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Soul of a Gentleman Witch
To win back his soul from the Devil, a cynical witch must decide if his own freedom is worth delivering a selfless boy to damnation.
Perpetually seventeen, Callum the green witch is indebted to the Devil until he fulfills 666 tasks. When Lucifer offers Callum an unusual job that will end Callum’s contract early and return his soul, Callum readily agrees. All Callum must do is ensure Augustus “Auggie” Sanderson makes it from London to New York by the next blood moon.
This proves more difficult than Callum could’ve predicted as power-hungry witch kings and queens, blood witches, and even necromancers are also out to capture Auggie. To deliver Auggie on time and win back his soul, Callum will need the help of his black cat familiar, his human assistant (whom he accidentally turned into a frog), a four-armed, tally undead witch, and Auggie himself—who seems too good to have made a deal with the Devil.
But if Auggie didn’t make a deal with the Devil, what awaits him in New York? And if Auggie doesn’t deserve his fate, is Callum willing to give up his own chance at freedom to save him?
Perpetually seventeen, Callum the green witch is indebted to the Devil until he fulfills 666 tasks. When Lucifer offers Callum an unusual job that will end Callum’s contract early and return his soul, Callum readily agrees. All Callum must do is ensure Augustus “Auggie” Sanderson makes it from London to New York by the next blood moon.
This proves more difficult than Callum could’ve predicted as power-hungry witch kings and queens, blood witches, and even necromancers are also out to capture Auggie. To deliver Auggie on time and win back his soul, Callum will need the help of his black cat familiar, his human assistant (whom he accidentally turned into a frog), a four-armed, tally undead witch, and Auggie himself—who seems too good to have made a deal with the Devil.
But if Auggie didn’t make a deal with the Devil, what awaits him in New York? And if Auggie doesn’t deserve his fate, is Callum willing to give up his own chance at freedom to save him?
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First published January 20, 2026
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January 24, 2026
Soul of a Gentleman Witch screams goblincore, but then mix-in the perfect found family of unexpected ragtag characters going on an adventure. That might sound like a lot of words, but they’ll all make sense as soon as you pick up this book.
Callum is working to get his soul back. It’s been a century since he sold it to Lucifer, but the finish line is within reach. He has 3 more jobs to do and he’s just been summoned for his next one. But in a surprising twist of fate, he’s offered one last task and his soul will be returned. All he has to do is get one human man from London to New York before the Blood Moon in 2 weeks time. Seeing as how normally he’s dragging them to hell to have their souls forcefully taken, this will be a walk in the park.
The journey is set to be anything but boring, as he has his familiar, a black cat who with the help of a spell or two, can not only speak, but breathes fire and has wings, as well as a human-turned-toad and a 4-armed witch with zombie limbs who all offer comedic relief throughout the voyage.
And Auggie, the human who seems regular and no reason for all the distress they are going through, gets them all into trouble every chance he can. He has a big heart and wants to help anyone in need, which in turn makes it where everyone else has to clean up his messes.
I really really loved this book. It was truly heartwarming and fun. I smiled and laughed throughout my read and was actually sad it ended. There were a couple scenes that I teared up and wanted to kick the author in the shins, because I didn’t know what he had planned for the rest of the book, but… what to say without giving spoilers? I don’t like bad things to happen to characters I love. That feels vague enough. Needless to say, his shins are safe…….. for now!
If you’re like me, after finishing the third book in David Ferraro’s catalogue, you’re probably wondering what comes next? In the Alchemy of Moonlight, we got a werewolf love triangle story where, for the first time, my constant wishing for them all to just get together actually paid off. In A Vile Season, a vampire turned human fights to win the heart of a royal so that he can be transformed back into a vampire. And now, we have a witch who’s sold his soul to the devil and is doing favors to be able to buy it back. 666 favors, to be exact.
So what does come next? Maybe a swamp monster who wants to return to the ooze they came from because they’re the last of their kind? Or a mummy who’s searching for his 1000 year old lover, buried in a tomb somewhere down the Nile River? Orrrrr maybe it’ll be about the abominable snowman who’s in an enemies to lovers sitch with bigfoot… No! That’s not it. But whatever he does next, it’ll be pure magic like his last 3 books and I’ll eat it up in hours, only to have to wait a year or so for the next one.
Thank you to Page Street YA and David Ferraro for my gifted ARC. All views are my own and so are the tear tracks on my face, the pains in my tummy from laughing, and the time I spent reading and loving this!
Callum is working to get his soul back. It’s been a century since he sold it to Lucifer, but the finish line is within reach. He has 3 more jobs to do and he’s just been summoned for his next one. But in a surprising twist of fate, he’s offered one last task and his soul will be returned. All he has to do is get one human man from London to New York before the Blood Moon in 2 weeks time. Seeing as how normally he’s dragging them to hell to have their souls forcefully taken, this will be a walk in the park.
The journey is set to be anything but boring, as he has his familiar, a black cat who with the help of a spell or two, can not only speak, but breathes fire and has wings, as well as a human-turned-toad and a 4-armed witch with zombie limbs who all offer comedic relief throughout the voyage.
And Auggie, the human who seems regular and no reason for all the distress they are going through, gets them all into trouble every chance he can. He has a big heart and wants to help anyone in need, which in turn makes it where everyone else has to clean up his messes.
I really really loved this book. It was truly heartwarming and fun. I smiled and laughed throughout my read and was actually sad it ended. There were a couple scenes that I teared up and wanted to kick the author in the shins, because I didn’t know what he had planned for the rest of the book, but… what to say without giving spoilers? I don’t like bad things to happen to characters I love. That feels vague enough. Needless to say, his shins are safe…….. for now!
If you’re like me, after finishing the third book in David Ferraro’s catalogue, you’re probably wondering what comes next? In the Alchemy of Moonlight, we got a werewolf love triangle story where, for the first time, my constant wishing for them all to just get together actually paid off. In A Vile Season, a vampire turned human fights to win the heart of a royal so that he can be transformed back into a vampire. And now, we have a witch who’s sold his soul to the devil and is doing favors to be able to buy it back. 666 favors, to be exact.
So what does come next? Maybe a swamp monster who wants to return to the ooze they came from because they’re the last of their kind? Or a mummy who’s searching for his 1000 year old lover, buried in a tomb somewhere down the Nile River? Orrrrr maybe it’ll be about the abominable snowman who’s in an enemies to lovers sitch with bigfoot… No! That’s not it. But whatever he does next, it’ll be pure magic like his last 3 books and I’ll eat it up in hours, only to have to wait a year or so for the next one.
Thank you to Page Street YA and David Ferraro for my gifted ARC. All views are my own and so are the tear tracks on my face, the pains in my tummy from laughing, and the time I spent reading and loving this!
January 18, 2026
(3.5 rounded down) A whimsical and mid-stakes quest full of a wide array of personalities and characters. I loved the adventure and consequences of good intentions coming back to bite them in unpredictable ways.
The romance was more of a crush-mance and didn’t feel much deeper than surface level attraction. I craved more depth and connection from our coupling. We did, however, get a decent amount of personal growth from our grumpy MMC, which I count as a win!
Overall, it’s a fun read/listen with lighthearted commentary in an otherwise spooky environment.
Thank you to Page Street for the physical ARC, and thank you to Libro.fm for access to the ALC!
The romance was more of a crush-mance and didn’t feel much deeper than surface level attraction. I craved more depth and connection from our coupling. We did, however, get a decent amount of personal growth from our grumpy MMC, which I count as a win!
Overall, it’s a fun read/listen with lighthearted commentary in an otherwise spooky environment.
Thank you to Page Street for the physical ARC, and thank you to Libro.fm for access to the ALC!
December 14, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Page Street YA for the chance to read the ARC! All opinions are honest and my own.
✨️ YA fantasy
🐈⬛ cozy vibes
✨️ found family
🐈⬛ flying, fire-breathing cat familiar
✨️ witches
🐈⬛ MM romantic subplot
✨️ deals with the devil
🐈⬛ maybe the real magic was the friends we made along the way
This was such a fun read! I'm not a cozy fantasy type of person, but in this case the cozy vibes throughout the story worked perfectly. Reading this book is like drinking a warm cup of tea (except instead of sugar cubes it's filled with human teeth, but that's totally normal and wholesome 🥰).
