Being gen Z, I did not understand a few of the references mentioned, but that did not make the book any less enjoyable! After the slow start (book did not really pique my interest until around the 20% mark) I could not put it down. Definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the premise of this book from the second I read it, and it delivered all the spooky witchy vibes I was hoping for. I am not typically a horror reader, but this is the second book I've read by Hendrix and I've thoroughly enjoyed both, I look forward to reading more from this author!

Note: I received an arc of this book in return for my honest opinion. All
As a fan of Grady Hendrix's past books, I went into this one expecting to love it. I liked the setting and the period. The synopsis intrigued me, and I was into it for the first half of the book. I sadly felt like this one went on way too long and the book's overall mood just fell a little flat for me. One thing I liked about Hendrix's past books was the balance of hope amid all the horror, and without spoiling anything, I felt like that balance was extremely off-kilter in this book. Given the subject matter, I expected the themes to be dark and I am a fan of dark themes in horror, but only when they are useful to the plot of the story. Often in this book, I felt like the characters were just being put into the most miserable situations to the point that it started to read as shock value. Again, I'm no prude and I genuinely don't mind grit and gore when they add to the plot, but at a certain point I felt like every single character (aside from the main character) was only there to be cruel and inflict pain and suffering, I will say I think this was remedied a bit before the end of the book, but it felt too little too late. Overall, I don't think this book was for me, but I have enjoyed everything else I've read by Grady Hendrix and rated it highly. I look forward to reading more from him in the future.

Wichcraft for Wayward Girls is the third book that I have read by this author. This book had me hooked from the start! The situation the teenage girls were in was heartbreaking yet very realistic. I loved the witchy aspect of this book but overall wish there was a bit more. The ending was a happy/sad ending which are my favorite. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by this author.

Grady Hendrix is one of my favorite horror writers. I have mixed feelings about this book. I believe this this was really the most horror that was truly scary in all the books that I have read of his. I do think the horror was really well done. Several times while reading this the imagery made me cringe, which for this kind of book was great. I honestly think we are all so desensitized to things we see and hear due to movies, the news and social media, that anything that can give me the heebie jeebies so to speak is well done. I also thought the plot was really interesting and was fun to explore.
The things that didn't work for me was that the book was too long. There were pages in incantations and it took till about 45% for the set up of the book to be complete. There were only two characters that I really liked and one left the story at about 50%. The rest of the characters felt very one dimensional. I also felt the pacing of the story was a bit slow in this one. Typically, these stories move fast but this was just slow for much of the middle of the book. I will say that although it was slow I didn't think that it made the story feel jagged or like a puzzle that doesn't fit. Just it made it slower. I really think this story would have benefited by some of it being cut.
Overall, it is the story of young girls that have gotten pregnant at a very young age and without any options are put into situations that they are unaware of how will turn out with some good and not so good people. I will continue to read Grady's books and I didn't not like this one, but I just wanted a bit more.

I really enjoyed the book to the very end ! Grady Hendrix did an amazing job showcasing teenage pregnancy throughout the whole book . I’m definitely going to recommend this book to my friends !

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is an intriguing but uneven blend of supernatural elements and personal drama. The premise of modern witchcraft woven with a coming-of-age story is compelling, and Hendrix’s knack for dark humor and sharp dialogue shines through. However, the pacing feels inconsistent, with moments of excitement often diluted by slower, overly detailed passages. The characters, while quirky, sometimes lack depth, making it harder to connect emotionally. Despite these flaws, the book delivers a fair share of eerie atmosphere and twists that will appeal to fans of quirky horror. A decent, if not unforgettable, read.

A huge thank you to Grady Hendrix and Berkley Publishing for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

If there's one thing I know about Grady Hendrix, it's don't expect consistency. I absolutely loved "My Best Friend's Exorcism", but everything else I've read by him has paled a bit in comparison. I couldn't make heads or tails of "Final Girls Support Group" and sure "How to Sell a Haunted House" was fun, but nothing since has gripped me with the same insatiable urge to keep reading until this one.

