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The Witch Haven #2
Haxahaven: L'alliance noire
The sequel to the The Witch Haven follows Frances and her fellow witches to the streets of Paris where family secrets, lost loves, and dangerous magic await.
Months after the devastating battle between the Sons of St. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy. But one thing nags; her magic has begun to act strangely. When an opportunity to visit Paris arises, Frances jumps at the chance to go, longing for adventure and seeking answers about her own power.
Once she and her classmates Maxine and Lena reach the vibrant streets of France, Frances learns that the spell she used to speak to her dead brother has had terrible consequences—the veil between the living and the dead has been torn by her recklessness, and a group of magicians are using the rift for their own gain at a horrifying cost.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Her only choice is to team up with the person she swore she’d never trust again, risking further betrayal and her own life in the process.
Months after the devastating battle between the Sons of St. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy. But one thing nags; her magic has begun to act strangely. When an opportunity to visit Paris arises, Frances jumps at the chance to go, longing for adventure and seeking answers about her own power.
Once she and her classmates Maxine and Lena reach the vibrant streets of France, Frances learns that the spell she used to speak to her dead brother has had terrible consequences—the veil between the living and the dead has been torn by her recklessness, and a group of magicians are using the rift for their own gain at a horrifying cost.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Her only choice is to team up with the person she swore she’d never trust again, risking further betrayal and her own life in the process.
408 pages, Paperback
First published October 11, 2022
156 people are currently reading
13177 people want to read
About the author
Sasha Peyton Smith
6 books2,175 followersSasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times best selling author of The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt. She’s passionate about well-curated road trip playlists, soup recipes, and stories about complicated girls. Originally from Utah, she now lives in Washington D.C. with her partner and collection of porcelain hands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
January 12, 2026
A magical, Parisian adventure that stole my heart 🌙💖✨
📖 Book: The Witch Hunt
🖋️ Author: Sasha Peyton Smith
🌟 Rating: 4.75 ✧
💖 Genre: YA historical fantasy / witchy mystery romance
📚 Series: The Witch Haven
🌸 Summary: This enchanting sequel sweeps Frances and her best friends away on a dreamy trip to Paris. Between croissants, coffee, strolls along the Seine, and afternoons lost in the Louvre, Frances faces a deeper struggle: she can no longer control her magic. As she secretly searches for a way to reclaim her power, she uncovers mysteries she never expected — about her magic, her family, and the hidden truths of the world around her.
♡ What I loved most:
• The Parisian setting: croissants, the Eiffel Tower, moody cobblestone alleys — what more could a dreamy little witch ask for? 🥐
• The mystery: there was always something just out of reach, tugging me deeper into the story 🕵️♀️
• Finn’s redemption arc: it made my heart ache in the softest way. He really came through 💘
• The ending: I’m still not over it. Quietly devastating but so beautiful — I cried a little (okay, maybe more than a little) 😭
• Frances finally getting something good: yes please, let her rest and breathe 💖
• The girls’ friendship: utterly precious. Protective, powerful, and filled with love — I’d give anything for a bond like that 🌸
───♡─────────────
୨ৎ Overall:
This sequel was just as magical as the first book, maybe even more. It felt like sipping warm coffee in a quiet Paris café while secrets swirl in the air around you. I was completely under its spell. This duology is a soft, dark gem — full of wonder, sisterhood, and the kind of magic that feels like a secret whispered just to you. I’m already missing this world.
xoxo, until the next book 🥐💫🖤
「The Witch Haven duology」
#1 - The Witch Haven - 4.75 ✧
#2 - The Witch Hunt - 4.75 ✧
📖 Book: The Witch Hunt
🖋️ Author: Sasha Peyton Smith
🌟 Rating: 4.75 ✧
💖 Genre: YA historical fantasy / witchy mystery romance
📚 Series: The Witch Haven
🌸 Summary: This enchanting sequel sweeps Frances and her best friends away on a dreamy trip to Paris. Between croissants, coffee, strolls along the Seine, and afternoons lost in the Louvre, Frances faces a deeper struggle: she can no longer control her magic. As she secretly searches for a way to reclaim her power, she uncovers mysteries she never expected — about her magic, her family, and the hidden truths of the world around her.
♡ What I loved most:
• The Parisian setting: croissants, the Eiffel Tower, moody cobblestone alleys — what more could a dreamy little witch ask for? 🥐
• The mystery: there was always something just out of reach, tugging me deeper into the story 🕵️♀️
• Finn’s redemption arc: it made my heart ache in the softest way. He really came through 💘
“A villain from a play with a cape and an evil plot. It was easier to believe that than to believe I might be someone worth leaving behind.”
• The ending: I’m still not over it. Quietly devastating but so beautiful — I cried a little (okay, maybe more than a little) 😭
• Frances finally getting something good: yes please, let her rest and breathe 💖
“How do I explain this wobbly feeling in my chest, the one that has existed since I was a child, the one that tells me not to burden others with the ferocity of my emotions?”
• The girls’ friendship: utterly precious. Protective, powerful, and filled with love — I’d give anything for a bond like that 🌸
“But the world doesn’t respond to rage. The world wants sweet girls and fathers want sweet daughters, even if they did everything in their power to make them bitter and broken.”
