The Once and Future Witches

Let me start by saying there are no words to describe just how much I love this book. I really struggled to write a review, because everything I write pales in comparison to what is worthy enough for a book of this caliber (it only took me like a month to sit with it before actually attempting, and like two hours to come up with this).This book is pure magic! The writing is like a spell in and of itself. The way Harrow describes magic is the exact way it feels to read the book. I had goosebumps.This was only the second book I read this year and I can already tell it is THE book of 2021 for me. I’m looking forward to the paperback so I don’t drain my entire bank account when I buy copies to give to everyone I know. It has become THE favorite book for me. And EVERYONE needs to read it.I do not read books quickly, let alone books of this size, but I devoured this masterpiece. I probably would have been able to in a single sitting if not for those pesky responsibilities. Even then, I found this book occupying my thoughts when not reading (it really sticks with you) and certain responsibilities fell by the wayside (when I could get away with it)!The Once and Future witches is like nothing I have ever read before. They say that there’s only truly a finite amount of stories out there. Well, this one breaks the mold. Not only is it a “just one more chapter, oh look it’s now four in the morning” and an “oh the dishes and work and life in general can wait because I MUST know what happens next” and a “I just can’t get it out of my head” book, but it’s also sooooo much more.I have a small obsession with “everyday” magic. There is nothing I love more than the intersection of the mundane and the sacred and never had I met a book that so perfectly captures it.One phrase that comes to mind for the book is “divine feminine,” but that word is so fraught and this book is more inclusive and diverse and open than that word sometimes means. The unique takes on popular fairy tales and concepts like “mother, maiden, and crone” felt more right to me than anything else I’ve ever read. I connected with it more.“Soul deep” might be the closest I can come to a phrase that fits. I found myself wondering how this author I never heard of before could know me so well, and on such a personal level. My anger and my passion and my fire and my wanting and my hopes, my muchness felt justified. All of me felt justified. I was seen, all of me, in a way that is so rare.You don’t consume this book. It consumes you whole, body and soul. It speaks to the depths of your entire being and the entire being of the world. I’d go on, but I have a nasty habit of spoilers and to spoil even a fraction of this book would be too great a crime that no one should commit.To put it simply, I have loved many a book before, but never have I fallen for a book this hard.

I love Harrow writing; it is always lyrical and a little haunting. They have a beautiful way with language. I enjoyed this story and thought the alternative history was quite clever. It was a bit slow in places and not quite as compelling as “Starling House.” And the whole thing is allegory for the current war on women’s rights and bodily anatomy.

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. And when it is combined with stories about witches, I am totally there! The author wrote a book about witches and the suffrage movement but, for me, it became something even more. There are so many lessons woven throughout this story.I loved the character development of the sisters. The family drama and all of its secrets do come to full light by the end. It just goes to show us that without real communication lives can ultimately be ruined. June, Agnes, and Bell are all products of their childhood–pain, abuse, and abandonment. It takes them joining the suffrage movement to bring them, at least, to a common ground. A place where they fight for the same thing and maybe even to a place where forgiveness can begin.For me, this story became more about the treatment of women and them finally standing up against the powers that hold them down. It takes place in a time where women are property and have no voice. The are treated horribly and the men make all the rules. Also, during this time, the witch hunts were taking place and the burnings were beginning in America. This was not a safe time to be a woman.It’s also about love. Sisterly love. Motherly love. Forbidden romantic love. Love for your fellow human beings. If you love someone, truly love them, then it doesn’t matter their race, gender, or sexual orientation, which is another lesson in this story. The sisterhood that arises amid this very dangerous time is the beginning of a new way of life, a new way of thinking. We know the actual history of how things turned out for witches and women. But, at the same time, even though we don’t live like our sisters had to, we’re still fighting some of the same fights. I’m sure there are those who would deny us the right to vote if they still could. Women are still mistreated. People of color are denied and dismissed. There are those who still believe that anything outside of heterosexual love is wrong. But , when we read the stories of where we began, where the fight began, we can be encouraged and empowered to keep moving forward. The battle still rages but great things can be accomplished when we lay down our differences and come together for the common good. That’s why stories like this one are so important! The Eastwood sisters did exactly that in this book.I loved the witch and magic aspect too. I enjoyed imagining that the witchcraft of old is really still here, just hidden in plain sight. This was a truly fascinating part of the story for me. It makes me want to dive further into the history of witches.While this isn’t a fantasy with dragons and warriors fighting for good against evil, there is an epic battle scene. And, as in all battles, there are heartbreaking losses. I cried and cried over one of those losses. As a reader you ask, “Did that really need to happen?” As a writer, my answer is, “Yes. It really did need to happen.” It doesn’t make it hurt any less, though.I could go on and on about this book! The storytelling, the characters, the lessons, and the history all come together in an amazing way. I’ll end by saying that this book is now my favorite read of this year so far, and will go on my list of favorite reads of all time. It will take something pretty spectacular to take its place.I gave this book all the stars and highly recommend it to any fan of historical fiction, historical fantasy, stories of witches, stories of women’s history, and stories about sisters.

This is a splendid book! The story is engrossing, the writing is wild and exciting, and the characters--oh, my! Three sisters, wise, loving, and wildly brave. Their troubles and adventures are many, requiring all of their wisdom, love, and courage. They spread their influence throughout their city and farther, changing their world.

A story about family, love, loyalty, social injustice and women. I enjoyed reading this book tremendously. Definitely recommend it.

À l'époque où les femmes n'ont aucuns droits, et que les sorcières vont au bûcher... trop bien.

I loveeeeed this book, is so empowering, there's a plot twist that you don't see coming at the end. If you have read "women that run with wolves" and you liked that one, you probably will find this just amazing, and easier to share with younger people or the ones that are not used to read more complex books - don't get me wrong in here, I'm not saying this one was an easy reading, there were moments in which I felt like nothing was going on, or I had to go back a few pages to read again some parts of it - been said that, this one is wonderfully written and if you are a fan of witchcraft, or just someone that is going through that moment in life in which you feel that sorority is kind of missing, this book will remind you that we are never alone, we are always there and we will always be as the once and future witches.

This book has everything.Great story, amazing characters and an interesting, complex setting.I was already in love with the short stories by this author but this book definitely seals the deal.