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The Winter Witch
Two sisters set sail on a bride ship from Normandy hoping to leave a curse behind them and find better lives in the wilds of 17th-century Quebec, only to meet a mysterious witch who forces them to confront the truth about magic—and their past. For fans of Emilia Hart, Sarah Penner, Alix E. Harrow, Ami McKay, and Roberta Rich.
Élisabeth Jossard boards a bride ship to New France with her sister Marthe, forced to start a new life after a scandal in her village in Normandy. She’s harbouring a dark secret and hopes that by coming to Montreal—the holiest place in the world, she’s been told—the saints will hear her pleas and lift the curse that plagues her.
When Élisabeth’s prayers go unanswered and she is unable to banish the spirit she believes is tormenting her, Marthe encourages her to turn to a powerful witch for help, the enigmatic stowaway Jeanne Roy. But Jeanne has secrets of her own, and when she refuses to help, Élisabeth’s resentment kindles a dangerous fire.
Inspired by the tales of Canada’s Filles du Roi, The Winter Witch examines how lies, arrogance, and ignorance can lead to witch hunts in any society.
Élisabeth Jossard boards a bride ship to New France with her sister Marthe, forced to start a new life after a scandal in her village in Normandy. She’s harbouring a dark secret and hopes that by coming to Montreal—the holiest place in the world, she’s been told—the saints will hear her pleas and lift the curse that plagues her.
When Élisabeth’s prayers go unanswered and she is unable to banish the spirit she believes is tormenting her, Marthe encourages her to turn to a powerful witch for help, the enigmatic stowaway Jeanne Roy. But Jeanne has secrets of her own, and when she refuses to help, Élisabeth’s resentment kindles a dangerous fire.
Inspired by the tales of Canada’s Filles du Roi, The Winter Witch examines how lies, arrogance, and ignorance can lead to witch hunts in any society.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2026
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3756 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
November 5, 2025
A few years before the Salem Witch Trials in America, superstitious and oppressed people in France and Canada were also chasing shadows and pointing fingers. Senior producer at CBC and debut novelist, Jennifer Chevalier, sets out to show that lies, arrogance, and ignorance can lead to witch hunts.
Inspired by Canada’s filles du roi, Chevalier invites readers along for the journey as two sisters, Marthe and Elisabeth (Lili) Jossard board the Saint-Jean-Baptiste along with other girls who have accepted the King’s dowry in exchange for a promise to marry a settler in New France. These girls, Montrealistes, are headed to Ville-Marie, a missionary village on an island called Montreal in Canada. Some are adventurous, some are afraid of becoming spinsters, and some, like the Jossard girls, are escaping scandal.
Readers soon discover that naïveté, secrets and societal expecations/constraints are the root cause of Lili and Marthe’s predicament. Unable to outrun these ties, the girls are unsuccessful transplants in the new world until they are forced to confront the truth about their past, confront their fears, and confront their beliefs concerning magic.
Chevalier’s storytelling is sublime, her characters feel like you already know them, and the attention she gives to the setting creates a feeling of place that anchors the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this thought-provoking read centered around my country's history. I hope we hear more from Marthe and Lili and Ville-Marie.
I was gifted this copy by Simon&Schuster Canada and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Inspired by Canada’s filles du roi, Chevalier invites readers along for the journey as two sisters, Marthe and Elisabeth (Lili) Jossard board the Saint-Jean-Baptiste along with other girls who have accepted the King’s dowry in exchange for a promise to marry a settler in New France. These girls, Montrealistes, are headed to Ville-Marie, a missionary village on an island called Montreal in Canada. Some are adventurous, some are afraid of becoming spinsters, and some, like the Jossard girls, are escaping scandal.
Readers soon discover that naïveté, secrets and societal expecations/constraints are the root cause of Lili and Marthe’s predicament. Unable to outrun these ties, the girls are unsuccessful transplants in the new world until they are forced to confront the truth about their past, confront their fears, and confront their beliefs concerning magic.
Chevalier’s storytelling is sublime, her characters feel like you already know them, and the attention she gives to the setting creates a feeling of place that anchors the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this thought-provoking read centered around my country's history. I hope we hear more from Marthe and Lili and Ville-Marie.
I was gifted this copy by Simon&Schuster Canada and was under no obligation to provide a review.
January 8, 2026
super intéressant mais Élisabeth était vraiment déplaisante haha
January 30, 2026
I received this ARC from a Goodreads giveaway.
As a Quebecer with French coloniser ancestry as far back as the 1700s myself, it was really interesting to read and match this novel's plot and setting against what I learned of the Filles du Roy in History classes in school. The author did a great job painting a vivid picture of the girls' experience journeying over by ship, setting foot on New France soil, meeting the strangers they might marry out of duty and may never love, and then settling into remote shacks with them. Life was tough in New France, and this was captured well in my opinion.
