⭐️: 3 / 5

Publication Date: October 24, 2023

I want to thank South Window Press, and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The prose in this story is quite poetic and atmospheric. There’s rhythm and rhyme from the beginning and is carried through to the end. Some of the characters are fascinating and a joy to encounter. There’s also some references to the bard towards the end which ties well to the word play at the beginning and in the rest of the story.

As for my reservations, from the beginning I felt lost with what was going on. While this can be a great device to add intrigue and propel a reader to continue reading, I felt that in this instance, there was too much confusion and ended up being a hindrance. Some of the reveals were predictable and by and large the characters were just okay.

Overall I thought this was good, just not my cup of tea. The rhyming didn’t work for me nor did the near constant sense of confusion. However, some of the characters were intriguing and the ending really was wonderful.

Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Fantasy
- Witch character
- Atmospheric
- Character driven stories
- Rhyming and wordplay

⚠️ grief

In the prison city, one can live many lives, but once reborn, you have no memory of lives prior. The MC is a Witch and the one who came before her used magic to leave pieces of her memory behind to help her escape. But as far as she can tell, there is nothing outside of the prison city and the gaps in memory prove difficult to fill. She needs to rely on help from others, but to ask for help is to put them in danger.

Magic is used but this is not your typical witchy story. The writing style is unique. I think this book would do well with a particular audience. Those who have an extensive vocabulary, a love of learning new words, or even those who partake in eReaders that can easily lookup the unknowns will enjoy this book. Those who pick up a novel and want to get lost in a new world or try to put pieces of a puzzle together will also enjoy.

For those who set reading goals of 100s of books/year, are into speed reading to keep up a high amount of new IG content or just generally like to breeze through books, this won't be your cuppa tea.

I really enjoyed the ending of this book! I did not see it coming.

Thank you #netgalley, the author and South Window Press for the ARC!

This book had “Girl Who Drank the Moon” vibes, which is cute, but sadly I had to DNF this book. The nonsensical ramblings of the witch take some commitment to follow and I will need to be in the right headspace to finish this book. Maybe next year.

My thanks to NetGalley and South Window Press.

Osylum is a prison city, designed to keep people in and escape is the most forbidden word in this cage. Even thinking it can get you erased from reality. Oneirotheria is a “foundling” witch who finds herself in trapped in Osylum with no idea of who she is, where she is, and only fragments of someone else’s memories in her head to help her along. Will she be able to unravel the clues left to her by unknown allies (or are they enemies?), or is it possible the clues to achieving the impossible escape were left there by her own hand?

Confession time: I honestly didn’t think I was going to make it through this book. The first chapter failed to catch me, I found it a little confusing and hard to follow. But boy-howdy am I glad I stuck with it. This book is an absolute delight and I had so much fun reading it. This is a type of book that is not normally in my wheelhouse (I hesitate to call it YA, but it certainly could fit that genre comfortably). Instead what I got was a faerie tale/fable/adventure yarn.

Jake Burnett is a master wordsmith. His writing here is stylized and playful, energetic and light. For someone who delights in wordplay and linguistics, this is a book for you. He plays with language in this book endlessly, dissecting words and phrases, playing games with meaning, and slinging puns and mad concoctions of phrase with secret wisdom at their centers. It’s like if Lewis Carroll had decided to write The Hobbit instead of the Alice stories. The book is peppered with sayings and aphorisms, sometimes following a pretzel logic that still arrives at where it’s meant to, kind of like a plane flying from Ohio to New York via Madagascar. That said, the writing is in no way dense or bogged down, and the story moves along at pretty good clip. The pacing keeps you turning pages, and there really aren’t any sections that were a slog. The energy level in this book is fairly high, and stays that way for almost the entire thing.

The worldbuilding is very well done. Despite being limited to the city of Osylum, the world does not feel cramped and hemmed in as one would expect a prison to feel. Divided into nine Wards, the setting Burnett provides is varied, and each Ward distinct from the others. While obviously a world built on fantasy and imagination, it feels organic. There are some light steampunk elements present, and magic exists alongside technology (mostly of the clockwork variety) in this world.

The characters are mostly as whimsical and entertaining as a Carroll creation. We need a villain of course, and there are some good ones here, especially the Ratkippers and their leader Eschatos, as well as the mysterious Wardens. The supporting cast of characters brought to mind the film Labyrinth, with so many of them providing guidance, assistance, and (occasionally) comic relief, yet almost all of them clearly cut from the fantasy cloth, serving to emphasize and bring to life the fantasy elements of the story. The Linnaea in particular is (are?) an interesting bit of character creation, and I enjoyed the stylistic choice used to depict their dialogue.

