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.

What We Sacrifice for Magic is marketed as being perfect for fans of Practical Magic, so obviously I jumped on the opportunity to read this one.

I enjoyed the book, however I found that the execution of the ideas within the story didn't quite hit the mark. I think the character development was good, and the magic system was fantastic. Overall it is an enjoyable coming of age story.

What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd is a wonderful coming-of-age story with a unique, magical twist. I absolutely loved this book!

Elisabeth Watry-Ridder is a third-generation witch that is expected to take over for her grandmother and serve her small town with her magical abilities. Then, she discovers a family secret that reveals why her path is so set in stone and sets out to figure out who she is on her own - without magic and without her family. But, at the end of the day, Elisabeth realizes that the answers to her questions can only be revealed with her family by her side.

What an amazing debut novel! The story was fantastic and so unlike anything I've ever read before. The themes are what you would find in a typical coming-of-age story: a young teenager trying to discover herself, messy family dynamics, personalities trying to come together. I connected greatly with Elisabeth and what she went through as a young adult wanting to be her own independent person. Then, the added layer of the family's witchcraft history and magic being their livelihood was such a different interpretation. I thought it all worked brilliantly and can't wait to read more from this author!

Hello Fellow Readers

What We Sacrifice for Magic was an interesting read. The Premise was intriguing and more enjoyable than I thought. The family dynamics were interesting and it made Elisabeth's journey of self-discovery and coming of age all the more important. It was a bumpy ride at first as it just started slow and it took a while for the story to pick up. My main issues were the characters, most felt stilted and awkward, and Elisabeth herself was hard to like. I do understand that she is flawed and quite young and in some ways very strong as well, but there were certain instances where I found her extremely unlikable. Magda was also a bit of a disappointment, and I didn't like the direction DeWerd took her.

Overall, an interesting coming-of-age story.

This is a book when a family of witches keep the community safe and happy until the matriarch dies. The local farmers seek out their water charms and the teenagers, their love spells. The family’s charms and spells, passed down through generations of witches descending from the Black Forest, have long served the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota.Eldest daughter Elisabeth has just graduated high school—she is expected to hone her supernatural abilities to take over for her grandmother, the indomitable Madga. She’s also expected to marry her high school sweetheart and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But all she can ask is why her? Why is her path set in stone, and what else might be out there for her?She soon discovers that magic isn’t the only thing inherited in her family. That magic also comes with a great price—and a big family secret. The more she digs, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts the grandmother she thought she knew.

Atmospheric and witchy but was ultimately not a book I was interested in at all. I wanted it to be a bigger mystery, with more tension and emotion so investment but it felt like just telling the story of the FMC in a straight linear way. The big reveal wasn’t a big reveal and I felt like wasn’t enough drama where the author tried to pretend there was.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

DNF at 2%.

I was very excited by the premise of this book but at only 2% in I can already tell you I will not be able to finish this. The writing style is just not for me. It seems to me that the author has an issue with run-on sentences. It seemed like every other sentence should actually have been a series of sentences. It also seemed to be a bit all over the place with descriptions of school and her boyfriend fading into mentions of the family business and right back to the boyfriend.

I’m glad others have enjoyed this read but I just cannot get into it.

A magical family with secrets, and the effect they have on their small town - this book was right up my alley. Will Elisabeth accept her role in the family’s legacy or will she follow her own path? And what happens if she turns her back on her destiny? Loved it!

I went in expecting some lighthearted witchy fun and instead found myself fully engrossed in a stunning family saga and a love story about the beautiful bonds of sisterhood. The mystical elements in this book were unlike any others I have read and it was fun to explore these powers alongside our main character, alongside her traditional coming of age as a woman. Its Midwestern setting called to mind "The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County" by Claire Swinarski and "The Lager Queen of Minnesota" by J. Ryan Stradal, but with a witchy twist.

This story is about a family of witches in a small town where they are respected and help the locals with problems they may have, big or small. It becomes abundantly clear, that Elizabeth the oldest girl, has all of her life mapped out already by her grandmother Magda. She rebels, runs away and all goes wrong.
I loved Mary and Elizabeth the most as they were great. Although they had all these magical powers, they still squabbled like sisters. There were lots of great characters in the story, but the two sisters were my favourites.
I found the story started off well but seemed to go flat in the middle, but then it took off with a life of its own, and I was desperately turning the pages, wanting to know what happens next.
Many thanks to Alcobe Books for giving me the opportunity to read this arc copy via Netgalley. My opinion is my own.
#Netgalley, #AlcoveBooks, #AJDewerd.

I ended up realizing early on that this book just isn't for me. I have been having a mix of really great arcs that fit my reading preference to a t and then some that I just cannot get to vibing with. I have no doubt this author is going to go places with the correct audience. However, thats just not me.

An emotional story of family and belonging that unfortunately wasn’t fully fleshed out. I felt like this was either a powerful novella that got bloated with emotional monologuing or a novel that needed a lot more development. The family dynamics were excellently drawn and their relationship to each other and the town was interesting and unique, but Elizabeth’s character was actually one of the least compelling facets of the narrative. If you’re a fan of cozy magic and coming of age stories you might still really enjoy it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy. These opinions are my own.