I enjoyed the sisters' story overall. Elisabeth and the priest de Sancy encapsulated perfectly how the Church instilled the fear of God, the Devil, and demons in those days. Lilly drove my agnostic mind CRAZY, I wanted to shake some @#$%& sense into her. But, I do think the concussion she gets on the ship is to blame for most of her religious fervour thereafter. I might have pulled all my hair out if .
As a Quebecer with French coloniser ancestry as far back as the 1700s myself, it was really interesting to read and match this novel's plot and setting against what I learned of the Filles du Roy in History classes in school. The author did a great job painting a vivid picture of the girls' experience journeying over by ship, setting foot on New France soil, meeting the strangers they might marry out of duty and may never love, and then settling into remote shacks with them. Life was tough in New France, and this was captured well in my opinion.
I enjoyed the sisters' story overall. Elisabeth and the priest de Sancy encapsulated perfectly how the Church instilled the fear of God, the Devil, and demons in those days. Lilly drove my agnostic mind CRAZY, I wanted to shake some @#$%& sense into her. But, I do think the concussion she gets on the ship is to blame for most of her religious fervour thereafter. I might have pulled all my hair out if .
February 10, 2026
I enjoyed this debut historical fiction novel set during the Fur trade era of 17th century New France (Upper Canada) that follows two sisters sent from France as Filles du Roi (King’s daughters) to marry the frontiersman in the new colony and help to populate it.
This book was full of feminist rage, superstitious men and women, a touch of romance, sisterhood bonds and even a bit of witchcraft (both real and imagined). There are lots of parallels to the time of European witch hunts in this story with a priest bent of hunting down “dangerous” (aka subversive) women.
I enjoyed this on audio a lot and would recommend it for fans of books like The fort by Christy K Lee and authors like Genevieve Graham and Elinor Florence. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
More Fur Trade era books set in New France to check out if you like The Winter witch:
Isola
Bride of New France
Daughters of the deer
This book was full of feminist rage, superstitious men and women, a touch of romance, sisterhood bonds and even a bit of witchcraft (both real and imagined). There are lots of parallels to the time of European witch hunts in this story with a priest bent of hunting down “dangerous” (aka subversive) women.
I enjoyed this on audio a lot and would recommend it for fans of books like The fort by Christy K Lee and authors like Genevieve Graham and Elinor Florence. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical ARC in exchange for my honest review.
More Fur Trade era books set in New France to check out if you like The Winter witch:
Isola
Bride of New France
Daughters of the deer
February 22, 2026
Élizabeth…girl…I think we need to hear just one more time how broad his chest is please
March 6, 2026
This story settled deep in my bones. It felt like I was reading the story of my own ancestors. Elizabeth is infuriating and will haunt me for a long time!
February 23, 2026
Maybe my book of the year and it's only the beginning of 2026! Publishers have a lot of work to do if they want to stand up to this one.
Key components> Canadian history, including Indigenous treatment, filles du roi (brides sent to New France), female hardships, early science vs witch lore and false accusations
Key components> Canadian history, including Indigenous treatment, filles du roi (brides sent to New France), female hardships, early science vs witch lore and false accusations
March 22, 2026
This book was very different from what I normally read and started off quite slow, making me wonder where this was going. However, by the end everything came together and I loved this tale about women in our early Canadian history, religion, sisterhood, love, sadness, melancholy and believing in magic and science🥺
February 2, 2026
The Winter Witch is an engaging historical fiction novel that follows the journey of sisters Marthe and Élisabeth, who travel from France in 1670 with other Filles du Roi to find husbands in the remote village of Ville-Marie (Montréal, Quebec, Canada). While Marthe is determined to create a prosperous new life for herself, Élisabeth hasn't been able to leave her fears or secrets behind. She has been cursed by the winter witch.
From the cramped hold of the brideship to the vast wilderness of New France, Jennifer Chevalier creates a vivid and atmospheric setting filled with rich historical detail. I enjoyed this window into the lives of Canada's indigenous people and the early settlers of Quebec.
This period of history was a tumultuous time when religion and science were butting heads, and superstition warred with reason. Many people still feared witches, almost as much as they feared women's power and success. These conflicting beliefs and prejudices were brilliantly played out by the characters in the story, showing us how difficult it can be to acknowledge perspectives different than one's own.
I felt so many emotions as I eagerly followed the fates of Marthe, Élisabeth and their friends, from disgust and incredulity to frustration and compassion. This is ultimately a compelling story of female friendship and empowerment, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
From the cramped hold of the brideship to the vast wilderness of New France, Jennifer Chevalier creates a vivid and atmospheric setting filled with rich historical detail. I enjoyed this window into the lives of Canada's indigenous people and the early settlers of Quebec.