While the plot is rather tense, the vibes remain lighthearted from start to finish. The way the writing adds humour into every situation made for a really fun read. The romance subplot is also really sweet! I'd say the book is 90% fantasy and 10% romance. The magic in the story is very whimsical rather than a complicated system, which worked perfectly with the humour and overall vibes.
I definitely recommend this for cozy fantasy enjoyers and epic fantasy enjoyers who want a more lighthearted read ✨️
✨️ YA fantasy
🐈⬛ cozy vibes
✨️ found family
🐈⬛ flying, fire-breathing cat familiar
✨️ witches
🐈⬛ MM romantic subplot
✨️ deals with the devil
🐈⬛ maybe the real magic was the friends we made along the way
This was such a fun read! I'm not a cozy fantasy type of person, but in this case the cozy vibes throughout the story worked perfectly. Reading this book is like drinking a warm cup of tea (except instead of sugar cubes it's filled with human teeth, but that's totally normal and wholesome 🥰).
While the plot is rather tense, the vibes remain lighthearted from start to finish. The way the writing adds humour into every situation made for a really fun read. The romance subplot is also really sweet! I'd say the book is 90% fantasy and 10% romance. The magic in the story is very whimsical rather than a complicated system, which worked perfectly with the humour and overall vibes.
I definitely recommend this for cozy fantasy enjoyers and epic fantasy enjoyers who want a more lighthearted read ✨️
January 26, 2026
Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a fantastic fantasy book with a lackluster title (though I can’t really think of anything better so I probably shouldn’t judge.) It was a fun fantasy book with a lot of adventures, characters I loved and rooted for, and a dash of romance. Callum is a grumpy witch charged with getting Auggie safely to his destination. Auggie is the sunshine in the pair. Their romance was cute and completely G rated so not a Romantasy. They are both around 17 years old, but they seem older. I love Freya, Lexi, Therese, and especially Narcissa, Callum’s sassy familiar.
I think the adventure was paced really well. There are some books that seem to take all these detours on a quest and it gets tedious. With Soul of a Gentleman Witch, I felt like each quest had significance and led to an epic battle and ending.
There are a few swear words and Lucifer is a key character, but I really don’t think these is anything risqué in the book. It could be in a middle school or high school library. I really liked the audiobook version except for Freya’s voice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think the adventure was paced really well. There are some books that seem to take all these detours on a quest and it gets tedious. With Soul of a Gentleman Witch, I felt like each quest had significance and led to an epic battle and ending.
There are a few swear words and Lucifer is a key character, but I really don’t think these is anything risqué in the book. It could be in a middle school or high school library. I really liked the audiobook version except for Freya’s voice.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 27, 2026
4.25/5 Stars
Oh man, this was a good time. I really enjoyed the protagonist, Callum, and how much he grows throughout the course of the book while still being snarky and sarcastic the whole time. The found family vibes are wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing the interactions within the main party.
The magic system was super cool - it was mostly your typical magic system where each witch has a specialized type of magic they use (green witches, necromancers, frost witches, etc.) but with a bit more thought and creativity thrown in. For example, the necromancer is able to control not just dead humans and witches, but dead plants and even the leather of opponents' clothing. The creative uses of multiple characters' magical abilities really set this book apart from similar cozy, witchy fantasies for me and ultimately gave this book the extra quarter star in my heart.
I love when a book feels well-planned, and every little detail ties back in to the story nicely by the end. No random tangents or superfluous details, everything mattered in the end.
As for the audiobook performance, Jackie Meloche perfectly captures Callum's sarcastic and cynical nature. 10/10 that was the right narrator for the book.
It's also imperative that I note there is a talking cat in this book. She is sassy and she is wonderful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Oh man, this was a good time. I really enjoyed the protagonist, Callum, and how much he grows throughout the course of the book while still being snarky and sarcastic the whole time. The found family vibes are wonderful and I really enjoyed seeing the interactions within the main party.
The magic system was super cool - it was mostly your typical magic system where each witch has a specialized type of magic they use (green witches, necromancers, frost witches, etc.) but with a bit more thought and creativity thrown in. For example, the necromancer is able to control not just dead humans and witches, but dead plants and even the leather of opponents' clothing. The creative uses of multiple characters' magical abilities really set this book apart from similar cozy, witchy fantasies for me and ultimately gave this book the extra quarter star in my heart.
I love when a book feels well-planned, and every little detail ties back in to the story nicely by the end. No random tangents or superfluous details, everything mattered in the end.
As for the audiobook performance, Jackie Meloche perfectly captures Callum's sarcastic and cynical nature. 10/10 that was the right narrator for the book.
It's also imperative that I note there is a talking cat in this book. She is sassy and she is wonderful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
January 27, 2026
This was cute. The worldbuilding was uniuqe and I liked the ragtag group of friends that Callum acquires throughout, and the way their seemingly random adventures were all tied together in the end.
However, I was never really completely drawn into the story. I felt like there was a barrier between it and myself, that kept me from caring overmuch about any of the characters or anything that happened.
Also the romance was disappointing. It felt more like a highschool crush than a romance, and I just wanted a deeper connection between them.
The audiobook was well-d0ne. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and did a good job of bringing the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Page Street YA, and Dreamscape Media for providing an early copy for review.
However, I was never really completely drawn into the story. I felt like there was a barrier between it and myself, that kept me from caring overmuch about any of the characters or anything that happened.
Also the romance was disappointing. It felt more like a highschool crush than a romance, and I just wanted a deeper connection between them.
The audiobook was well-d0ne. The narrator was pleasant to listen to and did a good job of bringing the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to it.
Thanks to NetGalley, Page Street YA, and Dreamscape Media for providing an early copy for review.
November 9, 2025
Rating 3.75/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This was a very fun and cute read! Callum was fun as an MC, even with his faults, and the sense of humor he brought to his narration was truly the highlight for me.
I wish I had gotten more of Callum and Auggie together, as their feelings towards each other felt a bit abrupt and hollow due to the flow of the plot. But I still thought it was an enjoyable read with a colorful cast of characters. I also liked the complex issue of witches and humans both seeing themselves as victims and the other as cruel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This was a very fun and cute read! Callum was fun as an MC, even with his faults, and the sense of humor he brought to his narration was truly the highlight for me.
I wish I had gotten more of Callum and Auggie together, as their feelings towards each other felt a bit abrupt and hollow due to the flow of the plot. But I still thought it was an enjoyable read with a colorful cast of characters. I also liked the complex issue of witches and humans both seeing themselves as victims and the other as cruel.
January 14, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ (Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!)
Ok the found family in this book was on point! Honestly everything was on point! Great pacing, great characters, the plot and world were fun, I had a great time! You have a witch who’s favorite snack is teeth, a sassy cat that’s trying to be a dragon, a girl who turned into a toad but don’t mind that much since it means she gets to go on a trip with her bestie, a boy that have a (slight) hero complex, what else do you want? Even if there was a lot of conflicts and moments of dangers, it stayed very cozy! It would make an amazing graphic novel or animated show/movie! Simple, but very enjoyable ❤️
Ok the found family in this book was on point! Honestly everything was on point! Great pacing, great characters, the plot and world were fun, I had a great time! You have a witch who’s favorite snack is teeth, a sassy cat that’s trying to be a dragon, a girl who turned into a toad but don’t mind that much since it means she gets to go on a trip with her bestie, a boy that have a (slight) hero complex, what else do you want? Even if there was a lot of conflicts and moments of dangers, it stayed very cozy! It would make an amazing graphic novel or animated show/movie! Simple, but very enjoyable ❤️
January 27, 2026
Whimsical found family quest
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Body horror, fire/fire injury, violence, torture, blood, kidnapping, death of parent, animal cruelty, injury/injury detail, death, gore, colonisation, ableism, animal death
David Ferraro's Soul of a Gentleman Witch is about Callum, a witch who's been seventeen for over a century. He made a deal with the Devil and has to complete 666 tasks to get his soul back. He's on task 664 when Lucifer offers him a shortcut. Get Augustus Sanderson from London to New York by the blood moon and the contract is done. Sounds easy. It's not. Witch kings, blood witches, necromancers, all of them want Auggie for reasons Callum doesn't know yet. He's got his fire-breathing cat familiar Narcissa, his human assistant who he accidentally turned into a frog, and eventually Auggie himself to help figure out what's actually happening.
