Content Warnings: sexual assault, violence against women and abortion

This was totally out of my comfort zone. I was expecting this to be a horror revolving around spirits and the supernatural world, but it was much darker than that. This was my first book by this author, and I can appreciate her writing style and the cultural relevance tied to the trigger warnings referenced in the author’s note. I just wish those trigger warnings had been included with the synopsis because had I known, I wouldn’t have requested this book knowing that it would not be for me. This was too dark and heavy of a book for me.

I’m still giving this book 4 stars because the author’s writing was lovely and I respect her decision to include the include the type of experiences women in Sri Lanka have endured.

If I had to describe Island Witch in one sentence: A dark, gothic, feminist slow-burn with lots of gore and horror. Definitely putting an emphasis on “slow-burn” because this one took awhile to really hook me. The last 20% of this book was insane and I don’t know if I wanted this book to a be a bit shorter, or for the pieces to start coming together sooner.

This book would have been 5 stars for me if the beginning had hooked me a bit more. I’m glad I stuck it out though, because this ended up being super creepy and the ending absolutely destroyed me.

I haven’t read anything else by this author but am definitely interested in checking out her book You’re Invited.

Check this one out if you like gothic horror, Sri Lankan folklore, feminist lore, gore, and strong female characters

**Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the eARC of this title!!**

Thanks to @berkleypub for the eARC of the book. All thoughts are my own.

The premise of this book really intrigued me so I wanted to give this book a try. It’s definitely not in my usual genre of romance books, but why not change things up a bit?

The author’s writing is extraordinary: her descriptions place you right in the scenes; the tension is palpable, as is the fear of the unknown, mysterious attacker.

This is a book of fiction, but the history of colonization in Sri Lanka (and elsewhere) is very real. I really admire by how the author wove the impacts of colonization and spread of Christianity into the book so that we understood it at individual, familial, and community levels.

Unfortunately, I decided to DNF as friends warned me of forthcoming scenes and I knew they would be too triggering for me. I strongly advise reading the authors note closely (which I failed to do) and make the best decision for you.

I will definitely keep this author on my radar for future reads, though!

In nineteenth century Sri Lanka, daughter of the village Capuwa (demon priest), Amara, tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been happening around her village. Most of the villagers around the island have been influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, but that doesn’t stop them from still calling on Amara’s dad whenever supernatural occurrences happen. But now, someone (or something), is viciously attacking the men and instead of asking for Amara’s father’s help, the villagers begin accusing him for it.

Amma is used to keeping to herself - the relentless bullying and accusations of witchcraft are never ending. She sets out to try and clear her father’s name herself, but begins being haunted by dreams that predict dark forces, that also leave her waking up in random places throughout the island as she sleepwalks. She can’t shake the feeling that all of this is connected to the night weeks ago - when she was recovering from a strange illness and woke up scared and confused, to her mother frantically saying, “No one can find out what happened”.

I don’t read horror that often, but after reading the marketing promos for it and seeing it was both based on Sri Lankan folklore and had “female rage finally being unleashed” as a highlight point, I was sold. And this didn’t disappoint.

The storyline of watching Amara from an innocent young girl turned to a rage filled woman was impressive and believable. It made the ending of the story a bit complicated because you both saw where she was coming from and kind of had to take a step back and go, “Whoa”. I haven’t read anything from Amanda Jayatissa before, but I will be adding her other two to my ever growing TBR list.

As I said before, horror isn’t my forte, but I think those who are looking for a unique and page turning, historical Sri Lanka horror, will greatly appreciate this one. There are some gory moments, but nothing that I thought was super crazy or intense, especially for a horror novel.

*Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Highlights:
✨Mystery: I enjoyed uncovering the mystery of the vicious attacks. However, the twists occurred a little late, making the middle feel a tad longer. One twist in particular takes a dark turn, so if you have trigger issues, please read the trigger warnings before starting.
✨Religious Divide: Jayatissa's historical research is impressive as she realistically portrays the struggle of Sri Lankans between their traditional Buddhism/Hinduism and the Christianity that the British enforced. This conflict extends beyond religion and into daily life. Jayatissa subtly weaves these themes throughout her story. While the story's horror elements may overshadow this historical context, as a lover of both horror and historical fiction, I appreciate how Yatissa's extensive research shines through in her writing.
✨Sri Lanka: I love all the elements that bring Sri Lanka to life: the vivid setting, the gorgeous language written in the local dialect, and the creepy folklore. Jayatissa skillfully blends the Sri Lankan native language with English, making it an excellent experience on audio. However, I found that the folklore, which serves as a medium to explore female rage, is better understood in print as I could highlight the passages and reflect on them. I suggest pairing audio and physical/ebook versions for an immersive experience.

Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa is a compelling story that blends Sri Lankan folklore and horror, set in late 19th century Sri Lanka. It follows Amara, a demon-priest's daughter, as she investigates into mysterious attacks on her village, facing accusations against her family amid a backdrop of shifting cultural and religious views, highlighting themes of female empowerment and resilience.

Island Witch was my most anticipated read this month! I was really excited to read this because I loved the author's previous work and I was intrigued by the setting in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was more than just a backdrop; it was a vibrant character, rich in culture, folklore, and a complex colonial history, offering enlightening insights that captivated me. The storyline was engaging, full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout. However, the main issue I had with the book was the main character, Amara whose decisions and personality I found frustratingly difficult to empathize with. Additionally, the pacing of the book was extremely slow burn, interspersed with graphic content. The book strived for female empowerment but occasionally veered into despair. Horror isn’t really a genre I pick up and I initially thought this would be a thriller like her other novels so take my review with a grain of salt.

I loved Amanda Jaytissa’s debut MY SWEET GIRL and I enjoyed her sophomore book YOU’RE INVITED. Island Witch did not work for me.

Island Witch focuses on Amara, the daughter of the local demon-priest who is having a difficult time in their Sri Lankan town as the British have moved in and tried to push organized religion over local religious beliefs. Amara is also secretly meeting with a local boy whose family is more respected than her own, and her best friend is shunning her for other more reputable girls. And Amara’s mother seems to have it out for Amara.

Local men have begun to be attacked and the locals are pointing the finger at Amara’s father…..until he becomes a victim. Amara is trying to figure out what is going on, while having increasingly troubling dreams about the attack.

I appreciate that Jayatissa was trying to weave in folklore and mystical elements in a story set in Sri Lanka at the time of colonization. Unfortunately, I found the story very repetitive and I struggled to finish the book.

Island Witch is a haunting tale steeped in folklore and the supernatural that follows a young woman on the path of coming into her own power… consequences be damned.

The prose is lush, and the pacing slow for the first half that then begins to ramp up to its inevitable conclusion. Author Amanda Jayatissa deftly sprinkles breadcrumbs for readers to follow as she elucidates Amara’s story. Those who are paying attention will not be surprised at the revelations found in the story, though that does not make them any less impactful and horrifying. This book adeptly deals with the effects of colonialism, misogyny, and violence against women through the lens of horror, and does so to great effect.

Though the ending is jarring and perhaps a bit bleak, the tone and purpose of the story is clear from the beginning. And readers will be left thinking about this book for a long time after reading the final words on the page. I know I will.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC.

Island Witch immediately drew me in as a reader and I was 100% invested in this story til the end! It is inspired by a Sri Lankan folklore and was haunting and atmospheric and beautiful.

It is a tale of revenge and vengeance, of feminism, of overcoming religious persecution and misogyny, of horror and rage and it was magically delicious to devour each page. I read along and listened to the audiobook simultaneously and the audio was so well done.
Pick this one up today!!

Island Witch is a feminist historical horror novel inspired by Sri Lankan folklore about the daughter of a traditional demon-priest -relentlessly bullied by peers and accused of witchcraft herself- who tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village.

