A world where witches are hunted and a forbidden romance blooms between a witch who has survived the brutal attack on her coven and the witch hunter captain who actually has been plotting to destroy the witch hunters from the inside. Fritzi is a witch and she lives in a world where witches are being hunted by the hexenjägers, zealot witch hunters. When her coven is brutally attacked and her only surviving family member is taken, she is willing to do anything and destroy anyone in her way to rescuing her family. Otto is a hexenjägers and a captain, the second in command to Dieter Kirch... but that's just his cover. Otto has infiltrated the hexenjägers and has been plotting to destroy from the inside after witnessing his mother being burned alive by his father who accused her of being a witch. Yet Otto's carefully crafted plan goes awry when he runs into Fritzi and now they find themselves forced to work together to rescue all those taken and to destroy the hexenjägers. They both crave revenge but can they trust each other? Yet they are both hiding secrets and an even darker plot is happening at the center of the hexenjägers attacks. Can they find a way to work together, and deal with the very complicated feelings that are growing between them? Can they save the people while getting their revenge? This is the first book in the duology and it was fantastic! I loved the story and the pacing was fantastic. The stakes were high and the tension felt great. I liked the twist and I can't wait for the second book. The story is told in dual POV and I loved getting to see Otto and Frizi work through their trust issues and their path to falling for each other.

<spoiler> Fritzi's coven is brutally attacked and her cousin is taken. Fritzi is a herb witch and can use her magic to heal. Her mother is killed in the attack and she is on the run trying to get back her cousin Liesel. Otto is a hexenjägers but he had planned to infiltrate them, work his way up and destroy them from within. Him and his sister Hilde had been planning to do destroy them for years after he witnessed his father having his mother burned at the stake because he had anger issues, only to die a few months later. Otto's plan is finally set in motion but Fritzi stumbles upon it and thinks that Hilde is a witch in danger and uses a spell to send her away to be protected, not knowing she messed up Otto's plan. Otto is forced to take Fritzi but then explains his plan to her and his truth and asks her help in freeing all those captured by the hexenjägers and for her to bring back his sister. Fritzi doesn't trust him but agrees to help anyways. The more time they spend together the more they begin to trust and fall for one another. Fritzi discovers that Dieter Kirch, the commander of the hexenjägers is actually her brother who had been banned and left, he is now a hexenjägers but is actually capturing, torturing, and killing witches because he thinks it'll make him more powerful and he plans on capturing Fritzi to kill her and force her to give him her magic. Fritzi and Otto manage to rescue Liesel and free the captured and meet up with the coven. They fight against Dieter and barely escape but Otto has killed Dieter's magic and sent him to be punished by the hexenjägers. Fritzi and Otto become bonded (like marriage essentially) and the final chapter shows Dieter getting wild magic (it's chaos magic that is dangerous) and vowing to hunt and kill Fritzi again ( previously he captured her and branded her as torture). </spoiler>

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire, Sourcebooks Fire for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Overall, I’d say 3.5 stars

I’m not really sure why but this took me a while to get into. The beginning was just a little slow to me but things picked up gradually.

This story is set around witch trials in Germany and how big of a role the church plays in it as well. Fritizi and Otto stumble upon each other, coming from completely different sides, and hatch a plan together to reach their loved ones. I think Otto was a pretty interesting character, especially because he fights for what he believes in, talks about religion in his life in a good way, and embraces others and their way of life. I think their relationship had some really cute moments and they help each other quite a bit.

It will be interesting to see how another book will play out.

I received an eARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I think I'm obsessed ! The overall story was so easy to fall into and the writing style of these two amazing authors just kept you coming back for more !

The premise of an enemies to lovers in the form of a witch and witch hunter was, personally, extremely appealing. And so to see the chemistry built between these two felt so satisfying ! I loved their personalities as well as their growth on their own, but seeing them together was truly my favorite.

And while I loved the world building and learning about each new location and event taking place, there were times where the information came on a little too strong. It obviously didn't take away from the story, but it left some areas feeling drawn out.

