This one kept me very engaged the whole book! I thought the characters were well thought out, and given a lot of depth, and I the world building was great as well.

🎧 This book is a gem to discover ✨ the story told simply the entry into adult life of a young witch, living a dilemma between her duty to magic and her family and her insatiable desire to make her commitments disappear. the characters are deep, with unique personalities and impactful pasts. I loved discovering this family over generations through Elisabeth's eyes, seeing her lose her way, living with the consequences of her actions and simply growing up, following her instincts. it's beautiful, it's powerful and so relatable. although her "departure" is a bit long, the connections must be made. I recommend it!

I enjoyed listening to this. It had a interesting twist to magic that was refreshing.
Elisabeth had to deal with so much pressure from her family, mainly her grandmother, to be the one to take over the family business. She learns a lot about herself and her place in the story and chooses to grow and decide her own life and fate.
The pacing was a bit slow but as an audiobook it worked well but I would classify it more as YA/NA than adult fiction just based on the main character's age and obstacles.

Overall I enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!

What We Sacrifice for Magic is the story of a family with magical powers that they use to help the people in their community. Elisabeth is about to graduate high school and is questioning her future and what is expected of her, especially as she learns what else is required of her in order to use the family's magic. Check it out. you won't be disappointed.

Elizabeth is the next witch in line to inherit the powers and the responsibilty that comes with being a Watry-Ridder. They are a long line of witches that bless, and curse, the town of Friedrich, Minesotta with their charms and spells. With great power comes great expecation, like marrying your high school sweetheart, and even greater sacrifice. But what exactly is Elizabeth going to have to sacrifice for her magic? And does it have to be this way?

A moody, mystical read, What We Sacrifice for Magic is the perfect read to get in the mood for autumn. There is no better time to cozy up with a book then when the weather starts to chill and the leaves start to fall ringing in a change in seasons, and this book is nothing if not a book about the season of change in Elizabeth's life. The magical atmosphere and notes of foreboding in this story was perfect.

The big reveal and how Elizabeth "comes into" her power and self, waws rather abrupt, and you do not really see all that much character development or growth. More just a teenager trying to find herself and then being forced to grow up in a matter of weeks. The pacing just felt off a tad wee bit for me personally. I liked the plot and the mystery, but not the rate at which it played out and not necessarily how much time was spent on certain aspects of the story that seemed rather inane. There were parts to the book that almost felt unfinished, as if they could have fed into the plot and MC character development but then they didn't and ended up just being background noise.

Overall, if you are looking for a slow build, moody read to glide your way into fall then this is a great book to read. I loved the "feel'" of the book. Anyone that loves Alice Hoffman or other slow build, witchy reads should definitely check this one out, I would suggest the audio, as the narrator really bring the mood to the atmosphere and plot.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this book. I knocked 3/4 of this book out in one afternoon and couldn't wait to get back to it and find out what happened! The sisterhood, self discovery, defiance, family dynamics and, of course, magic come together in this story so well. I tend to just jump into audiobooks without paying attention to what it is actually about, judge a book by its title/cover instead. I really enjoyed this story and would absolutely read it again. I loved how Elizabeth was willing to sacrifice her magic for the chance to just exist in the world without the pressure put upon her by her grandmother and the family dynamic and town. She found herself in the end.

This was a very slow and steady witchy/magical book about a woman who believes her choice was taken away from her so she wants to see what else is out there.

There’s family secrets, love between sisters and finding what matters in your life.

It does not have a big “oh it’s getting good” plot. It’s just a very slow and steady book. It wasn’t one of the magical books I usually read but it was okay. I’d definitely recommend for anyone who would like a YA coming of age book- more of a cozy read.

I really enjoyed the elements of struggle and decisions in this title. It was a perfect blend of all my favorite "witchy" elements and perfect for this particular season!

Beautifully written and narrated about family, inherited witchcraft, family dynamics and love, this book takes us back to the 60's a time of progress and change and shows what a young women first through when fighting the matriarchal challenges in her family.

This was such a cute, quick read, and it’s absolutely perfect for the fall season! It was magical, captivating, and whimsical, and I really enjoyed it!

Thank you to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for my gifted copy of What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd. The audiobook narration by Sara Van Beckum was so good and I listened to it in a few short sittings because I had to find out what was going on. I was super invested in the story.

There were so many witchy elements in this novel that make for a solid witchy-read.

This was also a debut novel and I was impressed with the writing and just the right amount of details to keep me engaged but also not bored.

I liked the family dynamics and learning more about the Watry-Ridder family. This book had the family struggles that I enjoy the most sister/sister and mother/daughter and they added in a grandmother for another layer of chaos which I was here for.

I would recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a witchy read because it will give you all the fall vibes you are looking for.

Set in the 1960s in Minnesota, we're introduced to a family of witches. What We Sacrifice for Magic was a fantastic audio production. I loved the narrator and I enjoyed the pacing and flow of the story. While What We Sacrifice for Magic takes a bit of time to get started, the story really does get going. It was a perfect, cozy read for the beginning of spooky season.

I am grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook of Andrea Jo DeWerd's "What We Sacrifice for Magic." In general, this was a good way to slide into fall reading. I did enjoy the narration, though it felt a bit slow paced for my personal taste and I ended up listening on 1.3 speed. Even sped up, it was clear to understand.