Jackie Meloche reads the audiobook. They're excellent. The tone they bring works perfectly for this story. Each character gets a distinct voice that makes it easy to follow who's talking. The pace of the reading ran slightly slow for me so I sped it up, but that's just my preference. The actual performance is really good.
This book has cozy, whimsical vibes even though some of the content gets dark. The tone stays light even when things are tense. There's humor all through it that keeps things fun. It feels like the kind of book you read with hot chocolate while people are making deals with the devil and dealing with witch politics.
Narcissa is so good. She's Callum's familiar, a black cat who breathes fire and talks. She has attitude. Every scene with her is a highlight. The way the found family builds between Callum and the people he picks up along the way feels real. The cast is varied and the way they interact with each other works well.
Callum's growth is one of the strongest parts. He starts out morally grey and grumpy. You watch him change through what he does instead of just being told he's different now. The book shows his development through his actions. I appreciate that approach to character work.
The magic system isn't complicated. It's whimsical and fresh without getting bogged down in rules. Once I figured out what was happening, this turned into a page turner. Hard to put down. The pacing picks up and gets fast toward the end.
The book deals with prejudice and bias between witches and humans throughout. Both groups see themselves as victims and the other side as cruel. There's a parallel to queer experience in how this plays out. Humans need witches for magic. Witches need humans for spell ingredients. If humans disappear, magic might too. Neither side really understands how much they need each other.
The romance is subtle. Maybe 10% of the book, with 90% being fantasy and adventure. That balance worked for me. The adventure is what matters here. But the romance that exists feels hollow. It's abrupt and underdeveloped. Callum and Auggie don't get enough time together because the plot keeps separating them. When they are together, the chemistry isn't deep enough.
Auggie is the character who gets the least development. He's more of a plot device than a real person. He's kind and selfless. You see him putting others first. But there's not much else to him. The story focuses on Callum's journey, so I get why Auggie takes a backseat. But he's central to the plot, so he needed more.
The beginning is confusing. You get thrown right into things without enough explanation of the world or what's happening. It took me a while to get into the story because of this. Once I got my footing, I was hooked. But that rough start could make some people give up before it gets good.
Some moments are genuinely gruesome in ways I wasn't expecting. The descriptions get graphic. Body horror, fire injuries, violence, torture. The content warnings aren't there for show. The tone is lighter but the actual content isn't light.
Therese is seven years old and part of the group for a chunk of the book. That made me uncomfortable. She's really young. I'd be reading and having a good time and then remember her age and feel weird about it.
The themes and world-building suggest there's more to explore than what we get. There are interesting ideas about how witches rule and how magical and non-magical communities interact. I wanted more of that. The book touches on these things but doesn't go deep. The plot isn't entirely unpredictable either. You can see some twists coming.
Even with these problems, this works. The humor and snark are fun. The found family feels genuine. Callum's arc is satisfying. Narcissa alone makes it worth reading. The Ghibli vibes are there if that's your thing. Characters communicate well with each other even when they're keeping secrets, which I liked.
This is for people who love cozy fantasy, Ghibli fans who liked Kiki's Delivery Service or Howl's Moving Castle, readers wanting lighthearted YA fantasy, anyone who loves talking animal familiars, found family stories, and people fine with romance being minor. If you need deep world-building or a fully developed romance at the center, this might not work for you.
A fun adventure with a snarky cat, found family, and a grumpy witch figuring out how to care about people.
"I wanted to linger, make this last moment with him last, but in less than a minute, we were standing before the door. 'Will I see you again?' Auggie asked, his voice quiet. I forced a smile into place. 'Whatever the future holds, I truly hope that's the case. You're a very special person, Augustus Sanderson.' 'Auggie,' he corrected me. I wrapped my arms around him and stared down into his face, heart beating so furiously I could feel it in my throat. 'Your friends call you Auggie, and I want to be more than a friend.'"
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Dreamscape Media for this advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
CW: Body horror, fire/fire injury, violence, torture, blood, kidnapping, death of parent, animal cruelty, injury/injury detail, death, gore, colonisation, ableism, animal death
David Ferraro's Soul of a Gentleman Witch is about Callum, a witch who's been seventeen for over a century. He made a deal with the Devil and has to complete 666 tasks to get his soul back. He's on task 664 when Lucifer offers him a shortcut. Get Augustus Sanderson from London to New York by the blood moon and the contract is done. Sounds easy. It's not. Witch kings, blood witches, necromancers, all of them want Auggie for reasons Callum doesn't know yet. He's got his fire-breathing cat familiar Narcissa, his human assistant who he accidentally turned into a frog, and eventually Auggie himself to help figure out what's actually happening.
Jackie Meloche reads the audiobook. They're excellent. The tone they bring works perfectly for this story. Each character gets a distinct voice that makes it easy to follow who's talking. The pace of the reading ran slightly slow for me so I sped it up, but that's just my preference. The actual performance is really good.
This book has cozy, whimsical vibes even though some of the content gets dark. The tone stays light even when things are tense. There's humor all through it that keeps things fun. It feels like the kind of book you read with hot chocolate while people are making deals with the devil and dealing with witch politics.
Narcissa is so good. She's Callum's familiar, a black cat who breathes fire and talks. She has attitude. Every scene with her is a highlight. The way the found family builds between Callum and the people he picks up along the way feels real. The cast is varied and the way they interact with each other works well.
Callum's growth is one of the strongest parts. He starts out morally grey and grumpy. You watch him change through what he does instead of just being told he's different now. The book shows his development through his actions. I appreciate that approach to character work.
The magic system isn't complicated. It's whimsical and fresh without getting bogged down in rules. Once I figured out what was happening, this turned into a page turner. Hard to put down. The pacing picks up and gets fast toward the end.
The book deals with prejudice and bias between witches and humans throughout. Both groups see themselves as victims and the other side as cruel. There's a parallel to queer experience in how this plays out. Humans need witches for magic. Witches need humans for spell ingredients. If humans disappear, magic might too. Neither side really understands how much they need each other.
The romance is subtle. Maybe 10% of the book, with 90% being fantasy and adventure. That balance worked for me. The adventure is what matters here. But the romance that exists feels hollow. It's abrupt and underdeveloped. Callum and Auggie don't get enough time together because the plot keeps separating them. When they are together, the chemistry isn't deep enough.
Auggie is the character who gets the least development. He's more of a plot device than a real person. He's kind and selfless. You see him putting others first. But there's not much else to him. The story focuses on Callum's journey, so I get why Auggie takes a backseat. But he's central to the plot, so he needed more.
The beginning is confusing. You get thrown right into things without enough explanation of the world or what's happening. It took me a while to get into the story because of this. Once I got my footing, I was hooked. But that rough start could make some people give up before it gets good.
Some moments are genuinely gruesome in ways I wasn't expecting. The descriptions get graphic. Body horror, fire injuries, violence, torture. The content warnings aren't there for show. The tone is lighter but the actual content isn't light.
Therese is seven years old and part of the group for a chunk of the book. That made me uncomfortable. She's really young. I'd be reading and having a good time and then remember her age and feel weird about it.
The themes and world-building suggest there's more to explore than what we get. There are interesting ideas about how witches rule and how magical and non-magical communities interact. I wanted more of that. The book touches on these things but doesn't go deep. The plot isn't entirely unpredictable either. You can see some twists coming.
Even with these problems, this works. The humor and snark are fun. The found family feels genuine. Callum's arc is satisfying. Narcissa alone makes it worth reading. The Ghibli vibes are there if that's your thing. Characters communicate well with each other even when they're keeping secrets, which I liked.
This is for people who love cozy fantasy, Ghibli fans who liked Kiki's Delivery Service or Howl's Moving Castle, readers wanting lighthearted YA fantasy, anyone who loves talking animal familiars, found family stories, and people fine with romance being minor. If you need deep world-building or a fully developed romance at the center, this might not work for you.