───♡─────────────
୨ৎ Overall:
This sequel was just as magical as the first book, maybe even more. It felt like sipping warm coffee in a quiet Paris café while secrets swirl in the air around you. I was completely under its spell. This duology is a soft, dark gem — full of wonder, sisterhood, and the kind of magic that feels like a secret whispered just to you. I’m already missing this world.
xoxo, until the next book 🥐💫🖤
「The Witch Haven duology」
#1 - The Witch Haven - 4.75 ✧
#2 - The Witch Hunt - 4.75 ✧
October 16, 2022
The Witch Haven and The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith are the first and second books in the young adult fantasy The Witch Haven series. As with most fantasy series the story in The Witch Haven series begins in the first book and picks up in the second so they do need to be read in order to be completely understood.
The story in The Witch Haven begins in 1911 in New York City where young Frances Hallowell is staying after the loss of her family. Frances is working as a seamstress with other young girls when one night she finds herself alone in the shop trying to finish up after the other girls have gone.
That night forever changes Frances’ life when her boss attacks her and ends up dead with Frances’s scissors protruding from his body. Luckily for Frances she finds herself heading to Haxahaven Sanitarium with two nurses instead of prison. Frances soon finds Haxahaven isn’t a sanitarium at all but a school for witches.
When beginning The Witch Haven series I immediately found myself transported to the dingy, dark side of New York in 1911 and fell right into the story. The first book wasn’t without a few flaws in my opinion but it did hold my attention and make me want to come back for The Witch Hunt, the second of the series. Picking up The Witch Hunt however wasn’t the same engaging beginning as I found in the first book. The pacing seemed to be even slower than what I’d found in the first and I only found it to be so-so for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The story in The Witch Haven begins in 1911 in New York City where young Frances Hallowell is staying after the loss of her family. Frances is working as a seamstress with other young girls when one night she finds herself alone in the shop trying to finish up after the other girls have gone.
That night forever changes Frances’ life when her boss attacks her and ends up dead with Frances’s scissors protruding from his body. Luckily for Frances she finds herself heading to Haxahaven Sanitarium with two nurses instead of prison. Frances soon finds Haxahaven isn’t a sanitarium at all but a school for witches.
When beginning The Witch Haven series I immediately found myself transported to the dingy, dark side of New York in 1911 and fell right into the story. The first book wasn’t without a few flaws in my opinion but it did hold my attention and make me want to come back for The Witch Hunt, the second of the series. Picking up The Witch Hunt however wasn’t the same engaging beginning as I found in the first book. The pacing seemed to be even slower than what I’d found in the first and I only found it to be so-so for me.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 14, 2022
Content warnings for The Witch Hunt are available on my website: https://www.sashapsmith.com/the-witch...
Thank you, as always, for everything. Your kindness and enthusiasm about the second chapter of the Frances and the gang's story has meant the world to me. Goodreads is for readers, not for authors, so I'll be leaving now, but you can always find me on instagram @ sashapeytonsmith.
(edit: a few people have had the same question, so I'll answer it here! this is a two-book series only, the witch hunt will wrap up the story. I'm really leaving now, I promise. I love you, bye!)
Thank you, as always, for everything. Your kindness and enthusiasm about the second chapter of the Frances and the gang's story has meant the world to me. Goodreads is for readers, not for authors, so I'll be leaving now, but you can always find me on instagram @ sashapeytonsmith.
(edit: a few people have had the same question, so I'll answer it here! this is a two-book series only, the witch hunt will wrap up the story. I'm really leaving now, I promise. I love you, bye!)
October 19, 2022
I am a literal mess. It’s 4am and I’m sobbing. The ending is devastating. I absolutely loved The Witch Haven and somehow Sasha wrote a sequel that is EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL! There are so many lines in Hunt that cut me to my core and made me feel so many things. I don’t want to spoil it, but you need to go read this.
September 27, 2024
Last year I said The Witch Haven was a mix between folklore and reputation, and this time around I have to stand up and declare that The Witch Hunt is a mix of Lover and Midnights.
I'll give you my little playlist (approved by the author cause I sent it to her through DM and she said it was perfect) right now:
Frances: The Archer + Anti-Hero
Oliver: It's nice to have a friend + Paris
Finn: MAATHP + Mastermind
Max: I think (s)he knows + Bejeweled
Lena: The Man + You're on your own, kid
And now for the spoilers:
Remember book 1 Frances?
Max and Lena left alone with Finn
Your hippie cult followers not seeing that you've been selling them to the bourgeoisie
Oliver every time they have to agree with Finn's plans
Oliver bitting gold
Nina if she doesn't get a puppy
Finn in the confession booth
Sasha writing this book, probably:
I'll give you my little playlist (approved by the author cause I sent it to her through DM and she said it was perfect) right now:
Frances: The Archer + Anti-Hero
Oliver: It's nice to have a friend + Paris
Finn: MAATHP + Mastermind
Max: I think (s)he knows + Bejeweled
Lena: The Man + You're on your own, kid
And now for the spoilers:
Remember book 1 Frances?
Max and Lena left alone with Finn
Your hippie cult followers not seeing that you've been selling them to the bourgeoisie
Oliver every time they have to agree with Finn's plans
Oliver bitting gold
Nina if she doesn't get a puppy
Finn in the confession booth
Sasha writing this book, probably:
October 31, 2022
Honestly? Book one was a lot better. I'm a little disappointed. Most of the suspense and danger was gone, and though I love the characters, there wasn't enough story to fill the book.
August 1, 2022
If you need to know anything about me, it is that I am irrevocably, and completely obsessed with the Witch Haven, but we aren't here to talk about that wonderful ride. No, instead, let me talk about the sequel.