This period of history was a tumultuous time when religion and science were butting heads, and superstition warred with reason. Many people still feared witches, almost as much as they feared women's power and success. These conflicting beliefs and prejudices were brilliantly played out by the characters in the story, showing us how difficult it can be to acknowledge perspectives different than one's own.
I felt so many emotions as I eagerly followed the fates of Marthe, Élisabeth and their friends, from disgust and incredulity to frustration and compassion. This is ultimately a compelling story of female friendship and empowerment, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 25, 2025
I wanted to read this as soon as I read the synopsis. I was really excited when Simon and Schuster approved my request on NetGalley. Elisabeth and her sister Marthe are driven from their village in Normandy due to a scandal. They board a bride ship to Canada in hopes to start over. Things take a turn from there and Elisabeth ends up accusing a neighbour of being a witch. It was scarily easy to turn the village against her. If any of this is of interest to you go read The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier.
March 31, 2026
While I don't think this book is a one star, it is a very dumb book.
I don't understand why authors choose to set their stories in a past time and place and then write about essentially 21st Century people, especially women. This particular story is supposed to take place in New France on the Isle de Montreal. A ship of filles du roi, including sisters Marte and Elisabeth, arrive to become brides for the male dominated community.
I originally liked Marte, the sensible sister who seems destined to make good in life. However, her stupidity and her too modern reaction quickly eroded my liking. I have a hard time believing daughters of poor farmers would be so wholly and completely in the dark about how entitled higher ranking men could act.
I disliked Elisabeth from the first page to the very last. She was stupid beyond comprehension, self absorbed, and quick to judge others as sinners while making excuses for herself. There is nothing likable or redeemable in her character, even when she comes to a miraculous understanding of everything.
For a book set in Catholic Montreal and where the main character is holier than thou, the church plays a very small part in the book. No one goes to church and religious figures are used to either provide some comic relief or to try to reignite the tensions when Elizabeth's perpetual whinging and whining slows down the story. Elizabeth is constantly wracked by guilt, but never goes to confession or gets any help from a priest. Of course, the main priest is depicted as vile and revolting in order to give a reason for this, but he would not have been serving as the parishioners' confessor.
People emotions seem to have no rhyme or reason, but are just used to push the plot forward in order to overcome the fact there is no logic to anything. People are very one dimensional, with cartoon villains motivated by an intense need to try to hold up an unsupportable plot line. And heroes are so blindingly pure, you need sunglasses to read when they appear on the page.
Also, for a book that tries so hard to convince you that these people completely believe whatever they are told about demons at the start of the story, the ending is totally ridiculous.
If you can suspend your disbelief at how manipulated the plot is or how unlikable the characters are, this is an amusing romp where you can spend time finding all the stereotypical character and plot lines. But if you want an actual suspenseful and interesting witch story, don't bother with this one.
I don't understand why authors choose to set their stories in a past time and place and then write about essentially 21st Century people, especially women. This particular story is supposed to take place in New France on the Isle de Montreal. A ship of filles du roi, including sisters Marte and Elisabeth, arrive to become brides for the male dominated community.
I originally liked Marte, the sensible sister who seems destined to make good in life. However, her stupidity and her too modern reaction quickly eroded my liking. I have a hard time believing daughters of poor farmers would be so wholly and completely in the dark about how entitled higher ranking men could act.
I disliked Elisabeth from the first page to the very last. She was stupid beyond comprehension, self absorbed, and quick to judge others as sinners while making excuses for herself. There is nothing likable or redeemable in her character, even when she comes to a miraculous understanding of everything.
For a book set in Catholic Montreal and where the main character is holier than thou, the church plays a very small part in the book. No one goes to church and religious figures are used to either provide some comic relief or to try to reignite the tensions when Elizabeth's perpetual whinging and whining slows down the story. Elizabeth is constantly wracked by guilt, but never goes to confession or gets any help from a priest. Of course, the main priest is depicted as vile and revolting in order to give a reason for this, but he would not have been serving as the parishioners' confessor.
People emotions seem to have no rhyme or reason, but are just used to push the plot forward in order to overcome the fact there is no logic to anything. People are very one dimensional, with cartoon villains motivated by an intense need to try to hold up an unsupportable plot line. And heroes are so blindingly pure, you need sunglasses to read when they appear on the page.
Also, for a book that tries so hard to convince you that these people completely believe whatever they are told about demons at the start of the story, the ending is totally ridiculous.
If you can suspend your disbelief at how manipulated the plot is or how unlikable the characters are, this is an amusing romp where you can spend time finding all the stereotypical character and plot lines. But if you want an actual suspenseful and interesting witch story, don't bother with this one.
April 16, 2026
The story highlights how ignorance and fear breeds superstition, turning women into targets. “Witchery” was used on those who were misunderstood. This was a good one!
