Wow, wow, wow! I loved this book. I typically don't like YA books because it's not my age bracket but I loved this novel! It was great from start to finish. Immaculate character and world development! Great read... only complaint, no steam but it's a YA book so that's Ok!

<i> It isn't magic, per se. But then again, maybe it is, </i>

I. LOVE. EVERYTHING.
I like Nature of Witches by same author and requested early copy of Wild is the Witch in a heartbeat. AND WHAT A JOY. It exceeded all my expectations. Nature was good, but Wild is AMAZING.

I love how Iris and Pike's relationship progressed. I love their banters and all the cute and also angsty moments. Love that Pike was not usual YA hero, as in tall dark and mysterious, instead he is not tall and scrawny and infuriating but he is a match for dear headstrong Iris and I love these two dorks with all my heart. THE OWL!! I always love owls and this one is such evil matchmaker I adore him. Oh and Iris's mom and Sarah are so cute together!

Like in Nature, the world building and writing was impeccable. I love how Griffith always made her witches tied with nature power and how they pulled their magic from their surroundings, creating beautiful things from it (well, maybe sometimes curses but hey this one ended up beautifully!). I also love the sanctuary and saving animal bits. It was soooo good.

It was wholesome, adorable, and warm story. I love it so much and wouldn't change a single thing about it. A masterpiece!

Atmospheric and spot on with its anxiety representation. If Wild is the Witch were a person they'd want to hold your hand as you walk through the forest and listen as you talked about life.

A quiet tale, Wild is the Witch is 100% character growth as we watch the two main characters skirt around each other and slowly reveal their hurts and misunderstandings.

What this book does well is understand and accurately convey what it's like to struggle with anxiety. I truly felt seen.

"But that’s the thing about anxiety, it doesn’t care if something is rational or not. It takes hold of your mind and squeezes, tighter and tighter until it can’t be ignored, demanding your undivided attention. It turns from insignificant to all-consuming in the span of a breath, a fog so thick it’s impossible to see through, and no amount of breathing or counting or visualizations undoes it."

But ultimately I found myself wishing for just a little more magic or quirkiness. I found it hard to connect with the characters beyond a surface level and I found them shallower than the characters in the authors' previous work.

I left this book liking what I was given, but just needing something more to seal the deal.

3.75 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this arc in exchange for an honest review

“Magic is an innate part of the world, an extension of it. It works in tandem with things like medicine and expertise and experience. It honors the natural world by working with it.”

Sometimes you’re in the mood something that will just bring you some cozy vibes and happiness, and I feel like this is what Rachel Griffin’s writing does for me.

Wild Is The Witch has gorgeous, atmospheric writing that made me feel like I was hiking through my favorite woods. There is adventure, but not in a loud way, if that makes sense. It’s almost an introspective sort of adventure where you learn a bit about human nature and yourself in the process.

Griffin also makes me feel things; for a book that mostly felt light and quiet, there were parts that overwrought me with emotion (in an excellent way). I loved peeling away the layers of the two main characters, seeing them learn how to be vulnerable and open with each other as they process new feelings and old traumas. The characters are mature in a way most older teenagers probably aren’t; however they’ve both had things happen that have made them grow up more quickly than they should have had to, and there’s a lot of emotional depth and maturity because of it.

The magic, of course, was also lovely. I really enjoy that each of her books has a unique take on the rules and uses of magic, typically having something to do with nature. The ties between nature and humans make animals (and even weather patterns) feel like characters in their own right.

While I felt like most of the book took on a predictable pattern, I didn’t feel like it detracted from the story. It was almost like knowing what to expect helped me to slow down and enjoy it even more.

One big bonus is the anxiety representation. I’m not sure if the author deals with anxiety or if she has known/worked with people who do, but her depictions of it were spot on and incredibly relatable.

“But that’s the thing about anxiety. It doesn’t care if something is rational or not. It takes hold of your mind and squeezes, tighter and tighter until it can’t be ignored, demanding your undivided attention. It turns from insignificant to all-consuming in the span of a breath, a fog so thick it’s impossible to see through, and no amount of breathing or counting or visualizations undoes it.”

