Full of suspense and horror elements this book is a hit!

I love the perfect mix of gothic meets sri lanken folklore and witchy vibes of it all. The pacing was perfect I think some people might complain but it dragged in a perfect way and then sped up right when you need it.
This needs to be made into a movie!

𝘏𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 • 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 • 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺
𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 • 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘵𝘩 • 𝘚𝘳𝘪 𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘢
𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘋𝘢𝘵𝘦: 20 𝘍𝘦𝘣 2023

A dark coming-of-age murder mystery with ghost-story horror flair.

Our main character Amara is the young innocent type, sheltered and gullible. After an unknown attacker begins ravaging local townsfolk in the jungle, Amara starts having bouts of amnesia, hearing and seeing things. Her father is the village capuwa (shaman), performing exorcisms and protection spells, hence the townies are quick to cry “witch” in light of the recent attacks. Amara is ostracized, teased and bullied by the mean girls at school, while at home her parents are working to have her married off post-haste. As the attacks hit closer and closer to home, the walls are closing in fast.

This reminded me of a cross between The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Carrie, but set in Sri Lanka. Although I figured out a lot of things along the way, I’m still sitting with the ending. Def check the trigger warnings at bottom before you dive in as it’s quite dark.

Here’s what I loved:
🇱🇰 Sri Lankan setting, language, and folklore
🥥 Tensions between Buddhism and Christianity in colonial-era Sri Lanka
🌴 Gender expectations and coming of age in a misogynistic society

I devoured this book in 3 days!

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 @berkleypub 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬!
TW: Gore, Death, Violence, Sexism, Sexual Assault, Rape, Infidelity, Domestic Abuse

Island Witch sounded amazing and right up my alley, and also just look at that gorgeous cover. I was so excited to read this book, but this ended up being an average read for me. I’ll start with what I liked about this book: I loved the setting and the gothic vibes. The atmosphere was very foreboding and ominous. I thought the main character, Amara, was a pretty strong and interesting character. She definitely had to deal with a lot throughout the book. The mystery was intriguing and there were some paranormal moments that I liked.

Here’s what I didn’t like about this book: the story was slow moving and I felt like not much happened until later in the book. There were some horrible characters (mainly male characters) that I absolutely despised and there were parts in this story that made me so angry. This was a very bleak read with some brutal moments, so make sure to check out the trigger warnings before reading this one.

Overall, Island Witch was too slow paced and bleak for my liking, but I loved the gothic atmosphere. I would recommend this book to lovers of slower paced historical gothic fiction.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)

This was the perfect atmospheric, eerie, gothic, and witchy story brimming with feminine rage. I was hooked from the first chapter, and I just had to finish this in a day!

Amara is the daughter of a demon-priest who was once highly respected in their village until the British arrived. The British colonizers brought Christianity with them and pushed her culture out. Shortly after their arrival, Amara is relentlessly bullied and called a witch, and a string of attacks on men in the jungle begins happening. Everyone is blaming Amara’s father, and soon Amara sets off on her own to try to clear his name and investigate what is going on, especially when she’s plagued with nightmares of each of the attacks.

This story was overwhelming. There is so much going on, and your heart will weep for Amara. The way women are spoken of, spoken to, and treated will make any woman absolutely rage. This is one of those stories that, even though it’s fictional, we can all relate to some extent. It was brutal but also simultaneously intoxicating.

It was dark, mystical, and it’s going to stay on my mind for a long time. This was written beautifully, and the ending left me speechless. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I also really loved the audiobook, which is narrated by Isuri Wijesundara - she gave an incredible performance.

Thank you NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and Penguin Random House Audio for the free ebook, finished copy, and audiobook

Island Witch unfolds in 19th century Sri Lanka, drawing inspiration from local folklore. Amara, the daughter of a traditional demon-priest, faces relentless bullying from her peers and finds herself accused of witchcraft. Despite the villagers turning against her family due to the influence of British Colonizers and their new religious practices, they still call on her father when supernatural disturbances occur. When a series of mysterious attacks terrorizes their coastal village, Amara's father is accused of being the perpetrator.

To clear her father's name, Amara discovers that someone—or something—is brutally targeting men in the jungle. As she delves into solving the mystery, Amara is plagued by prophetic dreams that hint at the dark forces on her island. The villagers, however, remain skeptical and accuse her father of the crimes. Amara is haunted by the night she fell ill and woke up to her mother's desperate cries, urging her to keep a dark secret.

