The best YA book I have read in a while, 'Wild Is the Witch' depicts the story of how everything can go absolutely wrong when a witch, a curse, and an owl all come together! My first read by Rachel Griffin, this was an absolute treat.

Narrated solely in the first-person voice by our heroine, Iris Gray, we learn early on about the tragedies she has already been subjected to in her eighteen years. Moving to the Pacific Northwest for a fresh start, she and her mother found peace in the picturesque area, and have reciprocated by opening an animal refuge for wild animals. However, Iris is no ordinary teenage girl- she is a witch. And though she has assimilated into her new home, there is one annoying issue she cannot get past- and his name is Pike Alder. An intern at the refuge, their relationship is contentious, as Pike's arrogance and confidence set Iris' teeth on edge. And worst of all his qualities? He hates witches. Using an inherited method from her deceased grandmother which usually helps balance her, she puts a severe curse on Pike, expecting that it would amount to nothing. Cue a series of unfortunate events! She now has to remove the curse, with Pike's help, all without him learning she cursed him in the first place. A trip through the forest brings unexpected knowledge, and Iris comes to realize there is more to her coworker than meets the eye.

As stated earlier, I really enjoyed reading this novel. Griffin's ability to describe the Pacific Northwest must be lauded, as I felt like I was trekking through the wild with Iris and Pike. The illustrations of lush greenery, mountain views, and wild animals (especially MacGuffin), all had me so immersed in this, that it was hard to put it down. Admittedly, I am a mummy of two small ones, so I never get to read the way I would like; however, when I did get the chance, I was all in! I also loved the evolution of the relationship between our two protagonists; that slow burn, enemies-to-lovers trope is my absolute favorite, and this time around was no exception. Pike was the perfect mixture of alpha and sweet, and Iris' idiosyncrasies spoke to me because they were so realistic-who has life figured out at eighteen, anyway?

I am hard-pressed to find negatives about this, as this was as flawless of a YA book as I would expect. As such, I give 'Wild Is the Witch' a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, for all the reasons listed above. I recommend this novel to persons who love fantasy and YA novels. As there are minimal descriptions of romantic acts, this is safe for people as young as early teens to read. There are no instances of obscene language or major triggers, so once again appropriate for the audience for which it is intended. Griffin has surely made a new fan, and I definitely plan to go check out what other gems she has written!

*A great many thanks to Netgalley, Rachel Griffin, and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC. It is important to note that I was under no commitment to provide a positive review, and all opinions are undoubtedly my own.*

A cautionary tale of a witch using her magic to curse someone, intending to dispel it into the earth as a way to relieve her angst, but the spell is stolen by an owl capable of spreading the curse to the entire region. She and the man she cursed have to work together to find the owl and make sure it stays alive long enough for her to dispel the curse before it gets loose. It's a great story of learning to control your gifts, and of being honest with those who can help you. Well written and developed as it unfolds. It was almost a 5 for me, but something was lacking, so I gave it a 4.

It beautiful love story with some witchcraft on a side.
We have here Iris and Pike, enemies turned lovers, lots of hate-attraction dialogues and some family traumas from the past.. MacGuffin is definitely my favourite character.

I'd definitely recommend this book to everyone romance fans.
Fantasy part was beautiful and I would love to read more about this magic world created by Rachel Griffin, these were my favorite parts, maybe some book about sisterhood and friendship in the future?
But I wouldn't call it a "fantasy" novel because it is 90% romance with dialogues and interaction between two people only and for some readers it could a little misleading if they expect a traditional fantasy.

This is my first Rachel Griffin book, and I am super impressed. The story is told in a straightforward but compelling way, the characters are sympathetic but still act like young adults, and the world building is interesting and comprehensive. It was fun and fast.

After tragedy, Iris and her mother left their home to start over. They now run an animal sanctuary, but Iris hasn’t been able to move on and constantly dwells on the past and closes others off. This is her story about guilt, rectification, and healing. It also has humor and a pretty cute enemies-to-lovers storyline.

<I>Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire</I>

As you hike along with Iris and Pike in his eerie rescue mission, you feel the forest and its wilderness surround you. A great, immersive experience.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the early read.

I have read the first book before and I liked it but this one is much better in my opinion.

The Immersion, nature, and the atmosphere are all great and bounds the reader into an adventure that would last a lifetime. We should not forget the romance because it was executed well and I want more of it.

Thsnk you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Griffin's cozy low fantasy witches are just so incredibly enjoyable to me. Her genre of emotional stories that feel so real and relatable told alongside a contemporary world steeped in magic just hits me right in my soul. 100% auto-buy author for me.

