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Wild Is the Witch
When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.
Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.
Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she's about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.
New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches' Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.
Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.
Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she's about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.
New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches' Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.
309 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2022
About the author
Rachel Griffin
3books2,172followersRachel Griffin writes young adult novels inspired by the magic of the world around her. She is theNew York TimesandUSA Todaybestselling author ofBring Me Your Midnight,The Nature of Witches,andWild is the Witch.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel has a deep love of nature, from the mountains to the ocean and all the towering evergreens in between. She adores moody skies and thunderstorms, and hopes more vampires settle down in her beloved state of Washington.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering the PNW, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband, small dog, and growing collection of houseplants.
Rachel is represented by Pete Knapp of Park & Fine Literary and Media. You can find her on Instagram @TimesNewRachel.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel has a deep love of nature, from the mountains to the ocean and all the towering evergreens in between. She adores moody skies and thunderstorms, and hopes more vampires settle down in her beloved state of Washington.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering the PNW, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband, small dog, and growing collection of houseplants.
Rachel is represented by Pete Knapp of Park & Fine Literary and Media. You can find her on Instagram @TimesNewRachel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,114 reviews
January 27, 2023
There were definitely parts of this that I liked, but I didn't find it as enjoyable as Rachel Griffin's debut. I loved the mother daughter relationship and the overall main conflict. The main issue I had was the romance smothering the plot and the enemies to lover bit that felt forced.
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February 14, 2022We're officially less than six months out, and I'm SO EXCITED to share this book with you!! We have a cover and official summary, and here's an at-a-glance of what you can expect from WILD:
- Loathe-to-love
- An unruly owl
- Major Pacific Northwest vibes
- There's only one tent
- An ill-fated curse
I'm working on the preorder campaign now and will post details on my Instagram (@TimesNewRachel) once they're all set! I truly can't wait to see this book out in the world—I hope you love your time in the woods with Iris and Pike.
- Loathe-to-love
- An unruly owl
- Major Pacific Northwest vibes
- There's only one tent
- An ill-fated curse
I'm working on the preorder campaign now and will post details on my Instagram (@TimesNewRachel) once they're all set! I truly can't wait to see this book out in the world—I hope you love your time in the woods with Iris and Pike.
January 19, 2022
Official blurb:
Rachel Griffin is, without a doubt, one of YA’s greatest new auto-buy authors. Wild is the Witch is a deeply atmospheric and emotionally raw story about forgiveness, vulnerability, and learning to move forward through pain. Griffin’s books feel like slipping on a cozy sweater and settling in to enjoy a cup of tea on a foggy day. Even the darkest and most vulnerable scenes are filled with a profound sense of hopefulness that has become such an intricate part of the author’s brand. Everyone should add this to their TBR, stat.
Rachel Griffin is, without a doubt, one of YA’s greatest new auto-buy authors. Wild is the Witch is a deeply atmospheric and emotionally raw story about forgiveness, vulnerability, and learning to move forward through pain. Griffin’s books feel like slipping on a cozy sweater and settling in to enjoy a cup of tea on a foggy day. Even the darkest and most vulnerable scenes are filled with a profound sense of hopefulness that has become such an intricate part of the author’s brand. Everyone should add this to their TBR, stat.
August 1, 2022
A really fast paced book with a nice magical storyline. My inner witch did want a little more magic displays, but what we got was sufficient enough. I think this book would really go well with a sequel as it was so fast paced and short and needed a bit more to really build that world around the concept of this book.
Overall I enjoyed it and hope to see something similar in the future. Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for this ARC.
Overall I enjoyed it and hope to see something similar in the future. Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for this ARC.
March 13, 2023
While Wild is the Witch has a ton of really popular elements and tropes, it is an entirely unique story. Although there were writing conventions and parts of the plot that I wasn't initially looking forward to, I found myself completely immersed in this book thanks to the author's writing style. From the character writing to the atmosphere, this book is entirely it own - so much so that I don't even know how to describe it. This was the perfect mix of an original fantasy world, cute and unique story, and tender rivals-to-lovers romance. Lastly, as a proud environmentalist, I loved the themes and ending of this story. I will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2023
I had no idea what to expect going into this, but I ended up really enjoying this!! 🤩🤩 A really fun, magical read with an adorable romance- this was so enjoyable! 💜💜
Wild is the Witch follows our mc Iris, a witch living secretly in Washington, where she and her mom own a wildlife refuge. Everything there is a dream come true- except for the infuriating intern Pike who Iris cannot stand. One day, after one of his comments cuts deep, she casts a curse on him that she won't actually release- but everything is ruined when an owl comes and steals the curse, flying off in the distance. Having to hike up the mountain with Pike to find the owl and stop the curse, Iris will have to use every scrap of magic to prevent this one disaster from spiraling out of control...
I kinda picked this up on a whim, never having heard anyone talk about it- but it turned out to be such a fun, witchy story!! 🥰🥰
There were sm to like about this book!! 🤩🤩 I really liked our mcs- Iris and Pike were super easy to connect with and root for. Iris is a character who struggles with anxiety a lot and I really related to her, which meant a lot 💜💜 The writing and plot were also really good- the writing was super easy and enjoyable to read and the plot was really fun!! It always kept my interest and I was never bored 💕
But the best part was probably the romance!! 🤩🤩 I thought it was absolutely adorable 💜💜💜 I loved seeing Pike and Iris' relationship blossom and Pike was literally so sweet and pure 🥺🥺 They had a lot of really good scenes! And there was a new trope- only one tent 🤭🤭 Would love to see that again 😏
The only slight problem I had was that the plot was quite simple and didn't have a lot of complexity to it. In addition to that, the book was really short, which left me wanting a tiny bit more 🥲
But overall, I really enjoyed this!! 🥰 Would recommend if you want:
✔Standalone fantasy book
✔ Witches!
✔ Adorable romance 💗
✔ Something very underhyped
Im so glad I randomly gave this a chance 💜💜
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't necessarily have the highest of expectations, but I ended up actually really enjoying this!! 🤩🤩 it was just a really fun, magical fantasy read 💜💜
RTC!