April 2, 2026
I love historical fiction and was excited about this book. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was fantastic. However, this novel focuses on an annoying and repetitive storyline and drags. The protagonist suffers from the ignorance that plagued the peasant class at this time, and while this may have been typical, for so much attention to be on this character, I was willing the storyline to move on, and to see the main character to rise above. Unfortunately, as I mentioned, it dragged on. It was a good book, but it was just good, when it had the potential to be great.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I am so grateful my request was approved to read this early. I saw the author speak of her inspiration via social media and I was convinced I needed to read this immediately.
What unfolds is an intriguing, layered story about superstition, belief and the dynamics of power. The book beautifully, skillfully paints an image of life in the early colonies. How they were a rough place of hardship, loneliness…and way too many men. The way Ms Chevalier describes this setting is utterly believable.
I felt I was given insight into the minds and hearts of the women of that time. Their limited options for living out their lives as poor women with no family. I could feel the various yokes of oppression, their limitations for expressing themselves or even understanding the world around them. All the invisible lines drawn for them to stay within to be considered a “proper, devout” woman were so tangible you could feel their strangling presence.
There is a dual POV between two sisters, Marthe and Lili who could not be more different. I felt like I was gazing directly out of their eyes, feeling everything they felt. I was bereft, despairing one minute then utterly furious the next. They were complex, multi-layer girls forced to be women so young. They had experienced so much pain and sorrow but still knew so little of the world. Which, to be honest, most people of their status were trapped within their ignorance and had it leveraged against them. Rumours and suspicions became deadly sentences at the hands of fearful, miserable neighbors and townspeople. Humans have the capacity to be the greatest monsters.
However, this book showed that humans also have the capacity to be the greatest champions of what is right. It had a wonderful twist, moments of light and hope and women seizing what little power they had through intelligence and daring. I won’t spoil it but it was SO empowering and satisfying. I was so fearful and worried the first portion of the book that when the climax came I raced through to the end. I feel I need to go back and properly revel in the turn of events.
What unfolds is an intriguing, layered story about superstition, belief and the dynamics of power. The book beautifully, skillfully paints an image of life in the early colonies. How they were a rough place of hardship, loneliness…and way too many men. The way Ms Chevalier describes this setting is utterly believable.
I felt I was given insight into the minds and hearts of the women of that time. Their limited options for living out their lives as poor women with no family. I could feel the various yokes of oppression, their limitations for expressing themselves or even understanding the world around them. All the invisible lines drawn for them to stay within to be considered a “proper, devout” woman were so tangible you could feel their strangling presence.
There is a dual POV between two sisters, Marthe and Lili who could not be more different. I felt like I was gazing directly out of their eyes, feeling everything they felt. I was bereft, despairing one minute then utterly furious the next. They were complex, multi-layer girls forced to be women so young. They had experienced so much pain and sorrow but still knew so little of the world. Which, to be honest, most people of their status were trapped within their ignorance and had it leveraged against them. Rumours and suspicions became deadly sentences at the hands of fearful, miserable neighbors and townspeople. Humans have the capacity to be the greatest monsters.
However, this book showed that humans also have the capacity to be the greatest champions of what is right. It had a wonderful twist, moments of light and hope and women seizing what little power they had through intelligence and daring. I won’t spoil it but it was SO empowering and satisfying. I was so fearful and worried the first portion of the book that when the climax came I raced through to the end. I feel I need to go back and properly revel in the turn of events.
January 28, 2026
Readers who loved The Midwife of Venice will devour The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier. Chevalier is an award-winning journalist who has utilized her talents as a researcher and storyteller to weave an incredible work of historical fiction. Carefully drawn from historical accounts, we meet sisters Elisabeth and Marthe who board a bride ship in seventeenth-century Normandy, bound for New France (Quebec) to marry the men helping to establish a new colony. On board the ship with them is a Catholic Priest who is considered to be an expert on witches, demonology and the fanatical destruction of anyone he believes is possessed by the devil. The sisters bond with the other women on the ship and form deep friendships which stand them in good stead as they navigate the trials of their new country. While Marthe is sensible and pragmatic, Elisabeth is a pious and fanciful girl with a dangerous secret, whose foolish beliefs about curses and witchcraft place a woman’s life in peril. Beautifully written, this is a compelling story of superstition and fear but also one of female agency. Highly recommended.
January 12, 2026
3.5 stars.
Élisabeth and Marthe are forced to board a ship to New France from Normandy to start a new life after a village scandal. Élisabeth is harboring a dark secret and hopes that Montreal – the holiest place in the world – will lift the curse that plagues her. When her prayers go unanswered, Marthe encourages her to seek help from a powerful witch.
THE WINTER WITCH is a book I was really excited about reading in 2026. It is an incredible debut that is inspired by Canada’s Filles du Roi. The story is set primarily in New France within the village of Ville-Marie (aka Montreal, QC) in 1670.
