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The Somewhat Wicked Witch of Brigandale
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 resolves to bring about the downfall of her darling son…
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 resolves to bring about the downfall of her darling son…
217 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 17, 2026
About the author
C.M. Waggoner
4 books789 followersC. 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 297 reviews
November 10, 2025
"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.
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.
March 17, 2026
"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 awoman'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.
Sigh! Never send a man to do a
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.
May 9, 2026
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.
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.
Read
September 21, 2025I 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.
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.
March 18, 2026
**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!
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!
November 6, 2025
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.
July 4, 2026
Y’all, I just love a silly little book, and this one was so silly. There were multiple instances I had to put the book down bc I was giggling too hard!
March 12, 2026
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.
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.
March 27, 2026
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!
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!
April 27, 2026
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
April 8, 2026
very silly and fun little book
April 27, 2026
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.
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.
October 24, 2025
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. ✨
June 19, 2026
Satirical, with meta commentary on fairy tales, forms of government and other things, C.M. Waggoner's latest is an amusing and fast read.
We meet Gretsella, a witch living happily by herself in the Dark Forest of Brigandale in a cosy cottage. One morning, she is faced with a baby on her doorstep. She takes him in, names him Bradley, cares for him, and invites fellow witches to meet him. They arrive, and grant him gifts to see him through life.
And he grows up content and well liked, and eventually ends up working in the village hair salon and enjoys it tremendously. Gretsella is happy he's happy, knowing fully well that though he's good looking, he's definitely not smart. He has a powerful right hook (a witch-granted ability), and has significant trouble puzzling his way through problems. And she knows very well that Bradley would be terrible at being a prince, which is what he actually is.
Things go on this way till various animals start prophesizing he's the new king, and no matter now hard Gretsella tries to stave off this fate, it catches up with Bradley, and he goes to the capital eventually to what is now his palace and is crowned king.
But very, very soon, there is confusion and concern. Bradley has cancelled all taxes, fired various advisors and ministers, and imprisoned others because they were not nice, or were doing bad or mean things. Gretsella decides it's imperative she get to the palace to save Bradley, and Brigandale, from himself. Which means, sabotaging his reign, and convincing him to return to his quiet life.
The short novel is full of humour, sarcasm, and silliness, and takes occasional diversions to relate the tale of a character named "Carrots", which seems odd, till Waggoner brings it together with the main narrative in an unexpected but satisfying way.
I really enjoyed this.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
We meet Gretsella, a witch living happily by herself in the Dark Forest of Brigandale in a cosy cottage. One morning, she is faced with a baby on her doorstep. She takes him in, names him Bradley, cares for him, and invites fellow witches to meet him. They arrive, and grant him gifts to see him through life.
And he grows up content and well liked, and eventually ends up working in the village hair salon and enjoys it tremendously. Gretsella is happy he's happy, knowing fully well that though he's good looking, he's definitely not smart. He has a powerful right hook (a witch-granted ability), and has significant trouble puzzling his way through problems. And she knows very well that Bradley would be terrible at being a prince, which is what he actually is.
Things go on this way till various animals start prophesizing he's the new king, and no matter now hard Gretsella tries to stave off this fate, it catches up with Bradley, and he goes to the capital eventually to what is now his palace and is crowned king.
But very, very soon, there is confusion and concern. Bradley has cancelled all taxes, fired various advisors and ministers, and imprisoned others because they were not nice, or were doing bad or mean things. Gretsella decides it's imperative she get to the palace to save Bradley, and Brigandale, from himself. Which means, sabotaging his reign, and convincing him to return to his quiet life.
The short novel is full of humour, sarcasm, and silliness, and takes occasional diversions to relate the tale of a character named "Carrots", which seems odd, till Waggoner brings it together with the main narrative in an unexpected but satisfying way.
I really enjoyed this.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 20, 2026
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.
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.
May 5, 2026
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.
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.
May 12, 2026
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".
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".
