Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of the book.

The Orphan Witch is a new paranormal fantasy novel by Paige Crutcher- great for fans of Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance and Practical Magic!

The book follows Persephone May, who wants nothing more than to have a meaningful place in the world. On a journey filled with witches, magic, and curses, she finds her true place isn’t quite what she’d imagined.

The most notable achievement in the novel is the stunning exploration of relationships (familial, platonic, and romantic). The Orphan Witch reads more like literary fiction than fantasy because of the attention to detail Crutcher pays to thorough characterization and descriptions. The poetic prose with which the Isle of Wile and all of its inhabitants are constructed lifts the story from the page. At the center of the book are beautiful, nuanced conversations between characters that lead to deep, meaningful relationships.

Two areas of growth in the novel are (1) pacing and (2) clarity. (1) The book is a very slow burn, with the main action beginning at the 50% mark. Prior to that, the book consists primarily of exposition and exploration. However, once past the halfway point, the pace increases and exciting action begins. (2) Clarity is muddled towards the end of the book. In those moments where the reader would typically fit together pieces of the puzzle and solve the mystery alongside the protagonist, Persephone is the only one “in the know.” It’s not clear what her next steps should be from the reader’s perspective, so it creates a bit of a disconnect because the answers are inherently obvious to the character but not the reader.

While the pacing at the start is slow because of the dense, poetic description, it builds the foundation for deeply understanding and resonating with characters, especially Persephone. The reader’s investment in character relationships will propel them through the end of this charming and powerful story.

3.0/5.0

The Orphan Witch is a fun book about Persephone May who grew up in foster care. All she ever wanted is a family but it eludes her. When someone looks in her eyes something happens to them. She is befriended by Hyacinth, who lives on an island and after one last disastrous attempt at finding love, she decides to visit Hyacinth. She finds her family at last and learns she is a witch. I enjoyed watching Persephone develop her magical skills and interactions with her cousins. I enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's press for my advanced reader copy.

Persephone May grew up in foster care. All she has wanted is a family to love and be loved by, but it eludes her. She can’t find love because something happens to anyone who truly looks at her and she fears she is the problem and moves from town to town as her dream of finding love is shattered in each new town.

When the one friend Persephone has ever made invites her to visit after Persephone is leaving her latest town, she takes Hyacinth up on her offer and heads to Wile Isle. As soon as Persephone steps off the ferry onto Wile Isle, she feels that she may just have found the place she belongs. But first, Persephone needs to learn more about family and home before she can even truly think of settling down in one place once and for all.

Wow! I was under the author’s spell from almost the first page. My heart went out to Persephone and my emotions were up and down along with hers as the story unfolded. This bewitching story will capture you and take you along for the journey as it tugs at your heart and emotions.

The Orphan Witch is a fantastic book about a woman named Persephone May who finds out she is a witch and the journey she ends up going on to break a curse. I really loved the book. The characters were so well written. I especially like Moira and Dorian. The setting is wonderful, you can really feel the vibe the author was going for. The story itself is great, however, I found the ending a bit drawn out. Anyway, it is a great story, and readers who enjoy a great witch story will absolutely love this one.

THE ORPHAN WITCH is a quest tale on multiple levels. The protagonist is searching for her family, the witch sisters are searching to break a curse, the librarian is searching for an exit and the matriarch is searching for redemption. I thought the book as a whole was too tame, actions were telegraphed too often and the relationships were pretty standard. I lost track in the world building; there was a lot going on. This lacks Alice Hoffman’s sense of mystery with charm. For readers desperate for a witchy fix, this will fill the need.

I received this ARC for an honest review. This book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t connect with the story or characters. Maybe someone else will.

A magical read! Intriguing and interesting, but with just enough parts that dragged to knock it down one star. I did like seeing the connection develop between all of the characters, but some things were not explained as well as I'd hoped they would be.

Well that was an interesting story. I finished it in one sitting. I'm a huge fan of Alice Hoffman's books and this did have elements of that in it. It felt actually like it was a few books in one and maybe got a little too convoluted at the end. But that themes of love and sisterhood were very powerful. I actually wish we found out what happened to Artemis and Viola.

I'm sure this book will find its fans. Unfortunately, I am not one of them. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

The Orphan Witch was a book that I did not enjoy reading. The witches were stereotypical and the magic a bit boring for me. This was compared to Alice Hoffman's 'Practical Magic' series and I'm not sure why? This was a more fantasy witchy type of story than magical realism which is why I could not connect to it. There was a lot of information dumping in the dialogue which killed the story and there were too many characters (for my liking) and random magical ideas that did not fit together as neatly as they should have.

This whole book felt off to me and I think there were too many ideas and awkward dialogues between the characters. It was more fantasy than witchy and the storyline felt a bit dated for the genre.

I just could not connect to this story which I struggled to finish. 2 out of 5 stars for me because I liked the beginning of the story and the main character had a unique background that could have been explored further.

This was middle of the road for me. Although I liked the story and the main character, I wasn't able to connect with her. I usually love stories about witches and magic, but this one just seemed to miss the mark. I would still recommend this for others to read, because the story had some merit and some interesting surprises.

The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher is an excellent fictional novel that is such a wonderful, magical, and fabulous coming of age story with sorcery, magic, suspense, a dash of romance, and action. I loved it!


I just have to say that I love Persephone May. She has been given a tough plot in her early life, but she is still a genuine, likable, smart, and worthy heroine. I found myself rooting for her from the very beginning. I loved Moira and Dorian as well. Excellent character cast.

