When a coven of British witches discovers a grimoire that can change the tide of World War II, they are in a race against a rival Nazi coven.

The premise of this really intrigued my history-loving self. I loved how within the first few pages, Winston Churchill was meeting with members of the coven to discuss how they could help with the war effort. The idea of the grimoire was interesting, but I wanted a true immersion into how a coven of witches could have supported the allies during the fight. Rebecca, Henry, and Lydia were such distinct characters and I enjoyed their stories and friendship, but I just really wanted to know how magic could impact the war on the front lines or within diplomacy. Despite that desire for more, I did really enjoy this and look forward to reading other novels from this author.

Well written and good storyline. A hidden coven of British witches join the war effort to do battle with a coven of Nazi witches over an evil grimoire that will destroy the Allie’s world for Hitler. Not a book I would normally pick up but I read straight through and enjoyed it very much.

This was a great blend of historical fiction and fantasy. I REALLY thought that with the WWII plot that I could be a fantasy girlie, but it's just not my genre. That said, if fantasy IS your thing, this will likely be a 4-5 star read for you! Check it out! *I received a complimentary e-ARC from the author/publishing company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

A very different WWII story not only because it's an alternate history (or is it) but because of the witches. This is a fight to end the war, a fight over what it means to be a witch. Lydia went to the Academy as a teen, leaving her mother Evelyn, an herbalist (but keep your eye on her) behind as she found a new mentor in Isadora and a mother figure in Sylvia. Now an adult she's an expert and, after a horror show at the Academy that leaves it in tatters, she's off to France to find a grimoire the Nazis want because it holds all sorts of evil spells. She teams up with Rebecca, a member of the resistance, and Henry, who has been protecting art from the Louvre but has own interesting back story. These three bond as they chase the grimoire, dealing with Nazis and Nazi witches along the way. I would have appreciated a bit more world building about the academy but no matter, this one pulled me in and kept me turning the pages because there are surprises and revelations, not always good, around every corner. It deserves to be read without spoilers. The characters are well done with hidden depth. While I'm not usually a fantasy reader, I found this gripping and compelling. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Terrific storytelling made this an excellent read.

Thank you to Morgan Ryan, PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin | Viking, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of A Resistance of Witches in exchange for my honest review.

A Resistance of Witches is a World War 2 historical fiction with fantasy undertones. At the heart of it, this story comes down to the question, what if witches were involved in World War 2? What if their magic was involved? A Resistance of Witches explores what the war would look like with magic potentially being involved and how the witches help to try and end the war.

This book is plot heavy. It surrounds Lydia who is trying to keep a dangerous book out of the enemies hands. When the enemy infiltrates her coven and she no longer knows who to trust, she goes on the run to try to end this herself. What I appreciated about Lydia's journey was that she was not trying to end the war, but rather, keep dangerous magic out of the war. We get to see what happens when people without magic get involved and what happens when the dead can be involved as well. The plot was fast-paced and set the scene for what our world would look like with magic while simultaneously trying to prevent disaster. Because the plot was fast-moving, there was not room for character development. This is a double-edged sword because I am a big fan of character development so that always takes a little bit of the enjoyment out of a story for me. However, with a fast-paced plot like in this story, having significant character development would either a) not be possible or b) be really poorly done. I did enjoy this book and that is saying something as it was plot focused and I am not usually a historical fiction/fantasy reader. In general, this is a great book that is well done, and I would reccoment it to historical fiction/fantasy lovers or those who are trying to dip their toes into this genre.

3.5 stars to be more exact. I enjoyed A Resistance of Witches. A young British witch must fight against her coven’s new hidden agenda to aid a Nazi-supporting German coven during World War II. There is betrayal, a little romance, and stakes are high! I cared about the characters, was surprised by a few, and liked the magical aspects of the story. It was a fast-paced, easy read. The only disappointment for me, which kept it from getting 4 stars, was that it really could have been set during any time, in any place. I wanted these covens to be tied into their respective armies/resistance movements more thoroughly than they were. It was kind of just a mention of Churchill here and the Führer there. I think I was expecting more integration, like undercover witches within the ranks or something. Overall, still an enjoyable read that I would recommend, but maybe a little more for readers of fantasy than historical fiction. Thank you, Viking Penguin, for the eARC of this title in exchange for my honest review!

