This lush, atmospheric novel is, like, an absolute must-read! 🌟 Set in 1824 Edinburgh, it dives into a world where women are constantly at risk of being accused of witchcraft—so intense! Our main girl, Nellie, starts off a bit lost until she finds her place with the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, she learns about herbal remedies and, like, totally embraces her inner witch alongside the fiery Jean. Their romance? So adorable! 💖

The story takes you on a wild ride through time, mixing rich Scottish folklore with themes of resilience and empowerment. I was totally hooked, feeling all the emotions from fear to hope, especially when Nellie confronts her past after centuries of hiding. The blend of magic and strong female characters really brings it all to life!

If you love historical fiction with a side of witchy goodness and queer romance, you need this in your life! Seriously, I can’t stop thinking about it!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 💫📚

1824 in Edinburgh is a dangerous time to be a woman as women are being hung as witches so often the gallows aren't taken down. Nellie witnesses a woman being hung and later sees her rise from the grave and discovers a group of actual witches. These women help Nellie discover who she is, her strengths, weaknesses, who she wants to be and what's important.
This a love story, a coming of age, a cry out against misogyny and the patriarchy that wants to keep anyone who isn't a hetero cis male down.

I picked up The Last Witch in Edinburgh without reading the synopsis, as I usually prefer to dive into books blind. I had heard this book pitched in the past and went forward with the choice to read it based on that. However, I quickly realized that this wasn't the story for me, and in hindsight, reading the synopsis might have saved me from picking it up. My feelings on this book are very subjective so I just want to explain a bit about why I chose to DNF.

The book begins in the 1800s, giving off a Salem witch trial vibe. This is where I should have realized this book was not for me. I’ve honestly grown tired of these kinds of narratives, which often feel heavy-handed in their portrayal of a world designed for women to lose. I do not disagree with this message, to be completely clear. I just personally don’t enjoy stories that are... kind of relentlessly bleak, in my opinion. With the portion that I read, I would say this book was doing just that. I know it would have picked up eventually but there was already a lot weighing me down that made the experience hard to enjoy.

Another challenge I faced was the writing itself. It often felt overly descriptive, especially in the dialogue, which leaned more toward exposition and backstory than natural conversation. This pulled me out of the story and made it harder to connect with the characters.

After realizing I wasn’t vibing with it, I made the choice to DNF. I'm glad I did because when I went back to read the synopsis and other reviews, I learned that a significant part of the story is set in modern times, which I would have enjoyed even less. From what I’ve gathered, the story delves deeper into social and political issues as it progresses. While I respect the author’s intent to highlight important issues and female struggles, I again felt the execution was too heavy-handed for my taste. This is very subjective, and I know many others might appreciate this approach more than I did.

In the end, I’m giving this book a 3-star rating on NetGalley, primarily because I have to leave a rating there. While I can’t rate it higher due to my lack of enjoyment, I also feel it would be unfair to give it a 1 or 2, knowing that my feelings are so personal. I know this will work for others and for anyone who is intrigued by the synopsis, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

THE LAST WITCH IN EDINBURGH begins in an alternate historical Edinburgh, a time when people were going on witch hunts and hanging women accused of witchcraft in the public square. It becomes very apparent that these women are hanged not because they are really suspected of witchcraft, but because they might potentially threaten men, because men want to exercise and abuse their power. This whole thread runs strongly throughout the span of the novel, which stretches over two centuries and focuses on two very different times—19th century and modern day Edinburgh. Not much, really, seems to have changed. At the centre of the novel are Nellie, a beautiful young woman who was fired from her job after her employer assaulted her; and Jean Rae, a fierce woman at Rae’s Apothecary and a follower of the Cailleach.