It's awful.
It's so awful that when I have a quiet moment in my life where my mind can wander, it thinks of the Witch Hunt, and I get mad.
It's been weeks, and I still get mad thinking about it.
So why 2 stars and not 1? Cause for a while it's good. For a while it's that whimsical, fun, witchy world you originally fell in love with. But then I don't know what happened. The author reused the same plot...for some reason...after building up character development for endless chapters. Which, it's not just one characters development getting wiped away within a few paragraphs. It's multiple. Let's dive into this horror.
Finn....seriously? We just have him murdering people again????? After all that character development????????? Couldn't have him try to stop his cultists instead? Just have to have him doing essentially the same thing as before? I'm fine with his death. Actually, no. I'm not. The veil needs balance. They both took magic from it, but only one has to give it back? Ok?
Also he's dead....but trapped in her head?? Forever? And then...hold up, let's pause.
Franny. A whole book where she is super suspicious and has trust issues. Out of no where she decides oh, I'm just going to trust EVERYONE BLINDLY now. It went from one extreme to the other with no reason or build up as to why. Promises to stop lying to everyone around her....and then spends the rest of her life lying to Oliver about Finn? That's fucked up...in a very not OK way. Where did the telltale heart shit even come from? It doesn't fit in the world, it was so out of no where. The execution was just...bad.
Oliver. It seems so hard like she's settling. Poor guy needed more to him than just be a childhood crush thay got jealous over Finn and was a nice guy. Being a nice guy should be a standard, not a recommendation.
I'm getting mad again. There was so much potential, so many ways the plot could have gone and somehow we got some crap Edgar Allen poe spin off that literally makes no sense...for a duology.
Now, if this was a trilogy, I'd give it 4 stars as the set up would be genius, brilliant. But it isn't. It's as unsatisfying as going to McDonald's only to have their Mcflurry machine down. The book was great until around a bit after 80%....then it was more downhill than a Riverdale plot line. I'd rather watch Riverdale.
I'm so heartbroken, cause the plot was great, the character development was great...till it was all tossed into the trash at the end. I loved Witch Haven so much....I'll never get over this anguish.
It's awful.
It's so awful that when I have a quiet moment in my life where my mind can wander, it thinks of the Witch Hunt, and I get mad.
It's been weeks, and I still get mad thinking about it.
So why 2 stars and not 1? Cause for a while it's good. For a while it's that whimsical, fun, witchy world you originally fell in love with. But then I don't know what happened. The author reused the same plot...for some reason...after building up character development for endless chapters. Which, it's not just one characters development getting wiped away within a few paragraphs. It's multiple. Let's dive into this horror.
Finn....seriously? We just have him murdering people again????? After all that character development????????? Couldn't have him try to stop his cultists instead? Just have to have him doing essentially the same thing as before? I'm fine with his death. Actually, no. I'm not. The veil needs balance. They both took magic from it, but only one has to give it back? Ok?
Also he's dead....but trapped in her head?? Forever? And then...hold up, let's pause.
Franny. A whole book where she is super suspicious and has trust issues. Out of no where she decides oh, I'm just going to trust EVERYONE BLINDLY now. It went from one extreme to the other with no reason or build up as to why. Promises to stop lying to everyone around her....and then spends the rest of her life lying to Oliver about Finn? That's fucked up...in a very not OK way. Where did the telltale heart shit even come from? It doesn't fit in the world, it was so out of no where. The execution was just...bad.
Oliver. It seems so hard like she's settling. Poor guy needed more to him than just be a childhood crush thay got jealous over Finn and was a nice guy. Being a nice guy should be a standard, not a recommendation.
I'm getting mad again. There was so much potential, so many ways the plot could have gone and somehow we got some crap Edgar Allen poe spin off that literally makes no sense...for a duology.
Now, if this was a trilogy, I'd give it 4 stars as the set up would be genius, brilliant. But it isn't. It's as unsatisfying as going to McDonald's only to have their Mcflurry machine down. The book was great until around a bit after 80%....then it was more downhill than a Riverdale plot line. I'd rather watch Riverdale.
I'm so heartbroken, cause the plot was great, the character development was great...till it was all tossed into the trash at the end. I loved Witch Haven so much....I'll never get over this anguish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2022
I'm one of those readers who loved the atmosphere and stakes in The Witch Haven and given the ending of the book, I was immensely excited to see how things fared in the sequel. I'm glad to say that The Witch Hunt serves the same entrancing descriptions of the setting, Paris in this book as there were in the previous book! I loved seeing Frances, Lena and Maxine's friendship blossom into a stronger bond and also learn about Oliver's softer side. I'd say the plot was interesting, it continued the one set up in The Witch Haven pretty well. Basically, I enjoyed the first half a lot.
What fell flat to me was Finn's reintroduction and his supposed "villainy" because it didn't ever seem that serious despite his character having potential. He had the scope to become worse or go through great character development but he was just there stirring things up. I'm not sure how to comprehend the ending, it seems like an opening to a third book and did not completely satisfy me. Also, quite a few filler scenes that could've been avoided to make the book flow smoothly. But then again, this is a personal opinion and I have seen people enjoy the sequel!
Though, The Witch Hunt is about consequences, grief and healing and these themes truly reflected throughout the book.
thank you netgalley and S&S for the ARC!
