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Witchlore
Holly Black meets Lex Croucher in this contemporary fantasy about a love story to raise the dead.
At Demdike College of Witchcraft, Orlando is an outcast. Not just for being the only shapeshifter in a college of witches. Not just for being a really bad shapeshifter, with no control over their magic or when their body switches between male and female forms. But because their girlfriend Elizabeth died - and it was Lando's fault.
Then charming new boy Bastian arrives with a proposition: he knows a spell that can raise Elizabeth from the dead. It's dangerous but Lando will try anything. But as Lando's attraction to Bastian grows, questions start to arise. Who is Bastian? What does he really want? And who will survive the resurrection spell?
For fans of V.E. Schwab and Rainbow Rowell, Emma Hinds' Witchlore is a spellbinding contemporary fantasy where the passion is as real as the magic.
At Demdike College of Witchcraft, Orlando is an outcast. Not just for being the only shapeshifter in a college of witches. Not just for being a really bad shapeshifter, with no control over their magic or when their body switches between male and female forms. But because their girlfriend Elizabeth died - and it was Lando's fault.
Then charming new boy Bastian arrives with a proposition: he knows a spell that can raise Elizabeth from the dead. It's dangerous but Lando will try anything. But as Lando's attraction to Bastian grows, questions start to arise. Who is Bastian? What does he really want? And who will survive the resurrection spell?
For fans of V.E. Schwab and Rainbow Rowell, Emma Hinds' Witchlore is a spellbinding contemporary fantasy where the passion is as real as the magic.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2025
55 people are currently reading
17478 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hinds
5 books103 followersEmma is a fiction writer and playwright living and working in the North of England. She graduated from St. Andrews University with an MLitt. in Creative Writing in 2014. She focuses on historical narratives, female voices, and Queer stories. She was longlisted for BBC Writersroom, and has been part of the Write Now Penguin and Random House project. In 2020, she was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel competition. Emma identifies as Queer and uses She/Her pronouns.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 331 reviews
July 1, 2025
Witchlore is a pleasant surprise. This story about Lando, a shapeshifter who shifts between genders, has the lightheartedness of F. T. Lukens’ books and the grief found in Michelle Kulwicki’s At the End of the River Styx.
TW: Be aware that the first pages include suicidal ideation.
Lando lost their girlfriend Elizabeth and feels like everyone blames them. When their new classmate Bastian says he knows a spell to bring Elizabeth back, the two of them begin working together and… start liking each other more and more.
I’m not a huge fantasy fan, I say it time and again, but this one is just for me. It’s contemporary and character-driven enough to let me feel all the feels, and the worldbuilding is easy to follow. Lando’s grief is palpable throughout the first half of the story, and I rooted for them and Bastian so much.
Thank you, Wednesday Books, for this great ARC!
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TW: Be aware that the first pages include suicidal ideation.
Lando lost their girlfriend Elizabeth and feels like everyone blames them. When their new classmate Bastian says he knows a spell to bring Elizabeth back, the two of them begin working together and… start liking each other more and more.
I’m not a huge fantasy fan, I say it time and again, but this one is just for me. It’s contemporary and character-driven enough to let me feel all the feels, and the worldbuilding is easy to follow. Lando’s grief is palpable throughout the first half of the story, and I rooted for them and Bastian so much.
Thank you, Wednesday Books, for this great ARC!
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October 3, 2025
📖 Bookish Thoughts
This one didn’t fully work for me. It felt like the book was trying to do too much at once and the pacing was all over the place. I never connected with either MC, and the romance felt forced and there just wasn’t great chemistry. And I didn’t like the ending.
I always love seeing therapy and mental health included in stories, but the way it was handled in this book felt off.
On the positive side, I liked the different take on shapeshifters and thought the magic system was interesting. I wanted more of that.
🎧 Listening to the ALC, I enjoyed the narrator’s performance. The narrator voice's was perfection!
This ended up being a 3.5 star read for me.
🖤 What to Expect
• Shapeshifters
• Witchcraft College
• Queer
• Trans Rep
⸻
📖 Final Score: 3.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: October 14, 2025
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
This one didn’t fully work for me. It felt like the book was trying to do too much at once and the pacing was all over the place. I never connected with either MC, and the romance felt forced and there just wasn’t great chemistry. And I didn’t like the ending.
I always love seeing therapy and mental health included in stories, but the way it was handled in this book felt off.
On the positive side, I liked the different take on shapeshifters and thought the magic system was interesting. I wanted more of that.
🎧 Listening to the ALC, I enjoyed the narrator’s performance. The narrator voice's was perfection!
This ended up being a 3.5 star read for me.
🖤 What to Expect
• Shapeshifters
• Witchcraft College
• Queer
• Trans Rep
⸻
📖 Final Score: 3.5 stars
📅 Pub Date: October 14, 2025
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
July 6, 2025
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Witchlore by Emma Hinds opens with Lando, a non-binary shapeshifter, struggling to survive at college after the accidental death of their girlfriend, Elizabeth. Soon, they’re approached by Bastian, the mysterious new kid at school, who offers Lando a deal: assist him in researching and collecting the ingredients for a dangerous resurrection spell, and he’ll bring Elizabeth back to life for them.
The first 20% of the book, which sets up the “heist,” was a breeze to get through and made for a strong introduction to the world. I enjoyed the originality of the magic system, especially the spellcasting using gestures and rings instead of the usual Latin words and wooden wands. The thoughtful non-binary representation also stood out to me, and it actually reminded me, at its core, of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor.
However, once the quest kicks off, I found that the pacing started to drag. The plot lingers too long in each scene, and I found myself wishing the book’s length had been used to flesh out the world, magical artifacts, and creatures more. The big reveals were huge disappointments for me: for how predictable they were, they arrived too late in the book to truly feel satisfying. Plus, the story wraps up in half a chapter with a convenient info-dump from a side character, which left the ending feeling underwhelming.
Character-wise, I struggled to see any real chemistry between Lando and Bastian. Bastian’s personality felt inconsistent in the first chapters, swinging between sweet gestures and snide remarks. The banter between the protagonists never quite landed for me and never managed to endear me to them. The characters overall felt pretty juvenile, which made the college setting feel more like high school. Even though the book deals with heavy topics (self-harm, trauma, grief) and the characters do some adult-y things, like drinking margaritas, it still follows a lot of classic high school YA beats: conflicts with parental figures (frustratingly left unresolved by the end of the novel), bullying at school, and the journey of self-discovery (as a queer kid).
On the bright side, Witchlore is competently written and does a great job making tough themes accessible to younger teens (starting age 12-13, I think). It’ll resonate with readers looking for a heartfelt paranormal romance that handles heavy topics with care. The book’s mix of humor and hope balances out its heavier themes nicely, even if, for me, it didn’t quite fully deliver the punch I was hoping for.
Witchlore by Emma Hinds opens with Lando, a non-binary shapeshifter, struggling to survive at college after the accidental death of their girlfriend, Elizabeth. Soon, they’re approached by Bastian, the mysterious new kid at school, who offers Lando a deal: assist him in researching and collecting the ingredients for a dangerous resurrection spell, and he’ll bring Elizabeth back to life for them.
The first 20% of the book, which sets up the “heist,” was a breeze to get through and made for a strong introduction to the world. I enjoyed the originality of the magic system, especially the spellcasting using gestures and rings instead of the usual Latin words and wooden wands. The thoughtful non-binary representation also stood out to me, and it actually reminded me, at its core, of Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor.
However, once the quest kicks off, I found that the pacing started to drag. The plot lingers too long in each scene, and I found myself wishing the book’s length had been used to flesh out the world, magical artifacts, and creatures more. The big reveals were huge disappointments for me: for how predictable they were, they arrived too late in the book to truly feel satisfying. Plus, the story wraps up in half a chapter with a convenient info-dump from a side character, which left the ending feeling underwhelming.