A fun adventure with a snarky cat, found family, and a grumpy witch figuring out how to care about people.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
To say witches have a complicated relationship with humans would be an understatement. First humans seek them when in dire need one moment. The next, they're burned for their craft. The loss of his parents cements Callum's distrust, distancing, and dislike for regular humans. Terrified of the same fate falling on himself, he goes to the devil for protection. In exchange he's made ageless, bound to complete 666 tasks.
Centuries later, he suspects there might be something more to this escorting job he's been given that the Devil isn't telling him. Why else would he let this one seemingly average mission cover Callum's last three remaining debts? He doesn't bet that it could be the end of his world. Or, maybe, it is the best possible thing that could happen to him. Unless of course the twist alters the world beyond recognition. Or he's torn apart by competing forces aligned both to the mundane and to those of the supernatural realm.
“Soul of a Gentleman Witch” is the type of story that may not pull completely unexpected punches, but gives quite a show. The tension in the tale lends it a real sense of weight. There is a strenuous dynamic between Callum and his charge, Auggie, born of their opposing views of each others' kind. It skirts nicely at the far edge of enemies to intimates device as both are quite personable to each other despite their differences of opinion. Somehow, despite Callum holding back the precise nature of his assignment, this book gloriously has rather good communication.
Even better for readers such as myself who prefer a romantic element to be secondary, both characters are compelling in their own right. More than that, the interactions between the well rounded entertaining set of companions isn't given differential treatment in significance. There's an authentic vibe the companions from the sprinkling of competing ideas and shade thrown along side the micro-alliances.
The world and magic system, the details behind different types of creatures, the source of energies and abilities, also feel quite fresh. Interspecies relations, mythos, and sprawling world building in this alternative universe was one of the most compelling elements. While this, I believe, is meant to be a standalone I would gladly peek into a different resident's life.
All of these things would be nothing if it didn't have such an emotional pulse. There is kinship, sorrow, and self realization to spare. Characters make this a story with a lot of heart, a lot to risk, and a lot to grin about. A wonderful cozy, sometimes snarky, and sprawling tale.
Centuries later, he suspects there might be something more to this escorting job he's been given that the Devil isn't telling him. Why else would he let this one seemingly average mission cover Callum's last three remaining debts? He doesn't bet that it could be the end of his world. Or, maybe, it is the best possible thing that could happen to him. Unless of course the twist alters the world beyond recognition. Or he's torn apart by competing forces aligned both to the mundane and to those of the supernatural realm.
“Soul of a Gentleman Witch” is the type of story that may not pull completely unexpected punches, but gives quite a show. The tension in the tale lends it a real sense of weight. There is a strenuous dynamic between Callum and his charge, Auggie, born of their opposing views of each others' kind. It skirts nicely at the far edge of enemies to intimates device as both are quite personable to each other despite their differences of opinion. Somehow, despite Callum holding back the precise nature of his assignment, this book gloriously has rather good communication.
Even better for readers such as myself who prefer a romantic element to be secondary, both characters are compelling in their own right. More than that, the interactions between the well rounded entertaining set of companions isn't given differential treatment in significance. There's an authentic vibe the companions from the sprinkling of competing ideas and shade thrown along side the micro-alliances.
The world and magic system, the details behind different types of creatures, the source of energies and abilities, also feel quite fresh. Interspecies relations, mythos, and sprawling world building in this alternative universe was one of the most compelling elements. While this, I believe, is meant to be a standalone I would gladly peek into a different resident's life.
All of these things would be nothing if it didn't have such an emotional pulse. There is kinship, sorrow, and self realization to spare. Characters make this a story with a lot of heart, a lot to risk, and a lot to grin about. A wonderful cozy, sometimes snarky, and sprawling tale.
February 4, 2026
Soul of a Gentleman Witch
By David Ferraro
Page Street Publishing, 2026
Five stars
David Ferraro’s story is a darkly romantic fantasy set in a world that made me distinctly uncomfortable. Witches are dominant in this world, and humans are both dependent on them for their magical skills and resentful of them for their cruelty and selfishness.
Well, if you think about it, this world isn’t all that unfamiliar, but it still makes me uncomfortable.
Lucifer is the ruler of Hell, and God, while the ruler of Heaven, seems oddly absent, and certainly not much respected by the witches. Some humans, known as alchemists, use their prayers to God as magic, energizing their medicinal herbs and other concoctions. This in turn threatens the witches, whose magical assistance for humans is their source of income.
Callum Chartreuse is a green English witch who looks seventeen but is much older. He doesn’t trust humans, but somehow has a precocious six-year-old girl coming to his isolated shop to visit. He also has a sassy familiar, a black cat named Narcissa. Callum has a complicated personal back story, which we learn along the way. More immediately, Callum has bargained his soul to Lucifer—the reason for which we also learn, eventually.
The narrative is triggered by Lucifer calling Callum to his presence in order to give him a task—part of the cost of getting his soul back. That task seems simple: escort a young human from England to New York. The young man, Augustus Sanderson, is an alchemist, but seems not to be particularly powerful. Callum is immediately taken with him, both for his looks, and for his goodness.
We all know from the start that it’s not going to be so simple, but I confess that the mess Callum and Auggie find themselves in is darker and more violent than I expected. It is also fascinating because of the author’s gift with description and character. He gives us a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns—all of which Callum is unprepared for. What starts out as a simple trip across the sea become a “Lord of the Rings” level quest. Forces are at work that Callum doesn’t understand, and it becomes clear that the world of witches is rife with greed and the lust for power.
Callum certainly isn’t greedy or seeking power. All he wants to do is deliver Auggie safely to New York and get his soul back. Then he can live a quiet life and be free of obligation. Of course, he gets something he didn’t bargain for.
By David Ferraro
Page Street Publishing, 2026
Five stars
David Ferraro’s story is a darkly romantic fantasy set in a world that made me distinctly uncomfortable. Witches are dominant in this world, and humans are both dependent on them for their magical skills and resentful of them for their cruelty and selfishness.
Well, if you think about it, this world isn’t all that unfamiliar, but it still makes me uncomfortable.
Lucifer is the ruler of Hell, and God, while the ruler of Heaven, seems oddly absent, and certainly not much respected by the witches. Some humans, known as alchemists, use their prayers to God as magic, energizing their medicinal herbs and other concoctions. This in turn threatens the witches, whose magical assistance for humans is their source of income.
Callum Chartreuse is a green English witch who looks seventeen but is much older. He doesn’t trust humans, but somehow has a precocious six-year-old girl coming to his isolated shop to visit. He also has a sassy familiar, a black cat named Narcissa. Callum has a complicated personal back story, which we learn along the way. More immediately, Callum has bargained his soul to Lucifer—the reason for which we also learn, eventually.
The narrative is triggered by Lucifer calling Callum to his presence in order to give him a task—part of the cost of getting his soul back. That task seems simple: escort a young human from England to New York. The young man, Augustus Sanderson, is an alchemist, but seems not to be particularly powerful. Callum is immediately taken with him, both for his looks, and for his goodness.
We all know from the start that it’s not going to be so simple, but I confess that the mess Callum and Auggie find themselves in is darker and more violent than I expected. It is also fascinating because of the author’s gift with description and character. He gives us a fast-paced plot full of twists and turns—all of which Callum is unprepared for. What starts out as a simple trip across the sea become a “Lord of the Rings” level quest. Forces are at work that Callum doesn’t understand, and it becomes clear that the world of witches is rife with greed and the lust for power.
Callum certainly isn’t greedy or seeking power. All he wants to do is deliver Auggie safely to New York and get his soul back. Then he can live a quiet life and be free of obligation. Of course, he gets something he didn’t bargain for.
January 26, 2026
Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a whimsical and cozy adventure romp filled with found family, a full cast of characters (including a talking, fire-breathing cat familiar), witches, deals with the devil, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you always wanting to flip to the next page. I have read other books from David Ferraro, and he always brings the YA queer cozy fantasy vibes of my dreams. And this was another enjoyable romp.
