Witch Daughter

by Tanaz Bhathena

In her adult debut, award-winning author Tanaz Bhathena expertly weaves a tale of love and loss in ancient Persia with her take on the timeless tragedy of Tahmineh, a temptress, a witch, a victim, or, perhaps, a woman trying her hardest to protect her loved ones.

Rumors of witchcraft follow Princess Tahmineh like a storm cloud, making it impossible for her to secure herself a marriage or any kind of future. With her father, the king’s, health in question, it becomes shockingly clear how desperate her situation will soon become in his absence. If she doesn’t act now, she will quickly find herself destitute and desperate.

Tahmineh seeks out a prophecy, from which she learns she will fall in love with a warrior of great renown named Rostam and bear him a son. However, she is warned this match is a dangerous one for her. Heedless of the warnings, Tahmineh boldly orchestrates a meeting with Rostam and the two develop a close friendship and ultimately fall in love and marry. At the peak of her joy, Tahmineh gives birth to Sohrab, Rostam’s son.

All too soon, Tahmineh learns the tragic second part of the prophecy. Father and son will meet as enemies in battle and one will die at the hand of the other. What follows is a mother’s desperate attempt to undo the threads of fate and try to protect her son at all costs.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Retellings, Fiction, Historical, Adult

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2026

About the author

Tanaz Bhathena is an award-winning Zoroastrian author of contemporary and fantasy fiction. Her young adult books include Hunted by the Sky, which won the White Pine Award and the Bapsi Sidhwa Literary Prize, and The Beauty of the Moment, which won the Nautilus Gold Award for Young Adult Fiction. Her acclaimed debut, A Girl Like That, was named a Best Book of the Year by numerous outlets including The Globe and Mail, Seventeen, and The Times of India. Her debut adult fantasy, Witch Daughter, will be published in fall 2026 by Grand Central.


NOTE: I don't use Goodreads frequently; please subscribe to my newsletter for updates: https://tanazbhathena.substack.com/

Reviews

[Denise Ruttan]

This is a difficult book to rate because it's based on a real legend from ancient Persia, so maybe this book would have spoken to me more if I had grown up hearing the story. I picked up this book because I haven't seen enough Persian-inspired fantasy. But I found it kind of a slog to get through. I should have known I'm a little burnt out on female rage mythology retellings no matter the culture.

This is a sad book for one thing because the myth is terribly sad, a woman rumored to be a witch whose son and his father are fated to kill each other in battle. The book does its best to focus on Tahmineh, the mother, a woman who was overlooked in the story, and I did find her a sympathetic character, if cold and hard to understand at times. She is a woman who would do anything for her son, but her actions only drive the two closer to the prophecy she is desperate to avoid. I think if this book had focused on Tahmineh as a mother and a woman more I would have found it more compelling, but it spends a lot of time on battles, magic systems and palace intrigue instead.

So I think this author's writing style made this difficult to get through, apart from no hope or happiness for the characters at every turn. There was a lot of infodumping done in a kind of Wikipedia style manner that really didn't work for me. And honestly I didn't want to feel pity for Tahmineh, I thought there could have been more female rage. She was ostracized and cast aside so long, how can she not be more angry?

So sadly this one wasn't for me but it was interesting getting a look into a culture I do not know much about.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[isabellerosereads]

3.25⭐️ ugh really wanted to love this more

Tropes/themes:
- daeva mythology
- dreamwalking magic
- fighting destiny/prophecies
- complicated family dynamics
- romantic subplots

What i liked:
- the mythology! You clearly see persian culture woven throughout and i like (most) of the daeva lore in here
- the feminine rage. I’m a sucker for it always.
- it was fast paced which made it easily digestible
- the epilogue was cute

What I didn’t like:
- the writing style felt YA over adult
- the characters lacked depth to me and made petty decisions on whims which bothered me
- the ending had weird moments and felt inconsistent to the plot and side characters we built up to
- the pacing felt choppy and awkward, i just felt like we transitioned really clunkily and things were just kind of stated matter of factly at times
- that one trope, even if it “wasn’t real”

I definitely think this might have felt like a cooler or fleshed out story to me if i grew up with the original poems. That being said, this was kind of a “lets get this over with” binged book, but like i did enjoy the story? Just not the writing or plot details or characters lol.

