Set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1968 Friedrich, Minnesota, What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd is a spellbinding debut that seamlessly blends magical realism with a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the weight of tradition. Through the lens of the Watry-Ridder family—a lineage of witches with generations of mystical knowledge—the novel dives deep into the tension between duty and self-discovery.

The story centers on Elisabeth Watry-Ridder, the eldest daughter destined to inherit her grandmother Magda's role as the family’s matriarch and magical leader. DeWerd crafts Elisabeth's internal struggle beautifully, portraying the push and pull between familial obligation and personal dreams. As secrets unravel and long-buried truths rise to the surface, Elisabeth is forced to confront questions about identity, loyalty, and the true cost of the power her family wields.

DeWerd's writing is lush and atmospheric, painting vivid images of the Midwestern town and the deep-rooted traditions of the Watry-Ridder family. Comparisons to Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and J. Ryan Stradal's The Lager Queen of Minnesota are well-deserved, as the book expertly balances mystical elements with a grounded, emotionally resonant narrative.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its exploration of family dynamics—particularly the complex relationships between generations of women. Magda’s wisdom, Elisabeth’s doubts, and the tension between tradition and progress are intricately woven, creating a rich tapestry of emotions.

However, the pacing occasionally falters. The beginning unfolds slowly, with a heavy focus on Elisabeth’s introspection, which may feel repetitive to some readers. When the plot accelerates toward the climax, the rapid sequence of events can come across as somewhat disjointed. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise enchanting tale.

In the end, What We Sacrifice for Magic delivers a powerful message about the balance between honoring tradition and forging one's path. It’s a poignant reminder that magic, like life, often comes at a cost—and that the sacrifices we make shape who we are.

This was such a cute story and I look forward to more from this new to me author. And I know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I adore this cover!

I'm a sucker for a magical withy story, but this one fell flat for me. It felt a little undercooked, like the author hadn't quite plotted out what she wanted to happen, and found herself stuck at the end. Not my favorite, I am very sad to say.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
This book is all about family and choices. The magic, although extremely important to the story, takes a (fitting) backseat to love, loss, and choices made.
Personally, if I was Elisabeth, I would have turned my family into a bunch of toads, and left. Called it a day. The way she was treated throughout this novel made me want to set something on fire.

3.5 stars. I'm not the biggest historical fiction fan, but I enjoyed this book! I loved how it demonstrated the impact generational lies, discord, and emotional abuse can have lasting affects.

I liked it. It wasn't anything spectacular, but still a good time. I enjoyed the characterization and themes, although my issue was that it didn't seem original.

I'm so sorry but I cannot read any more of this book. I am 76% through and nothing of interest has happened and I do not see this improving. I had hoped for more with the magic and family genre's but no, it's just not working for me. The plot is all over the place and it seems to be going nowhere. Unfortunately this story is just not for me. My apologies to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for not finishing. Thank you anyway.

The writing style and story wasn't working for me at all. Lots of telling, not much showing.

DNF

*Thanks to Alcove Press for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*

This was a really slow paced book.

Elisabeth has just finished high school and her grandmother, the matriarch of the family, is keen for her to take on the role as head witch of the small town with her magical abilities.

But when Elisabeth discovers a family secret, she realises that her future isn't set in stone and she sets out to investigate who she really is.

Eighteen year old Elisabeth dreams of more than just staying in her hometown and learning the magic her family has. As she digs into her family's past though, she uncovers secrets that make her question her life.

I thought this one was going to be more magic and less coming of age story, so I was a little disappointed. It was also written to be an adult novel, but I think it actually would have been more successful if written in a YA style (I love YA, so this isn't a knock on it!). The overflow also was a little choppy, especially early on.

The summary sounded great, the book itself, not as much. I found the writing style very choppy and disconnected, the characters were well rounded, I'll give it that but it was kind of painful to get through because of it.

A great coming of age novel that blends family drama with magic quite well. I’d agree that the comps to Practical Magic and Alice Hoffman’s works are fairly spot on. I was thrilled to be able to include this one in my Instagram Spooky Guide for 2024. Will be on the lookout for future books by this author!