What fell flat to me was Finn's reintroduction and his supposed "villainy" because it didn't ever seem that serious despite his character having potential. He had the scope to become worse or go through great character development but he was just there stirring things up. I'm not sure how to comprehend the ending, it seems like an opening to a third book and did not completely satisfy me. Also, quite a few filler scenes that could've been avoided to make the book flow smoothly. But then again, this is a personal opinion and I have seen people enjoy the sequel!
Though, The Witch Hunt is about consequences, grief and healing and these themes truly reflected throughout the book.
thank you netgalley and S&S for the ARC!
November 21, 2022
Wow what a great second book. Frances Lena Maxine Finn and Oliver how can you not love each one of them. It had a haunting feel and the end got me. Lordy. Loved this book.
January 5, 2024
What a perfect ending to this duology!
I think what I loved most about this duology was the complex relationships. It was really well portrayed - an absent father, a mentally ill mother, a toxic relationship vs a healthy one
The magic system was complex IMO and I’m not sure I grasped everything about it - but my comprehension didn’t change anything about how beautiful that duology was
I have mistaken Finn’s delusion in book 1 for actual psychopathic disorder. That man is unwell
Oliver though 🥹 sweetheart!!! Golden retriever energy 🤭
My favorite quotes :
« But the world doesn’t respond to rage. The world wants sweet girls and fathers want sweet daughters, even if they did everything in their power to make them bitter and broken »
« He doesn’t seem to be interested in a father-daughter relationship. He might as well have been dead, because he was dead to me. It was a slow death. One he earned with each act of neglect »
« I’m afraid if you see all of me, you will decide I am too difficult to love
I don’t want any life you’re not part of »
Finn : don’t make me out to be the villain here
Oliver : you are, quite literally, the villain here
« I wish for a father who is less of a coward »
« no one told me love would feel like coming home »
I think what I loved most about this duology was the complex relationships. It was really well portrayed - an absent father, a mentally ill mother, a toxic relationship vs a healthy one
The magic system was complex IMO and I’m not sure I grasped everything about it - but my comprehension didn’t change anything about how beautiful that duology was
I have mistaken Finn’s delusion in book 1 for actual psychopathic disorder. That man is unwell
Oliver though 🥹 sweetheart!!! Golden retriever energy 🤭
My favorite quotes :
« But the world doesn’t respond to rage. The world wants sweet girls and fathers want sweet daughters, even if they did everything in their power to make them bitter and broken »
« He doesn’t seem to be interested in a father-daughter relationship. He might as well have been dead, because he was dead to me. It was a slow death. One he earned with each act of neglect »
« I’m afraid if you see all of me, you will decide I am too difficult to love
I don’t want any life you’re not part of »
Finn : don’t make me out to be the villain here
Oliver : you are, quite literally, the villain here
« I wish for a father who is less of a coward »
« no one told me love would feel like coming home »
November 11, 2023
I wanted to like this more but it fell very short of its predecessor. The story was choppy, sometimes rushed, and the pacing was inconsistent. I expected more.
October 7, 2022
I had a little bit harder time getting drawn into this book compared to the first one, however I did still enjoy it. While I felt the pacing was slower than the first, it did give me some good twists and turns.
Good plot and continued a good story that was set up from the first. Very nice witchy read :)
Actual rating would be a 3.5
Good plot and continued a good story that was set up from the first. Very nice witchy read :)
Actual rating would be a 3.5
September 22, 2022
The Witch Haven was one of my favorite books of last year, and I have been so desperate for the sequel ever since I read it! Simon and Schuster was kind enough to send me an ARC of The Witch Hunt after I expressed to them my excitement for the release, so thank you so much to S&S for the review copy in exchange for an honest review!
In some ways, I found what I loved so much about book one here in book two. But, I also think that this book could have used a lot more revision before being considered a satisfactory, ready to publish sequel.
What is it that I loved so much about book one? The friendships. The relationship between our heroine, Frances, and her two best friends, Maxine and Lena, was the central love story of The Witch Haven. Was there romance? Of course. But the pure, unconditional love between Frances, Maxine, and Lena, was truly the point of the story. Did I get that in book two? I did. But not to the same degree, which was disappointing. The first half of the book, where the trio reunites and spends the most time together, was perfect. I loved every second of it, the prose itself was lovely and I immediately became just as obsessed with their friendship as I was when reading Witch Haven. But then, it felt like Smith kind of forgot about the dynamic that she herself wrote. Frances started going off and doing things by herself, keeping secrets, and distancing herself from her friends. It didn't make any sense considering Frances has always viewed her friends as people who make her feel less alone, people who are more than willing to shoulder her burdens with her. It was aggravating and a complete 180 from the dynamics established in book one and Frances' characterization.
There was a lot more romance in this book than the first, which really didn't do the book any favors. The main love story of the book should have remained the one between the girls, because that is where all the depth and development is. Frances and Oliver have very little chemistry, and their scenes together felt awkward and forced. The love between them did not come naturally the way it did between Frances and her friends. It felt like Frances was having to convince herself and the readers that her and Oliver belong together. I was and still am team Finn, he was a more interesting character than Oliver and him and Frances had chemistry between them. I liked Oliver, but he felt very two dimensional and superimposed into the story.