It's a bit of a wild ride story-wise, but I was along for the ride! The setting was so rich, I felt like I knew the exact layout of the house the girls were staying at. The characters were memorable and fleshed out. My heart broke for them constantly. There's really powerful messages about autonomy, both through what the girls go through as pregnant, unmarried women and how they delve into witchcraft in order to gain some sort of power over their situation. For some of the girls, it's extremely bleak and it's a completely different tone from some of Hendrix's other books. And if nothing else, I do think that Grady Hendrix can WRITE. I really don't read a lot of books over 350 pages (I'm not lazy I just like things to be wrapped up when they need to be!). This book was almost 500 pages and I didn't even notice. I was late coming back from my lunch break because I wanted to keep reading.

It's not a perfect book. There's a crazy amount of characters you feel like you have to keep track of, the story is a bit all over the place, and the main character is a little bland (especially in comparison to the side characters). There also seems to be a bit of "The Magical Negro" trope going on that I was hoping would be subverted somehow but I don't think it was. I will admit that I'm not too informed about this trope, but I noticed other reviewers saying the same thing. It's extremely disappointing, and I hoped we moved past that in 2025. For that reason, I docked a star and honestly might dock another from what would've been a five star book.

It's with a heavy heart I acknowledge that because this book truly affected me. I loved the concept and the characters and it's so unlike anything I read before. If you've been spurned by Hendrix before, I get it. I'd still recommend this as one of his better ones.

Content warnings: Graphic depictions of childbirth, miscarriage, teenage pregnancy, child trauma

WITCHCRAFT FOR WAYWARD GIRLS by Grady Hendrix is hands down the best thing he's written YET. This book pulled me in from the very beginning. I was unprepared for the depth of emotion and the strength of this story's characters. Readers who are fans of Hendrix's dark horror, often laced with humor, will find this book offers something profoundly different yet equally compelling. It was so good and for me, so unexpected from this author - but I hope there are many more like this in his wheelhouse because I am ALL IN.

Set in 1970s Florida, the story follows 15-year-old Fern as she arrives at Wellwood Home, a secluded 'refuge' for unwed teenage mothers. The girls are hidden away to give birth in secret, facing immense emotional challenges. Through the points of view of Fern and her friends—Rose, Zinnia, and Holly—Hendrix weaves a tale that is both heartbreaking and empowering. It's the introduction of a book on witchcraft by a traveling librarian that becomes the pivotal moment, offering the girls a glimpse of power and control in their constrained world.

Hendrix does such a great job balancing the dark themes of teenage pregnancy, societal judgment, and trauma with moments of hope, resilience and courage. His description of the era and setting is vivid, immersing the reader in the stifling heat of Florida and the isolating atmosphere of the home. The author took his time developing the characters, each with their own dreams and struggles, making their stories unforgettable.

This book is a departure from Hendrix's usual style(at least from what I've read by him thus far), yet it stands as a (surprising!)testament to his versatility as a writer. It’s a character-driven, emotionally intense story that highlights the consequences of depriving vulnerable individuals of support.

This a beautiful, haunting story of resilience and empowerment, and one of Hendrix’s best works to date.

I requested a copy of the ARC on NetGalley from the publisher, Berkley Publishing Group, and was approved in exchange for consideration of a review. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader.

2.5/5 stars

It seems I have a love-hate relationship with Grady Hendrix books. I hoped this one would go the way of My Best Friend’s Exorcism, which I read in September and adored. Alas… 🥲

I had a few big issues with Wayward Girls, including the pacing. Lawddd did it drag. It’s a long book and it *feels* long. Ugh.

And as someone who loves the paranormal, whether in my thriller or horror reads, I’m always frustrated when a book is touted as magical, witchy, etc. and there just…isn’t a lot of magic in it? Ugh x2. 😭

That said, Hendrix is a wonderful writer; I always enjoy his prose, even if this wasn’t my favorite of his stories. Some dope lines I highlighted:

✨ “For girls like us, down there at the Home, the devil turned out to be our only friend.”