As a fantasy romance, Wild is the Witch gets me in all the right places. A loathe-to-love story catalyzed by interfering wild animals at a rescue center; a camping trip with a delightful One Tent trope for my favorite, Forced Proximity; and secret identity. Sign me up EVERY time.

I was at first attracted by the beautiful cover and the captured by the intriguing plot. Well written and plotted, this story keeps pulls you in with its interesting characters and great atmosphere and emotions. And there is plenty soul soothing neuter and animals.

Iris and her mom run a non-profit wildlife
refuge in the Pacific Northwest.
Iris, secretly a witch, has a wolf friend named Winter and a northern spotted owl that always be watching her. Iris loves being at the refuge-but she hates Pike, the arrogant intern who works there with her.

This story ignites when Pike reveals his hatred for witches. I was pulled along with events as they unfolded, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this wonderful book!

"I never used to have secrets, and now I cling to them as if they're my lifeline."

Wild is the Witch takes you on an adventure filled with magic, curses, nature, and some good old fashion enemies to lovers. What's not to love? I myself am a huge outdoor person so I truly enjoyed getting to read about two rivals forced to go backpacking together to go get back a cursed owl before it releases the curse and potentially kills most of the population in the region. No pressure, right?

"That's the thing about magic: people want to see it and feel it almost as much as they want to dismiss it entirely."

The story focuses on Iris, a young witch who had to move across country with her mom after a traumatizing experience that haunts her to this day. After Iris accidently curses an owl that could have major consequence if the curse was released, she is forced to go on a trek with the intern, Pike, who works at her mom's wildlife refuge who takes great pleasure in making Iris's life difficult. Oh, and did I mention Iris's partner in crime is a witch-hating boy who has no idea why the owl is so important? What could possibly go wrong?

"That's one of the worst casualties of being hurt by someone who was never supposed to hurt you: you start to question all the beautiful things that led up the the ugliness, start to wonder if some of the moments you thought were perfect were actually painted with a dirty brush."

I loved this heart wrenching story of acceptance and healing. Wild is the Witch is the perfect book to get lost in for an afternoon if you are looking for something on the shorter and witchier side.

This book was like a breath of fresh air and a cozy sweater you want to wear all the time.
I hadn’t read anything from this author before so I went in without any bias. After just one book, I can assure you this will be an auto read now for me.
Being more of a contemporary fantasy, it was enjoyable in the beauty and simplicity of the magic and how pleasing the descriptiveness of the magic really was. The romance aspect of this story was executed well without being cheesy for an enemies to lover trope.
Iris was vulnerable without being passive and submissive. She was exactly what I wanted for a FMC. Pike was cocky and full of himself, but not in a bad way. He was alluring and charming and even if you didn’t love him at the beginning you did by the end.
Ultimately, a beautiful story and my only complaint is that I wanted more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC of this eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Free. Wild. Beautiful.

I absolutely loved Wild is the Witch! I was hooked from the very beginning to the very last word. Rachel Griffin is officially an auto buy author for me. Her writing is addicting, descriptive and so atmospheric. This is one of those stories that made me what to turn back to page one after finishing it just so I can experience it all over again!

I really liked Iris! She had such a deep love for magic, animals and nature. Pike was great too! He was sarcastic and super observant. The hate to like romance was so cute. The banter between Pike and Iris was 10/10 perfect! There were definitely some good laugh out loud moments. I also loved the emotional moments when the two were honest about their feelings & their pasts. Both characters were able to learn from each other and see things from a different point of view.

This story is full of witchy goodness. The magic system was simple and thoroughly explained. A witch’s magic works with the natural world. They cannot create something out of nothing. There are limitations. I think this book would be perfect for someone who is dipping their toes into the fantasy genre.

Overall, Wild is the Witch was everything I wanted it to be plus more! It’s a beautiful story all about magic, healing and trust. It’s definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. I will never stop talking about how amazing it is! I cannot wait to have a finished copy on my shelves.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Iris Gray has been a witch for her entire life and has always adored her magical powers. Through her magic, she can connect with the earth and the animals and feel at peace. But ever since a magical accident occurred to her best friend, stripping her of her magical powers, Iris is wary of trusting people. When one day, Iris accidentally lets loose a curse, she has to embark on an adventure with the infuriating intern Pike to stop the curse whilst trying to hide the secret of her powers from him.

This book features beautiful whimsical writing, which transports you into the woods Iris and Pike wander. The author has truly a way with words, and the atmosphere she could create through them astounded me. I loved the characters, which faced their own fears and insecurities, but ultimately grew so much during the book. I immediately felt a connection with our both protagonists and adored the kindling romance, especially since they started as somewhat enemies. The magic system was well-crafted, and I loved the way it was rooted in nature. I loved every second of this intriguing book and can't wait for the author's next book.

