Happy book birthday to the latest mind-bending story from the strange but brilliant mind of Hendrix! 🔮✨🫣

This was not your typical Grady Hendrix book, which frankly made me love it even more! I’m a huge Hendrix fan, so I was elated to get my hands on his newest book early and I read it during spooky season, which is arguably the best time to pick up one of his books. If you’ve read Hendrix before, then you know that you’re typically caught somewhere between feeling uncomfortable and in awe of his storytelling capability. He is the horror master, after all. This one took me by surprise because it shed some of the gore and horror elements (read: some, it still had some squeamish stuff if you’re into that) and focused more so on women empowerment, motherhood and tackled important and timely topics seen in today’s conversations. While this was witchy, don't go into it expecting a magical tale (even though there IS a witchy librarian). More importantly, this story spotlights the mistreatment of mothers in the years before Roe v. Wade and the general sentiment around "wayward" girls and how they handled it at Wellwood House. In the way that flowers and plants bloom, so does each character in this story, which has powerful parallels. Hendrix did a great job at weaving horror with historical fiction and he really set the tone for the time period -- it's May 1970, even including a Kent State reference (which is one of my alma maters!), to emphasize the worldly pressures and thoughts during that time and ultimately created a story that's part fantasy, part horror and part historical fiction.

I’m excited that it’s officially out into the world for others to enjoy it as much as I did. Thanks so much @berkleypub for the digital copy!

Oh Grady - your description of birth is so spot on. Especially for decades ago. Teenagers - children, left terrified and alone. Dumped by their parents to become someone else's problem.
Digging deep to find their power. A community. Solace and support. Desperate to help a 13 yo girl not return home.
The last few pages made me weep. Weep.
Brutal in honesty and passion.

Grady Hendrix is basically an auto-read author for me and Witchcraft for Wayward Girls did not disappoint. I must admit that I was a little apprehensive about an adult male writing about teenage girls and their reproductive rights but Grady Hendrix has done the research and handles it in a real, relatable way. I appreciate that he took the time to do the work. All that aside this book was instantly gripping and interesting right from the hop. You feel real emotions for the girls in the story and the situations they were in. It was heartbreaking, it really captured what it was like for these girls to feel powerless and unable to control their own lives and bodies. Though Hendrix did what he did best and made the book absolutely creepy and the gross scenes were SUPER gross, I felt like the first half of the book read more like historical fiction than horror. Which honestly, was fine by me. I feel like the true horror of this book was what the girls in these types of situations had to endure, and maybe that was the point. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and I look forward to whatever Grady Hendrix comes out with next.

Kudos for this male author to write a story featuring teen girls, pregnant teen girl nonetheless!
I went into this story blind and wasn’t sure what kind of reading experience I was in for. I read How to Sell a Haunted House and it was alright kinda unrealistic for me but hey, I read it cover to cover. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls blew my expectations not just out of the water but out of the universe! Like whatttt- my mind was blown. I was crying, I was covering my eyes, I was ashamed, I was empowered, I was mad, and I felt what these poor children endured !!! What an incredible journey. The year has just begun and the bar is set really high here!!!

I imagine this must be a nostalgic trip for some readers over a certain age, but even for my generation and younger, the oppression and disregard and abuse these characters face in their time isn't completely unknown in ours. The characters in this novel shine, despite their tragic circumstances, and are what will keep you reading to the end.

Fern is just fifteen and pregnant when her parents ship her off to Wellwood House, Florida, a "home" for expecting girls to be hidden from the public, have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption and then go home and pretend nothing ever happened. Fern is so ready to behave and get back home... until a travelling librarian gives her a book about magic, and suddenly following the rules doesn't have the same appeal.

I'll start with my one hangup: I'm not sure how I feel about a white cis man writing a book about pregnancy, sexism, racism & witchcraft. I went into this one warily, because I've only read one Hendrix before (Final Girls) and it wasn't my favourite.