I did think the first few chapters were a bit of a slog. They didn't catch my interest, as I felt there had not yet been enough development of the characters to understand the nuances of the different relationships. I also felt a bit confused by the time setting of the book - it was in the 1960s, but it felt more contemporary and a bit jarring whenever a character brought up the Vietnam War. In my opinion, it didn't add to the story at all.

Overall, it was a fine read but I don't feel the need to recommend to anyone. I liked the importance of family, sisterhood, and a sprinkling of magic. Happy fall, y'all!

This is my first read by this author and I got it just as we entered October! I was excited based on the description and I listened to the audio version. Production did a nice job and the narrator was easy to listen to. The plot wasn’t my favorite, but I’m not sure if that was due to the writing or the storyline. I did find myself confused as to the events throughout.

Elisabeth and her sister Mary Watry-Ridder come from a long line of witches. Their family has lived in the small town of Friendrich, Minnesota for years, and their charms and spells have been highly sought after by the local farmers and their families. Though people are thankful for the help the women's magic has granted them, people are also afraid of the family.

Elisabeth has just graduated high school, and is feeling the weight of her domineering grandmother Madga's expectations that she take over the magic business and that she also marry her high school sweetheart John so she can start her adult life in Friedrich. Elisabeth is not certain that she wants to marry John, despite everyone expecting it, and though she has been helping Magda dispense magical aid for years, she yearns to understand why she must be the one to assume the mantle. And is there more to life than just Friedrich?

Also, Elisabeth longs for a connection and answers from her quiet and remote mother. Meanwhile Mary seems to be aware of more than Elisabeth is as far as the family secrets are concerned, and has the constant warmth and support of their mother. Unfortunately, Elisabeth is reluctant to confide her fears and concerns to Mary, as Elisabeth has been raised as the Chosen One to carry on the family magic, and also feels some petty jealousy for Mary's close relationship with their mother.

Elisabeth begins poking around Magda's things, and learns, to her horror, that there is a hefty price to be paid for assuming her full power. In fear and anger, Elisabeth decides she no longer trusts Magda, and wants to chart a different course to her life.

Of course, not everything goes as planned, and in fact, things get rather explosive, with Elisabeth boarding a bus to the city in secret and trying to find some way forward with her life.

I was engrossed from the outset of this story. Elisabeth is sympathetic, even when she is being obdurate, petty, and needlessly unwilling to rely on her sister, who is an intelligent and reliable person. Elisabeth makes several mistakes over the course of the novel because of her very reluctance to reach out for help. Magda raised Elisabeth to feel superior to Mary and her mother, as their magic was of a different nature than the Magda's and Elisabeth's.

I liked the messiness of the family, and the way jealousy and small-mindedness in earlier generations of the women in the family led to fear and poor choices. This eventually resulted in Elisabeth's frustrated wrestling with her own and her family's expectations.

Though slow to reach out, Elisabeth and Mary form a powerful team, and the author shows how hoarding of power and information, rather than sharing it, leads to poorer outcomes.

The narrator of the audiobook, Sara Van Beckum, did a good job inhabiting all the characters. Van Beckum clearly conveyed the character's emotions, and I felt pulled into this novel from the beginning right to its satisfying end.

Thank you to Netgalley and to HighBridge Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.

It was pretty boring. I struggled to finish it and almost forgot about it completely. The characters are very one dimensional and nothing ever really happens to keep you engaged in the story.

Narration was ok.

Thank you Netgalley and Highbridge Audio for a copy of this Audiobook.

First of all, the voice acting was fantastic. I think I found a new favorite narrator!

I had to slow down my listening speed because I didn't want it to end.

This is basically a story of a young woman who lost her choice to pick her own path. It was taken from her at a young age and she fought to get it back. In her journey she finds love in many forms. She heals relationships and finds herself.

This is just what I needed right now!

What We Sacrifice for Magic, by Andrea Jo DeWerd is rich with family lore. I found myself very invested in the main protagonist. The voice acting was outstanding. I really enjoyed every minute of this audio book.

Fear un Vasser….
A small town in the 1960s where everyone knows everyone…and there are witches next-door . A time where old values meet a changing of the times and family is above all.

Set in a small farm town in Minnesota town, What we Sacrifice for Magic weaves a unique coming-of-age tale centered around the Watry-Ridder family, a lineage of witches carrying the weight of their magical heritage. The story follows young Elisabeth, chosen by her matriarch Magda to inherit their family’s legacy, as she grapples with familial expectations and her own desires.

Starting off with the charm and secrets of the family,we get to know the sisterly bond that is Elizabeth and Mary.The characters offer a heartfelt exploration of the tension between individual aspirations and familial duty. The magic system, rooted in Alemannic German dialects, adds an intriguing layer, although non-German speakers may struggle with some incantations.

Although the setting is set in the 1960s, I felt the way it was written made it feel timeless, and the story focused more on the dynamics among the family members and the inner struggles of Elizabeth,while allowing her character to shine through. The power plays within the family kept me engrossed ,especially as the story took a surprising turn about halfway through. I felt that it only got better from there.

What we sacrifice for Magic is a beautifully written exploration of sacrifice and identity. As Elizabeth comes to terms with her birthright and her role as a witch, she discovers how her family comes into play, and how, while breaking away from those she holds close,she’s able to actually come back and make even stronger connections- both magical and familial.
A creative magical ride…