Persian culture and mythology was great, but i got confused by the extra daeva god stuff.

Overall, kinda meh on recommending but i think some people will rlly like it.

Thank you to grand central publishing for the gifted physical ARC. All opinions are my own

[brewdy_reader]

Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the free review copy!

3.5⭐️

I wasn’t prepared for this. I should have looked up the Shahnameh (or the Book of Kings), so I would have known that this was never going to end in any way other than a tragedy of epic proportions.

For the entire latter half of the book you know what’s going to happen, it’s just a matter of Tamineh trying everything she has and is to move heaven and earth in order to rewrite destiny.

But was this “family” doomed from birth or were all of Tamineh’s poor choices (and everyone else’s, for that matter) moved by the hands of fate…?

Hard to say because our FMC was certainly not faultless. And made some very questionable decisions. Almost every character was hard to root for.

What was redemptive: the dream-walkers, the short-lived but swoonworthy romance, and the love between Tamineh and her father.

Gah. I feel like how I felt after reading Romeo and Juliet. Gutted.

[Tanaz]

Dear reader,

The story of Tahmineh comes from the Shahnameh or the Book of Kings by Ferdowsi—an eleventh-century epic poem about the kings and queens of ancient Iran. Growing up in a Zoroastrian household, I often heard stories and legends from this poem, including the tragic tale of Rostam and Sohrab. When I read the Shahnameh as an adult, however, I was more intrigued by Tahmineh—Rostam’s wife and Sohrab’s mother—the woman without whom their story would have not existed.

This novel is the result of that intrigue.

Much like the Shahnameh, which blurs the lines between history and mythology, Witch Daughter is not meant to be a true representation of any historical period. In the nature of retellings—or rather, reimaginings—it intertwines elements of Persian history and Zoroastrian mythology to offer a different perspective on a much-loved story about the great heroes and heroines of Iranian literature.

I hope you enjoy it.

~Tanaz

[Mary Johnson]

Based on a long shared Persian tale - Tahmineh is a princess desperate to secure a marriage for her own safety. In seeking out a prophecy, she learns about her future husband, a great warrior from a neighboring country. She also learns they will have a son. However she is told to be cautious, that this will only end in heartbreak. But she pursues the man and is married. She realizes, too late, that the prophecy of heartbreak is real. As the story unfolds, we see a mother doing everything in her power to save her son.

This was a whirlwind of a story. Once I started reading I had a hard time stopping. I love that the author took an old story about a father and son and instead focused on the woman that put the pieces in motion. I enjoyed the morally ambiguous nature of Tahmineh. The growth we saw with her character was excellent. And the ending was better than I could have expected.
This is an excellent read if you’re looking to expand your reading to include other cultures and backgrounds.

I did struggle understanding the magic system, but that could easily be due to not having a better understanding of Persian myths and folklore.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Heather]

Mythology retellings hook me every time, especially when told from the perspective of a character not originally taking center stage. Tanaz Bhathena gave voice to Tahmineh, who saw a heartbreaking prophecy about her husband and son and vowed to do all she could to prevent it from coming true. With incredible world building and desperate stakes, it was so easy to fall into Tahmineh’s life. To feel for her. To see the reasons she made the choices she did. Witch Daughter had me flipping the pages, every part of me tense as I neared the end. Such a beautifully told story, rich with mythology and magic, prophecies and love.

[Elle]

Interesting story that combines mythology and ancient politics.

I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Persian mythology in this book. It’s something I’d never read about before, and it was really well presented here.

The story did lag a little bit in parts, but overall, it was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[layan (hiatus)]

this sounds so good omg

[Alexandra Morales]

****Many thanks to Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing for an advanced eArc in exchange for my honest opinion****

3.5 Stars but I won't be rounding up for this.

Biggest reason being I NEEDED to know about Timenah's backstory! I wanted to grow up with her, see the love she had for her father with heartwarming moments. The childlike naivety trying to make friends and the slow understanding that no one wants to be friends with a daughter of a witch. The introduction to Sussan. A more in depth understanding of her relationship with Norsir, what moments led to them not being close. I wanted to slowly wade into Timenah learning she has magic, the work she had to put in to be so adept at it.

