Portrait of a Witch Undone

by K.S. Shay

For fans of Starling House and A Discovery of Witches with a Thomas Crown Affair  a contemporary New England coven hides the mysteries that lurk in the marshes north of Boston—and how they are connected to the largest unsolved art heist in modern history.

Once, Maeve Ryan was the strongest witch of her generation. But Maeve messed up a spell to contact the Lady of the Fens, an eerie Revenant who lures the unwary to their deaths in the brackish marshlands of the North Shore. Maeve destroyed her reputation, hurt her best friend Ash, and tainted herself with unbound, wild magic that transforms witches into insane Revenants.

With unbound power eating away at Maeve’s mind, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. Forever. But Ash’s research into how the spell went awry leads in an unexpected the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a link between the Lady and a decades-old art theft worth $500 million. When Ash disappears through a stolen painting’s empty frame, Maeve has to follow.

Inside is the Other Marsh, a haunting, deadly realm where only the Lady’s rules apply. Within this half-world lie secrets about North Shore’s history, Maeve’s failure, and the fate of the masterpieces that disappeared over three decades ago. But as Maeve fights toward the truth, she risks her friendship, her coven, and her life against enemies hiding in plain sight.

Genres: Fantasy, Witches, Magical Realism, Mystery, Fiction, Adult, Paranormal

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 25, 2026

About the author

K.S. Shay is a writer and lover of all things strange, creepy, and magical. Find her online at ksshaywrites.com or hang out with her on social media @ksshaywrites everywhere.

Reviews

[fiona ☁️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. all thoughts are my own.

✨️ 4.5

🕯soundtrack🕯

slowdive - avalyn II
tori amos - bells for her
death cab for cutie - meet me on the equinox
roadkill ghost choir - everywhere
wolf alice - moaning lisa smile
...and you will know us by the trail of death (yes that's the bandname lmao) - don't look down
radiohead - everything in its right place
the twilight sad - there's a girl in the corner
folly and the hunter - moth in the porchlight
florence + the machine - witch dance
agnes obel - stretch your eyes
halsey - bells in santa fe
radiohead - climbing up the walls
the cure - plainsong
halsey - people disappear here
skullcrusher - maelstrom
florence + the machine - rabbit heart (raise it up)
bright eyes - when the curious girl realizes she is under glass
the smiths - this night has opened my eyes
loathe - is it really you?
the national - light years
radiohead - street spirit (fadeout)
bat for lashes - moon and moon
poe - haunted
mazzy star - blue light
witch post - spell

🔮 my thoughts 🔮

"there is magic everywhere."

literally started jumping up and down my room in excitement when i got approved for the ARC, because the premise sounded like the coolest thing i have laid my eyes upon in a long long time. witchcraft, creepy marshlands, a connection to a REAL UNSOLVED ART HEIST IN THE 1990s ???? i love witches, i love heists, i love art - sign me tf up already !! i literally cancelled a few plans for the weekend because all i wanted to do was dive headfirst into "portrait of a witch undone" (incredible title btw, i'm obsessed with it). and as it turns out, that was a very wise decision on my part - because i could not put this book down. it pulled me in, swallowed me whole, swept me away into the marshlands.

this genuinely has one of the most unique concepts i've ever encountered in a book. i don't even want to explain it too much, because i don't think i can, but i am in awe of k.s. shay for coming up with this insanely cool idea of combining witchcraft and art, and for being willing to get so weird and creative with it. the descriptions and the way things work can get a little chaotic and confusing at times, but i still was fully along for the ride every second. this also threw me down the fascinating rabbit hole of the real gardner museum heist (a place i really really want to visit now), although i gotta say that i like what this book does with it much better than the most likely explanation of what really happened. the strongest leads all point to the mafia, which is just so... lame lol. i choose to believe in the witchy version :)

🔮

other things i really appreciated in this book:

🕯the strong emphasis on friendship and platonic bonds between characters (there is romance, but the non-romantic relationships are just as significant, if not more so)

🕯 speaking of the romance: i wasn't sure how to feel about it at first, but in the end i was surprised how much i grew to love maeve and her love interest together! there were a few scenes of these two just being there for each other and keeping each other company in the midst of all the chaos around them that really did it for me (he helps her save the frogs that infiltrated her cursed marsh-apartment - and they say romance is dead!)

🕯 there is one theme that all of the central characters grapple with in different ways: the feeling of not being enough, of being unable to live up to the expectations of others. i really loved how the book handles this, and how each character individually learns to grow and come into their own.

🕯 i'm obsessed with how eerie and unsettling and gross this book gets occasionally.

🕯 the writing is very descriptive and atmospheric and whimsical !!

🕯 very random but i love that the witches in this book actually ride on broomsticks. it's something we barely see in most modern depictions of witches and that's a damn shame imo. if i were a witch, i'd probably do nothing but fly around on my broom all day and look cool

🔮

the only tiny criticisms i have is that it occasionally does get a bit hard to follow what's happening because there's just SO MUCH happening all the time, also the dialogue feels a bit clunky and repetitive here and there. but since this is a very early copy, this might get edited further down the line.

all in all, this really was such a fun, immersive read with an incredibly original concept! i can very much see myself revisiting this during the autumn months, at dusk, when the air is full of whimsy and weird magic.

