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The Last Witch in Edinburgh
For fans of Sarah Penner’s The Lost Apothecary and Alix E. Harrow’s The Once and Future Witches, this lush, atmospheric novel from the author of Where Ivy Dares to Grow blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice.
“A lyrical and hauntingly beautiful new voice.” —Hester Fox, Author of A Lullaby for Witches
In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft. All it takes is invoking the anger, or the desire, of the wrong person. Nellie Duncan, beautiful and unwed, keeps to herself until she encounters the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, fiery Jean Rae and the other women provide cures and teach others that they too can aid the winter deity, the Cailleach, embracing her characteristic independence, agency, and craft, in turn becoming witches themselves. Nellie finds a place and a purpose at the shop, and a blossoming romance with Jean, as she learns about nature-based craft and a witch’s ability to return to life after death. But the Cailleach has an ancient enemy intent on stripping the power of the deity and all her witches, leaving a wake of patriarchal violence and destruction. When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage and the motivation to come back. Nellie’s past is waiting for her there, and hanging witches is no longer the only means of oppression. But this time, Nellie refuses to run—either from her foes, or from her resolve to awaken others to the unimaginable power that can come with fighting the patriarchy in its many forms—and finding one’s own magical inner-strength.
“A lyrical and hauntingly beautiful new voice.” —Hester Fox, Author of A Lullaby for Witches
In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft. All it takes is invoking the anger, or the desire, of the wrong person. Nellie Duncan, beautiful and unwed, keeps to herself until she encounters the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, fiery Jean Rae and the other women provide cures and teach others that they too can aid the winter deity, the Cailleach, embracing her characteristic independence, agency, and craft, in turn becoming witches themselves. Nellie finds a place and a purpose at the shop, and a blossoming romance with Jean, as she learns about nature-based craft and a witch’s ability to return to life after death. But the Cailleach has an ancient enemy intent on stripping the power of the deity and all her witches, leaving a wake of patriarchal violence and destruction. When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage and the motivation to come back. Nellie’s past is waiting for her there, and hanging witches is no longer the only means of oppression. But this time, Nellie refuses to run—either from her foes, or from her resolve to awaken others to the unimaginable power that can come with fighting the patriarchy in its many forms—and finding one’s own magical inner-strength.
386 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 20, 2024
332 people are currently reading
31557 people want to read
About the author
Marielle Thompson
5 books318 followersMarielle Thompson is the author of historically inspired gothic fiction that always features a bit of love and a pinch of magic. She holds two master’s degrees in Romantic and Victorian Literature & Society, as well as Creative Writing, both from the University of Edinburgh. Born on New Hampshire’s Seacoast, she has lived in New York City and Scotland before settling in Switzerland, where she currently lives.
Connect on Instagram @byMarielleThompson
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
August 2, 2025
The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a novel I went into wanting to know as little as possible about the plot. I had heard it had incredible atmosphere, and that was enough to sell it to me.
As the story began, I was fully immersed. It actually kicked off on my birthday, the 18th of September, but in 1824. Obviously, we are in Edinburgh and we are following Nellie Duncan, a young woman at a perilous time in her life.
Her mother is gone, she lives with her father, a drunkard, and her younger brother, who she tries her very best to care for. She's the responsible adult in their household.
Unfortunately, Nellie loses her job after a misunderstanding with the lady of the house, who she once considered her surrogate mother. After that, Nellie is set adrift.
Not only is Nellie's personal life in turmoil, but society itself is also a dangerous mess, with witch hunts and hangings going on left and right.
Nellie's misunderstanding with her past employer, and her growing beauty, make her afraid of attracting the wrong attention. She keeps very much to herself, just hoping to avoid any unwanted attentiveness.
It's while under the cover of darkness that she first comes into contact with the women from Rae's Apothecary. Nellie ends up finding purpose and place within their shop, and maybe a little more with the enticing Jean Rae.
Thinking she's finally found a home, Nellie's heart is shattered when disaster strikes. She spends the next two centuries fleeing from the world.
Okay, so the initial set-up, I was so into it. I loved the setting of 1820s Edinburgh and all the dangers that Nellie was facing within her day-to-day life.
I enjoyed learning about her family and felt real empathy for her position. Once she became enmeshed in the Apothecary, things began to slow down for me. I was still enjoying it, but didn't feel quite as engaged.
Then the shift. I didn't know the two centuries part. It is in the synopsis, I'm not spoiling anything by telling you this, but for me, I did not anticipate that time jump.
Once I was no longer in 1820s Scotland, the magic completely disappeared for me. I appreciated the feminist topics explored, but while in the first half they were incorporated smoothly into the overall narrative, for me, the 2nd-half felt forced and too heavy-handed.
The experience for me was so split as to feel like two different stories. The first-half of the book was a solid 4-star read. The second-half, I was straight-up bored, NGL.
If I had to rate the second-half of this book on its own, it would be a 2-star. Hence why I have decided on the 3-star rating. This seems the most fair way to explain it.
I will take the blame for this. I wanted the entire thing to be atmospheric and historic, full of lush settings and period-specific dangers. When it wasn't that, I couldn't help but be disappointed.
I do think the author did a great job of creating the lore around this tale though. There are many strong attributes, so please don't let my slight disappointment derail you from picking this up.
Even though this one let me down a little in the end, Marielle Thompson's writing is beautiful and I would absolutely be interested in picking up more of their work.
Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me a copy to read and review. I would highly recommend the audiobook, if you do choose to pick this up. It's fabulously narrated by Siobhan Waring.
As the story began, I was fully immersed. It actually kicked off on my birthday, the 18th of September, but in 1824. Obviously, we are in Edinburgh and we are following Nellie Duncan, a young woman at a perilous time in her life.
Her mother is gone, she lives with her father, a drunkard, and her younger brother, who she tries her very best to care for. She's the responsible adult in their household.
Unfortunately, Nellie loses her job after a misunderstanding with the lady of the house, who she once considered her surrogate mother. After that, Nellie is set adrift.
Not only is Nellie's personal life in turmoil, but society itself is also a dangerous mess, with witch hunts and hangings going on left and right.
Nellie's misunderstanding with her past employer, and her growing beauty, make her afraid of attracting the wrong attention. She keeps very much to herself, just hoping to avoid any unwanted attentiveness.
