3.5 stars, rounded up (and I’ll get to why that is in a moment).

I’ve been meaning to read this one since it came out, and I’m glad I finally got to it this month. While the book and I got off to a slower start than I would like, I do think that it makes sense with the tone of the story overall. I also really liked the seasonal magic right off the bat (and am now contemplating what type of witch I would be in this world), as well as the environmental and climate change commentary.

What wound up cementing my positive feelings towards THE NATURE OF WITCHES, however, is how strongly I personally resonated with Clara (despite my initial concerns for the beginning of the story where I worried I wouldn’t be able to connect at all). I liked her coming-of-age, how she has to navigate complicated feelings about herself and change and choice. There were some key moments where I teared up because I could relate to how she felt or what she thought, and that alone really meant something to me.

While not a new all-time favorite, I’m so glad I finally picked this one up.

I love Witch themed books. I especially love them when they have a very different take on being a witch than the normal storyline.

The Nature of Witches is exactly that. The story is based on witches having powers based on the Season. So they all wax and wane based on where their power comes from. And every season offers different powers. I love that concept.

What happens when one witch comes along that has powers from all four seasons? This witch specifically doesn't want her power as it has proven to kill her loved ones in the past. She doesn't want to master her powers and yet she can't walk away from them unless she takes the ultimate step to remove her powers. But the world needs her to keep them.

It's a great setup for an enjoyable, adventurous read.

I had really high hopes for this story, and maybe my expectations were too high. I did like the actual story. I just wanted more from it. I did love how it was a quick read, but it just left me wanting more.

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks and Rachel Griffin for this ARC. I love urban fantasy and magical books, So this one I did not finish, but am still doing a review as I read up to 50% of it. I’m 50% through this story and Clara still can’t control her Magic..,where does this end ? I found no connection to any of the characters, and didn’t like any of them. Sorry to the author that I didn’t like this book , but it seemed to go nowhere…

This was a struggle for me to enjoy. I was so excited to read this title, because I love the fantasy genre, but I just couldn't wait to finish it. Students who enjoy stories of witches and nature will definitely connect with the character, plus there is constant conflict within both the characters and the weather.

The Nature of Witches is a YA fantasy about (you may have already guessed it) witches! I absolutely adored the magic system in this book, and how a witches elemental magic is tied into the season they were born into. The prose was beautiful and really set the scene for the magic system to thrive on. I enjoyed the characters and the setting of this book. It was a wonderful debut from Rachel Griffin. This was a quick and enjoyable read, and perfect for a fall book choice!

⁉️Do you have any witchy book recs?

BOOK REVIEW
The Nature of Witches, @timesnewrachel
Pub date: June 2021
367 pages
@sourcebooksfire

This book reminded me so much of some of the paranormal stuff I read in my early twenties, but with some climate change stuff mixed in. It made me a little nostalgic for the endless YA trilogies that I’d devour back then 😆

In The Nature of Witches, Clara, the first Everwitch (a witch with magic tied to every season) in a century, is saddled with the pressure of a collapsing atmosphere (thanks pollution/climate change). After her magic brings harm to the people closest to her, she doesn’t trust her magic enough to let anyone close. I mean, of course until Sang shows up, who is admittedly a pretty dreamy botanist.

I wish there was a little more world building in this one, and the action scenes literally lasted a page in most cases, but it was a solid YA debut and a stand-alone 🙌 which adult me appreciated 😆 Definitely a funny witchy read to add to your fall stacks. It’s also got a totally gorgeous cover (inside and out, swipe for more 😻).

And this smoothie bowl is from @honeypostml for you local folks 👌

Thanks @netgalley and @sourcebooks for the ebook in exchange for this honest review

#thenatureofwitches #rachelgriffin #witchy #witchyreads #witchybooks #fallreading #fallreads #autumnreading #witchystuff #flatlaybooks #smoothiebowl #bookishflatlay #beautifulbooks #bookish #booksonbooks #readingtime #bookrecommendation #bookreviews #netgalley #netgalleyreview #netgalleyreads #arctober #readspinrepeatbookclub #rsrbcarctober #octoberreads #fallvibes #booksiread #yabookstagram #yabooks #yareads

This book was excellent in all aspects and I didn’t come to realize that until I finished, let me explain. I started the book strongly disliking the main character. I thought she was annoying and ungrateful for what she had been given. The art that was involved for crafting her personality and the changes she went through was phenomenal. I ended the book sad that I’ll never read anything new from her mind anymore. Not only that, but this book hits major points like grief, self doubt, depression (never confirmed, but it feels like she was at one point), and was able to grow her as a character. I also LOVE the main love interest. I found him so 3 dimensional and real. I thought I would be writing a VERY different review when I was 25% of the way through. I hope everyone else gave this book the chance it deserves. It’s worth it.