There was a lot of information missing especially since the story has two very significant time jumps. I wanted to marinate in this time period a little more. It's the first Persian inspired retelling I've read, I wanted to know more! Immerse me into this story, I wanted to smell the almond blossoms, feel the wind whipping my hair as Timenah astral dreams. How Samanagan looked, I thought the descriptions were pretty sparse.

As the book stands now we start Timenah's story when she is 30, but she acts like early twenties. Just certain moments with Binaifer, Sussan and her father where I'm like "wait isn't she in her 30's?" Her tantrum when her mother won't give her the prophecy and slowly descending into Timenah literally taking STRIDES towards making sure the prophecy comes true is almost humorous. At certain moments I was like "HOLD UP" or "GIRL SLOW DOWN"!!

In Kaikeyi I was also at a standstill just like the main character was because the decisions WERE hard to make. In this, the decisions felt surface level like nothing would really have happened if she wasn't so stupid. I could be harsh, but we also didn't backstory on Timenah so am I really?

If you want to read something similar, a compelling story about a woman being misinterpreted I would 100% recommend Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel or Aphrodite in Pieces by Lauren J.A. Bear.

With a little TLC and putting more attention to details I truly think this could have been a 4-5 star read!

[Zana]

I wanted to like this novel, but unfortunately, it was strangely bland for such an interesting premise.

I thought that this would be a retelling along the lines of Circe where the legendary characters felt like they were real people and the story took on a life of its own with multiple facets regarding the character arcs and relationships.

But that didn't happen.

This was one of those novels where the entire story was already laid out in the summary, so there were no surprising twists. I didn't know the legend, so I found a summary online. And after reading this novel, it felt like I sort of wasted my time because it followed the legend to the point where this book felt unnecessary.

I was hoping to have an emotional connection with Tahmineh, but she came off as weak, willfully ignorant, and unbelievably immature. I thought we'd experience some character growth, but she was the same one-dimensional character in the end as she was in the beginning, except that now she was in dire straits that was entirely of her own doing. There was no depth to her story.

The tone was extremely older YA to the point where I was wondering if this was an adult novel. Similar to the characterization, the plotlines and subplots all felt very surface level. So disappointing.

I wish I could say that the fantasy aspects were cool, but her astral projection powers just felt like a copout for the author to write in an omniscient adjacent POV since Tahmineh's POV was so limited.

I enjoyed learning about the story of Tahmineh, Rostam, and Sohrab, so at least I came away with something, I guess.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this arc.

[Deepa]

“Am I a woman,” she asks,“or a haunting?” In a single line Tanaz Bhathena captures how we understand an unwanted powerful woman. It’s a poetic introduction to the rumors that surround Tahmineh as a temptress, conniver, liar, and ultimately—a witch.

Why is she a witch? She is the daughter of a fish spirit reimagined here as a pairika from the underworld. There is deep‑seated distrust for water beings in many mythologies, and doubly so for those tied to the underworld. Although her father is a human king and she lives in his court, she is outcast by the people around her. Their distrust puts her at risk, and that is why she turns to Rostam.

“But I, too, have a duty to my father. I must prove myself worthy as Rostam’s son.”

I love great emotional stakes, and Sohrab embodies so much hurt, youth, and vulnerability. I love that his experiences mirror his parents’ experiences unknowingly. Sohrab rushes into war with only a faint understanding of his strength but not his weaknesses or the consequences of war. There is heartfelt desperation in his plea for Rostam to acknowledge him.

I found Rostam to be utterly compelling despite intentionally not being the focus of this story. He is so much more than his title as the wandering hero. I see the charm. He is tired of being weaponized and aware of his culpability. Much in his life has occurred without his consent and is shaped by manipulation. I truly believe that his backstory is why it hurts him to be in this position yet again. I thought Sohrab's display of pride and pain reaches Rostam to his core. This humanity in a person who often is treated as might alone is why Rostam is such a great character.