I do have to say though, now that I've read it, it really felt like Hendrix did his research. I didn't find the characters stereotypical or cookie cutter, and the story remained respectful to their experiences. They faced horrific treatment during their pregnancies, and Hendrix does not shy away from that, but it didn't feel gratuitous or inauthentic. I think he did a great job of humanizing these girls and taking their plight seriously.

This read a lot like a historical fiction horror, which worked for me. Some of the scenes (like the birth of Fern's baby) were so horrifying, in part because of the visceral imagery and partly because of how realistic the treatment of these girls was. I was enraged over and over for them, and while the ending felt a bit too neat, I'll allow it for the sake of my sanity.

I couldn’t help but think to myself while reading this book “could this happen again?”. Not so much the witchcraft but the sending of pregnant out of wedlock girls (I wanted to say women, but our protagonists are girls. Heartbreakingly so.) to homes to await the birth and subsequent adoption of their children.

When you have no agency, no power, how far might you go if the chance for power and revenge was in front of you?

This gripped me from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended for older teens and up.

When the Spell Breaks: A Witch's Rant

Enchanted Beginnings, Disenchanted Endings

I had such high hopes for this one—I really did. The first half had me completely enchanted like I’d stumbled upon a hidden grimoire full of promise. The world-building was captivating, the atmosphere was thick with magic, and I was utterly bewitched. But then… oh, then it took a turn, and let me tell you, that turn brought out some serious female rage of my own.

A Hollow Spell

Now, I don't call myself The Book Witch for nothing. While I might not cast spells, or wield a staff (I do have one) there's definitely a lot of witch in me.

It felt like the witchcraft was conjured up by someone who had only glanced at a few tarot cards (I read them) and decided they were an expert.

So when the whole witchcraft storyline started unraveling, it was like someone had cast a bad spell over my reading experience. And that rage? It’s because the author’s version of witchcraft felt… hollow. Like it was conjured up with no real understanding or respect for what being a witch represents.


Winging It Doesn't Work

I even read on the author’s website—he said witches are complicated. Not really! He even admits "I invented a whole lot of it out of thin air." You can tell!

Well, dear author, the magic of storytelling doesn't work that way. You can't just wave a wand and hope for the best; it shows in the story, and it's hard not to feel a little betrayed when you can tell someone’s just winging it.

The spell… it fizzled.

I keep reminding myself, "It’s horror," but it’s hard to ignore the heavy history tied to using witchcraft as a weapon against women. That name—witch—carries so much weight, but we’re reclaiming it, transforming it into a symbol of power and resilience. That's the direction I thought it was going with the themes.

Themes That Almost Cast a Spell

Now, I’ll admit there were some themes the author was reaching for that I loved. But because the author got so much about witchcraft wrong it felt so flimsy. It was like the story couldn’t decide where to land on those themes.

Closing the Grimoire

Anyway, I’ve said my piece. There’s so much more I could rant about, but honestly? I think it’s best to close this book, toss it into the ether, jump back on my broom, and move on to my next read.

Sometimes, you just have to leave a dud spell where it belongs: in thin air.

A Witches Word Buddy Read with Norma and Mary Beth

Before I get into a synopsis and my thoughts, Grady Hendrix always surprises me with his ability to understand and write about the female experience, particularly the power of friendship for young girls. He handles the story of unwed teen pregnancy and the systematic oppression of women with understanding and grace.
Young girls who find themselves unwed and pregnant are sent to Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida, where they are hidden away from their families to have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption, and then return home like nothing ever happened. In the summer of 1970, fifteen-year-old Fern arrives terrified and alone after making bad decisions that alienate her from her family. When she comes under Miss Wellwood's stern, watchful eye, she encounters a dozen other girls in the same "condition," all going by floral nicknames given to them by Miss Wellwood. The girls don't talk about their families or the fathers of their children, nor do they share their real names, and each has a story that is unique to each girl.