Amanda weaves a captivating tale in "Island Witch," transporting readers to 19th-century Sri Lanka, rich with cultural and mystical elements. The novel explores the challenges faced by Amara, the daughter of a demon priest, who becomes entangled in a web of accusations and supernatural occurrences.

The atmospheric setting of coastal Sri Lanka in the 1800s adds depth to the narrative, immersing readers in a world of local folklore and cultural clashes. Jayatissa skillfully captures the tension between traditional practices and the intrusion of British Colonizers, creating a backdrop that enhances the mystery and suspense of the story.

Amara's character is a compelling protagonist, navigating the complexities of her identity and the challenges posed by societal prejudices. The portrayal of her resilience in the face of bullying and accusations adds layers to the narrative, making her journey one of self-discovery and determination.

The central mystery involving the attacks in the jungle and the accusations against Amara's father unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and supernatural elements. The dreams that haunt Amara contribute to the eerie atmosphere, creating a sense of foreboding and connecting her to the dark forces at play.

The novel explores themes of superstition, betrayal, and the impact of cultural shifts on traditional beliefs. The author delves into the complexities of familial relationships, societal expectations, and the struggle for acceptance in a changing world. The writing style is evocative, capturing the essence of the time and place. The narrative unfolds at a steady pace, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the coastal village. The tension builds organically, leading to a satisfying and impactful resolution.

Amanda Jayatissa delivers a compelling and atmospheric mystery that combines historical richness with supernatural intrigue. The novel stands out for its unique setting, well-drawn characters, and the seamless integration of folklore into a gripping narrative. it is a perfect read for those seeking a blend of cultural exploration, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural.

Wow! I mean the prologue should have hinted me to where this is going. But wow.

A powerful, and it feels like very personal story. It is about the abused, the used, the shamed - the women. I mean this book, I couldn't put down or stop reading. It hits you in the feels. It hits you in that deep corner of the soul, where you know this is a true story that still happens every day. The shaming of being different, the shaming of being a girl. And still the bullies being excused.

I can feel how much heart and soul this author put into this book. Even if it is a horror book. Even if there's a touch of paranormal. The real life stories that this is based on - is the real horror of our world.

Thank you so much for sharing this book with the world.

Fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's horror novels will enjoy Amanda Jayatissa's latest novel, Island Witch. It's a demonic possession story that gives similar vibes to movies such as Black Swan and the Ring, albeit with Sri Lankan folklore. It also delves into my least favorite topic, colonialism, and I could feel my teeth grinding anytime the imposition of Western customs and religions was mentioned.

The horror aspect is more on the muted side, and I found it to be more disturbing than creepy, but if you get scared easily, then I would suggest not reading this one close to your bedtime.

For the most part, the story was slower-paced with some parts more predictable than others, but the ending paid off big-time for me 👏🏽👏🏽. It's what made me give the overall book an extra 🌟.

Thank you to Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the gifted copy of ISLAND WITCH by Amanda Jayatissa for review.

ISLAND WITCH is set in 19th century Sri Lanka and makes use of local folklore to create a witchy tale. Amara is the daughter of the village Capuwa (demon-priest) which has made her the focus of a lot of negative attention as well. Newly eighteen years old, Amara is starting to think about her life, her parents, and her future and the way her parents' traditional customs fit in the modern world.

Someone or something is attacking men in the jungle, and Amara's father and his practices are blamed by man. Amara is sure that her father is a good man, and she is determined to prove it. Still, she is haunted by bad dreams and the danger comes closer and closer to home.

I didn't know much about this book going into it, but the cover definitely had me intrigued. I am happy to report that I really enjoyed my time with this one. I flew through the audiobook for this in barely more than a day, staying up late to finish Amara's story.

I think this book did a really good job of developing an intriguing mystery, a creepy and atmospheric setting, and also a lot of really good discussions. As Amara is really coming to age at eighteen in this story, Sri Lanka is also going through a lot of changes. British colonizers are on scene, bringing in their religion and education systems and morals. The way the people around Amara react to this colonization made for a lot of interesting conversations.

This book takes on some very serious subjects (please check trigger warnings if that may be a concern) and the mistreatment of women is definitely a focus. There were times where I was frustrated with Amara's choices, but she did live a pretty isolated life, so I did feel like her naiveite made sense in context.

ISLAND WITCH is well worth picking up!

Thank you for the free book Berkley Pub!

