I received an ARC for this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I have to admit, it was hard for me to find the appropriate rating for this book. Even though I loved the writing and prose, I found it lacking in other aspects.
For me, the writing was truly the best part of the book. Atmospheric and magical, it creates fascinating images that will transport you to the beauty of norwegian nature. Chelsea Iversen truly has a way with words and for that reason alone I would definately pick up any future work of hers.
As for the plot, it is where the book kind of lost me, although it definitely had potential. I liked the dual POV and seeing how each sister dealt with their mother's loss as well as their relationship both with eachother and other people. Personally, I found the characters a bit one-dimentional and I felt like we spent more time reading the thoughts of each character, whereas I would have enjoyed a bit more interaction and dialogue. It felt a bit more like a long narrative and the pacing was quite slow for my taste, only picking up in pace towards the end of the book.
All in all, a very good debut novel, especially for fans of historical fiction as it gives a great insight of how the witch hunt evolved in closed communities during the 17th century and how devastatingly easy it was for it to get out of control. I can safely say I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

If you love earthy witch magic, sisterly bonds, feminine rage, and character that are torn on which kind of life they wish to lead, this book is for you. This take on witches and more earth, based magic gave me Salem Witch hunt type vibes as the sisters had to hide their magic from others in order to stay alive. The Witches at the End of the World is filled with poetic, atmospheric writing as we follow two sisters who followed two different paths after the loss of the two magic-wielding matriarchal figures in their lives. While reading this, I felt myself wondering what I would do in each sister’s shoes, which path would I take? Is there a right or wrong way to live when it comes to happiness when happiness is not a guarantee? What would I do for a beloved family member? These questions, and many more, fueled my reading journey. I giggled, I gasped, I even cried a little! If you love a more historical, familial vibe with your magic reading, The Witches at the End of the World is 100% for you. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC opportunity, I loved this book!

Two sisters, Minna and Kaija, have grown-up in the woods far away from even the closest community. They are, of course, witches. They have been raised from a young age by another witch "guardian" who was able to remove them from the town following the murders of their parents. But when their guardian passes, Kaija wants to go back to the town that claimed their family, and deny herself her witching abilities in hopes for a normal life. Meanwhile, Minna, could not even fathom such a sacrifice, and lives for her witching abilities. When their disagreement, and Minna's rage, goes further than either anticipate, they must determine how they wish to move forward... separately, or together.

Although the story-line seemed promising, I had a hard time relating, or feeling invested in either sisters story. Because of this, I found that it was hard to keep invested in the story and found myself wanting it to just hurry up and be done. The story was also somewhat easy to anticipate, which added to the difficulties I felt keeping invested in the novel. However, I did like the historical aspects of the story, and some of the "wilderness" and roughing" it parts. Overall, it was not a bad book, but I'm not sure I will rave and recommend it to everyone I know.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

If it weren’t for the arc I would not have come across this intriguing read. The Witches At The End of the World is about 2 sisters who come from a long line of witches. After a tragedy in their home village 13 years ago, the family relocated to the woods and lives in isolation. Following the death of their grandmother, one sister decides to return to the village under another identity to seek a different lifestyle. This creates tension and fallout with the sister who stays home in the woods.

I found this storyline quite engaging and it kept me at the edge of my seat wanting to know what was coming next. Just when I thought everything was working out another twist threw me for a loop. I enjoyed this quick read and would be interested to see what else this author writes up.

Two sisters torn by the death of their mother. One wants revenge, one wants to move on with their life years after their mothers death.
This book for sure reminds me of the old school Salem witch trials. Women being burned for being witches from villages who fear what they don’t understand.
This book for sure was a little bit of a predictable read as much as you can imagine but the way it’s told with the narrator is absolute perfection. I felt like I was back in these dark times with these sisters. Seeing the injustice and darkness that flooded these lands.
Overall this book for sure enrapturing yet a predictable read. Kind of falls in the middle of the road where it wasn’t the best book but not the worst book. It leaves an impression on you, making you hope these sisters story will end up on a good note but knowing it’s unlikely.
This books climax was for sure the best part of the book, my heart was beating so fast and hoping so much that it wouldn’t end the way it seemed to be.
Would I recommend? Yes! If you like books about witches, old times and stories about the good/bad sides of a relationship between siblings.
Thanks to the folks at NetGalley for a copy of this book. My review is a honest reflection of my feelings of this book.

I enjoyed the narration of this book, but sorry to say it fell a bit flat for me. The overall setting was there, it just sometimes did not keep my attention. It was atmospheric and is a good read for the autumn season. Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an Audio-ARC. 3.5

I was really looking forward to reading this.
It's a book about witches, sisters, and has an amazing cover.
I was a little put off by the narration style. It is almost 100% inner monologue from the two sisters.
Even when interacting with other characters it is still an inner monologue narrating the moment.
It was very off-putting.
The plot itself has the bones, but became less and less interesting with no "direct" interactions within it. Inner monologue is great for thoughts you don't want others to know or transition moments, but it is difficult to carry a story with only inner monologue when your characters are actually speaking characters. When dialogue was introduced it was difficult to realize it was happening as a result.
Thanks NetGalley & RB Media for my ALC.

I enjoyed how this book portrays witches as having an "inner witch" as kind of a separate being that exists inside the witch. It took me a minute to get into the book, but it really picked up as it went on. There were some lovely descriptions. While I understood Kaija's longing for a life in a community, I did wonder at her wanting to go back to the village that burned her mother. She also has a pretty big well of forgiveness in her! Overall I gave the book 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for an advance copy of this book for review.

The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea Iversen. I really liked the concept of this book, and the relationship between the sisters. I wanted to love this book, but it fell flat for me. It was a little slow and repetitive at times, and a bit predictable.