Character-wise, I struggled to see any real chemistry between Lando and Bastian. Bastian’s personality felt inconsistent in the first chapters, swinging between sweet gestures and snide remarks. The banter between the protagonists never quite landed for me and never managed to endear me to them. The characters overall felt pretty juvenile, which made the college setting feel more like high school. Even though the book deals with heavy topics (self-harm, trauma, grief) and the characters do some adult-y things, like drinking margaritas, it still follows a lot of classic high school YA beats: conflicts with parental figures (frustratingly left unresolved by the end of the novel), bullying at school, and the journey of self-discovery (as a queer kid).
On the bright side, Witchlore is competently written and does a great job making tough themes accessible to younger teens (starting age 12-13, I think). It’ll resonate with readers looking for a heartfelt paranormal romance that handles heavy topics with care. The book’s mix of humor and hope balances out its heavier themes nicely, even if, for me, it didn’t quite fully deliver the punch I was hoping for.
December 2, 2025
✰ 2.5 stars ✰
It pains me to give this a low rating, because the message is important; however, I'm a bit conflicted as to being wholly convinced as to how being a shapeshifter can help those who feel like they don't belong as they already are.
“I know, whatever my form is next, I am loved.”
I mean, I understand how our identity is defined by who we are on the inside, so the outside should not matter. but Lando's constant shifting, and Bastian, conveniently being pansexual, to easily accept his alter beings was a little difficult for me to wrap my head around. Knowing I am wanted, all of me, as I am. Despite how one will argue that it is a positive message of acceptance and queer representation to be comfortable in whichever form you wish to choose. 🤷🏻♀️
Ah...
It's an emphatic look at grief and loss. The loneliness and unwillingness of letting go, accepting the loss of one so dear is a tragedy that Bastian and Lando can relate to, which, also serves as the driving force to their dynamic; also the catalyst to the fallout, but tmi, ie. spoilers...
It also very much lives up to the title, as in so much of the plot, itself is dedicated to informing readers of Witchlore that it did not develop anything else, allowing much mundane and monotonous moments to overshadow the eventual climax, which also, ended on a note that was so out of left field that it soured my initial reaction to the plot already. 🤨
“Sometimes, we have to stand up against the bad things, to be honest about how they’ve hurt us, because maybe other people, people we would never expect, have been hurt, too.”
I'm not faulting it for being YA either, written with a slightly simple edge to it, and very much less focus on the magical school, too. 🧙 But, for those who will related to Lando's tumultuous emotions of feeling like an outcast, rejected for their lack of talents as a witch, and their longing for an intimate relationship, after losing the only one that had mattered, there were a few sparse moments here and there that do touch upon it meaningful enough. 🥺
But, it was really hard to stay focused; it was too lackluster, I'm sorry, I hate being mean, but nothing was remotely special about it to keep me wholly invested. And Kira was annoying. Lando had their own issues, but Kira's self-righteous tone needed to take a step back and chill. 🙄 Bastian's own ulterior motives amidst the smiles and the touches and the shared laughter along with his sudden declaration of affection did nothing to the romantic in me. And don't get me started on Carl and his atrocious and callous bullying; God, what a prick. Because I prefer not to use pejoratives. 😒
I hate to admit that I also fell asleep twice while reading. 😴🙈
Oh! I did like the boggart encounter. Possibly the only entertaining moment that stood out for me, one that lit an almost spark in me that maybe, just maybe it could turn itself around from being a generic flat kind of read to something that would stand out as memorable. But, alas, the only memory I have of being finally free of it, instead. 😣
“People change. That in itself is its own kind of implausible magic.”
It pains me to give this a low rating, because the message is important; however, I'm a bit conflicted as to being wholly convinced as to how being a shapeshifter can help those who feel like they don't belong as they already are.
“I know, whatever my form is next, I am loved.”
I mean, I understand how our identity is defined by who we are on the inside, so the outside should not matter. but Lando's constant shifting, and Bastian, conveniently being pansexual, to easily accept his alter beings was a little difficult for me to wrap my head around. Knowing I am wanted, all of me, as I am. Despite how one will argue that it is a positive message of acceptance and queer representation to be comfortable in whichever form you wish to choose. 🤷🏻♀️
Ah...
It's an emphatic look at grief and loss. The loneliness and unwillingness of letting go, accepting the loss of one so dear is a tragedy that Bastian and Lando can relate to, which, also serves as the driving force to their dynamic; also the catalyst to the fallout, but tmi, ie. spoilers...
It also very much lives up to the title, as in so much of the plot, itself is dedicated to informing readers of Witchlore that it did not develop anything else, allowing much mundane and monotonous moments to overshadow the eventual climax, which also, ended on a note that was so out of left field that it soured my initial reaction to the plot already. 🤨
“Sometimes, we have to stand up against the bad things, to be honest about how they’ve hurt us, because maybe other people, people we would never expect, have been hurt, too.”
I'm not faulting it for being YA either, written with a slightly simple edge to it, and very much less focus on the magical school, too. 🧙 But, for those who will related to Lando's tumultuous emotions of feeling like an outcast, rejected for their lack of talents as a witch, and their longing for an intimate relationship, after losing the only one that had mattered, there were a few sparse moments here and there that do touch upon it meaningful enough. 🥺
But, it was really hard to stay focused; it was too lackluster, I'm sorry, I hate being mean, but nothing was remotely special about it to keep me wholly invested. And Kira was annoying. Lando had their own issues, but Kira's self-righteous tone needed to take a step back and chill. 🙄 Bastian's own ulterior motives amidst the smiles and the touches and the shared laughter along with his sudden declaration of affection did nothing to the romantic in me. And don't get me started on Carl and his atrocious and callous bullying; God, what a prick. Because I prefer not to use pejoratives. 😒
I hate to admit that I also fell asleep twice while reading. 😴🙈
Oh! I did like the boggart encounter. Possibly the only entertaining moment that stood out for me, one that lit an almost spark in me that maybe, just maybe it could turn itself around from being a generic flat kind of read to something that would stand out as memorable. But, alas, the only memory I have of being finally free of it, instead. 😣
November 3, 2025
ARC from Wednesday books
Witchlore by Emma Hinds
-the witchy dark vibes are everything
-the descriptive writing has me feeling like I’m in the book
-I love the idea of Lando being a shapeshifter I find that so cool , that he can change into anyone male, female and more
-the way Orlando describes Elizabeth is so cute , her magic, laugh beautiful 🥹🥰
-the way Bastian supports and grounds Orlando is so cute
-I love their little moments, they made me so giddy, I love how they make each other feel seen and understood 🥹
-I don’t read a lot of YA anymore but this was a fun and cute witchy MM romance 🥰
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Witchlore by Emma Hinds
-the witchy dark vibes are everything
-the descriptive writing has me feeling like I’m in the book
-I love the idea of Lando being a shapeshifter I find that so cool , that he can change into anyone male, female and more
-the way Orlando describes Elizabeth is so cute , her magic, laugh beautiful 🥹🥰
-the way Bastian supports and grounds Orlando is so cute
-I love their little moments, they made me so giddy, I love how they make each other feel seen and understood 🥹
-I don’t read a lot of YA anymore but this was a fun and cute witchy MM romance 🥰
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
September 15, 2025
Magic, romance, and some really spooky creatures.
This was a pretty exciting story!
The plot here was great.
Clearly well thought out, and with great execution.
A shapeshifter and a witch team up to bring the shapeshifters dead girlfriend back to life? I found that so engaging.
I especially love Lando and Bastian's journey to collect the things they needed to perform the ritual.
The dangerous situations they found themselves in, and the monsters they were forced to confront brought tons of excitement to this.
I think the romance could have been a little bit more developed.
Lando and Bastian are good together- but it happened very suddenly.
There wasn’t a lot of yearning or tension involved.
Honestly I didn't find this to be a very big deal, and it didn’t really effect my ability to enjoy the story.