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐉𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set in 19th century Sri Lanka, Amara is the daughter of the village Capuwa, a demon-priest. With new religious practices brought to the village by the British Colonizers, Amara finds many who used to appreciate and respect her father, slowly turning on her entire family. When someone is seizing upon men in the jungle, her father is the one blamed for the vicious attacks. Set on clearing her father’s name and reputation, Amara is in search for the truth. The only problem is, she is haunted by dreams that predict dark forces on the island, and is starting to tie everything back to a strange illness she experienced and the words her mother spoke as she was waking up while scared and confused. Who is responsible for the attacks, and why are they happening?

I could not read this book fast enough! I had so many different theories while reading this book, and I loved how many different theories I had while reading the book. This one will definitely keep you guessing until the end!

Perhaps what I appreciated most about this book were the themes and messages about women and how they are mistreated and expected to remain quiet about it. The lack of support and love by the people that are supposed to be the ones to protect you is also a focus. I feel like these themes were woven in so beautifully and flawlessly. While at times difficult to read, these powerful messages were so important.

If you are on the fence about this one, I urge you to give it a try. I usually do not read gothic fiction or horror novels, but I am so glad I read this book. I found it to be so impactful and so perfectly written.

I think this book would be an excellent choice for a book club. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to experience Island Witch as a Buddy Read, and I loved having the opportunity to talk about this one while I was reading!

🐦‍⬛Atmospheric
🐦‍⬛Inspired by Local Folklore
🐦‍⬛Gothic Fiction
🐦‍⬛Set In Sri Lanka in the 19th Century
🐦‍⬛A Dark Feminist Tale

Posted on Goodreads on February 14, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around February 20, 2024: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on February 20, 2024
**-will post on designated date

This was a well written and enthralling feminist historical fiction/fantasy set in 19th century Sri Lanka that follows Amara, a young island girl who is the daughter of a traditional 'demon priest' as she navigates life in a society where women are often demonized and have little say over their lives. Enter the 'Island witch' - a demon spirit who gives Amara power to seek revenge on the men who wronged her. I love a good vengeance story and this one was full of a great blend of history and fantasy/mythology with a strong female lead. Great on audio too narrated by Isuri Wijesundara. Many thanks to NetGalley and @prhaudio for a complimentary digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

💥 Pub Date: 2/20/2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 (rounded up)

• historical horror
• supernatural elements
• dark themes

*Alexa, play "Mad Woman" by Taylor Swift.* Great Sri Lankan setting - I love learning about different cultures and their folklore. This was a very unique book overall, but the pacing was a little slow.

🗣 Thank you to netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

If R.L. Stine praises a book, I know I'm going to enjoy it. Island Witch is a gothic story set in 19th-century Sri Lanka, where the daughter of the village demon-priest tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been happening in her coastal village.

I thought the overall story was a fascinating look at folklore from another country. There were parts of the book that were creepy and even at times, a bit gorey. Otherwise, I found it to be mysterious and atmospheric. I liked Amara's character and how she developed through the story. I did find a few parts to move slowly and I wanted more action, but that's just a personal opinion. The book definitely has a slow-burn feel and the ending is fantastic.

Island Witch is one to check out, especially if you enjoy books that focus on folklore.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

The pacing was not my favorite, but I did enjoy the story and the show of effects of colonization on it.

The Island Witch is VERY different from the authors previous two books, so I was a little weary going into it but this one surprised me in the best of ways! Filled with creepy folklore and a lot of cultural references this one hit home for me. I love books where authors can make their novels so atmospheric that you feel like you’re involved in the story and this one certainly did that. And it’s CREEPY! I highly recommend this for those who have enjoyed books like Vampires of El Norte and Mexican Gothic!

𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Supernatural Thrillers/Horror
❥ Atmospheric Reads
❥ Books surrounded in folklore

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I think Jayatissa should write more horror because this book is incredible.

Sri Lanka is a small island in the Indian Ocean that is about 432 km long and 224 km wide. Due to its location near India, their cultures have influenced each other. Amanda Jayatissa demonstrates this close relationship in Island Witch with the commentary about Buddhism and Hinduism. This story also shows the impact of British colonization on Sri Lanka.

› Although there are big themes like colonization, religion, superstition, and women's rights, Island Witch doesn't feel preachy. It's a dark, tense, and emotional book about a young woman discovering the truth about herself, her family, her friends, and her town.
› The cover for Island Witch is eye-catching. It exudes a mysterious, gothic jungle vibe. Perfect for this thrilling horror novel set in 19th-century Sri Lanka.

› First Line: "The demon-drums started and the little girl's face contorted like a blood-soaked rag being twisted dry."

› The story begins with Amara's father, Thaththa, performing an exorcism on a little girl possessed by a yakku (demon). Amara is eighteen years old. Her father is a Capuwa, a demon-priest. Amara has been accompanying her father since she was a young girl, but now that she's older her mother, Amma, doesn't feel it's appropriate and thinks Amara needs to focus on finding a husband.

› Raam is Amara's secret boyfriend. They've been secretly seeing each other for two years and cannot reveal their relationship until they are engaged. Raam keeps delaying the engagement saying it's not the right time. Amara wishes she could talk to her long-time friend Neha about it, but they had a falling out when Neha became good friends with British teenagers who bully Amara.
› British colonization has caused some of the townspeople to shun Thaththa's work, however, they still call upon him for help. They call Amara a witch - "a new term brought over by the British".

"Even though the number of families converting to Christianity had continued to grow on our island since the invasion of the British, our Sinhalese traditions had coexisted harmoniously till now."

› Amara has been sleepwalking. Waking up on the beach or in the jungle without recollection of how she got there. Her mother has been making her drink a tonic every morning - what is it for?

› Thaththa gave Amara a suray, a talisman that she wears around her neck, to protect her. "It was meant to protect me, but I never understood from what."
›  Amara encounters Heen Achchi. Four feet tall, with white hair, two teeth, and white-glazed eyes, the townspeople have long forgotten Heen Achchi's real name. Amara's father told her that Heen Achchi can look into other worlds. She tells Amara that there is darkness surrounding her and warns her to be careful.

› Something has been attacking men in the jungle and some people accuse Amara's family. Determined to find out who is responsible for the attacks, Amara teams up with Bhagya - a young girl she met in the jungle - to clear her father's name.

"Shame had permeated me for as long as I could remember. It was planted by the nuns at school, and cultivated by the girls in class. It only grew as I got older, even as I started to understand that I didn't have anything to be shameful for."

› Who is responsible for the attacks? Will Thaththa be arrested for the attacks? Is he attacking people? What do Amara's dreams mean? Why is Amara sleepwalking? What is the tonic for? Why does her father think she needs protection? Why are her parents being secretive?
› The character name meanings are accurate and even a little spoilery so I'll let you look that up yourself. The characters are well-developed. Raam gives me the ick. "It'll be nice to have something to remember you by. To remind me that you're mine." Ew.

› I love the descriptions and world-building. The atmosphere is dark and emotional. You can tell this was well-researched and Jayatissa effectively weaves the folklore into a powerful and unique story.

› There is commentary about unwed pregnancy and how that can ruin a woman's life, yet it doesn't affect men the same way. Even the way they treat women once they start menstruation is degrading. When a woman has her first period (known as Kili) she is forced to segregate for two weeks, staying in a small hut alone because women are believed to be unclean.
› The writing is high-quality with great readability and believable dialogue. The inclusion of other languages immerses the reader into the culture. The point of view puts you in Amara's shoes and you feel just as confused as she does. Jayatissa shines when writing horror:

"She took a step closer to me, her limbs like spider legs, her body clicking and disjointed as she moved."

› I loved the beginning, the middle is a little slow, and I didn't like the ending. But that doesn't affect how I feel about the book. There isn't a lot of fluff, every sentence is moving the plot forward. Horror book tropes are all here: evil, open windows and doors, strange nightmares, inclement weather, a mysterious neighbour, and feelings of being watched.

› I didn't want to put this down. I think the message is unique and Jayatissa succeeded in writing a dark feminist horror story. I didn't see any plot holes.
› Final Thoughts
• Women have been afraid to walk alone at night for centuries. It's about time men knew how that felt. Island Witch is an unforgettable, terrifying and poignant book about colonization, class inequality, sexism, family dynamics, superstition, betrayal, and revenge. It reminded me of Monstrilio and I can definitely see the influences from The Exorcist and Carrie.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

If you’ve ever been curious about Sri Lanka or simply love learning about complex tapestries of far away places through pages of fiction, you will want to pick up Island Witch. This beautifully told coming of age story, with mixed in elements of folklore & horror, had me mesmerized and absolutely emotionally invested every step of the way.

