Book Name: The Hedgewitch of Foxhall
Author: Anna Bright

ARC
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books, HarperTeen and NetGalley for an ARC of The Hedgewitch of Foxhall by Anna Bright

Stars: 4.5
Spice: 0 (YA)

Standalone
Slower Paced
Multi POV
High Fantasy
Welsh Fantasy

- Thoughts.
- Welsh History and Folklore
- Welsh Words Everywhere (glad I had my Kindle to translate)
- Slow Burn
- Love Triangle …Lite
- Tension
- Adventure and Secrets
- Cottage/Cozy Magic System
- War between Magic Users
- War between Countries
- Politics
- Loved Daffyd want more Daffyd

Great story and fantastic Welsh history and folklore representation. (the use of lots of Welsh words throughout was hard to mentally translate but was endearing to the vibe. I also loved the cottage core hedgewitch cozy vibes were relaxing and played well with the slow-burn nature of the romance subplot however the last 20% insane fast-paced wrap-up was a little jarring but made sense withy the timeline that we were working with. So to state it frankly **This is not a cozy fantasy** it was a high-stakes adventure … it just had cozy vibes. I loved this… a great standalone fantasy.. we need more standalone!!!

maybe I have been reading to much about why choose but damn I didn’t want Ffion to choose.

I have read 15% of this book and I am not sure if it’s because it is an ARC copy or what but I feel like this book needs more explanations. There have been several occasions where I am confused as to what it going on and several made up words that I haven’t been able to understand using the story context. I am a big fan of Anna Bright and absolutely loved her Beholder duology so I still suggest trying the story out because her stories are amazing. Unfortunately for this one I have decided to quit reading and try again when I can purchase a finished copy to see if that one is better.

An enchanting and thoughtful story rooted in Welsh history and mythology— I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting and the setting was so lovely and dynamic I felt like I was wandering the Welsh countryside with the characters. I think fans of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopedia of Faeries would really enjoy this book!

I haven’t read a love triangle in a long time and I have to admit I didn’t hate this one, it was done really well and the ending was just truly perfection.
I loved Tal, Ffion, and Daffyd and thought each of their POVs were great. This book moves slowly and so I struggled a bit in the beginning because the set up and plot are very methodical and she doesn’t over describe but it’s still pretty atmospheric, but by the last quarter I could see that the slow was worth it for the ending.

I recommend this book but don’t expect a fast paced read!

I don't have too much to say about this book. Overall, I thought that it was a decent YA fantasy. I enjoyed the beginning and the end a lot, but felt like some parts in the middle dragged.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an arc.

Unfortunately, by 21% I couldn't get into the book. I wasn't invested in any of the characters, and the writing style was very jarring for me. I felt the dialogue was stilted as well.

Fun, high stakes fantasy romance with all the lovely imagery of cottage core medieval fairytales! I love the focus on Welsh mythology and the female rage driving the main character!

3.5 stars

This started out very promising, but I found myself losing interest about halfway through. The positives - I loved the whimsical cottagecore vibes and Welsh influence, and I enjoyed Ffion as the MC. I loved that her magic was so closely tied to nature and that she wanted to help people without causing harm to the land. I also adore an animal companion.

The love triangle situation was interesting at first, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of how it played out. I would have liked more from some of the characters, mainly the love interests, and certain things didn’t really make sense to me. There was this big buildup as to why one of the MMCs hates magic, but the reveal ended up being pretty lackluster. I really just kind of lost the will to finish as it went on, although there were some heartwarming moments at the end that made up for it a little.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC!

I had a friend who had started this arc and then encouraged me to pick it up for myself when I was in the mood for a cozy fantasy. After seeing the cover and the title equally grabbing my attention, I was excited to read it for myself.
Absolutely loved the main character Ffion--actually, loved all the characters in the story-- and their dynamics. You do need to be in the mood for a slower paced story when picking up this book, but I found the nostalgia in the vibes Anna Bright delivered in her writing to be quite enchanting.

Tiny dragons... amazing. The cover is gorgeous and I would put a print up on my wall. I think this book really hit it's mark and I absolutely love that it's a standalone. I would love to dive into the world more but I also appreciate that things were wrapped up in a way that left me satisfied. This is a great book and I can't wait for everyone to read it!

