I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed this one the plot kept me interested until the end which is not easy, and the characters were engaging and believable. I highly recommend this book.

The Orphan Witch is an intriguing look at the life of one woman with magical abilities that always bring danger into the lives of those around her. Persephone has always been alone – abandoned as a baby, living through the foster care system, never finding her place, never fitting in, and always, always ready to move on at any moment. She’s lost and begging to be found, to find a place that accepts her, to find friends that won’t turn away – that she can look straight in the eyes and not harm. After one more incident where she must move on again, she’ll receive an email that will change her life and open a portal to a world that she never dreamed existed or that she would find all she was searching for… with unexpected complications.

I enjoyed Persephone’s story, it’s an interesting view of finding one’s place in this world, even when one is as unique as Persephone is. A tale of discovery and acceptance, The Orphan Witch is a good story with likable characters (for the most part). It’s hard to find a home when you’re different from everyone else around you let alone find romance… check out Persephone’s story for an emotional journey full of magic and possibilities.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Sadly this book just didn’t grab as much as I hoped it would. I put it down and picked it up multiple times but I just couldn’t connect with it. Super bummed.

Dnf at 30%. I just couldn’t get into it. I will say this book had one of the strongest beginnings I’ve read in ages. A mystery, some action, an MC I sympathized with. But as soon as Persephone got to the island, things became bland in a way that didn’t hold my attention. It’s hard to pinpoint why, something just felt off to me about the way the story was being told. When she goes into town, the surroundings are physically changing by the moment and nothing feels real and therefore doesn’t seem to actually matter. I couldn’t really understand what was going on. So…on to the next!

I enjoyed this book so much! The characters are all amazing. My favorite thing was the island though. Even though it was cursed, it sounded so beautiful and interesting. The magic and curse itself was very cool too! The plot twists came completely by surprise. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I was initially drawn in by the cover of this book, it is beautiful. The title also grabbed me because I am an avid reader of paranormal fiction. With a witch being an orphan I imagined that there could be some quite interesting catastrophes. I liked the premise of the story, but I felt like it never fulfilled the promise that was there. I wanted something that was more emotional.

I found that the writing was not able to draw me and I felt like the author repeated herself a great deal. The pacing of the story for me, did not work. I felt like I was forcing myself to get through to the next chapter. I do believe the story got better the further into it that you made it, but I never really had that moment where I connected with the book. I am sure that this book will appeal to some people, but I am just not that person.

I was provided an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected but was entertaining overall. I enjoyed watching Persephone learn more about her background and powers as a witch. The island was a unique setting where the magical characters vied for power.
If you enjoy paranormal novels with strong characters then you will definitely enjoy this book.

Oh goodness I couldn’t imagine how much I would love this book'! Persephone May led such a terrible lonely life and seeing her get to meet her family and come into herself was awesome. I found myself cheering her on at every turn of the page and loving the other characters the same as she. I just really wish there was more because I didn’t want to put it down. If you love books of witches and spells with a love story thrown in, this won’t let you down.

The names won me at first. I was in love with the name "Persephone". Her character...on the other hand...ugh. I know that she is an orphan and not aware of the craft. But, for her to not know even the basics is unheard of and slightly annoyed me. I had to put it down and pick it back up again.

I apologize but I was not able to finish this book. I was in a different headspace at the time of requesting / recieving this book and the time I got it.

Great book, love this author and how they can keep my attention to the end! The plot is well developed, characters are believable and they obviously paid attention to detail to make the story worth your time to read.

A big thank you to the author Paige Crutcher the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC in exchange for my candid review.

The premise of this book is intriguing. A young lady has been invited to a mysterious island by an online friend. She is relieved because every person she ever gets close to.....looks into her eyes and then goes crazy. The island is available only to witches and the ladies that she meets let her know that she is their cousin. And she is the key to saving the island of witches.

The story then starts to ramble around and gets confusing. There are multiple other worlds and witches are trapped and cousins are the enemy....or not?

I had some trouble following the story and it ended up resolving itself. While it had some interesting parts, but I am not sure that I would recommend it.

The Orphan Witch has everything I wanted in a novel. It has mystery, magic, and romance! The story is very well-written and magical! The characters are very interesting and complex. The mystery was very delightful! Therefore, I recommend this for fans of Luanne G. Smith, Paula Brackston, and Deborah Harkness!

A super interesting story about finding family and secret worlds hiding in plain sight. If you like witchy books I would absolutely give this one a try.

A magical story about a witch who goes on a journey and must break a curse. Nothing too groundbreaking, but fun and perfect for the Fall season.

The Orphan Witch by Paige Crutcher snagged my attention by the cover and synopsis. I love all of the witchy vibes, and I was looking forward to reading this. It started interesting, but I quickly lost interest in most of the characters. The changes in POV through me off a little bit, and I wanted more focused time on Persephone. I want to explore the island's mysteries with Persephone more because there are a few times that I felt like we were told the history rather than shown. There were glimpses that I loved, and I would have enjoyed more time unfolding the secrets from one perspective.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, for the ARC.

Persephone May has no one, and strange things always happen to the people nearby. With no family, no friends, and boyfriend, Persephone is excited to be invited to Wile Island by someone she once knew.

Here, she not only discovers family but also learns she’s a witch, a witch who may have the power to break a terrible curse.

As she learns to control her magic, she enters strange worlds and dimensions, meeting a man in a magical library who can’t leave. Of course, romance deepens between them during her visits.

In the meantime, an evil is emerging as a feud deepens between family members on the island. Can Persephone save everyone and break the curse before it’s too late?

Overall, The Orphan Witch is a cozy and entertaining magical story perfect for fans of Alice Hoffman or The Secret Circle. While imperfect (some parts drag slightly in the middle), this story about sisterhood is an enjoyable, witchy read. Plus, the last third of the book is fantastic.

I’m not sure why I didn’t connect with this book more, I usually love fantasy stories involving witches. This follows Persephone's journey as she finds her powers and searches for her family.

This is a story about finding family.

I don’t think this was a bad book by any means, but I struggled to connect and it felt more like literary fiction with magical elements vs fantasy. That being said the writing was lovely! I think this might be a good fit for readers who typically read contemporary and are looking to branch out.

Thank you so much Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for the eArc!

Great story!!

Description
"Mystical, magical, and wildly original...If Alice Hoffman and Sara Addison Allen had a witchy love child, she would be Paige Crutcher. Do not miss this beautifully realized debut!"--- JT Ellison, New York Times bestselling author of Her Dark Lies on The Orphan Witch.

A deeper magic. A stronger curse. A family lost...and found.

Persephone May has been alone her entire life. Abandoned as an infant and dragged through the foster care system, she wants nothing more than to belong somewhere. To someone. However, Persephone is as strange as she is lonely. Unexplainable things happen when she’s around—changes in weather, inanimate objects taking flight—and those who seek to bring her into their family quickly cast her out. To cope, she never gets attached, never makes friends. And she certainly never dates. Working odd jobs and always keeping her suitcases half-packed, Persephone is used to moving around, leaving one town for another when curiosity over her eccentric behavior inevitably draws unwanted attention.

After an accidental and very public display of power, Persephone knows it’s time to move on once again. It’s lucky, then, when she receives an email from the one friend she’s managed to keep, inviting her to the elusive Wile Isle. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. However, upon arrival, Persephone quickly discovers that Wile is no ordinary island. In fact, it just might hold the very things she’s been searching for her entire life.

Answers. Family. Home.

And some things she did not want. Like 100-year-old curses and an even older family feud. With the clock running out, love might be the magic that saves them all.