Amara’s village and its practices have changed considerably with British Colonization. Her father’s once respected role of Capuwa (demon-priest) is now being judged through the lens of the church. In light of recent mysterious violent attacks in the jungle, the entire family is faced with judgement and scrutiny. Add in the mix Amara’s confusing dreams and the stage is set for this memorable tale.

I loved the elements of supernatural and how they were used to bring to surface many complex topics explored in this book - ideas of identity, belonging, family, friendship, love. My heart ached for Amara and her sense of loneliness and very basic human desire to belong. I also appreciated how the language was incorporated into the story (and really appreciated translation following immediately, made for a smooth reading experience).

Even if you’re not a big fan of horror or not typically a horror read, I’d still recommend Island Witch. It was such an impactful story, centered around a memorable main character and I’ll be hard pressed to forget it any time soon!

Aside from some pacing issues in the middle, I really loved this one. I think the Gothic meets Sri Lankan folklore inspiration worked so well in this horror mystery. Atmosphere was great, imagery was vivid, and I really liked the themes explored. All around, a great first outing for me with this author - looking forward to more!

This was my first novel by Amanda Jayatissa and I’m looking forward to checking out her backlist and what’s more to come! What first caught my eye was ISLAND WITCH’S cover… I briefly skimmed the synopsis and immediately requested.

This one was a mashup of Supernatural Horror & Historical Fiction. It gave me Vampires of Del Norte vibes. Inspired by a Sri Lankan folklore. A slow burn that feels fresh and unique and was worth the pay off.

I always ask myself how a gruesome book can be so beautifully written but Jayatissa nailed it. The eerie gothic atmosphere of 19th century Sri Lanka was beyond bewitching… a place I would love to read more about. I listened to the audio which was perfection! I felt Amara come to life as well as the setting.

Thank you Berkley and PRHaudio!

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I think that Island Witch might be my first foray into long-form Sri Lankan fiction (tbh, I am not 100% on that - I know for sure I've read some Sri Lankan short horrors, but that's all that's immediately coming to mind). And I loved every moment of it. Jayatissa has woven a beautiful tapestry of gothic horror, historical fiction, and folklore here. I could have read about every moment of Amara's life and felt good about it. She is such a relatable, delightful character. I developed a much better understanding of her than I feel I could have reasonably expected in under 400 pages. She's certainly not perfect, in fact she's every bit as flawed as you would expect any young person to be.

Jayatissa manages to create so much atmosphere within these pages that it's going to blow your mind. She describes Sri Lanka so beautifully that you'll feel like you're standing right there watching Amara's story play out in real time. Like, I wanted to live here - big bad monster possibly lurking in jungle or not.

That is not to say that everything you'll find in Island Witch is going to be the beautiful type of atmospheric. That's definitely not the case. She also creates an extremely tense atmosphere. A village on the verge of violence against their own. She also explores themes of misogyny, religious zealotry, colonialism, bigotry and intolerance. There is a palpable feeling of escalating panic among the villagers.

Island Witch is full of some of the most engrossing prose I've encountered in a long time. Amanda Jayatissa is not an author I was familiar with prior to reading Island Witch, but she is definitely one I will be seeking out in the future. She has a fantastic ability to draw a reader in and refuse to let them go.

*Note: per the publisher's book blitz schedule, this review will go live on my website on Feb. 20, 2024*

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Amanda Jayatissa is a new-to-me author, but I was drawn to the premise of Island Witch. While I didn’t entirely know what to expect, I was immediately drawn into the blend of Sri Lankan history and folklore, with a fantastical, horrific, and even Gothic bent. I know very little about Sri Lanka, but I know a bit about the region generally and how they were impacted by colonialism, and that aspect is seen in action here, with the people slowly becoming more Christianized and abandoning their older spiritual practices.
Amara, as the daughter of the demon-priest, is a solid focal point for this story, due to them collectively being shunned due to their beliefs not being “godly.” Her father also becomes an easy scapegoat when mysterious deaths start happening. The additional layer of her mother treating her with suspicion after Amara started having ominous dreams.
Lush and atmospheric, the book definitely moves at a slower pace. I was a tad discombobulated at first, unsure of what I was getting into, but as I got into it, I soon became engrossed. The mystery was compelling and kept me on the edge of my seat guessing.
/This was an engaging read, and I’ll definitely read more from Amanda Jayatissa in the future. If you enjoy multicultural Gothic horror, a la some of the books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia or Isabel Cañas, I’d recommend checking this out!