The Once And Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

The Once And Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow.

Published 15th October 2020 by Orbit.

From the cover of the book:

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. 

If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the three Eastwood sisters join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. 

Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote - and perhaps not even to live - the sisters must delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

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Where to even start.... this is quite simply one of the best books I have read all year!

This is a most wonderful mix of historical fiction and fantasy that pulls you in completely and works its magic on you like the spells our three Eastwood sisters conjure in New Salem. Three sisters torn apart by tragic family history that fools them into believing they have betrayed each other, who are unexpectedly reunited - three sisters who fall prophetically into the roles of warrior maiden, powerful mother and sage crone, whose destiny sets them on a path that will change the world in which they live.

It is a stroke of genius for Alix Harrow to set this book about witches in a time that we do not normally associate with magic. This is an era when women are fighting for the vote as a way to get their voices heard - a modern era... and era of progress... of industry. But it is, of course, impossible to set a book anywhere near Salem, made famous for its witch trials, and ignore the legacy of the women that lived there before, and our author weaves her tale of witchcraft beautifully into the fabric of the atypical backdrop she has chosen.

This novel thrums with the power of women - maidens, mothers and crones - who have been disenfranchised, brought low in a world of men, and forced to weave traces of their magic into songs, fairy tales and nursery rhymes to keep them hidden, waiting for the time when their sisters can rise again. Magic remains in this world, passed down the female line in many different cultures, but of necessity it has a form so subtle and secret that it takes a mighty catalyst like the reunion of the Eastwood sisters to bring matters to a spectacular head.

What starts as a tale of a bustling metropolis at the end of the nineteenth century with eyes set firmly on the future, but with underlying whispers of latent magic, morphs beautifully into a full on tale of witches gathering their strength for a battle against the forces of darkness... and it is glorious.

There are some lovely ideas worked into this story that I found captivating. The gathering of spells and folklore, rich in sorcery, from women of so many different cultures and backgrounds made my heart sing - the notion of so many different kinds of magic, kept secret for so long, all brought together in a single purpose is enchanting (please pardon the pun). And I really enjoyed that Alix Henderson gives an interesting role for the good men in this tale - the men with secret magic of their own.

This is perfectly paced, full of danger and adventure, of love and loss, of camaraderie and conjuring, and it was an absolute pleasure to race through the pages of this book. What a perfect read for the spooky season!

The Once And Future Witches is available to buy now from your favourite book retailer in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.

Thank you to Alix Harrow and Orbit for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review and to Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers for inviting me to be part of this tour.