One of the blurbs described this as a book for lovers of Practical Magic, an I would agree with this assessment. Dewerd’s descriptive language hooked me into the story from the very first chapter. Elisabeth is torn between self and duty, family and freedom. Her matriarchal family gift of magic is both her lifeline, and her anchor into a life she isn’t sure she wants. As the story weaves, I found the tale to be a little slow at times. The writing style made up for areas that felt slow, and I loved the way the story wrapped up.

What We Sacrifice for Magic is a lovely tale of sisterhood and magic, and is currently one of my favorite reads of 2024.

The story starts in a very unassuming way, following your friendly neighborhood small town witches in the 1960s. The storybuilding is solid, dropping small hints at first, then landing outright secrets about our characters without spoiling the surprise in the process. I adored the character progression as well. Our little family with 3 generations of witches, the father in a supporting role, the romantic interests - they are all fascinating to watch as they learn and grow. There's a particular focus on the sisterly bond and it is presented in a candid, flawed way. Our characters need to find their place in the world before they can truly appreciate the comforts of family, and when they do it feels right and not forced or faked.
The magic system is also interesting, apparently based on Alemannic German dialects. I'm not a German speaker so I had a hard time following the incantations at times, but you could sort of understand the main parts from context. There's probably more flavor text if you understand the language.

Overall, a down-to-earth coming of age tale in a universe where magic is more practical than fantastic. If you're a fan of Practical Magic and Garden Spells, you'll enjoy this one for sure.

✨ Disclaimer ✨ I received a free copy of this book and this is my honest review.

Historical fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres, and when put together I can't resist. Honestly, I haven't read many books that take place in the 60s, but I enjoyed it all the same. Mostly references to music and societal norms were what placed the story in that time frame. If anything I would have liked a few more references to the time period. What particularly drew me in to the story, however, was how realistic it felt to have witches living at this time in Minnesota. Having to find a place in society where they are needed and not feared. Blending in with the Catholics in town so they aren't burned at the stake like their ancestors, I thought was brilliant. A realistic and wonderful coming of age story about family relationships.

📗+🎧: What We Sacrifice for Magic-a standalone

✍🏾By: Andrea Jo DeWerd-debut author

🗣️ Narrator: Sara Van Beckum voices all the characters. The narrator's voice fit the characters with standouts from Elisabeth, Magda, and Mary. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along with the eBook and audio.

🏃🏾‍♀️‍➡️ Run Time: 9:58

📃 Page Count: 308 eBook

📅 Publication Date: 9-24-24 | Read: 9-30-24

Genre: Historical Fic, Fantasy, Women's Fic, Occult Fic

Tropes: small town, witches, magic, sisterhood, coming of age, hidden secrets

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Alcove Press, Highbridge Audio, and Andrea Jo DeWerd for this ARC and ALC🧙🏾‍♀️! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions expressed are mine alone.

🌎 Setting: 1968- Friedrich, MN to Minneapolis (St. Kate's Dormitory)

⚠️ TW: death of family member, stroke-mentioned, h is a virgin, black magic, dysfunctional family, arson0-mentioned

☝🏾POV: single, 1st person-Elisabeth

💭 Summary: Elisabeth is carrying the burden of running her family now that she's eighteen. Groomed by her grandmother Magda she learns to practice magic for the townspeople waiting for her planned out life to begin. She will marry John, her high school sweetheart, live in Frederich forever, and run the family. When she discovers a family secret, she breaks away to a new life and end Magda's control over her.

🚺Heroine: Elisabeth "Lisbett" Watry-Ridder-18, a seer and practitioner heiress to Magda Watry. Grew up with three generations of women casting spells, charms, and energy healing.

🎭Side cast

John Weseloh-18, Elisabeth's high school boyfriend, farmer's son

Mary Watry-Ridder -16, Elisabeth's younger sister, great at magic but Magda doesn't believe Mary has the right magic

Magda Watry-Elisabeth's grandmother and mentor

Dorothy-Magda's mother-deceased, warns Elisabeth about Magda

Annie Holbrooke-18, Elisabeth's BFF

Jacob Ridder -Elisabeth's father, runs family business-Ridder Family Company mills and grain elevators

Helene-Elisabeth's mother, close to Mary. She does animal magic.

The Ridders- Elisabeth's paternal grandparents-against them using magic

Nick-23, a bartender Elisabeth meets after leaving Friedrich

🤔 My Thoughts: Other than slow plots, I enjoyed rooting for the heroine Elisabeth. She questioned why she was the "chosen one" and not her mother or sister. She distrusted her grandmother after finding a grimoire with a vision of Magda taking half her heart to the cedar chest as sacrifice. I wanted to get a real conversation between Magda and Helene because they chose Elisabeth's path.

🔥: Spice 2/5-h has her 1st time + another time w/ someone else
🗣️️: Narration 4/5
😭: Emotion 4/5
🧑‍🤝‍🧑: Couple 3/5-Elisabeth and John
⭐ ️: Rating 4/5

An unusual retelling of a coming-of-age story and grappling with the tethers of familial responsibility all wrapped up magic and witchcraft. Sensitively and beautifully written, it lost the thread in the middle. And I came dangerously close to dnf'ing. However I kept going and so glad that I did. As the last third continued, a real window into the different characters and motivations opened giving the story depth and universal meaning. For those looking for the magical components, you won't be disappointed