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When Witches Weep

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A rebel witch, and the curse that's finally caught up to her.

A Captain of the Guard, and the love he's hidden for a decade.

A cruel Queen, and her ambition to rule the continent.

When Witches Weep is a spicy gothic romantasy that follows Siofra as she grapples with her fate, family and future in a world steeped in ancient lore, magical creatures and mystery.

For readers who loved Anathema and the Kindred's Curse Saga.

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2025

4 people are currently reading
56 people want to read

About the author

Sarah Tyrrell

2 books4 followers

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5 stars
25 (62%)
4 stars
11 (27%)
3 stars
4 (10%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Lia Lawrence.
5 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
5 stars already just for that cover👀 WHEW!! From the jump I was engrossed. This book is genuinely brilliant. Sarah did an amazing job with the world building, character development, her descriptions, and the use of Irish language & mythology is just *chefs kiss*

Not to mention the spice, SWEATING.

Genuinely recommend to anyone who enjoys dark gothic Romantasy. It’s exactly what it says on the tin, her descriptions are amazing, & the world is so intriguing.

SARAH !!! THAT ENDING?! I am HURT.

My poor babies😭




SPOILER WARNING FROM HERE ON OUT!!!




The little baby banshee, & the kindness Síofra showed her just made my heart mush.

All her drawings & paintings she did herself because she’s alone. Sobbing. She deserves the world & I hope we see more of her, and that she gets her paints (crying)

I absolutely adored Sean, he’s definitely one of my favorite characters. I always love the comedic relief & I hope we see more of him in book 2 because I loved him! He gives me Ridoc vibes!! “Lips has teeth” made me laugh so much.

I loved Connor, the quiet words of wisdom he gives Síofra, & silent support from the sidelines, he’s just a sweetie pie🥹

Donall, my heart. My little cinnamon roll angel. I can’t, don’t have the words. He deserves the world. I will never forgive you Sarah. NEVER.

Did I cry? Yes. Yes I did.

Síofra deserves better. This poor girl has been through HELL, and still has her humanity, her compassion, her will to help others, which we see from the very start with her work with the rebels. The kindness she showed the banshee, who probably hasn’t spoken to anyone or heard a kind word in YEARS broke my heart in the best way & I love her even more for it. The way she sacrificed her happiness with Donall because she didn’t want to hurt him with her degeneration?? BRB crying x
Despite all this she’s still a strong, badass independent woman who can hold her own, and doesn’t rely on anyone to help her out which I love. Very much Aelin energy and I’m here for it. I just hope she gets the happiness she deserves in book 2 because this poor woman has been through the mill and can’t seem to catch a break😭

Ollan when I catch you!! He irked me so badly. Why are you showing off in front of your bestie and making fun of Síofra like that?? Why are you being SO secretive in the castle, disappearing when she needed you most & then back out of the blue AFTER all the shit goes down??? Make it make sense. Not to mention the (HUGE) secret he’s been keeping FOR HER WHOLE LIFE !! Rude. Just rude.

I’m already so excited for book 2, I can’t wait to see more of Síofra & Órlaith, and how their bond develops, how Síofras magic develops & what secrets will unfold because I already know Sarah has some shit up her sleeve!😍 inject that shit into my veins I need it ASAP pls and thank you xxxx

**edited just to add that I was lucky enough to get an E-Arc copy**
Profile Image for kelly.
44 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2025
This book took me right out of my reading slump!

Amazing! I couldn't put it down, didn't want to put it down. I immediately want to read what happens next!

I love the writing style, super easy to read. The plot stayed strong throughout with twists and turns that legit had me gasping!

The characters had me hooked and to say I'm emotionally attached to them is an understatement.

15/10 will read ALL other works by this author!

That ending? My mind is blown...
Profile Image for Tiffeny McQuaid.
31 reviews
May 15, 2025
Omg this amazing book sent me on such a world wind it’s not even normal. It didn’t even feel like i was reading a book, it felt like I was living in it, like I was a part of the story and a book hasn’t done that for me the past few reads, when i was interrupted by my kids on multiple occasions it was a reality check that i was in the real everyday mundane world, not in a world with magic, witches, shadow fae and evil Queens. I did kind of guess that Síofra was a very powerful witch but I definitely did not expect her to be THEE MOST POWERFUL WITCH, the last descendent of the High Queen, (plot twist i didn’t see coming), the world is as every bit magical as the country of Ireland, and the fact this author included a glossary of English pronunciations is a win in my book for when BookTok creators can pronounce these places and characters instead of butchering them. I definitely did not see Fergus being her mate at the end, I kid you not i for sure thought he was her father or something (laughable now) and my poor boy Donall.. how I will miss you so freaking much, a book rarely makes me cry at a death unless i am so enthralled by it that i become it, the last book to do that to me was Kingdom of Ash and now When Witches Weep Sarah is such a talented writer, i know she will have an amazing career ahead of her, and I love the little “Tiocfaidh ár lá” thrown in there in the ‘Old language’. Yes i will highly recommend this book to everyone who asks 100%. I cannot wait to see what book 2 has in store for me, I’m not ready for my journey with Síofra to end just yet and I need a little more of Seán.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
4 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2025
As an Irish girl who loves her folklore of the land, I ADORED When Witches Weep! It is obvious the author has a passion for Irish culture, right down to the pronunciation guide for authentic Irish names and places. Because there is nothing worse when people butcher the Irish language (I’m looking at you, people who say SAM-HANE)