Comps:
The strongest comp I can think of is Vaishnavi Patel’s Goddess of the River. These two books have strong conversations about what it means to defy prescribed roles and to pay the price. Both Bhathena and Patel made deliberate changes to show how bold women are pushed toward isolation and the way that can shape generations.
-
This is an amazing and wonderful addition to Bhathena’s works. Excellent as her first adult novel. I only wish it was a bit longer. I’m so hooked on Rostam in particular. I want to learn more about his past and his father and the wider story of the Shahnameh, Iranian literature, and Zoroastrian mythology.

* I also want to thank Grand Central Publishing, Tanaz Bhathena, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an arc of Witch Daughter in exchange for an honest review. *

[Ali]

Witch Daughter immediately called to me, for I am both Persian and Zoroastrian by birth. That said, unlike many of my relatives, I grew up learning very little about the legends. Yes, I have heard of the tale of Rostam and Sohrab, but more in name and passing, than about the tragic ending of their story. As such, I began my read of Witch Daughter with relatively fresh eyes.

Bhathena’s expansion and exploration of the lives of the three characters, centering the novel on Tahmineh’s perspective, allowed for deep reflection on the lengths to which one will go in order to protect a loved one, much less a child. While I did not connect with Tahmineh as much as I expected to (and wanted to), I was struck by the inevitable conclusion of the tale, hoping for hope’s sake that the outcome would change. With that said, I was a bit underwhelmed by the manner in which the novel skimmed over Sohrab and Tahmineh’s fates, for I felt they deserved more attention and respect. So too was the focus of the epilogue an interesting choice, given the fact that the character had merely a blip role in the novel itself. Perhaps this was on purpose, seeing how many novels of a similar time period chose narrators with little to no importance in the action.

The rich imagery and narration, particularly in the scenes with Zari and Bushyasta, was what truly drew me in— that and the ease that Bhathena’s writing style lent to the complexities of the world she created. I found myself wholly ingrossed in the magical elements too, though a bit more interaction with the characters of the realms might have provided a better understanding of the powers each one possessed and their place in the world.

With a relatively quick pace and narrow focus, Witch Daughter felt like it was but one installment in a wider series, one which would explore the different kingdoms, or rather, the different magical beings and how they interact with the mortal world. I hope Bhathena considers penning another novel in this universe, for it is one about which I very much wish to read more.

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the privilege to read this ARC!

[Kat]

I received a free copy from Grand Central Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for a fair review. Release date September 22nd, 2026.

Since I have fond memories of reading Hilari Bell's Farsala books as a kid, I was intrigued by this retelling of the story of Rostam and Sohrab. In Witch Daughter, the princess Tahmineh is aging, reviled by the court due to her demon mother, and about to lose the support of her dying father. Desperate to escape, she begs her mother for a prophecy—but chasing marriage to the hero Rostam will bring her nothing but tragedy.

Witch Daughter is conceptually similar to Patel's Kaikeyi: it takes an epic that hasn't seen many interpretations in American publishing and retells the story from the perspective of an overlooked but thematically central woman, giving a voice to a daughter and wife and mother. However, Bhathena's approach did not do justice to the fundamental tragedy. A good tragedy is clearly avoidable, yet also inevitable due to the character's fundamental flaws. Witch Daughter is a bit too heavy-handed on the avoidable element. Instead of the tragic workings of fate, it feels like watching someone repeatedly step on a series of rakes. From Tahmineh's insistence on two prophecies despite her mother's warnings to her flat refusal to communicate with anyone ever, the story felt like it was propelled by bad decisions.

I've found that many books heavily marketed as feminist fall short of that promise. Real feminism isn't when the main character is a woman. It shows in the treatment of the other women in the cast of characters. And Witch Daughter's women are a lackluster lot: there's the vindictive other women in Rostam's first wife and Tahmineh's stepmother, there's Tahmineh's barely there mother, and there's her maid, who exists solely to slavishly flatter Tahmineh's goodness. The real measure of a book's feminism is how it treats the protagonist's best girl friend and her worst girl enemy, and Witch Daughter did not pass. To be fair, the book is a briskly paced three hundred pages rather than a bloated epic, and flattening the secondary characters is a common side effect of efficient pacing. But Bhathena sticks very closely to the plot of the original myth, and most of the elements she adds make the story less coherent. In my opinion, the purpose of an adaptation is to pick a facet of the original and show it at a new and startling angle, not parade around the familiar old puppets.

