Nellie is poor, her father's a drunk, and her mother is dead. The only good thing in her life is her little brother. She needs to find work so he can eat.
It's 1824, and there are more and more "witch" hangings. Whether the women hanged are really witches or have just angered a man doesn't matter. Men have all the power. Nellie just needs to keep her head down and focus on taking care of her brother.
Luckily she stumbles across Rae's Apothecary. The women there make healing potions, and other things to help the local women. Nellie gets a job there and realizes that they might be actual witches.

I really liked the first part of this book. The Scottish folklore and found family elements were great. However, as the book moved into present day and a more contemporary setting, I lost interest.

A journey with witches through time. From witch trials to today. Examining the attack upon women with the only reason being their gender through the a singular viewpoint. A strong feminist account of how patriarchy works against everyone and the participation from all to continue it. This book captures feminine rage, pain, fear and joy perfectly leaving me in tears at times.
Great representation for LGBTQIA+, chronic pain and loss. Oftentimes characters are wrote so they are defined and limited by one part of them. In the Last Witch of Edinburgh characters are complex with a history and rich emotions.
Despite the main characters and plot line being witch/gods driven the story remains relatable with the plot line being for everyone. A perfect ending that doesn’t rely on a magical solution but an every day one.
Where it lost me was the “woah is me I’m too pretty”. While I appreciate the hazard it brings along with its privilege the main character was singularly focused upon her own beauty and others. Further perpetuating the oppression. She recognizes it is wrong, yet continues it. And when I say it lost me it’s from the beginning and took most of the book for me to find it outweighed by other messages, plots and developments.
The other concern I had was with the main relationship. It felt more of a matter of circumstance rather than compatibility. They want each other to be what they aren’t and are cruel to each other for not meeting those expectations. While there is growth it is not because of a healthy relationship.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a tale of witchcraft and feminism. Starting back in the 1800s Nellie Duncan is torn between living her life as is, watching the misogyny her and other women face, or join the witches and help herself and the women around her.

Rating: 4/5 stars ⭐️

This is the first time I’ve read a book by Marielle Thompson and I want to read more. I think the writing in this book is done well.

This book discuss how misogyny evolves through centuries and how feminism is formed to combat it. These topics were written very well. I often found myself getting emotional.

I would have liked to see more of Nellie’s development as she lives through different ages. It felt like we went from the 1800s to 2000 very fast, yet Nellie was the same, just knew how to use a phone. I wanted to see the confusion and the progress she made.

Also, we don’t get to see the fear of other women, even though it’s mentioned. We only get to see it from the characters and I think it would have added more depth to world if we seen more from background characters.

All in all, I thought this was a great book and I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one just wasn't for me unfortunately. It had a good premise with the idea of two different time periods and telling the story of Nellie and witches struggles in general however the story just felt slow and repetitive. There wasn't a moment where I was wondering what was going to happen next. I was really excited for this one but it unfortunately just fell flat for me. I did enjoy the parts involving Scottish folklore and the myths though.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book.

Oh wow!!!!! This was a first for me by this author but will not be my last! Such a good story! The characters worked so well together. Such great chemistry.

The blurb sounded so interesting, but a few chapters into the historical part of the story the main character had a significant character change that made it hard for me to keep rooting for her. I lost interest in the story, skimmed a few more chapters and then gave up completely.
DNF @32%

Honestly? There wasn’t an awful lot happening in this book. The first half dragged on with endless repetitions of how scared women felt and how the executions in 19th century Edinburgh were on the rise. The author is quite effective in portraying the suffocating oppression of women during this time, but that’s really all there is to it, and it all becomes a bit boring.

This book could really do with a good edit, as there are both spelling and stylistic errors throughout. As a personal preference, I also really dislike it when a story set in Britain is written in American English. On a smaller scale, the author could not seem to decide whether the characters (in the first half of the book) spoke with a Scottish accent (using “ye”, for example) or just plain English (moving back to “you”). There is an awful lot of “tell” rather than “show”, which is why at times the story feels one dimensional and lacking in depth. A lot of the political commentary felt very on the nose, as opposed to being written into the story itself.

I also felt something was missing in the time-jump; so much of the main character’s growth and trauma/recovery completely omitted. As others have also commented, the ending comes to a very quick conclusion, with very little input from the main characters themselves, and this felt a bit disappointing.

There are fragments of really beautiful writing, and I did love Jean and Nellie’s relationship, but again, there just wasn’t enough meat to get properly in to!

Step into a world where women are hunted for whispers and where a hidden coven fights back with ancient magic.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh isn’t your typical witch tale. Forget Salem, this is 19th century Edinburgh, where every woman walks a tightrope between piety and the pyre.