Overall I found this to be an enjoyable book that I’m sure I’ll revisit in the future!

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc!

Rachel has delivered another amazing read. Wild is the Witch is atmospheric and mesmerizing. This story about self-acceptance and forgiveness is amazing for everyone to read. If you loved The Nature of Witches, this is definitely a must read. With these two books, Rachel has cemented herself in my must buy authors list.

This book was magical! Iris loves being a witch and the magic that comes with it. So when her coworker says he hates witches, she decides to curse him. Unfortunately for her things get out of hand and now she must retrieve her curse before it destroys everything.
I really enjoyed the story and her interaction with the animals. I would like to see what happens with Iris and Pike.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4.5/5
Writing: 4/5
Steam: none
Plot: 3.5/5
Overall: 4/5

Favorite quote: “But that’s the thing about anxiety, it doesn’t care if something is rational or not. It takes hold of your mind and squeezes, tighter and tighter until it can’t be ignored, demanding your undivided attention. It turns from insignificant to all-consuming in the span of a breath, a fog so thick it’s impossible to see through, and no amount of breathing or counting or visualizations undoes it.”

First, thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Wild is the Witch is a beautifully crafted YA fantasy about a witch who curses her rival and then goes on an adventure with said rival to prevent the potentially disastrous consequences.
There were so many things I loved about this book. The hate to love romance is this book is so cute and it was executed very well. I would say it’s a slow burn, but not excruciatingly slow. The perfect balance of insults and kisses. Also, I absolutely adore Iris. She is very strong and I relate a lot to her struggles with anxiety. I rarely see main characters with anxiety in fantasy novels. It’s not usually the most convenient thing when one is fighting dragons and breaking curses. Iris proves she, and anyone else with anxiety, can achieve any goal and overcome any obstacle.
While I don’t like Pike’s name, I love everything else about him. He’s shy, sweet, and not your typical tortured macho love interest. Don’t get me wrong, I love those, but this is a welcome change of pace. The last half of Wild is the Witch had me wishing it was socially acceptable to abandon my family for a few hours to finish it. But alas, I had responsibilities.
The first half, however, was not as gripping. I found that the catalyst for this novel did not feel organic. Also, in Rachel Griffin’s debut, The Nature of Witches, the protagonist lost her best friend to magic. I didn’t like how similar this was to Iris’s backstory. Given that these novels are already similar in other ways, such as the personality of the love interests, the setting, and that they are both about witches, I would have preferred to not have double BFF trauma as well. Though I did read The Nature of Witches recently, so this would likely be less of an issue for someone who did not read them back to back or who hasn’t read TNOW at all.
All in all, Rachel Griffin is now one of my auto-buy authors. Seriously, this book is incredible. Make sure to get your hands on it on August 2nd!

Spellbinding. If I had to use one word to describe this book, that would be it. From the moment I started reading, to the second I turned the last page this book had my full and undivided attention. I knew Rachel was an incredible author, her book The Nature of Witches was a favorite of mine last year. This further solidified her place on my list of auto-buy authors.
The pace of this book was so fast, one chapter just falling into the next, and I loved and hated it. I loved that it just kept pulling me in. At the end of each chapter I would think, 'I can't stop here, just one more...' and before I knew it, I was at the end. And I hated that cause I wanted to keep going, to remain immersed in this story and these characters and the emotions it evoked in me.
I'm not normally a fan of a fast paced enemies to lovers, I think those sorts of things need time, and if they don't it's usually because the focus isn't in the right place. This book might be the first little baby step in changing my mind. I wasn't 100% on board with it, but I also wasn't mad at it.
I loved the raw honesty of the main characters, and the growth that both Iris and Pike had through out. It didn't end the way I expected, but it did end the way it needed to.
This is one you will definitely want to add to your TBR, so mark your calendar for August 1st or preorder a copy.