It's while under the cover of darkness that she first comes into contact with the women from Rae's Apothecary. Nellie ends up finding purpose and place within their shop, and maybe a little more with the enticing Jean Rae.
Thinking she's finally found a home, Nellie's heart is shattered when disaster strikes. She spends the next two centuries fleeing from the world.
Okay, so the initial set-up, I was so into it. I loved the setting of 1820s Edinburgh and all the dangers that Nellie was facing within her day-to-day life.
I enjoyed learning about her family and felt real empathy for her position. Once she became enmeshed in the Apothecary, things began to slow down for me. I was still enjoying it, but didn't feel quite as engaged.
Then the shift. I didn't know the two centuries part. It is in the synopsis, I'm not spoiling anything by telling you this, but for me, I did not anticipate that time jump.
Once I was no longer in 1820s Scotland, the magic completely disappeared for me. I appreciated the feminist topics explored, but while in the first half they were incorporated smoothly into the overall narrative, for me, the 2nd-half felt forced and too heavy-handed.
The experience for me was so split as to feel like two different stories. The first-half of the book was a solid 4-star read. The second-half, I was straight-up bored, NGL.
If I had to rate the second-half of this book on its own, it would be a 2-star. Hence why I have decided on the 3-star rating. This seems the most fair way to explain it.
I will take the blame for this. I wanted the entire thing to be atmospheric and historic, full of lush settings and period-specific dangers. When it wasn't that, I couldn't help but be disappointed.
I do think the author did a great job of creating the lore around this tale though. There are many strong attributes, so please don't let my slight disappointment derail you from picking this up.
Even though this one let me down a little in the end, Marielle Thompson's writing is beautiful and I would absolutely be interested in picking up more of their work.
Thank you to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me a copy to read and review. I would highly recommend the audiobook, if you do choose to pick this up. It's fabulously narrated by Siobhan Waring.
August 5, 2024
This isn’t the book I was expecting but I think it was the book I needed. I will avoid getting political, but sometimes it can be hard to hold hope with the state of the world and this book left me with a strong feeling of hope. In Edinburgh in the 1800’s it wasn’t safe to be a woman. If you used your left hand or wandered after dark or displeased anyone you could be accused of being a witch and hung for it. Nellie isn’t sure what to think when she meets the women of Rae’s apothecary, but despite all of her fears she embarks on a quest to awaken and become a witch with them. When Edinburgh becomes unsafe and her friends are gone she runs and because she is a witch she can run a very very long time. The second half of the book takes place in modern day Edinburgh when Nellie finally ventures home, too tired to be scared anymore. And when the danger appears to be back in Edinburgh this time she isn’t running. I thought this one was very well written and I really liked the characters, especially Nellie.
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December 23, 2024proud of marielle for writing bisexual witches taking down the patriarchy <3 im not familiar with scotland so reading the author's note afterward was interesting because of all the research she put into their history of witch trials!
August 30, 2024
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio-arc in exchange for an honest review!*
3.5 out of 5 stars!
This was my first time reading a book by Marielle Thompson and it certainly won't be the last time.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook very much, the narrator did such an amazing job by keeping the listeners engaged to the story and the plot was of course very griping as well.
If you love historical fiction, strong female characters, feminism and magic, this book is definitely a must read!
*************************
I've been approved for an audiobook of an amazing book (by looking at the synopsis)!!!!!
3.5 out of 5 stars!
This was my first time reading a book by Marielle Thompson and it certainly won't be the last time.
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook very much, the narrator did such an amazing job by keeping the listeners engaged to the story and the plot was of course very griping as well.
If you love historical fiction, strong female characters, feminism and magic, this book is definitely a must read!
*************************
I've been approved for an audiobook of an amazing book (by looking at the synopsis)!!!!!
August 27, 2024
◦◦,`°.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽.°`,◦◦
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
'Time is perhaps an illusion, but cruelty, it seems, is just as enduring.'
(thank you netgalley for the arc)
❁ nineteenth century bisexual witches from edinburgh in the never-ending struggle against patriarchy, violence against women and marginalised genders? absolutely sign me up;
❁ i was close to tears reading the last chapter and epilogue, this story is so so beautiful and you feel the characters emotions so clearly, whether it be rage, helplessness, or the well-deserved relief they get;
❁ nellie and jean were a joy, everything about them had me rooting for them to change the world for the better <3
❁ i think i enjoyed the first half slightly more, but both were wonderful;
❁ i recommend reading the authors notes at the end as well, the research she did and her experiences are so lovely to hear about and how she drew from it all to put into the book.
✰ ✰ ✰ ✰
'Time is perhaps an illusion, but cruelty, it seems, is just as enduring.'
(thank you netgalley for the arc)
❁ nineteenth century bisexual witches from edinburgh in the never-ending struggle against patriarchy, violence against women and marginalised genders? absolutely sign me up;
❁ i was close to tears reading the last chapter and epilogue, this story is so so beautiful and you feel the characters emotions so clearly, whether it be rage, helplessness, or the well-deserved relief they get;
❁ nellie and jean were a joy, everything about them had me rooting for them to change the world for the better <3
❁ i think i enjoyed the first half slightly more, but both were wonderful;
❁ i recommend reading the authors notes at the end as well, the research she did and her experiences are so lovely to hear about and how she drew from it all to put into the book.
August 31, 2024
Thank you Netgalley for provding me with a copy of the audiobook! This started off good, then just went downhill fast. It starts off very witchy in the 1800s with a found sisterhood for the main character, then flashes ahead 200 years to modern times, and of course, today's modern problems. I hate social commentary in books. I read books to escape problems of today, not to completely encapsulate myself in it. Feminism has such a different meaning today than what it used to. All it is today is man hating and showboating how the majority of men are evil and look down upon us unless they define themselves within the group of being a feminist as well. This is where the book took a huge turn for me. I do appreciate the noting of sexual assault and how it affects everyone involved, but again, I do not want to read a witchy book for social issues. I should have DNF'd but tried to stick it out to see if it would redeem itself, but sadly, it didn't. I don't think I will read the author's other work
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
No matter the season, I cannot resist a good witchy tale. The Last Witch in Edinburgh sweeps readers from the 19th to the 21st century and tells a relatable story of women supporting women while those around them try to keep them silent. Nellie Duncan is the novel's protagonist and it is through her eyes that we see this story. I didn't always support Nellie's decisions but wanted to see how she would find her voice.
