This was such an intense read but so satisfying. I adored the story and the characters and following their story. I was extremely well done the way the plot and mystery unfolded. I even ended up staying up til 1am to finish it.

This story blew me away. I will say that I knew the history of Nell and Gavin the second I saw them on the page together. It was very well expressed in that first interaction, and every interaction after. Nell’s reaction to him is so very accurate in my experience. There is so much to love about this book. It is VERY trauma heavy, but it is also validating of that trauma that is so often brushed off in this world. I just adore these dark, powerful books. It is darkly beautiful. And the author’s note and resources at the end are everything. I must now read all of Baguchinsky's work. But oh how I will hold this book close to my heart. Amazing. Wonderful. Deliciously dark and vengeful. <3 Exactly what we need right now.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky is a truly enchanting and empowering read that seamlessly blends magic, sisterhood, and self-discovery. The story follows three young women who are suddenly thrust into the world of witchcraft, each discovering their unique powers while navigating personal challenges and complex relationships. Baguchinsky’s writing is sharp, witty, and filled with heart, creating a narrative that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with their individual journeys of growth and empowerment making the book a standout in the genre. The themes of friendship, identity, and the power of embracing one's true self are beautifully explored, and the magic systems are both fresh and captivating. So Witches We Became is an unforgettable, spellbinding read that will captivate fans of magical realism and coming-of-age stories alike. It’s a perfect mix of charm, depth, and magic, making it an absolute must-read!

Looking for female empowerment and vengeance? Look no further. The title sums up the story in an exhale. You called us witches, so witches we became....

If you like uneasy horror with a psychological and supernatural twist (think magical realism if the magic is horrific) and feminism, then this book is one you should curl up with on a rainy day and dive into. It will leave you wondering when physics will prove that magical realism is real.

I don't know. This was just okay. I'm still not clear on why a lot of the events in the book even took place. I appreciated that the author allowed the girls to repair their friendship by the end, and speak their truths to one another, but a lot of the rest of the plot seemed kind of flimsy. There were parts that were genuinely creepy though!

Horror is a surprisingly good way to explore social issues. Because while this book certainly has horror elements at the forefront, the messaging is definitely social commentary. It is, perhaps, a bit too obvious about it. There's no subtlety here. And with indistinct characters it was hard to engage.

Queer horror retellings? Sign me up! I’ve tried reading Stephen King quite a few times, and often find myself not being able to get into it. However, I have devoured and adored every Stephen King story retelling that I’ve come across, and this one story is no exception. I thought the story was woven together beautifully, and I was hooked until the end.

Thanks to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and Jill Baguchinsky for the chance to read ‘So Witches We Became’! There were sections that I enjoyed and I can definitely see this book being a fave if I was more in the target demographic. Young Adult books are so hit or miss for me. I did enjoy how the relationships were portrayed.

“A reminder that if "boys will be boys", girls will fight back.”

First, what a gorgeous cover!
Second, I am ALWAYS here for feminine rage.

I see the easy comparisons to The Mist, but this felt more akin to Speak meets The Craft. It was very much a YA story (in terms of writing and predictability) that gore loving me would have eaten up in high school.

The traumas the girls faced at the hands of terrible men were centered, but there was acknowledgement that men also suffer because of patriarchal bs. Queerness In the book was just… normal, something that would be amazing in our actual society.

The world is a dumpster fire right now, and this was a nice little reminder of the power women and girls have when part of a community.

Baguchinsky targets the theme of feminism in an eloquent way. I loved the female empowerment and depiction of queerness in this novel; it definitely feels like a good influence to the intended audience (teenagers). I totally wish I could have read this book in the fall or winter since it gives off spooky vibes!

A HUGE thank you to netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for an ARC of this moving and beautiful story. I don't really want to give a plot summary because this is one novel you are going to want to go into kind of blind. I know with the summary on the back of the book and reading the first few chapters, I was like "how did the title come about"? Oh boy, it came together so satisfyingly.