This book hooked me from the very beginning. It centres around the FMC Síofra, a fiercely independent yet sensitive badass Witch in hiding as she navigates life in hiding from a cruel queen while fighting with a rebel cause. Enter the handsome Captain of the Guard whose words will have you swooning. Fans of a well laid slow burn romance will love this book. And when the spice hits, it hits hard!

This is not just a love story. It is also a thrilling cat and mouse chase between Síofra, a rebel witch, and the Queens army of witches who are destined to hunt her to the end. I love the elemental magic system used here and the world building was perfection.
You will fall in love with the side characters just as much as the main characters. And the twists and turns will have you begging for more. I know I will eagerly be counting down the days till book 2 is out.

I think fans of One Dark Window and Fourth Wing will love this so do yourself a favour and give it a read!
25 reviews
May 15, 2025
I had the absolute best time reading an ARC of When Witches Weep! From the first page, I was completely hooked. The author’s writing style is so vivid and immersive—I felt like I was right there in the middle of all the magic, danger, and slow-burn romance.

The plot was everything I love in a romantic fantasy: strong emotional stakes, action, mythical creatures, and just the right amount of spice. Honestly, it had everything. The world-building was lush and creative, and the fantasy elements (especially the mythical creatures!) made the story feel so rich and alive.

The romance? So good. The chemistry between the characters was electric, and the steamy scenes were perfectly done—intense but still full of heart. I found myself rooting for them hard.

If you’re into fantasy romance with powerful heroines, magnetic love interests, and a story that blends tenderness with tension and heat, this book is a must-read. I already can’t wait for whatever this author writes next!
Profile Image for Erica L.
34 reviews2 followers
January 4, 2026
About 70% of the way through this book I had to chuckle to myself because this book wasn’t just good..it was gooood. The slow burn of this story was so fulfilling. From her life to her love to her powers. To the twists and turns!?

Sìofra character was fantastic. I knew the girl would be something special but to be that powerful?! When the element of air hit(iykyk)… I wanted to burst into tears because I knew that meant she was a High Witch descendant. FYI that entire attack was beautifully written into a very clear vision as if I was in that moment. Quite frankly, Sarah’s writing is stunning at painting a picture.

Sad about Donall but I just KNEW Fergus was going to something important to Sìofra and I can’t wait for more!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ashling B.
66 reviews17 followers
May 14, 2025
When Witches Weep, where do I start.....

That burn was sooooo slow but so well done, I almost wanted to slap the FMC at times 😂😂

The twist and turns throughout would keep you on your toes. And that ending, my heart broke 💔.

All I need to know now is.....When is book 2? I need to know what happens next!!!

PS, Sarah has just thought me to never fall in love with an MMC again 😭😭💔💔

Thanks for the e-ARC!
Profile Image for Marie.
110 reviews
May 19, 2025
What a great debut!

I loved the originality of the plot and this new twist on witches. The fast pace and easy writing were perfect for a quick weekend read without taking anything away from the plot.

The twists and turns of the story kept me on the edge of my seat all throughout!

The romance is great, I’ve always loved a friends to lovers story, especially when so well executed.

The world building and magic system has soooo much potential and was already well developed in this book 1 of the series. I also loved the variety of characters and their own developments.
Author 3 books3 followers
January 25, 2026
3.5🌟

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. There is a really interesting concept here, where witches if they don't join the coven, they become defectors, which triggers a curse resulting in them going insane. The FMC has early warning signs of madness and the stakes feel high. She is part of a rebellion to stop slavery and I wish there had been more of this in the book, but this mission becomes replaced with her involvement in a mystery where loads of local villages are becoming wiped out and no one knows why.

There is a friends become lovers story arch, which I didn't mind and the spice scenes were executed well.