The Hedge Witch of Foxhall is a historical fantasy steeped in Welsh folklore. I love books about traveling and eating and singing and this one didn't let me down. It even gave me The Hobbit vibes at times. The story is so warm, and cozy, and full of magical creatures. I love Ffion, the main character, and how headstrong and rough around the edges she is. The Hedge Witch of Foxhall is a fantastic read.

3.5 stars

This was a quick entertaining read with lots of Welsh magic and a quest-like plot. But I was left wanting a lot more from the characters. Ffion is a fiery hedgewitch that refuses to join her power-hungry coven. I definitely understood her reasoning on that, but what was iffier to me was her insistence on being alone. Prince Taliesin is the charming and wily second son of the king. He desperately wants to be king, but he also isn’t so sold on bringing magic back to Wales. And when we finally ferret out the reason for his hatred of magic it feels incredibly weak. Prince Daffyd is his father’s favorite, but rejects his inheritance. Again, his reasons for this seem super flimsy. We also get a bit of a love triangle between the three that honestly lacks heat.
The parts of the story involving restoring magic and how the “evil” coven shouldn’t operate the way they do—that was probably the best part. But the motivations behind all of our characters needed more work and fleshing out. And Ffion’s mother at the end was fairly baffling to me too.
I will say there was a scene at the end that reminded me of a final scene in The Last Unicorn and I really loved that part. So there’s that at least.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the preview. All opinions are my own.

This was cute! Welsh folklore, wild magic, a love triangle, and a determined female main character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is a historical fantasy filled with sass, secrets, and really awesome magic. Although the pacing is a bit rough at times, and a guide to the mythical creatures would've been helpful (may be included in the final book), this book is otherwise a win. The characters, while fitting many of the typical YA tropes, are still unique and have great and realistic relationships, and their various journeys are complex and wonderfully set up the stakes for the story. The settings are vivid and beautiful, and the uniqueness of the magic makes it stand out from other magical YA books. It's also interesting that different people work magic in different ways, further setting Hedgewitch apart.

There's definitely a cozy or cottage vibe to this book, but that doesn't mean there isn't action. There are battles, betrayals, and sacrifices that will pull at readers' heartstrings, although there is certainly more slower moments overall, thus the pacing issue. Nonetheless, those slow moments allow the characters to really develop, and I love the various POVs that allow readers to dive deeper into everyone's motivations.

The Hedgewitch of Foxhall won't appeal to all fantasy readers, but for those looking for things more along the lines of Howl's Moving Castle or Flowerheart, this is the book.

Also, the cover is absolutely lovely and I would totally buy this book just to have that picture on my shelf.

Where do I apply to become a hedgewitch?

The magic system in this world is so well constructed and heartbreaking.

Ecocriticism is communicated through fantasy at its finest here. I've never been one for historical fiction but the way it is written here is really compelling and enjoyable.

Each main character has a tightly written and satisfying arc which makes each perspective feel necessary.

I had a really fun time with this book!

"In this gorgeous stand-alone fantasy romance perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft, a rebellious witch undertakes a last-ditch quest to restore magic to medieval Wales - as two princes vie for her heart.

Magic is fading from Wales - choked off by King Offa's Dyke, the enemy earthworks that spans the entire border. Even the dragons have disappeared. And now an attack is imminent.

Prince Taliesin would love to watch magic die. Prince Dafydd fears it, and the throne. But when their father promises the crown to whichever son can destroy the dyke and restore magic to Wales, the brothers are forced into an uneasy rivalry.

Ffion works hedgewitch magic for poor folk, not princes. Unlike the power-hungry Foxhall coven, she uses only what nature can spare. But when the coven's greed costs Ffion everything, she will need power beyond her wildest dreams to get back what she's lost.

So when Prince Taliesin arrives, begrudgingly seeking a witch's aid, Ffion agrees to help him - even if it means walking from one end of Wales to the other with the most useless peacock she's ever clapped eyes on. Even if it means striking a bargain with Dafydd behind Tal's back. The fate of Wales depends on their quest...and so might the fate of Ffion's heart."