I l oved the aspect of the mist and the shadow following around Nell. It was two nice subplots that went into one and it made so much sense. This book is IMPORTANT. It is sadly something a lot of women (and men) can relate to and feel a part of. I am overly obsessed that I really want a tattoo to keep this novel with me forever, though it is likely to stay in my head. I could go on and on but really, I just want to leave it at read this novel, you won't be disappointed.

BRAVO Jill, I cannot wait to see what else you unleash for us.

This was a fun thriller/horror most of the time! Our small group of friends is spring breaking on a barrier island off the Florida coast, but it seems a little weird. Like something's off. Almost immediately, though, things take a turn for the worst when our MC's best friend's jerk boyfriend shows up. MC visibly hates him for reasons we will find out, but as it turns out the island also hates him because it won't let him and his friend leave. A caustic mist descends. Horror commences. But why is all of this happening?

It takes the book a while to get to that, and it stumbles a bit here trying to connect what's happening to the island to the friends to the island's past, etc. All of that felt like it got lifted out of another book. So while this was a quick read it wasn't super satisfying at the end.

So Witches We Became starts out interesting. The creepy happenings on the island are enough to satisfy horror lovers. However, the later half of the book lost me. Not because I was confused by the plot, but because it became boring and predictable and detached. I wish that there had been more leaning in to the horror and less of the overly explanatory details. Assume that your reader is smarter than they are, and let them make those connections.

I received a review copy of So Witches We Became from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky is a haunting and atmospheric YA horror novel that blends female rage, trauma, and the supernatural into a gripping narrative. Set on a private Florida island during a spring break trip gone horribly wrong, this story follows Nell and her friends as they confront a curse that traps them with a toxic mist and a vengeful beast lurking in the surrounding waters.

Baguchinsky masterfully crafts a tense, eerie environment where the island itself feels alive, out for revenge. As secrets from Nell’s past—and those of her friends—begin to unravel, the novel delves into themes of trauma, assault, and survival. I especially appreciated how the author tackles these difficult topics, including how sexual abuse impacts both men and women, adding layers of depth to the horror elements.

While the book takes a bit of time to build up, once the mist rolls in, the pacing picks up, delivering moments of body horror and suspense. The diverse and queer representation adds to the richness of the story, though some of the feminist messaging might feel basic for older readers. However, it’s a powerful and much-needed narrative for its target YA audience.

The story is more spooky than terrifying, but its chilling imagery and focus on female friendship, survival, and confronting past traumas make it a compelling read. Fans of The Mist and Courtney Summers will find much to enjoy in this feminist horror.

4 stars.

I absolutely love horror/thriller books that make a statement for social justice. This is so much fun but also so important.

I have been loving YA horror lately and add in some feminine rage? I’m all here for it. The atmospheric writing was on point in this book. The whole island just gave me the heebie jeebies. I loved getting to know the characters and especially loved the flashbacks. This book dealt with some heavy topics and was written with respect for anyone who has gone through these events. I loved the female friendships and how they showed the struggles of any friend group. I loved the journey this book takes us on and how the journey ends. Definitely recommend this to anyone, who like me, also has Halloween decorations up already or is just looking for some spooky vibes

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was fantastic! It was filled with female rage, terror, and suspense. There were several moments that were actually spooky and super eerie. I liked that this book seemed to be a YA reimagining of The Mist by Stephen King. With a diverse cast of characters, all with their different strengths and weakness, they kept me engaged with the whole story. I loved the themes of vengeance that these women got in the end.

I wanted to love this book but it just didn't do it for me. I found the speed of the story to be too slow and some of the characters weren't likable enough for me to really get caught up in the story. Did I order it for my HS library? Yes, hopefully my students will enjoy it but it's just not the story for me.

The feminine rage, the story’s message, and what the girls said about their story all was executed very well. This book carried on with a sense of dread pretty much throughout, it was creepy. It almost finished like that until we figured out what was controlling the mist. Now that part got to be too weird for me and i just felt like it failed in the horror part. Now the feminine rage omg I was rooting for these girls so hard especially when Nell went back for you know who. Solid 3 star book with a great message.

This was enjoyable, for what it was. I am not a big YA reader but I found this engaging, a little spooky and not too steamy which is where I see a lot of YA going these days. Would recommend. Also, absolutely gorgeous cover art.