Wild is the Witch follows our mc Iris, a witch living secretly in Washington, where she and her mom own a wildlife refuge. Everything there is a dream come true- except for the infuriating intern Pike who Iris cannot stand. One day, after one of his comments cuts deep, she casts a curse on him that she won't actually release- but everything is ruined when an owl comes and steals the curse, flying off in the distance. Having to hike up the mountain with Pike to find the owl and stop the curse, Iris will have to use every scrap of magic to prevent this one disaster from spiraling out of control...
I kinda picked this up on a whim, never having heard anyone talk about it- but it turned out to be such a fun, witchy story!! 🥰🥰
There were sm to like about this book!! 🤩🤩 I really liked our mcs- Iris and Pike were super easy to connect with and root for. Iris is a character who struggles with anxiety a lot and I really related to her, which meant a lot 💜💜 The writing and plot were also really good- the writing was super easy and enjoyable to read and the plot was really fun!! It always kept my interest and I was never bored 💕
But the best part was probably the romance!! 🤩🤩 I thought it was absolutely adorable 💜💜💜 I loved seeing Pike and Iris' relationship blossom and Pike was literally so sweet and pure 🥺🥺 They had a lot of really good scenes! And there was a new trope- only one tent 🤭🤭 Would love to see that again 😏
The only slight problem I had was that the plot was quite simple and didn't have a lot of complexity to it. In addition to that, the book was really short, which left me wanting a tiny bit more 🥲
But overall, I really enjoyed this!! 🥰 Would recommend if you want:
✔Standalone fantasy book
✔ Witches!
✔ Adorable romance 💗
✔ Something very underhyped
Im so glad I randomly gave this a chance 💜💜
~ 4 stars
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I didn't necessarily have the highest of expectations, but I ended up actually really enjoying this!! 🤩🤩 it was just a really fun, magical fantasy read 💜💜
RTC!
June 24, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
make sure to check outmy blog!
rating: 5 stars
when I started reading “wild is the witch” i honestly had zero expectations because i never read any of this author’s works before and had only seen a couple of people talk about it. let’s just say that i was pleasantly surprised by how much i loved and enjoyed this.
the story follows iris gray, a young witch who was forced to move out of her town with her mom after a devastating accident that she was involved in. now she hides her true nature while working at her mother’s wildlife refuge together with pike alder, an intern who hates witches. one day iris creates a curse that will turn pike into a witch but before she can dispel the curse it gets stolen by an amplifier owl. if the bird dies the curse could end up being deadly not just for pike but many people in the region. the only way to stop that from happening is if she works together with her enemy and if they find the cursed owl.
the writing was absolutely amazing and i was completely immersed in the story and the characters from first to last chapter. it was also very fast paced and easy to read.
it’s important to note that this book had all the amazing tropes that i and many others love so much, for example enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity and one tent/one bed. all of these were executed in such a perfect way and it gave me so much serotonin.
the constant bickering and fighting between iris and pike had me screaming, crying, throwing up!! the tension was unbearable + they were also really adorable and cute and it warms my heart just thinking about them. they had so much growth and if i could i would read this book again just for those two.
overall, an amazing book featuring witches and nature and most importantly amazing characters. i will never stop raving about how good it was and it officially entered the list of my all time favorite books. if i had more free time i would write a much better review but it is what it is i guess.
make sure to check outmy blog!
rating: 5 stars
when I started reading “wild is the witch” i honestly had zero expectations because i never read any of this author’s works before and had only seen a couple of people talk about it. let’s just say that i was pleasantly surprised by how much i loved and enjoyed this.
the story follows iris gray, a young witch who was forced to move out of her town with her mom after a devastating accident that she was involved in. now she hides her true nature while working at her mother’s wildlife refuge together with pike alder, an intern who hates witches. one day iris creates a curse that will turn pike into a witch but before she can dispel the curse it gets stolen by an amplifier owl. if the bird dies the curse could end up being deadly not just for pike but many people in the region. the only way to stop that from happening is if she works together with her enemy and if they find the cursed owl.
the writing was absolutely amazing and i was completely immersed in the story and the characters from first to last chapter. it was also very fast paced and easy to read.
it’s important to note that this book had all the amazing tropes that i and many others love so much, for example enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity and one tent/one bed. all of these were executed in such a perfect way and it gave me so much serotonin.
the constant bickering and fighting between iris and pike had me screaming, crying, throwing up!! the tension was unbearable + they were also really adorable and cute and it warms my heart just thinking about them. they had so much growth and if i could i would read this book again just for those two.
overall, an amazing book featuring witches and nature and most importantly amazing characters. i will never stop raving about how good it was and it officially entered the list of my all time favorite books. if i had more free time i would write a much better review but it is what it is i guess.
June 2, 2023
DNF!
I had to give up on the book after reaching 60%, as it failed to captivate my interest in every aspect. Despite the pretty book cover and intriguing synopsis, the actual content and delivery left me deeply disappointed.
I had to give up on the book after reaching 60%, as it failed to captivate my interest in every aspect. Despite the pretty book cover and intriguing synopsis, the actual content and delivery left me deeply disappointed.
August 3, 2022
Wild is the Witchis a hauntingly beautiful standalone novel by Rachel Griffin, author ofThe Nature of Witches.
Griffin is a fabulous storyteller.Every word that she writes seems to leap off the page and form electrifying imagery and realistically flawed characters.The way that she weaves magic and worldbuilding into the narrative is phenomenal, and I never felt like I was being lectured to, which is a difficult feat for many fantasy writers. The way that magic works in this world is quite unique and fascinating, but never overly complex. I genuinely hope that Griffin writes another book set in this dynamic fantasy world!
This book is anenemies-to-lovers fantasy.While it’s not solely a romance, the romance plays a huge part in the plot and the narrative. Pike is an intern at Iris’s mother’s refuge, and he’s constantly annoying Iris. He’s arrogant, a little lazy, and worst of all–he has it out for witches. So, as a form of therapy, Iris curses him, but the curse doesn’t get destroyed like she’d planned–it’s transferred into an owl. Now, she must catch that owl and remove the curse before it’s released. She ventures on a hike with Pike in order to catch the owl and remove the curse, all while ensuring that he never finds out that she’s a witch–or that she cursed him.