I just personally would have loved a little more buildup!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable story with a cool magic system and lots of adventure!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and author Emma Hinds for providing me with the eARC of “Witchlore”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 14th, 2025
This was a pretty exciting story!
The plot here was great.
Clearly well thought out, and with great execution.
A shapeshifter and a witch team up to bring the shapeshifters dead girlfriend back to life? I found that so engaging.
I especially love Lando and Bastian's journey to collect the things they needed to perform the ritual.
The dangerous situations they found themselves in, and the monsters they were forced to confront brought tons of excitement to this.
I think the romance could have been a little bit more developed.
Lando and Bastian are good together- but it happened very suddenly.
There wasn’t a lot of yearning or tension involved.
Honestly I didn't find this to be a very big deal, and it didn’t really effect my ability to enjoy the story.
I just personally would have loved a little more buildup!
Overall, this was a very enjoyable story with a cool magic system and lots of adventure!
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press | St. Martin’s Griffin and author Emma Hinds for providing me with the eARC of “Witchlore”, in exchange for my honest review!
Publication date: October 14th, 2025
October 26, 2025
With this one I definitely went into it expecting a romance but the romance didn't hold up for me. I generally don't care for relationships built on a foundation of lies and using each other; it doesn't endear me to the characters and their love story. I also tend to dislike YA romance with a HEA; I mean you're 18, how do you know that you'll be with them forever? I generally prefer a Happily for Now ending when it comes to teenagers.
This book had a number of positive things going for it though. It just maybe wasn't the right book for me based on how many amazing reviews it has received.
Lando is a nonbinary shapeshifter who can't control their shifts or do magic. They are going to a magical school for witches and shapeshifters. But they lost their girlfriend, Elizabeth, to a tragic accident, but everyone blames them for her death. Then a new witch, Bastian, comes into Lando's life, and the two work together on a resurrection spell to bring Elizabeth back. Along the way they catch feelings for each other. It is something of a romantic adventure as they work together to find the ingredients for the spell.
I thought this book was really strong in terms of the worldbuilding, and I found witch-shapeshifter politics fascinating. I also thought the nonbinary rep was strong and it was an interesting dilemma to see how Lando handled their dysphoria while constantly changing between male and female forms. I think this book would be perfect for a teen questioning their gender identity. Also loved that Bastian said he was pansexual explicitly on the page.
However I really struggled with the romance. Lando hasn't gotten over their feelings for Elizabeth, so it really felt like their relationship with Bastian was a form of cheating considering their ultimate goal. I couldn't get the betrayal out of my head and they were each using each other for a questionable goal. Lando did wrestle with that, but I struggled to feel an emotional connection to the romance.
Even with Elizabeth, I felt like I barely knew her. For someone so closeted I wondered what kind of relationship they could really have. Everyone in Lando's life was so unbelievably cruel to them, they almost became caricatures of bullies. So whenever anyone showed them a sliver of kindness they became an energy vampire. They were also a fairly unlikable character; I understood that abuse made them that way, but they were so hostile and angry up until the very end, making their transformation seem sudden. They only wanted to feel loved, but I found them hard to love as a character.
So, alas, this just wasn't the book for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had a number of positive things going for it though. It just maybe wasn't the right book for me based on how many amazing reviews it has received.
Lando is a nonbinary shapeshifter who can't control their shifts or do magic. They are going to a magical school for witches and shapeshifters. But they lost their girlfriend, Elizabeth, to a tragic accident, but everyone blames them for her death. Then a new witch, Bastian, comes into Lando's life, and the two work together on a resurrection spell to bring Elizabeth back. Along the way they catch feelings for each other. It is something of a romantic adventure as they work together to find the ingredients for the spell.
I thought this book was really strong in terms of the worldbuilding, and I found witch-shapeshifter politics fascinating. I also thought the nonbinary rep was strong and it was an interesting dilemma to see how Lando handled their dysphoria while constantly changing between male and female forms. I think this book would be perfect for a teen questioning their gender identity. Also loved that Bastian said he was pansexual explicitly on the page.
However I really struggled with the romance. Lando hasn't gotten over their feelings for Elizabeth, so it really felt like their relationship with Bastian was a form of cheating considering their ultimate goal. I couldn't get the betrayal out of my head and they were each using each other for a questionable goal. Lando did wrestle with that, but I struggled to feel an emotional connection to the romance.
Even with Elizabeth, I felt like I barely knew her. For someone so closeted I wondered what kind of relationship they could really have. Everyone in Lando's life was so unbelievably cruel to them, they almost became caricatures of bullies. So whenever anyone showed them a sliver of kindness they became an energy vampire. They were also a fairly unlikable character; I understood that abuse made them that way, but they were so hostile and angry up until the very end, making their transformation seem sudden. They only wanted to feel loved, but I found them hard to love as a character.
So, alas, this just wasn't the book for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 13, 2025
4.75⭐
What a debut!
Orlando, a shifter, is going through it: blamed for the death of their girlfriend, ostracized and bullied, and alienated from their witch cohorts. Enter Bastian, a talented and handsome witch with a drive to prove himself. When these two meet, they will set off on adventure that is sure to test their minds, bodies, and their hearts.
Now, I'm not a huge fantasy fan, but this work was probably one of my favorite fantasy works ever! I appreciate that we are given enough information about the world-building to understand how things work, without the other information-dumping on the reader. I also think this was a very unique and individual style of fantasy, and one that I'm happy to have read.
It would be easy to chalk this up to "queer romantasy," but I think there is so SO much more to it than that. There's a lot of great discussions around gender identity, self-acceptance, loss, grief, and love. Orlando and Bastian are fantastic characters with depth and heart. Additionally, the plot was twisty enough that I was completely shocked towards the end of the book. Cannot recommend this enough!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this wonderful book!
Pub date: October 14, 2025.
What a debut!
Orlando, a shifter, is going through it: blamed for the death of their girlfriend, ostracized and bullied, and alienated from their witch cohorts. Enter Bastian, a talented and handsome witch with a drive to prove himself. When these two meet, they will set off on adventure that is sure to test their minds, bodies, and their hearts.
Now, I'm not a huge fantasy fan, but this work was probably one of my favorite fantasy works ever! I appreciate that we are given enough information about the world-building to understand how things work, without the other information-dumping on the reader. I also think this was a very unique and individual style of fantasy, and one that I'm happy to have read.
It would be easy to chalk this up to "queer romantasy," but I think there is so SO much more to it than that. There's a lot of great discussions around gender identity, self-acceptance, loss, grief, and love. Orlando and Bastian are fantastic characters with depth and heart. Additionally, the plot was twisty enough that I was completely shocked towards the end of the book. Cannot recommend this enough!
A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this wonderful book!
Pub date: October 14, 2025.
September 25, 2025
I don't read a lot of fantasy, honestly I prefer contemporary settings with a magical realism. That's what this was kind of and I loved it.
Exploration of grief is one of my favorite things to read about and to read about it from the perspective of a genderqueer character?? I was hooked. The way Lando's struggles with their grief and guilt were approached was so well written, their gender identity too was such a major part of their character. I loved Lando, and Bastian as well. Having Bastian's identity as a Black man show through the narrative, show how they affect his decisions and feelings about how others perceive him was one part of this I liked.
The prose and plot sucked me in so much with the lore of witches,and shifters that I was actually taken off guard at the climax and ending of the book. Ugh I miss them already!!!
*Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Exploration of grief is one of my favorite things to read about and to read about it from the perspective of a genderqueer character?? I was hooked. The way Lando's struggles with their grief and guilt were approached was so well written, their gender identity too was such a major part of their character. I loved Lando, and Bastian as well. Having Bastian's identity as a Black man show through the narrative, show how they affect his decisions and feelings about how others perceive him was one part of this I liked.
The prose and plot sucked me in so much with the lore of witches,and shifters that I was actually taken off guard at the climax and ending of the book. Ugh I miss them already!!!
*Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review*
October 24, 2025
so fucking cute even though the speed in which they went from hmmm maybe i do like you to we are destined across all time and space and i love you despite anything and everything was so fast it happened in a blink. still cute though
May 25, 2025
I wish this book was longer! I loved these characters so much. The plot was incredibly interesting, especially the gender swapping shapeshifting. Never read anything like it. Lando felt like such a real person. Their struggle with their identity and their grief over the loss of their girlfriend was really well written. Bastien was also a well fleshed out character, dealing with his own grief. Their relationship was fun to watch as it grew. Had me kicking my feet and squealing. I thought the pace was near perfect, a little slow in the beginning, but it got better as the story started to unfold. The only thing that was missing for me was a bit more world building. The magic in this story is less important than the characters, and that's fine, but some more explanation on how the magic worked might have been helpful. I found myself skimming the magic descriptions because I didn't understand them.
Overall, though, I loved this book so much. I will be getting a physical copy when it releases later this year. Highly recommend it.
**Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for providing this ebook. All opinions are my own.**
Overall, though, I loved this book so much. I will be getting a physical copy when it releases later this year. Highly recommend it.
**Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for providing this ebook. All opinions are my own.**
May 25, 2025
WOW I breezed through this, I was really really eager for Lando to get a happy ending! Thank you to NetGalley/St Martin Books for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review :]
WITCHLORE offers an interesting lens into identity that I wish we saw more of in fantasy. I expected as much with the comparison to Orlando, but it really stunned me with how intersectional it is while also maintaining cohesion. Lando’s identity as a queer nonbinary witch-slash-shapeshifter and the discrimination they face is a great way to explore ostracism (both fantastical and realistic) and its effects as they navigate one of their final years of college.
Lando’s struggle with their mental health is also explored in a magical context: a suicidal person having no choice but to use blood magic is a surprising and powerful way to write about recovery. Lando is a tortured soul and they have every reason to lash out the way they do. They’re resentful, abrasive, seem to use humiliation as a form of self-harm (something I would’ve loved to see explored more, by the way), have a very bad temper, and I love them SO MUCH. I do think they were a little too quick to forgive the people who’ve wronged them, but maybe I’ve just grown protective of them hahah. I also think they weren’t given enough time to process the revelation at the climax, which should have been a little more, well, revelatory. But it’s effective nonetheless.
There are so many real-world situations that are given different contexts when painted in a magical lens. For example, consent is very important to Lando: in physical contact, in magic, in shifting. It’s such a unique way to convey very real scenarios in a world that isn’t that far removed from our own.
That said, I only have one major gripe, and it’s the lack of insight the reader gets into this magical world. I desperately wanted to see more of it! I understand that witches in this world are discriminated against, but they aren’t a secret in the same way shifters are, and I would’ve loved to see how the world operates with magic. My absolute favorite example of this was . I loved seeing little bits of magic infused in everyday lives! More of that, please!
The exposition through the grimoire was wonderful with peeks into the lives of historical shifters, and I think delivering more background information through other students at the school would be an excellent way to both set the scene and explore this magical world in a diegetic sort of way. Or maybe even through Lando’s classes: if they took a history class and learned about the different kinds of witches and covens rather than conveying it in descriptive paragraphs, it might’ve read as a little more fluid, but I’m just nitpicking! This world is overflowing and complex and Hinds has done a huge feat by making such a beautiful and magical England that’s remarkably distinct from any other magical academies, which is exceedingly rare to come across.
Overall, WITCHLORE is a thoughtful exploration of grief, survivor’s guilt, identity, and generational trauma, with a cozy queer relationship at the center and a dreamily magical dark academia setting. I do wish the world was explored a little more, as it’s such a deep and rich landscape that we don’t get to see too much of, but that just makes me more excited at the prospect of a sequel. It’s a story with teeth and tenderness, cloaked in necromancy and spellcraft, but at its heart is something deeply human.
WITCHLORE offers an interesting lens into identity that I wish we saw more of in fantasy. I expected as much with the comparison to Orlando, but it really stunned me with how intersectional it is while also maintaining cohesion. Lando’s identity as a queer nonbinary witch-slash-shapeshifter and the discrimination they face is a great way to explore ostracism (both fantastical and realistic) and its effects as they navigate one of their final years of college.
Lando’s struggle with their mental health is also explored in a magical context: a suicidal person having no choice but to use blood magic is a surprising and powerful way to write about recovery. Lando is a tortured soul and they have every reason to lash out the way they do. They’re resentful, abrasive, seem to use humiliation as a form of self-harm (something I would’ve loved to see explored more, by the way), have a very bad temper, and I love them SO MUCH. I do think they were a little too quick to forgive the people who’ve wronged them, but maybe I’ve just grown protective of them hahah. I also think they weren’t given enough time to process the revelation at the climax, which should have been a little more, well, revelatory. But it’s effective nonetheless.
There are so many real-world situations that are given different contexts when painted in a magical lens. For example, consent is very important to Lando: in physical contact, in magic, in shifting. It’s such a unique way to convey very real scenarios in a world that isn’t that far removed from our own.
That said, I only have one major gripe, and it’s the lack of insight the reader gets into this magical world. I desperately wanted to see more of it! I understand that witches in this world are discriminated against, but they aren’t a secret in the same way shifters are, and I would’ve loved to see how the world operates with magic. My absolute favorite example of this was . I loved seeing little bits of magic infused in everyday lives! More of that, please!
The exposition through the grimoire was wonderful with peeks into the lives of historical shifters, and I think delivering more background information through other students at the school would be an excellent way to both set the scene and explore this magical world in a diegetic sort of way. Or maybe even through Lando’s classes: if they took a history class and learned about the different kinds of witches and covens rather than conveying it in descriptive paragraphs, it might’ve read as a little more fluid, but I’m just nitpicking! This world is overflowing and complex and Hinds has done a huge feat by making such a beautiful and magical England that’s remarkably distinct from any other magical academies, which is exceedingly rare to come across.
Overall, WITCHLORE is a thoughtful exploration of grief, survivor’s guilt, identity, and generational trauma, with a cozy queer relationship at the center and a dreamily magical dark academia setting. I do wish the world was explored a little more, as it’s such a deep and rich landscape that we don’t get to see too much of, but that just makes me more excited at the prospect of a sequel. It’s a story with teeth and tenderness, cloaked in necromancy and spellcraft, but at its heart is something deeply human.
November 2, 2025
I enjoyed this book’s first 3/4, it has some great gender and grief exploration, however, it lost me on the latter 25%. Orlando and Bastian’s romantic relationship did not convince me at all. It felt like Orlando was using Bastian only for company and not much else.
3.5 ⭐️
3.5 ⭐️
July 11, 2025
3.25 stars, rounded down.
Witchlore is an easy, cozy fantasy book that has many great aspects.
i loved the characters and the way that Lando is both very sharp and cynical, along with being very soft and emotional.
it felt as if everything was very well done, however, as the book went on, i felt like it lost some of the characters personalities and everything that made them individual-- BUT! i still really liked this, and would rec!
thank you netgalley for the arc <3
Witchlore is an easy, cozy fantasy book that has many great aspects.
i loved the characters and the way that Lando is both very sharp and cynical, along with being very soft and emotional.
it felt as if everything was very well done, however, as the book went on, i felt like it lost some of the characters personalities and everything that made them individual-- BUT! i still really liked this, and would rec!
thank you netgalley for the arc <3
Read
August 14, 2025So I actually ended up DNFing this book because it wasn't holding my attention very well. Plus the MC was very woe-is-me sometimes, but they started having some revelations which was nice! This book had great nonbinary rep. The author did a great job of using shifting to explore the spectrum of gender within and outside the queer community. Ordered a couple copies for my system, hope teens like it and find themselves in it :)
May 22, 2025
1.5⭐️
Promising premise, but not for me.
This book starts with an interesting concept. A magical school, a shapeshifter dealing with grief, and a risky spell to bring someone back from the dead definitely sets the stage for something exciting.