Elizabeth just graduated from high school and her grandma Magna is putting pressure on her to marry and take over the family business.

I picked up this book hoping for a charming autumn book about witches. The book didn’t appeal to me because it is a slow paced story and I couldn’t relate to the characters. Unfortunately this one wasn’t a good fit for me.

Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

Andrea Jo DeWerd’s "What We Sacrifice for Magic" offers a captivating exploration of legacy, identity, and the price of power. DeWerd beautifully captures the tension between familial duty and personal freedom, weaving in themes of self-discovery. The novel’s atmospheric setting and richly developed magical lore create an immersive experience. The emotional depth and compelling exploration of inherited burdens make it a thoughtful and engaging read.

As I read this book I was reminded a little of Alice Hoffman's books on the power of family and of magic. I love those books and I loved this one as well. The setting is the late 1960s, and Elisabeth (Lisbet) is newly graduated from high school. She is bound to her family traditions and to taking her rightful place in the family as the next family heir-apparent. She is expected to marry her high-school sweetheart but she finds herself chomping at the bit and wanting adventure before settling down.

Elizabeth doesn't fully understand her reluctance. she only knows her reaction is real. In a tragic turn of events, Elizabeth breaks free and a twist of fate brings her to Nick and his companionship. It is the story of family ties, traditions, and lore which as we look upon them in our own time and place seem outdated, old-fashioned and often unreasonable. Elizabeth's actions don't come without consequences, and it takes the help of her mother, her sister and her cousin to bring the world back to rights.

What We Sacrifice for Magic is a beautifully-told story about family dynamics, inherited power, difficult choices, and healing. I found the Watry-Ridder family to be complex, and the source of their power mysterious. Questions of choice and fate, freedom and duty, family and self abound in this slow burn of magical realism.

Not a bad idea. Loved the magic but I should've known that it wasn't quite up my alley when it said for fans of practical magic. While this is blasphemous, I thought ooh I loved the movie...but i wasn't a fan of the book. But for those who do love the likes of the practical magic books, you'll enjoy this one

I am so disappointed that it isn't what I expected. I found myself hardly feeling the story, I couldn't get myself immersed and felt nothing for the characters. They felt flat and barely things happened for the half of the book. I couldn't enjoy the book as much as I wanted to. Nevertheless, I can see future potential with the writing.

I really enjoyed this book and was surprised by reviews that said it was hard to get into. I can see the criticisms that it feels a bit more of a YA voice but i wish we gave more leniency and flexibility between genres instead of demanding a strict categorization. I suppose the plot could seem slow if you need fast paced action and don’t enjoy the interiority of characters, but I felt this was compelling throughout and the family dynamics were portrayed very realistically for being about magic. As usual, I wonder if the prologue was added because the publisher wanted a HEA.

In this captivating debut novel, DeWerd weaves a spellbinding tale that transforms the familiar coming-of-age narrative into something far more potent by adding equal parts magic and generational weight. Set against the backdrop of 1968 Minnesota, the story explores how tradition can be both a fortress and a prison, especially in the hands of powerful women.
The Watry-Ridder family stands at the intersection of fear and necessity in their small town of Friedrich, where their Old World magic serves everything from farming to matters of the heart. But it's through eighteen-year-old Elisabeth's eyes that we see the true cost of inherited power. DeWerd expertly uses the supernatural elements not as mere window dressing, but as a lens through which to examine the bonds and boundaries of family obligation.
The author's greatest achievement lies in her nuanced portrayal of intergenerational conflict. Elisabeth's relationship with her grandmother Magda is particularly well-rendered, moving beyond simple rebellion into a complex exploration of legacy, duty, and identity. The 1968 setting proves perfect for this tale of feminine power and restriction, as the wider world grapples with changing roles and expectations.
While the novel's pace occasionally slows when dwelling on small-town minutiae, the central mystery surrounding the family's magical inheritance maintains tension throughout. DeWerd excels at showing how family secrets, like magic, can shape and distort reality across generations.
"What We Sacrifice for Magic" ultimately asks profound questions about the price of belonging and the courage required to chart one's own course. It reminds us that sometimes the most powerful magic lies not in what we inherit, but in what we choose to become.