This was a deliciously dark, creepy and atmospheric read that addresses topics of colonialism, superstition, identity and family. Be warned if you’re squeamish though, some parts are a bit gory and unsettling.

I loved the supernatural elements and how they were used throughout the story and I really enjoyed the setting, especially the jungle!

Amara was such a well-developed main character and I was completely invested in her story from start to finish. All she wanted was to belong and my heart broke for her as she slowly began to learn the truth about her family.

This is a slow-burn but please don’t let that dissuade you, the payoff is well worth it! I didn’t expect things to turn out the way they did but at the same time it felt like the ending was inevitable.

I definitely recommend this if you enjoy supernatural horror or thrillers!

Thank you @berkleypub #partner for the #gifted copy and @prhaudio for the audiobook!

Amanda Jayatissa has been an auto-buy author for me ever since she released her first thriller, 𝑀𝑦 𝑆𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝐺𝑖𝑟𝑙, back in 2021. Her second thriller, 𝑌𝑜𝑢'𝑟𝑒 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑, was also perfection. However her third book, Island Witch, is her masterpiece and in a league of its own. Unlike her previous works, Island Witch gears more towards supernatural horror with Sri Lankan folklore and fierce feminism set in a colonial background.

The opening chapter with an eerie demoness who captures an evil man, sets the premise of the entire book. Amara, the daughter of the village Capuwa (demon priest) is the POV throughout the story and all I felt like doing was holding Amara’s hand and hugging her as she navigates toxic masculinity, traditional lifestyle, British-brought-Christianity and a village divided by colonialism, all on her own.

This book was both educational and a delight to read, paired with English and Sri Lankan languages, narrated by own-voice, debut narrator @isuriw who did such an amazing narration. I would highly recommend the audiobook paired with the book, you will not regret it! As of today, Island Witch is my #1 favorite book I have read this year and I’m certain will make to my top 10 by the end of 2024. The absolutely stunning book cover is also currently my fav cover of this year!!

Amara is the daughter of a Capuwa or demon-priest. She’s made fun of and called a witch because of this. The men on the island are being viciously attacked, and her father is the main suspect. Amara is determined to clear his name while trying to figure out why she’s having such dark dreams connected to the attacks.

I didn’t know much about Sri Lankan culture or folklore prior to reading this book, and it was definitely an interesting read. I enjoyed learning about their traditions and history.

A bit of a slow burn, the first half of the book explains the culture and what it’s like for Amara being the daughter of a demon-priest. The second half picks up, and gets creepier with the entity haunting Amara’s dreams. The setting was eerie and atmospheric. This was the first book I’ve read that blended historical fiction with horror, and I really enjoyed it.

I would have liked a little more horror in this story. I thought the ending was great especially the epilogue. I enjoyed the themes of feminism and women standing up for equal rights and treatment throughout the book and loved Amara as the main character. This was way different than Jayatissa’s previous book, and it showed the range she has as an author.

Thank you Berkley Publishing for sending me a finished copy in exchange for my honest review.

Island Witch is set in 19th century Sri Lanka and follows Amara, the daughter of the village Capuwa (demon-priest). As the British attempt to colonize the island and introduce western customs and religion, the villagers start to reject the Capuwa’s once respected role. When an unknown attacker begins targeting men in the jungle and her father is accused, Amara sets out to clear his name as she grapples with the horrors waiting in her dreams.

Island Witch is a historical horror novel inspired by Sri Lankan folklore. Jayatissa skillfully uses supernatural elements to explore topics such as colonization, identity, belonging, and family. Amara is a fascinating, well-developed character and showed tremendous growth throughout the story. The historical aspects were clearly well-researched and the narrative thoughtfully addresses the real-world issues of oppression and violence against women. Overall, this is a haunting and deeply atmospheric story that will keep you on your toes.