I think that where the story went the most wrong, is Finn. His reintroduction into the story was lackluster, book one set up such a good reunion with him and it fell flat. It was uneventful and boring. Then, Smith set up a really good redemption arc for him, and then squashed it in the matter of a few pages. I mean seriously, that ending was a joke. I never disliked Finn, I have read FAR worse "villains" than him that get a complete and satisfactory redemption arc. I think that Smith made a character and a character arc too ambitious for her to handle, because Finn had the most potential out of anyone in this story and it was just completely wasted. Finn deserved better. I understand Frances could never forgive him, but he was not beyond forgiveness of himself and could have easily moved on from the story and Frances and started a new life. Genuinely left a bitter taste in my mouth from all the potential thrown out the window.
And when it comes to the ending of the story, talk about underdeveloped and unsatisfying. The final act occurs in a little over 15 pages. That's it. The plot and Frances herself are so full of plot armor and inconsistent writing I had to roll my eyes. Frances is literally about to sacrifice herself in front of her boyfriend, best friends, and parents, and they all just cry and ask her not to instead of, oh, I don't know, actually doing anything at all to stop it. It doesn't make any sense. These people that love and adore her just stand there while she's about to kill herself? Then, of course, Finn steps in and ruins his own development. I absolutely hated the last few chapters of this book. It wrapped up SO fast and SO perfectly. And honestly, it really caught me off guard. I loved the first half of the book. I was happy with where the story was headed and where the character development was going, but once I hit the 65-70% mark, it was almost like I was reading a completely different story.
So, Frances gets her happy ending with a boy I don't think anyone is actually convinced she's in love with. She also swears to never keep secrets again, but then the book ends with her keeping a HUGE secret from everyone, that Finn is still with her, haunting her, and she actually still spends a lot of time with him. Finn is damned to an eternity of waiting for Frances only to never have her. And Frances' story ends very bittersweet because when she's awake, she's with the supposed love of her life, and when she's asleep, she's with Finn. But she's the only one who will ever know this. Meaning all her character development in this book meant NOTHING because she's still doing the exact thing she swore to never do again?!? Do you see why I am unsatisfied and confused? Is this truly how this story ends? Again, I think that Smith set herself up a story and an arc that ended up being way too much for her to handle.
There are things I loved about this book. The prose is gorgeous, I think Smith writes beautifully. I really enjoyed Frances as a main character, and I still love her relationship with Maxine and Lena, two wonderful side characters that I was so glad to see got to live their best lives at the end of the story. Finn was a great character too, no matter how badly his arc was ruined by Smith. And the book was pretty entertaining and funny at times.
But overall, this book needed a lot of development and suffered from continuity errors. It was a pretty disappointing sequel once the book got into the last half, and I don't think it is going to make any fans of The Witch Haven happy.
The Witch Hunt - 3 stars.
In some ways, I found what I loved so much about book one here in book two. But, I also think that this book could have used a lot more revision before being considered a satisfactory, ready to publish sequel.
What is it that I loved so much about book one? The friendships. The relationship between our heroine, Frances, and her two best friends, Maxine and Lena, was the central love story of The Witch Haven. Was there romance? Of course. But the pure, unconditional love between Frances, Maxine, and Lena, was truly the point of the story. Did I get that in book two? I did. But not to the same degree, which was disappointing. The first half of the book, where the trio reunites and spends the most time together, was perfect. I loved every second of it, the prose itself was lovely and I immediately became just as obsessed with their friendship as I was when reading Witch Haven. But then, it felt like Smith kind of forgot about the dynamic that she herself wrote. Frances started going off and doing things by herself, keeping secrets, and distancing herself from her friends. It didn't make any sense considering Frances has always viewed her friends as people who make her feel less alone, people who are more than willing to shoulder her burdens with her. It was aggravating and a complete 180 from the dynamics established in book one and Frances' characterization.
There was a lot more romance in this book than the first, which really didn't do the book any favors. The main love story of the book should have remained the one between the girls, because that is where all the depth and development is. Frances and Oliver have very little chemistry, and their scenes together felt awkward and forced. The love between them did not come naturally the way it did between Frances and her friends. It felt like Frances was having to convince herself and the readers that her and Oliver belong together. I was and still am team Finn, he was a more interesting character than Oliver and him and Frances had chemistry between them. I liked Oliver, but he felt very two dimensional and superimposed into the story.
I think that where the story went the most wrong, is Finn. His reintroduction into the story was lackluster, book one set up such a good reunion with him and it fell flat. It was uneventful and boring. Then, Smith set up a really good redemption arc for him, and then squashed it in the matter of a few pages. I mean seriously, that ending was a joke. I never disliked Finn, I have read FAR worse "villains" than him that get a complete and satisfactory redemption arc. I think that Smith made a character and a character arc too ambitious for her to handle, because Finn had the most potential out of anyone in this story and it was just completely wasted. Finn deserved better. I understand Frances could never forgive him, but he was not beyond forgiveness of himself and could have easily moved on from the story and Frances and started a new life. Genuinely left a bitter taste in my mouth from all the potential thrown out the window.
And when it comes to the ending of the story, talk about underdeveloped and unsatisfying. The final act occurs in a little over 15 pages. That's it. The plot and Frances herself are so full of plot armor and inconsistent writing I had to roll my eyes. Frances is literally about to sacrifice herself in front of her boyfriend, best friends, and parents, and they all just cry and ask her not to instead of, oh, I don't know, actually doing anything at all to stop it. It doesn't make any sense. These people that love and adore her just stand there while she's about to kill herself? Then, of course, Finn steps in and ruins his own development. I absolutely hated the last few chapters of this book. It wrapped up SO fast and SO perfectly. And honestly, it really caught me off guard. I loved the first half of the book. I was happy with where the story was headed and where the character development was going, but once I hit the 65-70% mark, it was almost like I was reading a completely different story.