However, despite being centered around witchcraft, shapeshifting, and resurrection spells, the story didn’t feel very magical to me. The atmosphere lacked that sense of wonder or enchantment you usually expect in fantasy. The magical elements were there in theory, but they didn’t come to life in a way that felt immersive or exciting.
The emotional tone also felt flat at times. While the story deals with grief and identity, the characters’ inner thoughts were often repetitive and didn’t really add depth. The romance leaned heavily into clichés, and the pacing was bogged down by filler scenes that made it hard to stay engaged.
If you enjoy light fantasy and academy stories with a romantic twist, you might enjoy this book more than I did. ♥️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️
Promising premise, but not for me.
This book starts with an interesting concept. A magical school, a shapeshifter dealing with grief, and a risky spell to bring someone back from the dead definitely sets the stage for something exciting.
However, despite being centered around witchcraft, shapeshifting, and resurrection spells, the story didn’t feel very magical to me. The atmosphere lacked that sense of wonder or enchantment you usually expect in fantasy. The magical elements were there in theory, but they didn’t come to life in a way that felt immersive or exciting.
The emotional tone also felt flat at times. While the story deals with grief and identity, the characters’ inner thoughts were often repetitive and didn’t really add depth. The romance leaned heavily into clichés, and the pacing was bogged down by filler scenes that made it hard to stay engaged.
If you enjoy light fantasy and academy stories with a romantic twist, you might enjoy this book more than I did. ♥️
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review ♥️
July 17, 2025
˗ˏˋ 3 stars ⟡ ݁₊ .
i really enjoyed reading this one and had such a fun time as well. i really liked all of the characters and how unique they all were. i think out of everyone, lando was my fav. as a debut, this was really good imo, i just hoped maybe some of the storylines could be expanded a little bit or given more context regarding it.
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
i really enjoyed reading this one and had such a fun time as well. i really liked all of the characters and how unique they all were. i think out of everyone, lando was my fav. as a debut, this was really good imo, i just hoped maybe some of the storylines could be expanded a little bit or given more context regarding it.
⤷ thank you to netgalley, the publisher and the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
DNF@60%. The concept of this was intriguing to me: nonbinary shapeshifter desperate to revive their dead girlfriend teams up with a witch for a forbidden ritual, and the opening chapter is captivating, but unfortunately, I found myself getting alternatively bored or irritated with the rest of the book. The descriptions of the setting work fine, but I think there's a lot of telling in regards to emotions. This resulted in a lot of emotional shifts seeming sudden and made me feel like I couldn't really connect with the characters' feelings overall, which is especially egregious with Lando's grief over their girlfriend Elizabeth. I know people grieve in different ways but I never really bought that Lando was, probably in part because Elizabeth never felt like a real person. Most of what the reader is really told about her is that she was "kind" and Lando loved her, and while I think there are interesting things to say about putting deceased loved ones on a pedestal to the point they become almost idols, I don't think that was done successfully here.
On the topic of characters not feeling like real people though, the witch side characters from Lando's college felt kind of ridiculous. I do appreciate what the author was trying to do with them (commenting on the discrimination within the queer community itself - specifically the hate trans/nonbinary people get from cisgender gay people - and also the ways in which some feminists will co-opt AFAB nonbinary people as Women Lite), but they acted like such caricatures of high schoolers that it was hard to take seriously. Additionally, I thought it was kind of weird that Lando had to keep referring to them by their full names every time they were brought up/enter the scene again, as if the reader has completely forgotten who they are.
Moving on to Lando, I don't really...like them. To be fair, they're supposed to be flawed and unlikeable, but while I can enjoy unlikeable protagonists, I can't really stand Lando and it baffles me why their love interest Bastian even sticks around. They're argumentative and sarcastic, which I wouldn't mind so much if they were *actually* witty or cutting but they're not, so it's not even entertaining; it's just frustrating. They're a judgmental hypocrite because they immediately make all of these assumptions about other people when they hate having assumptions made about them based on how they appear, they're too wrapped up in their woe-is-me mentality, and their social awkwardness manifests in a way that's just excruciating to witness because they end up putting their foot in their mouth several times. To be fair again, Lando gets called out on all of this by other characters so it's not as if they're getting a pass, but I really can't find it in myself to give them any sympathy. Their relationship with Bastian starts out fine, but as the book goes on and they're supposed to be getting "closer", I alternatively felt like they were either too close or not close enough. Like, there are a lot of moments where the two of them just info-dump their respective backstories to each other at the slightest bit of prompting despite not having known each other nearly long enough to be trauma-dumping. Then there are moments where it seems like they don't like each other at all; they end up snapping at each other *so* much, and as I mentioned before, these emotional shifts come out of nowhere. It's so exhausting watching them fight and make up, fight and make up over and over. Their banter also isn't anything special; it's not endearing or funny despite the author clearly wanting us to laugh, and most of their conversations that aren't info-dumping are boring.
The dialogue in this book as a whole is boring, honestly. A lot of it feels like the kind you're taught to cut because it doesn't add anything to the story or the characters. The pacing of the story is kind of weird; some things aren't given enough room to breathe (for instance, Lando vehemently refuses Bastian's initial offer to do the resurrection spell only to go home and change their mind literally 2 paragraphs later - what was the point? You could've restructured that) and some things are too slow (there's a little too much filler describing the minute details of what they're doing hanging out). A lot of paragraphs are also *way* too long; I don't know what the editor was doing but they should've marked them to be split up properly.
I think other people will enjoy this book more, especially those who read younger YA or are interested in queer issues being discussed in an urban fantasy setting. I do think the author did a great job exploring gender, body dysphoria, and how the shapeshifter community forces their members to conform to a binary shape as a form of "protection" in a largely cisgender society. Those were really interesting, but unfortunately, the rest of the book fell flat for me.
DNF@60%. The concept of this was intriguing to me: nonbinary shapeshifter desperate to revive their dead girlfriend teams up with a witch for a forbidden ritual, and the opening chapter is captivating, but unfortunately, I found myself getting alternatively bored or irritated with the rest of the book. The descriptions of the setting work fine, but I think there's a lot of telling in regards to emotions. This resulted in a lot of emotional shifts seeming sudden and made me feel like I couldn't really connect with the characters' feelings overall, which is especially egregious with Lando's grief over their girlfriend Elizabeth. I know people grieve in different ways but I never really bought that Lando was, probably in part because Elizabeth never felt like a real person. Most of what the reader is really told about her is that she was "kind" and Lando loved her, and while I think there are interesting things to say about putting deceased loved ones on a pedestal to the point they become almost idols, I don't think that was done successfully here.
On the topic of characters not feeling like real people though, the witch side characters from Lando's college felt kind of ridiculous. I do appreciate what the author was trying to do with them (commenting on the discrimination within the queer community itself - specifically the hate trans/nonbinary people get from cisgender gay people - and also the ways in which some feminists will co-opt AFAB nonbinary people as Women Lite), but they acted like such caricatures of high schoolers that it was hard to take seriously. Additionally, I thought it was kind of weird that Lando had to keep referring to them by their full names every time they were brought up/enter the scene again, as if the reader has completely forgotten who they are.
Moving on to Lando, I don't really...like them. To be fair, they're supposed to be flawed and unlikeable, but while I can enjoy unlikeable protagonists, I can't really stand Lando and it baffles me why their love interest Bastian even sticks around. They're argumentative and sarcastic, which I wouldn't mind so much if they were *actually* witty or cutting but they're not, so it's not even entertaining; it's just frustrating. They're a judgmental hypocrite because they immediately make all of these assumptions about other people when they hate having assumptions made about them based on how they appear, they're too wrapped up in their woe-is-me mentality, and their social awkwardness manifests in a way that's just excruciating to witness because they end up putting their foot in their mouth several times. To be fair again, Lando gets called out on all of this by other characters so it's not as if they're getting a pass, but I really can't find it in myself to give them any sympathy. Their relationship with Bastian starts out fine, but as the book goes on and they're supposed to be getting "closer", I alternatively felt like they were either too close or not close enough. Like, there are a lot of moments where the two of them just info-dump their respective backstories to each other at the slightest bit of prompting despite not having known each other nearly long enough to be trauma-dumping. Then there are moments where it seems like they don't like each other at all; they end up snapping at each other *so* much, and as I mentioned before, these emotional shifts come out of nowhere. It's so exhausting watching them fight and make up, fight and make up over and over. Their banter also isn't anything special; it's not endearing or funny despite the author clearly wanting us to laugh, and most of their conversations that aren't info-dumping are boring.