It wouldn't be fair of me to sing the novel's praises without joining the chorus where I felt it became disjointed. As other readers have mentioned, the plot loses something when it jumps into the 21st century. I was torn between wanting to see Nellie and her struggles in the 1800s and understanding the necessity of the time jump. Overall, I still felt that this book fell into a 4-star for me as I couldn't tear myself away and finished it in one sitting.
#TheLastWitchinEdinburgh #NetGalley
Publication Date 20/08/24
Review Published 15/09/24
No matter the season, I cannot resist a good witchy tale. The Last Witch in Edinburgh sweeps readers from the 19th to the 21st century and tells a relatable story of women supporting women while those around them try to keep them silent. Nellie Duncan is the novel's protagonist and it is through her eyes that we see this story. I didn't always support Nellie's decisions but wanted to see how she would find her voice.
It wouldn't be fair of me to sing the novel's praises without joining the chorus where I felt it became disjointed. As other readers have mentioned, the plot loses something when it jumps into the 21st century. I was torn between wanting to see Nellie and her struggles in the 1800s and understanding the necessity of the time jump. Overall, I still felt that this book fell into a 4-star for me as I couldn't tear myself away and finished it in one sitting.
#TheLastWitchinEdinburgh #NetGalley
Publication Date 20/08/24
Review Published 15/09/24
December 28, 2023
Thompson has penned a prescient ode to women—their stories, their voices, their power—packaged in a beautiful tale of hope and resistance. Readers of magical and feminist historical fiction will find much to love in this powerful book.
August 22, 2024
The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson is a harrowing tale of fear, survival, and women's rights. Set in Edinburgh in 1892, we get a peek into the dangerous lives of women as an evil force convinces mankind that all women are witches. In reality, there are only a few, but they are strong and resilient. They are the women of Cailleach, the winter deity, and as they aid her, they gain lifesaving powers.
Nellie and Jean Rae, with the support of Cailleach, face down the evil that seeps through Edinburgh in a centuries long battle.
I felt all the emotions with this book. Although it is a fantasy novel, it is based on truth and lore. For centuries, women all over the world had to fight accusations of witchcraft or cultural equivalents. I love books that fight or at least document this history and portray women heroins. I definitely shed tears for this gripping story.
Thank you, NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Kensington Publishing for advanced copies of The Last Witch in Edinburgh, in exchange for an honest review. This book is on my top read list for 2024.
Narrator Siobhan Waring's soft and lyrical voice brings this story to life. She has the amazing ability to breathe emotion into her words.
Nellie and Jean Rae, with the support of Cailleach, face down the evil that seeps through Edinburgh in a centuries long battle.
I felt all the emotions with this book. Although it is a fantasy novel, it is based on truth and lore. For centuries, women all over the world had to fight accusations of witchcraft or cultural equivalents. I love books that fight or at least document this history and portray women heroins. I definitely shed tears for this gripping story.
Thank you, NetGalley, Tantor Media, and Kensington Publishing for advanced copies of The Last Witch in Edinburgh, in exchange for an honest review. This book is on my top read list for 2024.
Narrator Siobhan Waring's soft and lyrical voice brings this story to life. She has the amazing ability to breathe emotion into her words.
August 28, 2024
I really wanted to like this book more. There was so much potential, so many good ideas, but it felt more like a young adult feminist manifesto turned into a novel without enough editing to make it work.
My biggest bone to pick is the 200 years that are skipped over while Nellie ages into the current time period in which she apparently doesn’t mature much at all. Then she uses art to connect to the young women in the modern time, using it to help them heal, but somehow missed the healing power of turning her own emotions and experiences into art over the last 200 years of charcoal drawings. There is a lot of preaching against the patriarchy with so little effective action taken and the negative effects of it in their lives is talked about rather than shown. “Show don’t tell” is such a basic expectation when it comes to creative prose and this is full of telling and not enough showing.
Maybe I’m too old for this book? It definitely felt like a book that started with an objective to educate readers and rather than provide a relatable experience, harped on the points it wanted to make while creating oddly simplistic characters.
My biggest bone to pick is the 200 years that are skipped over while Nellie ages into the current time period in which she apparently doesn’t mature much at all. Then she uses art to connect to the young women in the modern time, using it to help them heal, but somehow missed the healing power of turning her own emotions and experiences into art over the last 200 years of charcoal drawings. There is a lot of preaching against the patriarchy with so little effective action taken and the negative effects of it in their lives is talked about rather than shown. “Show don’t tell” is such a basic expectation when it comes to creative prose and this is full of telling and not enough showing.
Maybe I’m too old for this book? It definitely felt like a book that started with an objective to educate readers and rather than provide a relatable experience, harped on the points it wanted to make while creating oddly simplistic characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2024
The Last Witch in Edinburgh captures the kinship and deep magic found between women as they endure centuries of misogyny and persecution—ultimately reclaiming their power against an insidious, persistent evil. Thompson’s witches are vulnerable and wise, bound together by love and survival. A book both timely and timeless. Read it for your daughters, your sisters, yourself.
November 4, 2024
I feel like I'm in the minority here but I just could not bring myself to care. It felt so heavy handed and a bit obvious on the metaphors. 2.5 rounded up
July 19, 2024
I saw someone describe this as "a witchy love story to feminist rage and the fight against misogyny," and I thought, "yes, that's the exact kind of story I want to read."
Did it deliver on that front? Sort of? If you want to read something that is only feminist rage against misogyny with witchy elements and absolutely no plot, this is for you. This has absolutely beautiful writing, everything is lyrical and pretty but the story is held together by the characters' interactions with each other, but their motivations for doing so are completely absent. It takes place in 1824 Edinburgh, Scotland at the beginning of the witch trials, and the protagonist, Nellie Duncan, is terrified. Nellie witnesses a hanging and later that evening, while taking her alcoholic father's graveyard watch - sees the same woman who was hung come back to life. It leads her on a strange journey to learning about what she believes to be the myth - the hags of the Cailleach - are actually real, and she starts to work with them.