✨ “Witches will catch you when you fall, carry you when you are tired, heal you when you are broken. This is the first truth of our Craft: a real witch is never alone.”

Historical Fiction • Spells and Curses • Horror
Pub Date • 14 Jan 2025

Thank you @berkleypub & @prhaudio for the free finished copy/ALC!

◦•●◉✿ 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨. 𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨. 𝙇𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨. 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙥 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙨𝙩. ✿◉●•◦

This is my third book from Hendrix, and all three have showcased different elements of horror - a tribute to his versatility.

The Final Girl Support Club is an homage to slasher lore, while How to Sell a Haunted House brings the creepy factor with sinister animated puppets. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is as much historical fiction as it is horror.

We are in the 70s, when unwed girls with unwanted pregnancies are sent away to “homes” for unwed mothers. Such is the setting for this book, our main characters barely teens themselves.

I loved the historical context; Hendrix got me in my feels in the opening chapter. The unfairness of the girl being held accountable, called names, for ruining the boy’s life. The feelings of shame and loss and grief. The full loss of control. The ceding of power.

I usually love magic and witchiness, but I didn’t love the chanting and rituals here. Over the top voodu hoodu lost me. I did however, enjoy the excerpts from How To Be A Groovy Witch, a book within the book.

Hendrix pulls out a strong finish in the final chapter. Final verdict: loved the beginning and ending, dragged in the mid-section.

‧₊˚🎧⊹ Narration of audiobook was really well done, almost too well-done when it came to multiple painful labor and delivery scenes including an episiotomy and stitching up afterward.

·˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀➛ This book releases today, happy publication day! · ←˚ ༘₊·꒰➳: ̗̀

TW: Pregnancy, Gore, Misogyny, Child Sexual Abuse, Rape

This was my first Grady Hendrix book and will not be my last - I’ve already put some of his previously published books on hold at my library. This is a story about young girls who are essentially abandoned by their families when they become pregnant. They are put up in a home for “wayward” girls and managed by a woman who believes that what she is doing is good - keeping the girls in a strict schedule and diet. But when a librarian hands one of them a book about witchcraft they start to believe they can change their world, and they try.
Thank you Netgalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for this digital ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and Mr. Hendrix for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

I think it's a brave choice for a male author to tackle a story that revolves completely around pregnancy, horror elements or no. I was curious to see how Mr. Hendrix would handle that. Meanwhile, the late 70s in Florida was a great choice for a setting. That horrible humid heat, with little or no air conditioning, and just a fan to stir around the hot air? While pregnant? UGH. That right there is a recipe for horror all by itself, let alone the crusty old house and the creepy doctor. Anyways: Wellwood House, in Florida, is a baby farm/ place for unwed teenage mothers to deliver their babies in obscurity and save their families from scandal and shame. The babies are then adopted out to wealthy parents. It was unclear to me whether Ms. Wellwood was profiting off of this but it seemed like a strong possibility.

The characterization was where the story shone for me. Each of the girls in the Wellwood house has a different backstory and all of them are sad, even the ones that purport to be hopeful and happy. This could have been a moving story just as historical fiction, but of course it’s Grady Hendrix, so there has to be some horror. The girls encounter a witch? Librarian? Witch librarian? At the monthly bookmobile visit, and the main character, Fern, is given a book about witchcraft. She and her group of friends Rose, Zinnia and Holly, attempt a spell to get revenge on the creepy doctor by making him experience Zinnia’s morning sickness, and the spell does seem to work. The witch librarian, Ms. Parcae, visits them by the river behind Wellwood house and invites them to join her coven and have power, in exchange for their service.

