Harrow is my new favorite must devour everything she has written. I am mad it took me this long to read it. I loved the sisters and was so pleased with the ending.

I am KICKING MYSELF over how long it took me to get to this book (but also not because…house fire…you know, it’s complicated). But seriously – The Once and Future Witches absolutely shocked me with it’s goodness. I mean, unless you’re new here (hiiii!), you probably know by now that I love me some A.E. Harrow. And I’m sorry everybody – she’s done it again. This might be my favorite of hers yet, actually.

In The Once and Future Witches Harrow seamlessly weaves a complex, beautiful story out of the pov’s of her 3 sisters – each of whom embodies an aspect of the triple goddess – maiden, mother, and crone. Our maiden is Juniper, the fiery youngest sister who recognizes that a little bit just isn’t enough. The mother is embodied by Agnes – pregnant with a child she wants more for. And the crone is Beatrice, the eldest and most level of the sisters. Together they discover the will and the ways to usher in a world that treats them as more than just objects to deride and/or fear. But if it is determined to fear them, they will at least give them some good reason to. Basically, these women are done being oppressed.

Although The Once and Future Witches begins as a relatively by-the-book “good for her” type fantasy, the historical aspects of it go a long way toward reminding the reader that some of this is very real. And that constant gentle reminder is enough to allow a look behind the veil of the fantasy. It’s a reminder that pushing the past away isn’t enough. If past sins are allowed to fester (ahem, the way we have historically treated women in the past), they will continue into the future (hello women as vessels for sin/women as objects/women still for some reason expected to caregive everyone all the time). If we don’t excise the infection, it will spread, 100% of the time.

The idea that over time, witches (and they aren’t just women here – everyone has a piece of the pie) have stored their spells in the lines of books, songs, and legends is absolutely fascinating. That way, not even death takes magic from the world, or some semblance of power or control from the needy – provided they know where to look to find it. It’s a truly beautiful idea.

But lordy – the last half of The Once and Future Witches is tough. It is infuriating. The conflict is absolutely enormous in scope, and the whole resolution is emotionally draining. But overall, I think the message is kind of cathartic.

**This review goes live on my website 1/10/24

4.5 stars, rounded down. Evocative and beautifully written, if a bit slow in parts. An original premise, well-executed.

I am very late with my review of this but I have to say I don't think there is anything this author could write that I wouldn't read! This is one of the quieter titles but it works well for me because I can recommend it when people ask what to read after reading one of her more well-known books. Absolutely recommended

This was such a fun read! The writing was immersive-witchcraft mixed with mystery/murder-set in the 1800s and lore-loved every part of this book. Family and forgiveness is a major themes in this -feminist themes- sisterhood also was present.

I would highly recommend this to anyone that loves historical fiction-witchy stories-magical / fantasy elements mixed with mystery.

I have since purchased a copy of this book for my library at home.

Once there were three sisters. Bella was the oldest and loves books and learning. Agnes is the middle sister, beautiful and strong. Juniper was the youngest, wild and unafraid. They grow up in the woods and mountains, left there with a cruel father by the death of their mother in Juniper's birth. But they do have their grandmother who teaches them how to be strong and the stories and rhymes that all children should hear.

The sisters are separated when Juniper is still a small girl. The two older sisters are sent away and leave Juniper as the only target of their father's rage and cruelty. When Juniper finally runs away, she is warped by those years and full of bitterness at her sisters for going away and never returning.

But the three are reunited and they realize that the power of witches is within them. They gather other women who have the same beliefs that they do, that magic is the distance between what you need and what you have. They find the way to restore the Lost Way of Avalon but there's danger. A man named Gideon Hill is powerful in the town, New Salem, where the women have settled. He is determined to stamp out all witches and especially the three sisters. Who will survive?

Alix Harrow grew up in the same mountains she writes about here. She is known for writing marvelous modern fairy tales based on the old stories. Her writing is mythical, drawing the reader along wherever her characters go. Each reader will probably relate to one of the sisters best and that is one of the strengths of this story, along with the message that women are strong and can accomplish whatever they need to do. This book is recommended for fantasy readers.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this early! We are huge fans of Harrow here at our library and we know our patrons are too. A great supernatural story that mixes history and and fiction for a fun witchy story!

