series ASAP please.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, publishers and the fantastic Lindsay Olsson for giving me the opportunity to review this book ahead of release.

A tale of fantasy, hope, deception and betrayal. Nes is a wonderful lead character working to rescue her father from prison. Enduring hardship she struggles to form friendships and is often let down by the people and society around her. The world around her is full of magic, yet only the Witch can hold pure magic. With the destruction she causes, the witch trials are a constant reminder that she has yet to be caught. Anyone can be called a witch but only one can exist at any given time, yet this doesn't prevent people from procuring diluted magic. In a Kingdom that offers no forgiveness, Nes has to hunt down the Witch if she is to free her father.

It has been a while since I picked up the fantasy genre again because of the lack of creativity and originality in the books I was reading recently. So, this one came as a really lovely surprise when I struggled to put it down. I found the book unique and intriguing and the characters easily likeable - the cliff hanger at the end hopefully means that there's more to come! If you are tired of the same trope that most fantasy books hold these days - give this one a try.

Ooo I enjoyed this one more than I expected. It was completely different to what I thought it'd be but not in a bad way. Loved the witches/magic aspect of it and some of the twists were really decent! My main criticism is that the pacing was slightly inconsistent so it sometimes dragged

Omg omg omg. WHAT? WHAT? What was that ending? WHAT? I'm shook. I cannot get over it. I NEED MORE PLEASE. I Was so addicted to this book.

The story revolves around Nes, a thief with an unusual talent for detecting magic in a kingdom where women are chased if even rumored to possess magic because of the possibility of them being the Witch. After Toran, the Prince's Crown and best witch hunter in the kingdom, detects her unique talent, he manipulates her to work with him and find the elusive Witch before anyone else is killed. As their search becomes heated, old secrets start to emerge, confusing their perception of who the enemy is.

My expectations from this book were very low as I expected a typical YA romantasy, which turned out not to be the case at all. While the concept was quite familiar to me, the story took twists I definitely did not see coming.

It was so fun watching Nes and Toran’s story unfold. Their reluctant teamwork and their endless back-and-forth banter was awesome. The romance did not overshadow the mystery plotline; rather, it helped enhance the plot. I won't give too much away as it would spoil the story, but TRUST ME, you will need book 2 ASAP after this.
I don't think I've said "what?!" the many times I did during the last few pages of this book. Twist of the damn century ig. It completely changed everything, and now I'm left desperately wondering where this story goes next.
It was a pretty effortless five-star read for me. So captivating, so refreshing and surprising. The book surpassed all my expectations. Lindsey, I am begging you… please do not make us wait too long for book two.

*Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC*

This book delivers vibes and banter, for that alone I would recommend! I would have loved to give it a five star, but it felt a bit Heartless Hunter coded? I kept comparing the stories in my head, which I understand is not really fair but at the same time inevitable and To Drown A Witch fell a bit short. This could very well be a me problem, I know that!

Going back to the story, I enjoyed the worldbuilding, the atmosphere/vibes (absolute highlight!), Nes and Toran felt fully fleshed and realistic, the banter was top tier (the other highlight!), the pace and plot twists were satisfying and I can safely say the ending and cliff hanger have me waiting excitedly for the sequel!

I suppose I just wish the story felt a little bit more original? This book may not alter you brain chemistry BUT It's a good time, and you will enjoy it, I think if you are a romantasy fan like myself, you should definitely add it to your TBR. Thank you to Lindsey Olsson, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | Magpie and NetGalley for this review copy, all opinions are my own.

What a fantastic debut this was! To Drown a Witch turned out to be exactly the kind of read I’d been waiting for - It had me hooked with both plot and writing style, and I just loved it.

The story follows Toran, a royal guard, and Nes, a criminal, who work together to hunt a deadly Witch responsible for killing guards across Orlonea. With Toran’s unparalleled combat skills and Nes’ ability to smell magic, they make an excellent team. What starts as a reluctant, tension-filled partnership (thanks to Toran essentially blackmailing Nes into helping him) slowly evolves, as both their lives and hearts end up on the line during this hunt.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was the writing style. I’ve been quite picky lately and have struggled to connect with several recent reads, but this totally worked for me. Every turn of phrase on point, jokes and digs always landing, page after page keeping me hooked. I'm so impressed that this is a debut novel!

Onto characters - Toran and Nes are wonderfully contrasted characters who end up complementing each other beautifully. Both carry heavy pasts, and Toran’s especially weighs visibly on him. Watching them become each other’s safe place, despite their rocky beginnings, was SO satisfying. And the banter!! Epic banter thoughout the whole book, honestly.

The plot was intriguing right from the start. Was it somewhat predictable in some parts? Yes, probably. Yet I didn't mind that, because even those parts were written so well that they kept my interest alive and had me not wanting to put the book down at all. One twist in particular felt brilliantly handled: I thought I had it figured out early on, then I doubted myself as the story unfolded and built (and became convinced by) alternative theories... only to be brought full circle in a way that still felt surprising and very well justified. The backstory (stories?) that emerged were such interesting surprises!

The ending has definitely left me wanting more (and with a lot of questions!), and I cannot wait for the sequel. In the meantime, I’ll be picking up a physical copy for my shelves ASAP.

I’d highly recommend this to fans of YA romantasy, especially if you enjoy (low-key) enemies to lovers dynamics with excellent banter.