Nellie Duncan stumbles upon the Rae Women’s Apothecary, a haven for ostracized women who wield a different kind of power – the power of healing and the cunning of witches. Here, they serve the Cailleach, a fierce winter goddess who grants them freedom in exchange for their defiance.

Yet, a darkness stirs. A powerful enemy seeks to extinguish the very spark that flickers within these women. Fear grips Nellie, and she flees, vanishing for two centuries. But the Cailleach’s call echoes through time, drawing her back to a world where the fight for female autonomy continues, albeit in a different guise.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for the #arc

It’s 1824 in Edinburgh and the witch trials have returned once more. Nellie Duncan, as a poor and unmarried woman, knows the risks as well as anyone. When Nellie has a chance encounter with the women that run the Rae Women’s Apothecary, she learns about their mission to aid the feared Cailleach and must leave behind her fear and embrace her agency and independence at last. However, the world is never safe for women or witches, and when tragedy hits the Rae women, Nellie vows never to return to Edinburgh. But, when fate pulls her back at long last, Nellie must face both her ancient enemy, and those that she left behind.

Although I am Scottish and have lived here my whole life, we are taught very little about our folklore and mythology, so I was immediately intrigued by this one. I loved the inclusion of the Cailleach and her story and it has definitely encouraged me to learn more. I always love a feminist retelling, and it was an interesting idea to include a time skip, as this allowed for an exploration of marginalisation (gender, sexuality, etc.) across time. This made it a different read from other similar stories. However, at time I did feel that the story dragged a little, and was maybe a bit repetitive. The focus is definitely on the cycle of oppression and persecution, and as such the magic is not really the main point of the story, and there is no big battles, so I would bare this in mind if you’re a die hard fantasy lover. Overall, this was a very decent historical feminist fiction, and a good entrance into Scottish mythology!

‘The flame of anger pulsed through her blood with each step, and she felt - she knew - that an angry witch on Scottish soil with everything to lose and nothing to fear was exactly what Angus most wanted to prevent.’

As a Scottish witch this book called to me like no other! The dual timeline starting with the witch trials in the 1820s all the way to modern misogyny and hatred of women was such an amazing parallel to read.

I’m obsessed with both Nellie and Jeans growth throughout this and with the found family of all the women in the apothecary

If you’re interested in witches, feminism or Scottish history this is an absolutely amazing read

This story encapsulated a lot of issues, feelings, reactions, and studies of the patriarchy and misogyny. While grim and dark, it is also a story of hope. This is a creative feminist tale that blends Scottish folklore, history, and magical realism with realistic events. It is a little on the nose at times, but I think that makes it a great read also for those who are less familiar with these themes to feel and gain a better understanding of them. The story has 2 timelines, an apothecary, and found family. There is LGBTQIA+ and chronic pain rep.

Fans of The Once & Future Witches, When Women Were Dragons, Weyward, and The Lost Apothecary would enjoy this book!

The title doesn’t lie. It is set in Edinburgh, and when the story starts we’re in the year 1824 where we follow main character Eleanor “Nellie” Duncan go about her life. She’s a witch and she’s connected to other women who also practice witchcraft.

There is an interesting storyline about body snatchers and witches that doesn’t really get picked up. A big part of the story is a metaphor (I think!) – the Tuatha dé dannan = the patriarchy. That's at least what I got from reading the book.

I wanted to like this more than I did, but I lost interest as there is a major time skip to the 2010. I think the foundation is there but the rest did not interest me a lot.

Although this is a fantasy novel, it is based on the Lore of the Cailleach (Deity of Winter) in Scotland with us starting in the 1820's. The tale portrays the oppression of woman over centuries with found family and takes on the story of Nellie and Jean, and their survival of the evil that strives to take over Edinburgh for centuries.
Nellie is flight, whilst Jean is fight - and although this story is based on them, it also tells a confronting yet beautiful tale of people coming together for the greater good.
🌟🌟🌟

'The Last Witch in Edinburgh' wasn't what I thought it'd be.
There weren't enough witchy things for my liking and the story, while written perfectly, left me a little bit unsatisfied.
But I can honestly say that this book and the story behind it resonated a lot with me. I really liked the Edinburgh setting (excited to visit someday!) and the feeling of sisterhood/solidarity it had.
Nellie was an interesting main character because she made some bad decisions based on her fear (as we all have done in our lives), but I think the most important thing here is that she learned from it and grew a lot.

3.25 stars from me

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

I saw someone describe this as "a witchy love story to feminist rage and the fight against misogyny," and I thought, "yes, that's the exact kind of story I want to read."