Ali’s E. Narrow is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This book is wonderful - the writing is beautiful, the story is imaginative, and it has an old world charm while feeling fresh. I bought a copy for a friend. I imagine this will be one of those books I revisit every couple of years because I love it that much.

I read this book last year and never did a review on it. This book hits especially hard this year. This world could use some Eastwood sisters right about now. The author somehow found a way to weave together a lot of things that constitute being a woman into one single book. It seems like some of these issues will constantly be a fight.

I loved the world-building in this book – the town of New Salem You can really feel the context of the situations the sisters find themselves in because of the care the author took in crafting the world in which they lived. It seems like I’ve come across so many lately that had potential but just left it alone which detracts points for me. One of my favorite things about this book is the incorporation of stories and nursery rhymes – how the women while even in hiding refused to let go.

I found pieces of myself in several characters throughout the book – especially within the personalities of the Eastwood sisters themselves. Agnes Amaranth as a mother, Beatrice Belladonna for her love of stories and books, and last but not least James Juniper because I’m also the youngest and opinionated. I have three sisters, and the sisterly dynamic in this book was very relatable. The Eastwood sisters also have an amazing supporting cast of characters as well – and some twists regarding them I did not see coming.

If ever there was a book I wish I could experience again brand new – this one would be high on that list. I didn’t want to give anything away in my review but honestly, if this book even remotely sounds good – do yourself a favor and just read it. A huge thank you to Orbit books for the copy & the chance to read this book. A hug to Alix E. Harrow for one of the only books I wish I could read again for the first time.

This is a new favourite. Sister witches coming together to fight for women's rights? I'm all in. I love Alix Harrow's writing and this book was filled with magic, feminism, strong bonds, and overcoming trauma and fears. I thought the way magic worked was quite unique and creative (I won't mention how so you can find out for yourself). I don't read many books about witches so this sets a high bar.

Thank you Orbit books for sending me a copy to review!

I'm not sure what I think of this book--or exactly what kind of a book it is. It takes place in the past and does mention real people and places, so does that make it historical fiction? But then it is about witches and witchcraft, so does that make it fantasy, horror? It 3 incredible sisters and an amazing friend, so does that make this a book about strong women and relationships? Even though I can't categorize it, this story is exciting and the author draws readers in until they start looking around at people walking their dogs and wondering if they are really familiars that will change into wolves and there are witches among us..

Alix E. Harrow has rapidly become one of my favorite authors. I've given everything she's written so far 5 stars, and this was no different. The writing style is beautiful, and the characters were so real, they practically come off the page.

This book was interesting. I really enjoyed the story overall but it could have been better. I would definitely read something from this author in the future though.

An enjoyable fantasy novel. Fans of Alix E. Harrow's first novel will likely be fans of her sophomore effort as well.

This was a slow start for me, but then I couldn’t stop. I loved the embrace of feminine pursuits and the power and the secrets women pass to their daughters. I ached and wanted to cry. There will always be witches.

I always found myself fascinated by witches stories. Anything with an ounce of history in it felt so precious to me. Even if this one is fictional, it felt like I shared a part of history with the three sisters. I don't know if magic is in all of us, but some coincidences are too bizarre to be anything but.

I loved too how a lot of myths or tales are rewrited to show the darkest (or truest) sense of it.

The love between sisters, between a mother and her child, is sacred. It's beautiful.

Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

three sisters, descendants of witches,are brought together to fight for their rights. Set during the women's suffrage movement, there's a whole lot of man bashing throughout this novel. Women good, man bad. However, one man is good enough to impregnate one of the sisters who produce a baby witch. This author's first book is better.

This was such a great book! The way this book reimagined woman suffrage and the history of witches was seamless and haunting, especially in these times!

I thought this book was fun and I enjoyed reading it. I think I had a little higher hope for it because I love everything witches. However, that isn't to say I didn't enjoy it. I thought it was great how much history was mixed in with it, because yes suffragist movement! I also love anything having to do with Salem and this also had some history on that mixed in. I thought that the plot was well written and I liked the characters, I liked how connected they were even when they were apart and they were pulled back together. Overall I enjoyed this book.

The Once and Future Witches had a slow start for me but I'm so glad I hung in there. Everything was so beautifully written and powerful. I loved the spells and the strong female characters.