Love me a good hedgewitch.

Two things I really appreciated about this book, the ties to Welsh lore and history and the fact this is not another series. I mean, I REALLY appreciate when authors can give a whole magic system and world with just one book. Sometimes, a series is just too much to commit to. The ties to Welsh lore and history made this story feel like something new I havent seen before, but I wish there was a little..more. Especially since this is just one book. Another 50-100 pages would have made this perfect.

4.4 rounded down to 4/5.

Anna Bright's "The Hedgewitch of Foxhall" offers readers a cozy and charming fantasy set in medieval Wales, where a rebellious hedgewitch, Ffion, embarks on a quest to restore fading magic. While the novel has its strengths, including a gorgeous cover and the inclusion of Welsh folklore, it also has moments of dragging plot and difficulty in connecting with the characters.

The book's standout feature is its inclusion of a pronunciation guide and terms to know, enhancing the reader's engagement with Welsh mythology and creating an immersive experience. The cottagecore vibes, dragons, and the overall cozy atmosphere contribute to the novel's charm. The slow moments are balanced with high-stakes scenes, creating a well-rounded fantasy narrative.

Ffion, the strong female protagonist, brings a touch of temper to the story, adding depth to her character. The soft magic system and the incorporation of Welsh folklore add a unique flavor to the fantasy genre. The novel serves as a great introduction to young adult fantasy, providing an accessible entry point for readers new to the genre.

However, the plot does suffer from moments of dragging, making it challenging for readers to stay fully engaged. Connecting with the characters proves to be a bit difficult, with Ffion's temper and the evolving love triangle contributing to a lack of emotional investment. The two princes, while integral to the plot, could have been fleshed out more to allow readers a deeper understanding of their motivations.

The novel's strength lies in its exploration of Welsh mythology and the inclusion of elements like dragons, but it could benefit from more extensive world-building to fully immerse readers in the magical realm. The love triangle, while present, lacks the depth needed to create a truly compelling romantic subplot.

In conclusion, "The Hedgewitch of Foxhall" is a cozy and charming fantasy that introduces readers to Welsh folklore in a delightful way. While the novel has its shortcomings, including pacing issues and difficulty in connecting with characters, it provides an enjoyable entry into the world of young adult fantasy, offering a mix of soft magic, mythical creatures, and a touch of romance.

I decided to read this because I enjoy witches. Especially when witches take from nature for their powers. So I really liked the way witchcraft worked in this book because the powers were held accountable by nature. Magic needs to have balance otherwise why don’t the characters just go on crazy rampages. So for me this was a well done magic system.

I’m not sure how well I actually pictured the world and the kingdoms. Some areas I understood very well. Like Foxhall and the pyke but some of the other kingdoms. I’m not sure I was invested in even caring if I knew about them. Which is not an insult to the book, I was just more invested in the characters and the mythology/magic aspect. For me I got the vibe of the Welsh setting and that is all I needed.

I don’t know a whole lot about Welsh mythology but I would definitely like to look up more. Again I really like the vibe it gave me.

There is romance in the story but it’s not overpowering. I also really liked having multiple POV that are not happening in the same place. So when they converged you had a little bit more of a robust story. Also the characters didn’t just pour all their information out in the beginning. Even with the multiple POVs it’s not like I knew too much to take away the interest of finding it out.

I liked the growth of Ffion and the other characters too. She was very much still herself, just more mature by the end.

Overall I really liked this book. I really enjoyed it and the fact that it is a standalone. As much as I like the series it’s always nice to have a book like this one. I forgot how much I do like Anna Bright’s writing style. I need to go back and read a couple books that I haven’t gotten to.

Super cute! At times I found it kinda weak in character / generic in character, but the plot was absolutely gorgeous and the ideas were fantastic. Thanks for the arc.

This was very fun! I enjoyed it a lot, especially the world and magic building! I was so intrigued by the magic, and I loved getting all the glimpses of it. Ffion was such a great character, too! She was strong and knew what she wanted, and I loved that she defied the norm of the Foxhall witches.

I've really enjoyed this author's other books, and I can't wait to see what's next for her!