The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale

by C.M. Waggoner

A practical witch must sabotage her beloved son's ascension to the throne in order to keep the kingdom from ruin, in this delightful cozy fantasy from the author of The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry.

Once upon a time, a somewhat wicked witch named Gretsella lived in a cozy little cottage in the Dark Forest of Brigandale. She dispensed herbs and tinctures at reasonable prices, met with her slightly oddball coven on a regular basis, and had absolutely no need of any further company whatsoever, thank you very much. But then one afternoon, Gretsella came home to find a screaming infant on her doorstep.

Against all her better judgement, she took the baby in. She named him Bradley.

Eighteen years later, Bradley has grown into a bafflingly likable young man under Gretsella’s extremely tolerant—one might even say doting—eye. But the witch’s hopes for an unremarkable yet fulfilling life for her son are shattered when small woodland animals start prophesying that he is the lost prince and should ascend to the throne. Bradley ignores Gretsella’s advice that prophecies and talking chipmunks are to be avoided at all costs, and sets off for the capital. But soon confusion and chaos are reigning, and scheming courtiers are using Bradley for their own ends. Sometimes a witch has to roll up her sleeves and take matters into her own cauldron. So Gretsella sets off to bring about the downfall of her darling son…

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy, Cozy Fantasy, Witches, Fiction, Audiobook, Magic

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 17, 2026

About the author

C. M. Waggoner grew up in rural upstate New York, where she spent a lot of time reading fantasy novels in a swamp. She studied creative writing at SUNY Purchase and lived in China for eight years before moving to Albany, New York, where she now lives with her husband and daughter. She is the author of three books: Unnatural Magic, The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry, The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society, and The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale. When she’s not writing or reading, she enjoys cooking, trying to learn how to draw, and going on extremely long walks. To voice your complaints to the management (or sign up for her mailing list), visit cmwaggoner.com.

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gretsella was firmly opposed to Life Lessons of all kinds. There were, in her view, two proper ways to come to an understanding about the ways of the world: through native intelligence and old-fashioned common sense, as she had, or by having the ways of the world firmly explained to you by Gretsella, as she preferred for everyone else.”

So Gretsella is pretty much my spirit animal. Not only because of the quote above, but also because I aspire to someday be a curmudgeonly old witch who lives in the forest surrounded by talking animals. Actually, they don't even need to talk, especially if they're going to go on and on about prophecies all the time (but maybe they only do that if your son is meant to be king, I don't know how these things work in real life). Really, all of the characters are pretty great. Gretsella is fun and her coven members are fun and Bradley is fun (although admittedly rather daft), and they all make this book really, um … fun.

There's humor and snark and people get turned into parrots, and it's all very entertaining and fairy tale-esque. It's not a super deep story, but it's full of coziness and heart and maybe even a little bit of subterfuge. Gretsella does throw a rock at a squirrel at one point, but I'll give her a pass since the squirrel totally deserves it.

Also, I really enjoyed the twist concerning "Carrots" at the end. That was ... unexpected.

This book is pretty short and simple and there's not a lot to ramble on and on about, but it really is delightful. If you're looking for a light and cozy read about motherhood and magic and the nature of muffins, definitely consider giving The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale a read.

4.6 stars, rounded up.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ace for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review. Its expected publication date is March 17, 2026.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"No mother should have to endure anything half so dreadful as her own son developing the ability to formulate independent thoughts."

Sigh! Never send a man to do a woman's witch's job . . .

When Bradley, the orphan that Gretsella raised, turns out to be the rightful king of Evermore, he leaves the forest where he grew up, and heads off to rule a city.

Within months he manages to crash the economy, and cause chaos.

Now it's up to Gretsella to save the day.

This was such a fun, silly read, and was particularly welcome after the depressing book I had just finished. It was definitely the right book at the right time.

And . . . I had to laugh out loud when one of Bradley's loyal subjects patiently explains how supply and demand, AND inflation work in terms simple enough for even a president to understand.



Thanks to NetGalley and the Berkley Publishing Group for the electronic ARC, though my review is of the published hardback copy purchased by my library.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, for me, would have been a 4 star book if it didn't take a turn to political satire at about the halfway point. That is not to say that this was not a hilarious story, it's just I personally cannot stand any form of politics.

The story revolves around a very cantankerous witch who brings up a baby who was left at her doorstep. The baby grows into a very kind, albeit simple-minded adult. This half of the story is the part I loved the most. Then, when the boy becomes king, the book switches to a story of the birth of democracy. It is still funny, and made me laugh in parts, but as I said before, I hate politics.

It is a very short book and can be easily read In less than a day. And you will find yourself laughing at the antics found within the pages.