At the very beginning of the book, Nellie's main motivations for work and everyday life are earning money to protect her family, especially her younger brother, Tommy. However, within the first 5 or 6 chapters her motivations shift drastically and she gives no thought to her brother at all. She knows her mother is dead but she goes on a journey to learn about whether or not she could actually be alive because someone who hasn't seen her mother in years using the wrong tense when referencing her. Then when Nellie begins working in the apothecary she never goes home, knowing full well her Dad is just at some pub getting drunk and leaves her 11 year old brother at home by himself... after she's made several references about how he doesn't know how to light a candle, or start a fire in the hearth, or cook. Does she bother to teach him those things? No. But does she also leave him to fend for himself because she wants to draw pictures and fawn over pretty girls? Yes. That's a HUGE morality shift we see from who she was established as a character when she was introduced - and I don't think one can argue that it was fear, because she's acting pretty bold and not afraid.
Did it deliver on that front? Sort of? If you want to read something that is only feminist rage against misogyny with witchy elements and absolutely no plot, this is for you. This has absolutely beautiful writing, everything is lyrical and pretty but the story is held together by the characters' interactions with each other, but their motivations for doing so are completely absent. It takes place in 1824 Edinburgh, Scotland at the beginning of the witch trials, and the protagonist, Nellie Duncan, is terrified. Nellie witnesses a hanging and later that evening, while taking her alcoholic father's graveyard watch - sees the same woman who was hung come back to life. It leads her on a strange journey to learning about what she believes to be the myth - the hags of the Cailleach - are actually real, and she starts to work with them.
At the very beginning of the book, Nellie's main motivations for work and everyday life are earning money to protect her family, especially her younger brother, Tommy. However, within the first 5 or 6 chapters her motivations shift drastically and she gives no thought to her brother at all. She knows her mother is dead but she goes on a journey to learn about whether or not she could actually be alive because someone who hasn't seen her mother in years using the wrong tense when referencing her. Then when Nellie begins working in the apothecary she never goes home, knowing full well her Dad is just at some pub getting drunk and leaves her 11 year old brother at home by himself... after she's made several references about how he doesn't know how to light a candle, or start a fire in the hearth, or cook. Does she bother to teach him those things? No. But does she also leave him to fend for himself because she wants to draw pictures and fawn over pretty girls? Yes. That's a HUGE morality shift we see from who she was established as a character when she was introduced - and I don't think one can argue that it was fear, because she's acting pretty bold and not afraid.
August 16, 2024
Until I visited Scotland in Spring 2023, I never knew they had experienced their own witch trials and the frenzy that came with them. I was horrified and fascinated to learn some of the dark history of misogyny, oppression, and persecution. When I discovered The Last Witch in Edinburgh, my curiosity was immediately piqued. I mean, a sapphic historical romance about witches in my favourite city? Plus that gorgeous cover? Sign me up!
As a lover of Edinburgh, one of the things I loved most about this book was the setting. It really showed how little Edinburgh has changed over the last two centuries. I was able to picture every single place that was mentioned, and it felt like I was walking the streets with Nellie. The writing was wonderfully atmospheric, and the underlying sense of foreboding made for a compelling read. I loved the themes of feminism, fighting the patriarchy, defending the rights of women and marginalized people, and righting wrongs - both personal and otherwise. This was a story of hope, perseverance, resistance, and survival, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts are my own
As a lover of Edinburgh, one of the things I loved most about this book was the setting. It really showed how little Edinburgh has changed over the last two centuries. I was able to picture every single place that was mentioned, and it felt like I was walking the streets with Nellie. The writing was wonderfully atmospheric, and the underlying sense of foreboding made for a compelling read. I loved the themes of feminism, fighting the patriarchy, defending the rights of women and marginalized people, and righting wrongs - both personal and otherwise. This was a story of hope, perseverance, resistance, and survival, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
*I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts are my own
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December 24, 2024Didn’t enjoy this one, unfortunately.
January 6, 2025
*rant alert*
I’m DNF’ing this at approx 200 pages in despite my best efforts to give it a chance to be the book I hoped it would be 😭
I was SO looking forward to reading this; the plot and setting sounded so novel and enticing. But at about halfway through I’ve realized that the repetitiveness and lack of a solid plot are going to drive me insane.
The author says the same thing over and over again; it seems like every internal monologue Nellie has mentions “the Cailleach, her hags, being a witch, two lives, the dangers, the benefits” like three times ughhhhhh we get it pls stop beating the dead horse
I also wish she had done more showing instead of just telling. We’re told the witches are so powerful but never shown them using it??
The pacing of the plot was also hard to swallow. It felt like things were just happening with no real action by the characters or motivation by anything else in the story. What really got me to DNF was the first few scenes after the time skip where we’re just supposed to feel a connection to these new characters when they were just shoved into 2 pages and we’re told they’re significant. 🧐
There was one specific part that really ground my gears: right after Nellie stands up to her father (the last thing holding her back from becoming a true hag, we’re told, despite having no inkling that that was the case until 2 lines before), the author writes “Nellie didn’t even know that when she walked out that door, when she pried her father’s grip off her life and let him go- she became a true child of the Cailleach” BUT THEN on the NEXT PAGE she writes “Nellie was at least grateful. . . because now she could feel the constantly present chill on her skin from being around the others. Finally, Nellie could sense it because, at last, she was a true daughter of the Cailleach”. How did Nellie find out she was a true daughter if she wasn’t aware that she had become one?? Was there even an editor for this book??????????
1 star unfortunately and if you see me irl I’m happy to rant more
I’m DNF’ing this at approx 200 pages in despite my best efforts to give it a chance to be the book I hoped it would be 😭
I was SO looking forward to reading this; the plot and setting sounded so novel and enticing. But at about halfway through I’ve realized that the repetitiveness and lack of a solid plot are going to drive me insane.
The author says the same thing over and over again; it seems like every internal monologue Nellie has mentions “the Cailleach, her hags, being a witch, two lives, the dangers, the benefits” like three times ughhhhhh we get it pls stop beating the dead horse
I also wish she had done more showing instead of just telling. We’re told the witches are so powerful but never shown them using it??
