Amber Silverby is the first of her kind and she’s hellbent on making sure she isn’t the last.Eighteen-year-old Amber Silverby is a witch who conceals her shapeshifting powers to avoid being cursed as a living statue by her unhinged uncle, the king.
While the monthly royal witch hunt engulfs the kingdom’s attention, Amber races to break the curse with the help of her mom’s underground rebel society, the Medusa Coven.
She was born a beast. He made her a monster. She will make his nightmares come true.
I thought this idea had so much potential and was executed well, but there could have been quite a bit of improvement on character and world building. I think the length was far too short to get in enough world building and have the character arcs that these characters deserved!
I loved Amber, she was fierce and no-nonsense. The idea of tilting Greek legends with witchcraft in a modern day setting is so unique. Overall, this short novel is fast-paced and definitely worth a read. I hope with the second book she expands on her world building and makes the story longer.
Thank you for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book is such an enjoyable read. If you love Greek mythology and witches you need to read this book. Amber is a witchfolk in hiding but also a royal. She will do anything to save her people. It leaves in a what's going to happen next at the end so prepare for that. The writing and the relationship the author creates with the characters draws you in immediately. The tension between Amber and Kane is fun to follow, there is no spice which is ok to cleanse on pallet. It a wonderful short read and looking forward to more from this author.
This is a fantastic blend of magic, myth, and diverse supernatural beings. The world-building is rich with mages, shifters, and fascinating creatures, creating a vibrant setting that feels alive. I loved the way the story weaves together family dynamics, especially how the FMC has such a supportive and strong family that helps her face the challenges ahead. The magic system is unique and engaging, and there’s a great balance between action and deeper emotional moments.
I'm torn on this read. I L O V E the premise but found the execution somewhat lacking. The story has such an amazing potential; a group of young rebels working together to overthrow the worthless King and bring justice for the people that are considered lesser. The story is set in the modern day but with a Greek twist and there is magic.
Let's talk about the positives! 💙 The FMC, Amber may only be 18 years old but she is not the typical young adult. She is fierce with a strong moral compass and a desire to help those less fortunate. She knows she is in a position to help and doesn't just think about it, she acts on it! I enjoyed her character throughout the book and thought she was a wonderful main character! 💙 The MMC, Kane, is the type of green flag man we want to see! He is supportive and helpful to the cause without ever asking Amber to step back. He always backs her play and knows her strengths. He is everything that makes a wonderful book boyfriend! 💙 The overall message of the book is phenomenal and I am living for it. An underground group of individuals, working to overthrow the patriarchy with the help of some well-placed higher authoritative people. While the book is fiction it is so laced with hints from our own past in America and I love the parallels.
A mesmerizing blend of myth, magic, and family drama, *Witchfolk* by Renae L. Moore is a thrilling fantasy that hooked me from the first chapter and never let go. Set in a world where magical shape-shifters are ruled by a ruthless king—who also happens to be the protagonist's uncle—this book weaves a compelling narrative of betrayal, power struggles, and self-discovery.
The story follows Amber, a strong-willed and complex FMC, caught in the turbulent web of her family's dark secrets. As she navigates her place in a kingdom teeming with fire mages, air mages, water mages, and non-magical mundanes, she faces her own awakening and the discovery of her role in a larger battle. The diverse magical creatures—fire mages who are dragon shifters, air mages who become griffins, and water mages who can shift into unicorns—bring an enchanting, unique touch to the world-building.
One of the standout features of *Witchfolk* is its incredible depth of world-building. The concept of shape-shifters, each linked to elemental magic, is both creative and intriguing, and it adds so much texture to the plot. While the book can sometimes be a bit tricky to follow in terms of pacing and exposition, Moore does a fantastic job of unraveling complex details in the chapters that follow, ensuring readers aren’t left confused for long.
The family dynamics are what truly make the plot come alive. The tension between Amber and her uncle, the king, is palpable, and the personal drama within the royal family ramps up the stakes to a fever pitch. Secrets, betrayals, and shifting allegiances keep you on the edge of your seat. As Amber uncovers the truth, both about herself and the world she inhabits, the suspense builds to a heart-stopping climax.
The ending—oh, the ending—came completely out of nowhere. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, Moore delivers a twist that leaves you gasping. It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to read the next book in the series immediately.
If you love stories with rich world-building, strong character development, and a perfect blend of magic, family intrigue, and suspense, *Witchfolk* is an absolute must-read. It’s a captivating retelling of classic myths, with a fresh and modern twist that will leave you thinking about Amber's journey long after you've turned the final page.
A dystopian world with roots in greek mythology, starring Circe and Medusa. Renae worked the world building into the story as things happen instead of drawing it out to begin with, which i appreciate. It's a very interesting concept of using places we know today and reimagining them.
Amber is a strong FMC whose kind is hunted and killed. She wishes to make the world a better place, with her guard Kane and friends. They share a great bond and are willing to go to the ends of the world for each other. It's also nice to see supportive parents that encourage and support the MC.
I hope to hear more of the backstory of Celeste in the next book.
Fantastic read about witches with a spin. Ambers story was truly inspiring and I love a fierce fmc. She wrote her own future and she wasn’t letting any man hold her back. Her friends and family were always there for her. This book was absolutely the perfect mix of witchcraft, Greek mythology, and fantasy!
ok, the cover is pretty, the premise is interesting, the story is interesting,
unfortunately the way it unfolds failed to stick in my head. like yk, when im actually reading im like ok yes this is good, but the moment im not reading, i dont get that 'i wanna get back to it asap' feeling
maybe sometime later i'll try to reread it and see if maybe i'll like it more
My biggest gripe comes from (obviously on me) forgetting this was “set in” Michigan until it would randomly be brought up. But then with like 30 pages left someone asks about when did “America get witches” while talking about Chicago, Illinois. I know I’m rusty on geography, but not THAT rusty.
I really enjoyed this book but it felt a little rushed, or like it was a small part of a longer story. I wouldn’t have liked to learn more about the history and lore involved. The characters were compelling. I hope the author writes more!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book as I felt it had a really interesting plot and setting. This was a really quick read as it only has a page count of 140 but because it was so short, I feel as if the character and worldbuilding took a hit. A lot of action is packed in such a short window, I at times felt that I was reading a sequel and that I was missing parts of the story. I truly feel that if this book was longer and had a steady pace for worldbuilding and character building, this would be a 5 star read for me.
I loved Amber as the FMC. From the beginning to end, she was was brave and selfless. I found myself loving that she had such a strong support system, especially with her mother. I think it's so common for FMCs to be thwarted by their mother, it was refreshing to read about one that unconditionally loved and supported their daughter.
Love this book! It interweaves Greek myth, female empowerment and shifter fantasy elements with skill, creating a world that echoes ours, but is rich with extraordinary dimensions. The main character is loveable and interesting. She isn't perfect, which helps the plot feel real and ups the tension too. My only criticism would be that the timeline was very compact, taking place over a couple of days. It made some of the events feel unlikely, slightly taking me out of the narrative. However, overlooking that, the story itself was fresh and exciting, the dangers very real and the baddies delightfully evil!