The thing about pregnancy is that despite how endless it FEELS, it isn’t actually infinite (thank GOD) and so as the girls have their babies, they mostly phase out of the story. That’s where I really expected the occult themes to pick up. For some reason Ms. Parcae becomes increasingly aggressive about insisting that Fern must join the coven, even though Holly wants to, and Fern does not. Fern struck me as wanting to have her cake (use magic ) and eat it too (not have to pay any price for it) and refuses to go to the coven and nothing… really happened.

I think on the whole I enjoyed the book much more as a historical social commentary on women’s agency over their lives and their bodies, than as a horror fiction book. I never really truly felt any level of “scared”, whereas I was truly invested in the question of whether the girls who wanted to keep their babies would be able to, and what would happen to Holly and to her child. Overall, though, I was absolutely riveted to the story, so taking that as a metric I would say this book was a winner.

One more thing to add: while I did not specifically relate to any of the girls’ specific pregnancy or childbirth experiences, my opinion is that pregnancy and childbirth are supremely individual experiences and no two are alike. I was horrified on behalf of these children undergoing the procedures alone and unsupported, but the descriptions of the childbirths (while VERY descriptive) bothered me more because of the fact that they were children rather than because of the gore. However, if either of those aspects would bother you, be aware that they are there.

Overall, I found this book compulsively readable, and was glued to the story until it ended. If I had my druthers I would have preferred the horror to be more, well, scary, but that’s a small quibble. ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2

Thank you @BerkleyPub for the free book! #BerkleyBookstagram #BerkleyIG #berkley #berkleypub #WitchcraftforWaywardGirls #GradyHendrix

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐱
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 - 𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐰!

𝟱★

This book made me feel so much rage. Such strong emotions. Grady Hendrix has crafted such a powerful book, and one I highly recommend.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls follows Fern (not her real name), a 15 year old girl who is sent to Florida to with other unwed mothers to have their babies, give them up for adoption, and then leave it all behind them. Fern and all of the other girls like her must follow a strict schedule and have their diets controlled by adults who claim they are doing what’s best for them. The girls have no power over anything. One day, a mobile library comes to the house and a librarian gives Fern a book about witchcraft. Finally, the girls have power for the first time in their lives.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a blend of horror and historical fiction. There are some gruesome scenes and details related to pregnancy and delivery. Some parts made so angry. I think that’s the point. My favorite takeaway in all of this is that women will always find a way to rise up. I loved so much about this book. I thought it was very timely as well.

Posted on Goodreads on January 14, 2025: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram - Full Review- on or around January 14, 2025: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on January 14, 2025
**-will post on designated date

This book. I absolutely love everything Grady Hendrix writes. He has a way of seeing the humanity and empathy in the middle of the chaos and pain. This book would be categorized as horror, but it’s so much more than that.

This story follows several pregnant teenage girls in the 70’s who are put into a “home” for wayward girls. They have different backgrounds and different stories but the main connecting thread is that they were all put there by family who were ashamed of them to have their babies and then go home and pretend it never happened.

These girls stories were heartbreaking and also parallel a lot of issues we still continue to have today regarding womens rights and equality. This story brought me to tears several times. It’s so well written and definitely worth the read!

Thank you @berkleypub and @prhaudio for my ARC and ALC of this story which publishes today, 1/14/25.

At the age of fifteen, Neva finds herself in trouble and in a car with her dad speeding toward a home for unwed mothers in Florida. When she arrives, Miss Wellwood takes away her given name and tells her she will go by Fern since she thinks of the residents of the home as her “garden of girls”. She also tells “Fern” that she will pretend she comes from Baltimore since no one shares their personal information. Her roommates in room 3 are Rose, a hippie type who claims she is keeping her baby Blossom and moving to a farm, Holly, who doesn’t speak at all and seems younger than Fern, and eventually “Zinnia”, a black girl who is originally given an attic room, but “Rose” realizes the racism that underlies this and gives “Zinnia” her spot in room 3. “Zinnia” has ultra bad morning sickness.