I can not properly thank Netgalley and Source Books Fire enough for giving me the opportunity to read this beautiful story. I can't wait to hold a physical copy in my hands.

All thoughts are my own.

Trigger Warnings:
Language, People are burned, Animals are hurt, Sexually suggestive scenes, Death of family member, a compound fracture is described

4.5 Stars
Rachel Griffin has done it again. I loved reading this witchy story!

She brings characters to life who don’t usually get to be main characters. The real, flawed humans we see ourselves in. Iris has a kind, anxious heart. Sometimes that gets her in trouble, like when she curses Pike. The boy who does nothing but annoy her.

Together they will trek through the forests of the Pacific Northwest and find more than they bargained for.

In this book you will find atmospheric writing, enemies to lovers, animals, nature, witches, banter, and romance.

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Rachel Griffin is back again with a heartwarming story full of magic and romance! Wild is the Witch is a cozy contemporary fantasy about grief, forgiveness, and healing and it captured my heart from the very first page. Pick this up if you’re looking for a quick standalone to read and love!

WOW. This was easily one of the top 5 books I'll
read this year. I'm confident in that.
Goodness, I can't say enough about
this beautiful story of magic, nature,
wildlife, love, grief, and healing.
Reading this book was like being
transported to the PNW, and finally having
the space to take a satisfying and
desperately needed deep breath. It has
excellent anxiety rep, and Iris' words
tugged on my anxious little heart strings
time and time again. I felt seen and known
and safe within these pages, and that's a
special kind of book magic. I loved
everything about the characters. The
growth, vulnerability, healthy
communication,
*chefs kiss*. My heart
rose and fell in tune with them throughout
the entire book, which I read within a day
because I just could not stop. I don't want
to say too much more, because I want you
to experience this book with your own
fresh perspective and absorb all the
goodness for yourself.

It’s no secret that I was instantly smitten with Rachel Griffin after reading The Nature of Witches. That is why I was overjoyed when I received an ARC for her second novel Wild is the Witch.
.
Just like with TNOW, Griffin’s second novel is absolutely stunning. Her writing is beautiful, raw, and deeply emotional. She has an amazing affinity for writing strong characters (specially females) who are flawed but are so strong, and willing to work through their trauma and accept the consequences of their actions in order to become the heroes of their own stories.

Additionally, she does a phenomenal job of creating beautiful magical systems that are strong connected to nature and that carry strong messages of ecological conservation. The most amazing part of that it’s all woven into the scenic landscape and culture of the majestic Pacific Northwest.

I seriously recommend reading this book (August release) and TNOW, if you haven’t already. You won’t regret it. I personally can’t wait for my preorder copy and my bookishbox copy to arrive this year.

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✨WILD IS THE WITCH✨

🦉🌲🪶
WILD is an atmospheric read with a moving storyline that fulfills all of your wanderlust and gives you a story that will stay with you for a long time.


A trek through the forest with the boy Iris dislikes, to find the curse she wrote for him.
Along the way, Iris finds out so much more about him and wonders how to tell him she cursed him with the thing he hates.
Becoming a witch.

I loved this book so much. Gave me the feels and made me want to go sit in the pnw forest and just be w nature.


The character arcs were beautiful and I felt compelled to see how Iris and Pike’s stories would end.
The themes and details woven within the tapestry of the story not only highlight the thought, Rachel Griffin put into this book, but also the research.
You can tell when an author does their research, and this book is infused with descriptions and observations that put you right in the middle of the story.
Her details of the Pacific Northwest made me believe I was right there, in the pnw forests hiking with Iris and Pike.
So, If you are looking for a book that is lush with wanderlust and nature while being the perfect enemies to lovers story, then WILD is a must-read for you.
Also, there are so many funny moments, just wait😉😉


Thank you so much for Source Fire Books and NetGalley for letting me have access to an advanced reader copy. Such a privilege!!
And of course, thank you a million times over Rachel for writing this book. I would follow you anywhere. Especially through the pnw😉

Out August 23rd

This is a departure from Nature of Witches in that the magic is much more subtle at times and it has far more contemporary references. The main character Iris shows incredible growth and strength throughout the book and you’ll just have to find out about Pike!