So, Frances gets her happy ending with a boy I don't think anyone is actually convinced she's in love with. She also swears to never keep secrets again, but then the book ends with her keeping a HUGE secret from everyone, that Finn is still with her, haunting her, and she actually still spends a lot of time with him. Finn is damned to an eternity of waiting for Frances only to never have her. And Frances' story ends very bittersweet because when she's awake, she's with the supposed love of her life, and when she's asleep, she's with Finn. But she's the only one who will ever know this. Meaning all her character development in this book meant NOTHING because she's still doing the exact thing she swore to never do again?!? Do you see why I am unsatisfied and confused? Is this truly how this story ends? Again, I think that Smith set herself up a story and an arc that ended up being way too much for her to handle.
There are things I loved about this book. The prose is gorgeous, I think Smith writes beautifully. I really enjoyed Frances as a main character, and I still love her relationship with Maxine and Lena, two wonderful side characters that I was so glad to see got to live their best lives at the end of the story. Finn was a great character too, no matter how badly his arc was ruined by Smith. And the book was pretty entertaining and funny at times.
But overall, this book needed a lot of development and suffered from continuity errors. It was a pretty disappointing sequel once the book got into the last half, and I don't think it is going to make any fans of The Witch Haven happy.
The Witch Hunt - 3 stars.
November 16, 2022
Maybe it's special because I finished it while at YALLFest but I loved this one!!!
The sequel to the witch haven did not disappoint at all I thought it was even better than the first.
In The Witch Hunt, Frances is now a professor at Haxahaven but something is amiss with her magic. She goes to Paris with Maxine and Lena, but she's really hoping she can fix her magic. After reconnecting with an old friend 😉, they soon find out something even more sinister is going on in the depths of Paris.
Sasha Peyton Smith is no stranger to high stakes, and that is evident by yet another absolutely heart breaking finale.
I still go back and forth on how I feel about the ending, because it doesn't feel done. If there's a book three then I'll be okay but SASHA IT CANT END THIS WAY 😭 I mean it can and it did but still! Maybe I just like when everything is tied up neatly, but I'm hoping it's just leaving it open for a third book or novella or something.
This title is available now. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital copy of this ARC
The sequel to the witch haven did not disappoint at all I thought it was even better than the first.
In The Witch Hunt, Frances is now a professor at Haxahaven but something is amiss with her magic. She goes to Paris with Maxine and Lena, but she's really hoping she can fix her magic. After reconnecting with an old friend 😉, they soon find out something even more sinister is going on in the depths of Paris.
Sasha Peyton Smith is no stranger to high stakes, and that is evident by yet another absolutely heart breaking finale.
I still go back and forth on how I feel about the ending, because it doesn't feel done. If there's a book three then I'll be okay but SASHA IT CANT END THIS WAY 😭 I mean it can and it did but still! Maybe I just like when everything is tied up neatly, but I'm hoping it's just leaving it open for a third book or novella or something.
This title is available now. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for a digital copy of this ARC
November 15, 2024
Sooo definitely bought this book and read it without realizing it’s #2 in a series.. but, that being said, I understand everything completely and still loved this book! I only realized it when the author skimmed over a memory/past story that was a big part and I felt like I was missing something 🤣
It was pretty fast-paced and I loved all the characters. I’m excited to now go back and read the first book
It was pretty fast-paced and I loved all the characters. I’m excited to now go back and read the first book
October 14, 2022
2.5*
I am gutted to have to say this was not at all what I hoped it would be. The way The Witch Haven ended set the author up to crush this sequel. The potential was through the roof but it fell flat.
I will think of the Witch Haven fondly.
I am gutted to have to say this was not at all what I hoped it would be. The way The Witch Haven ended set the author up to crush this sequel. The potential was through the roof but it fell flat.
I will think of the Witch Haven fondly.
October 23, 2022
I am permanently impaled in all my vital organs, my tear ducks will never forgive Sasha Peyton smith for this series
October 25, 2022
3.5. I could recommend you to read The Witch Haven first for context but not necessarily. Plenty of references were mentioned in the sequel.
Set in 1913, three friends set sail from New York to France. Aside from visiting Paris, Frances hoped to find solution to get her magic back. Instead, she got more than she bargained for.
If you like friendships, love triangle, lgbtq, and second chances, this is the book for you. It was a slow start but I did enjoy the banter between friends throughout the book. Maxine and Lena were my favorites. Oliver is dreamy. There was also not much magic as I thought it would be. It seemed more like an ordinary mystery or suspense. The ending was touching and it seemed to indicate that there might be a 3rd book. Guess we’ll find out.
Thank you, @netgalley, and @simonandschuster,for the eARC in return for an honest review.
Set in 1913, three friends set sail from New York to France. Aside from visiting Paris, Frances hoped to find solution to get her magic back. Instead, she got more than she bargained for.
If you like friendships, love triangle, lgbtq, and second chances, this is the book for you. It was a slow start but I did enjoy the banter between friends throughout the book. Maxine and Lena were my favorites. Oliver is dreamy. There was also not much magic as I thought it would be. It seemed more like an ordinary mystery or suspense. The ending was touching and it seemed to indicate that there might be a 3rd book. Guess we’ll find out.