Once a month, the bookmobile arrives. “Fern” is desperate to learn more about pregnancy. When she asks for this from the librarian Miss Parcae, she is told she doesn’t have anything about this and even if she did, the people at the home would not allow her to give it to “Fern”. Miss Parcae does give her a small paperback called How to Be a Groovy Witch. Eventually, the girls join Miss Parcae and pledge allegiance to her and her coven. One of the spells helps “Zinnia”s morning sickness so the girls decide to use spells against their perceived enemies.

The book is very good, but does not have as much of the humor of some of the previous Grady Hendrix novels. Grandy Hendrix does an excellent job telling the story from the point of view of a pregnant girl, even using the development of the baby as part of the story. He definitely does well at capturing the fear of the pregnant girls and what leads them to take up witchcraft. He also addresses what happens to the girls when they get their real names back, although we only know about Neva until the end.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls reads like an edgy historical fiction at first. It’s soon turns more toward the occult/supernatural. When it all pulled together in the end I really enjoyed it but while I was reading I was a little unsure. I’m so glad that I didn’t DNF because it really is an interesting and vividly descriptive read.
It is a very emotional read at times. Heavy circumstances and vulnerable characters.
I came into it expecting more horror and was pleasantly surprised by the raw feelings & heartbreaking reality that was at the core of this story.

I have posted this review on Amazon, StoryGraph, Goodreads

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7088433460

And Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/share/BAFXOmbclw

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is historical fiction/horror in 1970 Florida at a wayward house. What is a wayward house? You might be asking. A wayward house is a place where unwed pregnant teenagers would stay. The mothers would remain until the baby was delivered and adopted. The mothers would never see the baby again and return to their "normal lives". The system is set up so the mother will abandon all rights to the child while the wayward house will get paid for the adoption. The young mother feels helpless until witchcraft is introduced. The wayward house is a character in the novel and an interesting one. Every time the novel moved away from the house setting I was sad. The novel works best when at the house, I didn't even need the supernatural element when I was there. The wayward house is filled with a lot of dread about the future, but the bonds girls form are unbreakable. The themes are powerless and control, even when the witchcraft is brought in the girls soon realize they have power but no control, making them feel powerless. This novel is a character piece and the characters for the most part are intriguing. The pace was slower than I expected from the two other Grady Hendrix novels that I read. But the slower moments involve the wayward house and I was interested. The humor that I usually count on from Grady Hendrix was very muted here's some but Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is his most serious. The witchcraft was way less than I was expecting, but it did keep the reader on their toes in anticipation. I do believe the lack of witchcraft will turn off some readers, but there are two awesome scenes of the witchcraft power. I would have wanted to see more, but was only slightly disappointed. The ending has a crazy scene of witchcraft that I was all about. Hendrix pays off the reader for the lack of witchcraft with a big scene. The epilogue is written very well and ends on a line that sums up the whole novel. Witchcraft for Wayward Girls will be published on January 14, 2025. Thanks, Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the read.

Plot Summary: Neva is a pregnant 15-year-old in 1970 from Alabama. She rides in a car to Florida with her disappointed father who has signed her up to stay at Wellwood Home. A place for unwed pregnant teens to have the baby without the neighborhood knowing. Neva learns that she must go by a different name, all the girls go by flower names since their flower was taken. Neva is now called Fern. Fern meets all the other girls and sees the horrors of childbirth firsthand. She makes friends with her roommates Holly, who is the youngest girl and a mute, and Rose, who is a loud Hippie who is determined to keep her baby she named Blossom. Later Zinnia, a refined black girl will move in and be Fern's best friend. Fern just wants everything to go back to normal and is tired of getting pushed around. At Wellwood Home, she is told what to eat when to sleep, and what to read. She meets a librarian from a mobile bookmobile. The librarian sees something in Fern and gives her a book on witchcraft. Fern starts reading it and sharing it with the roommates, they form a coven and do little spells empowering them. They soon learn that the book wasn't just a gift but a promise and find they have no power.

