Grady Hendrix is a master of atmospheric suspense. The setting of this one is very much a part of the story. Both the physical setting of an isolated house in the woods and the social setting of a home for unwed teen mothers added to the feelings of helplessness and frustration for the main characters.

The main character, Fern, struggled to decide whether to stand up for herself or just go along with the plan set up for her. She alternates between wanting to use witchcraft and not being willing to pay the price. Despite her indecision she is a very likable and relatable character.

I liked the supporting characters as well. The interaction between the girls in the home kept me reading. Their day to day experiences were well written and detailed. The villains were nuanced and memorable as well.

The story itself was very interesting and paced well. It delved into interesting ethical questions about consent and how much agency underage mothers should have. And the ending was intense but satisfying. I really enjoyed this book even though the subject matter was so frustrating. I have tickets to see this author in January and I can’t wait.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @berkleypub for the chance to review this ARC.

This wasn’t the usual Grady Hendrix mix of horror, comedy and gore I expected. It read more like historical fiction, with some witchcraft thrown in. Set in early 1970, it is more of a story about how society treated unwed pregnant young women.

The Wellwood Home in Florida is a temporary home for pregnant teens. The setting is atmospheric, isolated from society, the young girls have no concept of the changes in their bodies or childbirth itself. They are dropped off, forced to work for their room and board, give birth, and give away their babies.

The main character Fern, and her new found friends Rose, Zinnia, and Holly, are feeling frustrated and helpless and have to decide if Witchcraft will give them the power they need to take control of their lives, and if they are willing to pay the price for that power.

This book is a slow burn, but I was immersed in the story, it was well researched, and left me feeling frustrated at the injustices these young girls suffered at the hands of a society that deemed them wayward and unfit.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

I don't think this is my favorite book by Grady Hendrix. I've read several of them, and some have been awesome, some have been adequate. This one was… eh, it was okay. I do feel it was weird about how much he focused on naked, pregnant teenagers, though. I liked how very historical it felt (I’m guessing as I wasn’t alive when this book took place, but it seemed pretty accurate), but I didn’t like the paranormal element as much as I have in other of his books. Also, I really hate his depiction of the librarian. Listen, Grady, we librarians already get a bad rap in this country for trying to “groom” teenagers (as does the librarian in this story, although it was for witchcraft), so this depiction doesn’t help any (although, to be fair, all those who are accusing librarians are grooming are probably not reading Grady Hendrix books, and please take that for the compliment that it is). The book was fine and I got through it pretty quick, but far from awesome.

“Witchcraft For Wayward Girls” is a spellbinding masterpiece from the incredible mind of Grady Hendrix!

Travel back to a time where pregnant, unwed teenagers were sent away to “care for a sick aunt” to hide their pregnancy. In the “home”, a group of girls find themselves banding together to fight for their beliefs. With the help of a maybe-crazy librarian, the girls face the unknown full of hope that they can change their future and “fight the patriarchy”.

The amount of detail pored into every aspect of each page is nothing short of brilliant. This absolutely needs to be formatted for the big screen ASAP! Grady Hendrix has outdone himself with this one- I felt every labor pain described as only someone who has experienced it could. He hit every mark and checked every box and yet lost nothing in the details! An absolute MUST READ!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC!

Neva finds herself in a family way. It’s the 70s, in a world before Roe v Wade. Neva finds herself at Mrs Wellwords’ home for wayward girls. She’s not Fern to protect her identity, and in a mix of other girls in similar situations. Fern befriends the bookmobile librarian and out of a desire to help her friend, Zinnia, accepts a mysterious book on witchcraft. Zinnia’s extreme nausea is cured with a spell, however, the girls don’t stop there. Witchcraft finds a way and soon things get out of hand. What started as an extremely slow build, I found unable to put this book down as the plot heated up. I found the girls, their friendship, and the strong will to help each other to be endearing. Some of the scenes were very graphic as only Grady Hendrix can do. This book, by the end, did not disappoint. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for the advanced copy!

4 stars. First off thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. It was different from Grady's other books I've read but I enjoyed the storyline. I felt for these girls and wanted to help them too. Glad it's not like this anymore. I loved the little added bonus of magic, Witches and revenge. The characters were all great and Hendrix really makes you feel for them. I would recommend this if you enjoy a good witchy vibes book with a twist. Also had some found family/forever friendships vibes in there too.