This book started out so strong! Loved the premise and world building. Around the 1/3 mark though I felt like the book plot started to stagnant. I wanted more adventure and exploring the world, but this is definitely more of a character driven novel. Also, this is not a drawback, more romance than I expected. I loved the writing and I am interested in trying more from this author.

Interesting take on the power of witches and how they use their powers.
Iris Gray knows the ramifications of misusing her powers, after a tragedy in her previous town, she leaves with her mother to start fresh. Keeping her magic a secret is not easy, especially when the young man she works with, Pike, infuriates her no end. When a curse goes wrong, Iris must do everything in her power to stop it from unleashing and it's Pike who helps her along the way.
Wild is the Witch was an interesting and easy read and perfect for readers who love nature.

Wild Is the Witch is a great YA book about a witch named Iris who accidentally curses the guy she works with. Iris has a unique ability with animals which comes in handy at the rehab center she works at with her mom. Pike also works there and constantly bothers Iris. One day he mentions his hatred for witches and she takes note. When her frustrations reach a boiling point Iris has a ritual where she creates curses but gets rid of them, however, this one is snatched by a rogue owl and flies away. If the owl dies the curse will come true and the owl is an amplifier meaning that it jacks up the curse to a super curse so anyone in the vicinity will also be cursed. A big problem. So she sets off with Pike to find the owl. I really liked the chemistry between the two mains, they really despise each other at the start but that changes as time goes on. Iris is a strong character who is thoughtful and caring, I really loved her right from the get-go. I also loved the whole witch component. The witches in this book seem so natural and real, it's like it is the way they are supposed to be in nature helping those who need it. It all felt perfect. The atmosphere was fantastic, I could really picture the storm's power and the relentless rain as they hiked up the mountain. All in all, this is a great story with awesome characters that you won't soon forget.

Enemies to lovers, nature vibes, and witches. I mean, what more could you ask for?

Rachel Griffin is queen of nature-witchy vibes. THE NATURE OF WITCHES, Griffin’s debut novel, featured witches with magic that was tied to nature. WILD IS THE WITCH features a similar concept and I wondered if I’d find myself reading a similar story, but the magic and witchy-ness in Griffin’s sophomore novel is unique and equally wonderful.

Iris Gray is used to hiding herself, especially her identity as a witch. She spends her days working at a wildlife rescue, where she can use her magic in secret. When her emotions become too much, Iris writes curses, like her grandmother taught her, and this happens all too often thanks to intern Pike Alder. The system works until one day, an owl swoops down and steals the curse Iris cast for Pike. To make matters worse, the owl is a powerful amplifier, which could not just turn Pike into a witch, but everyone in the entire region! To capture the owl and avoid terrible consequences from the Witches’ Council, Iris must enlist Pike’s aid to track the bird and retrieve the spell before everything is destroyed.

This lovely novel features loathe-to-lovers, forced proximity, and there’s only one tent tropes. It’s lush Pacific Northwest setting and visceral atmosphere provide a perfect backdrop for slipping into this story. It’s a story that feels new and familiar at the same time.

In typical Rachel Griffin fashion, romantic elements transcend surface level attraction and digs deeper to an attraction that comes from spending time with another human. This story explores vulnerability, forgiveness and what it means to grieve and move through pain of loss.

WILD IS THE WITCH is a perfect read for anyone who enjoys atmospheric stories that pull you in and tug at your heart, all while including light magic.

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*eARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

I adored Rachel Griffin's Nature of Witches, and while Wild is the Witch isn't quite the same level of fantastic, it is still very good.

The rivals to lovers romances is absolutely fantastic!

I loved the first novel— The Nature of Witches and was so excited for this one! This novel is completely different but written in the same style that I love from this author. It was a simple comforting read in all the best ways. I felt immersed in the PNW — the setting of the sanctuary and the forest really came to life for me. A great story, with elements of romance and adventure— this is a great YA read for anyone interested in witches, fantasy, or the environment. Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Fire for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

From the first pages, I was transported back to the atmosphere of #TheNatureOfWitches : the moody Pacific Northwest setting which Rachel Griffin's spell brings to life.

Iris Gray is a witch, a teenager, and a girl living with anxiety and trauma- all of which combine to set up a story that keeps you glued to the pages. The love interest, Pike, is in many ways Iris's mirror image, down to his backstory- which makes for an interesting dynamic. This book might also be a new trope-variant namer because, you guys...there's ONLY ONE... TENT! 🏕 In the wild! In the storm!⛈️

I especially connected to the anxiety representation, which is amazingly well done. I found myself nodding along to Iris's anxious thoughts over and over again. 💙