What I Liked: The Wellwood Home was interesting. I did not mind the lack of witchcraft at the beginning since the home was so interesting. I liked the history of the home and what happens at the end of it. I do like how Roe v. Wade eventually enters the story. I do like two awesome scenes we get of witchcraft. Both scenes were intense but the end one was fun. This book has a main character Fern, whose character I did enjoy, but she is supported by so many great supporting characters. Rose was my favorite, followed by Zinnia, Holly, Hagar, Miriam, and the first Hazel. I love what the girls shout as someone leaves the home, meaning cross your fingers and your legs. I have not talked about how emotional the book is there are some hard truths in how the girls got there and the pressure to give your baby away. This book does have two intense birth scenes that make this reviewer glad he is not a birthing woman.

What I Disliked: The story gives the background of Mrs. Wellwood but nothing is done with it, I thought when we learned it we would get a scene about it later, especially with Holly. The lack of witchcraft in the novel. This was a choice but there was so much potential to elevate scenes. I feel it was a missed opportunity. There were two scenes that I was reading where I was like I can't believe that was played straight and no witchcraft added. There's a point in the story where the girls get protection from the witch but it lasts way too long with so many opportunities for it to get taken away by someone who doesn't know any better.

Recommendation: Despite the fact I thought Witchcraft for Wayward Girls could and should have more witchcraft scenes I liked this book. The story went places I could not predict and was a fun ride. Witchcraft for Wayward Witches is the first book I have read published in 2025 and it is a strong start. I recommend my followers read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.

Rating: I rated Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix 4.1 out of 5.

Ranking: I have read three Grady Hendrix books and rated them all 4 stars on Goodreads and Amazon. I ranked them from favorite to least favorite: 1) Final Girls Support Group, 2) Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, and 3) My Best Friend's Exorcism.

I have a lot of mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, the conversation around how women who became pregnant out of wedlock were treated (and just pregnant women in general) is a super important conversation to have and I enjoyed the real life horror aspect. I also thought a lot of the stuff with the witches was creepy, but I definitely thought the magic would be a bigger focus of the book.

I kind of went back and forth between being really into this book and just wanting it to be over, here were a lot of parts that were super repetitive and the first 20% I was so bored and considered DNFing it multiple times just because it was so repetitive, but I wanted to see how the magic would affect everything. There are also a ton of characters to keep straight, but it was hard to keep them all straight because none of them really felt like they had any developed personalities, including the main characters. The only one I found incredibly interesting was Rose, and there was a lot of the story she wasn't even present for.

My biggest issue with this book though is something that's specific to me - while I knew from the title and description that the characters in this book were pregnant, I was NOT expecting the amount of graphic description about childbirth - multiple times, in fact. Pregnancy as a whole isn't something I'm interested in reading about, but the witchcraft aspect had me so intrigued by this one that I decided to overlook my reservations and give it a try.

Ultimately this ended up not being for me as my expectations were totally different than what this book provided, although I can see this being something that a lot of people enjoy. I'm still curious about some of his other works though, and I hope I can find one of his books that really works for me!

I will read anything Grady Hendrix writes, even though this one didn't rank as high as the others. Big trigger warning for anyone who has any kind of pregnancy trauma--especially around giving birth.

Pros: Well-written experiences of pregnancy from a man...he did a good job researching a woman's experience.
Satisfying conclusion.

Cons: The main character just didn't do it for me. I was extremely frustrated by her and her choices--which was probably the point but it took me out of the story.
Oddly paced plot: the first 2/3 of the book kind of dragged while the last third was an avalanche of crazy stuff.
The aforementioned traumatic birth stories.

Overall, it was a classic Hendrix story of social commentary wrapped up in a horror story, meant to exaggerate a part of our society that should horrify us--the unjust and ostracizing treatment of women who find themselves young, unwed, and pregnant.

Grady Hendrix is an automatic read for me because of his ability to mix so much human emotion in with the supernatural. As a mother, this book hit my heart because I can't imagine my own children being in Ferns situation, and I understand her need to risk everything to keep her daughter safe. This is yet another great read!