But the star of the show is Oneirotheria (say that three times fast). She comes into the tale an almost literal blank slate, and following along with her as she discovers the city she finds herself in is a joy. She is endlessly curious, playful, adventurous, and maybe a bit too clever for her own (or anyone else’s) good. She makes a delightful leading lady, and her constant sense of wonder and curiosity at her surroundings makes for an engaging and entertaining protagonist.

My only qualm is the ending. After the romp that led us up to the conclusion, it felt a little bit flat and bland to me. There is a twist, which some more mentally adept readers may guess at (the lightbulb didn’t turn on for me until the twist was almost revealed), but the hinge upon which it rests felt a little bland. It is by no means a bad ending, but it is slightly trope and after the good time I was having, it struck me as a little anticlimactic. However, I consider that a small gripe in an otherwise engaging, smartly-paced delight of a read.

All in all, I would definitely recommend this book to people who like imaginative and offbeat wordplay (a lá Lewis Carroll), witches and magic, fables, YA, and fantasy and/or steampunk, as well as those who could use a dash of wonder and whimsy in their day. Thumbs up.

After reading close to 100 pages, I have to say this book is not for me. I did not like the writing style at all. It doesn't flow well. I didn't like any of the characters. If I had to use one word for what I read, it would be gibberish. I torture myself any longer. I am putting this on the dnf list.

Synopsis:
The prison-city of Osylum floats in the midst of an endless abyss. The reclusive Lady rules it; distant, inscrutable, and never seen. Her will is imposed by the Wardens, eldritch creatures who tend to the convicts’ needs but also ruthlessly purge anyone who tries to escape.

Osylum’s newest inmate, the witch Oneirotheria, has no memory of who she is, where she came from, or why she is imprisoned. Instead, her mind is a mess of spells and lore and other people’s voices. The city mirrors her internal confusion; a jumble of broken buildings covered in hundreds of snippets of graffiti.

As Oneirotheria re-assembles her own shattered past (aided by a few inmates of dubious intent), she learns she may hold not just the key to escape, but the intertwined secrets of the city’s origin and a lost love that transcends countless lives.

For readers of Susanna Clarke’s Piranesi and Madeline Miller’s Circe, The Witch & The City introduces a lyrical and baroque fantasy world, where an ocean lurks behind every mirror, puppets pull the strings of the living, and even the skulls have secrets to tell... if a witch knows how to listen.

What I really loved:
- This is the kind of story that drops you in the middle of things and you figure out how everything fits together as you go along with the main character. I tend to really enjoy those types of stories (the mystery and questions that surround it all) and I think it worked well here.
- I enjoyed the witch's character and the bits of nonsense that surrounded her.
- Lots of witty playing around with words and language! As a former English teacher turned librarian, I really appreciated and enjoyed that!
- There are some bigger twists that happen towards the end, and they surprisingly tugged at my heart-strings. I loved the heart of the story (but I do wish there had been more of that!).

What I didn’t love:
- I think at times the nonsense felt too heavy, and if it coincided with times of little plot, it created moments that started feeling repetitive and tedious.
- There were times that the story felt slow to me. I was interested in the beginning, but then it felt like I was just going about the same usual activities with the main witch character and things had become stagnant. The story DID pick up, but I had to push myself some to get to that point.
- There was some big heart to this story, once you get to the end and learn about it. I wish there had been more of that throughout so when it did get to that ending bit, it would've pulled on my emotions even harder. The end in that way felt so abrupt, and I wished I could've spent more time processing and understanding that event (and moments leading up to it) with those characters for longer.

Overall:
I really did enjoy this one! It felt incredibly unique, lighthearted (to a certain extent), and maze like (trying to figure out which things led to where and who and how it all connected). While the end bits felt more rushed and less fleshed out, the overall story was a great concept that was executed well and made for a good read on a fall day!

Thank you to both South Window Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an early review copy!

This book had an interesting plot and setting, but I had a hard time connecting to the characters and didn't particularly enjoy the writing style. Overall, it was a decent read, but not a favorite for me.

The first few chapters of THE WITCH & THE CITY were not what I was expecting, until it dawned on me that that's exactly how they were supposed to be. The delightful chaos of this world began to be endearing, and as soon as I felt comfortable, Burnett threw in twists and turns that still have my head spinning. To the reader - accept the challenge. It's worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley and South Window Press for giving me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5/5

The premise of the book is fascinating and it's also what drew me to it in the first place: when people die, they are reborn –or rather, found– into another person. I was terribly excited when I received this ARC, not only because this is my first one, but also because I got this book in time for the spooky season. Its witchy vibes and atmospheric setting will make you feel as if you were also a witch like Oneirotheria living in Osylum.

I was shocked by how unique The Witch & The City is. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book quite like this one. The world building was very nicely done, pulling the reader into the story from the very first page. Moreover, the characters were intriguing and well integrated into the story. 