Considering all the recent and increasingly horrifying reports of violence against women, this book came out at a good time. I was initially worried it would take the route of gender essentialism, but the second half set in 2022 Edinburgh has shown itself to be more inclusionary, positing that patriarchy harms everyone and not just women. That feminism needs to rally men to their cause. I loved the messages that the author was pushing forth through this, but where it fell short was that it all felt very on-the-nose to the point of tedium. It was the same reaction I had to the repeated “colonialism is bad, fight back with violence” I got from Babel. It was like that feminism 101 speech in Barbie (2023) that wasn’t groundbreaking to me because these ideas weren’t new to me, because I’d been exposed to them in more depth long before. I think what particularly didn’t work for me was the character of Angus, an opposing deity that is seeking to destroy the followers of the Cailleach, and women by extension, by poisoning the minds of the people into upholding the patriarchy. I know this isn’t the author’s intention, but attributing some of the misogyny and patriarchal oppression to some ancient deity could potentially come across as somewhat excusing or explaining the men in here who were in his thrall. I don’t think men need a deity whispering in their ears to compel them to be horrible.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an arc of The Last Witch in Edinburgh in exchange for a review—it didn’t work spectacularly for me specifically, but I think that’s just a me problem.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

No matter the season, I cannot resist a good witchy tale. The Last Witch in Edinburgh sweeps readers from the 19th to the 21st century and tells a relatable story of women supporting women while those around them try to keep them silent. Nellie Duncan is the novel's protagonist and it is through her eyes that we see this story. I didn't always support Nellie's decisions but wanted to see how she would find her voice.

It wouldn't be fair of me to sing the novel's praises without joining the chorus where I felt it became disjointed. As other readers have mentioned, the plot loses something when it jumps into the 21st century. I was torn between wanting to see Nellie and her struggles in the 1800s and understanding the necessity of the time jump. Overall, I still felt that this book fell into a 4-star for me as I couldn't tear myself away and finished it in one sitting.


#TheLastWitchinEdinburgh #NetGalley
Publication Date 20/08/24
Review Published 15/09/24

I was excited to read this book in preparation for October and getting in the mood for Fall. This is not a lighthearted witchy novel. This is very clear about how misogyny and the patriarchy still exist and affect all women today. I really liked the first half of the novel, but I didn't connect with the second half. The MC was a little too careful/fearful, and didn't experience too much character development through the book which is why I rated 3 stars.

dnf at 54%. It’s just too disjointed. It moves too fast and nothing feels truly unpacked. There’s a lot of telling, but not a lot of showing.

I think given time and the inclination to really flesh out some ideas, it could have been really great.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6543493623

The overall mood of this book is very somber, sad and dark. It’s an interesting time jump that took the story in a direction I was not expecting. I wish there had been a bit more hope of levity, instead it all just felt heavy. The witchiness in this book is more serious Witch than Sabrina the teenage witch, if that helps. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

Straying from my most recent literary preferences, I took a chance on The Last Witch in Edinburgh and I can happily say I have no regrets.

I did have a few doubts at first, but that was entirely my fault - I took the book with me on a busy holiday and I started reading it late at night, when phrases like a woman dancing on air had the power to summon nightmares. But I persisted, not at all due to my abilities to withstand even the slightest hints of horror. No, it was due to the compelling way the author pulls you in into Nellie's thoughts.
I was instantly drawn into her head, feeling her powerlessness resonate in my bones, the paralyzing injustice tightening my muscles. I kept rooting for something to change for Nellie, dying to see how she could shed the oppressive obedience she internalized as means of survival.

Enter Jean.

Not trying to compare this book to Harry Potter, when Jean started to become more present in Nellie's life, my ming kept going back to how much Hermione were as much a main character as Harry in the series (and Ron, of course).
It feels to me that Jean gives off so much main character energy - maybe because I resonate with her more than with Nellie. What a fierce, unapologetic, lightning bolt of a woman Jean is.

When it comes to opposites attract, their pair is the perfect match. Because of all the hardships she knew growing up, Nellie needs time to learn to stand on her own two feet, to shake of decades of having life happen to her. She needs to be shown that there is another way out of this, that keeping your head down is not a guarantee of safety.
<blockquote>But she was not Jean, a woman stitched together by rage.</blockquote>
When conflict heated up, Nellie ran. Jean stayed and fought, with everything she had left, even if it was not much.
I love that when they reconnected, Jean didn't let her off the hook, not until Nellie proved that she changed, that she wouldn't abandon the battlefield again.
I'm not saying that Jean is perfect, far from it - to me, she's more of a livewire, crackling with a desire for shifting the scales, for change and battle. This is surely also intensified by the fact that I was seeing Jean through the lens of Nellie, who - when she finally gets the courage to step into her role - is merely the conductor that comes to insulate Jean. Together, they blend into an unstoppable flow of well directed current.