Overall this was sUCH an amazing, fun, and fast read ! I am so looking forward for the next book !! And thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc !!

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Sourcebooks fire for a copy of this ARC!

I loved the premise of this book and the mixture of history and fantasy. I had never even known about the Trier Witch Trials until the end of this book. The synopsis was so intriguing and right up my alley, and the cover and chapters decals were beautiful. I was really excited to read Night of the Witch, but unfortunately this story was a only a two star for me. The story started our great but became a bit dull, slow, repetitive, and confusing. I did love the magical aspects of it but I felt that the plot and characters were a bit all over the place.
I was not a fan of Fritzi, she went through something traumatic and I sympathized with her at first but suddenly she was being feisty and flirting with Otto so my sympathy was short lived and I couldn't empathize with her when she'd reflect on those traumatic moments and he upset.
There were two moments I was really excited for and they felt anticlimactic, one being the fight between Otto and Bertram and the other being Dieters defeat. I would have loved to see more action and Fritzi displaying her magical capabilities after tapping into wild magic at the end. Although I'm sure there will be more of that I'm the second book!
The romance between Fritzi and Otto felt very rushed although there was some pretty great tension at times. I did like Otto, he was the one character I felt was very well written. I sympathized with him, I cheered him on, I thought he was clever and caring for those around him.
I loved the clever little spells and the meaning and use of herbs throughout the book. I feel that the authors did put in the effort to research material for this book and appreciate that. Overall this book had its ups and downs and I am very grateful for the opportunity to have read it, unfortunately I don't think I will be continuing the series.

This book started out a little slowly and the beginning dragged, but once I passed the halfway mark, I couldn't put it down.. I think I would have liked it even more if the first part had been condensed a bit more. This story attempted an enemies to lovers plot line, but I think it fell just a little short in that aspect for two reasons. The first being they weren't true enemies. They were on the same side form the start, only Fritzi didn't know that. But simply being in on Otto's plan took a little oomph out of the whole thing. The second reason being that a good enemies to lovers needs a gradual shift as they turn from enemies into lovers. This was a bit too instant, like someone flipped a switch for Fritzi and suddenly she completely trusted and fell for the man she thought was her enemy. Even though I knew that she could trust Otto and Otto knew they were reluctant allies, Fritzi didn't really have any evidence and she fell a little too easily. in my opinion.

I did like the overall story, though, The world building was good and there were some interesting twists along the way. It all wound together nicely in the end. I'm intrigued to know where the story will go next.

Overall it was a pretty good read. It did give me strong Serpent and Dove vibes, which I also enjoyed, so if that's you type of story, this one may be as well.

3.5 stars rounded up

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Night of the Witch," with its gorgeous green cover, monumental danger, and arduous journey for vengeance, transforms the true Trier Witch Trials of 1581-1593 into an amazing fantasy story set in medieval Germany.

The first quarter of "Night of the Witch" was hard to read because of how evil certain characters are and the injustice happening to countless innocents. Made me feel equal parts sad and angry, so it took longer than it should have for me to finish reading. But I love that the story wasted no time and jumps right into devastating action. I immediately felt immersed in the story.

Fritzi is a witch with an affinity for plant magic who feels responsible for her coven’s heartbreaking demise. She seeks to find her cousin, Liesel, who’d been taken captive by the hexenjägers, and, if possible, enact some kind of vengeance on the witch hunters.

Otto is a witch hunter who wants revenge against the hexenjägers for burning his innocent mother. He has pretended to be one of them until the right opportunity arrives to take them down for good.

Long-awaited, carefully crafted plans that unfortunately get disrupted by Fritzi’s involvement. But since their goals seem to align, Fritzi and Otto agree to work together on his plan to stage a coup to usurp the bishop’s tyranny and the Kommandant’s cruelty.