Callum is a plant witch who runs his family's potion shop. Decades ago, he made a deal with the devil and now has to complete 666 tasks for him (reaping souls) before he can regain his own soul. With only 3 tasks remaining, Callum is eager to finish up his tasks so he can finally move forward with his life. Lucifer strikes him a deal, safely escort a human, Auggie, from London to New York and his ledger will be cleared.
Joined by his bossy familiar and a nosy village girl turned frog, Callum sets out to escort Auggie from London to New York. Sounds like an easy enough task. Only, there seems to be more to this final task than Callum originally expected. Along the way, Callum and the gang run into several complications and learn there is a bounty out on Auggie from someone working against Lucifer. But what could they want with this ordinary, non-magical, overly-nice boy?
The group of characters Callum picks up and meets along the way were a particular highlight for me in reading this book. They each brought something new and interesting to the plot and sometimes a needed moment of levity. There is a romance sub-plot, but it doesn't ever feel like it goes beyond surface-level attraction. Auggie, as a character, felt the least developed of them all. The focus of the plot is mainly on Callum and his journey, so I'll give this a pass.
I would love to see the author return to this story in future and add on more adventures with this lovable band of misfits.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Callum is a plant witch who runs his family's potion shop. Decades ago, he made a deal with the devil and now has to complete 666 tasks for him (reaping souls) before he can regain his own soul. With only 3 tasks remaining, Callum is eager to finish up his tasks so he can finally move forward with his life. Lucifer strikes him a deal, safely escort a human, Auggie, from London to New York and his ledger will be cleared.
Joined by his bossy familiar and a nosy village girl turned frog, Callum sets out to escort Auggie from London to New York. Sounds like an easy enough task. Only, there seems to be more to this final task than Callum originally expected. Along the way, Callum and the gang run into several complications and learn there is a bounty out on Auggie from someone working against Lucifer. But what could they want with this ordinary, non-magical, overly-nice boy?
The group of characters Callum picks up and meets along the way were a particular highlight for me in reading this book. They each brought something new and interesting to the plot and sometimes a needed moment of levity. There is a romance sub-plot, but it doesn't ever feel like it goes beyond surface-level attraction. Auggie, as a character, felt the least developed of them all. The focus of the plot is mainly on Callum and his journey, so I'll give this a pass.
I would love to see the author return to this story in future and add on more adventures with this lovable band of misfits.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to netgalley and Page Street YA for providing an e-copy of this novel!
I read David Ferraro's novel, A Vile Season, early this year and absolutely loved it! So, I was ecstatic when I was approved to read Soul of a Gentleman Witch before the release date. While I prefer A Vile Season, I still really enjoyed this novel! I liked Ferraro's writing style. It is pretty simple and easy to read, but still does a good job of "showing not telling."
This is especially apparent in the characters. While we are told that Auggie is meant to be this kind and selfless person, we also get to see him regularly putting others before himself. I thought this was done best with Callum. I don't want to go too into detail to avoid spoilers, but this book is in first-person perspective. So, Callum describes himself a certain way, but his actions do a better job of actually showing his character.
For the characters in general, I liked Callum the most. He was just the most developed of everyone. Even though we have a relatively large cast of characters, we don't really learn that much about the others. I would even go so far as to say that Auggie is pretty underdeveloped as a character. He is definitely more of a plot device than anything else. However, I didn't really mind this, as the focus is mainly on Callum and his journey. I also liked the other side characters. I was worried that Narcissa and Therese would come to annoy me, but luckily they weren't that present in the narrative. Therese did kind of freak me out a bit though. She is supposed to be 7 in this novel and that is SO young. I would be reading and having a good time and then suddenly remember how young Therese is and get weirded out.
I wouldn't recommend giving this book a read if you are only interested in the romance. Like I mentioned earlier, Auggie isn't really that present in the story, so the romance is a bit flat. However, I do think it is worth the read for Callum's story and character arc.
I read David Ferraro's novel, A Vile Season, early this year and absolutely loved it! So, I was ecstatic when I was approved to read Soul of a Gentleman Witch before the release date. While I prefer A Vile Season, I still really enjoyed this novel! I liked Ferraro's writing style. It is pretty simple and easy to read, but still does a good job of "showing not telling."
This is especially apparent in the characters. While we are told that Auggie is meant to be this kind and selfless person, we also get to see him regularly putting others before himself. I thought this was done best with Callum. I don't want to go too into detail to avoid spoilers, but this book is in first-person perspective. So, Callum describes himself a certain way, but his actions do a better job of actually showing his character.
For the characters in general, I liked Callum the most. He was just the most developed of everyone. Even though we have a relatively large cast of characters, we don't really learn that much about the others. I would even go so far as to say that Auggie is pretty underdeveloped as a character. He is definitely more of a plot device than anything else. However, I didn't really mind this, as the focus is mainly on Callum and his journey. I also liked the other side characters. I was worried that Narcissa and Therese would come to annoy me, but luckily they weren't that present in the narrative. Therese did kind of freak me out a bit though. She is supposed to be 7 in this novel and that is SO young. I would be reading and having a good time and then suddenly remember how young Therese is and get weirded out.
I wouldn't recommend giving this book a read if you are only interested in the romance. Like I mentioned earlier, Auggie isn't really that present in the story, so the romance is a bit flat. However, I do think it is worth the read for Callum's story and character arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street YA for an advanced copy of Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro to review! What I loved about this book was the found family aspect of the story, as Callum realizes he doesn’t have to seclude himself away from everyone. His journey with Auggie makes him realize how lonely he actually was, which is probably my favorite aspect of the story.
Overall, Ferraro does a pretty good job creating a strong core cast of characters that you come to love throughout the story. There are some truly hilarious moments throughout the book, and Narcissa (Callum’s cat familiar) absolutely steals the show in any scene that she’s in. Who wouldn’t want a winged cat familiar that can breathe fire?
Outside of the characters, there were aspects of this book that I struggled with. The world building is a tad confusing, and I still didn’t feel like I had a clear hold on it by the end. There are a lot of different moving pieces in this witchy world; expanding on them and the politics of witches in this context would have helped with clarity.
The final thing I struggled with was the romance. Auggie and Callum didn’t actually have that much on page time together, and I didn’t find their romance believable. It might partly be because I’m not a fan of the instant love trope, but I wanted them to have more time together before they fell for each other. To each their own, though! I’m sure there will be plenty of people who love it.
All in all, if you want a fun, magical adventure across the sea, definitely check this one out when it comes out next week!
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Review to come!
Overall, Ferraro does a pretty good job creating a strong core cast of characters that you come to love throughout the story. There are some truly hilarious moments throughout the book, and Narcissa (Callum’s cat familiar) absolutely steals the show in any scene that she’s in. Who wouldn’t want a winged cat familiar that can breathe fire?
Outside of the characters, there were aspects of this book that I struggled with. The world building is a tad confusing, and I still didn’t feel like I had a clear hold on it by the end. There are a lot of different moving pieces in this witchy world; expanding on them and the politics of witches in this context would have helped with clarity.
The final thing I struggled with was the romance. Auggie and Callum didn’t actually have that much on page time together, and I didn’t find their romance believable. It might partly be because I’m not a fan of the instant love trope, but I wanted them to have more time together before they fell for each other. To each their own, though! I’m sure there will be plenty of people who love it.
All in all, if you want a fun, magical adventure across the sea, definitely check this one out when it comes out next week!
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Review to come!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Soul of a Gentleman Witch by David Ferraro is a charming, whimsical fantasy that balances heart, humor, and magic with surprising emotional depth. The premise alone is irresistible: Callum, a perpetually seventeen-year-old witch, has spent centuries collecting souls for Lucifer to repay his own debt. When Lucifer offers him a final assignment that will erase the rest of his ledger, Callum can almost taste liberation. All he has to do is escort a young man, Augustus, from London to America before the next blood moon.
What follows is a cozy yet adventurous journey filled with magic, danger, and self-discovery. Callum is delightfully sassy, jaded, and sharp-tongued, a perfect contrast to the gentle, kindhearted Augustus (Auggie) whose goodness feels almost out of place in a world of bargains with the devil. Their dynamic is the heart of the story. As Callum grows attached to Auggie, he begins to question not only his mission, but the lonely existence he’s accepted for so long.