The pacing of the plot was also hard to swallow. It felt like things were just happening with no real action by the characters or motivation by anything else in the story. What really got me to DNF was the first few scenes after the time skip where we’re just supposed to feel a connection to these new characters when they were just shoved into 2 pages and we’re told they’re significant. 🧐
There was one specific part that really ground my gears: right after Nellie stands up to her father (the last thing holding her back from becoming a true hag, we’re told, despite having no inkling that that was the case until 2 lines before), the author writes “Nellie didn’t even know that when she walked out that door, when she pried her father’s grip off her life and let him go- she became a true child of the Cailleach” BUT THEN on the NEXT PAGE she writes “Nellie was at least grateful. . . because now she could feel the constantly present chill on her skin from being around the others. Finally, Nellie could sense it because, at last, she was a true daughter of the Cailleach”. How did Nellie find out she was a true daughter if she wasn’t aware that she had become one?? Was there even an editor for this book??????????
1 star unfortunately and if you see me irl I’m happy to rant more
October 26, 2025
4,5 ⭐
Full of feminine rage, fighting the patriarchy set in Edinburgh during witch trials in 1824 and in 2022. It's also very inclusive which I loved to see!! and the sapphic romance was beautiful 😭 this book made me angry with the state of the world but also hopeful at the same time, women are freaking powerful real witches or not 👏🏻
Full of feminine rage, fighting the patriarchy set in Edinburgh during witch trials in 1824 and in 2022. It's also very inclusive which I loved to see!! and the sapphic romance was beautiful 😭 this book made me angry with the state of the world but also hopeful at the same time, women are freaking powerful real witches or not 👏🏻
August 23, 2024
What a great book. I loved both sections - and the fact it was a dual timeline book told in chronological order, hallelujah!! - and Nellie as a character. I was a bit concerned about the time jump, since it comes so late in the story (I even had to decide whether or not I considered it a spoiler, but since it's mentioned in the summary...), but in practice it works extremely well. I wouldn't mind seeing a few short stories fleshing out Nellie's time between 1824 and 2006.
August 20, 2024
Jeez. . . How am I going to write my feelings about this? Review to come. ❄️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
How can I write out this review without it sounding too complainy/negative? There were elements that I really loved and others that just really didn’t. It honestly jumbled together so weirdly that at some point, I found myself rather bored with it and that just hurt because I was really wanting to enjoy it. 😩
I’ll start with the positives. I LOVED the focus on the Cailleach and her son, Angus. It really brought Scottish folklore to life for me. The other thing I also really enjoyed in the story itself was the focus on wise women and how integral they were to the community despite the efforts to get rid of them. 🍶
Sadly though, as much as those elements made me love the story, in some way it also hindered it. For one, the use of the god love as the main antagonist felt rather . . . Odd. I could see how the author wanted to show how the mother-son battle has lasted centuries, but it just didn’t work for me using a deity of love to spread hate in Edinburgh. ☹️
The wise women of the story have power, but it’s more told to you than ever really shown. In fact, the book was FILLED with a lot of telling instead of showing. The reader is TOLD that the witches have great power, but never really shown other than through tinctures and homeopathic treatments; the reader is TOLD about how men are bad, but never really shown anything to back up the claims; and the Cailleach is SAID to be an incredible being who helps her hags, but never once makes an appearance. I was honestly getting so bored of being told things that I found myself picking up my phone more often than actually reading. 🤦🏻♀️
And the main character, Nellie. Oofta. . . She’s so afraid of everything that it honestly was getting rather exhausting hearing about her weak and selfish excuses to remain back and hide. That and her continuous hatred of men and her continuous yapping about how bad the patriarchy is because of them felt like I was getting preached to. Like girl, I know the patriarchy is bad and that men can be trash, but are you going to do anything about it except HIDE and COMPLAIN?? 🙄
While the author left a wonderful research and author’s note at the end, this just fell horrible flat for me in the end. If we had stuck to a character like the love interest of Jean, I might have had a better time reading. 🫤
Thank you goes out Kensington Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Publication day: August 20
Overall: 2.5/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
How can I write out this review without it sounding too complainy/negative? There were elements that I really loved and others that just really didn’t. It honestly jumbled together so weirdly that at some point, I found myself rather bored with it and that just hurt because I was really wanting to enjoy it. 😩
I’ll start with the positives. I LOVED the focus on the Cailleach and her son, Angus. It really brought Scottish folklore to life for me. The other thing I also really enjoyed in the story itself was the focus on wise women and how integral they were to the community despite the efforts to get rid of them. 🍶
Sadly though, as much as those elements made me love the story, in some way it also hindered it. For one, the use of the god love as the main antagonist felt rather . . . Odd. I could see how the author wanted to show how the mother-son battle has lasted centuries, but it just didn’t work for me using a deity of love to spread hate in Edinburgh. ☹️
The wise women of the story have power, but it’s more told to you than ever really shown. In fact, the book was FILLED with a lot of telling instead of showing. The reader is TOLD that the witches have great power, but never really shown other than through tinctures and homeopathic treatments; the reader is TOLD about how men are bad, but never really shown anything to back up the claims; and the Cailleach is SAID to be an incredible being who helps her hags, but never once makes an appearance. I was honestly getting so bored of being told things that I found myself picking up my phone more often than actually reading. 🤦🏻♀️
And the main character, Nellie. Oofta. . . She’s so afraid of everything that it honestly was getting rather exhausting hearing about her weak and selfish excuses to remain back and hide. That and her continuous hatred of men and her continuous yapping about how bad the patriarchy is because of them felt like I was getting preached to. Like girl, I know the patriarchy is bad and that men can be trash, but are you going to do anything about it except HIDE and COMPLAIN?? 🙄
While the author left a wonderful research and author’s note at the end, this just fell horrible flat for me in the end. If we had stuck to a character like the love interest of Jean, I might have had a better time reading. 🫤
Thank you goes out Kensington Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Publication day: August 20
Overall: 2.5/5 ⭐️
September 11, 2025
I downloaded this on audible to read whilst driving, but was so compelled to continue reading, I spent more time listening outside of a vehicle, than I did in.
I was initially drawn to the book by the Scottish location, design of the cover (terrible to admit, I know) and the LGBTQ+ factor.
