Title: The Once and Future Witches

Author: Alix E Harrow

In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters–James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna–join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.

There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Of course I’ve heard of The Ten Thousand Doors of January and the glowing reviews but haven’t read it….yet! So as it’s nearly Halloween I decided to pick up this witchy book!

I listened on audio and liked it but part of me thinks I would’ve loved it if I had actually read a physical copy so I’m going to try it out!

‘Once upon a time there were 3 witches’…..but there is no such thing as witches where we are in 1893 apparently!

In summary, the women where we are in time want equal rights (here, here, go suffragettes!) and this is where we find our 3 sisters, Juniper, Agnes and Bella. They have been apart and have reunited after escaping the clutches of their abusive father, hoping to repair their bond and further the causes of women.

Each of the 3 sisters have such different characters and I loved reading about each one, the world building was fabulous, the topics the book touches on were written so well but, for me, the pacing was a bit slow and in some parts I needed to make sure I was still listening.

All in all this was a good listen and I loved this historical witchy women’s book about fighting for a voice, for power, for equality and for rights for all.