I enjoyed this very unusual World War II novel. Somehow the author made the addition of England’s witches into Winston Churchill’s plan for success seem reasonable. The characters of Lydia, Henry and Rebecca as they worked together to save the world were compelling. You don’t have to believe in witches to enjoy this fast paced, unique novel. You just have to believe in the magic and strength of the human spirit in fighting against evil.

Historical fantasy about witches fighting Nazis? Say less I am so sat!!! The magic system was so well done and I loved that we focused on the people rather than the fighting

A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan is an atmospheric read that blends WWII history with dark magic. Lydia Polk, a hedge-witch suddenly thrown into Britain’s magical war effort, is a likable and layered lead whose journey through bombed-out London and occupied France keeps the tension high. She’s trying to keep a dangerous magical book out of Nazi hands, but that main plot wasn't the thing that grabbed my attention the most. I was really drawn to the characters around her like Resistance fighter Rebecca and Haitian‑American Henry Boudreaux, who adds some historical context. Ryan’s world-building drew me in, but the magical system sometimes felt like it slowed down the action too much. There are also a few plot threads that feel unresolved by the end. Maybe left intentionally for a sequel?

“Show me a world that does not hate a powerful woman, and I'll show you a world without men.”

I don't know what's up with historical fiction lately, but this genre truly has my heart. I never thought it was my thing, but then R.F. Kuang wrote The Poppy War and completely transformed my soul. I suppose I'm officially a historical fantasy girlie now. So, I was incredibly grateful to Morgan Ryan, NetGalley, and Viking for giving me a chance to read the ARC of A Resistance of Witches. This book releases on July 15, 2025, and—I’ll get into why soon—but I highly recommend pre-ordering it!

A Resistance of Witches is a historical urban fantasy set just after the Blitz during WWII. The story follows Lydia Polk as she searches for the Grimorium Bellum, a magical book of destruction sought by a group of Nazi witches determined to swing the war in Hitler’s favor. Along the way, she teams up with French resistance fighter Rebecca Gagne and Haitian-American art historian Henry Bourdeaux to locate the book and, naturally, battle some Nazis. The cast is diverse, and although the supporting characters are well developed, their struggles remain clear, and the author doesn’t shy away from portraying them authentically.

“Henry glanced at his mirror, then away again. ‘In America, when you're a Black man, you're a boy. It doesn't matter how old, how educated. You're a boy until the day you die. 'Watch your mouth, boy. Don't get smart, boy.' He shrugged. ‘In France, I'm a man.’ ‘The Nazis don't see you as a man.’ ‘There are Nazis everywhere. They just go by different names.’”

The pacing at the start felt a bit clunky, but once it got going, I literally couldn’t put it down—it picks up fast! It gave me vibes reminiscent of Her Majesty's Royal Coven meets Ninth House. While technically categorized as young adult since Lydia is 19, her character felt genuinely complex. Her immaturity surfaces at times, but never in a way that annoyed me. I also loved the little romance sub plot, it was just enough to make me kick my feet a little but didn’t distract from the overall narrative.

The ending—I guessed parts of what would happen, but it still made me sob regardless.

“If I die, let it be with ‘La Marseillaise’ on my tongue.”

This is Morgan Ryan’s debut novel, and honestly, I was surprised to discover this because it does not read like a debut at all. It's a solid, fast-paced standalone novel (although tbh, I would love a Lydia Polk series). The themes feel especially relevant given today’s struggles—a poignant reminder of what happens when groups abandon ethics in pursuit of power.

Set during WW2, A Resistance of Witches follows Lydia Polk, an English witch specializing in Projection magic, as she travels to France following the death of both her closest friend and her Grand Mistress after they are killed in an attack on her coven as part of a nazi coven's act of searching for the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient spellbook full of dark magic. There, she meets Rebecca, a queer Jewish resistance member, and Henry, a Black American art curator helping to protect famous artwork from falling into nazi hands. The chemistry of these three characters really carried the book for me. I was struggling through the first 20% of the book but once their dynamic kicked in, I started getting more hooked into the story. There was a major plot point I guessed from the beginning of the book but still plenty of unique twists and turns to where that didn't lessen my enjoyment at all.

