* Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*

3 Stars. Felt "Meh"

This book may be listed as being in the wrong genera of adult historical fiction fantasy. This book reads more as Young adult due to the main character being newly 18 graduating from High School and trying to figure out who she is and what she wants in the future.

This is a coming of age book with family magic passed down the mothers side of the family following the females and the dark secret of what the price of this magic is.

To be completely honest this is just one of those books that made me feel "meh" the whole time and almost DNFed a few times due to how little happened. There were maybe 3 big events that happened but the rest was just a typical contemporary book following a teenager trying to figure out her life and own self away from the pressures of her small town and family that has her whole future planned out for her. Almost as if this was Practical Magic set at the pace of the sinking Titanic, lots of everyday life until few moments require magic.

Some other readers may love this. I just tend to like books with more risk and character growth.

Not bad just not my cup of tea.

I DNFed this book. The premise sounded fascinating but I got approximately 60 pages into the novel when I couldn't get any farther. I stopped reading and didn't reach for it again. Two stars because it was a great idea for a book.

The description had me excited and I am sure it had the potential to be amazing, but the writing style made this a very difficult read for me. The story felt choppy, lacking the natural flow I like in the books I read, which made it a chore to keep up with the story. I also wasn’t able to connect with the characters, which didn’t help my reading experience. Although I try not to, especially for ARCs, this was a DNF. This may be a great book for someone, but it was not the book for me.

3.5 ⭐️ The magic of sisterhood prevails in this coming of age book. The magic system is unique and the romance is budding.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-read advanced copy.

This story follows Elisabeth, and is set in late 1960’s America. Elisabeth lives with her sister, parents and grandmother in the family house, where the women of the family have, for many years, provided a magical service for the town.

Elisabeth seems to have everything planned out for her, from the man she will marry to the fact that she - not her sister Mary - will take over the family business in the not too distant future. Despite this being an eventuality that everyone seems to have been working towards for years, Elisabeth decides to rebel - regardless of the consequences.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, however I didn’t really gel with the narrator so didn’t have much empathy. I also found it confusing that she suddenly decided to rebel against her destiny, and start asking questions about the family history, so randomly. There are definite Practical Magic vibes about this, so I would recommend it for fans of that.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

The comparisons to Practical Magic are apt, and I think if you go in looking for that vibe but adjust your expectations (there is, after all, only one Alice Hoffman!) you will not be disappointed! This is a story about witchy ancestral magic, handed down from mother to daughter for generations, but rather than New England, we get 1960s Minnesota for a setting. I loved it!
The main character, Elisabeth, has known her whole life that she was destined to be bound to her grandmother’s cedar chest and the magical secrets it holds. However, she is burdened by the knowledge that in the binding, she will lose her ability to love, because her heart will be consumed by the magic that keeps their town prosperous and productive. She longs to know what it would be like to have choices.
I thought What We Sacrifice for Magic was haunting and beautifully written. I began to wonder towards the end if a satisfactory conclusion was even possible. Guess what? It is! The ending was poignant, answering every question I had remaining with just enough mystery to keep me thinking about the possibilities for Elizabeth and her family.
This book is perfect for fall, and especially for fans of witchy fiction and magical realism.

In this complicated twentieth century historical fiction novel, readers visit 1968 and a small town in Minnesota where a family of witches from the Black Forest have made their home. Elisabeth, having just finished high school, is now meant to prepare to take on her grandmother Magda’s role in the coven, marry her boyfriend, and spend the rest of her life serving the inhabitants of Friedrich. However, a lot of family secrets are also inherited by the next head of the coven, and Elisabeth soon realizes that she does not like the answers to her questions, but making her own path isn’t as easy as it seems. The women in the Watry-Ridder family are all flawed and complicated -- and that’s not including a family history of witchcraft -- making for a fascinatingly immersive and complex novel. The small-town charm element is interesting considering the larger history of witchcraft in small towns and creates those societal expectations which Elisabeth is desperate to escape. DeWerd’s characters are the star of the novel and Elisabeth is a fascinatingly flawed, complex, and relatable (if unreliable and uninformed) narrator with the arrogance and flaws of a teenager, while the various familial, platonic, and romantic relationships further establish the Watry-Ridder family’s place in the town.