This is a book about witches, but the mystical lore and practices are tastefully chosen, rooted in common sense and in empowering not just witches, but all women.

Special appreciation should also be given to Edinburgh, another main character in the story. The author's love of the city shows between the lines and made me bump Scotland as a holiday destination higher up on the list.

Lastly, does anyone know how to correctly pronounce "Cailleach"? I feel like I've butchered the name in my head a hundred different ways already.

Special thanks to Marielle Thompson and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was a tough read, but in the best way!

The book follows our MC Nellie Duncan a 21 year old "spinster" in 1894 Edinburgh, during the height of the witch hunts, where women were executed for even the smallest grievance from a man.

When her mother passed during the birth of her little brother Nellie became the primary caretaker, supporting her brother and abusive, alcoholic father. She lost her well paying house servant job because the lady of the house resented her husband's unwanted interest in Nellie. By chance, she is led to the Rae Women's Apothecary, run by a group of nearly-immortal "witches" who wish only to support strength and equality in women. She's offered a job in the shop and eagerly learns their ways, before the anti-feminist villain intervenes, sending her fleeing.

Fast forward nearly 200 years and Nellie's long life finally brings her back to Edinburgh, where the villain has also returned.

As I mentioned, this book was a tough read. It clearly brings misogyny to the forefront, calling out even the smallest acts that prevent women and non-gender conforming persons from being considered equal. It questions how we view our world and how we react to even those small injustices. I felt such a wide range of emotions reading this book. I hope this book and its message spread far and wide. I hope everyone reads it, not just women, but non-binary, non-gender conforming, and men alike read this to to get a sense of how much progress we still have to make and what they can do to help.

DNF 67%. I liked the first 40% of the book then, for some reason, we jumped forward to 2021, and that’s when the book lost me. I thought I was getting into a historical fiction in 1820s Edinburgh and instead I got talks on Roe v. Wade and rants on how women are treated by the medical field. Which are important topics, but not what I signed up for. My biggest issue with the book was how it handled its feminist themes: it felt like it was written to be feminist rather than be its own story with feminist undertones. First of all, the main character and her discourse on women in the 19th century felt way too 21st century to be believable for a woman of rather low standing at that time. Of course, she would think it unfair that women would be hanged for being smart of simply women, but the way she put it truly felt on the nose and convoluted, Nelly’s entire character was a big anachronism personified. Then entered the deities and that also took away some of the nuances that should be in a book discussing women’s oppression for the sake of having a big bad guy. I feel like we could’ve had the same ideas but with actual humans, because this is a very human problem and having deities fighting each other instead seems like a disservice to the message the author wants to share with the reader. And for a book set in Edinburgh, it lacked the very characteristic atmosphere of the city which didn’t help in terms of immersion.

*Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Publishing for sending me a digital copy to review*

At the beginning of this book, you’ll believe that this book is just about witches that also interweave with Scottish folklore. However, as you make your way through the story it becomes more poignant and tackles issues that affect many groups of people.

This story follows Nellie, a young woman who has had a tragic life and is left to try and care for her younger brother. Starting in an alternate 1892 Edinburgh, women are accused, and executed for witchcraft. Her life changes when she witnesses something miraculous and learns of the Cailleach, the winter deity, and her followers who are blessed with long lives.

The second part of this book is set in 2022 where Nellie and her adopted niece have moved back to Edinburgh after being scared and on the run for centuries. Nellie runs into someone she thought to have lost forever and with the support of the women of Edinburgh they make an effort to stand up to violence & misogyny which is unfortunately still prevalent today.

Witchcraft was a way for men to punish and cripple woman’s independence. We see that during this alternate 1892, it had forced women to turn on each other, out of fear and pressure from men of authority. In 2022 we once again see this attack on women’s independence - from drink spiking to not being safe to walk home at night without the chance of being attacked.

This book is both heartfelt and thought-provoking. It illustrates just how helpless women feel at times but also shows how powerful it is for all people to stand together and try to make a change. I also loved learning a little bit of Scottish Folklore and how Edinburgh was a character in itself.