The dialogue in this book as a whole is boring, honestly. A lot of it feels like the kind you're taught to cut because it doesn't add anything to the story or the characters. The pacing of the story is kind of weird; some things aren't given enough room to breathe (for instance, Lando vehemently refuses Bastian's initial offer to do the resurrection spell only to go home and change their mind literally 2 paragraphs later - what was the point? You could've restructured that) and some things are too slow (there's a little too much filler describing the minute details of what they're doing hanging out). A lot of paragraphs are also *way* too long; I don't know what the editor was doing but they should've marked them to be split up properly.
I think other people will enjoy this book more, especially those who read younger YA or are interested in queer issues being discussed in an urban fantasy setting. I do think the author did a great job exploring gender, body dysphoria, and how the shapeshifter community forces their members to conform to a binary shape as a form of "protection" in a largely cisgender society. Those were really interesting, but unfortunately, the rest of the book fell flat for me.
June 16, 2025
Witchlore follows Orlando (Lando), a shapeshifter at a witchcraft college, who is often ostracized and targeted because they’re the only shifter amongst a student body of witches. Other students distrust and sometimes abuse Lando, including because Lando refuses to choose a gender and cannot do basic magic or maintain a base form. Elizabeth, Lando’s girlfriend and the one witch that seemed to understand them, ends up dying while trying to perform a spell. Lando blames themself for Elizabeth’s death and returns to school only because additional supports are put in place for them.
Bastian, a new student, befriends and wants to help Lando, including with a spell to bring Elizabeth back. Yet the magic involved and Bastian’s unclear past make it uncertain whether Lando should trust him and others—especially as the stakes are raised and the risks that must be taken increase over time.
Overall, the storyline was intriguing and the differences in magical beings allowed the author to address prejudices, choosing to be yourself in spite of those negative impacts, and finding allies. It also provided a fantastical realm to help address the concept of being nonbinary, even with societal and familial pressure to make a choice. The world building was really interesting, especially given it is set in modern times but has a full backstory of magical lore beyond the typical. I enjoyed where the author pulled from historical/traditional magical mentions (e.g., Merlin, boggarts, kelpies) but also created a unique system in which it operates. I could see Witchlore being expanded into either a prequel or a sequel, depending on plot.
Trigger warnings include death, suicide, mental health struggles, prejudice, bigotry, and discussion of war. This definitely seems like it is on the mature end of YA as a result of those mentions.
Witchlore will be published on October 14, 2025.
Bastian, a new student, befriends and wants to help Lando, including with a spell to bring Elizabeth back. Yet the magic involved and Bastian’s unclear past make it uncertain whether Lando should trust him and others—especially as the stakes are raised and the risks that must be taken increase over time.
Overall, the storyline was intriguing and the differences in magical beings allowed the author to address prejudices, choosing to be yourself in spite of those negative impacts, and finding allies. It also provided a fantastical realm to help address the concept of being nonbinary, even with societal and familial pressure to make a choice. The world building was really interesting, especially given it is set in modern times but has a full backstory of magical lore beyond the typical. I enjoyed where the author pulled from historical/traditional magical mentions (e.g., Merlin, boggarts, kelpies) but also created a unique system in which it operates. I could see Witchlore being expanded into either a prequel or a sequel, depending on plot.
Trigger warnings include death, suicide, mental health struggles, prejudice, bigotry, and discussion of war. This definitely seems like it is on the mature end of YA as a result of those mentions.
Witchlore will be published on October 14, 2025.
October 16, 2025
⅘ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Witchlore
Author: Emma Hinds
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this read! Perfect for spooky season, this book follows a shapeshifter who frequently shifts between male and female forms and struggles to control the change. After the death of their girlfriend and being blamed for it, school has been pretty miserable. When a new boy arrives and convinces them to try a spell that might bring their ex back from the dead, they are hardly in a position to say no. Despite some heavier themes, the magic system and characters were lovable and fun. I really enjoyed how this book delivered a cute, spooky theme while still being emotional and deep at the same time. This just released on October 14, 2025, and if you are in the mood for something magical, I definitely recommend giving it a try.
Witchlore
Author: Emma Hinds
Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this read! Perfect for spooky season, this book follows a shapeshifter who frequently shifts between male and female forms and struggles to control the change. After the death of their girlfriend and being blamed for it, school has been pretty miserable. When a new boy arrives and convinces them to try a spell that might bring their ex back from the dead, they are hardly in a position to say no. Despite some heavier themes, the magic system and characters were lovable and fun. I really enjoyed how this book delivered a cute, spooky theme while still being emotional and deep at the same time. This just released on October 14, 2025, and if you are in the mood for something magical, I definitely recommend giving it a try.
November 1, 2025
2025 reads: 303/300
i received a digital review copy and a finished hardcover copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: death of a loved one, suicidal ideation & attempt, gender dysphoria, sexual harassment
at demdike college of witchcraft, orlando is an outcast. not only because they have no control of their magic switching them between male and female forms, but also because their girlfriend elizabeth recently died...and it was lando’s fault. lando sees an opportunity when he meets bastian, the new boy who claims he knows how to bring elizabeth back.
this was so good! i loved how lando’s gender identity tied into the magic system; though this was explored through fantastical means, it seemed relatable to the real struggles non-cisgender people face. the people around them frowned on lando’s inability to control their shifts, one classmate going so far as to say lando shifted on purpose to “tease” him. lando also faced pressure from their parents, who had a lot of expectations for their shapeshifting abilities. i also loved the depictions of grief. both lando and bastian had lost someone, and they coped with their respective losses in different ways. though this book dealt with some heavy topics, overall, it was a sweet love story. i hope to read more from emma hinds in the future!
i received a digital review copy and a finished hardcover copy from the publisher as part of their influencer program. i am leaving this review voluntarily.
content warnings: death of a loved one, suicidal ideation & attempt, gender dysphoria, sexual harassment
at demdike college of witchcraft, orlando is an outcast. not only because they have no control of their magic switching them between male and female forms, but also because their girlfriend elizabeth recently died...and it was lando’s fault. lando sees an opportunity when he meets bastian, the new boy who claims he knows how to bring elizabeth back.
this was so good! i loved how lando’s gender identity tied into the magic system; though this was explored through fantastical means, it seemed relatable to the real struggles non-cisgender people face. the people around them frowned on lando’s inability to control their shifts, one classmate going so far as to say lando shifted on purpose to “tease” him. lando also faced pressure from their parents, who had a lot of expectations for their shapeshifting abilities. i also loved the depictions of grief. both lando and bastian had lost someone, and they coped with their respective losses in different ways. though this book dealt with some heavy topics, overall, it was a sweet love story. i hope to read more from emma hinds in the future!
July 8, 2025
THANK YOU NETGALLEY AND WEDNESDAY BOOKS FOR THE FREE ARC!
I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read with easy-to-follow world building. I liked how Hinds used rings for the witches and their magic. There were different smells associated with each witch, which made it feel like it wasn't just a general sort of magic, but an individual marker to those characters. Of course, what really makes this book shine is Lando, who isn't a witch but a shapeshifter (which means they switch between genders at "random" (a problem that is unique for Lando and no other shapeshifters).
Throughout the novel, Lando struggles with their identity, their place in the world, grief, etc. These topics aren't easy to juggle yet Hinds did so thoughtfully. Each theme felt executed well, especially given the shorter length of this book and the fact that it's YA.