The Nature of Witches has the strong premise of an urban fantasy centered around climate change and the witches who work to control it. However, I found its world building lacking. When a fantasy is somewhat set in our world there's a fine line to walk when deciding what the reader would already know and what needs to be explained. While climate change disasters are a very real reality for us, the witches' involvement is not. And I just kept wanting more of the history of how their relationship with the climate worked.

The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the relationship growth. Clara's bisexuality was particularly well done in my opinion. But her struggle with her magic would've felt more impactful to me if the world building had been stronger.

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I ended up dnf-ing this one. I couldn't quite get into it as much as I would have wanted too. The magic system however is very well thought out and interesting in that it ties into the whole climate war we have going on right now. Additionally, I loved that the magic was ever changing with the seasons, so witches would wax and wain in strength as the seasons transition.

Although I didn't "finish" I did breeze through to the end and that last chapter made me beyond happy in terms of the romance.

What an incredibly beautiful and atmospheric YA novel! For a YA fantasy, this book truly gave me everything I wanted. This book covers four different types of witches, each one associating with a season. Their magic is connected to the seasons of birth. An intersting take on climate change, which for those who dislike overt political commentaries may dislike. But I felt this one was well done. And I enjoyed Griffin's writing.

This was an anthralling tale about how having control over the weather is not all sunny skies, cool breezes, and healthy crops. I agreed with everything it had to say, and wish everyone would read the book!

In this interesting premise, witches control the weather and are vital to keeping the balance. The story combines several elements that wouldn't at first seem to go together, but push to fit perhaps a little too hard. That said, it's a world that has obviously proven popular as there is already a sequel. The intent here is good.

3.5 stars

Half = LOVED!
The other half = umm, what?

What I loved:

*seasons ⛄🍃☀
*elemental magic 💧🍃⚡
*evers
*researching compassionate ways to control weeds
*botany
*beautiful prose 🌺
*paige
*winters ❄
*magic, magic, magic ✨
*stunning cover

What I loved most about this book was the magic system detailed with a beautiful prose. I absolutely ADORE how every witch is born a certain season and how their magic is directly connected to their season's elements. And how seasonal changes affect their magic and their emotions.

~

The other half = umm, what?

*nothing. happens.
*slow & repetitive
*the m/f romance (no chemistry)
*Clara is quite bland
*all that for what?

The main thing that nagged me about the story was the lack of urgency and the fact absolutely nothing happens. The world is suffering and witches are dying but it's okay, Clara, just take your time with your training. Yes, take an entire year, we'll wait.. The year is up, oh, you're still not ready? That's okay.

The first half was great. Then further and further into the second half I was wondering how much longer it was going to take for things to start happening... I was waiting and waiting for Clara to finally step up and save the world, but it never happens. We get the same thing happening in every single season again and again.

Clara self-pity - someone gets hurt - Clara hating magic - kissey kissey - attend a ball - repeat - the end.

🔮✨

A unique story line set in a community of witches who share responsibility for the world's weather through their magic. The strength of each witch is tied to the season in which they were born. As the seasons change with micro climates and catastrophies happening out of Nature's schedule, the witches' magic becomes comprimised. There is a class of witches born to have magic year round. Their job is to maintain the world's climates and prevent the major disruptions that have been happening. Enter Clara, a young Everwitch who has yet to master her magic.

While a very unique story line, Rachel Griffin weaves the story so smoothly and maintains a pace that this reader was captivated from page 1. I really loved the story, the characters and how they interacted with each other.......pretty much everything about this book is 5 star or better.

This one surprised me! I didn’t have high expectations, and for someone who doesn’t read a ton of fantasy, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised and cannot wait for the second book to be released!!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.

Though I find the premise promising the execution of the story's first chapter or two left me disinterested in learning more about any of the characters who I found uncompelling.

I really enjoyed the magic system of this book. I like how the seasons corresponded to a different category of witches. Such a good book!

The Nature of Witches kept me entertained throughout the book. It was an engaging read for me and I flew through it pretty quickly. I would recommend picking this one up!