Thank you RB Media, Recorded Books, and NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio review copy of this book. This book, told in dual point of view, explores relationship between two sisters. It was a bit hard to listen to as it was slow in places but did not have much going on. I wish there was more dialogue in the book.

This time of year I read a lot of fantasy and horror, as I think many are apt to do in the fall. I gravitated to this book because I always love witch stories, and sister stories, and magic. The writing was good, the story was good, the pace was good, there were a couple twists but not any that were jarring. It was just good overall. But it wasn't memorable, and it wasn't truly extraordinary.

My favorite thing about witchhunt books is theres usually a nugget or two about how messed up Christian extremists are. There was a good part where it was said something like any God so afraid of witches and the devil's work wasn't a powerful or impressive deity, and I was struck by that. I might have whooped.

Tthroughout, the witch burnings in this story, women were burned for not having friends, or being religious enough, or just being a litttle odd, and other women were the accusers. Female mob mentality ruled. I don't think that is typically how it all went down in the US. It was a lot more misogyny, as these puritanical men were in charge of everything and didn't much like or trust women at all. Maybe it wasn't about the women, eh? Maybe they were raging-- I digress. Anyway, it was a very female-centric story where the men weren't abusive or the aggressors, which was different. But it was still tough to read because people were burned to death for all the wrong reasons and it is quite upsetting still.

DNF this audiobook at 45%. I really liked the characters and the concept was fantastic, unfortunately there didn't seem to be much plot and the book plodded along. I wanted to love it but I couldn't get into it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC. At first, this was hard to follow, however, it started making sense and from that point onwards the story unfolded. Reminsicent of the setting of Frozen and even bits of the story, the reader is transported to a land where beliefs and gender are perilious. There is great commentary on Christianity and the nature of religion, but also the archetype of the "outsider" in this case, the woman who does not abide by communal rules, is employed to show how perilious being different and woman can be. I also loved the message at the end - we have to rely on each other in this world, because "no man is an island". I did not LOVE this book, but it was definitely worth the read.

Set between an enchanted forest and a fishing village in 1677 Norway, Iverson's tale of sisterhood is transportive. Kaija and Minna were young girls when their mother was accused of being a witch and burned alive. They survived by fleeing with their grandmother, who has just died. They express their grief differently: Kaija longs for community and flees to the fishing village they grew up in, hoping enough passed time and magic will allow her to blend in and become a part of the community again; Minna burns with a blistering rage and casts a curse that will have long-reaching and unexpected results. This is a story of actions and consequences, of sisters' love for one another, of what being different would have meant in those times.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for this audio e-arc.*

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I liked the system of magic the witches in this book use. The concept of having another witch living within them to help them do their magic was fascinating, I wish there was more about that. I was saddened by the rift between the sisters in the book and was glad they got a happy ending. The idea that humans see magic where they want in order to condemn others is accurate and so sad.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Originally, I wanted to give this 3 stars. Not because I didn't like it, but it was a slow read, and the build-up seemed to be going nowhere. I wasn't bored, but I wasn't invested either. But then, around the halfway mark, something shifted. Not the pacing or the action, though we did get some, but something shifted and I couldn't tell what at first.

What I though was going to be crazy magic and witches and action turned into a story about sisters, about love and trust, about needing your family even when you don't think you do. Yes there was magic and curses and death. Yes of course there was action. But that wasn't the point of this story.

What this ended up being was a love letter to family and what it means to lean on each other, to know you always have someone there helping you get through whatever stands in your way. It was beautiful and magical and the writing was incredible.

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
A debut full of beautiful prose. The story of the two witch sisters is gritty and explores grief/emotional pain lyrically. I really enjoyed the setting, I could feel the isolation and felt transported into the forest and village. The writing style was interesting as this took an introspective view rather than the use of dialogue. This worked so well for the audiobook, I was fully immersed! I think this added to the atmosphere by creating this quiet place in the world but with inner turmoil. A great witch book, perfect for autumn.
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for an Audio-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Deep in Norway, magic is flowing through the veins of two sisters. For years they have been alone but Kaija longs for a life filled with community. Meanwhile, Minna doesn't have the same desires, both different, but both will never forget the day they were driven from their village and the day their mother burned. Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything, not realizing it would set off a deadly chain of events.

The Witches at the End of the World was good but unfortunately, I finished feeling like I wanted more. I didn't feel like there was a lot happening on the outside, so it took me longer than usual to finish listening/reading. I received a physical ARC and received the audiobook ARC and I enjoyed the audiobook more. I switched back and forth but ultimately opted for the audio version as the narrators did a great job telling the story. I did enjoy the differences between the two sisters, seeing their limits being tested, and the drama.

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and RB Media for the chance to read/listen to this one and review it honestly.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea Iverson in exchange for an honest review. Two witches living in the woods, going in different directions. One goes into town to find love and friends while the other stays and deals with loneliness and rage. Both start journeys that change them forever. I loved this book and they way Chelsea Iversen writes.

Two witch sisters have lived an isolated existence with their grandmother after their mother was burned to death for witchcraft. The sisters have very different reactions to their grandmother's death. Kaija wishes to return to their village and live a normal life. Minna embraces her witch and remains in the forest. In a fit of rage Minna puts a hex on the city which disrupts Kaija's new life.

It took me a while to get into this book. The story starts quickly with the back story delivered later in the book. I think because of this I didn't really understand the sister's relationship. I liked the 17th century rural Norse location. It further isolates the characters from the rest of society. In general I enjoyed Kaija's story more than Minna's. However, the fantastic ending made up for the lackluster beginning.