Trying to find her place in life, figure out who she is, it is all mucked up and made complicated in the fact that she has been orphaned and is actually a witch! Strange things have been happening to her, making her confused, conflicted, and alone, but a chance offer at finding a place to belong from a friend, she finds that this golden opportunity is a bit more complicated then it originally looks. Here she finds more about her past, her family history, the possibility of discovering and harnessing her powers, finding what she’s really made of, the answers she has been searching for, the love that she had been missing, and so much more. She just may have to hurdle a few obstacles to find that happy ending.

I loved the suspense, the complex and intricate world building and magical elements, the twists, turns, mystery, character development, and of course the ending!

A great book and I highly recommend.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St Martin’s Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I liked this book but I'm not sure I understood all of the magical aspects of the plot. I also got some Nora Roberts vibes (the whole "so mote it be" I think was from her trilogy of books about witches).

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was very impressed with this book. The writing is very eloquent and the way things are described is *chefs kiss*. The dialogue flows very well within the story and it feels like you are there with the characters as they talk amongst themselves.

If you're looking for a good book with magical aspects and excellent writing quality, this is THE one for you. Paige Crutcher does a wonderful job in crafting this story and showing us a glimpse into the life of our main character Persephone May.

One small detail I absolutely adored was the cute and unique names of the characters. I think little touches like that in books make things even better. This book was magical in so many ways! I was honored to read it.

I chose this book first because of the beautiful cover,second because I love books about orphans and witches. This was such a good coming of magical age story. I finished it in 3 days because I had to work lol or It would have been one day. Lol I loved all three main characters. Moira is truly prickly like a catus!! The writing was OK in the beginning but once the story started to pickup the rioting was much better. Overall I give this a 4 out 5 stars. And recommend it to read.

Book Review for The Orphan Witch
Full review for this title will be posted at: @cattleboobooks on Instagram!

Ok, so I may be biased. I'm a sucker for the name Peresphone. I love that name. However I know that's its not very professional to give a book five stars because I adore the lead characters name. Thankfully this book deserves 5 stars anyways because I loved it. The world building and magic system were both top notch. I'll admit I was a bit confused by how certain powers worked... But it all made sense by the end. I felt honored that the book didn't feel the need to hold my hand. Can I just say how much I love Moira? Such wonderful characters! I'd love to drink tea with them anytime. More to come closer to publication. 5 out of 5!

Alice Hoffman’s Practical magic series meet Midnight Library with claustrophobic island vibes!

This is another mind blowing combination of fantasy meets thriller fans should be prescribed to consume at least three times in a day.

Poor Persephone May is doomed! She’s outcast, loner, abandoned, orphan, forced to live in the shadows, changing locations, working at odd jobs to make ends meet, cannot form a true friendship or lust for anyone because as soon as she makes eye contact: the person she sets eyes on gets mad or tries to kill himself/ herself!

She’s cursed! She gotta resign from the last place she has been working at and leave the town immediately. Because another guy she truly likes nearly died as he looked into her eyes!

As she ponders about where she has to go, the universe answers her prayers by sending her a letter from an old friend / or someone she may be called so close to friend as you consider she couldn’t have real one: Hyacinth wrote her letter to invite her to the Wile Island. A mysterious, strange, eerie place she never heard before seems like best match for her to lay low till she plans for her next escape.

Persephone has nothing to lose and this unexpected invitation seems like a sign for her that she finally finds the right place to settle.

As soon as she sets her foot on the island, she gets different vibes. She feels like she’s finally found her lost home and she realizes Hyacinth and her sister grumpy Moira are her cousins see her as their last hope to break the curse that hunts the witches at the island for centuries.

There is prophecy tells only a time walker can be powerful enough to break it and all the signs indicates that Persephone is the one who can achieve this impossible mission. But the other witches of the island: Ellison, Amara and Ariel are adamant to stop her , showing hostility from the beginning.

Hyacinth acts supporting from the beginning, helping Persephone feel like at her home as rigid, stern sister Moira ( don’t worry this is only the facade. She’s so tender hearted and protective like crunchy caramel covered in chocolate) feeds with herbal teas, helping her sharpen the culinary skills instead of teaching to use her powers and control them.

But Persephone is not only witch as like her cousins, she can also travel between worlds, walking through different time zones where she finds herself at the Library of Lost and meets with hazel eyed, charismatic and challenging librarian Dorian who isn’t afraid of making eye contact with her.

Could be finding love at the most unexpected place affect her important mission? Is she powerful enough to break the curse? Will this place help her to find the roots of her real family and learn more about who she is, where she is coming from and what her real purpose is.

Incredible world building, surprising twists, detailed, layered characterization and great combination of fairytale meets fantasy and thriller genres.

Of course Persephone, Moria and Dorian are my favorite characters. And the outstandingly engrossing and riveting storytelling skills of the author made me wish there would be more
books. I rooted for the characters so much.

Overall: I’m giving my magical, witchy, mysterious, heart pounding, mesmerizing, enchanting, fascinating five stars!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I love witchy books! So when I read this summary I prayed I'd get approved!
So many thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin!

A deeper magic. A stronger curse. A family lost...and found....
I honestly didn't think I'd enjoyed this book as much as I did! But I devoured this one!
The writing was great! I loved Persephone she was an amazing character.
One of my favs so far!

A novel to be savored. Very much in the vein of Alice Hoffman. In some ways authors way with description reminded me of Ray Bradbury.
This is writing at it's finest. Well paced, lyrical, characters that you root for.
And the best part is, the magic is believable.
Kind of like Field Of Dreams. It seemed possible.
Paige Crutcher will be an author to watch for anyone that loves magical realism and/or appreciates writing as an art. Thank you to the Publisher and Net Galley for the opportunity to spend time with The Orphan Witch.