I requested this book because the premise was interesting, and I thought it would get me excited for spooky season as summer winds to a close. However, this book was so much more to me. With larger themes of equality and power, it was such an exciting book to follow these characters through their journey to fight the patriarchy. I thought I could guess the entire plot at about 45% through, and was delighted to be incorrect. The narrator for the audiobook was also wonderful. A thought-provoking book I am so excited to recommend!

This wasn’t the book I was expecting it was so much more. It’s beautifully written & thoroughly researched. I was lucky to receive the audio version & the narrator brought all the characters to life. I really loved how atmospheric this was, the author (and narrator) managed to make me feel like I was walking through Edinburgh with Nellie. I loved the dual timelines and enjoyed both. The final chapters were unexpected & emotional.

It's difficult to do justice to how much I loved this book - it is definitely one of the best reads of the year for me.
★★★★★
———————
I want to thank NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to review this book.

Enthralling historical fiction of the Scottish witch trials and it’s ties to the patriarchy. I loved this story, especially how the immortality of our main character mirrors the age old story of the oppression of women. Fantastic characters and beautiful writing! Not to mention perfect casting for the audio.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was the perfect witchy book to get me in the season. This book was pure magic!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook. I was initially expecting a fantasy about witches, but instead, I encountered a profoundly moving narrative about the treatment of women through the ages. The story reveals that it wasn't just witches who were burned, but women. Although much of the book is set in the 1800s, its themes resonate strongly with contemporary issues. I admired how Nelly ultimately finds her voice and love, confronting Angus and silencing him, if only temporarily. The narrator's Scottish accent added depth to the experience. I will definitely be recommending this book to all my friends.

Not at all what I had expected but just what I needed. The way this story made me feel so many emotions, from angry and sad to hopeful and defiant and so much more.
It’s such a powerful story, and so important.

It’s a story for everyone who’s ever had to choose between safety and the mundane freedoms of everyday life that should be for everyone.

The narration by Siobhan Waring was flawless and added even more atmosphere to the story.

Thank you, NetGalley for this advanced reader's copy of The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson!

'There is little opponent for an angry woman.'

The atmosphere in the beginning half of this story was unmatched. Edinburgh in 1824? Bisexual witches? Gothic atmosphere? It had it all!
In many ways, this book had my attention from the beginning. Towards the middle and later half, I slowly began to lose interest.

PROS:
- The narration was FANTASTIC! OMG, the narrator's accent made me feel like I was right there with Nellie (our Main Character) the entire time.
- Writing & prose was full and beautiful.
- The description was so well thought out and detailed I felt like I was right there in Edinburgh.

Things I wasn't a fan of:
- The romance in the beginning half of this story felt so well-crafted and fit the characters and their arcs. As the story progressed and the stakes grew higher and higher, the ongoing romance felt so misplaced. In scenes where we were in the midst of the conflict and at the peak of the story it would shift to, "But, does she *like* like me though?" I wish the story had stayed more focused on the 'end of the world' problem at hand.
- It felt like this book tried to do too many things at once. I loved the representation of women and the LGBTQIA+ community! But balancing that as well as the story at hand, Witches in Edinburgh trying to destroy an evil entity, it felt like the story was being eclipsed.
- I would have preferred it if the first half and the second half of this book were developed separately.

All in all, this was not a bad book, and I'd recommend it for the spooky gothic atmosphere, the representation it brought, and the witchy vibes.
2.75 ⭐️ (rounded up)

Anyone else ready for Fall? I read this book at the end of August, but it immediately transported me with witchy vibes. The story is seeped in setting. I loved learning about the witchy folklore in Edinburgh through this novel. Some plotlines felt rushed and unresolved. Despite the few loose ends, The Last Witch in Edinburgh's compelling theme of resistance against the patriarchy make it a satisfying read for fans of feminist witchy stories.

I thought I would be the audience for this and wanted to love this, but I could just not get into. I was lucky enough to get both the ARC and ALC and did DNF and 70 percent. It was lovely lyrical writing, but I just did not care about the characters to continue. I may go back and finish but just not at this time.
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity.
2 stars

Girly really needs to hold onto her stomach because it truly is falling out everywhere.

I have dichotomous feelings about this book. The first half of the book is set in 1824, while women in Edinburgh are being hanged for the accusation of being witches, and Nellie, our main character, obviously is in fear that she's going to be the next to be hanged. I LOVED this half of the book. It has a great introduction to Scottish history and folklore, it's well-written (the entirety of the book is), and I found myself really loving the relationship between Jean and Nellie. This half of the book is at least 4 stars, if not 4.5.