Rachel’s writing once more has me wishing I was a witch who lived in the forest and now has me looking into moving to the Pacific Northwest.

Also, this may be the most attached you’ve grown to an owl since Hedwig, so prepare yourself for that.

This book had me completely hooked. This book to me is about forgiveness. I really enjoyed Pike & Iris’s story. Together they will learn so much from each other. The ending was absolutely perfect. An amazing story with such amazing characters. Definitely a book everyone should one-click.

This book is absolute perfection. I’ve been obsessed with witches since I was a little girl and Griffin’s characters are exactly the kind of witches I dreamed of being. This communion with nature, with the animals and the poetry and emotion with which it’s depicted reads like a love letter to our world.
I couldn’t stop reading this book. I couldn’t stop reading it even when I was so sure I would never like Pike. I couldn’t stop reading it even I thought I would miss the elemental witches from her first book. I couldn’t stop reading it even when it utterly broke my heart and the tears were flowing faster than I could wipe them off.
Being immersed in this kind of magic as if it were a natural part of our contemporary lives was both heart opening and comforting. I can’t wait to read Griffin’s next book.

"Wild is the Witch" felt so real. From the breathless descriptions of the settings to the real life conflicts and changing feelings of the two protagonists, I felt like I was there. Kudos to Rachel Griffin for giving us all of the feels and taking us on a magical vacation. Can't wait for the next saga.

Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley!

Honestly Rachel Griffin is the new YA witchy author that we all need in our lives.
Her writing is phenomenal and she writes such atmospheric books.

Wild is the Witch is a enemies to lovers with witches and an owl that loves to cause trouble for poor Iris.
At first I thought there is no way that Pike will be likeable. But nope Griffin wrote his Arc so well that I was blushing over Pike halfway through.

The most interesting part of the whole book is the way she created a whole new way witches are either created or born. A whole new way witches access magic and use it. It was so bound in Mother Nature and this whole book was like a warm hug in the forest with the scent of pine and a hot cocoa. That cozy!

Definitely an auto-buy author. Will definitely recommend this to everyone!
5/5 sparkly stars when you close your eyes 🤩

Most people think magic is created, that it goes from nonexistence to existence in the span of a moment. That isn't true.
Magic is always present, always close. It exist along with all the atoms and particles of the universe, and when enough of it is brought together, it produces a reaction most would call extraordinary. But the reaction itself isn't the magic, its the existence of it in the first place that is
-Wild of the Witch

Haunted by her past, Iris Gray and her mother decided to move places and have a fresh start,together they run a wildlife refuge (both of them are witches, and their magics are connected to animals)

Under a weird circumstances, Iris found herself wandering in the woods along with Pike (who happened to hate the existence of witches) to chase after an owl.

Wild is the Witch is a contemporary fantasy novel which can easily capture the heart of readers.
It has the elements of nature, witches, cozy setting and what I loved most about the whole book, the author also focuses on mental health issues (anxiety and trauma), plus it has enemies-to-lovers trope and a thrilling adventure in the woods

“You’re strange and surprising, and I’m endlessly curious about the things that take up space in your mind.”
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If you also loved The Nature of Witches you will adore Rachel Griffin’s newest book, Wild Is the Witch. She is the queen of magical realism & thing nature into magic. Urban fantasy done perfectly. I just cannot get enough of her writing style & find myself so thoroughly immersed in her book worlds that I get lost in them in the best of ways.

Read if you like:
•Witchy books
•Animals but especially owls & wolves
•The Pacific Northwest
•Curses
•Enemies to lovers trope
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Coming it at 320 pages of absolute delight, you won’t want to miss this one when it’s published on August 2, 2022!
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Thank you so much to NetGalley & Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC!