I've never read from Amanda Jayatissa but I've heard good things about her writing so I was excited to check out this new novel from her, but unfortunately it wasn't a good fit for me. Though this novel is labelled as an adult story, it read very young adult to me and I didn't enjoy that tone. I also struggled to get invested in the world building, which I think was a personal preference issue.

Thank you to the publisher for granting me access to an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the pre-release copy of this novel. Below you'll find my honest review.

I really liked the story in this one. It was an interesting setting, an interesting cast, and a really cool way to learn about another culture through a tale involving their beliefs, mythologies, and religious practices.

But it did have some downfalls. Namely, all of the twists are predictable. I knew every reveal before it happened, and it was obvious leading up to it. In addition, the use of words specific to their language is really neat, but the constant "here's a word, here's the definition" got a little distracting. And the main character's non-stop "my dad is treating me differently, what happened to make this change, etc" got very repetitive when it was in almost every chapter for over half of the book.

It did have a strong protagonist, which I liked, and while the definitions did become tedious, I did like that the author put in actual words and historical references that were really part of history. I also loved that the story was about a part of the world and a history that we don't have a lot of published novels about. I'm really happy to see more diverse stories being published to share those things with the world of readers.

All in all, I really enjoyed it, but felt like it needed some tweaking.

"Island Witch" by Amanda Jayatissa takes place in 19th century Sri Lanka, telling a story rich with folklore and shrouded in mystery, particularly surrounding Amara, the Capuwa's (demon priest) 18-year-old daughter. Living in a village where her family's once-respected practices are now shunned, and finding herself and her family ostracized by the quickly colonizing islanders, Amara finds herself in the middle of village chaos when mysterious and violent attacks start occurring, with fingers pointing at her father.

The setting and backdrop are steeped in cultural heritage, the supernatural, and tales of societal exclusion and classism. The premise is intriguing, yet, as the story unfolds, it tends to drag, making some parts feel longer than necessary. The plot, while initially engaging with its hints of dark forces and family secrets, started to feel repetitive, and the twists that should have been surprising became somewhat predictable.

I ended up rating "Island Witch" 3 out of 5 stars. There's a lot to appreciate here, especially the effort to blend Sri Lankan folklore with feminist rage. However, the slow pacing and the story’s predictability dulled the excitement I originally had for the book's potential. The story had great ideas at its core, but it doesn't quite hit the mark in execution, and it left me wishing for what might have been.

Amara is known in town as the Towson’s demon priest’s daughter. As the town begins to become colonized by British settlers, they lose respect for the priest’s ways. Amara begins having violent dreams that seem to coincide with attacks in the village.

This book is a lot different than the others I read by the author. I loved the folklore and spirituality involved in the story. It was a nice addition of culture and really made the story unique. This was a feminist tale at heart and some moments are frustrating to read. If you enjoy magical realism woven into stories with culture folklore, you’ll enjoy this one.

Island Witch comes out 2/16.

This was a decidedly mixed bag for me, which was disappointing because I had really high hopes based on the description and the cover. But ISLAND WITCH by Amanda Jayatissa had some pitfalls and stumbles that made it fall a bit flat in some ways. The things that I did like (and REALLY liked) about this book was the way that Jayatissa explores misogyny, religious zealotry and hypocrisy, and colonialism with a horror story about a girl who is trying to clear her demon priest father's name when men in their community start being attacked and murdered in incredibly violent ways. I loved Amara starting to come to terms with community hypocrisy, family secrets, and the way that women are silenced and shamed until they comply with the group. All of this was great. But the problem was that Amara's voice, when trying to convey her coming of age innocence and naivete, comes off as very simplistic and stilted, and it was jarring and took me out of the story. It also made it so that plot points were projected and made upcoming twists pretty obvious.

ISLAND WITCH was fine, but I had such a huge expectation for it that when it didn't get there it was a little bit of a let down.

This book has a lot to like: a great plot centered around a twisty mystery, a spooky forest, a strong female lead and so much emotion. It's perfect for fans of V. Castro's work. Sometimes the plot threw me too much -- especially when things went south, but once I got back on track, I enjoyed the story.

Dark and twisty, a compelling exploration of colonization and women's rage. Will recommend to fans of Isabel Canas. Also, good for you, Amara, they had it coming.

I’m not sure what I should do with my hands!!

They haven’t stopped flailing over my head in excitement since I received one of my most anticipated books….

Island Witch

Amanda Jayatissa is coming at us strong with her sophomore publication and let me tell you, this girl right here, is here for it!

It’s the last couple of days before Jersey gets walloped with another storm and I should be taking inventory on things we need to prepare BUT when you receive a surprise email from Berkley, you let NOTHING and I mean NOTHING interfere.

Looks like I’ll be on my husband’s naughty list again…

Anywho, I dropped the laundry and plunged right in. I have zero regrets . This feisty little lady over here has yet again delivered with another five star read that will just about break the internet. Yes, I am that confident.

