Through the Static: Witchcraft, Punk Rock, and Temporal Chaos

by T.L. Bellavance

Susannah Ward, a cunning woman in 17th-century Puritan New England, whispers charms to heal her village, always fearing accusations of witchcraft. Mara “Riot” Fields, a punk rock DJ in the modern day, mocks magic as she spins records and riffs through heartbreak. When Mara’s late-night broadcasts bleed through time, crackling into Susannah’s fire, the two women forge an impossible connection across the static.

As Susannah faces execution for witchcraft, Mara must confront the the spirit she’s been joking about is very real—and very alive. Together, they weave ancient folk magic and punk rebellion to defy time itself, risking everything to save one another.

Genres: Time Travel

137 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2025

Reviews

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I've got my fingers crossed that the author writes a sequel because I can't get enough of Mara & Susannah. I read this almost all the way through in one sitting because I had to know what happened next. This is a quick read that you definitely don't want to miss out on.

[Rogomelec · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of Through the Static, and I loved this book. It’s eerie, unsettling, weirdly funny at times, and so damn good. The atmosphere? Perfect. The characters? Obsessed. The vibes? Immaculate.

Susannah and Mara own my heart. Susannah, stuck in Puritan hell, just trying to survive while the world sharpens its knives against her. Mara, a punk DJ who didn’t ask to be haunted by a time-displaced witch but rolls with it anyway. Their connection—how it happens, why it happens—had me hooked. I love a good unreliable narrator, and Mara is exactly the right mix of snarky, self-deprecating, and low-key spiraling at all times.

And the ending?? Oh my god. It’s like stepping off a rollercoaster and immediately tripping over your own feet. I was fully prepared for a big dramatic resolution, but instead, I got awkward introductions, unfortunate snack choices, and time travel-induced identity crises—and honestly? Perfect. It’s weird, it’s absurd, and it somehow feels more real than any big, cinematic finale could have.

Five stars. No notes. Just me, sitting here, grinning like an idiot because I’m so glad this book exists.

[Brittany T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a really neat way to combine the past and the present. The story was truly amazing. It was a little different than what I typically read, and it was a good change in pace for me. I liked how the author brought the two together , it didn't feel out of place or weird. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and fellow readers who enjoy books that have witchcraft, but also books that just give you a different vibe!

[Margaret Hamnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This read like a cosy, witchy mystery. The idea was certainly unusual and was handled realistically. This was a lot sweeter than I was expecting and it did choke me up a few times. The characters were adorable and also hilarious. I was expecting something a lot heavier but this was just plain adorable. It did not take me long at all to read as I couldn’t put it down.

[Simone Haeseler · Rating 3 out of 5]

IT was very unusual and unexpected to say the least. I don't really know what to think of it at all. I expected more like the outlander I guess. It was not that long, so I read it in one session. So all in all a bit spooky, a bit strange , not bad but not for me.