This book gave me big Mummy vibes in the best way possible, not necessarily in terms of content (though they do both feature a magical book as a plot device) but in how it infused magic into a historical thriller in a really captivating way that also hinged on the unfolding relationships of its lead characters.

Thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as a digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Lydia Polk walks into 10 Downing Street at nineteen with a war already nipping at her heels and her magical world on the edge of fracture. "A Resistance of Witches" doesn’t waste time. It drops you straight into secret wartime politics, magical alliances, and the kind of high-stakes tension where every decision feels like lighting a match near a gas leak. There’s no slow build, no magical school fluff. This is blood, bureaucracy, and ancient spellwork wrapped around the British war machine.

Lydia is not a magical wunderkind. She’s a projectionist, meaning she’s deadly precise with illusions, but lacks the flashy, diverse talent of the witches around her. Add in a minor family lineage and some very vocal self-loathing, and you’ve got a character who doesn’t believe she belongs, even as she’s asked to lead. Lead. A whole coven. At nineteen. While Europe burns. And somehow, she pulls it off while still being a hot, grieving mess. It's power fantasy grounded in real emotional grit.

Then there’s Rebecca Gagne, a Resistance fighter with secrets wrapped tighter than her loaded pistol. Rebecca doesn’t let anyone in. She’s sharp-edged, damaged, and way too familiar with betrayal, and her chemistry with Lydia is all wary glances and earned trust. Their dynamic is survival bonded, not girlboss-friendship. And Henry Boudreaux? Don’t even get me started. Our art historian slash ghost-whisperer enters like he’s too gentle for this world and turns out to be emotionally devastating in the softest, most lethal way. Lydia is very much not ready to catch feelings for someone who sees ghosts and can also see her, really see her, and yet... here we are. Magic, grief, danger, and that one charged silence where they almost touch? It’s everything.

And threading through it all is the "Grimorium Bellum," a book that doesn’t just carry dark magic, it is dark magic. It corrupts. It manipulates. It kills. And Lydia has to find it before the Nazi coven does, while keeping her soul intact. Casual, right? Ryan doesn’t turn this into a race-against-the-clock thriller. It’s more psychological minefield. The book wants to be found. And it wants to ruin you.

The worldbuilding never pauses to over-explain. It folds magic into the historical record like it was always there: witches negotiating with Churchill, ancient orders cloaked as government agencies, magical relics buried under war-torn cities. The older witches' reluctance to aid the same society that hunted them for centuries adds a sharp layer of moral friction. Why fight for a world that fears you? And what does it mean to lead others into that choice?

What really lands, though, is the emotional fallout. Lydia’s grief for her mentor, her mounting responsibility, her fear of becoming too much or not enough, it bleeds through every decision. Rebecca’s trauma and Henry’s quiet heartbreak feel just as real, and their little trio becomes the kind of found family that forms not from soft moments, but from surviving the same fire. No one’s clean. No one’s unscarred. But they choose each other, again and again, and that wrecked me.

By the final page, I didn’t just want Lydia to survive. I wanted her to dismantle the whole system, rewrite the rules, kiss Henry once under a crumbling cathedral, and make sure no one ever used magic like that again. It’s not a coming-of-age story, it’s a taking-power-back story. And it slaps. 4.5 stars. Because I can’t shut up about it, and I don’t want to.

Huge thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC. I would’ve sold my soul to the "Grimorium" for a sneak peek, but this was way less cursed and only mildly haunting.

Morgan Ryan’s debut novel, A Resistance of Witches, is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. This novel introduces readers to an alternate history where witches, long suppressed by society, emerge as key players in the fight against Nazi forces. Ryan crafts a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The story follow three distinct characters: Lydia Polk, who is a witch, Rebecca Gagne who helps right the Nazis with the French resistance, and Henry Boudreaux, a black American who chose to remain in France after the Nazi conquest of France.