Thank you, @netgalley, and @simonandschuster,for the eARC in return for an honest review.
October 23, 2022
A great sequel that I think I loved even better than the first!! This book sees Frances and her fellow NYC witches travelling to Paris and embarking on a whole new set of adventures. Full of romance, family secrets and tons of intrigue. This was great on audio and a perfect YA historical witchy paranormal romance!! Highly recommended!!
November 29, 2022
The second book in the Witch Haven, has Frances and friends from hexahaven academy going to Paris. I would recommend you read these books in order.
I loved the first book and the sequel dug more into being more emotional as it shows Frances vulnerabilities of her past and her fear of becoming a fraud as her magic is disappearing.
I loved the first book and the sequel dug more into being more emotional as it shows Frances vulnerabilities of her past and her fear of becoming a fraud as her magic is disappearing.
September 19, 2022
3.5 stars
I wish there wasn't a hinted love triangle in this :( olly seems lovely
I wish there wasn't a hinted love triangle in this :( olly seems lovely
January 22, 2023
Une fin de duologie pleine des conséquences du tome 1
On pourrait résumer ce 2e tome à ça : conséquence. Tout ce qui est arrivé dans le tome 1 a des répercussions, notamment sur Frances. J’ai trouvé le livre rempli de mélancolie que je ressentais chez l’héroïne. Ses choix ont de tels effets sur elle que je souhaitais juste qu’elle trouve la paix. Elle souffre des actions qu’elle a commises et on ne peut que la comprendre. C’est un tome de guérison qui permet de vivre avec les fantômes du passé.
La partie magique est moins développée que dans le premier tome, le coté fiction historique prenant le dessus. On a beaucoup d’introspection et de questionnements de la part de Frances. Et pour planter le décor fini New York, cette fois l’autrice nous emmène à Paris ! On voyage des catacombes, au Louvre en passant par l’Opéra Garnier et les Tuileries.
Une chose que j’ai particulièrement aimé c’est la représentation de l’amour qui n’a pas besoin d’être passionnel. La romance ne m’a peut être pas autant fait vibrer que dans d’autres romans mais j’ai trouvé ça si juste que j’en étais parfois émue. Rien de mieux que les dires de Frances pour illustrer mon propos : « This want isn’t a wildfire. It’s a warm hearth. Something to build a home around. I love him and he loves me. In the end, it is simple. »
Je comprends tellement que cette duologie ne soit pas faite pour tous. J’y vois des défauts, des choses qui auraient pu être plus poussées, des personnages qu’on aurait pu mieux écrire. Mais je m’en fou, j’ai vraiment aimé lire cette saga. J’ai juste trouvé dommage le tout dernier chapitre qui rend cette conclusion un chouïa confuse, même si j’en ai saisi le sens. Autrement je garderai un vraiment bon souvenir de ma lecture !
On pourrait résumer ce 2e tome à ça : conséquence. Tout ce qui est arrivé dans le tome 1 a des répercussions, notamment sur Frances. J’ai trouvé le livre rempli de mélancolie que je ressentais chez l’héroïne. Ses choix ont de tels effets sur elle que je souhaitais juste qu’elle trouve la paix. Elle souffre des actions qu’elle a commises et on ne peut que la comprendre. C’est un tome de guérison qui permet de vivre avec les fantômes du passé.
La partie magique est moins développée que dans le premier tome, le coté fiction historique prenant le dessus. On a beaucoup d’introspection et de questionnements de la part de Frances. Et pour planter le décor fini New York, cette fois l’autrice nous emmène à Paris ! On voyage des catacombes, au Louvre en passant par l’Opéra Garnier et les Tuileries.
Une chose que j’ai particulièrement aimé c’est la représentation de l’amour qui n’a pas besoin d’être passionnel. La romance ne m’a peut être pas autant fait vibrer que dans d’autres romans mais j’ai trouvé ça si juste que j’en étais parfois émue. Rien de mieux que les dires de Frances pour illustrer mon propos : « This want isn’t a wildfire. It’s a warm hearth. Something to build a home around. I love him and he loves me. In the end, it is simple. »
Je comprends tellement que cette duologie ne soit pas faite pour tous. J’y vois des défauts, des choses qui auraient pu être plus poussées, des personnages qu’on aurait pu mieux écrire. Mais je m’en fou, j’ai vraiment aimé lire cette saga. J’ai juste trouvé dommage le tout dernier chapitre qui rend cette conclusion un chouïa confuse, même si j’en ai saisi le sens. Autrement je garderai un vraiment bon souvenir de ma lecture !
October 13, 2022
The Witch Hunt is just as good, if not better than The Witch Haven. We have most of the same characters as before, along with a few new ones. These new characters add depth to the story and suddenly everything that has happened in Frances' life makes sense.
Frances travels to Paris with her friends to see if she is able to determine why her magic is suddenly going haywire. It is going to take all of them working together to unravel the mystery. Working with Finn may be the end of everyone.
I enjoyed all the glimpses into the Paris underground. I feel like I have been on a mini magical vacation!
It is sad to say goodbye to all the wonderful characters we have grown to love; Frances, Oliver, Lena, Maxine and yes, even Finn. I am happy with the ending and do not see a need for another book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my eARC. All thoughts are my own.
Frances travels to Paris with her friends to see if she is able to determine why her magic is suddenly going haywire. It is going to take all of them working together to unravel the mystery. Working with Finn may be the end of everyone.