Eventually Lando is forced to team up with the new guy Bastian in order to bring back Lando's dead girlfriend. Bastian's and Lando's chemistry was a bit off-putting at first. Lando came off snappy and judgmental and I often wondered why Bas would stick around, but eventually their chemistry clicked and I did find myself rooting for them.
My heart melted when Bas said, "Because whatever your form, you're always sharp and funny and you always give me the same eye roll and same annoyed look....Whether you're in a hoodie or daft dungarees, redhead or brunette, whatever, you will always make me feel THIS. I think...you're brilliant, Lando."
So cute! Chef's kiss! I felt all the feels in that scene!!
The ending was wrapped up nicely and I beamed with joy for our two main characters!
Overall, there were a lot of takeaways from this book, but I think it sends a powerful message to all young readers about how it's okay to take the time you need to discover who you want to be. And of course, this book is especially important to those who are aching to see themselves represented on the page.
One thing I do wish there was more of was Lando's use of magic. I know we got an answer for things at the end of the book, but I couldn't understand why they were attending a magical institution when shapeshifters aren't witches and don't have magic. Yet Lando did. So I really wanted to learn more about why and how they specifically tapped into magic differently from witches.
I'm looking forward to purchasing a copy of this book so I can add it to my bookshelf!
I really enjoyed this one! It was a quick read with easy-to-follow world building. I liked how Hinds used rings for the witches and their magic. There were different smells associated with each witch, which made it feel like it wasn't just a general sort of magic, but an individual marker to those characters. Of course, what really makes this book shine is Lando, who isn't a witch but a shapeshifter (which means they switch between genders at "random" (a problem that is unique for Lando and no other shapeshifters).
Throughout the novel, Lando struggles with their identity, their place in the world, grief, etc. These topics aren't easy to juggle yet Hinds did so thoughtfully. Each theme felt executed well, especially given the shorter length of this book and the fact that it's YA.
Eventually Lando is forced to team up with the new guy Bastian in order to bring back Lando's dead girlfriend. Bastian's and Lando's chemistry was a bit off-putting at first. Lando came off snappy and judgmental and I often wondered why Bas would stick around, but eventually their chemistry clicked and I did find myself rooting for them.
My heart melted when Bas said, "Because whatever your form, you're always sharp and funny and you always give me the same eye roll and same annoyed look....Whether you're in a hoodie or daft dungarees, redhead or brunette, whatever, you will always make me feel THIS. I think...you're brilliant, Lando."
So cute! Chef's kiss! I felt all the feels in that scene!!
The ending was wrapped up nicely and I beamed with joy for our two main characters!
Overall, there were a lot of takeaways from this book, but I think it sends a powerful message to all young readers about how it's okay to take the time you need to discover who you want to be. And of course, this book is especially important to those who are aching to see themselves represented on the page.
One thing I do wish there was more of was Lando's use of magic. I know we got an answer for things at the end of the book, but I couldn't understand why they were attending a magical institution when shapeshifters aren't witches and don't have magic. Yet Lando did. So I really wanted to learn more about why and how they specifically tapped into magic differently from witches.
I'm looking forward to purchasing a copy of this book so I can add it to my bookshelf!
November 26, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
The non-binary shapeshifter character I have been CRAVING! I was so hoping this would be a good story based on the description and the author did not disappoint!
Lando’s journey through their grief and mental health felt grounded and real. You watch them relate to Bastian through their shared grief and learn how to move forward in the world while still processing what they’ve lost (it never truly goes away, you just learn how to live with it). I had suspicions about the eventual twist, but it felt less like a predictable outcome and more like “oh I hope this is how it plays out”.
The non-binary shapeshifter character I have been CRAVING! I was so hoping this would be a good story based on the description and the author did not disappoint!
Lando’s journey through their grief and mental health felt grounded and real. You watch them relate to Bastian through their shared grief and learn how to move forward in the world while still processing what they’ve lost (it never truly goes away, you just learn how to live with it). I had suspicions about the eventual twist, but it felt less like a predictable outcome and more like “oh I hope this is how it plays out”.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2025
i'm so different. so weird. no one gets me except this strikingly handsome jerk. good god release me
October 2, 2025
Fantasy thrives when it shows us something true about ourselves—but this one told me too much and showed me too little.
Witchlore started off so strong, and for a moment I was genuinely excited to dive in. But that spark was short-lived as the prose quickly became difficult to connect with.
What I did love was the way the book explores gender in such an entertaining and thoughtful way. This is absolutely its strength—giving teens characters they can see themselves in during those years of questioning and exploring identity. It’s so important for young readers to find themselves reflected on the page, and equally valuable for others to learn about experiences outside their own.
The fantasy genre is the perfect playground for difference, and the use of shapeshifters to represent gender fluidity and nonbinary identity was clever and creative. Unfortunately, that’s where the allure ended for me. The story gets bogged down in endless exposition, leaning heavily into “tell” with very little “show.” That left me consistently disconnected from the characters, and by the end, I honestly didn’t care what happened to them.
The comparison to Lee Croucher was spot on—the writing style is similar, and both tackle queerness through fantasy. Full disclosure: had I noticed that in the marketing beforehand, I might have passed, since Croucher’s works haven’t landed for me in the past.
I also consumed the audiobook, narrated by Roly Botha. Sadly, the performance didn’t help with engagement. The delivery was painfully slow—so much so that I had to speed it up. But even at 1.25x, words blurred and endings muddied, making it frustrating to follow.
All that said, I can see this book resonating with readers who are seeking connection with its themes. It does explore loss, friendship, acceptance, and the search for one’s true self in addition to gender identity—and that may strike a meaningful chord for some.
Witchlore releases October 14th, 2025 from Wednesday Books in the US.
In the end, Witchlore had the magic in its message, but not in its execution.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
Witchlore started off so strong, and for a moment I was genuinely excited to dive in. But that spark was short-lived as the prose quickly became difficult to connect with.
What I did love was the way the book explores gender in such an entertaining and thoughtful way. This is absolutely its strength—giving teens characters they can see themselves in during those years of questioning and exploring identity. It’s so important for young readers to find themselves reflected on the page, and equally valuable for others to learn about experiences outside their own.
The fantasy genre is the perfect playground for difference, and the use of shapeshifters to represent gender fluidity and nonbinary identity was clever and creative. Unfortunately, that’s where the allure ended for me. The story gets bogged down in endless exposition, leaning heavily into “tell” with very little “show.” That left me consistently disconnected from the characters, and by the end, I honestly didn’t care what happened to them.
The comparison to Lee Croucher was spot on—the writing style is similar, and both tackle queerness through fantasy. Full disclosure: had I noticed that in the marketing beforehand, I might have passed, since Croucher’s works haven’t landed for me in the past.
I also consumed the audiobook, narrated by Roly Botha. Sadly, the performance didn’t help with engagement. The delivery was painfully slow—so much so that I had to speed it up. But even at 1.25x, words blurred and endings muddied, making it frustrating to follow.
All that said, I can see this book resonating with readers who are seeking connection with its themes. It does explore loss, friendship, acceptance, and the search for one’s true self in addition to gender identity—and that may strike a meaningful chord for some.
Witchlore releases October 14th, 2025 from Wednesday Books in the US.
In the end, Witchlore had the magic in its message, but not in its execution.
I was fortunate to receive a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.
⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.
October 10, 2025
4.5 Stars
Exploring grief, survivor’s guilt, prejudice and queer identity; Emma Hinds’ witchy, magic-filled debut is an immersive and timeless coming of age story I couldn’t put down!
We follow non-binary shifter, Lando as they attempt to raise their girlfriend from the dead. With some help from the mysterious new student, Bastian. Whose extraordinary powers (and motives for helping) raise questions not even Lando’s friendship (or growing attraction) can hold back.