The relationship between Iris and Pike develops in true enemies-to-lovers style. They start off getting on each other’s nerves, but they form a tentative truce when they realize that they need to work together to find the rare owl. And, of course, sparks that have nothing to do with magic start to fly…
I recommend this book to those who love an immersive YA fantasy novel with flawed characters and a realistic romance.
*Thank you to ALA Annual Conference, the author, and the publisher for the arc to review*
This review appeared first onhttps://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog|Instagram|TikTok|Website|Twitter
My 2022 Reading Challenge
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2022: This book fulfills the "A book about witches" category.
Griffin is a fabulous storyteller.Every word that she writes seems to leap off the page and form electrifying imagery and realistically flawed characters.The way that she weaves magic and worldbuilding into the narrative is phenomenal, and I never felt like I was being lectured to, which is a difficult feat for many fantasy writers. The way that magic works in this world is quite unique and fascinating, but never overly complex. I genuinely hope that Griffin writes another book set in this dynamic fantasy world!
This book is anenemies-to-lovers fantasy.While it’s not solely a romance, the romance plays a huge part in the plot and the narrative. Pike is an intern at Iris’s mother’s refuge, and he’s constantly annoying Iris. He’s arrogant, a little lazy, and worst of all–he has it out for witches. So, as a form of therapy, Iris curses him, but the curse doesn’t get destroyed like she’d planned–it’s transferred into an owl. Now, she must catch that owl and remove the curse before it’s released. She ventures on a hike with Pike in order to catch the owl and remove the curse, all while ensuring that he never finds out that she’s a witch–or that she cursed him.
The relationship between Iris and Pike develops in true enemies-to-lovers style. They start off getting on each other’s nerves, but they form a tentative truce when they realize that they need to work together to find the rare owl. And, of course, sparks that have nothing to do with magic start to fly…
I recommend this book to those who love an immersive YA fantasy novel with flawed characters and a realistic romance.
*Thank you to ALA Annual Conference, the author, and the publisher for the arc to review*
This review appeared first onhttps://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
Book Blog|Instagram|TikTok|Website|Twitter
My 2022 Reading Challenge
POPSUGAR Reading Challenge 2022: This book fulfills the "A book about witches" category.
June 21, 2022
3.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
A young witch unintentionally releases a fatal curse in this frenemies-to-lovers romance.Publisher
Awww.... Iris Gray who loves animals yet cannot stand college intern, Pike Alder. She and her mother are witches living in the Foggy Mountain Wildlife Range. While her mother has found love, Iris is content with her animals and trying to survive as a witch in the modern world. But when an injured owl takes off on its own, Iris and Pike are going to have to put aside their differences.
This was a cute YA romance and I imagine it will be a wild hit with young readers that enjoy the enemies to lovers trope. I did enjoy it but was more interested in the magic and the owls.
Goodreads review published 21/06/22
Expected publication date 02/08/22
Thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.
A young witch unintentionally releases a fatal curse in this frenemies-to-lovers romance.Publisher
Awww.... Iris Gray who loves animals yet cannot stand college intern, Pike Alder. She and her mother are witches living in the Foggy Mountain Wildlife Range. While her mother has found love, Iris is content with her animals and trying to survive as a witch in the modern world. But when an injured owl takes off on its own, Iris and Pike are going to have to put aside their differences.
This was a cute YA romance and I imagine it will be a wild hit with young readers that enjoy the enemies to lovers trope. I did enjoy it but was more interested in the magic and the owls.
Goodreads review published 21/06/22
Expected publication date 02/08/22
August 25, 2022
Creative, magical and yet so realistic! Wild Is the Witch is one of my favourite books of this year. If the word ‘witches’ or ‘magic’ isn’t enough to sell out this book to you, let me tell you more - the witches in this novel don’t wear robes and pointed hats, nor do they cast ‘expelliarmus’ or send patronuses because newsflash: they don’t have wands and other witch-ly stuff. This story of magic is a first of its kind where humans and witches live in a harmonious symbiotic relationship. Witches are no more shamed, in fact, depending upon their magical skills, they are given important roles to play which benefits the human population, for instance, our protagonist, Iris, is a Lunar which means her magic works most on animals. There are two other types, namely, Stellars whose magic work strongest on humans and Solars whose magic gravitate towards plants. Neat!
The best part about the book was the justification of the existence of magic. Unlike most fantasy books (I know, I know, this book falls better under the magical realism genre), magic here isn’t all powerful. It needs to work in combination with science to make things work. So a stellar might reduce the physical pain of humans by using magic, but cannot heal them unless they’re working together with a doctor. This fragility of magic makes the story believable - did I just say that?
The story starts with a trial where a witch (Iris’ best friend) is charged for a magic gone wrong and sentenced to prison (human prison, not Azkaban). This changes Iris’ whole life - she is shamed as a witch and decides to start a new life hiding her magic. Fast forward to two years later - Iris runs a wildlife refuge with her Mom where she meets Pike, an intern who hates witches. The real drama starts here. There is more magic, curses, magical forests and owls, enemies to lovers trope, and an adventurous trip. I’m not a fan of YA romances but I enjoyed this book and I’m going to keep Rachel Griffin on my radar from now on.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: August 2nd, 2022.
4/5🌟.
The best part about the book was the justification of the existence of magic. Unlike most fantasy books (I know, I know, this book falls better under the magical realism genre), magic here isn’t all powerful. It needs to work in combination with science to make things work. So a stellar might reduce the physical pain of humans by using magic, but cannot heal them unless they’re working together with a doctor. This fragility of magic makes the story believable - did I just say that?
The story starts with a trial where a witch (Iris’ best friend) is charged for a magic gone wrong and sentenced to prison (human prison, not Azkaban). This changes Iris’ whole life - she is shamed as a witch and decides to start a new life hiding her magic. Fast forward to two years later - Iris runs a wildlife refuge with her Mom where she meets Pike, an intern who hates witches. The real drama starts here. There is more magic, curses, magical forests and owls, enemies to lovers trope, and an adventurous trip. I’m not a fan of YA romances but I enjoyed this book and I’m going to keep Rachel Griffin on my radar from now on.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: August 2nd, 2022.