[Karyn Silverman]

I feel a little called out, honestly.
A charming little tale of motherhood, overthrowing monarchs, and democracy. With a witch who would like you to think of her as wicked but mostly she’s just the old lady we all secretly want to be.
Delightful.

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 4 out of 5]

**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔖𝔬𝔪𝔢𝔴𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔚𝔦𝔠𝔨𝔢𝔡 𝔚𝔦𝔱𝔠𝔥 𝔬𝔣 𝔅𝔯𝔦𝔤𝔞𝔫𝔡𝔞𝔩𝔢 𝔟𝔶 ℭ. 𝔐. 𝔚𝔞𝔤𝔤𝔬𝔫𝔢𝔯

Release Date: March 17, 2026

4⭐️1🌶

This is a very funny little fairy tale spoof. I found myself laughing more often than I usually do while reading. If you love a story about a witch cozied up in a dark forest, when a little baby lands on her doorstep, then this book is for you.

Minor Spoilers Ahead:

Witch Gretsella lives in a cozy little cottage in the Dark Forest of Brigandale. She dispenses herbs and tinctures at reasonable prices, meets with her slightly oddball coven on a regular basis, and has absolutely no need of any further company whatsoever, thank you very much. But then one afternoon, Gretsella comes home to find a screaming infant on her doorstep.

This would not be the first infant abandoned on the doorstep of a witch, so she decides to take him in and call in Bradley. Not long after, Gretsella learns that the local monarchy has misplaced their firstborn son, and that the mother died and the uncle has taken over the kingdom. She thinks the infant she was gifted most likely is the firstborn son to the late king, but decides to keep him anyway.

This book was such a fun fast read, and anyone who loved Once Upon A Broken Heart, definitely needs to read this.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Practical Magic Vibes
🍁Fairy Tale Spoof
🍁Cottagecore
🍁Once Upon A Broken Heart Vibes
🍁A Witch in the Woods
🍁Sleeping Beauty Retelling

TW:
✨Child Abandonment
✨Unsupportive parents
✨Mild language

Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC copy!

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretsella, known colloquially as the witch with reasonable prices, once turned the postman into a newt and has a distaste for gossip unless she originates it. Her adopted son unexpectedly ascends to the throne of Evermore, which is fine until word gets back that he sucks at his job. Bradley has a Libertarian approach to ruling in that he cancels taxes and isn’t very smart. When he doesn’t answer his toadaphone (just slap the toad and speak to it!), Gretsella must trek to Evermore and take over. In no particular order of importance, there are talking chipmunks, a democratic revolution, weaponized chamber pots, and a knight cursed with always having a stain on his shirt. Sometimes, a government collapse is necessary to build something better and it might require the clever machinations of a manipulative, but well-meaning witch to lead the charge. This book has me itching to change my email signature to “Hag of the Highest Order” as a whimsical test of my employer’s tolerance. Please be aware that I am no longer accepting invites to girls’ nights. Should my sisters wish to lay eyes upon me, I expect to be summoned to a convocation of the coven.

[Tyler Hancsak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cozy cozy cozy tale of hilarious tomfoolery and a dumb king. I love how funny this was - which was totally unexpected. Our fmc was such a curmudgeon witch, who actually has a heart of gold and hilarious dry humor. I loved watching her navigate through this story.

The king was hilarious in a dumb way - like MAJOR golden retriever energy. I loved watching his relationship with his mother and LOVED that he was gay.

All in all, this is a cozy, silly goose time. 10/10.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cozy, low-stakes fantasy about a witch who ends up adopting an orphaned baby placed on her doorstep.

This reminds me a lot of something T Kingfisher would write. Also, I had a flash of Spindle's End while reading this. Though since it's cozy, it's very clever and there's no real dramatic danger in the book!

[Alex Littler · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Very cute, charming, low-stakes fantasy. Fairly reminiscent of Christopher Moore meets Magical Monarch of Mo. Very quick read that requires very little focus, highly recommend when you just want something cute

[Sophia Tempio-Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

very silly and fun little book

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an advanced review copy of this gem of a book. I was expecting a cute cozy fantasy, which delivered, but I didn’t realize it was going to be so funny! I laughed out loud so many times I had to start saving highlights. The characters are all so endearing, the pace is perfect, and it was delightfully cozy without being cheesy. Absolutely loved it. ✨

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretsella is a witch who has earned her reputation as somewhat wicked and very practical. One day, an infant shows up on her doorstep, and she takes him in and raises him, giving him a name and her love, in her own way. Bradley grows up to be a very handsome, very kind, and mostly unchallenged young man; his is the kind of face you look at and think for him instead of allowing him to develop critical thinking. He flits from job to job, settling into that of apprentice hairdresser....until the day he learns he is the long lost prince and it's up to him to save the kingdom, and he rides off with a handsome knight to do just that. The problem is that Bradley hasn't stretched the critical thinking muscles and kingdom management is beyond his grasp, and Gretsella decides it's her time to roll up her witchy sleeves and take on the challenge herself.