Island Witch is a lush, darkly feminist historical fiction novel with elements of horror and fantasy, and it provides a vivid and immersive look into a time and place not typically featured in the genre. Set in Sri Lanka in the late 19th century during the years of British colonization, Amanda Jayatissa's new novel focuses on Amara, the teenage daughter of a traditional demon-priest (essentially an exorcist) and an outcast amongst her peers. When several men are viciously attacked in the jungle and Amara's father becomes the prime suspect, Amara can't help but wonder if the series of attacks is related to the vivid nightmares she's been having -- or to the night she awoke after a strange illness, unable to remember what happened to her.

Island Witch is intensely atmospheric, providing a culturally rich, vibrant depiction of colonial Sri Lanka with all the political and religious unrest simmering beneath the island's surface beauty. Jayatissa does an incredible job of integrating historical elements with a propulsive, haunting narrative that sucked me in completely. Amara is a well-developed character whose intimate narration guides the novel to, and through, some dark, difficult places. Although the prose is incredibly readable, Jayatissa does explore dark themes like dysfunctional family relationships, physical and sexual abuse, the collision of the old world with the new, and the worst aspects of colonialism and religious and moral superiority. At its core, Island Witch is a novel about the destructive power of feminine rage -- about what happens when injustices against women are taken too far.

The pace does feel languid in spots, as Jayatissa takes lots of time to immerse the reader in the world of the novel and in Amara's thoughts, but everything culminates spectacularly in a bold, complex conclusion that I will be thinking about for a long time. And although plot-wise the two books couldn't be more different, as I was reading Island Witch, I kept thinking about Carrie. I think Amara and Carrie would have a lot to discuss, were they ever to meet. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group for the early reading opportunity.

✨ Review ✨ Island Witch by Amanda Jayatissa

Thanks to Berkley and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Feminist anti-colonial gothic horror is one of my favorite niche genres these days and this falls neatly into that box. A change from Jayatissa's previous thrillers, this pairs historical fiction and gothic horror plus some magical realism.

Set in 19th-century British-occupied Sri Lanka, Island Witch digs into an in-between moment in Sri Lanka's history -- one in which residents are grappling between religions -- Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and local spirituality -- as well as traditional and colonial ways in all matters of life -- morality, clothing, trade, etc. etc. Across all of these tensions, however, lies a fundamental truth of an underlying female rage for how women are treated. Abused, cheated on, sold, and taken advantage of, the book grapples with what a just treatment of these crimes should be and who should adjudicate this mistreatment.

The book centers Amara, an 18yo, with a lot of feelings about her place within this tense and changing place. Accused by some as a witch because of her dad's role as a capuwa (a demon priest or spiritual leader of sorts), and now, suddenly, as her dad pushes her away too, she feels incredibly lonely.

The book brilliantly incorporates local language with bilingual text in places. I do wish there had been a glossary for some of the common words around the spiritual practices & folklore for reference -- it was a little hard to keep track of the different kinds of spirits. But I loved how the lush descriptions of the jungles and beaches alongside the use of local language transported me into this place.

I loved the feeling of wondering what was happening throughout much of the first half of the book, but then several of the twists felt a little predictable. I think in some ways this read like a debut -- brilliant but with definite areas for improvement as the author gets more comfortable in this genre.

Overall, I loved this book and am so glad I had the chance to read it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
Genre: historical fiction + gothic horror
Setting: 19th c. Sri Lanka
Reminds me of: Isabel Cañas, V. Castro
Pub Date: Feb 20, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ gothic horror + islands
⭕️ anti-colonial, feminist fiction
⭕️ stubborn and persistent female characters

The Island Witch is a BRILLIANT piece of Sri Lankan folklore inspired horror that had me utterly mesmerized from start to glorious, stunning end.

I absolutely adored this story - a fantastically woven story of a young women, daughter of a demon-priest, who sets out to solve the mystery of horrifying attacks against men in her village, while wrestling with her own place within her family and trying to grasp her own power.

