So Witches We Became is a curled snarl of a book. This is the type of book that seethes with rage and breaks your heart.

It is no secret that I adore a good horror book and Jill Baguchinsky delivers the goods in this no holds barred YA horror that delivers spine-chilling thrills and an unleashed power in both rage and letting your voice be heard.

This is not a book that holds back, it pulls power from its deep-seated anger. I love books that unapologetically let their fury fly, particularly when it’s connected to important conversations and the type of emotion that consumes you entirely. This is definitely one where I would recommend reading the content warnings ahead of reading, as it deals with rape culture, abuse, sexual assault, rape and victim blaming as primary topics. These are dealt with sensitively and with a clear sense of nuance at the difficulty of these conversation, particularly within a patriarchal society. Characters have tricky conversations on page that tackle their own complicity and having to face their trauma. However, it is also very much a narrative around reclaiming your own narrative and power. Both are given equal weight and I think that chimes strongly with the ultimate message of allowing survivors to find their own path. It is their story and they should have control over what happens next. Forcing any judgement or recommended path upon them reduces their agency further than it has already been stolen from them. This is an impactful message and shines particularly in that balance between power and rage, it finely achieved by Baguchinsky and should be commended. Within this rage, there is a warning of letting it consume you entirely. It picks apart the idea of justice and vigilantism, questioning where exactly that line sits. There is a lot to unpack within these pages, but Baguchinsky always allow time to breathe and digest these revelations in a way that gives both characters and readers grace.

The opening sequence of this book is chilling. It immediately puts you on edge and gives you a good sense of some of the supernatural scares that may come into the book. Overall, the horror contains a great mystery and a brilliant use of atmosphere to amplify the tension. The setting is an isolated and intriguing one, with its own mythology and mystery around it. So, once the chaos starts, you are primed for an oncoming storm of death and destruction. There is certainly some bloodshed and brutality here, but it is also constantly questioning who the true monsters in the narrative are. It is a familiar narrative, but infused with heart due to the excellent characterisation. Nell is a brilliant protagonist and instantly draws you in. She’s likeable but complicated, haunted by fears and secrets. Around her is a tight friendship group, but there may be more than a few cracks beneath a seemingly easy exterior.

Also, while it is very much not the primary focus of the book, there is a gorgeous queer romance thread throughout the book. This is one that brought a smile to my face with great chemistry and dialogue, which naturally built between the two characters. It is of course amplified by the horrific circumstances unfolding around them and complicated by the truths they are not sharing with one another. Ultimately it provides some light and hope for the future amongst the darkness, giving an example of continuing to live for yourself and taking control of your own narrative. It is a hard won victory though and definitely shown to contain struggles to come as well.

So Witches We Became is the kind of horror that haunts your dreams—brimming with a poignant fury that settles under your skin.

The Mist but make it a story about female rage and teaching boys that there are consequences to their actions. Nell and her friends decide to go on a trip for their senior year of high school, it was just suppose to be the three girls and one of their brothers on a private island for the perfect spring break. Nell has a secret though... a secret that mixes in with the island's tragic history... and creates a vengeful mist that will devour people. Nell has been going through a lot and when a certain uninvited boy and his friend crash the vacation trip... Nell's trauma is awakened and so is the monster within in. Her already fragile friend group will have to see if they can endure Nell's secrets and what truly happened to her as they try to also escape the island in one piece. This was a quick and easy read but it definitely deals with sexual assault and heavier topics. Nell is going through a lot and just trying to keep her friends together while also just surviving the incident that traumatized her. Yet when the sole cause of her trauma appears before... maybe it's time to get even and time to show him that "boys just being boys" is not an excuse and that there will be hell to pay. This was an easy read and I think if you enjoy horror with a bit of heart and some female rage, I'd definitely recommend it for you. It felt a bit like The Mist mixed in with The Craft!

Release Date: July 23,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Natural disasters are terrifying, but not as terrifying as sexual predators. This is a book with speculative elements, yes, and a fair amount of fear. At its heart, though, it's about trauma and now it warps and changes you. It's about human predators who often get away with their crimes. It's about retribution. I, very much, enjoyed my read.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my e-ARC of So Witches We Became.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me as I could not get into the storyline. The pacing was a bit slow for me.