4/5🌟.
August 25, 2022
This is the first Rachel Griffin book I have read and I absolutely loved it. Iris and Pike are great characters and the magic in the story is very interesting.
September 8, 2023
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
“I try so hard to plan for everything, checking and rechecking my lists, staying up at night practicing conversations in my mind, but maybe I’ve worked so hard to fit my life into a tidy, well-defined box that I’ve forgotten the most important thing:
I’m as wild as the magic in my veins and the dust of the stars, and so I run.”
It's a sad irony that for how much I highlighted the passages fromWild is the Witch,I still didn't like it - there was something about the plot that was not at all enjoyable to me. 😟 It was beautifully written - no doubt. Rachel Griffin's atmospheric writing radiated with the tangible atmospheric feel of Iris' magical gifts and her fears and her love for her powers as a witch. The cover is also so very pretty, that one would think it's a celebration ofbeing a witch- ifonlythe story could have been just as appealing, rather than the roundabout adventurous journey the two characters went on.
For when a curse that Iris Gray originally intended for Pike Adler accidentally hits an innocent wild owl, it's up to the two of them to track down this beautiful elusive wild creature, before the curse unleashes its power, endangering the lives of anyone within range.
That is literally the entirety of the plot. 😮💨
“He can never see it, not even for a moment, not even one so fleeting that he questions if he saw anything at all. Because once someone suspects, they never really forget.
That’s the thing about magic: people want to see it and feel it almost as much as they want to dismiss it entirely.”
A plot device that I really have very many complaints against is when said character creates the problem, which, then the entire premise of the story resolves around them trying to fix it, which, then, miraculously, all does work out in the end - without any major remorse or concern from the character. Such is Iris' situation - a witch, who wishes to keep her identity hidden from her co-worker, Pike, a young man, who detests the idea of witchcraft, due to personal reasons - which, I felt, were certainly justified. 😩 I didn't feel anything for Iris; yes, she wants a life where she can be free to be who she is and not hide her talents - connect with the wild and not have people judge her, like her father did to she and her mother.
But, the constant worrying and whining and reflecting of whether or not to reveal her secret to Pike - fearful of the owl escaping and being judged before the witch council for her actions - I was not affected in any way by it. And to top it all off, without trying to reveal too much, the conclusion angered me even more at how Iris was able to walk away from it unscathed. 😒 Yes, she felt guilty over what she did - yes, she was remorseful and accepted her actions were in the wrong, but she still was able to find a reasonable justification to it that made her innocent in her own eyes and everyone else's. And Pike, well, Pike was a character that was an unwilling victim - a target of his own undoing. It's a sad shame that I was evenmore upsetat how forgiving he was, simply for Iris to be free of his any remorse. 😞😞
“You didn’t look scared,” he says, watching me. “When you were running. You didn’t look scared.”
“How did I look?” I ask, meeting his eyes. I won’t shy away, won’t give him a single reason to think I’m hiding something.
“You looked…free,” he finally says. “Wild.” He pauses, and his gaze falls to the ground.
“Beautiful.”
And, of course, while they are on this dangerous trek to locate the elusive owl - Iris and Pike are also going to kindle the sparks they have for each other, because this is anenemies to romance,after all. 🙄 It was just conveniently easy for it to happen, that I couldn't even find in myself to appreciate the casual flirting, the hesitant realization that they're both good people who didn't give each other a chance in their first meeting. In this case, Iwouldn't have mindedif it it had not happened - there could have been some repercussions to Iris' actions that would make her realize how dangerous what she did was. But, nope. Pike is already a smitten fool for her, and I pitied how easily such a kind-hearted person, simply fell for her charm so easily, even after what she put him through. 😔
“It’s an echo of something just out of reach, a whisper that says there’s more to this life than what meets the eye.”
I regrettably have to accept that Rachel Griffin's creative ideas of execution may not cater to my preferences; I still, however, do wish to highlight some of the strong suites. It's odd to call this a fantasy, as it was pretty much set in the modern world and living - so a magical contemporary romance would better describe it. ✨✨ And aside from my own personal grievances, it would not be fair to highlight some of the redeemable qualities that Rachel Griffin's writing shined in. The rich descriptions for the Pacific Northwest were lush with beautiful details that evoked a deep love for the wild. The emotions that flared up whenever Iris used her magic were very well-written - the energy thrummed through the words that made it so very easy for me to envision the actual scene. 🩵 🩵
“What is coincidence if not a subtle form of magic?”
I loved MacGuffin, the owl - you could feel his soul and how he was so connected to the magic and the wilderness - his own magic reverberated very strongly with every of Iris' attempts to reach him. And while I didn't particular care for either character,especially Iris,the author still did a favorable job of conveying their feelings and thoughts. 👍🏻👍🏻 Their interactions were very solid and I appreciated how the story portrayed their personalities. Pike's disbelief, his frustrations, his willingness to help - it was believable. Much like Iris' own qualms - her fleeting desperation in finding the owl before the worst happens, her desire to make things right what she's done wrong, her dawning affection and fondness for Pike.
Where the story failed, some of the writing picked up the slack. And for that I have to appreciate the author's efforts.
“I try so hard to plan for everything, checking and rechecking my lists, staying up at night practicing conversations in my mind, but maybe I’ve worked so hard to fit my life into a tidy, well-defined box that I’ve forgotten the most important thing:
I’m as wild as the magic in my veins and the dust of the stars, and so I run.”
It's a sad irony that for how much I highlighted the passages fromWild is the Witch,I still didn't like it - there was something about the plot that was not at all enjoyable to me. 😟 It was beautifully written - no doubt. Rachel Griffin's atmospheric writing radiated with the tangible atmospheric feel of Iris' magical gifts and her fears and her love for her powers as a witch. The cover is also so very pretty, that one would think it's a celebration ofbeing a witch- ifonlythe story could have been just as appealing, rather than the roundabout adventurous journey the two characters went on.
For when a curse that Iris Gray originally intended for Pike Adler accidentally hits an innocent wild owl, it's up to the two of them to track down this beautiful elusive wild creature, before the curse unleashes its power, endangering the lives of anyone within range.