The twist revolving around Auggie and the idea that he sold his soul to Lucifer raises the emotional stakes beautifully. Ferraro explores themes of choice, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be free. Callum’s internal struggle is poignant: after centuries of servitude, is he willing to give up his one chance at freedom to save an innocent soul?
The story is lighthearted and cozy, yet threaded with tension and emotional resonance. The adventure is enriched by a colorful cast of side characters that bring warmth and texture to the world. There’s magic, danger, humor, and a quiet ache of loneliness that makes Callum’s growth especially satisfying.
The audiobook narration by Jackie Meloche deserves special praise. Meloche adds nuance, charm, and distinct personality to each character, elevating the story and making Callum’s wit and Auggie’s sweetness shine even brighter.
Overall, Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a wonderful, magical read: comforting, heartfelt, and memorable. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with meaningful character arcs and a touch of devilish charm.
What follows is a cozy yet adventurous journey filled with magic, danger, and self-discovery. Callum is delightfully sassy, jaded, and sharp-tongued, a perfect contrast to the gentle, kindhearted Augustus (Auggie) whose goodness feels almost out of place in a world of bargains with the devil. Their dynamic is the heart of the story. As Callum grows attached to Auggie, he begins to question not only his mission, but the lonely existence he’s accepted for so long.
The twist revolving around Auggie and the idea that he sold his soul to Lucifer raises the emotional stakes beautifully. Ferraro explores themes of choice, sacrifice, and what it truly means to be free. Callum’s internal struggle is poignant: after centuries of servitude, is he willing to give up his one chance at freedom to save an innocent soul?
The story is lighthearted and cozy, yet threaded with tension and emotional resonance. The adventure is enriched by a colorful cast of side characters that bring warmth and texture to the world. There’s magic, danger, humor, and a quiet ache of loneliness that makes Callum’s growth especially satisfying.
The audiobook narration by Jackie Meloche deserves special praise. Meloche adds nuance, charm, and distinct personality to each character, elevating the story and making Callum’s wit and Auggie’s sweetness shine even brighter.
Overall, Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a wonderful, magical read: comforting, heartfelt, and memorable. Perfect for fans of cozy fantasy with meaningful character arcs and a touch of devilish charm.
January 20, 2026
This was such a cozy fantasy adventure filled with magic and talking animals that I just did not want to put down. This was lighthearted but also featured some serious and occasionally gruesome moments. A few scenes definitely caught me off guard with ghastly descriptions, but it painted a very vivid picture, which I truly loved!
We meet so many characters along the way in our adventure. I loved following Callum, who gave me vibes of Newt from Fantastic Beasts with their mannerisms. And his cloak of potions and ingredients reminded me of the briefcase. He was such a joy to follow! But my favorite character of all was Callum’s familiar, a cat named Narcissa. She was the best! With a typical cat attitude, especially when given the ability to talk. I can imagine my cat would talk to me in a similar manner.
As for the plot, this was a fun, unique take on witches and demons and the war between humans and witches. We see both sides to the conflict, with Callum not necessarily caring for humans but understanding the world needs them, and Augustus not agreeing with the witches’ ideals on requiring payments for their magic. As I mentioned, the story maintains an overall lighthearted tone, but it also explores some darker moments and themes.
There is a slight MM romance, but it's very subtle and more surface-level. Which I appreciated! I was much more interested in the magic and fantasy aspect. I think if we had a bigger romance, we would have lost the adventure vibes.
I truly enjoyed reading this one! It was a fun adventure! If you enjoy historical fantasies set around witches with a subtle MM romance, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!
We meet so many characters along the way in our adventure. I loved following Callum, who gave me vibes of Newt from Fantastic Beasts with their mannerisms. And his cloak of potions and ingredients reminded me of the briefcase. He was such a joy to follow! But my favorite character of all was Callum’s familiar, a cat named Narcissa. She was the best! With a typical cat attitude, especially when given the ability to talk. I can imagine my cat would talk to me in a similar manner.
As for the plot, this was a fun, unique take on witches and demons and the war between humans and witches. We see both sides to the conflict, with Callum not necessarily caring for humans but understanding the world needs them, and Augustus not agreeing with the witches’ ideals on requiring payments for their magic. As I mentioned, the story maintains an overall lighthearted tone, but it also explores some darker moments and themes.
There is a slight MM romance, but it's very subtle and more surface-level. Which I appreciated! I was much more interested in the magic and fantasy aspect. I think if we had a bigger romance, we would have lost the adventure vibes.
I truly enjoyed reading this one! It was a fun adventure! If you enjoy historical fantasies set around witches with a subtle MM romance, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up!
January 22, 2026
A big thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape_Media, and David Ferraro for a copy of this Audiobook in exchange for a review.
I am a cozy queer romance reader, so from the marketing this seemed like an obvious choice for me. Soul of a Gentleman Witch is much more "Lord of the Rings" or "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" than cozy queer fantasy romance.
√ found family
√ age gap of a hundred+ years
√ fun & sassy familiars
√ precocious Matilda-like 7 year old
√ Legend of Zelda without meaning to: ice level, fire level, water level, spirit temple
√ poor communication
√ teeth as snacks (ew)
I found myself really only invested in the last 20% of the audiobook. In those final 2 hours I enjoyed myself and rooted for everything to work out. Besides this not having a strong romance current, it also had an overabundance of body-gore, gore-gore, and a whole Jesus (à la Aslan in Narnia) thing going on.
A note on colonization: A plot point in the book is that North America has no Witches Counsel, making it lawless. The very British Witches Counsel does not have authority in New York because of this. And yet, if we are playing with a fictional North America and Britain, why wouldn't there be a mention of Indigenous witch organization --- or lack of? There were a number of small ways the booked rubbed me the wrong way in regards to race, and this was the biggest.
tldr: this is a quest novel. It does have a HEA, but don't go into it expecting a swoony romance. If you like gore, fantasy allusions to Christianity, and a touch of queer desire, this might be a good book for you!
I am a cozy queer romance reader, so from the marketing this seemed like an obvious choice for me. Soul of a Gentleman Witch is much more "Lord of the Rings" or "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" than cozy queer fantasy romance.
√ found family
√ age gap of a hundred+ years
√ fun & sassy familiars
√ precocious Matilda-like 7 year old
√ Legend of Zelda without meaning to: ice level, fire level, water level, spirit temple
√ poor communication
√ teeth as snacks (ew)
I found myself really only invested in the last 20% of the audiobook. In those final 2 hours I enjoyed myself and rooted for everything to work out. Besides this not having a strong romance current, it also had an overabundance of body-gore, gore-gore, and a whole Jesus (à la Aslan in Narnia) thing going on.
A note on colonization: A plot point in the book is that North America has no Witches Counsel, making it lawless. The very British Witches Counsel does not have authority in New York because of this. And yet, if we are playing with a fictional North America and Britain, why wouldn't there be a mention of Indigenous witch organization --- or lack of? There were a number of small ways the booked rubbed me the wrong way in regards to race, and this was the biggest.
tldr: this is a quest novel. It does have a HEA, but don't go into it expecting a swoony romance. If you like gore, fantasy allusions to Christianity, and a touch of queer desire, this might be a good book for you!
November 20, 2025
Thank you Page Street and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. I completely consumed this book! Callum is a green witch who spends his time creating potions for other witches, and occasionally humans. Though he doesn’t really care for humans, as he views them as all bloodthirsty. He also sold his soul to the devil and still has to complete three more tasks of the required 666 tasks before he gets his soul back. So when Lucifer offers to wipe out the rest of the tasks and all he has to do is make sure a human named Auggie gets from London to New York by the blood moon. Two weeks to complete a simple task and then he’s free. When he meets Auggie he’s enamored by his beauty and his sense of selflessness. Though it is a bane of Callum’s existence. Soon though, he realizes this is no simple task, as someone is going against the devils wishes and wants Auggie for themselves. He’ll have to face dangerous witches and necromancers all set to take Auggie. But with a ragtag group of friends he’s determined to accomplish his task. Only the longer he’s with Auggie, the more he wonders what this wonderful man could have done to put him on Lucifer’s radar. And the more he seems to fall the more he has to ask himself could he really turn Auggie over to the devil? A page turner from start to finish! I loved the adventure and excitement! Callum, Auggie, and the others were all so much fun! David Ferraro writes a heartwarming story with magic, danger, and a little bit of romance!