What an absolute DELIGHT this was! The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale is marketed as cozy fantasy, and while by definition it is low stakes its tight narrative and humorous tone make it an absolute hoot to read. The plot moves very quickly, the side characters have all the right touches to feel real but unobtrusive, and the magic borders on whimsical and absurd alongside the tone. (Of COURSE you need to give your son a "toadphone" to call home when he goes off to the city to run a kingdom!)

What a pleasure to read in an evening after a long week. The audiobook adds spunk to the story, and if you enjoy listening to your books, I highly recommend the audio.

Thank you to Ace for an eARC. The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale is out 3/17/2026.

[Me, My Shelf, & I · Rating 5 out of 5]

A main character who could easily slip into a meeting with Terry Pratchett's witches without anyone realizing she hadn't been there the whole time, some unhinged blessings for a bit of spice, a himbo son who's in way over his head inheriting a kingdom, and an utterly charming sense of humor that pervades the writing throughout.

This doesn't follow the typical cozy format, nor are the stakes low (they're literally kingdom and life/death level). But the characters are level-headed (a la Granny Weatherwax) and rather nonchalant, so it never feels dire either.

I fully loved this from the title to the end and I'll be forcing my spouse to read it ASAP so I have someone to talk about it with. One of my absolute favourites from 2026 so far!

Recommended if you like Pratchett's humorous observations and witches, and T. Kingfisher's fairytale vibes.

[Jamie Dacyczyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy fantasy! After reading this author's other book, Unnatural Magic, I was interested to read more of her quirky fantasy characters....but was leary of more descriptions of troll vaginas. LUCKILY, this was just cute and delightful, without the jarring lewd bits.

This is about a witch who has a baby left mysteriously on her doorstep. She raises him up, he turns out to be a long-lost prince, he takes the throne to become king....but he's an idiot. A kind, polite idiot, but a buffoon nonetheless. When he starts messing up the kingdom, the meddling witch decides to intercede in righting his misguided wrongs.

Pretty simple story. The world-building is a bit vague, in that general medieval-ish fantasy style with some vague contemporary nods (an allusion to football, for example). The writing style is light and cheeky, with plenty of asides and occasional footnotes.

Overall, I liked this! Good for fans of T. Kingfisher or "Legends and Lattes".

[Andrea Egbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title caught my attention first, then the reviews in LJ, then I read the sample on Libby and was laughing so hard after one page that I screenshotted page one and shared it with everyone I know that likes humor, fantasy, cozy, and combos of all three. Full of great interludes and digressions and footnotes to the digressions, flipping a number of fairy tale tropes… it’s just a good time all around. Needed that very much right now and am now going through her back catalog to see what I missed.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like this book. It seems like it would be something I’d love, but it just didn’t work for me.
It’s trying too hard to be Terry Pratchett without his pacing. It is charming and cozy until so many “asides” just bog it down and it gets really tedious.
I was listening to the audiobook, so that might be a factor. The narrator was fine, but a sing-songy, relentlessly perky delivery without much vocal variation had me struggle to pay attention. I’d find I had missed an entire chapter, and had to go back. There was one particular passage I had to rewind four times because it was so bland, I had to force myself to hear the few sentences I missed every time, without fail. It almost became eerie, how difficult it was to pay attention to this particular chapter.

I didn’t finish the book. It’s not terrible, it just really needs editing.

[Lila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious, but could have toned down the wit just a bit to give the story space to breathe. There was a good twist at the end regarding Carrots, but otherwise the language and asides were the twistiest thing about it. I did find the footnoted footnotes amusing.

This was an excellent palate cleanser after A Song to Drown Rivers, but I'm unsure whether I will read anything else by this author. The digressions from the digressions were a bit much.

[Dara Tinius · Rating 4 out of 5]

I curse you Barb! This was very fun. Kind of like reading an adult Shrek. Which sounds like an insult. But it’s not.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dear Cheryl, I hope you see this review because this book was specifically written for us

[laureneliza]

Very fluffy but also very fun.