That is literally the entirety of the plot. 😮💨
“He can never see it, not even for a moment, not even one so fleeting that he questions if he saw anything at all. Because once someone suspects, they never really forget.
That’s the thing about magic: people want to see it and feel it almost as much as they want to dismiss it entirely.”
A plot device that I really have very many complaints against is when said character creates the problem, which, then the entire premise of the story resolves around them trying to fix it, which, then, miraculously, all does work out in the end - without any major remorse or concern from the character. Such is Iris' situation - a witch, who wishes to keep her identity hidden from her co-worker, Pike, a young man, who detests the idea of witchcraft, due to personal reasons - which, I felt, were certainly justified. 😩 I didn't feel anything for Iris; yes, she wants a life where she can be free to be who she is and not hide her talents - connect with the wild and not have people judge her, like her father did to she and her mother.
But, the constant worrying and whining and reflecting of whether or not to reveal her secret to Pike - fearful of the owl escaping and being judged before the witch council for her actions - I was not affected in any way by it. And to top it all off, without trying to reveal too much, the conclusion angered me even more at how Iris was able to walk away from it unscathed. 😒 Yes, she felt guilty over what she did - yes, she was remorseful and accepted her actions were in the wrong, but she still was able to find a reasonable justification to it that made her innocent in her own eyes and everyone else's. And Pike, well, Pike was a character that was an unwilling victim - a target of his own undoing. It's a sad shame that I was evenmore upsetat how forgiving he was, simply for Iris to be free of his any remorse. 😞😞
“You didn’t look scared,” he says, watching me. “When you were running. You didn’t look scared.”
“How did I look?” I ask, meeting his eyes. I won’t shy away, won’t give him a single reason to think I’m hiding something.
“You looked…free,” he finally says. “Wild.” He pauses, and his gaze falls to the ground.
“Beautiful.”
And, of course, while they are on this dangerous trek to locate the elusive owl - Iris and Pike are also going to kindle the sparks they have for each other, because this is anenemies to romance,after all. 🙄 It was just conveniently easy for it to happen, that I couldn't even find in myself to appreciate the casual flirting, the hesitant realization that they're both good people who didn't give each other a chance in their first meeting. In this case, Iwouldn't have mindedif it it had not happened - there could have been some repercussions to Iris' actions that would make her realize how dangerous what she did was. But, nope. Pike is already a smitten fool for her, and I pitied how easily such a kind-hearted person, simply fell for her charm so easily, even after what she put him through. 😔
“It’s an echo of something just out of reach, a whisper that says there’s more to this life than what meets the eye.”
I regrettably have to accept that Rachel Griffin's creative ideas of execution may not cater to my preferences; I still, however, do wish to highlight some of the strong suites. It's odd to call this a fantasy, as it was pretty much set in the modern world and living - so a magical contemporary romance would better describe it. ✨✨ And aside from my own personal grievances, it would not be fair to highlight some of the redeemable qualities that Rachel Griffin's writing shined in. The rich descriptions for the Pacific Northwest were lush with beautiful details that evoked a deep love for the wild. The emotions that flared up whenever Iris used her magic were very well-written - the energy thrummed through the words that made it so very easy for me to envision the actual scene. 🩵 🩵
“What is coincidence if not a subtle form of magic?”
I loved MacGuffin, the owl - you could feel his soul and how he was so connected to the magic and the wilderness - his own magic reverberated very strongly with every of Iris' attempts to reach him. And while I didn't particular care for either character,especially Iris,the author still did a favorable job of conveying their feelings and thoughts. 👍🏻👍🏻 Their interactions were very solid and I appreciated how the story portrayed their personalities. Pike's disbelief, his frustrations, his willingness to help - it was believable. Much like Iris' own qualms - her fleeting desperation in finding the owl before the worst happens, her desire to make things right what she's done wrong, her dawning affection and fondness for Pike.
Where the story failed, some of the writing picked up the slack. And for that I have to appreciate the author's efforts.
May 17, 2022
ARC provided by Sourcebooks for review
4.5 stars and I accidentally read the book cover to cover in one sitting.
there's something about Rachel Griffin's writing that is just so...comfortable, to me. It feels like a nice warm blanket. And sometimes that blanket makes me cry, but in a good way.
In all seriousness, Rachel Griffin's cozy low fantasy witches are just so incredibly enjoyable to me. Her genre of emotional stories that feel so real and relatable told alongside a contemporary world steeped in magic just hits me right in my soul. 100% auto-buy author for me.
As a fantasy romance, Wild is the Witch gets me in all the right places. A loathe-to-love story catalyzed by interfering wild animals at a rescue center; a camping trip with a delightful One Tent trope for my favorite, Forced Proximity; and secret identity. Sign me up EVERY time.
Call me Mr. Knightley because with both this book and The Nature of Witches I feel that same struggle of "if I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." I love them, they make me happy, but I struggle to articulate all of the why's and how's other than that I just do.
4.5 stars and I accidentally read the book cover to cover in one sitting.
there's something about Rachel Griffin's writing that is just so...comfortable, to me. It feels like a nice warm blanket. And sometimes that blanket makes me cry, but in a good way.
In all seriousness, Rachel Griffin's cozy low fantasy witches are just so incredibly enjoyable to me. Her genre of emotional stories that feel so real and relatable told alongside a contemporary world steeped in magic just hits me right in my soul. 100% auto-buy author for me.
As a fantasy romance, Wild is the Witch gets me in all the right places. A loathe-to-love story catalyzed by interfering wild animals at a rescue center; a camping trip with a delightful One Tent trope for my favorite, Forced Proximity; and secret identity. Sign me up EVERY time.
Call me Mr. Knightley because with both this book and The Nature of Witches I feel that same struggle of "if I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." I love them, they make me happy, but I struggle to articulate all of the why's and how's other than that I just do.
October 5, 2021
God I love Rachel Griffin’s writing so much. Reading this book felt like a perfect, cozy cup of tea on a fall day while it’s storming outside — there is an element of wildness, it’s atmospheric, but also deeply comforting and sensory. I adored the animal magic in this book and having my mind thoroughly changed about a love interest I was prepared to hate. The enemies to lovers trope on this book is executed with such finesse.
