Well, this was a little better than Griffin's previous witch novel, but it's still got a terrible forced romance--including the protagonist's mom hugely inappropriately pushing the protagonist into the arms of her mom's intern--and suffers from some pretty contrived plot ideas. Some of the ideas about magic are interesting and well-developed and the world-building provides just enough info to be tantalizing. Maybe Griffin could focus on the development of magic and characters and leave out the bad romances for the next one.

What an enjoyable read. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable. Definitely recommend picking it up if you like witchy books.

Iris Gray is a witch who works at her mom’s animal sanctuary in Washington. When Iris hears her coworker Pike insult witches, she draws up a curse on him – but the curse gets intercepted by an owl. Iris must find the owl and remove the curse before bad things happen, but her mom wants Pike to go on the search with her so Iris isn’t alone. What will happen on this trip?

Another great job by Rachel Griffin! I loved The Nature of Witches, and while I didn’t love Wild is the Witch as much as Nature of Witches, I still really enjoyed Wild is the Witch (both books are standalones so you don’t need to read one before the other). I liked the way the magic system was explained, and that in turn created good world building. It’s a neat magical world dependent on nature and the pace of the book was pretty steady. I did feel like it read a bit more like a romance book with fantasy elements vs a fantasy book with romance, but it was still engaging and easy to read. If you like urban contemporary fantasy romance, then pick up Wild is the Witch.

Thanks to NetGalley and Source Fire for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely adored this book. I loved the characters. I loved how the magic was integrated. I enjoyed that there wasn't info dump. Everything flowed. My only critique is that I felt that the challenges that the characters faced started to get a little repetitive. Other than that, it was stunning.

I hate to give a review for something I just couldn’t get into. The premise was inviting, the beginning was interesting enough, but then it just fell flat. Griffin's writing itself is worthy, but the story details were repetitive and it went nowhere fast, As much as I wanted to like this one, I couldn’t get into the story and stick with it long enough to care anymore.

“He loved the stability and routine, and when it came down to it, he loved those things more than he loved us.” -From Wild is the Witch

3.5 stars

Your enjoyment of this book will largely depend on what you are looking for. If you are craving a YA love story with a sprinkle of fantasy/magical background- pick up this book immediately. You get light world building with another nature based magic like in Griffin’s first book, but a different system entirely. How it really functions/what the rules are certainly lack definition though. There is a council, the outcome of spells seem to matter more than intent though for consequences- but the heart of the story is really a YA enemies to lovers development. Complete with only one tent for a quest that kinda didn’t make a lot of sense, but it forced our two MCs together, so you just have to sit back and enjoy the ride. A gorgeous cover, simple and poignant prose, and an altogether enjoyable read, even if it read a bit younger to me than the author’s debut. I was hoping for a bit more magic than a love story, but I think many teens will be excited to read this.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this fun, quick read!
Iris and Pike were interesting characters to follow, and I liked how their relationship grew and trust in each other was tested as the story progressed.
The Pacific North West setting really drew me in, and Rachel Griffin’s writing was so engaging and atmospheric, it made me feel right at home in this forest charged with magic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a quick fun read. I love the magic and romance and I loved the tie to nature. It is a YA and definitely reads as such so as long as you’re aware of that you’ll enjoy! I ended up telling my book club about it because we do a YA book every 3 meetings and I’m hoping they decide on this one as I’d love to chat with them about it all. I was sucked in and read this in one night

This YA book was fun read! There are witches, a sweet love story, an owl, and curses. Bonus, it all takes place in the Pacific Northwest. The writing as well as the characters are engaging. The book will appeal to the YA audience and is a safe recommendation for those who like a little magic along with romance.

This is a fun YA novel involving a teenage witch, Iris Gray, who accidentally released a curse that was never meant to happen. She has to try to find a way to stop it before it is triggered.

There was a tragedy in Iris's hometown involving Iris and her best friend. As a result she and her Mom have moved to Washington where they rehabilitate wildlife. They love it there and Iris doesn't want anything to happen to force them to leave. They have an intern, Pike, who helps out with the wildlife. There is definite tension between Iris and Pike, and then Iris finds he hates witches.

I really enjoyed the banter between Iris and Pike. I also enjoyed the connection with the animals that Iris has and how she can calm and reassure them. Both Iris and Pike are hiding things from each other that are revealed gradually. There is emotional upheaval and tension. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 2, 2022.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this Arc!!

What a beautiful story!!! I am enthralled by this magical and romantic tale!

I loved the connection between magic and nature, especially with the animals. The enemies to lovers romance made this book for me. I really just adored this story and I can't recommend it enough!

Out August 2, 2022!

I really enjoyed Wild is the Witch. It was an easy, quick read. The prose was quite simple, but this was not a bad thing and allowed me to fly through the book.

I was pleasantly surprised by the way in which Griffin incorporated magic into the modern world. The relationship between Iris and Pike was well written and felt natural.

I would recommend this book to younger readers and people looking for a quick, contemporary fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy.

Rachel's style of writing speaks to my soul. I love the adventures she takes us on in her books. Wild is the Witch was just that, an adventure that took us for a wild ride. The flow of the story was perfect and it kept me interested the whole time. Can't wait to see what Rachel writes next.