[B.J. Sikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little book. It was charming although it was a bit TOO charming at times.
I did enjoy that the protagonist was a grumpy older woman with no patience for fools.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tongue in cheek riff on fairy tale happily ever after that follows a witch and the mother of a new king and her machinations at court to keep her son on throne only to be thwarted by another woman claiming to not be a witch (but who really is). This was entertaining, light-hearted and had me laughing. Just a good time and good on audio too. Recommended for fans of books like This princess kills monsters.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve liked everything by C.M. Waggoner I’ve read. Her books are cozy, worlds are unique, inclusive, and interesting, and the plots are meaningful and not too easy. Cozy doesn’t mean no stakes or no bad things happening. Everything is simply presented in a low-tension way. This book was no exception.

Gretsella has been the witch of reasonable prices in the forest of Brigandale for decades, dealing in charms and curses—like coughing during classical music concerts—tending to her poisonous plants and attending her coven of equally qualified witches. One day, she finds a baby on her doorstep. She knows, as there are knights ruining her garden, that the boy is special. She takes him in anyway and names him Bradley. Her witch friends grant him good looks, charm, kindness and a mean right hook.

Bradley grows up to be exactly as wished, but he’s not terribly bright. Gretsella loves him anyway, not that she would be caught dead admitting it. But, as tends to happen, forest animals tell him he’s the rightful king, and against her wishes, he sets out to take the throne. He’s successful. Unfortunately, he’s not a very good king, mostly for being too kind. What is a witch/mother to do but to go to the king’s castle and set things right, the only way a witch does things—her way.

This was an absolutely charming book, well-written and witty. It’s low stakes, low tension, but not meaningless cozy fantasy, with great characters that have a good heart—even Gretsella. Waggoner’s characters are never twee, and despite the cozy genre, they’re not perfectly good with only good things happening to them. Between chapters there’s another story of another witch, and though the side-steps break the flow of the story constantly, they’re always short and necessary additions. The ending is happy and conclusive, with everyone getting what they want, even if it doesn’t happen exactly the way they imagined it would. It leaves the reader happy and satisfied with the time spent with the book. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Waggoner.

[Ciru · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a mercy it is to open a book and briefly become the hero, our flaws adding depth and complexity to our character, our mistakes only serving to heighten the narrative tension, our quiet terror that we’re too insignificant to matter at all submerged, if only for a moment, in the rushing river of a story.

A strong 4.25 stars.

It's been a while since I've had a laugh out loud reading session. This story is funny; funny-silly; funny-happy; funny-but-still-has-social-commentary;funny-and-I-thought-I-had-figured-out-Carrot's-story-but-I-hadn't-and-it-was-a-pleasant-surprise.

The only other book (rather series) I've ever read with a similar silliness was Fifty Shades of Alice in Wonderland by Melinda DuChamp so atleast now I have another contender.

“But I’m not your better, Prune,” she said. “I’m almost certainly your worse.

I read it with extended breaks but the story is effortless enough that you can put it down and pick it back up with no issue. I will admit though if you're not looking for a fun time, you might get tired of the overall tone of the story. I liked the narrative style.

Personally, a good book for me is one where I learn new words. I learnt about eight new words from this story and also loved the use of the word dunderhead, amongst other words.

They were, if not upstanding, at least upsitting, or not obviously downlying.

The above quote I loved purely because I've always had such a joke at the back of my mind when you're at functions and someone asks for the crowd to be upstanding.

There are the instances where modern day settings/actions are woven into this largely storybook setting and I'd love to watch it as a movie.

So, loved this. Would recommend for a laugh out loud read.

[Alli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun!!! Local witch discovers baby boy, takes him in, and 18 years later, is informed by forest creatures that her adopted son is the prince (about to be king) of the land. Unfortunately, the son is also a huge himbo. Like, the level of himbo cannot be overstated. And unfortunately, himbos make terrible kings. What’s a nosy, interfering witch/mother to do?

[Andria Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this a lot, but I feel I'd like it a lot better back as a teenager than as an adult. This was whimsical and witty, with a witch who adopts a baby left mysteriously on her doorstep and thus the story begins. I liked all the characters, and though this sort of story has been done before, it was still a fun hours worth of reading. 5 ⭐

[Hana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite possibly the coziest cozy fantasy I’ve ever read. The stakes were nonexistent, the supporting cast of characters were delightful, and the main character, Gretsella, was perfectly written as the self-assured witch turned reluctant mother who begrudgingly adores her charming and polite (and gay), but not very bright, son.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is tongue-in-cheek fairytale satires/humorous stories that are much queerer than traditional fairytales a trend? I only have read two recently, I think, but it’s enough to know it’s a type of book I really like!

This one is very funny and the audio is very well-narrated, and I enjoyed it very much.

[Dawn Arias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun, whimsical read. The writing is poetic and fun, I laughed out loud with some of the shenanigans, taken aback by some of the scandal, and was amused by some of the plotting. It was a super quick read that is perfect for a plane or a beach day.