March 1, 2022
I recieved this eARC from NetGalley. Huge thank you to Source Fire Books and Rachel Griffin for allowing me to read and review the ARC of Wild Is The Witch!
I found this book to be extremely comforting. The writing is absolutely stunning and the atmosphere is so rich and vivid. The whole experience is very immersive. Being immersed with nature and animals made for such an enjoyable and comforting reading time.
I was also blown away by how natural Witches fit into this world. This reads a lot like a contemporary and it feels like these kinds of witches are a normal thing in our lives. It just into place so well and i think thats a very hard thing to do. Especially when its set in our own world. But Rachel Griffin did it and she did it well!
However, because this did feel more like a contemporary, i was left feeling a little bummed. Thats not to say this isnt a good book. I just didnt get what i wanted to get out of it. I was hoping for way more witchy vibes/ fantasy scenes. (Which there are, it just was done in a more contemporary way.) I guess i was expecting this to be way more fantasy and plot filled and it wasnt. This is actually very much character based.
I will say, if youre a contemporary reader and are afraid of fantasy, this would probably be a great place for you to start. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes green witches and contemporary novels!
This may have been a 3 star for me but its an objective 4 star. So im settling on a 3.5!:)
I found this book to be extremely comforting. The writing is absolutely stunning and the atmosphere is so rich and vivid. The whole experience is very immersive. Being immersed with nature and animals made for such an enjoyable and comforting reading time.
I was also blown away by how natural Witches fit into this world. This reads a lot like a contemporary and it feels like these kinds of witches are a normal thing in our lives. It just into place so well and i think thats a very hard thing to do. Especially when its set in our own world. But Rachel Griffin did it and she did it well!
However, because this did feel more like a contemporary, i was left feeling a little bummed. Thats not to say this isnt a good book. I just didnt get what i wanted to get out of it. I was hoping for way more witchy vibes/ fantasy scenes. (Which there are, it just was done in a more contemporary way.) I guess i was expecting this to be way more fantasy and plot filled and it wasnt. This is actually very much character based.
I will say, if youre a contemporary reader and are afraid of fantasy, this would probably be a great place for you to start. I would also recommend this to anyone who likes green witches and contemporary novels!
This may have been a 3 star for me but its an objective 4 star. So im settling on a 3.5!:)
February 22, 2023
This book definitely filled my heart with a lot of love! I kept smiling page after page, learning more about the main characters and enjoying how their relationship evolved so beautifully. The story is so cute and so full of messages about tolerance and how it's important to admit your mistakes. I just want to give it a big 5 stars as I can't give it 10;-)
July 6, 2022
This is a fun YA novel involving a teenage witch, Iris Gray, who accidentally released a curse that was never meant to happen. She has to try to find a way to stop it before it is triggered.
There was a tragedy in Iris's hometown involving Iris and her best friend. As a result she and her Mom have moved to Washington where they rehabilitate wildlife. They love it there and Iris doesn't want anything to happen to force them to leave. They have an intern, Pike, who helps out with the wildlife. There is definite tension between Iris and Pike, and then Iris finds he hates witches.
I really enjoyed the banter between Iris and Pike. I also enjoyed the connection with the animals that Iris has and how she can calm and reassure them. Both Iris and Pike are hiding things from each other that are revealed gradually. There is emotional upheaval and tension. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 2, 2022.
There was a tragedy in Iris's hometown involving Iris and her best friend. As a result she and her Mom have moved to Washington where they rehabilitate wildlife. They love it there and Iris doesn't want anything to happen to force them to leave. They have an intern, Pike, who helps out with the wildlife. There is definite tension between Iris and Pike, and then Iris finds he hates witches.
I really enjoyed the banter between Iris and Pike. I also enjoyed the connection with the animals that Iris has and how she can calm and reassure them. Both Iris and Pike are hiding things from each other that are revealed gradually. There is emotional upheaval and tension. The writing and the plot are well done. The characters are well-drawn and likable.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 2, 2022.
October 6, 2022
3.5 witchy stars for this book.
“And when I say something that annoys you, you give me an expression I’ve never seen you give anyone else. So I keep annoying you, just so you’ll make the face you only make for me.”
HELLO HELLO I AM BACK AND I AM BACK WITH MY FIRST BOOK THIS OCTOBER! I absolutely enjoyed this adventure with Pike, Iris, and MacGuffin! It was such an easy read but I can’t help swooning over Iris and Pike! I just wanted a little more witchy spells and I wish the magic system was explored just a little more. Will be back for a full review after prelims!
“And when I say something that annoys you, you give me an expression I’ve never seen you give anyone else. So I keep annoying you, just so you’ll make the face you only make for me.”
HELLO HELLO I AM BACK AND I AM BACK WITH MY FIRST BOOK THIS OCTOBER! I absolutely enjoyed this adventure with Pike, Iris, and MacGuffin! It was such an easy read but I can’t help swooning over Iris and Pike! I just wanted a little more witchy spells and I wish the magic system was explored just a little more. Will be back for a full review after prelims!
September 20, 2022
Wild Is The Witch by Rachel Griffin, others second book after The Nature of Witches. I enjoyed reading the first book hence I couldn't wait to read the second one either.
This one was better in terms of author's writing style and plot. When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.
Through the character of Iris Gray, we learn about forgiveness, vulnerability, etc. The book is atmospheric and totally loved how we see the slow burn between the two main characters. Totally enjoyed reading both the books by the author.
This one was better in terms of author's writing style and plot. When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.
Through the character of Iris Gray, we learn about forgiveness, vulnerability, etc. The book is atmospheric and totally loved how we see the slow burn between the two main characters. Totally enjoyed reading both the books by the author.
October 8, 2022
A great read, especially for fall, and definitely better than Griffin's previous book. The author did a superb job of portraying Pike as a character to despise. The relationship between the characters was developed very well. The story was unique and well thought out. I enjoyed the writing and flow of the pace. The ending was complete and satisfying. There were parts that were corny, or felt unnaturally far-fetched, causing me to rate 4 stars instead of 5.
