Member Reviews
I made it 3/4 of the way and DNF. I just could get into the book. I was struggling from chapter one. I loved the ideas in this book and I really wanted it to be good so that’s why I kept going. The quality of write was that and the plot was good at times, but just was bored and confused a lot.
I’m so sorry but I couldn’t get into this book. The trigger warning in the beginning letting you know what to expect did help but my family is currently dealing with a lot of these trigger warning and seeing them in the book kind of made me uneasy. My brother is doing better but not fully there. But I can say it was cool to see the witch trial’s through a different mind. I wish I could have given this book 5 stars but it just wasn’t sticking with me. Thank you again for letting me read this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.
I enjoyed this story. It was engaging and I kept wanting to. know what happened next. The mixture of true historical places and events and fantasy worked very well. The characters were easy to love and I was rooting for Otto and Fritzi the whole time.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
4/5 stars.
I’ve never really read a book about witches like this one and it was incredible. The world building and magic was wonderful, the writing and storytelling was moving, and the characters had me invested. I do wish the pacing was a bit quicker, and sometimes Liesel’s joy felt like forced comedic relief, but overall this book was great. I would definitely recommend or buy it as a gift and the epilogue sets up a potential sequel very well.
A very interesting story about the persecution and hunting of witches in Germany in 1591.
In this story, fantasy is intertwined with history. I enjoyed reading this story because I had the opportunity to visit Germany and Trier I even have a photo in front of Porta Nigra.
When I visited Trier, I had no knowledge about witches at that time. One more reason to come back! DANKE!! to the authors for this great story!
If you like to read about witches and the trials and persecutions they went through, that in my opinion they were unfair and when you read this story you will know why I say it, this story is for you!
This one could have been so much better. I mean you have these two amazing authors and this is what they give us? UGH (insert internal screaming here). I was so bored!! I should have DNFed this one but I have read everything these authors have done and I was so excited for this. But it was a full fail. The relationships felt forced and the story itself with the plot was just confusing and slow and I just didn't care about anyone.
This book was absolutely beautiful. I adore the characters and I love the pacing. Everything was just so magical and had such a deep meaning. This book had an enormous amount of quests and missions and problems to overcome making it very action packed, but not in an overwhelming way. Everything was so well structured and thought out, there isn't much to not love about this book. I definitely would've enjoyed more a slow burn since the trope is enemies to lovers, but it was cute nonetheless. and the cliffhanger at the end? 10/10. I can't wait to read the second book.
The only issue I've had is with some of the german words not being used correctly or spelled wrongly ( I read an arc so I know there are typos, but this is regarding the word 'scheisse' which in the book was spelled out every single time as 'schiesse', so definitely not a typo) and the word 'unverschämt' which was used in a context where it translates to stupid, but the word actually means rude/impertinent. But to a non German speaker I personally don't think this will even matter.
Disclaimer: I did receive an ARC from netgalley, but all opinions are my own.
This is a beautiful and riveting story about wonderful characters.
I would certainly revisit this wonderful novel again. Just perfectly concocted for lovers of anything witchy with just a tinge of fantasy, history, and romance. Please do be mindful of the book because it is as real as anything under the sun. It burns and grips so hard.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me riveted from page one. It’s a romantic fantasy that has elements of real history incorporated into the story. It focuses on the witches and witch hunters of sixteenth century Germany. These men, obsessed with removing all witches and all traces of magic from their empire weren’t picky about who they labeled witch. All it took was for someone to say that their wife, husband, neighbor, shopkeeper was a witch, and their word was taken as truth. This meant that innocent, non-magical, normal people were imprisoned, branded, and burned as witches. It was a true genocide, and the book nicely relates it to the banishment and murder of Jews in that same timeframe. It’s heartbreaking. And with today’s political climate, all too likely for something like this to happen again.
The writing is superb. Given that there are two authors for this book, it’s seamlessly written and plotted. It’s perfectly paced. The characters are excellent and, save one, completely believable. Fritzi is a teenager who is overlooked when her small village is set upon by the hexenjägers. She sees the witch hunters, led by her own brother, burn her mother at the stake. All she knows at that point is that she must run toward Black Forest where the forest folk will protect her.
Her trip isn’t easy or without difficulty. She’s incredibly strong as she watches her world crumble around her. She deals with the problems as best she can, and finds herself in even more complicated trouble when her path crosses that of Otto, a hexenjäger. What she doesn’t realize is that Otto is different. He has a plan, and he needs her to help him execute it.
This is a story about dysfunctional families, false accusations, extreme cruelty, and mental health. There is one character who is clearly a megalomaniac, willing to do anything to harness all the magic and power in the world. It falls to Fritzi, with Otto’s help, to try to stop that character. The ending beautifully sets things up for another book to follow the the characters of Ftitzi, Liesel, Otto, and Deiter. I strongly hope there will be a second book.
I felt true empathy for Fritzi, for all she lost and suffered. I respected Otto, for his heroism, strength, love, and willingness to risk all to save lives. I detested, loathed Dieter. I found myself wondering if it was his magic that drove Dieter insane, or jealousy of Fritzi, or if it was due to genetics?