When I read that So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky was "a young-adult feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist," I made this novel must-read and while not too similar to The Mist, the story carves it's own path of power feminist queer horror that had us quickly turning the page to find out what happens next.

For high school senior Nell and her friends, a vacation house on a private Florida island sounds like the makings of a dream spring break. But Nell brings secrets with her—secrets that fuse with the island's tragic history, trapping them all with a curse that surrounds the island in a toxic, vengeful mist and the surrounding waters with an unseen, devouring beast.

Getting out alive means risking her friendships, her sanity, and even her own life. In order to save herself and her friends, Nell will have to face memories she'd rather leave behind, reveal the horrific truth behind the encounter that changed her life one year ago, and face the shadow that's haunted her since childhood. Easier said than done. But when Nell's friends reveal that they each brought secrets of their own, a solution even more dangerous than the curse begins to take shape.

Jill Baguchinsky's writing is skillful and descriptive, she paints vivid pictures of the terror and suspense. While very spooky and eerie at times, the author does a wonderful job at creating a horror novel for young adults that doesn't go too far over-the-top. The novel was not too scary of heavy on the horror side of things, but added just the right amount of fright to give it the edge it needed. Baguchinsky balanced a great queer feminist story with horror elements to give us a complete and well crafted novel.

So Witches We Became has some pretty amazing characters that are well-developed and relatable, even for a heterosexual male reader, each carry their own secrets and motivations to add layers to the story. Whether these characters are longtime friends or new acquaintances, Baguchinsky skillfully interred them into the story with just the right amount of backstory and traits. The diverse representation and queer characters are authentically portrayed adding depth to their experiences within the narrative.

While a horror novel at its core, So Witches We Became does not shy away from exploring deep emotions, complex relationships, and feminism. Additionally, the novel delves into the psychological impact of trauma while also keeping us on edge with its eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements. Baguchinsky strikes a perfect balance between the spooky moments and the deeper story.

The duel timelines were easy to follow. I found myself wanting to stay in the current timeline, but the past was needed to complete the entire story and get us caught up. Using a timeline from the past the slowly inches closer to current timeline was a great effect and kept us engaged.

So Witches We Became is not only a great horror story but is a powerful and engaging story that captivated us from the very first page. Author Jill Baguchinsky has crafted a great tale with complex characters, chilling imagery, and thought-provoking themes that is great for anyones bookshelf from young-adult to full-blown adult. This horror story was a pleasant surprise.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

I adored So Witches We Became. I recommend it for fans of feminist books, queer characters, and horror.

This book is described as a queer, feminist retelling of "The Mist" and while it definitely hit the marks for queer and feminist, I didn't see too much in common with the mist aside from there being a mysterious mist.

It's told in dual timelines, one with the present and the other starting 12 years ago and creeping closer to the present- all the time alluding to a secret that has become a catalyst in a way for much of what is happening on the island. It was spooky and eerie at times, but not too scary or heavy on the horror. I found it a little slow at times.

At the end of the day, to me it was a book about the secrets we've all kept (and the damage it can do to you) about the person(s) who made us feel uncomfortable, acted inappropriately, or done more and gotten away with it. About taking back power, standing up for yourself, and believing people.

I am a HUGE fan of angry women - add in queer, creepy inaccessible to everyone island, haunting legends? UM YES!
Spring break on an isolated island rich with local lore. Three young women, best friends for years yet tenuous as high school graduation looms.
Nell has a shadow friend. And a massive crush on the owner's queer daughter. Harper is in an abusive relationship. Dia is in love with Harry, Harper's older brother.
As they battle against a rising tide of mysterious substance determined to consume the entire island, including the inhabitants, this group of friends discover they have so much in common. And a massive amount of swallowed rage.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown for a digital ARC to review.

I was intrigued by the blurb's promises of revenge, horror, and a "feminist take on The Mist." What I got was... not that.

I feel like mist is the only thing this book has in common with The Mist. I was hoping for more of a creature-feature, final-girl, assault-revenge genre fiction story, but sadly that's not what I got. I found it surprisingly tame, but perhaps that's because I'm an adult reading a horror novel aimed at teens. Although I have read YA books that were quite violent and brutal.