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August 10, 2024
3.5 Stars
September 14, 2022
A 5 Star idea with 4 Star moments and 3 Star execution.
Honestly I found the book frustrating and occasionally annoying. But I loved the "witchy" parts of the book.
Honestly I found the book frustrating and occasionally annoying. But I loved the "witchy" parts of the book.
November 17, 2022
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wild is the Witchwas so much fun to dive into. From the very beginning, I was pretty intrigued by Iris. She's a witch and knows that most people wouldn't be very accepting over that little fact. Heck, her own father left her because he just wanted to live a normal life without magic. Which, he's a losing so much because of that in my eyes.
In this new place, she has to be very careful when it comes to her own magic. Which is hard for her to do when it comes to Pike. Oh, he pushes her buttons and one day she snaps (sort of). I mean, sure, she created a "curse" for him but didn't mean for an owl to catch it and play a never-ending game of hide and go seek. Also, this "curse" sounded amazing because it would make him a mage. The only thing is he could potentially die from it but details!
Thrown into a forest adventure, her and Pike set off to find the Owl and bring it back. Along the way, they start to see each other in a different light. Emotions and romance start to flicker between them, and things start to take off. They were pretty adorable throughout the entire book and it just made me smile.
In the end, it was all bittersweet. Things made me sad and happy, and I'm just really overjoyed that I got the opportunity to dive into this. I can't wait for the next amazing book Rachel writes!
Wild is the Witchwas so much fun to dive into. From the very beginning, I was pretty intrigued by Iris. She's a witch and knows that most people wouldn't be very accepting over that little fact. Heck, her own father left her because he just wanted to live a normal life without magic. Which, he's a losing so much because of that in my eyes.
In this new place, she has to be very careful when it comes to her own magic. Which is hard for her to do when it comes to Pike. Oh, he pushes her buttons and one day she snaps (sort of). I mean, sure, she created a "curse" for him but didn't mean for an owl to catch it and play a never-ending game of hide and go seek. Also, this "curse" sounded amazing because it would make him a mage. The only thing is he could potentially die from it but details!
Thrown into a forest adventure, her and Pike set off to find the Owl and bring it back. Along the way, they start to see each other in a different light. Emotions and romance start to flicker between them, and things start to take off. They were pretty adorable throughout the entire book and it just made me smile.
In the end, it was all bittersweet. Things made me sad and happy, and I'm just really overjoyed that I got the opportunity to dive into this. I can't wait for the next amazing book Rachel writes!
Shelved as 'couldnt-finish'
September 3, 2022this may have ruined enemies to lovers for me. it’s that serious.
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dnf at 75%. do you know how bad it has to get for me to reach that far into a book and still put it down instead of just pushing through?
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dnf at 75%. do you know how bad it has to get for me to reach that far into a book and still put it down instead of just pushing through?
August 15, 2022
Rating: 4.5
Wow. It’s been awhile since I read a YA book in one sitting. I picked this one up and thought I would like it but I didn’t expect to spend my afternoon totally engrossed in it. I literally read this book in about four hours. This book was SO good and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I cannot wait to see what other books they’ve written.
What really made this book so good for me was the pacing, it was perfect in my opinion. From the first page to the last the author doesn’t waste any time nor do they add in fluff or unnecessary words/information. The story kept moving and progressing which led to no time for the reader to get bored. The chapters were a great length and ended in a way that made you want to keep reading the next one and so on. That is literally why I couldn’t put the book down! I had to know what was happening and with the flow and easy to understand writing it made it easy.
Let’s talk about characters! As far as YA characters go I really loved both Iris and Pike. Iris was a great strong female character that teens could look up to and relate to. Family means everything to her and she would do anything to protect her mom. She makes a huge mistake but spends the majority of the book trying to make up for it by doing the right thing. I really loved the way she interacted with her mom. They had a deep bond and I loved that her mom’s character had her own personality and depth. Pike was such a cute love interest! I could totally feel enemies to lovers in the beginning. I’m glad that it lasted most of the book because it truly did feel like they hated one another. I also liked that the hate wasn’t in a mean way more of a teen teasing kind of way. When Iris and Pike were interacting I was almost always smiling. I loved their banter and I loved how their friendship kept evolving naturally and never felt forced. Both characters grew and developed by the end.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. I don’t have one negative thing to say about this one. It was such a cute, fun, YA story that had basically a little bit of everything. I really loved how the author wrote about witches and magic. It was easy to follow and imagine and made me wish we had some magic!
Thank you so much @sourcebooksfire for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Wow. It’s been awhile since I read a YA book in one sitting. I picked this one up and thought I would like it but I didn’t expect to spend my afternoon totally engrossed in it. I literally read this book in about four hours. This book was SO good and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author and I cannot wait to see what other books they’ve written.
What really made this book so good for me was the pacing, it was perfect in my opinion. From the first page to the last the author doesn’t waste any time nor do they add in fluff or unnecessary words/information. The story kept moving and progressing which led to no time for the reader to get bored. The chapters were a great length and ended in a way that made you want to keep reading the next one and so on. That is literally why I couldn’t put the book down! I had to know what was happening and with the flow and easy to understand writing it made it easy.
Let’s talk about characters! As far as YA characters go I really loved both Iris and Pike. Iris was a great strong female character that teens could look up to and relate to. Family means everything to her and she would do anything to protect her mom. She makes a huge mistake but spends the majority of the book trying to make up for it by doing the right thing. I really loved the way she interacted with her mom. They had a deep bond and I loved that her mom’s character had her own personality and depth. Pike was such a cute love interest! I could totally feel enemies to lovers in the beginning. I’m glad that it lasted most of the book because it truly did feel like they hated one another. I also liked that the hate wasn’t in a mean way more of a teen teasing kind of way. When Iris and Pike were interacting I was almost always smiling. I loved their banter and I loved how their friendship kept evolving naturally and never felt forced. Both characters grew and developed by the end.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this book. I don’t have one negative thing to say about this one. It was such a cute, fun, YA story that had basically a little bit of everything. I really loved how the author wrote about witches and magic. It was easy to follow and imagine and made me wish we had some magic!