WOW! 4.5 stars.

I have really enjoyed Grady Hendrix and his writing style with every book so far. Going into this book I was expecting some unsettling scenes, witchcraft and keeping me on my toes and I got exactly what I was hoping for. From a librarian moonlighting as a witch to tackling gender inequality this hits on a lot of levels for me.

This was simultaneously Grady working at a high level while sometimes it felt very un-"Grady-like." Even though there's not much outright horror, there's gore and creepy bits throughout and scenes that are suspenseful - it was tastefully done! Most of the horr has less to do with ghosts or ghouls and more about young women and how they were historically treated - especially during pregnancy.

So, really good book. Witchcraft for Wayward girls is creepy, thought-provoking and challenges how we view women.

Can't wait to see what he does next!

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix is a story set in the 1970's Florida where four young girls (Fern, Rose, Zinnia, and Holly) find themselves pregnant and sent to Wellwood House by their families to have their babies in secret and give them up for adoption along with many other girls. Their diets are controlled as are all of their activities by the people running the home. They meet a librarian that gives them a book on witchcraft as they try to figure out how to keep Holly from having to go back to her home where her pastor raped and impregnated her. Can they save Holly or will the price be too high?

I was astounded at how well a male could tell this story. The book kept me on the edge of my seat and the characters were very relatable. I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley.

This one had all the makings of a really good women working in solidarity story, but it never quite got to where I hoped it would. It took ages and ages - more than 1/3 of the book - to get to the witchcraft. Even then, this was such a slowwww burn and the ending was overwhelming. By the time we got to the solidarity, it was almost too little too late - especially when it followed a women failing other women moment. I enjoyed very end of the story, but it wasn't enough to make up for the earlier disappointments. I was expecting this one to make me ragey, but in the end too much of the rage was at other women sadly.

Once again I find myself wondering when I'll learn to stop picking up these kinds of stories when they're written by men...


A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

Wow, just wow! If I was given this book without the author’s name, I would have thought a woman wrote Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and not Grady Hendrix. The abuse these girls face from emotional to physical (limited food) to sexual (examination by the doctor) is heart wrenching. The description of the childbirth when Fern gives birth when she is knocked out for the actual delivery and Holly’s who is not under anesthesia is very detailed. Hendrix does a great job with character development.

Although there really is not a lot of witchcraft, the book is horrifying by the treatment of the pregnant girls. Grady Hendrix does it again, another great book. Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advance copy of the book.

#WitchcraftforWaywardGirls #NetGalley.

Grady Hendrix knows how to do spooky books with funny elements. I enjoy this, especially around Halloween, and I really enjoyed My Best Friend's Exorcism and The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires. I was told Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is more serious than his other books and that is correct. He tackles teen pregnancy and the struggles that come with that, as well as sexism and other social commentary. I enjoyed those parts. Unfortunately, the rest fell a bit flat for me. The pacing was slower than I would have liked and the witchcraft element took a long time to materialize. I'm sad this didn't work for me, but I think most of his other fans will love it. I'm excited to see what he does next. His story ideas are fascinating!

4.5 stars rounded up

Fifteen year old Neva is pregnant, and in 1970 this just won't do. She's sent to a home for unwed mothers and becomes Fern, where she meets other girls like her who can't share their real names and pass the time cleaning, eating, smoking, and waiting for their lives to go back to the way they were. When a librarian gives Fern a peculiar book, she and her friends start down a path they aren't prepared for.

I really enjoyed this book. There was such a feeling of dread and terror for what was about to happen. The insane body horror of childbirth was truly disgusting, and I felt such anger while reading. The girls in the home were well-written and distinct, and I was really interested in the coven. At times I found myself angry at the girls and the decisions they made, but they were very realistic. I would've loved an extra epilogue to see a glimpse into H****'s life.

There were times that I felt the story dragging a bit, but that's my only criticism. I think some readers may side-eye a male author writing this story, but I think he did a good job. There was no author note in my eARC, so maybe he'll address his reasons for choosing to write this book in the final copy.

This is a solid horror thriller and I eagerly await Hendrix's next book.

Grady Hendrix’s imagination is unparalleled. I don’t know what’s going on up there, but I like it. What a fascinating way to handle a familiar subject.