This book creates a wonderful world, one with both good and evil aspects. There is some violence in this book, some scenes that were incredibly difficult to get through, but those actions mirrored the historical and brutal mistreatment of innocent women and men.
The only thing that jumped out at me as not fitting was the idea that Fritzi and Otto craved the smell of each other. I found this very hard to believe given that they were dirty, sweaty, hadn’t bathed in who knows how long, and they were covered in who-know-what kind of disgusting muck. Despite how it’s described, I can’t find anything sweet-smelling about that. It’s a small complaint, and something I could, and did, overlook.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it if you enjoy paranormal, historical, romantic fantasy. I’m hoping there’s another book to continue what this book began.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.
I truly enjoy witchy fantasy. This book was an interesting read. The first half and last half feel like completely different books. The first is more like historical fiction with a touch of magic thrown in. The second is full-on dark fantasy. I would have rated this book better had there not been such a strong disconnect for me. I enjoyed the second half much more than the first.
There were a few jaw dropping reveals which is always fun. The villain is truly unhinged but we don't even know who it is until halfway into the book. Sometimes while reading all I could think was, "Whaaat...?!"
In a way, this book feels very political. Religion is corrupt (hence the witch trials) and nearly everyone, whether they agree or not, are complicit. There is talk about the Christian God and Pagan Goddesses.
The magic system, more nuanced than simple light and dark magic, is changing by the end of the book, so it will be fun to see what happens next for our Champions and Warrior.
I was given the opportunity to read this for free by the generosity of the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book turned out to be everything I’d hoped it would be! I fell in love with Fritzi - she always wants to do the right thing, like taking care of her family and others before herself. And Otto was a complete surprise! I felt like this book was a good old man saving the women's story. And it kind of made me feel a tiny bit uncomfortable. But as I read more, I actually discovered that it is more of a man giving the space for women to save themselves kind of plot and it was a very nice surprise.
Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire, for my free digital copy in exchange for review.
While some may find the romantic aspect of this book appealing, with its enemies-to-lovers theme, my personal enjoyment stems from three particular elements within this spellbinding novel.
What truly captivates me about Night of the Witch are three distinct aspects - the atmospheric setting, the unexpected plot twists, and the formidable antagonist. Set against a historical backdrop inspired by European witch hunts, this book immerses readers in a dark and intricate world where politics, religion, beliefs, and cruelty intertwine.
As I delved into Night of the Witch's pages at a deliberate pace, I discovered that each turn brought forth new revelations. The authors skillfully dropped twists at precisely the right moments to gradually unveil a missing piece of the story. In fantasy novels like this one, I don't typically seek out surprising plot developments; however, this book delivered unexpected and significant twists that kept me engaged throughout.
Last but certainly not least is the villain who defies conventional expectations. This antagonist possesses both cruelty and an unparalleled level of power and cunningness. The epilogue hints at their might in such a way that even our protagonists remain oblivious to what awaits them. As someone who appreciates well-crafted villains in literature, I eagerly anticipate exploring further character development and plot arcs within this series.
Night of the Witch offers more than romance; it presents an intricately constructed world framed by history while delivering unforeseen plot turns alongside a powerful adversary.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for allowing me to read and review Night of the Witch! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Night of the Witch is a mixture of YA and New Adult Fantasy with an enemies to lovers romance between a witch and a witch hunter. Fritzi is the last surviving witch of her coven after a horrific massacre is lead by Kommandant Dieter Kirch. Otto Ernst is a witch hunter and second in command under Kirch, but that is just his cover. Otto climbed the ranks to take revenge on Kirch for murdering innocent citizens and his mother. When Fritzi is captured by Otto's band of witch hunters, they both have to trust the other and agree to follow out their common goals together: take out Kirch, save Fritzi's cousin, and find Otto's sister.
Night of the Witch is a dark, ominous, and haunting read. It's set in Trier, Germany based on the 1500s witch trials. There was a constant paranoia of anyone being a witch and many innocent lives were lost due to misconstrued religious beliefs and fear. There are two points-of-views as we follow both Otto and Fritzi during this nightmare of an era. I do love that both authors did not sugar-coat the witch trials and they show how dangerous it was to live in Trier.
I liked the magic system and how there are different kinds of witches and the variety of ways they use their magic. The romance between Fritzi and Otto is what I wish Serpent and Dove was, though I do think that if you enjoyed one then you will definitely enjoy the other. I liked how much they hated one another and the trope of 'enemies to lovers' is used properly here. So many times books are categorized as such and it's merely just a rivalry or a short dislike. The story is captivating and kept me hooked until the very end. I'm very excited for book two and I'm anxious to know what will happen next.
4.75 stars
I am still going to give this 5 stars because it was good but I personally didn’t enjoy it fully. I feel like I didn’t appreciate what was going on. I truly wanted to love this book and I will absolutely give it another try!
This book is a great story, but beware...the trigger warnings at the beginning are valid.
Although the book is fiction, the authors did not sugarcoat the abuse inflicted on women during the witch trials. I had to read the story in small doses. I am very glad I did not give up, but it was difficult at times. After completing the story and seeing the arc of the narrative, I can see the value of the story. I am conflicted about rating the book. Did I feel that the book was excessively long because I had to keep putting it down or was it really a very long story? If a sequel is written, I will not be reading it, but I am glad I read this story to completion.
