The Once and Future Witches: Real, Relatable Women

Witching is Feminism, After All

I finished The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow approximately four hours ago, and I usually prefer to let myself ruminate over a book before jumping into a review, but my fingers were itching to rant and write about how much I absolutely adored this book.

Do you ever read a book and immediately think, “Holy shit.” You put the book down on the coffee table and just stare at it for awhile? You let the characters and plot take over your mind and you’re left with what can only be called a book hangover.

This book didn’t come highly recommended to me. In fact, it came with a few warnings, which made me think I wouldn’t enjoy it. For the most people, people cited that it was too long and could be cut down in places. I couldn’t disagree more. Harrow writes in a way that is utterly captivating, so much so that I had a hard time doing anything else but reading until I got to the end. Like, forgot to eat lunch because I can’t put my book down captivating.

The Once and Future Witches is about three sisters, Juniper, Agnes, and Beatrice, that reunite after seven plus years apart with an abundance of animosity toward one another. There’s no such thing as witches anymore, but Juniper is determined to bring witching back to New Salem. Her sisters, well, they aren’t so certain.

Witching and Suffrage

In the beginning of this novel, Juniper joins the New Salem Women’s Association. The association fights for women’s rights, especially their right to vote. However, they’re not willing to break any rules or step out of line to get anything accomplished. Juniper isn’t exactly interested in this rule-following behavior, and she’s got some ideas of her own. However, she’s not super interested in voting, but witching.

I blaze through this book in an absolute rage. I could feel the fight for women’s rights aching in my bone; I wanted them to win. We get to watch our three leading ladies experience sexism, harassment, assault, and death at the hands of male oppressors in a book where the villain is exactly who you expect him to be.

“But she should have known no man ever loved a woman’s strength—they only love the place where it runs out. They love a strong will finally broken, a straight spine bent.”

You can feel their rage, their anger, their desperation as Harrow paints these women to be realistic, eager to claim what they deserve in a world ruled by men. I found myself sucked into their story, relating to their trauma, and wishing I could take up the reins alongside them. If you’re looking for a book with a powerful feminist storyline and characters that bleed, cry, and rage, The Once and Future Witches is the book for you.

Character Development at its Finest

Speaking of characters, Juniper, Beatrice, and Agnes are probably some of the best characters I’ve come across in my reading adventures. As a writer, I often take little bits of my personality and create characters from them. Harrow has apparently met me, and has done the same thing. I could see myself so clearly in all of their flaws, power, and growth.

Juniper with her “I can do anything and no one can stop me” attitude that’s always getting her into trouble. Agnes with her circle tied so tight around her heart, unwilling to let anyone in. Beatrice with her books, her knowledge, her fear.

We get the privilege of watching these characters grow as the story progresses. We get to see their flaws turn into questions, pausing before they do something they might regret. But my absolute favorite part of this book? They don’t change overnight. They still make mistakes, even at the very end. They’re still learning and growing constantly, and if that isn’t realistic, I don’t know what is. But surely, you’ll enjoy getting to watch these characters change before your eyes, even if it’s just bit by bit.

Magic that Makes Sense

I love fantasy, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes, it’s confusing. For example, in The Atlas Six, it’s kind of complicated to follow. The Once and Future Witches doesn’t have that problem at all. Magic is simple. All you need is the words, the ways, and the will. The words to speak, the ways to put it into action, and the will to cast.

Having such a simple magic system makes the story even easier to follow, and there’s a spell listed at the beginning of each chapter, giving you a tiny teaser about what’s to come.

Speaking of magic, the romance in this novel is also perfect. My favorite type of romance is the kind that weaves itself into the story. The story wouldn’t be the same without out, but it doesn’t take too much away from the main arc.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow

Well, we’ve come across another novel that I immediately want to ship out to every single person in my entire life, suggesting that they should read it post haste. You may be thinking, “Megan, you have no complaints?” I suppose I have one, if I really must nit-pick. It’s written in third person present tense, which I always find kind of weird to adjust to, but after awhile, it really didn’t bother me.

So yeah, I think I made it pretty clear that you should go out and read this book. Harrow is a phenomenal writer and the tale she weaves is one worth your time.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow: 5/5 Stars