Packed to the brim with scathing social commentary and revenge-dishing modern-day witches, The Women of Wild Hill was a timely story that acted as a balm to my soul. Coming at just the right moment in our current mixed up world, it was a war on the patriarchy in the best possible way. That being said, the raw elements of the book itself were just as brilliant. A character-driven plot that sizzled with tension, it was also an ingenious new take on a generational family saga. You see, the various members of the Duncan clan were each wily, smart, and savvy, but also all inherently different from one another. To be frank, they were some of the best female main characters that I’ve ever read. After all, they evoked Alice Hoffman’s best witches, all while taking them just a tad bit further as well.
The storyline was just as much of a home run, however. A slow boil of plot-charging drama, wealthy men behaving badly, and long-buried family secrets, it was a well-written symphony that kept me from guessing what was coming around the next bend. With a supernatural plot tempering the serious reality-based themes, I was rooting this group on all while I cackled away at the laugh-out-loud sarcasm and delicious dark humor. Satirical but also reverently poignant, I honestly can’t think of another book even remotely like this one. You see, from the riveting start to the somewhat open-ended conclusion, it shocked me at every turn. And when I reached that fist-pumping climax? Well, let’s just say that my reading speed found another gear while the Cheshire Cat-like smile just grew bigger and bigger.
All said and done, this book was the exact kind of story I needed right now. A rallying cry to women, it explored strength, courage, and the power of working together all while exposing the flaws in society with a deft pen. Interwoven into it was a plot that dazzled and entertained via multiple distinct POVs, immersive storytelling, and a haunting—and haunted—setting. Don’t get me wrong, the strongest piece was the juxtaposition of the somewhat cozy vibe with the hell-hath-no-fury-like-a-woman-scorned feel. Full of righteous anger and feminine power, I felt like listening to Katy Perry’s Roar the entire time I was reading. So if you’re looking for a book to help you temper the news or one that will have help you laugh instead of cry, grab this one now. It’s a winner for sure. Rating of 5 stars.
P.S. By the way, Ms. Miller, is there any way that we could get a sequel?!
SYNOPSIS:
There are places on earth where nature’s powers gather. Girls raised there are bequeathed strange gifts. A few have powers so dark that they fear to use them. Such a place is Wild Hill, on the tip of Long Island. For centuries, the ghost of a witch murdered by colonists claimed the beautiful and fertile Wild Hill…until a young Scottish woman with strange gifts arrived. Sadie Duncan was allowed to stay.
Five generations of Sadie’s descendants called Wild Hill home, each generation more powerful than the last. Then, in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy, the last of the Duncans, once prophesized to be the most powerful of their kind, abandoned their ancestral home.
One of them, Brigid Laguerre moved to California and turned her dark gift into fame and fortune. Her sister, Phoebe, settled on a ranch in Texas, where women visit in secret for her tonics and cures. Phoebe’s daughter, Sybil, has become a famous chef. Seemingly powerless, Sibyl has never been told of the Duncan bloodline.
Now Brigid, Phoebe, and Sibyl have been brought to Wild Hill to discover their family legacy. The Old One, furious at the path mankind has taken, has chosen three powerful witches to turn the tide. The Duncans will fulfill their destinies—but only if they can set aside their grievances and come together as a family.
Thank you to Kirsten Miller and William Morrow Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 7, 2025
Content warning: ghosts, misogyny, abortion, politics, poisoning, drowning, mention of: domestic abuse