I feel like I have been gut punched. How did I not see that one coming? Curious to know what I’m talking about? You’re going to have to pick this show stopper on up on February 20th to find out.

Big thank you to Berkley, Elisha Katz, Amanda Jayatissa and NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for an honest review.

In the mean time, here is a little teaser :

Set in 19th century Sri Lanka and inspired by local folklore, the daughter of a traditional demon-priest—relentlessly bullied by peers and accused of witchcraft herself—tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village.

Being the daughter of the village Capuwa, or demon-priest, Amara is used to keeping mostly to herself. Influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, the villagers who once respected her father’s craft have turned on the family. Yet, they all still seem to call on him whenever supernatural disturbances arise.

Now someone—or something—is viciously seizing upon men in the jungle. But instead of enlisting Amara’s father’s help, the villages have accused him of carrying out the attacks himself.

As she tries to clear her father’s name, Amara finds herself haunted by dreams that eerily predict the dark forces on her island. And she can’t shake the feeling that it’s all connected to the night she was recovering from a strange illness, and woke up, scared and confused, to hear her mother’s frantic cries: No one can find out what happened.

MY SWEET GIRL is one of my favorite stories, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of ISLAND WITCH. I was drawn into the story, a play on Sri Lankan folklore and was immersed in the spooky factor of a different type of whodunit - someone (or something!) attacking male villagers in the jungle. I felt the pace was a little slow, but appreciated the uniqueness of the plot.

Did anyone see that one coming? Cause I didn’t.

Gothic Fiction ✔️
Seth in 19th century Sri Lanka ✔️
Feminism vibes ✔️
British Coñonizers ✔️
Inspired by Local Folklore ✔️
Slow burn ✔️
Classism ✔️
Secrets✔️

Literally all the ingredients to make “Island Witch” a page turner. I found myself addictive to Amanda Jayatissa, like she put a spell on me and I couldn’t put this book down.

This story was rich and atmospheric, The jungle setting and the many tropes within the story which overwhealming at times (but in the most wonderful way)

Island Witch was able to beautifully portrayed what happens when colonizers arrive on land and the cultural clashes are at war with each other. But this story was so much more than Colonizers enforcing their Christian ways and culture. This is about how women are mistreated and used and expected to be quiet about it. This shows how the ones that are supposed to love you and protect you , fail miserably at it..

A MUST READ!

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review

While frequent readers of gothic fiction are likely to anticipate some of the monstrous revelations in advance of narrator Amara, Island Witch offers a refreshing take to fans of the genre. Jayatissa's 19th Century Sri Lanka setting, and her incorporation of themes of gender, colonization, and multi-cultural evolutions and clashes, add a richness to the tale.

"Set in 19th century Sri Lanka and inspired by local folklore, the daughter of a traditional demon-priest--relentlessly bullied by peers and accused of witchcraft herself - tries to solve the mysterious attacks that have been terrorizing her coastal village.

Being the daughter of the village Capuwa, or demon-priest, Amara is used to keeping mostly to herself. Influenced by the new religious practices brought in by the British Colonizers, the villagers who once respected her father's craft have turned on the family. Yet, they all still seem to call on him whenever supernatural disturbances arise.

Now someone - or something - is viciously seizing upon men in the jungle. But instead of enlisting Amara's father's help, the villages have accused him of carrying out the attacks himself.

As she tries to clear her father's name, Amara finds herself haunted by dreams that eerily predict the dark forces on her island. And she can't shake the feeling that it's all connected to the night she was recovering from a strange illness, and woke up, scared and confused, to hear her mother's frantic cries: No one can find out what happened."

Astounding historical fantasy!

I've loved Jayatissa's twisty modern-set thrillers about angry women, so I was super excited that she set this new book in 19th century Sri Lanka amidst British/Christian colonization. The historical, jungle setting provides a beautifully spooky atmosphere, and Amara is great character. This a revenge thriller/borderline horror novel that makes perfect use of the setting and folklore - here for it!

What a story!
Island Witch is a novel inspired by Sri Lankan folklore and seeped in creepy gothic elements. The late 19th century tale is claustrophobic and as thrilling as the ride you receive on the way up the to the top of the highest roller coaster.

Amara is the daughter of the Capuwa, or demon-priest. Times are changing with the arrival of the British Colonizers on the island and Amara's family is beginning to be shunned as anti-God. When a series of men are killed in the jungle the villagers are quick to point at Amara's father. Amara needs to get to the bottom of the mystery, save her friendships and hopefully become betrothed before time runs out.

Amanda Jayatissa has provided a beautiful and bewitching contemporary take on the folklore of her island.
#berkley #AmandaJayatlissa #islandwitch

Enjoy the thrilling ride with the mix of fantasy, horror and feminism!

I have read the author's previous books, and I can assure you that her books contain a quality plot and an impressive element of surprise. From settings to revealing the suspense, Amanda Jayatissa has never failed to impress her readers.