Set in 1940, as Hitler’s armies sweep across Europe, the witches of Britain, led by the formidable Grand Mistress Isadora Goode, pledge their magical abilities to aid the Allied war effort after a meeting with Winston Churchill. Their mission: to locate and secure magical relics before they fall into Nazi hands, particularly the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book steeped in dark magic with the power to devastate civilizations. When a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy killing two witches it leaves the coven shaken and divided. Lydia’s role becomes even more critical as she is supposed to be Isadora's heir.

The elder witches, wary of further losses after centuries of hiding from persecution, hesitate to fully commit to the war. Undeterred, Lydia embarks on a perilous journey to occupied France, where she allies with Rebecca and Henry Boudreaux, an art historian with a touch of magic. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape of natural and supernatural dangers to find the Grimorium Bellum—a book with its own malevolent agenda. The novel weaves a high-stakes adventure filled with espionage, magic, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a heart-wrenching exploration of sacrifice and resilience.

Lydia Polk is a compelling protagonist, defined by her insecurities and determination. Coming from a family of “minor” magic practitioners, her journey from self-doubt to embracing her role as a key player in the war is both relatable and inspiring. Ryan doesn’t shy away from putting Lydia through emotional and physical trials, which deepens her character and makes her growth authentic. Her interactions with Rebecca and Henry are highlights, as their chemistry and shared struggles create a tight-knit trio that anchors the story. Rebecca brings a fierce intensity to the narrative.

Her secretive nature and personal stakes in the fight against the Nazis add depth, though some reviewers note that her perspective could have been further developed to match Lydia’s prominence. Henry, with his scholarly charm and subtle magic, provides a unique cultural perspective, and his backstory involving his mother is particularly intriguing. The novel’s exploration of mother-daughter and familial relationships, primarily through Lydia and Rebecca, adds emotional weight, transforming what could have been a straightforward adventure into a poignant meditation on sacrifice and legacy.

The WWII setting is meticulously researched, capturing the tension and despair of occupied France, the Blitz in England, and the broader geopolitical stakes of the era. The integration of witchcraft into this historical framework feels seamless, with the Royal Academy of Witches operating as a covert arm of the war effort, akin to the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The witches’ reluctance to fully engage in the war, given their history of oppression by the British government, adds a layer of moral complexity. This tension mirrors real-world debates about loyalty, sacrifice, and resistance. Ryan masterfully balances the thrill of a wartime adventure with the tenderness of human relationships, ensuring that the story resonates on both an intellectual and emotional level.

A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan completely pulled me in. I love a good witch story, and this one had everything I wanted. There were power struggles, rebellion, and a main character who’s easy to root for. The world-building felt rich without getting too complicated, which made it super easy to fall into the story. What really stood out to me was the mix of action and heart. There’s plenty of tension and danger, but the personal moments hit just as hard. The friendships, the loyalty, and the choices about who to trust all felt real and gave the story some depth beyond just the magic.

This is an incredible debut novel set in WW2 between witches trying to stop Hitler and the Nazis from gaining unpredictable power. The attention to detail is insane, and the connection amongst the witches coming together for a similar motive is inspiring.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan is a third person multi-POV historical fantasy asking what if witches were around during WWII. When Lydia’s mentor dies, she is in the running to become the next headmistress of an academy for witches in the UK. But her mentor has revealed the existence of witches to Winston Churchill and pledged that witches would help in the war effort, a taboo in witch covens. Lydia needs to find the Grimorium Bellum, a magical book that leaves death and destruction in its wake or risk it falling into the hands of the witches who have aligned with the Nazis.

One of the main leads is Henry, a Black man from New Orleans who desires to stay in Europe after the war because he feels he is treated better there than back home in Louisiana. His work mostly deals with art and preservation, but when he meets Lydia, he remembers his personal experiences with spirits as a child. I got the impression that this was supposed to be either hoodoo or voodoo but neither are explicitly mentioned and I’m going off of tells that I have gleaned over the years as I am not super familiar with hoodoo or voodoo. I know there is a difference between the two, but I’m not familiar enough with the beliefs or practices to say clearly which one might be represented. What I can say is that there are no rituals depicted, which keeps in line with the request that hoodoo and voodoo be recognized as closed practices

One of the reasons I picked this up is because I was curious how magic and WWII was going to be combined. For the most part, this is more of a WWII spy book as Lydia, Henry, and Rebecca go into Germany to find the book. Where the magic really comes in is references to previous spells such as a blanket of magic held up by centuries of witches to protect the academy in the UK and the fact that the age of witches seems to be coming to an end as witches are depicted as less powerful in recent years than they had been. It’s more historical with an injection of fantasy rather than fantasy with a historical backdrop.