Every moment of every day for the girls is strictly controlled, even when they wake up and what they talk about. One day, when the bookmobile comes to visit, Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and she feels like she has power of her own for the first time. But power comes with consequences; it can be destroyed as quickly as it is created and often costs blood.

A certain whimsy is mixed into the horror of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Once again, Grady Hendrix perfectly captures girls' experiences and the power and knowledge of friendship in girlhood. This book isn't just scary, it's infuriating. Together the girls are thrust into one of the most challenging experiences of their lives where they're left alone "to learn a lesson" and quickly many of the girls learn and see things one would hope they never would - their friend bleeding out on the floor and struggling to give birth, the first who a person of power is abusing in her life and *no one* believes her (and punishes her). The girls feel utterly powerless in their situations and trying to help their friends - if you can't help yourself how can you help someone else?

While I wanted more witchcraft, the way the book is crafted is masterful and works just as it is. Especially when you're trying to endear your reader to a cast of delightful young ladies trying to get by and carefully share their stories as they find comfort in their shared experiences. The horror in this book isn't the witchcraft (though it certainly plays a part) the true horror is our lived existence and what we allow, permit, and disregard when it doesn't *affect us*. Hendrix reminds us that power is often in our mundane work, will, and ingenuity; it's in our defiance and what we are willing to do to protect ourselves and those we feel kinship with. I would love to know more about Hagar and Miriam's lives... I can only imagine. This is the first book that made me cry in 2025, primarily because of how touching and sweet (and forgiving) the epilogue was.

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Grady Hendrix is a dark, deeply unsettling story that packs an emotional punch. I went into this expecting a fun, mischievous tale of teenage girls bonding over witchcraft, but what I got was something much heavier. This is a story about underage, pregnant teens trapped in hopeless circumstances, desperately trying to find a way out. It’s not an easy read, and most of the horror comes from the harsh reality of their lives rather than the supernatural.

Hendrix delivers a layered, thought-provoking narrative, but I’d be lying if I said it didn’t test my patience at times. The pacing moved in waves—there were moments that completely pulled me in and others where it felt like I was just waiting for something to happen. It takes about 25% of the book before the story really picks up, and even then, it ebbs and flows until the halfway point. Once the witchcraft elements finally kick in, the story becomes much more engaging, and I was completely hooked during those parts. I just wish there had been more of them.

What stood out most to me were the moments where Hendrix explored the power dynamics at play and the desperate ways these girls tried to reclaim control over their lives. The witchcraft itself, though not as central as I’d hoped, was fascinating when it appeared—woven seamlessly into the story in a way that felt believable and eerie. The Bookmobile and characters like Rose and Zinnia were particular highlights, bringing glimmers of intrigue and hope to an otherwise heavy narrative.

The ending was one of the strongest parts for me, pulling together the themes of the story in a way that added depth and clarity. However, I couldn’t shake a lingering question: Are we supposed to root for the witches or not? That ambiguity left me feeling a little unsure about how to process the final pages.

This is not a book for everyone—it’s bleak, emotionally intense, and requires patience to fully appreciate. Still, I can see it deeply resonating with readers who are drawn to stories of resilience, moral complexity, and slow-burning horror.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Oh my goodnessssssss! Grady does it again. This book was phenomenal. I love his sense of humor in the horror community. It always helps to relief that stress. I think this maybe may new favorite. The way he dives into topics that most men wont touch and handles it with such taste really blows my mind. Check your triggers but highly recommend this for the horror community

Oh Mr. Hendrix…. You are so talented. The way you weave your creations always ceases to amaze me. This is 100 % not what I expected. I did not read anyone’s review; I just saw a bunch of 5 stars and now I know why.