May 6, 2026
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.
June 8, 2026
Definitely on the cozier side of what I usually read, but it was actually pretty funny as well which sold it to me. Gretsella the witch is my spirit animal and Bradley and George were adorable. Fun, short read.
April 5, 2026
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.
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.
April 5, 2026
I curse you Barb! This was very fun. Kind of like reading an adult Shrek. Which sounds like an insult. But it’s not.
May 13, 2026
Dear Cheryl, I hope you see this review because this book was specifically written for us
June 21, 2026
Funny fairytale/political satire. I enjoyed the writing style, and it made me chuckle several times!
June 28, 2026
A perfect humorous fantasy somewhere between Dealing with Dragons and Terry Pratchett’s witches. I had a wonderful time.
Read
May 5, 2026Very fluffy but also very fun.
April 14, 2026
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.
I did enjoy that the protagonist was a grumpy older woman with no patience for fools.
April 4, 2026
Cute and fun premise, but some weird choices in execution that really undercut the enjoyment.
Bradley, the son in question, is constantly hammered on as a moron, but the main reasoning given is that he lets other people figure shit out for him. It’s not really something we see happen and get to assess for ourselves; it’s just stated over and over. The closest real reasoning we get is Bradley more or less describing how he has an easy time with stuff that interests him, and doesn’t with stuff that doesn’t. That people with interest-based nervous systems - what we’d call ADHD - are idiots is not a suggestion I appreciate, especially since the book never actually backs off the claim that he’s stupid. His mother, the FMC who’s so sure of his idiocy, doesn’t seem to learn or grow in that regard at all. For a supposedly fun and cozy book, that whole thing is fairly bleak and sad.
Pairing up FMC with a borderline-random male character at the end is another, less significant but still weird choice. She spends the whole book talking about how she believes men are useless to her as an independent, successful, capable witch. Then she takes a liking to one for no substantive reason - they have a super brief, shallow conversation in which she decides he’s the exception, have one single additional 1:1 interaction after that, and then at the end he literally follows her home and now they’re together I guess. What? What was the purpose of all that talk, then? A girl’s gotta grow, sure, but a) this character actually doesn’t develop as a person at all, and b) even if she did, shouldn’t there be some rhyme or reason to it? She just straight-up changes her mind for the first age-appropriate male character she sets her eyes on. Cool.
All told, the cozy, silly fantasy of it all works quite well, but the characters and their choices miss the mark in a pretty significant way for me.
Bradley, the son in question, is constantly hammered on as a moron, but the main reasoning given is that he lets other people figure shit out for him. It’s not really something we see happen and get to assess for ourselves; it’s just stated over and over. The closest real reasoning we get is Bradley more or less describing how he has an easy time with stuff that interests him, and doesn’t with stuff that doesn’t. That people with interest-based nervous systems - what we’d call ADHD - are idiots is not a suggestion I appreciate, especially since the book never actually backs off the claim that he’s stupid. His mother, the FMC who’s so sure of his idiocy, doesn’t seem to learn or grow in that regard at all. For a supposedly fun and cozy book, that whole thing is fairly bleak and sad.
Pairing up FMC with a borderline-random male character at the end is another, less significant but still weird choice. She spends the whole book talking about how she believes men are useless to her as an independent, successful, capable witch. Then she takes a liking to one for no substantive reason - they have a super brief, shallow conversation in which she decides he’s the exception, have one single additional 1:1 interaction after that, and then at the end he literally follows her home and now they’re together I guess. What? What was the purpose of all that talk, then? A girl’s gotta grow, sure, but a) this character actually doesn’t develop as a person at all, and b) even if she did, shouldn’t there be some rhyme or reason to it? She just straight-up changes her mind for the first age-appropriate male character she sets her eyes on. Cool.
All told, the cozy, silly fantasy of it all works quite well, but the characters and their choices miss the mark in a pretty significant way for me.
April 26, 2026
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.
April 6, 2026
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.
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.
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