What an amazing book I didnt know I needed. While it was centered around witches, the way the author was able to accurately portray elements we woman are still going through today and how heartbreaking it is to see that even after all these years, we continue to suffer. You can absolutely tell the author did a ton of research and it was well presented and received. Even the ending made me appreciate it so much more. Its not a complete 5 stars because the story and plot in itself felt a little too long, but nevertheless I highly enjoyed it. Perfect for the season.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a fun mix of magic and historical fiction, set in 1800s Edinburgh. Nellie Duncan's transformation from a regular woman to a witch fighting for herself and other women is really engaging, and I loved how the book tied in Scottish folklore with themes of feminine rage. The second half definitely picks up, and there's great character growth, but there are some plot holes that left me scratching my head—like things being too convenient or characters switching gears without much explanation. Still, if you're into witchy vibes, historical settings, and a bit of magical realism, this one's worth a read!

This book spans over 200 years of witches with the first chapter beginning in 1824. It takes a huge leap into the current century where things have not really changed when it comes to men feeling the need to keep a woman in her place. The enthusiasm that the author felt for her book was apparent in the writing, not a bad thing, but sometimes too much of the same thing over and over. Different than other books of witches I have read--this was definitely a book of war and strife, no silliness or funny stuff--I still enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the complimentary ARC. This review is my own opinion.

I was very moved by this book. It's such a great portrayal of the Witch trials and the kinds of things that happened during them. This author did plenty of research for this book, and it shows. I loved the section at the end of the book, where she explains the history and sources she used. The story itself is very well thought out and provides an accurate depiction of how the patriarchy continues to come after women's rights. I also enjoyed the inclusion of gay and transgender characters as a lot of witches are from these marginalized groups of people. A must-read for anyone who enjoys queer romance, the history of witches, Scottish folklore, and fighting the patriarchy.

I’m adding this to the list of books that has deeply affected who I am as a person because, wow.

I was not anticipating the powerful while somehow also subtle feminist themes. To be honest and probably dramatic, it healed something in me to see the women in this book work together despite their differences.

Pieces I loved:
-The gothic historical fiction tied in with fantasy was beautiful! The fantasy was subtle enough that I almost expect to go to Edinburgh and meet these witches in real life. To add to this, the villain personifies patriarchy and violence toward women in a really powerful way
-The attention to herbal knowledge with accuracy made me want to become an herbalist. These small details really filled out the story for me.
-The way that current events were tied in left me feeling empowered and hopeful in a way I haven’t in a while.
-Nelly didn’t become some crazy strong female leader and that was fucking powerful. She was timid and careful and I think that balanced well with Jean’s ferocity.
-Queer love
-Bisexual representation
-Trans representation
-Chronic illness representation
-A wide range of ages were also represented which was refreshing when most books seem to be about young 20 yr old women. I love the young women perspective but also seeing the world through the eyes of elderly women brought such a richness to the story.

Final thoughts: Simply? Everyone go read this book. It’s a perfect fall read because somehow it is both cozy and heart wrenching, subtle yet powerful.

I read this as an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson in exchange for an honest review. I really needed to read this book at this moment in time. It really spoke to me and about the history of women and all those oppressed in life. I started out reading it thinking it was a historic paranormal fiction book and about halfway through it changed and really got my attention. Thank you Marielle Thompson for writing this beautiful story. I highly recommend reading this book.

First part set in 1824 Edinburgh as Nellie gets a job at the apothecary and learns the practices of followers of Cailleach, all while witches are being persecuted. Then fast forward to the present and Nellie has traveled around but ends up back in Edinburgh and realizes the same evil is still there causing trauma. Overall, the older timeline was more engaging than the present timeline. This book is full of difficult topics and it was hard to read at times as bad things kept happening constantly with seemingly little hope of change.

A gothic blend of the beauty and darkness of Edinburgh, this story viscerally brings the capital of Scotland to life to explore the dark past and present day.

This story is great if you are craving some ‘female rage the musical’ as it explores myth and legends and witchcraft …. But ultimately this book is womanhood, and how the patriarchary has treated women from past to present. I have highlighted so many quotes from this beautiful and powerful story. I want to give this book the justice it deserve in a review but fear I would not be able to be as eloquent as the book is.

This books gives ‘they’re burning all the witches even if you aren’t one’. A historic look at the abuse and violence towards women in guise of witchcraft isn’t just a witchy story, it’s a statement and reflection of society hundreds of years apart