Admittedly, I’m not usually interested in anything that I would typically deem supernatural, whimsical— fantasy etc. It’s not my usual style and I find it rather tedious and difficult to tune into. I worried this book would fall into this category.
On this occasion I made the perfect choice. It was nothing like that at all!
From the offset I was gripped by the scene setting, choice of audio reader and the language used. There are a couple of Americanisms used which I immediately noticed but not enough to deter me from the story (that’s just me being ridiculously picky- gasoline, cop etc).
This book in my opinion was fantastic, I didn’t know what I was buying into and I was keen not to judge based on reviews from others. When I did look at the reviews I was surprised the rating was so low. Many have mentioned the book being split into two half’s and whilst I agree to a certain extent, if those readers continued to read on, they probably would have been able to see why it was important.
This story did make me stop and think for a second (or 30) but that’s not a bad thing.
It was thought-provoking, beautifully written and romantic in the best kind of way.
Social issues were discussed and dealt with well, and even in today’s world, we still face the same problems.
I think a number of people are possibly unaware of the Witch trials in Scotland and how they were created by the patriarchy. They left women vulnerable and wrongfully prosecuted.
Whilst some would stipulate this is a feminist story I would advise them to dive deeper into the historical context and facts. Women were actually treated like this and some people still think and act like some of the characters!
I cannot tell you just how much I enjoyed this book, and the Scottish voice really spoke to me. I think I felt every emotion in one day and I really was rooting for Nellie and Jean. The Sunshine X Grumpy was very realistic and I have a new found appreciation for the ‘witches’ surrounding me in today’s world.
There were so many educational pointers as well as an appreciation for the environment. I can’t really fault the book. So much so, I’m going to buy a physical copy just to allow me to read it again later.
For me, this book hit every spot.
I’m intrigued to read the authors other work, but honestly I’m unsure if it will have the same impact. Personally the Scottish aspect was a huge thing for me.
…That being said, if the next story is written with the same care and attention to detail, I’m confident it will be equally as compelling and interesting. I’ll just need to wait and see, but of course it has been added to my TBR list.
I was initially drawn to the book by the Scottish location, design of the cover (terrible to admit, I know) and the LGBTQ+ factor.
Admittedly, I’m not usually interested in anything that I would typically deem supernatural, whimsical— fantasy etc. It’s not my usual style and I find it rather tedious and difficult to tune into. I worried this book would fall into this category.
On this occasion I made the perfect choice. It was nothing like that at all!
From the offset I was gripped by the scene setting, choice of audio reader and the language used. There are a couple of Americanisms used which I immediately noticed but not enough to deter me from the story (that’s just me being ridiculously picky- gasoline, cop etc).
This book in my opinion was fantastic, I didn’t know what I was buying into and I was keen not to judge based on reviews from others. When I did look at the reviews I was surprised the rating was so low. Many have mentioned the book being split into two half’s and whilst I agree to a certain extent, if those readers continued to read on, they probably would have been able to see why it was important.
This story did make me stop and think for a second (or 30) but that’s not a bad thing.
It was thought-provoking, beautifully written and romantic in the best kind of way.
Social issues were discussed and dealt with well, and even in today’s world, we still face the same problems.
I think a number of people are possibly unaware of the Witch trials in Scotland and how they were created by the patriarchy. They left women vulnerable and wrongfully prosecuted.
Whilst some would stipulate this is a feminist story I would advise them to dive deeper into the historical context and facts. Women were actually treated like this and some people still think and act like some of the characters!
I cannot tell you just how much I enjoyed this book, and the Scottish voice really spoke to me. I think I felt every emotion in one day and I really was rooting for Nellie and Jean. The Sunshine X Grumpy was very realistic and I have a new found appreciation for the ‘witches’ surrounding me in today’s world.
There were so many educational pointers as well as an appreciation for the environment. I can’t really fault the book. So much so, I’m going to buy a physical copy just to allow me to read it again later.
For me, this book hit every spot.
I’m intrigued to read the authors other work, but honestly I’m unsure if it will have the same impact. Personally the Scottish aspect was a huge thing for me.
…That being said, if the next story is written with the same care and attention to detail, I’m confident it will be equally as compelling and interesting. I’ll just need to wait and see, but of course it has been added to my TBR list.
Want to read
May 11, 20245/11/24:
me seeing the title: oh, a new witch book. eh, maybe -
me reading the synopsis: queer witches!! *throws onto TBR*
Oh August, come all the faster.
me seeing the title: oh, a new witch book. eh, maybe -
me reading the synopsis: queer witches!! *throws onto TBR*
Oh August, come all the faster.
January 26, 2024
'The Last Witch in Edinburgh' is a new take on the witch trial genre that features a nineteenth Edinburgh where women accused of witchcraft are hanged.
It is not safe to be a woman, and poor Nellie Duncan must stay as quiet and obscure as possible or else risk witchy accusations. One day she stumbles upon the Rae Women's Apothecary where witchy women are free to help each other by preparing cures for those in need. The Rae women are different, because they honour the Cailleach, a winter goddess who instills freedom and liberty in the women in exchange for her protection. The only trouble is, the Cailleach has an enemy, a powerful man who is set on destroying all women. When his presence becomes too threatening, Nellie flees, hiding around the world for two centuries. until the Cailleach calls her back home.
I really enjoyed this story because it explored misogynistic themes from a different perspective. Having witch trials take place in the 19th century was something unique and was able to tie in the apothecary elements and the threat of female healers. Adding the Cailleach, an ancient Gaelic deity that the women served in order to empower themselves was very creative and added another layer of female agency to the story. Goddess worship is not something that I have seen in other witchy books that I have read, and I thought it provided the right amount of magic to the story. I liked the dual timeline aspect, with half of the book set in present day. Taking modern day feminist issues and linking it back to the witch trials, was clever and made me think that perhaps women are still under threat and that we are not as free as we assume.
I was not familiar with Scottish folklore and so I enjoyed this aspect of the story. Nellie was an interesting character who represented both female disempowerment and empowerment from her fears, to her artistic talents, and I thought she carried the story beautifully.
Overall The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a feminist call for women to stand in their own power and to not be afraid to seen, heard, and loved. Perfect for fans of 'The Lighthouse Witches' and 'The Lost Apothecary.'