Rebecca was my favorite lead. She’s a Queer Jewish woman who has to hide most of herself in order to help the war effort and she is very no-nonsense but she’s willing to do whatever it takes to help Lydia defeat the Third Reich witches. Every layer that got peeled back made me like Rebecca more because she presents herself as someone who is doing the right thing and then we see just how much she has to lose if the Allies don’t win.

I would recommend this to fans of historical fantasy that is more historical-leaning and readers of WWII-inspired fiction who want a light touch of the fantastical

A powerful but self-doubting British witch travels to occupied France to prevent the Nazis from finding a dangerous grimoire..She becomes involved with American and French resistance agents.

A Resistance of Witches combines two of my favorite genres - fantasy and historical fiction - in a splendid story with wonderfully realized characters.

Lydia is the protegee of the headmistress of the Royal Academy of Witches, (think Hogwarts without boys or quidditch) an institution that has been concealed for centuries behind a scruffy little flower shop in the middle of London. Although she was raised by a hedge witch, Lydia prefers the high magic of the academy.
Rebecca is a French resistance fighter, the sole survivor of a Jewish family. She is a gifted agent, battle-weary but indomitable.
Henry is an American art expert who left home to escape the racism of his native New Orleans. He stays in France to help hide art that would otherwise be stolen and destroyed by the Nazis. He has worked hard to supress his innate ability to conjure up the dead.
These three, so different from each other, overcome their initial suspicions to become staunch allies in their efforts to fight a deadly German coven.

I look forward to reading anything else Morgan Ryan writes.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity to access a free advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What an interesting concept: Hitler has a coven of witches during WW2 who are looking for evil grimoire that can end the war for the Third Reich with it's absolutely heinous spells. At the request of Winston Churchill (basically) an English witch sets out to stop them.

Admittedly I don't read a ton of Historical Fiction anymore, but I enjoyed this story. The writing is very good. The concepts felt unique and fresh, even though it's a historical retelling. The action scenes kept me turning the pages FAST. And I really enjoyed the mother/daughter relationship and the found family aspects of A Resistance of Witches.

I found some of the big reveals to be a bit predictable, but I didn't necessarily think it took away from the story. I simply wish I had more time to really bond with these characters to understand their motivations.

A bit reminiscent of Warm Hands of Ghosts, but more action and less lyrical prose. I'd recommend.

3.75/5 stars. Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this book. A Resistance of Witches is a WWII era novel in which the witches (heehee wordplay) of a London academy join the war effort. The plot revolves around a witch Lydia who is in a race with German witches to find a powerful book called the Grimorium Bellum that would be extremely deadly in the hands of Hitler and his cohorts. I found this book fast-paced, well-written, with adequately developed characters. The world building, especially regarding the magic system, was somewhat lacking but I did not find that this detracted from the story, nothing a little suspension of disbeliefs couldn't mitigate. The book felt a bit formulaic at times, but it is a good formula so if it ain't broke, don't fix it! I had a good time reading this book and am not sorry that I picked it up.

QOTD: What is one title that surprised you this year?
OR
PT: The witches will …
A: The witches will have only the ability to do anything that can help them with their health. 🤣

𝘼 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 by Morgan Ryan
Coming July 15, 2025
416 pages
4.25 stars/5 stars

World War II historical fantasy with witches - say no more to me! I spent a fun day reading this action packed and suspenseful historical fantasy.

Recommended for readers who

🧙read witchy fantasies like Discovery of Witches
💥like -WWII historical fiction
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 appreciate family and found family woven into stories
🍿entertaining action

Some readalikes: Temeraire series by Naomi Novik, Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane & sequels by Katherine Howe

Thank you to the author, @vikingbooks @penguinbooks for the opportunity to read and review this @netgalley ARC before it was published.

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