The story was set in the 19th century Sri Lanka where the natives were colonized under the British rule. To explain this historical timeline further, the arrival of the British colonizers has made changes such as the social structure, and introduced western ideas and concepts, such as Christianity into the society. Although they sound great, there is also negative side of the British colonization such as brutal suppression, extraction of natural resources, and acquire access to the sea routes at the expense of the local economy.

Now, coming to her latest book, the Island Witch..
Nothing was easy for Amara. Being a capuwa (traditional demon priest)'s daughter, she was constantly bullied by her peers, and was accused of witchcraft. With the influence of the new religious practices, the people, who once had utmost respect for Amara's father and his practices had either refuse to interact with him and his family or taunt the family.

When a new threat, which is thought to be a demon, has been attacking the villagers, people start to accuse Amara's father. The story continues as Amara tries to solve the mystery of the attacks that were terrorizing her village.

As I have mentioned earlier, NOTHING can go wrong with this author's creativity! Dark and twisty as usual, but Jayatissa has done something different this time. Unlike her previous books, Island Witch was set in the timeline of the 19th century Srilanka, which means modern technology was yet to be born, no social media, or current social trends. however, there is a theme which acts as a bridge between the story's timeline to the current day - gender roles. We may have drowned in with our excitement in this book and been trying to solve the mystery but in the meantime, the author points out the gender roles, especially the role of a woman in the society. In this book, we come to understand how a woman's reputation, her physical appearance, and her personality affect the reputation of her family and the society. I do not wish to spoil further for my other fellow readers, although I would like to mention that the author shows that a woman can wield to provide love and care, as well as destruction.

Again, Jayatissa had me hooked on to this book from page one! Offered with such great imagery and a quality plot, a reader cannot escape from this enchanting mystery.

Amara is the daughter of the village's demon priest. Since the colonization, the village now looks at her father differently, and no longer calls to him. When multiple men are attacked in the jungle by an unknown entity, her father is accused. Amara begins to investigate to try and clear her father's tarnished name, but within her investigation, she begins having nightmares and waking up in questioning locations.

This was an unbelievably gothic and atmospheric read! Perfectly paced, eerie, and spooky at its best. Amanda paints an unreal terror of what Amara must go through to try and clear her father of these accusations. Your jaw will drop when you discover the truth.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for providing me with an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Island Witch publishes on 2/20/2024!

Amara is the only daughter of her Sri Lankan village's demon priest (Capuwa). Her family is simultaneously feared, respected, and scorned, and Amara is frequently bullied and called a witch, especially as the white British colonizers' Christian religion takes a stronger hold and her father's services are used less and less. Things get even worse when multiple men are viciously attacked in the jungle by an unknown entity - Amara's father is accused, and as Amara investigates to try to clear him of suspicion, she starts having vivid nightmares and losing time/waking up in strange locations.

Amanda Jayatissa is one of my absolute favorites, and I knew from the very first chapter that I was going to love this book. She somehow (magic?!?) perfectly melded historical fiction, folklore, and horror with the uniquely terrifying and awkward transition from girlhood to womanhood and created a thrilling, haunting, suspenseful story of feminist rage and bloody vengeance. 500 stars.

I think this would be extra cool to (re)listen to as an audiobook because there are Sinhala phrases used throughout, which would add to the atmosphere even more.

This new to author told a challenging tale about a young woman who only wanted to be loved by her family and her sweetheart. She some of those things but a whole lot of scorn and contempt. This richly crafted story shows all sides of humanity good and evil. I look forward to more from this author in the future. Until next time Happy Reading!

I want to thank Berkley for this ARC via Netgalley fir an honest review.

_Island Witch_ by Amanda Jayatissa is a historical fiction read with horror and magical elements set in the late 19th century in Sri Lanka. It follows Amara, daughter of a traditional demon-priest, as her family suffers with the accusations of witchcraft by their people as men in the village fall victim to horrific supernatural attacks in the jungle. It is a vivid retelling of traditional folklore, mixed with colonialism and gender roles.

I loved this take on an old folklore. I love it when authors do this because we are getting to listen to a story that not a lot of people get to hear. I know it sounds corny, and I am cool with that. Amara, the daughter of a demon priest, knows to keep to herself and learn from her father. That is until things start becoming weird and unexplained. The men are starting to get attacked, and normally, they would turn to Amara's father for help. Instead, they turn on him, which isn't good in this small village where you rely on one another to help each other out. Amara sets out to help clear her father's name, but there is something that even Amara may not be able to find the answers to. It all makes sense once she starts piecing together everything from the dreams to the forest to the men missing.
I was a bit upset with her mother, though not going to lie; I didn't like how she treated Amara, even if she suspected anything weird.
The darkness surrounding this town and the forest was great. The book started slowly, but I felt it picked up pace as we dug deeper into the story. The ending I enjoyed!