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
It is not safe to be a woman, and poor Nellie Duncan must stay as quiet and obscure as possible or else risk witchy accusations. One day she stumbles upon the Rae Women's Apothecary where witchy women are free to help each other by preparing cures for those in need. The Rae women are different, because they honour the Cailleach, a winter goddess who instills freedom and liberty in the women in exchange for her protection. The only trouble is, the Cailleach has an enemy, a powerful man who is set on destroying all women. When his presence becomes too threatening, Nellie flees, hiding around the world for two centuries. until the Cailleach calls her back home.
I really enjoyed this story because it explored misogynistic themes from a different perspective. Having witch trials take place in the 19th century was something unique and was able to tie in the apothecary elements and the threat of female healers. Adding the Cailleach, an ancient Gaelic deity that the women served in order to empower themselves was very creative and added another layer of female agency to the story. Goddess worship is not something that I have seen in other witchy books that I have read, and I thought it provided the right amount of magic to the story. I liked the dual timeline aspect, with half of the book set in present day. Taking modern day feminist issues and linking it back to the witch trials, was clever and made me think that perhaps women are still under threat and that we are not as free as we assume.
I was not familiar with Scottish folklore and so I enjoyed this aspect of the story. Nellie was an interesting character who represented both female disempowerment and empowerment from her fears, to her artistic talents, and I thought she carried the story beautifully.
Overall The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a feminist call for women to stand in their own power and to not be afraid to seen, heard, and loved. Perfect for fans of 'The Lighthouse Witches' and 'The Lost Apothecary.'
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2024
3.75⭐️ Nellie Duncan is a normal lower-class woman trying to survive in an 1800’s Edinburgh that is hostile towards women. After an encounter in a graveyard, her life is changed forever when she learns of supernatural forces at work, and has to decide if she wants to continue her life as it is or be brave and fight for the good of herself and her fellow women.
I enjoyed this read, especially after my recent trip to Edinburgh, but it wasn’t without its flaws. Mostly there were a lot of plot holes that were explained away by the characters pulling things out of thin air or assigning emotions to characters without seeing them develop. In one scene we’re told that it’s too dangerous to try turning women into witches but two chapters later the characters do just that without addressing the reasons they gave earlier. Or we’re told how scared the women of Edinburgh are without actually seeing much beyond the main characters’ perspective. The villain himself has very little discernible motivation, and some of his machinations seemed a little too far-fetched to be believable in context of the story.
The pacing is fairly quick which makes for engaging reading, but there was very little levity, humor, or lighter moments to counteract the incessant trauma and danger all the characters found themselves in. I do think the second half reads a lot quicker than the first, and there’s some great character development for all main characters involved. The magic system is vague enough to be interesting without getting too complicated, and I liked the deity-worship aspect of it. All in all a good read if you love the city of Edinburgh and/or witchcraft and want to read a feminist-heavy story with good character development.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this Advanced Reader Copy! This review is my honest opinion and offered voluntarily!
I enjoyed this read, especially after my recent trip to Edinburgh, but it wasn’t without its flaws. Mostly there were a lot of plot holes that were explained away by the characters pulling things out of thin air or assigning emotions to characters without seeing them develop. In one scene we’re told that it’s too dangerous to try turning women into witches but two chapters later the characters do just that without addressing the reasons they gave earlier. Or we’re told how scared the women of Edinburgh are without actually seeing much beyond the main characters’ perspective. The villain himself has very little discernible motivation, and some of his machinations seemed a little too far-fetched to be believable in context of the story.
The pacing is fairly quick which makes for engaging reading, but there was very little levity, humor, or lighter moments to counteract the incessant trauma and danger all the characters found themselves in. I do think the second half reads a lot quicker than the first, and there’s some great character development for all main characters involved. The magic system is vague enough to be interesting without getting too complicated, and I liked the deity-worship aspect of it. All in all a good read if you love the city of Edinburgh and/or witchcraft and want to read a feminist-heavy story with good character development.
Huge thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for this Advanced Reader Copy! This review is my honest opinion and offered voluntarily!
June 6, 2024
“The last witch in Edinburgh” is a dual timeline fantasy book following our FMC Nellie who is living in the time of witch trials. She begins working in an apothecary owned by a group of women who are in fact witches.
Fast forward to present day, Nellie is still alive and decides to return to the visually stunning Edinburgh.
I enjoyed following Nellies story across multiple timelines and seeing the shift in differences and similarities between both time periods.
I enjoyed the location setting and the apothecary aspects, I’m always a fan of learning about home remedies and medicines and the fantasy elements added a nice touch.
The witch trials have also been a topic of interest to me so I enjoyed the parts of the plot surrounding that.
This was a lovely read! Thank you to Kensington publishing, marielle thompson and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: august 20th 2024
Fast forward to present day, Nellie is still alive and decides to return to the visually stunning Edinburgh.
I enjoyed following Nellies story across multiple timelines and seeing the shift in differences and similarities between both time periods.
I enjoyed the location setting and the apothecary aspects, I’m always a fan of learning about home remedies and medicines and the fantasy elements added a nice touch.
The witch trials have also been a topic of interest to me so I enjoyed the parts of the plot surrounding that.
This was a lovely read! Thank you to Kensington publishing, marielle thompson and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: august 20th 2024
August 25, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I am so glad I did. What a beautiful piece of work. This was an easy 5 star read for me.
Witches, witch trials, Scottish folklore.
It was a true masterpiece that left me in awe of all the women who were written within the pages of this book. It gave me a sense of pride seeing how even through the struggles, we band together to make us stronger always.
I love being a woman 🤍✨🌙
Witches, witch trials, Scottish folklore.
It was a true masterpiece that left me in awe of all the women who were written within the pages of this book. It gave me a sense of pride seeing how even through the struggles, we band together to make us stronger always.
I love being a woman 🤍✨🌙
June 20, 2025
This was so dumb I can’t even handle it
October 2, 2024
I have no words!!
That 60% plot twist was 🤯.
There was so much rage and heartbreak throughout this. I can’t even think clearly at the moment.
I’ll post a review later.
Side note: The Scottish narrator was perfect. I could listen all day every day.
4.25 stars but may change my mind.
That 60% plot twist was 🤯.