I really enjoyed this one and found Hind’s prose atmospheric, yet grounded in folklore (selkies, boggarts, hellhounds) and history (of witchcraft and persecution.) That I felt added a lived-in sense of depth to the worldbuilding (and Lando’s emotional journey) which had me fully immersed from the very start.
The character driven focus was incredible too, though it was our MC, Lando, that I was the most invested in.
Their struggle to control their shapeshifting abilities, (paired with their grief and constant self doubt) felt like such a great metaphor for adolescence as a whole; navigating social pressures, and a sense of belonging, as well as undergoing huge changes (both physically and emotionally.)
I loved the journal entries too, (from an unnamed shifter writing decades prior) and how they helped Lando explore their complex feelings around their identity, and lived experiences as a shifter. (It was also in these moments that I really wanted to hug them.)
Bastian, though not as in depth as Lando, was just as interesting. And despite the many questions around his motivations, I did find myself rooting for him and Lando.
I honestly think readers will deeply resonate with this one. Especially if looking for more queer or non-binary rep, as Hinds explores both with such empathy and nuance.
Overall, a magical, heartfelt read that I urge all witchy, YA fantasy lovers to check out!
Also, thanks to Usborne YA for the proof.
Exploring grief, survivor’s guilt, prejudice and queer identity; Emma Hinds’ witchy, magic-filled debut is an immersive and timeless coming of age story I couldn’t put down!
We follow non-binary shifter, Lando as they attempt to raise their girlfriend from the dead. With some help from the mysterious new student, Bastian. Whose extraordinary powers (and motives for helping) raise questions not even Lando’s friendship (or growing attraction) can hold back.
I really enjoyed this one and found Hind’s prose atmospheric, yet grounded in folklore (selkies, boggarts, hellhounds) and history (of witchcraft and persecution.) That I felt added a lived-in sense of depth to the worldbuilding (and Lando’s emotional journey) which had me fully immersed from the very start.
The character driven focus was incredible too, though it was our MC, Lando, that I was the most invested in.
Their struggle to control their shapeshifting abilities, (paired with their grief and constant self doubt) felt like such a great metaphor for adolescence as a whole; navigating social pressures, and a sense of belonging, as well as undergoing huge changes (both physically and emotionally.)
I loved the journal entries too, (from an unnamed shifter writing decades prior) and how they helped Lando explore their complex feelings around their identity, and lived experiences as a shifter. (It was also in these moments that I really wanted to hug them.)
Bastian, though not as in depth as Lando, was just as interesting. And despite the many questions around his motivations, I did find myself rooting for him and Lando.
I honestly think readers will deeply resonate with this one. Especially if looking for more queer or non-binary rep, as Hinds explores both with such empathy and nuance.
Overall, a magical, heartfelt read that I urge all witchy, YA fantasy lovers to check out!
Also, thanks to Usborne YA for the proof.
June 29, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me access to this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
What are the lengths you would go to bring back the one you love?
Lando, a non binary shifter in a world of witches who hate shifters, has to navigate school and their own grief when their girlfriend Elizabeth suddenly dies in a tragic accident.
Bastian, a Queer Witch from a powerful coven move to Manchester for a new start tries to befriend Lando, convincing them they could bring Elizabeth back using a ancient spell book he found online.
The story is complicated but interesting. I loved their love story and the unique concept of shifters not having a gender, but having to be pressured into choosing one to make the modern day society more comfortable with their existence. I love how Lando refused to choose a gender and just wanting to be themselves.
At first I didn't see much character development until Lando stood up to their school bully, in the beginning they wouldn't have done that. I loved how Bastian made Lando feel seen and actually loved them for who they were as a person regardless of what form Lando became.
My biggest peeves about it though, were how flowery the writing was but there wasn't any emotional connection behind the words. It was trying to convey feelings that I couldn't feel through the story.
I also wished there was some conciliation between Lando and their parents.
I don't know, I feel like the story was lacking emotional depth and something else.
I still enjoyed it, but I probably wouldn't read it again.
What are the lengths you would go to bring back the one you love?
Lando, a non binary shifter in a world of witches who hate shifters, has to navigate school and their own grief when their girlfriend Elizabeth suddenly dies in a tragic accident.
Bastian, a Queer Witch from a powerful coven move to Manchester for a new start tries to befriend Lando, convincing them they could bring Elizabeth back using a ancient spell book he found online.
The story is complicated but interesting. I loved their love story and the unique concept of shifters not having a gender, but having to be pressured into choosing one to make the modern day society more comfortable with their existence. I love how Lando refused to choose a gender and just wanting to be themselves.
At first I didn't see much character development until Lando stood up to their school bully, in the beginning they wouldn't have done that. I loved how Bastian made Lando feel seen and actually loved them for who they were as a person regardless of what form Lando became.
My biggest peeves about it though, were how flowery the writing was but there wasn't any emotional connection behind the words. It was trying to convey feelings that I couldn't feel through the story.
I also wished there was some conciliation between Lando and their parents.
I don't know, I feel like the story was lacking emotional depth and something else.
I still enjoyed it, but I probably wouldn't read it again.
October 17, 2025
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
This is a very intense adventure, which throws Lando between forms at the most dangerous and unlikely of moments. They’re also getting a bit consumed reading the grimoire, which had to belong to a shapeshifter. Through the grimoire, Lando sees the tumultuous moments in the life of another shapeshifter who’s eschewed binary designation. Their journal in the grimoire exposes Lando to historical events they seem to embody while unexpectedly shifting. Lando is nearly killed more than once, but is dogged in the effort to resurrect Elizabeth. Meanwhile, a connection is building between Lando and Bastian, one that Lando neither expected nor desired.
The end is definitely positive, and Lando has a solid core of people who will believe in and encourage them as they develop in their magic and life. It’s a really good read, and I’d recommend it for people who enjoy YA magical realism and non-binary main characters, or those who are transgender. The cover states this is “a love story to raise the dead,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
This is a very intense adventure, which throws Lando between forms at the most dangerous and unlikely of moments. They’re also getting a bit consumed reading the grimoire, which had to belong to a shapeshifter. Through the grimoire, Lando sees the tumultuous moments in the life of another shapeshifter who’s eschewed binary designation. Their journal in the grimoire exposes Lando to historical events they seem to embody while unexpectedly shifting. Lando is nearly killed more than once, but is dogged in the effort to resurrect Elizabeth. Meanwhile, a connection is building between Lando and Bastian, one that Lando neither expected nor desired.
The end is definitely positive, and Lando has a solid core of people who will believe in and encourage them as they develop in their magic and life. It’s a really good read, and I’d recommend it for people who enjoy YA magical realism and non-binary main characters, or those who are transgender. The cover states this is “a love story to raise the dead,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
October 14, 2025
Witchlore was such a fun read. I got the ALC from NetGalley and Macmillan Audio (thanks so much!) and the audio of this book was soooo good. I could listen to the narrator read me anything, honestly. Their accent is just fun and soothing. I don't usually think too much of an audiobook and the narration but I did really love this one.
As far as the book itself goes, I really did enjoy this story. It was fun and really creative and it had me tearing up at the end. The pacing did seem a bit odd and maybe repetitive in some parts but I still think it was really well done overall and I would definitely recommend it to everyone! The way the nonbinary experience was added in to the shapeshifter storyline just felt really accessible.
As far as the book itself goes, I really did enjoy this story. It was fun and really creative and it had me tearing up at the end. The pacing did seem a bit odd and maybe repetitive in some parts but I still think it was really well done overall and I would definitely recommend it to everyone! The way the nonbinary experience was added in to the shapeshifter storyline just felt really accessible.
October 13, 2025
Emma Hinds is a new to me author. I was excited to receive this ARC because it is something out of my usual comfort zone. I don't usually read romantasy/ paranormal but I really enjoyed the journey that Lando and Bastian took us on. The book started with some heavy topics but as the story progresses I enjoyed how the author navigated those heavy optics and gave us great characters.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC.
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