The depths of Persian epics have hardly been touched by American publishing, and I'm glad that Bhathena took a shot at it, but the execution fell short. I'd recommend trying Vaishnavi Patel's Kaikeyi instead.

[Dilsee _reads]

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Tanaz Bhathena, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this ARC.
Witch Daughter by Tanaz Bhathena is one of the most unique books on Persian mythology I have ever read. It beautifully blends themes of magic, folklore, female-led retellings, historical fiction, and Iranian history. As a Zoroastrian, I truly loved this book. I deeply hope that Tanaz continues to explore this world and brings even more stories from the Shahnameh to life.While I was loosely familiar with the story of Rostam and Sohrab, I knew nothing about Tahmineh and the other rulers of that era, which made this a thoroughly enjoyable learning experience. I love historical fiction and mythology, and I am a massive sucker for books like The Palace of Illusions and Circe that offer strong female voices and perspectives within mythological frameworks. This book exists in that exact same brilliant realm and was precisely what I needed.Beyond the rich Persian folklore, the book is incredibly engaging, fast-paced, and hard to put down. Even though I already knew how the story would end, it kept me gripped until the very last page. I absolutely loved the vivid imagery and the magic woven throughout the narrative.My heart truly broke for Tahmineh. Labelled a "witch's daughter," she is a spinster in her own royal household simply because of that stigma. In a desperate quest for answers, she seeks out a prophecy, marries the legendary warrior Rostam, and gives birth to their son, Sohrab. Her subsequent journey becomes a fierce effort to undo the second half of that prophecy, taking every extreme measure to protect her son. It really made me pause and wonder: had she not known the future, would she have acted differently? Was it the prophecy itself that drove her to make those fateful and at times foolish choices?Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly hope it becomes a series of different stories adapted from the Shahnameh.

[Courtney Pityer]

I have to say before reading this book I had no idea what to expect but in the long run this ended up being a story that I really enjoyed. If you are someone who enjoys stories that take place in ancient times and like a tale that involves magic and ancient curses then this is the book for you! I havr to say that I was really intrigued not only by the characters but the plot as well. Not to mention the cover design is absolutely gorgeous!

We are introduced to Princess Tahmineh who has always felt like an outcast ever since she can remember. She finds solace in the ancient ways of magic. Through hard work and perseverance she does manage to have some good fortune come her way. However, with all of this newfound luck does come great responsibility which can sometimes come at a very costing price.

[Janine]

An adult fantasy, this book is a reimagining of a tale from the Shahnameh, an 11th C epic of the ancient rulers of Iran. It involves recreating the world of Tahmineh, a maligned woman by mixing Persian history and Zoroastrian myth to create a story of love, magic and sacrifice.

Tahmineh, Princess of Samangan, has spent her court life fending off accusations that she is a witch. But with her father dying, Tahmineh is anxious and seeks an ancient prophecy to know to whom she might be married. When it is divined she’s to marry Rostam, the greatest Iranian warrior, Tahmineh feels she will be protected from her evil stepmother, Sussan. However, another prophecy ruins this one. Can Tahmineh change her fate?

The characters in this book all come from thousands of years ago, but it’s Tahmineh’s story to tell. They remain secondary to her. All are flawed (including Tahmineh), making bad choices, acting cruelly and being insane at times. But because the book is written with a depth and sensitivity, they can still elicit a reader’s empathy. The prose is descriptive and lovely - like the description of an old man “his silver beard now the white of spun sugar, his once smooth skin a rough riverbed of lines.” Or “A sunbeam in a storm cloud of dappled grays and chestnuts” in describing Sohrab, Tahmineh’s son. Or for a sense of smell: “The air was sticky, ripe with the scent of sweet dogwood and sour musk.”

Myths whether or not retold all have a warning: beware of changing your fate. In this tale, this holds true but the emphasis is also understanding womanhood, motherhood and sacrifice. As the spirit of Tahmineh says in the Prologue in life she was called: “Temptress. Conniver. Lover. Liar. Now I don’t deny that I am those things. What woman isn’t? For that what man” isn’t. Motherhood is a test of love and sacrifice. Cunning and deception however cannot change one’s fate.