I love the strength, vibrance, and hope that Fritzi and Otto’s characters embodied. They reminded me fondly of past characters from Sara Raasch’s books. Full of fire and determination and a willingness to put aside their differences for the greater good.

Amidst the tension and urgency of the situation, Fritzi and Otto develop unexpected feelings and protectiveness for each other. I liked that the romance was more in the background. It seemed to develop quickly, so I hope their relationship will have a chance to deepen and be fleshed out more in the next book. In those rare moments between the action were cute, light-hearted ones that I liked as well.

Things picked up once the characters left Trier. The riveting danger becomes more complicated than they could have expected, drawing you further into the story. There are so many layers and great points of conflict throughout. The twists took me by surprise and made me love this story even more. That last major decision though really will change everything in the next book, which I’m so excited yet anxious about.

"Night of the Witch" was truly a story of “perseverance in the face of great sorrow…” The authors wrote an interesting take on witches and the source of magic. How magic - good or bad - comes down to the choice of the user. I enjoyed the high-stakes plot, how dynamic and full of heart the main characters were, and the creative world-building.

"Night of the Witch" is the perfect heart-pounding, witchy read for the fall season.

Thanks again Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In Night of the Witch ,we met Fritzi a witch who after surviving an attack on her coven who get accidentally captured by a witch hunter Otto. We get learn that there is more to each of them they first thought. The start off as that turns enemies into allies when the realizes they have a common enemy. There is a duel POV between the two of them it helps offer insight into each character.

This book did a good job of combining real life witch trials that happened in Europe and fantasy element of witches being real. It tackled how the real witch trials were of innocent people. It is a fast paced book that does not keep you waiting. The ending of the book leaves you wanting more. The relationship between each of there families is well done.

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I was instantly hooked by the synopsis and the gorgeous book cover.

Overall this was a 4 star read, and probably closer to 4.5 stars.

First off, I really enjoyed this read, I enjoyed the pacing of the adventures, the world, how it was mixed with history and fantasy and the characters.
This was an easy read, the writing was good and clear and it was easy to read through. I really enjoyed the two authors’ writing styles. On top of being easy to read, it was also compelling. The atmosphere is just about real witches during the witch trials in Germany, so there is that fearful religious & spooky element.

The plot was a classic type of witch trials - witch hunter vs witch plot. And of course, we definitely have romance in this. I felt as though the romance happened rather quickly, and it was difficult to believe it at the beginning of the novel. The more we got through the story though, the more believable it did become, but for me, it was a bit of a struggle at the beginning. There are some great twists in this one, ones that I was not expecting and even more at the very end. This will be part of a series so there is definitely more to this! I enjoyed the belt of history with fantasy, blending in the real witch trials at Trier but giving it a fantasy spin. The religious portion of it was light and it wasn’t the focus, rather it more witch hunter vs witch.

Our two MCs, Otto and Fritzi had quite the bond and story arc. From enemies to friends to lovers, and there was quite the tumultuous cluster of emotions while also having an action packed plot as well. I enjoyed the villain of our story as well, and his own origin story. He felt believable and terrifying to the characters in the book. Many of our characters were well developed with their own unique quirks and personalities, they all felt authentic to themselves.

The world building was done bit by bit but was mostly based in already a real world city, with some higher fantasy sprinkled on top. There was also the forest sanctuary/folk that was more fantastical but also built upon existing lore. However, the world building that was done for the covens and the characters and the magic was well done and fun to read. I always want to know more, so I’m intrigued if this will further develop in the later books.

I 100% enjoyed this story and would recommend to any young adult or adult reader as a fun easy read, especially for witch x witch hunter lovers. I would definitely continue the series once more are released in this series, the twists were excellent and am looking forward to more!

Add this book to your October TBR! It's a great fall read for lovers of historical fantasy, YA, and enemies to lovers. Reading this book caused me to do some research on my own about actual German witch-hunt history, and was interesting to me how much of the book lined up with real events. I could not get enough of our two main characters and really related to some of the trauma they were able to overcome. I did feel at times that the world-building was really dumped on the reader, and I struggled to keep up with some of the places and references throughout the book. Overall though, I really enjoyed it and need the sequel now!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest review.