Magically intriguing. Very witchy, but it didn’t resonate with me too well, although I enjoyed it, I kept having to put it down 🙈

What We Sacrifice For Magic is a lovely story about family, witches and small town life. The magical realism was interesting. I loved the time period the book was set in and I felt this was portrayed realistically. Overall the plot is low stakes and the pacing slow but the vibes are pure autumn. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

This is such an amazing coming of age story about a young witch trying to find her place in the world, while navigation family obligations and expectations. It was a very cozy, but emotional story and the writing was very well done!

I really loved the magical element to the story and how the characters used their magic. The family dynamics were also very interesting and especially our main character had a great character development.

The pacing was a bit slow at the start of the book and it took me a little while to get into the book, but towards the end it got very intriguing and it was really hard to put down the book at that point, so I ended up finishing the second half of the book in one sitting.

I can definitely recommend this book if you like witches and magic, but don’t necessarily want to read an epic fantasy book and rather want something closer to historical fiction with a hint of magical realism.

Navigating the bittersweet tension between self-discovery and living up to familial expectations, What We Sacrifice for Magic is a touching look at coming into one’s own.

When Elizabeth graduates high school in 1968, she's preparing to marry her high school "sweetheart" and take over the family business, using her supernatural abilities to take care of her town of Friedrich. But she has questions, the biggest being "why me??". 
This book is perfectly named - as Elizabeth navigates this turning point in her life, she has to figure out what is really worth the price. The story is a little slow paced and written from Elizabeth's point of view, so you get a lot of her thoughts and stream of consciousness which can feel repetitive at times yet also helps to reiterate how much she was struggling with the decisions being made for her without telling her the whole story. The touch of small midwest town with big German/Dutch influence really brings the story to life.
Overall, I liked this witchy read and think it will be a great fall read for those who like a touch of paranormal with their historical fiction, a little family drama, and a happy ending! 
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC copy. All opinions are my own.

Andrea Jo DeWerd’s What We Sacrifice for Magic is a spellbinding journey through the complexities of family, tradition, and the search for one's true self. Set against the evocative backdrop of 1968 in Friedrich, Minnesota, the novel beautifully weaves together the magical and the mundane, creating a world where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.

What makes this novel truly special is how DeWerd explores the theme of inheritance—not just of magic, but of secrets, responsibilities, and the unspoken rules that govern family dynamics. The tension between Elisabeth and Magda is palpable, and as Elisabeth begins to uncover the darker truths about her family’s past, readers are drawn into a gripping narrative that balances suspense with profound emotional depth.

This book is for fans of practical magic.. and i remember as a teen just loving that movie - so i just didnt think twice and picked this up.
it took me a while to get into this story, but then the story of a family with magic and a girl wanting to find her own path made for a nice read.

*What We Sacrifice for Magic* is an enjoyable exploration of family, tradition, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a small town in 1968. While the story captivates with its blend of magic and family secrets, it feels like something is missing, leaving the narrative just shy of being truly unforgettable. Love the vibe and fun read for fall season

What We Sacrifice for Magic, by Jo DeWerd I really love the cover art, the time period, and the premise! I think a lot of readers will enjoy it.

A wonderful coming of age story centered around magic and family, this was such a cozy read! Definitely a good end of summer story.

What We Sacrifice For Magic was just a middle of the road read for me. I enjoyed the characters but the story pacing just wasn’t my favourite.

This coming of age novel discusses topics such as familial obligation and the weight it weighs on the members of the family. The setting placed in a small town in Minnesota in the sixties emphasises this burden by giving a perception of trap.
The writing is very slow at the beginning and it almost made me DNF the book.
As it is an ARC, I won't make any comment about misplaced part of the book (some parts need major editing) and this as nothing to do with the rating I gave.

Overall, I enjoyed the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy of the book for an honest review.

I tried, but I couldn’t get into this one. The main character was unlikable and the way she treated her sister made it even more so. The writing was good, but I did not care for the story.

Love love love!

I love a good witchy book and this hit every mark of a good one for me.

The only criticism I would have is that it ended. I wanted more.

If you loved Practical Magic or The Unfortunate Side Effect of Heartbreak and Magic, you will enjoy and should give this one a read.

For sure recommending to friends and family.