On the other hand, I didn’t quite like the writing style. As much as I tried to love it, I just couldn’t take to the prose. It felt overly and unnecessarily complicated, and I sometimes found myself reading the same sentence twice just to be sure I understood what I really meant. In addition, the plot was denser than I had expected and, at times, I felt just as lost and confused as our main character, the witch Oneirotheria. Whether this was intentional or not, it sadly made me feel a bit detached from the story.

Nonetheless, it was a captivating read and I would recommend it to all fantasy fans, just beware it is not an easy book!

Thank you, once again, NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and South Window Press for giving me a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4 Stars!

The Witch & The City took me by surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect from it before reading, but it definitely gave me all the weird and witchy vibes. The writing style for this story is not what I am used to. However, I would say that it was more poetic in a literary sense. This is a not a quick read to run through. I had to really process what I was reading, and I felt as though I was trying to keep up myself with the protagonist. Once you get used to the writing style, it is a very enjoyable read full of twists. I was so pleased with the ending as well. This book gave me the perfect fall vibe!

This was a great story mixed with an interesting narration style. While it's not something I typically would pick up I did end up really enjoying this once I got used to it. Can't wait to read more from this author.

For at least the first half of the book I kept thinking, is this what it’s like to be on hallucinogenic drugs? I had no idea what was going on… but I didn’t hate the sensation either. This book gave me major Alice in Wonderland meets Oz meets Shakespeare vibes and even though it took me a while to grasp what was going on, I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

The story has elements of sci-fi, dystopian, witchy lit fic with a lot of symbolism and whimsy. It’s a weird combination, but ultimately it works. I think you really have to be in the mood to use your brain and sift through the clues sprinkled throughout the story. I definitely recommend reading this on your kindle so you can look up the meanings of words - there were so many words I didn’t know!

My big complaint is that the writing style and the convoluted storytelling caused me to feel somewhat emotionally detached from it all. Though the stakes are high, they felt very low for me, and I was 100% ok with any and all characters dying. Once I was almost to the end, things started clicking and I began to care a lot more, but it’s a lot of work and time to get to that point!

It’s very possible that I’m just too dumb for this book and that’s why it took so long for me to come around to it. I’m glad I read it and would recommend it to lovers of literature and sci-fi.

The Witch and the City was an interesting read. I had a hard time following the story on the beginning but I believe it was intentional as you are following a newly “born” witch discovering “old memories” and how the world she lives in works as the the story progresses.

In the beginning I found the story to be very slow building but feel that the pace/action really picks up around 40%

I liked the ending message that the main character learns about life and letting go.

Overall an enjoyable read!

I loved this!!!! It was such a fun read and really enjoyable. I definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC on exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Witch and the City begins with a good deal of confusion, but as the witch Oneirotheira begins to learn more about the world of the prison city Osylum, the goals of her predecessors, and her own place in the grand scheme of things, the reader comes to understand more as well. The opening follows the unique style of Hecate's chants, but quickly evens out as Oneirotheira's thinking becomes more logical.

I enjoyed Oneirotheria's many musings and the creative setting of Osylum, as well as the many references to Shakespeare and the theater. As the story progressed, I found myself very much wanting to know what would next and how the prisoners might escape. This book might not be for every reader, but if you like witches, Shakespeare, WandaVision, or prisoner escapes, it's a quick, delightful read.

The Witch & the City was a rollercoaster of emotions. I won't lie I was a little confused when it came to the beginning and the magic was slightly confusing...BUT! It might just be my taste or mood in books (yay to being a mood reader).

Overall, if you're looking for magic, old tales, and adventure this is the book for you!!!!

I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this before - the blend of clever worldbuilding and the lyrical prose made a story that was really unique and fun to read!

Occasionally it felt like the lyrical style made it harder to get fully into the prose - lyrical fantasy can be a bit hit or miss for me, and there were a couple of moments where the dialogue made it difficult to connect with the characters and follow the story in a more engaged way.

But this language also added to the surreal quality of the book and it's characters. Burnett gives us a very classic, almost Shakespearean witch in Oneirotheria, and anyone with a fondness for witchy books is bound to enjoy both her character, and her interactions with others in the story.

This book has a lot of charm, and if you're a fan of witchcraft and the surreal, will definitely give you a lot to think about!

Books with similar vibes - In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt, and Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Witchy and whimsical, this book was a lot delight to read! It starts off in chaos, comes together then breaks into chaos again a few times over, but ends in a surprisingly satisfying and neat way and managed to keep me guessing right up until the end.