All of the characters were so vivid. Hendrix lets you get to know (and love) each of the main characters slowly. They all seemed like real life people. The topics this book covers are truly heartbreaking. The way these girls were treated, how alone they were and left in the dark must have been truly terrifying. I could not even begin to imagine. You MUST read the author’s note at the end of the novel. It really brings to light the reasons behind Hendrix telling us this tale and why. Also, the cover…. *swoon* Thank you @netgalley for my copy!

I think this is actually a relatively good book but just wasn't for me.

The first half of this book was just too slow. It read as a coming-of-age story of some historical fiction or something. It just didn't intrigue me. The main character, Fern, also wasn't all that interesting or special. She comes more into herself much later in the story, but by then I already had my impression of her. It just felt like something was missing for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

“Some things are so small but they make all the difference: a ring on your finger, three little letters in front of your name, a couple of birthdays. Tiny things, but they changed our entire lives.”

Grady is such a phenomenal writer. Even though he is, admittedly, a “childless middle-aged man,” and it might seem strange for him to write a book like this, he tackled difficult topics and beautifully blended historical fiction with a witchy horror story.

Don’t go into this expecting a magical tale (though there is a witchy librarian to look forward to). Instead, prepare to read about the mistreatment of unwed mothers in the years before Roe v. Wade and to cry and rage with these fictional pregnant girls, forced to live in a home that will ultimately make them give their children up for adoption. It’s horrific to imagine this is how young girls were treated when they got pregnant—even in cases of rape. I never knew much about maternity homes in America and I’m just floored by the way things used to be. After reading the acknowledgments, I love this story even more.

I will always support this author. His research, care, and empathy shine throughout this novel. This was powerfully done, though it’s also difficult to read at times and will make you squeamish. Be sure to check trigger warnings if you’re particularly sensitive to these topics.

Thank you, Berkley, for this ARC!

What can I say other than: oh.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls features many horrific moments, but nothing that is gruesome simply for the shock factor. There were times I couldn't believe I was still reading the book, as I feel like I read two separate books in one - which worked so well with this novel.

Reader, beware. There are moments where there are intense moments that are vividly described. It's so disgusting and painful, as in, I was really in the shoes of the characters.

This is definitely a powerful work from Grady Hendrix. The ending will sit with me for a while.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is absolutely perfect chaos that is impossible to stop reading - atmospheric, intense and gorgeously gothic.

@gradyhendrix is just brilliant. Period. However this man’s brain works, I am forever enthralled in the stories it spits out into the world. He has this unbelievable ability to create an entire world that is so fully tangible and real, with characters who are messy and relatable and hopeful and tragic all at once. Every time I start a book by him, it becomes impossible for me to stop reading it until I’ve devoured the entire thing.

This plot was no different - young, unwed, pregnant girls that were sent away to a home to wait out their pregnancies and have their babies taken from them whether they wanted it or not. A mysterious librarian offering access to a different kind of figure. Magic. Battling against a world that doesn’t understand them. All the ingredients for a story that will absorb you so fully you never want it to end.

Genuinely, this book is just fantastic and I’m still thinking about it a week later. It is a MUST for your 2025 reading pile, I promise you.

Many thanks to @berkleypub for the free copy, and to Grady for the phenomenal entertainment. Never change.

Short synopsis: It’s 1970 and 15 year old Fern finds herself pregnant and in a home for unwed mothers. She meets a librarian who gives her a book of spells and the girls find themselves with power.

My thoughts:
What I liked: I actually thought the concept was such a fun one. I like the idea of empowering women in general, and in this instance these young girls had all their rights and power taken away from them. It was so heartbreaking to see these girls have their babies taken away, when a lot of them wanted to care for them. They didn’t get the choice. I also thought even though the author is male, he did a really good job at depicting situations he’s never been in himself. He may have children of his own, but I think he did a decent amount of research into what a woman experiences during labor and childbirth.

I really wanted to like this. I knew going in based on previous books I’ve read by this author before that the boundaries would be pushed. I expected some uncomfortable and squeamish situations, so that wasn’t the problem. It felt too long in my opinion and took too long to actually get anywhere.