After a pretty pivotal scene, Nellie flees Edinburgh, and the book decides to do a time skip to 2022, so 200 years from where the story has started, and it seems Nellie has not changed at all in the 200 years she's had to live. At times, the point that the book was trying to drive home was way too heavy-handed, even though I agreed with what it was trying to say. Yes, women are still under attack even 'til this day, yes, unfortunately most women and trans/GNC people have unfortunate stories of sexual assault and violence against them, which is especially compounded if they are POC, but at times it felt that the author was beating me over the head with it, as if I couldn't surmise what she was trying to say if she didn't write it into every sentence. You can 100% assume your reader is smarter than this and will get the imagery that you're putting forth. This half of the book for me is probably around 1.5, maybe 2 stars.

And so it sits at 3 stars, I guess? I definitely appreciated the diversity of characters and the commentary on patriarchy and intersectionality, but I think there are better ways it could have been done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson is a spellbinding audiobook that completely drew me in unexpectedly. The story weaves together elements of witchcraft and rich Scottish folklore, all set against the backdrop of an alternate 1824 Edinburgh. Nellie Duncan’s journey from a reclusive woman to a powerful witch fighting patriarchal forces is both inspiring and heart-wrenching, making for a truly compelling narrative.

What truly elevated this audiobook was the amazing narrator, Siobhan Waring, who brought the characters and setting to life with such skill and authenticity. Her performance was so immersive that it felt like I was walking the cobbled streets of Edinburgh alongside the characters. If you’re looking for an audiobook that offers both a gripping story and an exceptional listening experience, The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a must-listen and definitely one to add to your list!

This book was released August 20th, but I received my audio arc on 8/27. Thank you to Net Galley #netgalley and Tantor Audio for my advance audio. Here is my honest review: The story begins in Edinburgh in the 1820s and it is not safe to be a woman. If you are left-handed or cause upset to someone, especially someone in power, or if someone becomes ill after speaking to you, you can and will be accused of being a witch and you will hang for it. The main character, Nellie, and her love, Jean, are both bisexual and there is a transwoman witch as well. The witches are accepting of all people as they are and that is a huge theme in this story - coming together, women supporting women. They, of course, have to show extreme caution, but danger lurks and eventually discovers them culminating in an enormous fire. Nellie flees and for two hundred years wanders the earth before returning to Edinburgh in 2022. In this current timeline, women need to come together to support each other to protect each other from the danger that still haunts Edinburgh. As the women come together, they discover their voices and their power. I gave this book 4 stars.

The narration was compelling and well done. Our Scottish main character, Nellie, is highlighted with a Scottish accent. But the narrator does a great job switching accents throughout. High praise for Siobhan Waring’s talents.

The story itself utilizes witchcraft and the historical perspective of witches to highlight the misogyny then and now and why modern feminism is so important. Additionally, if you’ve ever taken a guided tour in Edinburgh, you’ll find all the information included in this book. We follow the Journey of a fearful Nellie encountering witchcraft and falling in love in 1820’s Edinburgh. We take a time hop to the 21st century where we continue to see that despite feminist advances, we still have a long way to go in fighting the patriarchy.

I would have preferred a bit more character development and nuance regarding the overt feminist themes. I can appreciate that this book exemplifies how change happens slowly in small moments, but my heart was aching for grand “fuck the patriarchy” moment.

Thank you Marielle Thompson, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for this Audio ARC

Promising start, but ultimately disappointing. I enjoyed the first half, set in 1824. But then around the halfway mark, the story jumps ahead two centuries, and that's when it went downhill for me. Nellie seemed to not have grown at all over the almost 200 years in between, and I grew more and more bored and exasperated with her. The writing was lyrical and beautiful, but the pace, especially in the second half of the book, was just too slow for my taste. Instead of telling a compelling story, and conveying a message through plot and character development, the book just reiterated its message (patriarchy is bad) over and over again. The message is a good one, but that doesn't make it less boring how repetitive the book got about telling it. Over all, there was entirely too much telling and not enough showing in all aspects of this book for my taste.

The audiobook narration was good. I didn't like the accents the narrator chose for the dialogue of some of the characters in the second half of the book, particularly Chani and also some of the uni students. But overall, the narrator had a pleasant voice and was comfortable to listen to.

4 stars for the first half and 2 stars for the second half adds up to 3 stars.

Thank you to RBmedia / Tantor Audio for providing a review copy of the audiobook via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a powerful and atmospheric novel set in Edinburgh and spanning two centuries. It’s a beautifully written book about patriarchy, misogyny, climate, gender, intersectionality and queer love. I loved the way the story was constructed and how it used metaphors to deliver a powerful message. It begins in 1824 when women are being accused of being witches and hanged left, right and center. It’s mainly the story of Nellie Duncan, who encounters the women of Rae Women's Apothecary and her entire life changes. She learns about witches and witchcraft while falling in love and trying to keep herself safe from a powerful adversary. When disaster strikes one night, she is forced to flee and spends the next two centuries trying to keep herself safe. Then she finally comes back to Edinburgh reluctantly, only to realise that the adversary is still there and more powerful and this time she won't flee. The character arc is great. The story is powerful. The best part is how atmospheric it is and the audiobook really helps with that. I loved the climax. It might be a bit ambitious especially in the aftermath of everything that has happened recently but I think that's the role of fiction. To give hope. I definitely recommend it if you are into historical fiction or literary fiction.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy.