Thank you so much @sourcebooksfire for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 27, 2024
3.5
This wasn't bad at all, but it went on for too long considering the amount of plot we got. Could've been a novela. It was good but not memorable.
This wasn't bad at all, but it went on for too long considering the amount of plot we got. Could've been a novela. It was good but not memorable.
August 4, 2022
OMGGGGG YESSSS IT'S FINALLY OUT!!!!! omg i can't tell you guys how much i loved that book and it's now out everywhere, please go buy it! i read it back in may, and it's still one of my favorites reads of 2022, like for real i love it so so much! i'm so happy everyone can now read it too! go go go read it! NOW!
***
I had the amazing chance and opportunity to receive an ARC of Rachel Griffin's latest book, Wild is the Witch, thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOK Fire in exchange for an honest review.
This book is, in all honesty, one of my favorite reads of the year and to me, it really deserves five stars. I read The Nature of Witches last fall, and completely fell in love with the characters, the world and everything in that story. And when I was finally done, I felt empty and really missed the characters and just reading the book! So when I heard of Wild is the Witch, I swear I almost cried! For real I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. And as soon as I started reading it, it all happened again. I fell in love with this new world and its characters. Let me tell you, I read it all yesterday, and went out with my friends the same night, and all I could think about was this book! That’s also one of the reasons why it deserves five stars.
So to tell you a bit about the story, you first meet Iris, an amazing young witch who is so passionate about who she is, her magic, nature and animals. She is still struggling with some events from her past and has her own little way of dealing with it and with the things that can stress or upset her. She works with her mother in their reuge where they help and try to heal and save wild animals with an intern, Pike. Pike is a normal human being who confesses to hating witches. He and Iris don’t really get along. But when she accidentally curses him, they have to go on a little trip together to try to fix it. I think you can guess where it’s heading; enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, (after “there’s only one bed”, meet “there’s only one tent”...), tending to the other’s wounds… You get the picture!
I really, really loved Iris, her character was really interesting and really got to me, the struggles she has to face, her way of dealing with them, and her devotion to animals.. <33 I mean, I just love her so much.
The story was so well written, and the worldbuilding was just amazing. I loved everything about it and really plan on reading it again. I 100% recommend it! Please Rachel Griffin, I need another one already!!!!
I’m so thankful to have had the chance to read it. Can’t wait for the next book and most importantly for everyone to read it!
***
I had the amazing chance and opportunity to receive an ARC of Rachel Griffin's latest book, Wild is the Witch, thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOK Fire in exchange for an honest review.
This book is, in all honesty, one of my favorite reads of the year and to me, it really deserves five stars. I read The Nature of Witches last fall, and completely fell in love with the characters, the world and everything in that story. And when I was finally done, I felt empty and really missed the characters and just reading the book! So when I heard of Wild is the Witch, I swear I almost cried! For real I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. And as soon as I started reading it, it all happened again. I fell in love with this new world and its characters. Let me tell you, I read it all yesterday, and went out with my friends the same night, and all I could think about was this book! That’s also one of the reasons why it deserves five stars.
So to tell you a bit about the story, you first meet Iris, an amazing young witch who is so passionate about who she is, her magic, nature and animals. She is still struggling with some events from her past and has her own little way of dealing with it and with the things that can stress or upset her. She works with her mother in their reuge where they help and try to heal and save wild animals with an intern, Pike. Pike is a normal human being who confesses to hating witches. He and Iris don’t really get along. But when she accidentally curses him, they have to go on a little trip together to try to fix it. I think you can guess where it’s heading; enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, (after “there’s only one bed”, meet “there’s only one tent”...), tending to the other’s wounds… You get the picture!
I really, really loved Iris, her character was really interesting and really got to me, the struggles she has to face, her way of dealing with them, and her devotion to animals.. <33 I mean, I just love her so much.
The story was so well written, and the worldbuilding was just amazing. I loved everything about it and really plan on reading it again. I 100% recommend it! Please Rachel Griffin, I need another one already!!!!
I’m so thankful to have had the chance to read it. Can’t wait for the next book and most importantly for everyone to read it!
July 4, 2022
Part of this is my own fault because I knew I wasn't loving the book and should have DNF'd it instead of pushing through.
I'm so sad that I didn't enjoy this book. I thought the writing was fine and the world itself, how the magic worked, was super interesting. I just wish there was more focus on that and less of the romance. I could not get on board with the romance and since that was the main focus of the story and the plot, I just wasn't a fan. I don't like the tropes of a boy is only making fun of you and being mean to you because he actually likes you. I feel like we should be past that by now. I also just don't like that the mom heard her daughter complain about this boy and how he hates witches and just smiled and teased her for secretly liking this boy instead of, I don't know, taking her daughter seriously and believing what she says at face value. I do think teens and people who really like romance will enjoy this book, but it did not work at all for me.
I'm so sad that I didn't enjoy this book. I thought the writing was fine and the world itself, how the magic worked, was super interesting. I just wish there was more focus on that and less of the romance. I could not get on board with the romance and since that was the main focus of the story and the plot, I just wasn't a fan. I don't like the tropes of a boy is only making fun of you and being mean to you because he actually likes you. I feel like we should be past that by now. I also just don't like that the mom heard her daughter complain about this boy and how he hates witches and just smiled and teased her for secretly liking this boy instead of, I don't know, taking her daughter seriously and believing what she says at face value. I do think teens and people who really like romance will enjoy this book, but it did not work at all for me.
August 3, 2022
This was fine, but too short. It presents an America where witches are known entities and subject to governance, but this concept is explained quite offhandedly, despite its massive implications for American society. The story would've benefitted from 100 extra pages for further worldbuilding, as well as the development of its magic system. I felt we were still learning how the magic worked even in the third act.
But this is ultimately more a romance book than a fantasy. The magic really served only to get the characters together and cause minor relationship strain. Their dynamic was cute and inoffensive, but I don't think I'll remember them as time goes on.
But this is ultimately more a romance book than a fantasy. The magic really served only to get the characters together and cause minor relationship strain. Their dynamic was cute and inoffensive, but I don't think I'll remember them as time goes on.
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