I enjoyed all the glimpses into the Paris underground. I feel like I have been on a mini magical vacation!
It is sad to say goodbye to all the wonderful characters we have grown to love; Frances, Oliver, Lena, Maxine and yes, even Finn. I am happy with the ending and do not see a need for another book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my eARC. All thoughts are my own.
October 28, 2022
What a hidden gem of a duology! Love these books.
October 29, 2023
Review: This went downhill fast for me. Book 2 was filled with all that I didn’t like about book 1 and sadly I skimmed a lot.
Recommended For: Those who loved everything about book one.
Recommended For: Those who loved everything about book one.
May 8, 2025
Erfitt að klára, hún var frekar boring🥲
November 30, 2022
“I see his face and my heart is all muscle memory, the ghost of a want I can’t make go away.”
*Respectfully* I hate Sasha Peyton Smith. I trusted her and she hurt me all over again. Will I be auto-buying her next book? Absolutely.
*Respectfully* I hate Sasha Peyton Smith. I trusted her and she hurt me all over again. Will I be auto-buying her next book? Absolutely.
October 3, 2022
So glad I received an ARC for this book! I enjoyed this book so much!! I haven’t cried at the end of a book in awhile. This sequel was strong, I honestly liked it more than the first book. It ties up all the lose ends perfectly while providing action packed adventures. I love the way the author conveys the FMC’s emotions and trauma. Her writing is just phenomenal! So many times I found myself getting emotional from her writing. This book was so easy to follow and I could not put it down. I’m going to miss these characters, especially Maxine. I’d love a spin off series about her!!
October 15, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
blog | twitter
2.75⭐️
”There may be a quiet, normal life out there for me somewhere, but this is not your choice to make. I don’t want that life. I don’t want any life you are not a part of. My choice was made long ago. I chose you, Frances. I am still choosing you.”
It turns out that was not made for me and it doesn’t match my taste in books at all. But, the quote above is one of the good parts and it lives rent free in my head.
The biggest problem that I have with this book, and the previous one in the duology, are the characters. The book is undoubtedly well written but the characters (well, all of them except oliver) to me felt like words on paper if that makes any sense because I don’t have any other way to explain it. I didn’t feel anything while I was reading about them except boredom and annoyance. They could have all as well died and I wouldn’t feel a thing.
It didn’t help that one of the characters was a textbook sociopath and it was being romanticised. Don’t get me wrong, I read about twisted characters all the time but there was something very wrong with this one. His only redeeming quality was his last sacrifice and I literally cheered when he offed himself, sorry not sorry.
This is actually the first time for me that i rate a book with .75 stars and it’s because I couldn’t get myself to rate it three full stars but it also wasn’t that bad to get only a two.
Due respect to the author for giving this story a satisfactory ending. It’s disappointing that i didn’t enjoy this more but if something ain’t my cup of tea i’m not gonna force it.
blog | twitter
2.75⭐️
”There may be a quiet, normal life out there for me somewhere, but this is not your choice to make. I don’t want that life. I don’t want any life you are not a part of. My choice was made long ago. I chose you, Frances. I am still choosing you.”
It turns out that was not made for me and it doesn’t match my taste in books at all. But, the quote above is one of the good parts and it lives rent free in my head.
The biggest problem that I have with this book, and the previous one in the duology, are the characters. The book is undoubtedly well written but the characters (well, all of them except oliver) to me felt like words on paper if that makes any sense because I don’t have any other way to explain it. I didn’t feel anything while I was reading about them except boredom and annoyance. They could have all as well died and I wouldn’t feel a thing.
It didn’t help that one of the characters was a textbook sociopath and it was being romanticised. Don’t get me wrong, I read about twisted characters all the time but there was something very wrong with this one. His only redeeming quality was his last sacrifice and I literally cheered when he offed himself, sorry not sorry.
This is actually the first time for me that i rate a book with .75 stars and it’s because I couldn’t get myself to rate it three full stars but it also wasn’t that bad to get only a two.
Due respect to the author for giving this story a satisfactory ending. It’s disappointing that i didn’t enjoy this more but if something ain’t my cup of tea i’m not gonna force it.
July 19, 2023
Re-read review: THAT ENDING WOW WOW WOW NOT FAIR! Even if you know it’s coming it still hits you like a ton of bricks. SPS - you truly are magic ✨
Original review:
Sasha Peyton Smith is a NYT Bestselling Author, and THE WITCH HUNT proves it’s a title well deserved.
An epic sequel to the beloved WITCH HAVEN, The Witch Hunt takes us to new locals with new characters and new mysteries. But the Sasha Peyton Smith signatures of witty banter, complexly nuanced characters, and twisty plot full of romance carry into book two as well. This is a sequel that will leave you reading/writing fanfic late into the night because you just don’t want to leave this world (🙋🏼♀️).
Thank you Sasha for this fresh, intoxicating, beautiful book. More? Please?
Original review:
Sasha Peyton Smith is a NYT Bestselling Author, and THE WITCH HUNT proves it’s a title well deserved.
An epic sequel to the beloved WITCH HAVEN, The Witch Hunt takes us to new locals with new characters and new mysteries. But the Sasha Peyton Smith signatures of witty banter, complexly nuanced characters, and twisty plot full of romance carry into book two as well. This is a sequel that will leave you reading/writing fanfic late into the night because you just don’t want to leave this world (🙋🏼♀️).
Thank you Sasha for this fresh, intoxicating, beautiful book. More? Please?
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