Read if you love:
- Women empowerment
- Witchcraft and spells
- Historical situations
- Found family and relying on friends

Teenager Neta becomes pregnant and is sent by her disappointed parents to the Wellwood House, where she can have her baby in secret, give it up for adoption, and then return to her life as if nothing happened at all, saving her reputation and allowing her to live her life. This book takes place in the early 1970s prior to Roe v Wade.
I was expecting a more humorous, campy book from Grady Hendrix and was surprised (not unpleasantly so) at the depth this book took. Yes, there's witchcraft, but I think the focus on young girls and women and the extreme lack of choice and autonomy they had not just over their bodies but over their entire lives is an important theme for this day and age, especially considering the recent overturning of Roe v Wade. Hendrix doesn't explicitly mention modern discourse or events but the story can obviously be compared and linked to today's circumstances for women in the USA. I appreciate the emphasis in this book that the people portrayed aren't "good" or "bad" but they are subject to societal standards and norms that make for the girls to be in bad circumstances. Neta (Fern) and her friends at the house turn to witchcraft as a solution, to break through and gain control of their circumstances. In the end, neither the witchcraft, the Wellwood House, nor the girls are "good" or "bad," but there is still a satisfying resolution, albeit a heart-wrenching one.
I was a little put off by the pacing of the book initially. It didn't get to witchcraft or really pick up until about 25% in, which could deter some people from reading. However, the set-up with introducing the characters, Neta's (Fern's) situation, the time period, etc. was interesting enough to capture me. The story was full of insight into the time period and gave a rather detailed and personal account of being a pregnant young woman in 1970 USA, especially for a male author.
The horror aspect could have been scarier, but I still enjoyed it. The clinical and emotionally detached descriptions of pregnancy and childbirth from the medical providers' standpoint was effective, and contrasted well with the emotional and physical experiences of the girls.
Overall a well done book and I think Grady Hendrix fans will enjoy, in addition to new fans. I will note the following topic/trigger warnings: vomitting/emetophobia (especially chapter 10), pregnancy and childbirth including graphic descriptions of bodily functions and symptoms like bleeding, vomiting, and childbirth itself, and graphic descriptions of multiple characters giving birth.

It took me a minute to gather my thoughts on this one because it's just that good. There are so many horror elements in this book, both paranormal and factual. The way these young girls were treated breaks my heart but I loved that they were able to make lasting bonds while they were together. The witchy element is written so well! Subtle at first, making the reader wonder if the girls are just desperate enough to believe their book of spells is taking effect but building to a satisfying and terrifying climax toward the end. This book has a more serious tone than Grady's previous works and I am here for it!

it’s the summer of 1970 in st. augustine florida. 15-year-old fern is on her way to wellwood home, where she’s meant to carry out the rest of her pregnancy, give her baby up, and then she is expected to return home as if the pregnancy never happened. this story follows fern, holly, zinnia, and rose: vastly different personalities who all share the same sentiments about their time in wellwood. wellwood home is open to young unwed mothers, where they are stripped of autonomy and treated poorly. when fern meets a librarian who guides her in the direction of witchcraft, she assumes a possible way to gain power over the authorities in the home. the girls soon learn that magic comes with a price.

this was an easy 5 stars for me! i did not expect to be thrown into a whirlwind of emotions while reading it. the pacing is rather slow but it allows for the reader to get to know the characters and maybe even take a liking to them (as i did). my favorite part about this book was slowly understanding the personalities of each character and witnessing their will to defy the assumed trajectory of their futures. although the story can be emotional at times, this IS horror so there are gory and gruesome moments. the true horror lies within the background and the treatment of the ‘wayward’ girls. the sisterhood, the witchcraft, and the character development in this story won me over completely. i really enjoyed it and i highly recommend!!

thank you to @netgalley and @berkleypub for providing me with the arc!