The Witch & The City by Jake Burnett follows the story of Oneirotheria and we as readers discover the mystery of who, what, where and why she is right alongside her in a strangely lyrical yet very readable prose that I found utterly delightful. It’s easy to see the massive amount of the influences of other authors and stories, and why other reviews have compared it to the likes of Alice in Wonderland, Piranesi to Shakespeare. The titular Witch, Oneirotheria, discovers as much of herself as the readers do along the way starting right from her birth and the same thing can almost be said of the city of Osylum itself, which gives off a steampunk-ish older European feel while still feeling distinctively fantastical. We even get a bit of weird fiction thrown in for good measure, all which keep her exploration and discovery of Osylum and its inhabitants exciting and fresh.

I didn’t pick the twist or the ending, I think I even stopped bothering to speculate at some point and just sat back as I read and enjoyed the ride, not many stories featuring a mystery do that to me. Telling the story in a way that has us know almost everything Oneirotheria does was done in a masterful way, and I have to admit that the tale certainly expanded my vocabulary but not in a way that made me feel like the author was just sitting there with a thesaurus. Personally, I’ve been on a big break from reading and this novel felt like such a good reminder of why reading itself is so enjoyable although I can see that its chaotic nature and sometimes hefty prose won’t be for everyone. It felt like a dense read, yet still a quick one, and I still find myself mulling over its contents a handful of days after completion.

I’d highly recommend this to anyone who loves to explore, learn and discover not only the material in life but human nature itself.

Thanks to NetGalley, South Window Press and the author for providing an advanced copy of the book at my request in exchange for my unbiased review.

When I saw the synopsis for “The Witch & The City”, I was very interested in the book, and, after finishing reading it, I can say that most of my expectations were fulfilled! The book presents an interesting universe, with a vivid atmosphere; and unique and fun characters. Besides, I was positively surprised by the depth of the story’s message. I believe that the only thing I disliked in my experience reading this book was its rhythm — or the rhythm in which the information was laid out during the narrative.
The book’s plot is really cool. Definitely denser than I expected, but very interesting and filled with elements that fit perfectly to each other by the end of the story. The writing, just like the plot, is dense. As this wasn’t something I was expecting, I ended up taking a while to get into the story’s rhythm; but, when I was able to get into it, I started liking the writing quite a lot.
The worldbuilding was something that I was expecting to like. And, indeed, it was one of my favorite aspects of the book! Even though the ambiance is limited (Osylum is a prison, after all), it is really well developed; and I think “The Witch & The City” was capable of describing a soft magic system that enrichens the fantastic atmosphere of the book, but, at the same time, doesn’t give Oneirotheria a power that seems too disconnected from her reality (even though she is considered a very powerful character).
And, now that I mentioned Oneirotheria, I should say that I didn’t expect to like the characters as much as I did. The characters are very well integrated into the world that they are part of but are also engaging enough to create funny moments during the read and for the reader to understand everyone’s personality and relevance to the plot. And Oneirotheria is a great heroine — and that’s wonderful since it’s her journey (in many ways) that guides the narrative and pushes it forward. Also, she reminded me of other heroines I really like, like Chihiro and Coraline Jones.
The overall theme and message of the book were also aspects that positively surprised me. “The Witch & The City” is a book about a place in which is impossible to escape (haha) from oblivion, and, simultaneously, is a book about wanting to forget; and about being stuck in one’s pain for so long that the cause for it was already forgotten. Even though I thought the final chapters were a little bit too fast, I believe that the message was well shown and contributed to the tone of the book.
As I mentioned before, the rhythm of the book is the only thing I considered negative, because, in my opinion, it made the reading experience more confusing than it needed to be. I believe that fantasy books are always at risk of being confusing because the existence of things that are not a part of our universe and that need to be explained is an intrinsic aspect of the genre. However, at the beginning of the read (the first 30%, approximately), I thought that it was almost too confusing. When I realized that that impression was disturbing my reading process, I ended up restarting the book, and only then I was capable of truly feeling engaged with the story.
Taking into account the context of the book, I believe that is possible the confusing narrative was intentional and, if it was, I think that this choice was good and its execution wasn’t necessarily bad. But I think that the fact that, even though the universe of the book is limited, it is very extensive for a character (and a reader) that doesn’t understand anything about it to be inserted into it without any difficulties ends up forming an obstacle that needs to be surpassed. But I am sure that overcoming that obstacle is worth it!

This is one of those books where you never know what exactly is going on, but it doesn’t really matter because you’re just there for the vibes. Until you get slapped in the face.

We follow our witch Oneirotheria as she navigates an eerie cityscape, facing both supernatural challenges and everyday struggles. As she drifts from ward to ward, we meet an entire host of peculiar characters. I loved Onerotheria’s interactions with every new character and there was never a dull moment with our MC.

Reading this felt reminiscent of The Locked Tomb. You’re violently thrown into a world where no one wants to explain anything and you have to puzzle out the meaning of your surroundings.