There was so much rage and heartbreak throughout this. I can’t even think clearly at the moment.
I’ll post a review later.
Side note: The Scottish narrator was perfect. I could listen all day every day.
4.25 stars but may change my mind.
June 26, 2025
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by Kensington Books and Tantor Audio.
In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft. All it takes is invoking the anger, or the desire, of the wrong person. Nellie Duncan, beautiful and unwed, keeps to herself until she encounters the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, fiery Jean Rae and the other women provide cures and teach others that they too can aid the winter deity, the Cailleach, embracing her characteristic independence, agency, and craft, in turn becoming witches themselves.
Nellie finds a place and a purpose at the shop, and a blossoming romance with Jean, as she learns about nature-based craft and a witch’s ability to return to life after death. But the Cailleach has an ancient enemy intent on stripping the power of the deity and all her witches, leaving a wake of patriarchal violence and destruction.
When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage and the motivation to come back. Nellie’s past is waiting for her there, and hanging witches is no longer the only means of oppression. But this time, Nellie refuses to run—either from her foes, or from her resolve to awaken others to the unimaginable power that can come with fighting the patriarchy in its many forms—and finding one’s own magical inner-strength.
The Last Witch in Edinburgh is an atmospheric novel that blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice. The writing was so well done, so I am a bit disappointed. It felt like this book tried to do too many things at once and there was entirely too much telling and not enough showing in all aspects of this book. There was also no character development and Nellie was very unlikeable. But the representation of women and the LGBTQ community was also so well done. Thompson did leave a well written research into the book and an author's note, but most of the book did feel flat. This book did have potential. But I am still glad I picked this one up and learned the history surrounding Edinburgh and witchcraft.
In an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, every woman lives in fear that she will be the next one hanged for witchcraft. All it takes is invoking the anger, or the desire, of the wrong person. Nellie Duncan, beautiful and unwed, keeps to herself until she encounters the Rae Women’s Apothecary. There, fiery Jean Rae and the other women provide cures and teach others that they too can aid the winter deity, the Cailleach, embracing her characteristic independence, agency, and craft, in turn becoming witches themselves.
Nellie finds a place and a purpose at the shop, and a blossoming romance with Jean, as she learns about nature-based craft and a witch’s ability to return to life after death. But the Cailleach has an ancient enemy intent on stripping the power of the deity and all her witches, leaving a wake of patriarchal violence and destruction.
When heart-breaking disaster strikes, Nellie flees and spends the next two centuries hiding from the world—until love gives her the courage and the motivation to come back. Nellie’s past is waiting for her there, and hanging witches is no longer the only means of oppression. But this time, Nellie refuses to run—either from her foes, or from her resolve to awaken others to the unimaginable power that can come with fighting the patriarchy in its many forms—and finding one’s own magical inner-strength.
The Last Witch in Edinburgh is an atmospheric novel that blends witchcraft, queer love, a vibrant Edinburgh setting, and Scottish folklore for a propulsive and emotional story exploring what it means to resist the patriarchy and find your voice. The writing was so well done, so I am a bit disappointed. It felt like this book tried to do too many things at once and there was entirely too much telling and not enough showing in all aspects of this book. There was also no character development and Nellie was very unlikeable. But the representation of women and the LGBTQ community was also so well done. Thompson did leave a well written research into the book and an author's note, but most of the book did feel flat. This book did have potential. But I am still glad I picked this one up and learned the history surrounding Edinburgh and witchcraft.
June 26, 2024
I cannot express how excited I was to receive an ARC copy of this book - I had been seeing folks talk about it as a highly anticipated book of 2024 and I was already sold on the title and the cover before even reading the summary.
This story felt like it was written in cursive- beautiful and flowing. For such a potentially heavy topic, I feel like Marielle Thompson did a great job at keeping me connected to the characters and invested in the story.
I appreciated how feminine rage and grief were portrayed throughout the story and how it was intertwined with the rich Scottish folklore. I also was obsessed with the love story and how it developed over the course of the book. Not to mention, we see Nellie develop as a woman, and as a witch, and I liked how it progressed in a way that made sense. There was never a moment that made me feel like what she was doing was so out of character.
I loved this book and think you should give it a try if you’re interested in historical fiction, folklore, witches, romance, and/or magical realism. This book is scheduled to be published on August 19, 2024.
Thank you to the author, Marielle Thompson, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating | 4.5⭐️
This story felt like it was written in cursive- beautiful and flowing. For such a potentially heavy topic, I feel like Marielle Thompson did a great job at keeping me connected to the characters and invested in the story.
I appreciated how feminine rage and grief were portrayed throughout the story and how it was intertwined with the rich Scottish folklore. I also was obsessed with the love story and how it developed over the course of the book. Not to mention, we see Nellie develop as a woman, and as a witch, and I liked how it progressed in a way that made sense. There was never a moment that made me feel like what she was doing was so out of character.
I loved this book and think you should give it a try if you’re interested in historical fiction, folklore, witches, romance, and/or magical realism. This book is scheduled to be published on August 19, 2024.
Thank you to the author, Marielle Thompson, Kensington Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC to me in exchange for an honest review.
Overall Rating | 4.5⭐️
September 5, 2024
This book had a lot of things to love about it - sacred feminine rage/fuck the patriarchy, a strong community of women, herbalism and witchcraft, art, social justice and LGBTQ+ visibility in a historical context, historical fiction/fantasy, and the prose was flowy and lyrical. I'm obsessed with Scotland, Scottish folklore and history, and the Outlander series, and as an artist, a feminist who practices the craft, and a queer woman I was really looking forward to it. And I liked it, don't get me wrong, it made for a cozy fall read on a chilly rainy mountain day like today. But it just left so much to be desired. All the potential was there for me to love it but it just fell sort of flat for me. Everything was too on the nose, the diversity felt a little forced, there was a lot of telling instead of showing, it kind of felt rushed, I didn't really have any huge emotional reaction to any of the more traumatic scenes of the book despite relating to and identifying with them, and Nellie was so insufferably selfish for such a huge portion of the book I found myself getting super annoyed with her. The ending and confrontation with the villain was also super anticlimactic. I don't know, it wasn't by any means a terrible read whatsoever, but it could have and should have been so much more.
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