Hendrix has written a difficult but engaging read in Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Neva/Fern is sent to a home for unwed teenage mothers, Fern's experience at the home is harrowing, leading her to seek help from a helpful (?) librarian who guides her toward the use of magic. The girls' fears and concerns are dismissed by the people who are employed to "care" for them; they are not prepared for birth or life after they surrender their children.

It's worth noting that WfWG uses the "Black woman as savior" trope, with Home employee Hagar and her sister Miriam repeatedly rescuing the girls from their own bad decisions.. Otherwise, this would've been a 4+ star book.

While this might have been my first book by this author, it certainly won't be my last.
I loved how well the author was able to blend fact with fiction and make it all seem so realistic, plausible, and, best of all, like you were there, seeing it all happen right along with the characters. Their pain and punishments, their triumphs and successes, were all something you felt like you were not only witnessing but experiencing right along with them.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls was both heartbreaking and satisfying, and I'm so glad I took a chance on a new author because I now want to gobble up everything this author has ever written.

Grady Hendrix's latest offering, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls," is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction and horror that will bewitch readers from start to finish. This gripping narrative follows four teenage girls, led by the protagonist Fern, as they navigate a world that has callously abandoned them.

Hendrix masterfully sets the stage with a deceptively gentle historical fiction tone, only to unleash terrifying moments and visceral gore that will leave readers spellbound. The author's intimate writing style plunges us deep into the characters' turmoil and rage, painting a vivid and often unsettling picture of women's experiences in a patriarchal society.

At its core, this novel is a powerful exploration of female rage and the consequences of societal oppression. The girls' journey from innocence to empowerment, catalyzed by a chance encounter with a librarian and a witch coven, is both thrilling and heart-wrenching. Hendrix doesn't shy away from the harsh realities these young women face, from unwanted pregnancies to the cruel indifference of those meant to protect them.

The author's unflinching portrayal of women's bodies and birth scenes is particularly noteworthy, described with a raw, visceral quality that's both shocking and poignant. This vivid imagery, coupled with the themes of choice, abuse, and voicelessness, packs a formidable punch against the backdrop of a society that silences its most vulnerable.

For those who prefer audiobooks, the narration elevates this already captivating story to new heights. The narrator's performance is nothing short of magical, bringing Fern and her world to life with chilling effectiveness. Her rendition of the chants, in particular, adds an extra layer of immersion that transforms the listening experience into a cinematic journey.

"Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" is a testament to Hendrix's storytelling prowess, weaving together elements of horror, historical fiction, and social commentary into a tapestry that will haunt readers long after the final page. It's a spellbinding exploration of female empowerment that demands to be read—or better yet, heard.

Thank you, Berkley, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for my free books.

Grady Hendrix's Witchcraft for Wayward Girls presents a compelling narrative filled with dark humor and poignant themes of empowerment among a group of girls in a repressive environment. While the writing is sharp and the characters are well-developed, the pacing occasionally drags, making some sections feel overly long. The exploration of witchcraft as a means of reclaiming power adds an intriguing layer to the story, but it sometimes feels overshadowed by the more graphic elements. Overall, it's an engaging read that balances horror and humor, though it could benefit from tighter editing to enhance the overall impact.

By no means is this a bad book, I would go as far to say I enjoyed it, my issue comes with the author always writing about women and their stories. This might be controversial, but with how many books this author comes out with, I just wish he would come out with less female centred novels. I do not mind a man writing about women, but it’s every new novel he comes out with and it’s beginning to feel a tad repetitive.

I was really intrigued by this book but when I realized who it was by, I knew it was not going to be earth shattering for me. They’re always enjoyable, always fun, but never mind blowing.

This man can truly do no wrong. His books are always quirky, entertaining, and leave you holding your breath. This is a perfect wintertime book to cozy up with and you’ll be sucked into this world immediately. This guy’s knows escapism. Absolutely recommend!

Grady Hendrix doesn't miss and I really enjoyed this book. It was a throwback to a time unwed young women were sent away to have their babies in secret, which were then given up for adoption immediately after birth. The women were then sent home like nothing ever happened.

When a group of these women are introduced to witchcraft from a librarian in the form of a book, it will give them agency and powers they never could have dreamed of, but at what price?

This was nostalgic but dark, yet hopeful. If I learned anything, it's that women are powerful but so is witchcraft, so I won't be dabbling in it.