A green witch and a witch hunter work together to dismantle the evil that has been accusing and killing innocents. What they discover will change everything for themselves and magic. Let’s find out!
Read if you like: dual POV, historical fantasy, witchy books, YA paranormal, Serpent & Dove, Nina and Matthias from Six of Crows, witch trials, opposites attract, enemies to lovers, questioning and finding faith, a lovely slow burn that develops naturally.
Fritzi, a green witch, must save her cousin and stop Kommandant Dieter Kirch, the leader of zealot witch hunters, who destroyed the rest of her coven and their village. Her pursuit leads her into the path of Otto, the Kommandant’s second, who has secretly been working against the hunters for years to avenge his mother who was innocently accused and burned for witchcraft. This unlikely duo enacts a plan to save more innocents and take down the Kommandant once and for all. There is an undeniable spark in all of their interactions that bonds them in inexplicable ways. As they work together for revenge, they uncover a greater evil than they ever imagined.
I adore this book! First of all, I always love a witch/hunter, wild woman/pious man type of trope so this is my peak enemies to lovers moment. We get a great story of unlikely allies who would never expect to ever align with the other AND it’s all set alongside a real event from history. The Salem Witch trials might be ‘popular’ but they are surely not singular in their existence. Night of the Witch takes us to Trier, Germany in the late 1500s and the setting adds so much to the urgency behind Fritzi and Otto’s work.
Otto is working to set innocents free and to save his Faith from zealots who are twisting it for nefarious reasons. Fritzi is attempting to save her family and keep magic alive in the world. This wonderful juxtaposition of belief systems and their ability to find common ground, respect, and love that adds such a hopeful air to the story beyond the paranormal elements. The pacing is great, the twists are fantastic, its YA deliciousness with all the historical flavor to keep you in the right mindset. I can not wait for book 2 because I can tell this is going to be a great journey for everyone!
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC for review.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the copy of this book!
“We are not born into our nature; we choose it. And although the people and places around us may influence our lives, our decisions seal our fate.”
A new book for your witchy reading! Night of the Witch is based on the Trier Witch Trials in Germany, but is also perfect for lovers of NA fantasy romance - it’s such a great blend of genres!
Fritzi survives an attack on her coven and is determined to retaliate against Kommandant Dieter Kirch, who leads many of the witch hunts and burnings. On her way, she ends up with an unlikely teammate: another hexenjäger (witch hunter) named Otto.
Night of the Witch is an adventure filled with forbidden love, forbidden magic, and lots of action and twists. This is one you won’t want to put down!
Read if you like:
- Serpent & Dove
- Enemies to lovers
- Witches & hunters
- Historical witch trials
Fritzi survives an attack on her coven, and is determined to find and bring down the witch hunters responsible. Along the way, she meets Otto, the second in command of the witch hunters. Otto secretly is trying to bring down the witch hunters from the inside out. Can Fritzi and Otto work together to bring down their common enemy?
The book synopsis is intriguing, but this didn't fully meet my expectations. The romance felt forced and unnecessary. It didn’t contribute to the plot in a meaningful way, it was just kind of there. The world building was my favorite part, but I feel like it could have been expanded on even more if extraneous parts of the plot had been removed. The plot was a bit all over the place. Regardless, the cliffhanger ending has me intrigued, and I’d probably pick up the next book in the series to see what happens next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
All they want from witches is silence.”
Y’all. This book was so good.
And this one NEEDS to be on your radar. I went in hesitantly as I’ve been bummed by a couple witchy books lately, and I completely devoured this book and become totally obsessed.
Why You Should Read It:
🌙 Forbidden Romance
🌙 Family Love
🌙 Historical fantasy
🌙 Witch Trials
🌙 Based on Medical Germany and their true witch trials
🌙 The Witch Hunter believing witches aren’t real meets an actual witch
🌙 Revenge
🌙 Great tension
🌙 Infiltrating the witch hunters to stop the bloodiest witch burning in history
Seriously go read this. I really loved it.
Night of the Witch is the compelling story of a witch and a witch hunter. When Fritzi and Otto first meet, they couldn’t be more different. In fact, they're actively enemies. Otto seems to be trying to burn as many witches as he can, while Fritzi is trying to find her beloved cousin before it's too late. But Fritzi soon learns there’s more to Otto than meets the eye. Revenge unites them and they are forced to trust each other to survive. Will Fritzi and Otto be able to escape the witch burnings?
I love stories about witches and Night of the Witch was a satisfying tale! The dynamic of a witch and a witch hunter being forced to work together really appealed. Otto took some time to grow on me, but by the end I liked his character. Fritzi felt very relatable and easy to connect with. I hope to see more of their romance in the next book! The villain felt a little extreme, though it made for some exciting fight scenes. Readers who enjoy stories about witches, the witch trials in medieval Germany, and enemies-to-lovers need to check out Night of the Witch. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Thank you so much to Sara Raasch, Beth Revis, Sourcebooks Fire, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc