Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for my gifted advanced copy.

As a diehard Grady Hendrix fan, this pains me. It took me nearly two months to read this. I just couldn't latch onto the story or the characters. It felt like Hendrix was trying to write a retelling of The Ghost Woods by C.J. Cooke without the excitement. I was hoping for more Witchcraft and female rage 🤷‍♀️ I don't mind slow burns, but this pacing was just far too slow for me.

If Orange Is the New Black, American Horror Story Asylum and The Craft had a literary fiction baby, it would be this book. We're following a pregnant teen in the 1970s who gets sent off to an asylum for pregnant teens. Without giving much away, witchcraft ensues.

I have been a fan of Grady Hendrix's other books, but this one felt a bit off. The first half of the story was incredibly slow (90+ pages before witchcraft was even mentioned). I enjoyed the witchcraft/spell elements, but I didn't feel that there was enough of it throughout. There were moments of horror/gore, but it was more of a horrific real-life literary story about pregnancy, agency, parental rights, medical pressure and coercion. It wasn't what I was expecting and I can't say that I truly enjoyed it in it's entirety. The ending did get me a little teary-eyed though, so I'm bumping it up to a 3 star read.

I'd still recommend this to fans of Grady Hendrix's other books with the forewarning that it is quite slow in the beginning, feels like literary fiction, and has a much more serious tone than his other books.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first Grady Hendrix novel after hearing about him from my coworkers for years. I feel… a little disappointed with this one. I liked the campy atmosphere that the novel has and the horror scenes were written pretty well. Even the surgical scenes were visceral and horrific in a way of their own, which I appreciated. Ultimately, what dampened all that down for me was the pacing of the book and the lack of character development. I love to see character growth throughout books but I felt like there really want much of that until the end. That being said, I’d still like to try reading some of his other, more esteemed works!

The biggest thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

Power is a fickle thing, something that’s often controlled and kept from others on the basis of fear. And what if that power is discovered by those who have been kept in the dark? Grady Hendrix’s latest novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, is a close examination of these ideas of female empowerment and what this power looks like for every woman, not just all women. In the humid swamps of Florida, Wellwood Home exists as a place for “wayward” girls – pregnant, unwed, girls. The process is “simple”; a wayward girl is delivered by her family, she works for the Wellwood Home to earn her keep, she has her child who is then adopted, and the wayward girl returns to her life as she knew it before. But “before” is never as it really was, a truth that becomes apparent to many of the girls of Wellwood. This all changes when one group of girls discovers the possible power of witchcraft, the ability to alter their circumstances beyond normal means. Of course, all actions have consequences as these girls soon find out, leaving them with unthinkable choices to make. Hendrix crafts an emotional, moving examination of women’s empowerment through this lens, demonstrating the power of choices and those who make them.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is Grady Hendrix’s longest novel, knocking on around 500 pages in length. With this vast space, Hendrix chooses to leave no stone unturned concerning the inequalities women must suffer, especially expecting, unwed mothers. While the book is set in the 1970s, there is an unfortunate amount of truth to be found in these pages regarding the treatment of women in the world today, making Witchcraft another painfully timely read. I won’t lie and say this is a breezy, fun read from Hendrix; rather, this is an unflinching look at what happens when autonomy and choices are stripped away from individuals. Sure, there are still some signature Hendrix moments of levity, but on the whole, this feels like one of his more earnest, serious contributions.

This harrowing atmosphere is made possible through the character work implemented in these pages, with unique life breathed into the girls of Wellwood, chiefly Fern, Rose, Zinnia, and Holly. Most important of all, not one of these girls is written the same as another, each with their own personal wants, desires, and motivations. Through this diversity, we find so much to relate to with each girl who craves a different outcome for themselves and their unborn children. This feels like the most touching sentiment of all, this recognition of differences among women that does not take away from their essence of being a person, the bonds they forge with one another.

Of course, the horrors of this story can be found in the treatment of these girls as their lifestyle at Wellwood measures close to cruelty. Even more harrowing are the attitudes of those outside the home and their treatment of these girls in the real world. Yet, most horrifying of all is the withholding of information from these girls in regards to how their own bodies function, the falsehood perpetuated regarding their own being. Of course, to drive the true essence of horror home, Hendrix never shies away from body horror with no shortage of gore, blood, bile, and other stomach-churning bodily functions.

For all this horror, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is an emotionally fueled story with an ending that brought me to tears. Fern, Holly, Zinnia, and Rose share a relationship with one another that is cemented in the trenches of trauma, loss, and love. The final fifty or so pages of this novel contain poignant, heartfelt portraits of these female friendships, the ties that still bind these women together in ways that feel otherworldly. It’s powerful prose, a sentiment of beauty that drives this whole thing home and may even impart a little hope for a better tomorrow thanks to the helping hands of those just like us.

I enjoyed parts of this book, especially learning about the homes they had for unwed young girls and the thoughts they would put in their heads and the things they would say and teach them to think about themselves. It still is unreal to me how the men never had any backlash just the women. I enjoyed meeting the characters and all the different stories on how they got in their predicaments. But the book got too long in the middle for me. I could have cut out about five chapters and cut to the chase. Grady Hendrix books are a wild ride, that I enjoy getting on but this one for me was just too long and drawn out. Still enjoyable, creepy and I could picture it like a movie- just like his other books. So read it just be ready to get settled in.

1970s witchcraft? Sign me up!

I’ve always been a big fan of Grady Hendrix and this book did not disappoint. I’m not a big fan of how slow paced the first few chapters are but glad I kept with it because once I got past those chapters I couldn’t put this book down. This book also has a few graphic scenes so keep that in mind before reading.

This book surprised me in all the right ways. I went in expecting a straightforward horror story with witches and the paranormal, but what I found was a much deeper, more emotional narrative. Set in the 1970s, it’s a raw and thought-provoking look at how young women were silenced and controlled, especially those labeled “wayward.”

The story centers on Fern, a 15-year-old sent to the Wellwood Home for unwed mothers. Through her, we meet a cast of unforgettable girls—Rose, Zinnia, Holly—each navigating their own heartbreaking circumstances. Hendrix gives these characters such depth that it’s impossible not to care about them. Their friendships, fears, and small acts of rebellion are the heart of the book.

While there are paranormal elements and moments of genuine unease, the horror takes a backseat to the intense emotional journey. That said, the atmosphere is masterfully crafted, with the oppressive environment of the home adding to the tension. Be warned: the childbirth scenes are graphic and visceral, but they’re handled with unflinching honesty.

This is a slower burn than I expected, but it stayed with me long after I turned the last page. It’s less about scares and more about resilience, power, and the cost of taking control. A haunting and memorable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls resonates as another deliciously horrifying entry to the Grady Hendrix canon. Both historical and disturbingly apt in the post-Roe landscape, the novel finds 15 year old Fern (not her real name) in the southern gothic nightmare of a home for unwed mothers in Florida in the 1970s. Faced with unimaginable decisions, Fern and her friends take an unorthodox approach to surviving their pregnancies... with some help from a local librarian.

Witchcraft For Wayward Girls is a love song for women's rights and what it means to have the freedom to choose your own path in life. The book was hilarious, sad, thrilling as hell and even had some pretty grotesque body horror thrown in. I think it could have been fifty pages shorter and there should have been Waaaay more witchy scenes, but it was a great fun and original read with a stellar message 😁 ✨ 🔮

Ann Patchett's Patron Saint of Liars mixed with The Craft: this book is an overall good read with a few very graphic scenes and a theme of oppression and neglect throughout.

The descriptions of the horrors of teenage pregnancy before Roe v. Wade were heartbreaking. The families send the girls (some as young as 13) away to wait out the pregnancy and give birth to immediately surrender the baby.

No one talks about the fathers - it is the girls' fault for getting themselves into this situation, which they are constantly reminded of by the very people who are supposed to care for them. At times, I thought there is no way the hospital staff was that brutal to them. Then I realized it is still the case in many countries, like my native Russia, where punitive gynecology is very much a reality, no matter the marital status of the woman (but probably much worse for unwed young mothers).

The witchy parts left me a bit confused. I thought the magic would be an escape for the girls who seem to have so very few ways to protect themselves and advocate for their health and future. There are some moments where that's the case, but then, for pages and pages, the witches seemed like just another awful power the main characters had to fight against. I guess it goes with the logic that nothing is inherently good or evil, and everything is a tool that can heal or harm depending on the hand that wields it.

What made me rate the book as I did:
- the motivations of the girls are not always clear, which made it hard to root for them at times
- the plot lags in some spots, with pointless or repetitive scenes, which slowed the pace
- the ending seemed rushed

Overall, I enjoyed the book and found it one of the better witchy novels I've read recently.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, for sharing an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review. The book is out on January 14.

I received an ARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley. This new Grady Hendrix book is a must read.

With his intense characters and captivating scenes, he hooks you right from the start. In this book, it is 1970 and a young 15 girl, Neva is pregnant. Due to the times, her parents send her to a home for wayward girls in Florida, so she can have her baby and give it up. Here she meets a group of girls also in this situation, which is a dirty little secret to cover up. However, when the librarian of the bookmobile gives Neva a book on witchcraft, Things start to really take off. The girls stay at the home becomes more interesting and powerful. Emotions are high and Hendrix knows just how to create the perfect scenes making this book unforgettable.

This was just what I needed. Women full of rage against the patriarchal society? Yes please. I’ve read multiple Grady Hendrix books and they have all been fantastic. This is no exception. It is set in 1970s, so the time period is a lot different than now. There are some uncomfortable and gruesome moments in the book, so be prepared. I do think the pacing could have been better and sometimes I felt lost while reading, but it’s an uncorrected proof, so hopefully stuff like that will be fixed up.

Fern’s dad drops her off at the home in the summer of 1970. She is pregnant and feels completely alone. The home is for unwed mothers. They can stay in the home and work for room and board, as long as they sign away their rights to their baby once it’s born. And let’s be real, if they don’t sign away their rights, they will find a way to force them to. When someone comes into he life that can give her a say in her own life, it is super enticing. However, there is always a price to be paid…

Ok so the first quarter of this book I was like…hmmm this was written by Grady Hendrix? It didn’t seem like his type of book, and it sort of just felt like several other books I have read about homes for young pregnant girls in the 1970’s where they are forced to give away their babies. And then. Then this book took a hard core turn, and I was like ahhhh yes, now this is Grady Hendrix! I was so rooting for these young girls as I read, and I just wanted to scream at all the horrible things they were put through. It was so insane but I don’t want to say much more than that and spoil anything!

Thank you to @berkleypub for my gifted copy of this book!

This book is slow, this book has shiver-inducing gore and imagery, and this book is unlike anything Grady Hendrix has written before.

It’s hard to even categorize this as horror. It’s horror in the way that Mike Flannagan does horror... with love. He gives the reader a slice of life of pre-Roe limitations faced by young mothers, the complex emotions surrounding adoption, and a heavy dose of magic gone wrong.

This book wrenched my heart. It honestly left me speechless.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
By Grady Hendrix
OMG! I want to thank the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this amazing book! It touched on so many emotions, and all are relevant today in this political atmosphere. The year in the book was 1969 to 1970.
Wayward girls, girls made to feel shamed because they become pregnant out of wedlock. They are not allowed to get an abortion back then but sent out of state, deep in the country, and hidden until they give birth. Then, the baby is taken from them. No choice.
The only person they see is the librarian and her book mobile every two weeks. One day, the librarian has a special book for Fern, our main character. It's a book of witchcraft. Things begin to change.
Exceptional book! Loved it from the beginning to the very end!

This book is so important for the times we are currently living in! Women always have to pay the price of patriarchy and this story is no different. This is a beautiful story of loss, friendship, and witchcraft.

Thank you so much to the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Wow, I don't know where to begin. This is the best Grady book I have read (I have enjoyed a few of his). Wow, wow, wow. This is also a very important time for this book to be released give the crisis of women losing their rights and autonomy to their body all around the world. I said throughout this book, Grady much have consulted with many women while writing this, if you read it you will understand why. He is able to describe childbirth and pregnancy in an in-depth and nuanced why. There is a lot of commentary on unmarried pregnant women being hidden from and useless in, society.

This is a tough review to write because I feel like there is so much to say and I really want you to read it. I actually didn't know what it was about when I picked it up, and I couldn't put it down. We meet a cast of very strong, intelligent, and resilient young women. This book can be gut wrenching at times and tackles a lot dated (though still occurring) ideas and stereotypes about young pregnant women. This story takes place in Florida in 1970. It has a very strong sense of place and also a historical feel to it. As I write this, I'm just bumping up against not knowing how to really portray this story and how it made me feel... plz read it.

There is also a magical book, a traveling library on a bus and witchcraft. If you're looking for a fast paced story this isn't it. This is a slow burn, character study about young people banning together when the rest of the world won't take care of them. At times, there is a Lord of Flies feeling because these young women are in survival mode trying to care for one another. We get a diverse and vast cast of characters from one who is determined to overturn the system and fight for justice to another who is almost non-verbal and in a very scary situation.

If you are going in just for the witchcraft you may be disappointed. Grady takes time to build up to those aspects but once we get there, they are very strong. I can see some feeling frustrated that it's not really until the last half of the book. However, to understand the importance of the magic and witchcraft you must first honor and respect the situation these young women are in and the desperation that drives them.

This was just an all around amazing story, I hope you will give it a chance.

Good and interesting themes, and I particularly enjoyed the natural processes of pregnancy and childbirth feeling so supernatural; however, the characters felt a lot flatter than I'm used to with this author. I love Grady Hendrix but this story was less dark and the characters had a lot less depth than I'd like, so I think the story lost a lot of it's power

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

This cover absolutely drew me in first. I mean, look how awesome it is!?
Set in the 1970’s at a home for unwed mothers. It was absolutely horrific to read about how terrible these pregnant teens were treated. They had no choices in any matter. After they give birth, they are expected to give the baby away, go home and act like nothing happened.
We are introduced to young teens under alias, Fern, Rose, Holly and Zinnia. Who are tired of it all. Until they meet a librarian who gives a book on witchcraft. They are desperate and think casting spells is the only way to help. But magic always comes with a price.

Unfortunately this was a DNF at 40% for me. This far in, things should be happening and the things that were fell flat for me. The characters and their personal experiences were horrific, but their story in the book was boring and the conflict was taking too long to get going. I've tried to read several other books by Grady Hendrix and felt similarly, so if you like his other books this might still be a good fit for you.