Night of the Witch is a Dark Fantasy - set in an alternate reality of late 1500s Germany during the Trier Witch Trials. It has some pretty extensive warnings, so please consider checking them over before you read.

I really enjoyed this book, right from the start we are already into the fray of a battle. It does a great job of establishing world building while still moving the story along. There is a lot of foreshadowing and anxiety to each of the events of the book, especially in the beginning. You are left or constantly wonder what will happen next, will our characters survive, and what is really going on.

I loved the chemistry between our two mains, Fritzi and Otto. I nearly DNF'd the book after the second chapter because I believed so fully that Otto was our bad guy. (Not a spoiler, the book's description makes that clear). I'm really glad I stuck with it. He is incredibly charming and a born protector. He does have some growing to do in the "I'm a man so I must protect" category. Fritzi is not in the least helpless. She's incredible and I loved watching her growth.

I had some hesitation with this one because I do have some religious trauma in my past, but I thought those elements were done very well. They touched on the atrocities of the church during the Witch trials and how it affected the people, but still gave Otto dialog to support his feelings about faith and struggle with its representation to the masses. There even was a side queer couple, which I love. (We exsist!)

I don't think thus should be rated as young adult. I know there was a lot of controversy over it and the Intimacy levels in this book. That personally wasn't what made me feel it should be rated higher - it was the violence. Specifically if this was a movie, due to the detailed descriptions of it, this would be R rated. At least put it in the New Adult or something older than 16 category.

However, that didn't keep me from enjoying the book, and I look forward to the second one.

I got a free copy through Netgalley, this in no way affected my review.

Night of the Witch is a book I enjoyed very much! It’s nice to read a fantasy book that’s loosely based on medieval Germany, since I’m so close to there and I really liked how the authors implemented this in their book!

I really felt connected to both of the main characters and it was one of the few times where I didn’t like one POV more than the other, so that definitely shows how good both of their writing is!

Also, what the actual h*ll was that villain all about? I saw one of the authors warn us that they went all out on making them as bad as possible, but damn…

Follow me, dear reader into the Black Forest to be enchanted by this new series!

Night of the Witch is a propulsive page turner, historical fantasy set in Germany in the 1500’s. I found the characters to be compelling and the magical elements explained well as the reader makes their through the book, learning new things even as the characters uncover deep secrets.

I found a few things to be predictable but overall a very enjoyable read, great first start to October, and a bit of banter-filled romance to add to your fall TBR!

Perfect for fans of:
- historical fantasy
- books about witches
- enemies to lovers

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Will I read book 2? Of course!

I really enjoyed this book! I like how it was such a good blend of historical and fantasy. I loved the characters and how much they grew over the course of the novel and how much they discovered about themselves. I liked who the villain was but I do wish it would’ve been revealed a little bit earlier on. Overall it’s a great fantasy read!

Having barely escaped with her life when a troop of hexenjägers attacks her village, Fritzi finds herself in their custody anyway when she comes to the aid of another accused witch. The leader of this squad of men is Otto and he covertly tries to help Fritzi. She is rightly suspicious of him though and it’s going to take a lot to earn her trust.
The first volume of a planned duology, it’s an intoxicating mix of magic, suspense and romance. This historical fantasy is a propulsive read with captivating characters. The villain of the story is a really, really scary dude. Loved the description of the forest folk community. It sounds absolutely idyllic. I wasn’t aware of the Witch Trials of Trier and I think the author did an outstanding job of weaving them into the story. It’s alarming to think that someone could accuse their wife or neighbor of witchcraft and they would then be arrested and executed without any evidence. Some disturbing imagery, but overall an excellent read. 4.5 stars