I enjoyed learning of and reading this Zoroastrian and Iranian myth - it’s always a pleasure to step outside your own culture and see that in others include. In this case, the tale has many similarities to fairy tales Western countries have grown up on which is why this is a book for readers who enjoy reading reimagined fairy tales. FYI: Be prepared with tissue on hand for this book’s poignant ending.

My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for granting me access to this ARC.

[Ashley]

3.5 Stars Rounded Up

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, a moment for this cover. It's gorgeous, right? The hot pink, the beautiful gold accents...it's fantastic.

I do love a good folktale, and this one does not disappoint. It's full of all kinds of things that I enjoy:

Interesting cultural background, and a sense that there is so much more at play. I love knowing just enough to be part of it.
Complicated relationships between characters. If things are too cut and dry between the characters, it doesn't feel real. Even the most kind characters have beef with each other once in awhile, right?
History that plays a role in what happens. It doesn't seem like it's not a good story if there's not a backstory to it.
The story in this book is interesting. As with many fairytales, it doesn't necessarily go where you think it's going to go, in that we modern folk hope that all fairytales end up happily ever after. This is not so in real fairytales, and this book embraces that. Just when you think the character has possibly outwitted the system and is going to be able to pull through, things change in ways that the reader doesn't expect.

I always find that I'm better off when I read stories from other cultures different from my own. Each culture has it's own way of looking at the world, when we learn those things our eyes are opened to our own world as well. I so appreciate looking at things from other people's perspectives, and feel like we're all a little better when our eyes are opened to how others see the world.

This story had a lot of good elements of a fairytale--handsome princes, impossible choices, a forced hand...if you want a juicy story, you've got it here.

I recommend this book to those who love a good fairytale retelling, especially if you're into magic and women who are seen as witches for having power.

Read my full review here: https://www.readingforsanity.com/2026...

[Charlotte (thepennotthesword)]

Witch Daughter by Tanaz Bhathena explores Persian legend and mythology, magic, prophecy, motherhood, and is ultimately a story centred around one question - how far would you go to protect the one you love?

I loved the Persian-inspired storytelling and mythology, particularly learning about the Daeva, Farr, and the magic that is woven throughout this story. Underneath all this magic, however, was a story of motherly love and just how far a mother would go to protect their child. Tahmineh’s journey explores fate, sacrifice, and her overwhelming desire to protect her son from the prophecy that has been seen - even when doing so means deceiving those she loves and separating father and son to avoid the destruction she has witnessed. Misunderstood, trapped by her birth and the prophecies that have been laid out before her, we witness her bravery and struggle against the inevitability of a future that has already been written - and the price exacted when she attempts to rewrite it.

My main struggle was the pacing. At times I was completely drawn into the story, but we would then find ourselves 5 and then 9 years ahead in the story, making significant jumps forward. I felt at times like we had skipped over parts of the characters’ lives that I really wanted to experience. I think having a little more time with the characters in these periods would have helped me connect more deeply with the characters and the relationships being forged and broken.

This book has a lot to love - particularly if you enjoy mythology-inspired fantasy, prophecies, complicated family dynamics, and stories that ask you how much you would be willing to sacrifice for those you love.

[Danielle Bricker]

A glittering and tragic Persian myth

A retelling of an ancient myth from the perspective of a legendary witch whose husband and son were prophesied to meet in battle with tragic end. Think Circe but for Persian history, rather than ancient Greece.

An author blurbed this as "sumptuous" and that's a perfect word for the rich detail present throughout the book. It's instantly immersive and a quick, easy read with a strongly characterized heroine.

Unfortunately, my interest waned after about halfway to two-thirds through as the plot careens toward its certain tragedy. There's no wondering what will happen and characters' motivations are present because there's no other possible path. Desperate actions are kind of understandable, but also a little thin as the story leans hard on the necessary machinery of the predestined plot. Things tip a little far into The Great Everlasting Power of Motherhood for my taste, but this is something that will appeal to other readers.

Gorgeous writing, just needs a slightly stronger hand with plot and character.

CW: a fair amount of violence and blood with several detailed injuries; some bullying with a little sexual harassment; abandonment and death of parent; some instances of domestic violence

Thank you to publisher Grand Central for my advance copy, provided in exchange for an honest review. This book published on September 22, 2026.