February 1, 2026
Callum is a green witch who made a deal with the Devil in exchange for 666 tasks. The antisocial hermit has convinced himself he's happy living alone, tending to his shop with no company other than his black cat familiar. When he gets a chance to complete one last task and be free of his contract, Callum jumps at the chance. Except Auggie doesn't seem like the kind of person who would make a deal with the Devil, and getting him from London to New York by the next blood moon is proving to be a lot harder than Callum originally thought.
Callum and Auggie are precious, and I loved every minute of their story. In a world where witches are known and feared, seeing Callum try to convince himself that he's better off alone is heartbreaking. But he meets people during his adventure with Auggie that prove that he's not as alone or antisocial as he'd like to believe, and that people can like him if he'd only open up a little.
Jackie Meloche does a great job of giving life to all the characters, giving them each a distinct voice that helps you keep track of who is talking. You can hear the emotions in her voice, which makes listening to the audiobook as if you were listening to the characters tell you their story. It made for a truly pleasant listening experience.
It's a fun story from beginning to end, with nice twists and interesting surprises to keep things moving at a great pace. I loved the characters and thought the world was intriguing. I'd love to read more.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the fun listen!
Callum and Auggie are precious, and I loved every minute of their story. In a world where witches are known and feared, seeing Callum try to convince himself that he's better off alone is heartbreaking. But he meets people during his adventure with Auggie that prove that he's not as alone or antisocial as he'd like to believe, and that people can like him if he'd only open up a little.
Jackie Meloche does a great job of giving life to all the characters, giving them each a distinct voice that helps you keep track of who is talking. You can hear the emotions in her voice, which makes listening to the audiobook as if you were listening to the characters tell you their story. It made for a truly pleasant listening experience.
It's a fun story from beginning to end, with nice twists and interesting surprises to keep things moving at a great pace. I loved the characters and thought the world was intriguing. I'd love to read more.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the fun listen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Soul of a Gentleman Witch
David Ferraro
As noted in the acknowledgements, taking inspiration from Ghibli and cozy fantasy, this novel is a breezy read. Callum, a witch running a shop away from human communities, has an opportunity to get his soul back from Lucifer by escorting Auggie safely to New York. Along the way they meet a delightful cast of characters and come across many obstacles.
While there may be no huge swings in the story it’s nice to see a cottage-core queer fantasy aimed at YA readers. Story wise the plot moves fairly fast and Ferraro does a great job making each character stand out. The romance feels a little stereotypical and without a lot of insight almost for granted in the end.
The world however is charming and Ferraro does a great job using story beats to help younger readers consider prejudice and bias parallel to what is happening to many queer people in the world today and what may cause it in the world. I do wish a little more time was taken exploring these themes but I can see it wasn’t the main point of the story. Much like a Ghibli movie plenty is hinted about the going ons of the world without a deeper dive. We’re offered interesting ideas about how witches rule and then it’s remained unexplored.
Happily recommended to readers looking for a story that has a MM focused romance and queer characters, fans of Ghibli especially Kiki and Howl, and anyone wanting a pleasant read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street for a free eARC to review.
David Ferraro
As noted in the acknowledgements, taking inspiration from Ghibli and cozy fantasy, this novel is a breezy read. Callum, a witch running a shop away from human communities, has an opportunity to get his soul back from Lucifer by escorting Auggie safely to New York. Along the way they meet a delightful cast of characters and come across many obstacles.
While there may be no huge swings in the story it’s nice to see a cottage-core queer fantasy aimed at YA readers. Story wise the plot moves fairly fast and Ferraro does a great job making each character stand out. The romance feels a little stereotypical and without a lot of insight almost for granted in the end.
The world however is charming and Ferraro does a great job using story beats to help younger readers consider prejudice and bias parallel to what is happening to many queer people in the world today and what may cause it in the world. I do wish a little more time was taken exploring these themes but I can see it wasn’t the main point of the story. Much like a Ghibli movie plenty is hinted about the going ons of the world without a deeper dive. We’re offered interesting ideas about how witches rule and then it’s remained unexplored.
Happily recommended to readers looking for a story that has a MM focused romance and queer characters, fans of Ghibli especially Kiki and Howl, and anyone wanting a pleasant read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Page Street for a free eARC to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved the premise of this book! It's a good YA fantasy with a lot of Ferraro's by-now-signature style. I like the MC's slightly unreliable narration the same way I had the best time with A Vile Season. Callum is slightly unhinged, he's convinced he's a worse person than he actually is, and he needs the world to give him a chance to learn better. He's on a similar journey to Lucian from A Vile Season, and those journeys were one of my favorite things about each book.
Auggie is a great counterpoint to Callum. Callum expects him to be sweet and docile (he's only a human, after all) but Auggie has a lot to say about that. Their dynamic is great and I was rooting for them (and the coven) so much. As always, found families make every book better.
At its heart, Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a fantasy adventure and it fully delivers on the concept. It serves up interesting creatures, a fun magic system, and a fair bit of scheming. It's a page turner that wraps every story beat up neatly. I think whether you'll enjoy this book comes down to two things: Do you like fantasy adventure stories? And, do you like unreliable narrators with a heart of gold buried deep inside? If you answered yes, I fully recommend this book.
Thank you to Page Street Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
Auggie is a great counterpoint to Callum. Callum expects him to be sweet and docile (he's only a human, after all) but Auggie has a lot to say about that. Their dynamic is great and I was rooting for them (and the coven) so much. As always, found families make every book better.
At its heart, Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a fantasy adventure and it fully delivers on the concept. It serves up interesting creatures, a fun magic system, and a fair bit of scheming. It's a page turner that wraps every story beat up neatly. I think whether you'll enjoy this book comes down to two things: Do you like fantasy adventure stories? And, do you like unreliable narrators with a heart of gold buried deep inside? If you answered yes, I fully recommend this book.
Thank you to Page Street Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.
January 21, 2026
Soul of the Gentleman Witch by @dave_ferraroauthor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
This was such a cozy adventure to read. If you’re all about queer whimsical witchy reads with a familiar being a cute black cat, this is for YOUUU.
I knew before starting this read that I would enjoy it so much, especially after I ARC read A Vile Season last year by David I knew that further on I would continue to read what he puts out.
Callum was such a great character, watching him grow into a more soft and kind person because of Auggie was just so lovely to read. I love when I read about characters that bring out the good out of the others. Not that Callum wasn’t good before meeting Auggie but he wasn’t an open feelings kind of guy and didn’t like humans that much.
Callum had one more task to fulfill for Lucifer so he can get his soul back and this task is where he met Auggie and had to bring him to his final destination in NY to his aunts and then he would get it back and will be freed from Lucifer.
I devoured this book within pretty much a day. I could’ve read it all in one sitting if I didn’t get off work so late the day I started it. It was devourable and so cozy. I recommend picking this up if you want a cozy read!!
Thank you again Page Street YA & David Ferraro for the lovely opportunity to get a physical ARC and ARC read for David again!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)
This was such a cozy adventure to read. If you’re all about queer whimsical witchy reads with a familiar being a cute black cat, this is for YOUUU.
I knew before starting this read that I would enjoy it so much, especially after I ARC read A Vile Season last year by David I knew that further on I would continue to read what he puts out.
Callum was such a great character, watching him grow into a more soft and kind person because of Auggie was just so lovely to read. I love when I read about characters that bring out the good out of the others. Not that Callum wasn’t good before meeting Auggie but he wasn’t an open feelings kind of guy and didn’t like humans that much.
Callum had one more task to fulfill for Lucifer so he can get his soul back and this task is where he met Auggie and had to bring him to his final destination in NY to his aunts and then he would get it back and will be freed from Lucifer.
I devoured this book within pretty much a day. I could’ve read it all in one sitting if I didn’t get off work so late the day I started it. It was devourable and so cozy. I recommend picking this up if you want a cozy read!!