But halfway through there is a twist, that fell a bit flat for me. Everything you know about the Coven is a lie, but I think I was so enthralled by the idea of the FMCs madness and the rebellion that for this all to essentially disappear and it turn out she's the most powerful witch EVER and is able to master her powers in what seems like no time at all was a bit disappointing. Also, whilst the Queen might not be such a horrid monarch after all and the Coven not such an enemy, I felt in the second half, the FMCs mission and the role of the rebellion kind of got forgotten.

There was a great battle scene at the end and I like the bonding with eagles, but when the love interest died, I found I didn't really care. In my opinion, with there being another book to come, he may have been killed off too early. I can see the aim of the author maybe for the FMC to feel loss after they've only just admitted their feelings and for this to be devastating, but I think the love was too new for the reader to be invested enough in the relationship to feel the agony. But regardless of my feelings this could be a good plot device.

As the book came to a close, more political intrigue and a threat of war is revealed which ends the book on a dramatic note. However, I did roll my eyes at the sudden introduction of a fated mate. I enjoy this trope when it is done well, but I've read a few books where it feels dropped in because its a popular trope and to force a relationship foward and create a potential enemies to lovers arch. I personally feel the trope is more effective with a slow burn approach and it's not just dumped on a character that they have a mate and their fate is somewhat sealed.

So in conclusion, this was a good read and there were bits I thoroughly enjoyed. However, there were bits that didn't land as strongly for me as they might do for others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katie.the.reader.
190 reviews34 followers
June 7, 2025
“Fuck me, Lips. Keep suffocating people from the inside out and you’ll have me falling in love with you next.”

To sum it up in a sentence; this book is heartbreakingly good.

I tend to go into books completely blind. Don’t get me wrong, I get enough clues/vibes to know it’s in my general ball park, but then I just jump in. So when a book blows me away???? It’s genuine. It’s not because of hype, it’s not because of expectations or even because I’m choosing a trope I know I like.

This is one of those books. The author popped up on my TikTok fyp and I saw the cover and thought “what the hell!” What I was rewarded with was an FMC I would die for, an MMC I would kill for, and an ending I will need therapy for.

This book felt different. Lately I feel like reading romantasy/fantasy has been a lot like reading the same tropes over and over but this felt like something completely different. Our heroine is interesting, nuanced and CURVY! The relationships aren’t tropey and overplayed. The plot is genuinely unpredictable.

I loved the magic system/world we were in, and while we’ve had a snippet of the beasties I’m SO excited to get more of them as this story progresses.

On top of all of that, this plays out over like 300 pages! It’s punchy, it’s well paced, it doesn’t have reams and reams of infodumping and self indulgent description like a lot of big fat books in this genre. I feel like I got more character and plot from this book than the last 5 I’ve read at twice the length.

I was laughing at the dialogue and sobbing from the plot, and truly, what else could you possibly want from a book?
6 reviews1 follower
December 1, 2025
Spoiler Free Review: 5 stars

Brief synopsis:
We follow Siofra, a cursed rebel witch, as she navigates how she wants to live her life as well as her conflicting feelings for her childhood best friend Donall. Her journey is filled with love, mystery, adventure, mythical creatures, and secrets.

My thoughts:
I was hooked from the beginning, the magic of the witches reminded me of Avatar the Last Airbender, I enjoyed the author’s writing style, there’s action, romance, and a couple spicy scenes. I gasped, chuckled and cried. We have magic, mythical creatures, a bada** FMC who in my opinion is not annoying. I NEED book 2. I don’t think I can say any more positive things about this book without spoiling the plot so please read it for yourself.
9 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! This is a gothic fantasy romance. It follow Siofra, a witch working with human rebels against a tyrannical queen. The problem is witches who are not a part of the queens coven are hunted down, and also suffer from degredation due to an ancient curse.
Siofra is an absolutely kick ass FMC, she is also curvy and thirty. I love that representation im fed up up of reading about skinny 17 year olds!
The world building was not too heavy, and was given very organically throughout the story.
There was also a glossary that included pronunciation!!! This is what we need for all fantasy books.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next one in the series to come out!
2 reviews
May 28, 2025

Wow I don't know where to begin!!! From the first chapter I was just sucked in. The building of the characters, development of the world, the romance..... I mean, I don't have the words to do this book justice. Every day I was thinking about starting to read again and wanting to know what was coming next. Then the ending........ Just wow. Book 2 cannot come quick enough. If I had to compare this book to another I'd have this up there with ACOTAR. I had the same excitement and feelings reading this. Buy this book, read it, and just enjoy the ride. Oh, and as an Irish reader, I absolutely LOVED the character names and subtle use of the Irish language.
Profile Image for Laura W.
59 reviews8 followers
October 21, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️3

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This story was full of unexpected twists and turns that genuinely surprised me. It’s an easy 5-star read because I didn’t see so many of the plot twists coming. One of them even completely devastated me. The story is unique and unlike anything I’ve read before. Siofra, the main character, is strong and self-sufficient as she navigates her world and learns to use her powers. If you enjoy witches, elemental magic, fated mates, and bonded animals, you need to add this to your TBR right away. I can’t wait to dive into book two and see what’s next for Siofra.
Profile Image for The Book Ssirren.
1,486 reviews63 followers
November 17, 2025
wow! what an amazing story! the world building was exquisite, the characters were so real, so well developed. I'm just blown away. This isn't a story that you just read, you live it with the characters. You're immediately pulled in. going through all the chaos and twists and turns with them. You feel what they feel, hear what they hear. omgosh, it's just awesome.
I loved every minute of this story. especially the spicy parts. whew! 🥵
Bravo on such a well written story. i enjoyed every minute of it. but that ending! what!?

I received this as an ARC and I'm leaving a voluntary review
Profile Image for melle ouellet.
17 reviews4 followers
October 31, 2025
I was provided the opportunity to read this novel as an arc. I enjoyed the irish mythology and references. It is a 4 and not a 5 because the first 75% had me reading and keeping on but i was gliding not enthralled. However, at the 70% mark it got yummy, some spice and i just couldn’t put it down till the finish which left me on a cliffhanger wanting to keep reading. Waiting on book 2 for sure!!
Profile Image for Mrs Z.
39 reviews1 follower
October 20, 2025
Absolutely sensational!!!! A curvey female lead, hunky males, twists and turns through a magical/ Fae world.... it's every magical combination with spice 🤌🏻🥵 I need the next book immediately! Highly recommend! Elemental magic; friends to lovers; unpredictable twists; emotional plots.

Get it now, you won't regret it.
Profile Image for Katherine Cannone.
203 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2025
When Witches Weep hits you right in the heart. The characters grief, hope and longing pulse through every scene and their power weaved around them with every emotion experienced. A story that’s felt as much as it’s read—unforgettable from start to finish.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
477 reviews
December 11, 2025
This book grabs you right from the beginning. Full of magic, lore, twists and turns, a dark gothic tone, characters that sear themselves into you, action, and a cliffhanger that’ll make you sit in silence for a while. Absolutely loved this start to a new series!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Sarah Shepherd.
17 reviews3 followers
December 26, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It was incredibly easy to read, and the author’s writing style was vivid and immersive kept me engaged whilst reading.The twists and turns kept me hooked, and I really loved the siofra and donals relationship but the twist at the end has me eagerly awaiting to read the next book.
7 reviews
July 6, 2025
I want to give this book 6 stars, but alas! I didn’t expect to enjoy this as much as I did, this being my 1st read of this witchy mystical genre. But I have never been more glad to be wrong! I’m now eagerly awaiting the next instalment.
Profile Image for Lei Doyle.
158 reviews5 followers
January 7, 2026
This book is freaking amazing. I was completely swept away into a world of magic, curses, witches, and adventure. Miss Tyrrell's beautiful storytelling will keep you captivated from beginning to end. That ending though will have you gasping.
Profile Image for Shelly Buckley.
17 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2025
Wow, read straight through in 2 days. Hooked right from the beginning. Loved that it’s a bit different take, and I definitely was not expecting the ending!
Profile Image for Jessica Penley.
67 reviews
November 6, 2025
I just want to say thank you Sarah for letting me be an ARC for you… All I gotta say is damn I couldn’t even put the book down. It is a slow burn but with a few twist.

When Witches Weep- this book has elemental magic, FMC leads are strong. Has good Irish folklore entangled fantasy dark romance.

Main character- Siofra is a kick ass FMC witch that is fierce and powerful
This Friends to lovers story was extremely well done.
This book will have you on edge throughout the book.
The ending has me fucked up and soooo ready for book 2💯

OH YEAH…. Below is also one of my favorite pieces of the book.
“Fuck me, Lips. Keep suffocating people from inside out and you’ll have me falling in love with you next.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Sarah I can’t wait for book 2.
Profile Image for Fiona.
4 reviews4 followers
January 12, 2026
This book had me hooked. The world felt grounded and real, with just the right amount of magic and danger simmering underneath.

And the slow burn? Torture. In the best possible way. I was fully ready to throw the kindle across the room out of sheer frustration that they hadn’t kissed yet (and I say that as a compliment). I was invested. Completely drawn in.

There’s also a twist that I absolutely did not see coming and when it hit, I had to just sit there for a minute and process and then immediately message everyone I knew who already read it.

Couldn’t put it down. Genuinely. DO NOT START READING AT LUNCH “just one more chapter” later and hours will have passed. So enjoyable, so tense, and so emotional. I NEED book 2.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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