[Margaret]

Witch Daughter is the adult debut by award winning author Tanaz Bhathena. It weaves a tale of love and loss in ancient Persia with a take on the timeless tragedy of Tahmineh a temptress a witch a victim or perhaps a woman trying her hardest to protect her loved ones. Rumors of witchcraft follow Princess Tahmineh like a storm cloud making it impossible for her to secure a marriage or any kind of future. With her fathers health in question it becomes clear how desperate her situation will soon become.
Tahmineh seeks out a prophecy from which she learns she will fall in love with a warrior of great renown named Rostam and bear him a son. She is warned this match is a dangerous one for her. Heedless of the warnings she boldly orchestrates a meeting with Rostam and the two develop a close friendship ultimately fall in love and marry. At the peak of her joy Tahmineh gives birth to Sohrab Rostams son. All too soon she learns the tragic second part of the prophecy. Father and son will meet as enemies in battle and one will die at the hand of the other. What follows is a mothers desperate attempt to undo the threads of fate and try to protect her son at all costs.
A distinctive and valuable read for anyone interested in historical fantasy Persian mythology feminist retellings or stories of a mothers fight against destiny.

[Sacha]

3 stars

I will almost never turn down a book that takes its inspiration from mythology, legend, and/or tales, especially if the source material is new or less familiar to me. Such was the case with _Witch Daughter_.

Though in theory this book is a perfect match for most of my reading dreams, I had a tough time connecting with the characters and found myself feeling the slow pacing at times. Also, though again this material is new to me, I had no trouble figuring out exactly what was going to happen. That noted, I still haven't figured out what the modernized or updated elements or even the retelling components of this are. The innovation I typically experience in retellings or modern versions just wasn't as apparent as I'd have liked.

Also, Tahmineh is very frustrating at times. Is she facing real limitations? Yes. But she also has some resources that she could have better wielded, and I wanted to see and experience that.

I enjoyed this enough to give this author another shot, but I was not quite rocked by this experience.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

[Stephanie Matarazzo]

3.5 or 3.75

(Very mild spoilers pertaining to the origin/nature of the story)

I went into this knowing absolutely nothing about the folklore/mythology. It was so interesting to have what I could immediately tell was an epic, tragic tale so humanized.

I later saw that the original tale focused more on the father/son, so it was so much fun to know that we were getting a reimagining of the woman at the center!

I thought the writing was beautiful and well done; the characters were very interesting and flawed.

I was frustrated by the actions people were taking sometimes- but that's to be expected. You know it's headed toward tragedy, and as with any of the story in the genre, you're hoping to be wrong. It's a testament to the author that I felt so frustrated because I wanted my favorite characters to succeed!

I do feel that this is outside of the style I typically read, but it's very well told, and I am likely to recommend it to friends who do read this style way more!
Overall, a great read.

(I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my honest review)

[Samantha Johnson]

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy.

I loved this book. I love re-tellings of mythology and was excited to get exposure to mythology outside of Greek and Roman stories. I also loved that Bhathena took the classic story of Rostam and Sohrab and told it from Princess Tahmineh's perspective. She made Tahmineh such a full character and explored the classic tragedy from the perspective of a wife who loved her husband, but also a mother whose son was her entire world.
I also enjoyed the fantasy/magic components and found it interesting how Tahmineh was shunned for witchcraft, but those most revered had their own magic following them around. That contradiction highlighted the power and distinction of who "made the rules" and decided what was demonic and what was simply a gift from the gods.
This book put me through all the emotions - and made me cry, which is hard to do. My heart ached for Tahmineh and Bhathena truly showed the sacrifice of mother, the power of a woman, and the strength of a Princess in her.
I will no doubt read anything else Bhathena publishes!

[Chelsea Walsh]

Witch Daughter by Tanaz Bhathena is a compelling and atmospheric novel that blends magic, identity, and resilience into an engaging story. Bhathena crafts a vivid world where the supernatural feels grounded in real emotions, and the main character’s journey is both captivating and relatable.

The writing is immersive, with strong pacing that keeps the story moving while still allowing space for character development. The protagonist’s struggles with power, belonging, and self-acceptance add depth, making her easy to root for. There’s also a rich sense of tension throughout, as the stakes steadily build.