This story is a haunting, atmospheric, gothic tale that leaps off the page with beautifully lyrical writing and characters that feel so real you could touch them. As a reader you are transported to the humid, salty jungle, and Amara’s terror becomes your own.

I cannot say enough good things about the incredible story and world @amandajayatissa has created, and truly, this is a CANNOT BE MISSED sensation that thriller, horror and historical fiction lovers alike will revel in. Go IMMEDIATELY and get this on pre-order for its drop this week. You’ll be thrilled you did.

Many thanks to @berkleypub for the copy and for bringing this book magic to the world.

Island Witch takes us to the jungles of Sri Lanka and @amandajayatissa creates the most vivid, incredible atmosphere with her lyrical writing. I was highlighting so many passages as I worked my way through this thrilling folklore intertwined with supernatural elements.
Amanda gives voice to the voiceless women not only of Sri Lanka but all of those who face evils and have little to no say on their own future. Amanda takes us on a trip through the eyes of Amara, the young daughter of a demon exorcist, through becoming a woman and being forced to grow up and become a wife. As her family is ostracized by the town for her father's profession, they find themselves taking the fall for evil attacks happening throughout the village. Amara is determined to find out who or what is behind the attacks and clear her father's name.
sw Island Witch is such a unique novel and a departure from Amanda's previous works, further cementing her as a must read author for me. I don't read a lot of supernatural books, they have to be so well done for me to enjoy them, this one definitely hit the mark! I loved getting to know Amara and how she was fearless, fighting for her family and for love. As much as I thought I knew what the ending would be, I still wasn't prepared for it! A feminist story of vengeance with some truly horrifying scenes.

I loved it! From the beginning of the prologue we are immediately set in an atmospheric background of the jungle that gives dark, spooky, witchy vibes. I feel as though that set the tone of the entire book and continues to keep you in the story the entire time!

There is an added mystery of this one that will have you guessing and theorizing what’s going on in the story. Amara, the young girl of the story is at the age of being sought out for or matched with a husband. Given the changing in religious beliefs, the people gave her father the title “demon-priest” because of his practices and so her family is shunned by most. As she navigates being ridiculed by the town as well as her mother, she has to come to terms with why her father is also changing.

The story telling of this one was so good and one that you will want to binge to found out all the answers. Each piece of the story was well developed as well as the loved and hated characters!

This book is set in the 19th century in the Sri Lanka area. I loved the history and culture that was in this story as that is not an area of the world I am very familiar with. The characters were interesting although the pacing was just a little off for me. Amara is 18 and lives with her parents. The tone of the island has changed as more and more people have converted to Christianity and work with the colonizers. Amara’s father follows the old ways and deals with the demons that can plague someone caught unaware. Because of this all of the villagers have always called her a witch and tormented her. But someone has been attacking men on the island and everything thinks it is Amara’s father, but she figures out there is more going on than she knows and she is determined to figure it out. This book was a lovely introduction to this author. The story is haunting and one that will stick with me.

Island Witch is neither a ghost story nor a voodoo witch’s tale. It is about female oppression and the overall injustices afforded to the fairer sex. Throughout the pages, I could feel the anger building and building until the white hot rage became a startling fury that I was totally prepared for that inevitable ending! I expected it and thought that it’s really the only way it could end!!! Infused with Sri Lankan folklore, the story was both captivating and haunting. I flew through this book! It’s evident how much research the author did to write about 19th century Sri Lanka, which I so appreciated! I also loved Amara’s transformation: from an innocent teen to revenge-filled adult, she really grew on me. I rooted for her and also wanted to throttle her at times to wake the hell up and stop giving excuses for her father!!! The gory scenes didn’t scare me, maybe because by then I was also angry and thought the victims had it coming!🤔

If you want to read a unique historical fiction with a side of horror then this is your book. Just know the CW: violence, sexual assault, abortion, domestic abuse, bullying, and exorcism.

Thanks @netgalley @berkleypub, for my digital ARC of Island Witch. I really enjoyed reading this!