I honestly had no expectations coming into this book. I got it because it was a "read now" on Netgalley and I enjoyed the first Snow Like Ashes book by Sara Raasch. Also I loved the cover.
This book started with a bang! We are immediately thrown into Fritzi's world at the worst point possible. Her mother locks her in the cellar using magic. The hexenjagers (witch hunters) have found their coven and come to burn all the witches. Fritzi is able to get out, but the damage is done. She is the only survivor besides her 9 year old cousin Liesel who gets taken back to Trier by the hexenjagers.
We then get thrown into Otto's world. He is a hexenjager and takes off to capture his sister who he says is a witch. But after travelling for days through the forest, Fritzi happens to hear the arrest. She goes to help Otto's sister and she just...vanishes. So Fritzi gets arrested instead for actual witchcraft.
I was so interested in both of these character's stories immediately. Fritzi was forced to survive alone, searching for her cousin. It was obvious from the get go that she would do anything for her fellow witches and for her family. She was determined and loyal. Otto is devious and cunning, but really a cinnamon roll. I don't want to say too much about the side characters, because I think it would be better and more fun to not give any spoilers at all, but there were a lot I really liked. Dieter, the leader of the hexenjagers however, was pure evil. One of the most ruthless characters I have read about in a while.
Like I said before, we are thrown into both of these characters stories and they are thrown into each other's stories. There are actually a few plot twists near the beginning, one I was expecting and one I was not. After we get these plot twists, the story really gets going and a lot happens. There is never a dull moment. It was a lot, but I was able to follow easily and I thought everything flowed together nicely. The ending was really action packed and intense.
There were a few trigger warnings mentioned at the beginning and they were definitely well worth the mention. Some parts were a little intense, but also really proved how evil Dieter was.
It is indicated this is the first in a series and I would be very interested to continue on, especially with that epilogue!

Night of the Witch, by co-authors Sara Raasch and Beth Revis, is the first installment in what appears to be a duology called Witch and Hunter. Even though this is a fantasy, it's set in a world that reflects our own and it takes place in the Holy Roman Empire which means that a lot of history is strewn across the book. The story is fictionally based on real events that happened in Germany (1591) and later spread across Europe before finding a way to the Salem Witch Trials in what will become America. The story is told in a dual points-of-view.

The only survivor of a brutal attack on her coven in Birresborn where she watched her mother and entire cover slaughter, she’s determined to bring the hexenjägers—zealot witch hunters—to justice for the lives they ended. She also has to make up for a fatal error which I will not spoil. Read the book! Otto is a hexenjäger—but that’s just his cover. He and his sister, Hilde, have been planning their move against the witch hunters for 10 years as a way to avenge their mother, who was wrongfully burned by their father as a witch.

When Otto and Hilde take the first step in their bid to destroy the hexenjägers from within, Fritzi mistakes Hilde for an innocent victim, and her errant protection spell backfires, casting Hilde into the magical ether (The Black Forest) and painting Fritzi as an undeniable witch. Otto is forced to arrest her, his plan for revenge in tatters and his sister missing, while Fritzi is now a prisoner of the very organization she fears most. But after a time, Otto realizes that Fritzi may be his key to rescuing hundreds of people arrested for being witches.

Unwilling to trust each other, Fritzi and Otto can’t deny they have a common enemy. An enemy that is as familiar to Fritzi, as her own face. They team up to stop the hexenjägers and find Hilde. Their quest takes them from the oldest city in Germany to the heart of the Black Forest, through hidden aqueducts to magic wellsprings. As truths come to light and trust shifts, Fritzi and Otto uncover a far more horrifying plot at the center of the hexenjäger attacks . . . but their own growing feelings for each other may be the most powerful magic of all.

*Thoughts*

While the story is entertaining, the final chapters of this book are the most revealing and leads to a stunning, but a wholly not unexpected ending since this is a duology. For years, Fritzi ignored the voice in her head telling her to let go and accept her destiny as a witch who uses wild magic. It isn't until she finds out that her own brother, Dieter Kirch, who has been killing innocent people to gain power for years, that she understands the severity of her own actions that led to her coven's ending. It is also at this point that she and Otto team up to become Warrior and Champion. It was absolutely a good idea to alternate narratives to fill in the blanks as each character is struggling to learn how to deal, and maybe, love the other. I understand that the next book comes out in 2024, but I will be patient in finding out how Fritzi, and Otto deal with what's coming for them.