At times, certain plot elements feel familiar within the genre, and a few moments could have been explored more deeply. Even so, the emotional core and the vivid storytelling carry the novel forward in a satisfying way.

Overall, Witch Daughter is an engaging and thoughtful read that earns four stars for its strong atmosphere, character-driven narrative, and magical intrigue.

[hijabi.booknook (Violet)]

Witch Daughter is a retelling of a Persian myth, where Tahmineh, a woman who is shunned because of the rumour she’s a witch, desperately tries to follow a prophecy only to try to change the outcome of that prophecy. This is a story about a woman who will do anything to survive and protect her son even if it means heartbreak for herself.

This was a fairly fast paced read and I love a story where the protagonist is a mother. Also Tahmineh is in her thirties when the story starts which is refreshing to see protagonists older than what’s usually written in fantasy. I liked the dreamwallking elements too.

The characters did fall a little flat for me. There were also no plot twists. The synopsis does give most of the story away. But I do love reading retellings and discovering myths I am not familiar with.

Thank you to the publishers for an eArc of this book. This review is also posted on NetGalley and my Instagram.

[Ambi Cummings]

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC!

No spoilers!

The writing style is beautiful! The mythology woven in with the characters, the setting and the plot was my favourite thing ever, I live for books like this. This story was so utterly heartbreaking, I cried so much, ate so much comfort food, and I will happily do it again. This had such high stakes. Tahmineh is such a beautifully written character and she has my whole heart. Rostam was an interesting character that I wish we had more time with on the page, I would have loved to read so much more of this tale but I highly recommend this to anyone who adores mythology, historical fiction, retellings and fantasy romance.

I find it is quite similar to the Jasmine Throne (another of my absolute favs), the City of Brass and the Wrath and the Dawn.

[Kayla Shaw]

I enjoy reading mythology and legends from different cultures and Witch Daughter is a great addition to this category for me! This story is set in ancient Persia and tells the story of Princess Tahmineh. Tanaz Bhathena created such a complex and real character in Tahmineh, with a depth of emotion and elegant strength in her role as royalty, wife, mother, and social outcast. I loved Tanaz Bhathena's descriptive writing and was able to watch this story play out like a movie as I read it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys mythology retellings, interaction between humans and deities, female-focused epic tales, and cultural / historical fiction.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Tanaz Bhathena for access to an early reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Talya]

Witch Daughter is a beautiful retelling of the Persian epic tale of Tahmineh, a story that was completely new to me. Tahmineh is the daughter of both a witch and a king, and because of the rumors surrounding her mother, she is shunned by those in their court. When she learns of her fate, she does everything she can to avoid it, only to run straight into the destiny she was trying to escape.
The world-building is stunning, filled with rich storytelling and vivid detail. This is an epic tale of strength, with Persian mythology woven seamlessly throughout the narrative. My heart ached for Tahmineh. I also loved every scene that her husband, Rostam, appeared in. I would love to read a novel based on him.
This is an easy 5-star read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.

[Cee]

I went into Witch Daughter for the mythology and magic and stayed because Tanaz Bhathena had me emotionally invested in a woman desperately trying to outrun a prophecy. I loved reading this story from her perspective and getting to understand this woman who had to make difficult choices to protect those she loved. Her choices are complicated, sometimes heartbreaking, but always rooted in survival and love.

And Sohrab? My heart. His desperation to be acknowledged by his father broke me.

The world-building is gorgeous, the stakes are high, and the story has that rare quality where the emotions stay with you after you've closed the book. Tanaz takes an ancient tragic tale and makes it feel intimate, immediate, and deeply human.

[Erica S]

Books that look at legends that I am not familiar with and are from different cultures around the world are one of my favorite new subgenres. This one did a great job of bringing you into the world and explaining the culture, time and beliefs of the story. It was a quick read and had a great POV. The only reason this is not five stars is that a lot of the characters beyond the main character felt very one dimensional. The result is that this book feels more like a popcorn book than a work that will stay with you, which is what I look for in five stars. I would still recommend it and think that many could find enjoyment from it.

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for an early copy the views are my own.