This book would have benefitted from a dual perspective/timeline to explain the island's history. It was instead a lot of telling, not a lot of showing.

There were certainly parts of this book that I enjoyed -- like the "bad guy" getting his comeuppance, the eerie scenes with the encroaching mist, and rallying together to fight a common enemy.

I think I would have loved this book when I was a teenager, but as an adult who has read her fair share of adult horror, So Witches We Became fell a bit short of what it promised.

A decent addition to the genre of queer, feminist, YA horror. There were places where I felt the plot could have been a little bit tighter: Baguchinsky does a great job setting up a scene to scare you, and there were some moments I found genuinely spooky, but the mystery of what’s going on here feels hastily slapped together at times, with not enough groundwork laid to keep it all from feeling convenient. A good example of this is that, in spite of its title, witches don’t really get brought up in a meaningful way until 65% through the book (and, yes, there are literal witches involved in the puzzle of what’s going on on this island), and when they do, it feels like an infodump. I liked that the main character, Nell, felt like she had a lot of realistic layers (she’s a horror aficionado, but also a musician, an aspiring writer, and the overprepared “mom friend” of the group), and thought there were some good conversations about female rage, female unity, and the toll that living every day under rape culture can have on a person. The last ten percent of the book, where these conversations begin to take place in earnest among Nell and her friends, was more emotionally affecting than I was expecting. The sapphic love story felt very authentic if a little rushed, though I appreciated that it took a back seat to the drama happening on the island with the spooky mist trapping the teenagers there. Recommended for fans of Courtney Summers and Erica Waters.

Spring Break Nightmare

Jill Baguchinsky's "So Witches We Became" takes a seemingly idyllic spring break on a secluded island and transforms it into a terrifying fight for survival. Nell, burdened by a past trauma, arrives with her friends, unaware that the island holds a dark secret intertwined with her own. As a strange mist descends, trapping them and unleashing unseen horrors, Nell must confront her buried demons to break the curse.

Beyond the Beach Read

This novel goes beyond a typical beach read. While the premise offers classic horror elements, it delves deeper into themes of female empowerment and the lasting impact of trauma. Nell's struggle to overcome a past assault is central to the story, adding a layer of emotional depth. The diverse group of friends, each with their own hidden burdens, adds complexity to the narrative.

Horror with Heart

Similar to Stephen King's "The Mist," the story creates a chilling atmosphere with a sense of isolation and a looming threat. However, "So Witches We Became" injects a strong feminist undercurrent. The solution to the island's curse lies not in brute force, but in the power of female friendship and the courage to confront personal darkness.

Things to Consider

The horror elements might be a bit too intense for some younger readers, particularly those sensitive to themes of assault. While the synopsis mentions a "queer romance," the details are unclear from this description.

A Must-Read for Horror Fans Who Crave More

"So Witches We Became" is a chilling and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of YA horror with a feminist twist. The compelling characters, the exploration of trauma, and the focus on female power make this a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

This was a powerful and cathartic display of working through trauma and repairing relationships, with a very satisfying dose of justice in the end. The magic system and lore was vague enough that it didn't center itself and take away from the very non-magical, human strengths and power that triumphed, instead representing and amplifying them.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. So Witches We Became was GOOD, I loved the atmosphere, and the characters, but I will say that calling it anything like The Mist was a bit of a disservice, because I felt like I was waiting for the correlation to hit, and I was let down when I didn't see the connection. I think if I didn't have that notion in my head I would have enjoyed it even more, but I did truly love the book. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads. 3.85

Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"So Witches We Became" by Jill Baguchinsky brews together a captivating blend of feminist fury and spine-tingling horror in this YA mystery/horror. Just from the summary, I wasn’t expecting a few specific themes in this story, so I would definitely recommend looking over content warnings for this book before reading, especially due to the SA content in this book.

Set against the backdrop of a mysterious mist-shrouded island in the Florida Keys, the story follows Nell and her friends as they embark on a vacation that quickly turns into a nightmare. As tensions rise and dark secrets surface, the group finds themselves trapped in a battle against unseen forces that threaten to consume them.