The storytelling alternates between Élisabeth and Marthe’s POVs whom are two girls-for-marrying fleeing Normandy, France for a fresh start. I enjoyed both sisters as the narrators for this novel. Élisabeth and Marthe are well-written and interesting, though I did find Élisabeth to be a bit tiresome. It is clear from early on that she is suffering from mental illness, making her irrational and not open to other’s thoughts or directives.
The marriages these two women embark upon are not love matches, but there is a certain romance that develops between the two couples that is sweet and heartwarming.
I was hoping for a bit more witchiness within these pages, but I did love the attention the author gives to how easy lies and ignorance can lead to witch hunts.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
Élisabeth and Marthe are forced to board a ship to New France from Normandy to start a new life after a village scandal. Élisabeth is harboring a dark secret and hopes that Montreal – the holiest place in the world – will lift the curse that plagues her. When her prayers go unanswered, Marthe encourages her to seek help from a powerful witch.
THE WINTER WITCH is a book I was really excited about reading in 2026. It is an incredible debut that is inspired by Canada’s Filles du Roi. The story is set primarily in New France within the village of Ville-Marie (aka Montreal, QC) in 1670.
The storytelling alternates between Élisabeth and Marthe’s POVs whom are two girls-for-marrying fleeing Normandy, France for a fresh start. I enjoyed both sisters as the narrators for this novel. Élisabeth and Marthe are well-written and interesting, though I did find Élisabeth to be a bit tiresome. It is clear from early on that she is suffering from mental illness, making her irrational and not open to other’s thoughts or directives.
The marriages these two women embark upon are not love matches, but there is a certain romance that develops between the two couples that is sweet and heartwarming.
I was hoping for a bit more witchiness within these pages, but I did love the attention the author gives to how easy lies and ignorance can lead to witch hunts.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
January 12, 2026
The history of the French colonies in Québec, specifically the Filles du Roi braving the unknown to join them, is a part of Canadian history that I am drawn to as it is fascinating and an important part of my own family’s history. I hadn’t read a work of fiction about the Filles du Roi since Anne Hébert’s Premier Jardin and when this period and its people are brought to life through fiction it is particularly engaging and moving.
The Winter Witch is a fantastic work historical fiction based on real events and people of this chapter of Canadian history. It is touching and empowering with complex characters and a gripping storyline with a hint of magic. I do wish that we had delved a bit deeper into life on the colonies and Indigenous culture and history. However this was overall a great read and I am excited to see what Chevalier writes next!
Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC!
January 2, 2026
Winter Witch follows sisters Elisabeth and Marthe as they leave France aboard a bride ship bound for Quebec after a scandal between Elisabeth and a local boy forces them to leave home. Along with other women sent to populate the New World, they face harsh conditions, strict religious rules, and the ever-present fear of witchcraft. Elisabeth believes the journey will lift a witch’s curse that has left her barren, allowing her to return to France to be with the man she loves
Jeanne Roy becomes a key figure in their lives, offering knowledge outside the Church’s rules and showing how quickly suspicion can spread. The story moves at a slower pace, but it lets the characters and their world come alive and kept me engaged throughout.
Overall, Winter Witch was a great read and I think anyone who enjoys historical women’s fiction with rich detail and well-drawn characters will really enjoy it as well.
Jeanne Roy becomes a key figure in their lives, offering knowledge outside the Church’s rules and showing how quickly suspicion can spread. The story moves at a slower pace, but it lets the characters and their world come alive and kept me engaged throughout.
Overall, Winter Witch was a great read and I think anyone who enjoys historical women’s fiction with rich detail and well-drawn characters will really enjoy it as well.
April 19, 2026
I chose this book because I love historical fiction and anything to do with witch craft. I fell in love with this book because of the powerful women at the heart of the story.
In a new, scary world, it’s so easy to allow the fear filled, mystical, beliefs to take over. Critical thinking and deep analysis is hard, it takes energy and fear doesn’t allow much space for it. Whether it’s 1600, or 2026, this story is relevant and current. It holds up a mirror for all of us to learn, reflect and understand.
In a new, scary world, it’s so easy to allow the fear filled, mystical, beliefs to take over. Critical thinking and deep analysis is hard, it takes energy and fear doesn’t allow much space for it. Whether it’s 1600, or 2026, this story is relevant and current. It holds up a mirror for all of us to learn, reflect and understand.
April 22, 2026
I really enjoyed this story of New France and les filles de roi, the comradery between the young women, and the power many of them had in selecting husbands, as well as how not everyone automatically embraced the accusations of witchcraft that were directed towards women who "threatened" a man's status. However, I was disappointed in the "reveal" at the end. It just seemed rushed to me. If more context was given I would have rated the book higher. I enjoyed the journey, just not overly pleased with the destination.
February 28, 2026
I enjoyed this book and its historical connection to Canada. I wish some of the plot points were expanded on as I feel there was more that could have been discussed about the “secret”. Also a telling tale of what happens when men refuse to listen to women or refuse to stand up to people in positions of power even if that person is a “maman”.
February 19, 2026
4.5 stars - loses 1/2 point for the main character being such an "ignorant peasant" and making me furious for so much of this book.
However, as a lover of historical fiction, I was swept away by this tale of witches, and the power of women.
However, as a lover of historical fiction, I was swept away by this tale of witches, and the power of women.
February 8, 2026
10 stars. What a story.
March 5, 2026
I loved this story. It’s not as “witchy” as I was hoping but it’s a great story about the terrible things a lie can cause.
March 8, 2026
À combination I love: historical fiction, Canadian setting, strong women and intriguing story!
February 8, 2026
There wasn’t a lot going on in the plot until the end, nor were any of the characters well developed. It was an okay read, but I think a lot more could have been done with it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier from Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Canada in order to read and give an honest review.
History and folklore come together so beautifully in Jennifer Chevalier’s debut, The Winter Witch. As someone who absolutely loves a good historical narrative, especially those that showcase the sheer grit and resilience of the women who came before us, I was definitely thrilled to get my hands on this one. I loved the intimate glimpse into the lives of the “Filles du Roi”, or “King’s Daughters,” who braved the unknown to build a legacy in the New World.
Inspired by the approximately 800 French women sponsored by King Louis XIV in the 17th century, the story follows sisters Marthe and Élisabeth (Lili) as they leave their home in Normandy behind. Searching for a life outside the shadow of a village scandal, they board the Saint-Jean-Baptiste to accept the King’s dowry, promising to marry settlers in New France. Their destination is Ville-Marie (now Montreal), which at the time was a tiny missionary village on the edge of the wilderness. While some of the other girls on board are looking for adventure or an escape from becoming spinsters, the sisters are running from a past that refuses to stay buried.
The story wanders between Marthe and Lili’s points of view, and I really enjoyed having both as narrators. Marthe is down-to-earth and protective, definitely the grounding force of the duo, and watching her reclaim her power through her own intelligence and daring was so empowering. Lili, on the other hand, was a bit more of a “difficult” character whose personality is ruled by fear, and she’s overwhelmed, convinced she’s cursed, hoping Montreal’s reputation as a “holy” place will drive the demon from her. I struggled with her at times with her irrationality and refusal to listen; it was a sad reminder about the history of mental illness, a condition that the 17th-century world was tragically unable to handle.
Although their marriages start out as matters of necessity rather than love matches, the romance that develops for both couples is surprisingly heartwarming. It was such a beautiful counterpoint to the harsher realities of the colonial life depicted. I also really appreciated the point the author makes about how easily lies, ignorance, and societal constraints can spiral into a witch hunt. It’s a chilling reminder of how humans have the capacity to be the greatest monsters when they’re fueled by fear.
I loved the fact that the book champions the human spirit. There’s a fantastic twist and some wonderful moments of light where these women seized what little power they had through sheer intelligence.
The Winter Witch is a well-written piece of historical fiction that manages to anchor a sliver of folklore in a very real, very gritty past. While the atmosphere and character development were dynamic, I did find myself wishing we’d delved just a bit deeper into the daily life of the colonies and Indigenous history. Regardless, this is a gripping, moving read that brings a vital chapter of Canadian history to the forefront. If you love stories about complex women fighting for their place in a world that fears them, you won’t want to miss this one. I highly recommend.
History and folklore come together so beautifully in Jennifer Chevalier’s debut, The Winter Witch. As someone who absolutely loves a good historical narrative, especially those that showcase the sheer grit and resilience of the women who came before us, I was definitely thrilled to get my hands on this one. I loved the intimate glimpse into the lives of the “Filles du Roi”, or “King’s Daughters,” who braved the unknown to build a legacy in the New World.
Inspired by the approximately 800 French women sponsored by King Louis XIV in the 17th century, the story follows sisters Marthe and Élisabeth (Lili) as they leave their home in Normandy behind. Searching for a life outside the shadow of a village scandal, they board the Saint-Jean-Baptiste to accept the King’s dowry, promising to marry settlers in New France. Their destination is Ville-Marie (now Montreal), which at the time was a tiny missionary village on the edge of the wilderness. While some of the other girls on board are looking for adventure or an escape from becoming spinsters, the sisters are running from a past that refuses to stay buried.
The story wanders between Marthe and Lili’s points of view, and I really enjoyed having both as narrators. Marthe is down-to-earth and protective, definitely the grounding force of the duo, and watching her reclaim her power through her own intelligence and daring was so empowering. Lili, on the other hand, was a bit more of a “difficult” character whose personality is ruled by fear, and she’s overwhelmed, convinced she’s cursed, hoping Montreal’s reputation as a “holy” place will drive the demon from her. I struggled with her at times with her irrationality and refusal to listen; it was a sad reminder about the history of mental illness, a condition that the 17th-century world was tragically unable to handle.
Although their marriages start out as matters of necessity rather than love matches, the romance that develops for both couples is surprisingly heartwarming. It was such a beautiful counterpoint to the harsher realities of the colonial life depicted. I also really appreciated the point the author makes about how easily lies, ignorance, and societal constraints can spiral into a witch hunt. It’s a chilling reminder of how humans have the capacity to be the greatest monsters when they’re fueled by fear.
I loved the fact that the book champions the human spirit. There’s a fantastic twist and some wonderful moments of light where these women seized what little power they had through sheer intelligence.
The Winter Witch is a well-written piece of historical fiction that manages to anchor a sliver of folklore in a very real, very gritty past. While the atmosphere and character development were dynamic, I did find myself wishing we’d delved just a bit deeper into the daily life of the colonies and Indigenous history. Regardless, this is a gripping, moving read that brings a vital chapter of Canadian history to the forefront. If you love stories about complex women fighting for their place in a world that fears them, you won’t want to miss this one. I highly recommend.
February 5, 2026
Book review: 3.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: superstitions, witch-hunt, child brides, colonies
📖 Read if you like: Weyward, The Book of Witching
“It is stupidity more than anything else that I cannot abide. Malice is comprehensible. One need only read the Bible to know that men are greedy and hateful. It’s the ignorance - the wilful, lazy ignorance! - that is so…so reprehensible.”
It is curious to have this raging sense of anger at the cruelty of ignorance and to dig further into a story of one. One of the central characters in this story is obsessed with her own demons that she has manifested them into madness. What can be construed as grief turns into depression and when layered with superstitious false piety it becomes dangerous. Élizabeth is an ignorant country girl, uneducated and easily enthralled by the idea of witches and curses. Her naivity and the cause of her affliction would be lamentable if she were not so blind to evidence laid forth before her and hell bent on the ideas of witchcraft. If she were not so indifferent to the very real suffering of others and if her ravings did not condemn an innocent woman to death she would merely be foolish, but as it were Lili was very hard to like. Her revelations came too late in the day, and I thought the switch was too drastic. She was too easily offered forgiveness for her cruelty. I found her change of heart and happy ending too neat for such a tale of misgivings and ignorance.
The other half of this story is told through the eyes of younger sister Marthe. Sharp tongued and with an iron will, Marthe marries young to escape her sister and forge her own path. Ambitious and determined, she is thwarted by the widow who lives with her husband and her own youth. When a very real threat presents itself, Marthe will do what she must to shackle the wolves, the monsters that hurt women simply because they can. She is the compelling and admirable half to Lili’s self obsessions.
Together they formed a tale steeped in beliefs that rings with accuracy for the times. This story made me livid and yet it wouldn’t let me go. It stirred such deep emotions to see how easily superstitions supersede all sense. This is in no small part due to the beautiful writing and ensnaring story. It was well researched and compelling. Naivety pays a heavy toll, one which is proven by historical witch-hunts against women that are different, those that are learned and not afraid to be bold. For there really is a certain magic to knowledge.
Synopsis: Two sisters set sell as brides for the colonies. One is escaping a sordid secret and the other following in her shame. They may leave Normandy behind, but they will bring with them the superstitious tales and beliefs of the winter witch. As they search for better lives in 17th-century Quebec, they will be forced to confront the truth about magic and their pasts.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
Genre: historical fiction
Themes: superstitions, witch-hunt, child brides, colonies
📖 Read if you like: Weyward, The Book of Witching
“It is stupidity more than anything else that I cannot abide. Malice is comprehensible. One need only read the Bible to know that men are greedy and hateful. It’s the ignorance - the wilful, lazy ignorance! - that is so…so reprehensible.”
It is curious to have this raging sense of anger at the cruelty of ignorance and to dig further into a story of one. One of the central characters in this story is obsessed with her own demons that she has manifested them into madness. What can be construed as grief turns into depression and when layered with superstitious false piety it becomes dangerous. Élizabeth is an ignorant country girl, uneducated and easily enthralled by the idea of witches and curses. Her naivity and the cause of her affliction would be lamentable if she were not so blind to evidence laid forth before her and hell bent on the ideas of witchcraft. If she were not so indifferent to the very real suffering of others and if her ravings did not condemn an innocent woman to death she would merely be foolish, but as it were Lili was very hard to like. Her revelations came too late in the day, and I thought the switch was too drastic. She was too easily offered forgiveness for her cruelty. I found her change of heart and happy ending too neat for such a tale of misgivings and ignorance.
The other half of this story is told through the eyes of younger sister Marthe. Sharp tongued and with an iron will, Marthe marries young to escape her sister and forge her own path. Ambitious and determined, she is thwarted by the widow who lives with her husband and her own youth. When a very real threat presents itself, Marthe will do what she must to shackle the wolves, the monsters that hurt women simply because they can. She is the compelling and admirable half to Lili’s self obsessions.
Together they formed a tale steeped in beliefs that rings with accuracy for the times. This story made me livid and yet it wouldn’t let me go. It stirred such deep emotions to see how easily superstitions supersede all sense. This is in no small part due to the beautiful writing and ensnaring story. It was well researched and compelling. Naivety pays a heavy toll, one which is proven by historical witch-hunts against women that are different, those that are learned and not afraid to be bold. For there really is a certain magic to knowledge.
Synopsis: Two sisters set sell as brides for the colonies. One is escaping a sordid secret and the other following in her shame. They may leave Normandy behind, but they will bring with them the superstitious tales and beliefs of the winter witch. As they search for better lives in 17th-century Quebec, they will be forced to confront the truth about magic and their pasts.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
January 28, 2026
ARC Review: The Winter Witch by Jennifer Chevalier
Set against the starkness and unforgiving cold of 17th‑century New France, The Winter Witch follows sisters Élisabeth and Marthe Jossard as they flee a scandal in Normandy aboard a bride ship, hoping to outrun a curse and find safety in a land they’ve been told is holy. What they encounter instead is a world shaped by superstition, hardship, and the dangerous power of stories.
One of the elements I enjoyed most was the historical grounding. The novel brings to life the real journeys of the Filles du Roi, hundreds of women who left France to settle in Quebec and Montreal. Given how modern and bustling these cities are today, it was fascinating, and sobering, to be reminded of their origins as precarious, isolated settlements shaped by faith, fear, and survival.
The alternating POVs between Élisabeth and Marthe worked well, especially in highlighting how their limited education and differing temperaments shape their understanding of the world around them. Their fears, suspicions, and the collective anxieties of the women aboard the ship sometimes felt overwhelming, but also believable given the clergy’s manipulative influence. The way folklore, sin, and the threat of witchcraft were used to control female behaviour is handled with nuance and historical resonance.
The pacing in the first half is on the slower side, with Élisabeth’s internal turmoil repeating itself at times, but the story gains momentum once the sisters reach New France. From that point onward, the tension and emotional stakes held my interest through to the end. I also appreciated the men who become the sisters’ husbands—their backstories add warmth and humanity, and the fact that both couples ultimately find a form of happiness was satisfying, even if the resolution felt a bit rushed after the slower build‑up.
Overall, The Winter Witch is an atmospheric and thoughtful blend of historical fiction and subtle magical realism. It will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about strong women navigating harsh worlds, the dangers of superstition, and the fragile line between faith and fear. And truly, we could use more Canadiana in historical fiction.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
Set against the starkness and unforgiving cold of 17th‑century New France, The Winter Witch follows sisters Élisabeth and Marthe Jossard as they flee a scandal in Normandy aboard a bride ship, hoping to outrun a curse and find safety in a land they’ve been told is holy. What they encounter instead is a world shaped by superstition, hardship, and the dangerous power of stories.
One of the elements I enjoyed most was the historical grounding. The novel brings to life the real journeys of the Filles du Roi, hundreds of women who left France to settle in Quebec and Montreal. Given how modern and bustling these cities are today, it was fascinating, and sobering, to be reminded of their origins as precarious, isolated settlements shaped by faith, fear, and survival.
The alternating POVs between Élisabeth and Marthe worked well, especially in highlighting how their limited education and differing temperaments shape their understanding of the world around them. Their fears, suspicions, and the collective anxieties of the women aboard the ship sometimes felt overwhelming, but also believable given the clergy’s manipulative influence. The way folklore, sin, and the threat of witchcraft were used to control female behaviour is handled with nuance and historical resonance.
The pacing in the first half is on the slower side, with Élisabeth’s internal turmoil repeating itself at times, but the story gains momentum once the sisters reach New France. From that point onward, the tension and emotional stakes held my interest through to the end. I also appreciated the men who become the sisters’ husbands—their backstories add warmth and humanity, and the fact that both couples ultimately find a form of happiness was satisfying, even if the resolution felt a bit rushed after the slower build‑up.
Overall, The Winter Witch is an atmospheric and thoughtful blend of historical fiction and subtle magical realism. It will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about strong women navigating harsh worlds, the dangers of superstition, and the fragile line between faith and fear. And truly, we could use more Canadiana in historical fiction.
P.S. I am grateful to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an advanced reader’s copy of this story for which I am voluntarily writing this honest review.
P.S. 2: If you liked this, then please check out my other book reviews of stories about strong women and their handsome sidekicks!
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