[BookishKB · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨🔮 Portrait of a Witch Undone 🔮✨

Overall I liked this book and the concept was interesting. I do wish the flow had been stronger, but I liked how in depth the relationship building was. There was a strong focus on platonic relationships, even more than the romantic ones, which I appreciated.

That said, every single character was unlikable, toxic, and honestly pretty power hungry. That is not always a deal breaker for me, but they were constantly betraying each other throughout the story and I didn’t love that.

There was also quite a bit of info dumping and filler scenes. The ending was basically nonstop, and I honestly wish she had ended up on her own. I hated the MMC.

🖤 What to Expect
• Witch coven
• Toxic friendships
• New England
• Portal elements
• Supernatural
_ _ _ _

⭐ Final Score: 3.25 stars
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
📝 Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part Piranesi, part witchy coven sisterhood story that will steal your heart. The marsh-filled museum is a crazy (read: CRAZY) setting that is its own strange character seeping throughout the pages of this book just as it seeps through the empty, stolen frames from the very real Gardner heist. Truly one of the most unique books I've read in a long time!
I was lucky the author let me read an early copy, and this checks all the boxes of my favorite kind of book: contemporary fantasy, biting prose, nature magic, action and adventure, stolen paintings, a dash of body horror? Shut up and take my money! If you loved The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, or Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs, you won't want to miss K.S. Shay's debut.

[justine ⊹ ࣪ ˖ (slump era)]

⋆˚꩜｡

pre-read : my request for an arc at netgalley and edelweiss was approved!! here goes to witches and mysterious museum paintings ⭑.ᐟ

[Iffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars! The witchy/spooky vibes in here were absolutely immaculate and this had such a unique story line - I can’t say I’ve read anything quite like it! I loved the eerie marsh setting and the art heist story woven into the coven’s deep dark secrets - it was quite clever the way everything came together. I also enjoyed the small romantic subplot!

The reason this wasn’t a higher rating was because I felt it could’ve been fleshed out better overall. I found the world and the magic underdeveloped, I found the plot a bit bumpy and hopping from scene to scene, and I needed a bit more character depth to really feel the tension and emotional impact between the covens and the three main characters.

Overall though, this was really fun and a perfect book to read during the fall time!

[Bazia · Rating 3 out of 5]

this story concept felt like a very unusual bridge between fantasy and reality✨
i honestly haven’t read something quite like this in a long time and that originality was one of the strongest parts of the book!

however, there was also a lot of information to absorb. at times i really wished for a clearer glossary or maybe a place where all the mentioned images and references were collected together. by the very end i felt quite confused, which unfortunately affected my final rating.

i was also surprised that the main character is 23. many of her thoughts and decisions felt much younger to me
romance storyline worked, but personally i was craving a little more depth there

overall, this story holds massive potential and has a very unique idea at its core. for me the ending became a bit chaotic, which is why it lands at 3 stars, but it was still an interesting and memorable read

big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review🤍

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!!

The concept of this book was amazing. I’ve honestly never read anything quite like it before, which is rare, because most stories draw inspiration from somewhere and I can usually tell which book or idea something evolved from.
But here, I couldn’t. The idea of the museum and the paintings containing spells that allow you to step inside them, each with its own world, was absolutely fantastic.

Unfortunately, the beginning of the book made it a bit difficult for me to fully immerse myself, so I ended up taking a small reading break. In the first chapter I noticed two spelling or grammatical mistakes and some word repetitions, which prematurely made me assume that the book might not turn out very good.
I was wrong though. When I picked it up again and started reading, it kept getting better and better.

The romance was very subtle and didn’t take over the story, which is something I always appreciate. The friendship was also portrayed well, although it definitely would have benefited from a bit more communication between the characters.

The middle part of the book felt slightly long at times, but I think that was necessary for the story. Without it, the events probably wouldn’t have carried the same emotional weight.

The ending was a little chaotic and somewhat over the top, but honestly that happens in many books and has become a bit of a recurring issue I’m almost used to by now.