Baguchinsky’s masterful world-building and attention to detail bring the island setting to life, immersing you in its eerie atmosphere and mysterious allure. I especially loved the descriptions of the mist and what was hidden within the mist, such as the tar. From spine-chilling encounters with supernatural shadows to heart-pounding moments of suspense, the story delivers plenty of horrific thrills. I absolutely loved the descriptions of the shadow, especially from the flashbacks depicting Nell’s childhood, and I also really enjoyed the twist involving the shadow, which I was not expecting. The metaphor involving the shadow was so heart-wrenching and beautiful. There isn’t too much horror/gore in this book (mostly just with the shadow and a specific water scene – I did want a bit more horror in this book), and one character I liked disappeared for part of the plot. The atmosphere that developed throughout was great as there is just a sense of dread that grows stronger and stronger. This tension came from both the mist advancing on the characters as well as the advancing of a specific story from Nell’s past that left me almost breathless from the tension, especially when the truth was finally revealed.

Baguchinsky's storytelling shines brightest in her portrayal of fierce female rage and the power of female togetherness. The book's feminist themes are shown throughout, offering a refreshing take on the horror genre. You will find yourself rooting for Nell and her friends as they confront their fears and fight for justice in the face of adversity. The compelling characters and thought-provoking themes were a definite highlight of the book. The diverse cast of characters, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities, adds depth and authenticity to the story. Some of the themes were a bit heavy handed in the 2nd half of the book, but I loved how everything came together in the end. The feminine rage was just so authentic and real.

Overall, "So Witches We Became" is a spellbinding read that brings together vengeance and empowerment. I can’t wait to read more from Baguchinsky.

I picked up this book due to The Mist comparison and either I'm not picking up on something or I got lied to about it from a blurb. Shouldn't be surprised but these kind of things are highly annoying.

I’m still struggling on how to rate this. On one hand, there were times when I couldn’t put this book down. The setting was great. I really enjoyed some of the characters.

On the other hand, some parts were a little heavy-handed, and I did end up guessing a good bit of the plot. It’s also publicized as a spin on “The Mist” but some teenagers spring breaking kind of didn’t check any of the boxes on why I really enjoyed “The Mist”. The thing that they have in common is that there’s a mist.

Overall, I enjoyed the majority of the book. It’s more spooky than horrifying. I loved the theme of feminine rage and queer representation that isn’t just a plot point.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy!!! It almost didn't feel like horror. But more of a justice superhero book to me. Don't get me wrong there are creepy portions, but the justice and characters getting what they deserve is glorious. Don't get me wrong, it is 100% horror. But it is also a romance and a coming of age as well as a vengeance tale. If someone has done you wrong, read this and remember you don't have to listen to the voices of doubt in your head, and get some revenge of your own.

This was a great book of horror that encompasses friendship and resilience! I never would have thought I would read a horror story that contained those things. A fantastic read!

The Mist meets Creepshow and a whole lot of other horror movies for something that sank to the bottom of the water.

I was shaking with excitement to read this. It was one of my most highly anticipated reads of the year. I screamed my pure craziness for this book from every rooftop and ledge that I could find. The cover is definitely drool-worthy and the synopsis snatched my heart like a deliciously bad idea. And you all know how I love bad ideas.

Have you ever read anything where you didn't give a flying f**k what happened to any of the characters? That was this book for me. I found the entire book to be dreadfully boring. In fact, I had to skim through the last forty percent as it failed to hold my attention. It's clear to me now why I slept so soundly for the past week. There was nothing in the book that captured my interest for more than a few minutes at a time. It saddens me to say all of this.

So Witches We Became just wasn't the book for me and I'm so heartbroken about it. Lesson learned about being super stoked about something.

Loved this book. As a longtime fan of "The Mist," I thought this was a fitting, feminist, rage-filled ode to that book and the creepy, psychological horror that King brings to mind. I loved that Baguchinsky didn't shy away from allowing her characters to feel rage, I loved how inclusive the story was, I appreciated the way that it was told. This was a complex, wonderful book that I devoured in one sitting. Highly recommend.