The Last Witch in Edinburgh was a highly anticipated book release for me. Everything from the title, cover to the description checked all my boxes. I love historical fiction mixed with witches.

Let's start with what I liked: the narrator, Siobhan Waring, has narrated a couple other books I've read and I enjoy her voice. The cover is breathtaking.

What I didn't love: Unfortunately, the story just didn't keep my interest. I didn't notice the time element in the synopsis. I really enjoyed the first half with Nellie in her original timeline. The book perfectly illustrated how much hatred for women existed. To be a woman was to be hated by man. I think I would've liked to see more of that time period play out. Once centuries passed, I didn't connect with Nellie as much.

But I think most readers will enjoy that this offers a unique element to a historical fiction/witch book so I say still check it out! Thank you to NetGalley, Marielle Thompson, Siobhan Waring, and Cantor Audio for the opportunity to read The Last Witch in Edinburgh. I have written this review voluntarily.

The Last Witch is a very direct message on current events. It makes use of an alternate reality where the witch hunts we know from history repeat themselves. Powerful feminist issues are portrayed from a slightly different perspective. While I agree with the overall message and found the supporting research to be compelling, the story itself felt a bit obvious

Thank you Marielle Thompson, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for my advanced review copy.

Plot - 3
Writing and Editing - 4
Character Development - 3
Narration - 5
Personal Bias - 2
Final Score - 3.4

From the very first moments of "The Last Witch in Edinburgh," I was captivated by the richly imagined alternate history of 1824 Edinburgh, where the spectre of witchcraft looms over the lives of every woman. Marielle Thompson weaves a hauntingly beautiful tale that explores not only the fear and oppression associated with witch hunts but also the empowerment and resilience of women who dare to embrace their identities as witches.
Nellie Duncan, our protagonist, starts as a quiet and unassuming woman, living in the shadow of the potential for violence and persecution that accusations of witchcraft bring. However, everything changes for her when she discovers the Rae Women’s Apothecary. Here, under the fierce guidance of Jean Rae and her fellow witches, Nellie begins to understand and embrace her unique gifts. The magical lore, particularly the connection to the winter deity Cailleach, fascinated me as I followed Nellie's journey from a fearful young woman to someone who realises her inner strength and purpose.
What I loved most about this novel was how Thompson explored themes of feminism, oppression, and patriarchy through powerful character arcs and their relationships. The bond between Nellie and Jean blossomed into something beautiful, yet the romance was only one thread in a rich tapestry of sisterhood, courage, and resistance against malevolent forces. While I expected a heavier focus on their romantic relationship, I found that the emotional depth of the story far exceeded my expectations. Their connection felt authentic and poignant, rooted in mutual respect and the shared struggle against the oppressive world around them.

Siobhan Waring's narration elevated the entire experience. Her voice brought life to the characters, skilfully conveying the emotions and tensions that permeate the narrative. I was particularly moved by her ability to capture the nuances of fear and defiance, which resonated deeply as I immersed myself in the story. The atmosphere was intoxicating.
Thompson’s exploration of witchcraft as a lens through which to view historical and societal injustices was both thought-provoking and relevant. It was a stark reminder of the real women who have endured on the fringes of society, accused and condemned, merely for being different. I appreciated how the narrative connected past to present, showing that while the methods of oppression may evolve, the roots of patriarchal violence persist. This novel serves as an illuminating commentary on our societal structures.
I also found moments in the story that touched on the spiritual and magical aspects of the narrative to be unexpectedly profound. Although such elements leaned a bit more towards "witch religious" themes than I initially anticipated, I appreciated how they added layers to the characters’ journeys. It’s not just a tale of survival; it’s a celebration of women crafting their destinies amidst chaos.
"The Last Witch in Edinburgh" left me feeling a whirlwind of emotions—sadness, empowerment, and a strong urge to reflect on the roles women have played throughout history. This book will linger in my mind long after finishing it. Marielle Thompson has wonderfully crafted a story that both haunts and inspires, and I eagerly look forward to diving into more of her works in the future.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a novel that masterfully blends history and fantasy, while boldly addressing themes of oppression and courage, "The Last Witch in Edinburgh" is an absolute must-read. It's a haunting yet beautiful tale that will resonate with anyone who values the strength of women and the fight for autonomy.

STUNNING book. i loved the narrator as well. the accent and the ability to act truly blew me away and i could not stop listening. i had seen such good things about this book and i’m so glad to say it was rightfully so!!! every second was captivating and i already want to reread it

I was lucky enough to read the book first, and I absolutely loved the story, so I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to listen to the audio book too. The voice acting was excellent, and I was immediately pulled into the story. If you like women's fiction, historical fiction, LGBTQ+ representation you will LOVE this book!