Thank you to the publisher for an eARC provided via NetGalley for an honest review.


CWs: domestic abuse (memories), unjust imprisonment, body horror, murder, physical torture, psychological torture, emotional manipulation, loss of body control through magical means, child abuse (memories/aftermath), animal abuse (one memory) [Content Warnings taken directly from a page in the beginning of the book]

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the setting of late 1500s Germany. I liked that it was a lesser known setting of witch trials and hysteria than Salem, and I really enjoyed it. I also liked the inclusion of German words throughout (as someone who took German in high school it was a fun test to see what I remembered), but they didn’t impede the understanding of what was happening.
The characters were really well written. Fritzi is a witch who specializes in herbs, plants, and potions and she’s riddled with guilt over the destruction of her village. In her quest to Trier to find and rescue her younger cousin Liesel, Fritzi crosses paths with Otto, a hexenjäger, who arrests her. Fritzi was a great character. Her feelings came through so strongly, and I was able to connect with her during her journey. Otto was also a great character. A witch hunter who doesn’t believe in magic, and who then accepts the existence of Real Witches and protects them on their journey to the Black Forest. Otto was one of my favourite parts of this story, and I really liked his relationship with Fritzi. The progression of their relationship was fantastic, and they had some sweet moments and also moments of fighting and fire.
The pacing of the story was really good. It moved at a good pace, and it didn’t feel rushed. It had moments of fear, tension, romance, triumph, and overall was a fantastic story.

I’ve been highly enjoying star-crossed romantasy with witches and witch hunters. While I did like the differing angle of the witch hunter being a double-agent of sorts, there were parts of this book that fell flat for me, including it being hard to imagine the residences and forced chemistry.

I also get that there were some historic ties here, and it ends with a note about that, but I found myself pulled out of the story with the historic info dumps like these:

“Coburg was the city where Luther translated the Bible from Latin into German, allowing any man—at least any man who could read—to have access to the Lord’s Word.”

“The Bible may be free to be read, but already people within the Protestant religions are seeking to limit interpretations different from their own. The same old prejudices are rising up against the Jews,”

An enemies-to-lovers young adult romance set during the brutal witch trials in medieval Germany, Night of the Witch is an epic, darkly magical adventure.

Beth Revis is one of my favorite authors, so I was so excited to see her delving into a witchy romance alongside Sara Raasch. Shout out to Beth for sending me an ARC of the book!

The tropes of the book were what drew me in - enemies to lovers, historical YA fantasy, and forbidden romance between a witch and a witch hunter. But Night of the Witch very much surprised me with where its plot took me and how it all ended.

Fritzi and Otto are wise beyond their years (religious trauma and baggage will do that), and I loved watching them realize how much they have in common and how their goals align. I also loved Otto's quick realization that Fritzi doesn't need a protector, she needs a warrior to fight with her and for her.

While this book is very much marketed as a witchy romance, I loved the world-building and pacing - especially since all of it was inspired by real history. And just like real witch trials, there are many dark and disturbing aspects of this book, some of it toeing the line between young adult and adult themes.

Speaking of adult themes, since this is marketed to YA audiences (14 and up), there's no "spice" or "smut." However, there is a *bath scene* that definitely steamy without crossing the line into adult content.

Overall, I had a great time with Night of the Witch, and it's a perfect book to release during October's spooky season.

Loved this one a lot its got witchy vides. I would write more but that means I would spoil this for everyone which I do not want to do at all lol. But I will get getting a physical copy of this and doing a reread and vlogging and blogging the whole thing. I highly recommend this to everyone looking for a good witchy vibe book and a good book for spooky season.