Oh. My gosh. I adored this book. I loved everything about it. The vibes. The setting. The characters. I loved the Magic system and how it works with nature rather than against it. Iris was a wholly relatable character and it was fantastic seeing her internal and mental struggles in the form of a strong female lead. And the relationship with Pike and Iris was a treat to watch as it developed. They were both so different and it was modern day enemies to lovers.

This book was fantastical and yet so grounded in the way the fantasy elements were presented and I found myself lost in the woods with the characters.

It also had a perfect ending and I could not have been happier.

So well done. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good book with natural witchy vibes.

When I first laid eyes on this book, I fell head over heels for the cover. I mean it is just stunning.

Wild Is the Witch is the latest release from author Rachel Griffin and is the first book I've read by this author. I found this book to be written well, and entertaining. I'm a huge paranormal romance fan but haven't read many books dealing with witches, so it was fun to mix things up.

I will say there were some elements that were a bit hit or miss for me, but overall, I had fun reading this book. It was easy and not overly complicated. And sometimes that's just what you need when you're reading a young adult romance.

I think this book would be perfect for younger readers who enjoy not only the enemies-to-lovers trope but also enjoy paranormal romances.

Wild is the Witch by Rachel Griffin

Iris Gray is an 18 year old witch who was forced to flee her hometown with her mother, now fully embracing their new life at an animal rescue. Iris struggles with letting anyone in and feels most comfortable with the animals. Until she’s forced to welcome the annoying Pike into her world when she needs his help to capture an injured and cursed owl.

Similar to Nature of Witches, I love how the writing makes witches seem reasonable and realistic in todays world. The way nature is described is truly magnificent. The entire book is like being transported to an incredible forest.

Although I enjoyed it, it was missing something, it never became the amazing wonder that Nature of Witches was for me. There were no jaw dropping lines or stay up till 2 am because I have to finish these chapters. But it was still a great magical YA novel. I really loved Pike and he made the book for me. Iris fell a little flat unfortunately.

I’m super disappointed that I didn’t absolutely love this one, but I just don’t think much will top my love for Nature of Witches. I’m sure this one will still be so loved and appreciated.

Thank you to @sourcebooksfire and @netgalley for my advanced copy, I squealed when my wish was granted. This one is out on August 2nd.

What did you all do for the long weekend? We were in Gull Lake which was really fun and I didn’t even mind the rain since we were able to relax, read and play games.

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Wild is the Witch is the first book I read by Rachel Griffin, a well-executed enemies-to-lovers romance with the curse of being a witch in secret laying between them. The backdrop for this story is the pacific northwest as a wildlife refugee. Iris's family has a magical solid connection with the animals and the desire to keep endangered species from becoming nonexistent. While working at the refugee, Iris meets a young intern who reveals he hates witches. Of course, this creates automatic tension between Iris and Piper, but Piper has no idea that she is a witch for most of the story.
The mixture of the hunt to save an owl who unknowingly carries a curse, the slow burn romance of the enemies letting down their guards, and revealing secrets is the perfect story to be told in an old age forest. I think the author executed the story in a way that can touch many people who love animals, family, and watching enemies become at the least friends but sometimes more.

Another beautiful serenade of a story that truly surrounds your imagination in nature.
Similar yet, completely different from Rachel's first novel, "The Nature of Witches," it was a delightful read that kept me intrigued throughout the whole book.

YA paranormal adventure / contemporary fantasy / MF - Overall 5/5

A big thank you to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Rachel Griffin for granting me an ARC.

I truly loved this book of a young woman's adventures though magic, intense emotion and the world. The way you are pulled through the emotions and the way magic is described is just enchanting. There is a very nature / animal / woodsy vibe throughout with a splash of secrets and anxiety too.

It was hard for me to put this book down following Iris through her journey of worry, issues and finding herself. The characters personalities complemented each other and the banter with Pike is so entertaining it had me smiling. Where Pike and Iris push each others buttons, they also challenge each other to grow.

Here you will find some things like: magic, witches, secrets, forced proximity, anxiety, cheeky animals and personal growth just to name a few.

The after effects of this book had me pausing, breathing in deep and appreciating everything around me a little more.

** Always check age ratings and trigger warning.

"What is coincidence if not a subtle form of magic?"

Just the same as Rachel Griffin's debut novel, The Nature of Witches, Wild is the Witch sparkles with magic, adventure, and romance. I absolutely LOVE Rachel's unique twist on witches, how it's grounded enough to be believable, but she throws in just a pinch of something unexpected making it completely new, exciting, and wonderfully refreshing!

The plot of Wild really draws you in. Being a YA novel, you kind of expect to be able to guess what might happen as the story progresses, but, for me, that wasn't the case. I was thoroughly surprised turning each page. Iris and Pike are both lovely characters, written with heart and it shines through on their journey.

An absolutely beautifully written YA Fantasy! I will read anything Rachel Griffin writes at this point.


BIG THANK YOU to SourceBooks Fire for the ARC to read, review, and enjoy!