Did it deliver on that front? Sort of? If you want to read something that is only feminist rage against misogyny with witchy elements and absolutely no plot, this is for you. This has absolutely beautiful writing, everything is lyrical and pretty but the story is held together by the characters' interactions with each other, but their motivations for doing so are completely absent. It takes place in 1824 Edinburgh, Scotland at the beginning of the witch trials, and the protagonist, Nellie Duncan, is terrified. Nellie witnesses a hanging and later that evening, while taking her alcoholic father's graveyard watch - sees the same woman who was hung come back to life. It leads her on a strange journey to learning about what she believes to be the myth - the hags of the Cailleach - are actually real, and she starts to work with them.

At the very beginning of the book, Nellie's main motivations for work and everyday life are earning money to protect her family, especially her younger brother, Tommy. However, within the first 5 or 6 chapters her motivations shift drastically and she gives no thought to her brother at all. She knows her mother is dead but she goes on a journey to learn about whether or not she could actually be alive because someone who hasn't seen her mother in years using the wrong tense when referencing her. Then when Nellie begins working in the apothecary she never goes home, knowing full well her Dad is just at some pub getting drunk and leaves her 11 year old brother at home by himself... after she's made several references about how he doesn't know how to light a candle, or start a fire in the hearth, or cook. Does she bother to teach him those things? No. But does she also leave him to fend for himself because she wants to draw pictures and fawn over pretty girls? Yes. That's a HUGE morality shift we see from who she was established as a character when she was introduced - and I don't think one can argue that it was fear, because she's acting pretty bold and not afraid.

The early nineteenth century saw Edinburgh, Scotland, as a dangerous place for women. Witch hunts are on the rise again, and it seems that nobody is safe. Twenty-year-old Nellie Duncan is living in fear when she meets the Rae family and friends. These women are all dedicated to the Cailleach of Scottish lore, the one who will bring winter that will refresh and balance the earth. Her son, Angus, wishes to control the seasons and works to make it summer year-round. To weaken his mother's power, Angus attempts to spread misogyny and rid the world of the women who attempt to aid the Cailleach. This time, he has taken the form of the commissioner in charge of witch hunts.
I'll stop here to avoid spoilers. The book is perfect for fans of romantasy and magical realism. The author points out the harm of misogynistic attitudes and how quickly they can be spread, taking away a woman's agency. The novel is also very inclusive regarding gender identity and sexual preference. It's a good read, and will remind you how much women need to stand up for one another.

One thing about me, I’m a sucker for anything witchy and I will read anything that has witches which is why I requested this book even though I’m not the biggest historical reader. I did love this book so much though so I’m so glad I gave it a chance.

I love how the story was told, the writing was phenomenal and the setting was so atmospheric. I was completely enamored with this book!

The Last Witch In Edinburgh
By: Marielle Thompson

5 Stars

This is a sweeping historical novel that paints a different type of picture. You get witches as well as a story of passion, destruction, change, and renewal. This story was filled with history, and the writing is captivating. This was a powerful story for women and the horrors that many faced, and still face, just due to their sex. The unseen, the silenced. It really brings out the emotions of the time period. The story moves to one of redemption and finding your true identity. The story is meant to make the reader delve deep and really see the truth. The hidden truth.

I was completely enamored by this story. By the characters that grow and change as much as the years that go by. I have always wanted to go to Scotland, and this story painted such a glorious picture of Edinburgh, both past and present. This is a book that tells more than one story. It tells thousands. It is one meant to be read. That needs to be read.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Review

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

A tale that begins in 1824 Edinburgh during a time women swung from the gallows, and ends in 2022 where women are still persecuted, hunted, and sometimes killed. Deeply atmospheric and laced with history of the Scottish witch trials we follow Nellie and the group of Rae women who are daughters Cailleach. Witches. A crone goddess. By serving the women of Edinburgh they strengthen the Cailleach. However, Angus, the god of summer, wants Cailleach and her daughters eradicated, and all women submissive so as not to rise up again. This is a gorgeous story that includes, sisterhood, finding one’s personal strengths, sapphic love, motherhood, community, the bonds of ancestry, misogyny, and mythology. It also has trans representation.

As a witch myself I appreciated the witchcraft elements were spot on and not fantastical.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalleyfor this eARC.

I was both pleasantly surprised and satisfied with this book. Granted I went in blind but I didn’t expect queer witches which was a huge plus to me.

Nellie’s struggles and story are the stories of almost every women. It had topics of feminism and misogyny. As well as hope and resilience.

The author had beautiful prose and I’d love to see more works of hers soon.