Thank you again Page Street YA & David Ferraro for the lovely opportunity to get a physical ARC and ARC read for David again!!
February 5, 2026
Callum made a deal with the Devil, and now he has to complete 666 tasks to get his soul back. The next task, however, is special, and Lucifer promises to wipe off Callum’s entire debt. But collecting this last soul becomes difficult as time passes. There is a bounty on Callum’s head, and others are also chasing the same person, Auggie.
There is a cat who desperately wants to breathe fire and has very strong opinions, easily my favourite character in the entire book. The bond between Callum and Auggie develops quickly, and it is shown rather than told through their conversations. The world hopping and the side characters governing different regions were an interesting addition, though I did wish there had been more detail instead of just brief overviews of the surroundings.
The audiobook experience was great, with strong pacing and crisp voice modulations. The narrators draw you into the story and keep you there, immersed in a world of devils, fast-paced adventure, and an underlying, slowly brewing love.
There is a cat who desperately wants to breathe fire and has very strong opinions, easily my favourite character in the entire book. The bond between Callum and Auggie develops quickly, and it is shown rather than told through their conversations. The world hopping and the side characters governing different regions were an interesting addition, though I did wish there had been more detail instead of just brief overviews of the surroundings.
The audiobook experience was great, with strong pacing and crisp voice modulations. The narrators draw you into the story and keep you there, immersed in a world of devils, fast-paced adventure, and an underlying, slowly brewing love.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is really whimsical and fun. I loved the MC, Callum. His personality and growth throughout the story was so fun to read. I liked Auggie, too. He and Callum were a nice contrast and I loved how they showed each other a different perspective. Other things I liked was Narcissa, and Theresa. And of course the romance with Callum and Auggie. The ending was sweet too, as Callum finds he wants friends and people in his life. But at the same time, I just didn't personally find the plot very interesting. There were also times it seemed to meander and drag in ways but at the same time there was too much going on and too many characters coming and going. I went into this expecting more on the romance as they travelled together, but instead it was an action adventure thing and Callum and Auggie didn't spend that much time together. I'm sure someone who likes heavier fantasy/action plots will enjoy this a lot more.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced review copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
more like a 3.5
Soul of a Gentleman Witch begins by asking if we would sacrifice someone else for our fate. Callum is tasked to collect 666 souls in exchange for his own desperate bargain. Desperation requires sacrifices and we often don't know the consequences. It's not something that feels like a choice, being backed into a corner and with no options. Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a world with witches and science. If you love the vibes of grumpy and sunshine, then you have to check out Callum and Auggie. Auggie is almost too good for this world with his noble heart and kindness. Soul of a Gentleman Witch is less cozy than Ferraro's previous books and feels incredibly fantasy oriented. Off the bat we are thrown into the action and the world. At the beginning, it's a bit confusing about the various supernatural creatures and the world.
January 10, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a sweeping, addictive, and magical YA fantasy.
Gosh, this was fantastic! From the start, David Ferraro hooked me with his immersive, whimsical, and absolutely delightful world-building (lots of Howl’s Moving Castle and The Girl Who Drank the Moon vibes!). Next, his vibrant, hilarious characters stole my heart with their banter and energy. The romance was sweet and addictive. The plot was engaging and adventurous, and the pacing fit the story nicely, although a few parts felt rushed. Ferraro’s prose was witty and enchanting. I highly recommend this spectacular read!
Jackie Meloche was a brilliant narrator for this one. Their voice fit the characters perfectly, capturing their energy and wit. The audiobook made the story even more immersive. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the free ARC and ALC!
Soul of a Gentleman Witch is a sweeping, addictive, and magical YA fantasy.
Gosh, this was fantastic! From the start, David Ferraro hooked me with his immersive, whimsical, and absolutely delightful world-building (lots of Howl’s Moving Castle and The Girl Who Drank the Moon vibes!). Next, his vibrant, hilarious characters stole my heart with their banter and energy. The romance was sweet and addictive. The plot was engaging and adventurous, and the pacing fit the story nicely, although a few parts felt rushed. Ferraro’s prose was witty and enchanting. I highly recommend this spectacular read!
Jackie Meloche was a brilliant narrator for this one. Their voice fit the characters perfectly, capturing their energy and wit. The audiobook made the story even more immersive. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to the author and publisher for the free ARC and ALC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A solid 4 Stars
This book was more of an adventure tale than I thought it would be, and I guess I'm okay with that. It was a more meandering plot than I would have preferred, on a personal taste level, but it is fun. A lot of fun. So, you know, no major complaints.
Was it what I expected it to be? Absolutely not. Was I disappointed with what I got? Not really, no. But digging into what I thought it would be (and where some of my small disappointments stand) will be for my full review, available over at Gateway Reviews on January 30, 2026. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
This book was more of an adventure tale than I thought it would be, and I guess I'm okay with that. It was a more meandering plot than I would have preferred, on a personal taste level, but it is fun. A lot of fun. So, you know, no major complaints.
Was it what I expected it to be? Absolutely not. Was I disappointed with what I got? Not really, no. But digging into what I thought it would be (and where some of my small disappointments stand) will be for my full review, available over at Gateway Reviews on January 30, 2026. Swing by if you get the chance!
Note: I was provided with an ARC by the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions here are my own.
January 26, 2026
Good, but doesn't feel very YA
Found family
Fun characters
Enjoyable plot
I did enjoy this book overall. It had a good group of characters, a healthy dose of magic, and the plot didn't lose me completely at any point in time. However, it failed to keep my focus because of how very adult Callum's POV felt. I understand he's a century old witch trapped in the body of a 17yo, but even telling myself that did not help when I grew frustrated with his narrative. His thoughts didn't have those endearing qualities I expect from young characters- hope and curiosity among others. That's not to say I didn't like him, I did, I just didn't believe he was youthful enough to fall in love with an actual 17yo boy, which, well, you know, made it slightly unbelievable when he fell in love... It just didn't feel genuine.
Found family
Fun characters
Enjoyable plot
I did enjoy this book overall. It had a good group of characters, a healthy dose of magic, and the plot didn't lose me completely at any point in time. However, it failed to keep my focus because of how very adult Callum's POV felt. I understand he's a century old witch trapped in the body of a 17yo, but even telling myself that did not help when I grew frustrated with his narrative. His thoughts didn't have those endearing qualities I expect from young characters- hope and curiosity among others. That's not to say I didn't like him, I did, I just didn't believe he was youthful enough to fall in love with an actual 17yo boy, which, well, you know, made it slightly unbelievable when he fell in love... It just didn't feel genuine.
January 14, 2026
4.5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well-written. The sassy cat and the perky assistant were the comic relief. I loved all the descriptions. I would love to read another book in this world. There were moments when the story felt choppy. I don't know how to explain this, but it felt like some scenes were cut short. Overall, this was a good book. I also thought the magic system was unique and interesting. I had never read a book where a witch ate teeth.
The audiobook was entertaining. Jackie Meloche did a great job at bringing these characters to life. It was such a fast and enjoyable audiobook. I would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were well-written. The sassy cat and the perky assistant were the comic relief. I loved all the descriptions. I would love to read another book in this world. There were moments when the story felt choppy. I don't know how to explain this, but it felt like some scenes were cut short. Overall, this was a good book. I also thought the magic system was unique and interesting. I had never read a book where a witch ate teeth.
The audiobook was entertaining. Jackie Meloche did a great job at bringing these characters to life. It was such a fast and enjoyable audiobook. I would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, David Ferraro, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2026
👧🏻 review: I brought this book to one of the school events that I participated and seriously I needed to keep my attention focused. Honestly I’m quite impressed with this high fantasy and romcom dystopian book. It seems to have ripped out of the book of Revelation but with plenty of meat on the bone. The characters, protagonist and antagonists, are the best part of the story. Callum and Auggie built the story and plot while they dived through the adventures and actions swiftly. It is quite fantastical and funny because it featured the humans, undead witch and silly cursed creatures. There are so many suspense and awesome parts in this book and after reading it I wanted more because it has plenty of warm and fuzzy moments too. I highly recommend this book.
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