All in all, it was a lovely story and definitely a book I could see myself buying just to have it sitting on my bookshelf. The cover certainly plays its part in that as well hehe

[emma ꪆৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC

Witches and art heists is such a specific niche I feel was made just for me.
The use of human-made art as a portal between dimensions is such an interesting concept, especially the conversation regarding art’s power to touch one’s soul to the point where the two are deeply connected. I also recommend researching the actual 1990 heist at the Gardner, which definitely adds to the intrigue. I definitely do not exclude the use of magic.
That being said, the actual worldbuilding, which theoretically should describe how this bridge between magic and art is created, is at first a bit overwhelming. There are, some rules that take a bit of time to fully understand and for this reason it starts slow. It does however pick up in the middle, and it then goes smoothly towards a compelling inale. The last scenes are, in my opinion, the most engaging part of the story, as they do a pretty good job at untangling the MANY threads that the author lays out throughout the book. We follow the story of Maeve, a tormented young witch whose past mistake is haunting her every thought. Her relationship with magic. This complex connection is at the very heart of the story, and it is very well developed as we follow Maeve's thoughts, her romantic subplot is also so sweet. However, if Maeve’s character is greatly depicted, the other characters not so much. I would have liked for instance a better insight especially regarding Ash and Imani, who I think had such underdeveloped potential. The run for matriarch could have been a great opportunity to do that, since it was already a very compelling plot line.
Nevertheless, I still greatly recommend the book to everyone who always finds magic in art :)

[Katie O. · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you’re anything like me, the 13 pieces of art stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner became an obsession at some point in your life so when I heard the pitch of this book I was more than excited. A young witch performs a spell that goes awry, and to save her coven, friends, and herself she must figure out the connection to this infamous art heist.

I’d like to start by emphasizing there’s a great book in here. The narrative is incredibly creative, and I applaud the author’s ability to seamlessly weave in this real life event into their book. I found the parts where the art and magic intersected most intriguing to read. Also, the nature imagery leapt off the page capturing the marshes of the North Shore with pretty prose.

Unfortunately this story just did not hook me, and it took about a month to complete which is not usual for me. I think the problem starts with a lack of solid characterization. The main character, Maeve, lacks a personality outside of her anxiety. We are told not shown her relationships with her friends, family, and coven. The villains appear cartoonish in their ‘pure evil’ motivations. I wanted more depth from it, and the whole book seemed surface level in its exploration of identity, isolation, and self-acceptance. I think this might’ve fit better if written for a YA audience, or had a few more edits!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc!

[Shani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.


I enjoyed this book, but at the same time, I struggled with it. I read it over the course of a week, flying through half of it in a single day and then finding it hard to push through the rest. I’m not sure if that was on me or the book itself. It’s definitely a unique story—the basic plot (though there’s nothing basic about it) centers on a witch, the granddaughter of the Coven’s matriarch, whose magic has recently started feeling wrong—“unbound,” as it’s called. Unbound magic is dangerous; it can transform you into a strange creature that feeds on magic, which is essentially the main “villain” of the story. There were plenty of elements I really liked, such as the incorporation of the real-world theft of paintings, which was an interesting touch, and the setting, which worked well. However, toward the end, when the action really picks up, it feels like there’s both too much information and not enough at the same time. This might be one of those books that benefits from a second read to fully take in all the details, but unfortunately, it’s not one I feel compelled to revisit

[louise ʚଓ · Rating 4 out of 5]

| rating: 4 ★

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

✎ᝰ.ᐟ review

I love witches <3

Full review to come closer to the publishing date: August 25, 2026.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the e-ARC!

. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.

Started: July 27, 2026
Finished: July 28, 2026

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The setting: "...a contemporary New England coven hides the mysteries that lurk in the marshes north of Boston—and how they are connected to the largest unsolved art heist in modern history.

Once, Maeve Ryan was the strongest witch of her generation. But Maeve messed up a spell to contact the Lady of the Fens, an eerie Revenant who lures the unwary to their deaths in the brackish marshlands of the North Shore. Maeve destroyed her reputation, hurt her best friend Ash, and tainted herself with unbound, wild magic that transforms witches into insane Revenants.

With unbound power eating away at Maeve’s mind, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. Forever. But Ash’s research into how the spell went awry leads in an unexpected direction: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a link between the Lady and a decades-old art theft worth $500 million. When Ash disappears through a stolen painting’s empty frame, Maeve has to follow."

Confession: I love novels with witches/witchcraft. Sadly, this novel didn't do it for me. I plodded through when I wanted to be captivated and was never really engaged; ;just wanted to finish it! I still remember the heist at the Gardner Museum and thought it would reel me in. NOT.

Kudos for originality, but... Some eew moments ["romance"] and predictability alongside them. Some great descriptions but not enough to sustain/interest/enthrall. I did like Maeve though.

A definite outlier, 2.5, not rounding up. Sorely disappointed.

[Aida ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maeve said manifestation is witchcraft, so I’m officially a witch.

[Katie Story · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️ (rounded up to 3⭐️)

When I saw this book on NetGalley, I was very excited for the premise; however, I ended up with mixed feelings. The concept is strong and genuinely unique, blending witchcraft with a real-life art heist. I especially enjoyed how much art and art history were incorporated into the story and the fact that the heist is inspired by an actual event added an engaging layer of realism.

I moved quickly through the first part of the book, then struggled with the pacing in the latter half. While the coven lore and magic was interesting, the last half felt both rushed and overloaded with information. The romance also didn’t fully work for me and didn’t add much to the overall story.

Overall, this is a creative and ambitious novel with some compelling elements, particularly for readers interested in witchy stories and art history, but pacing issues kept it from fully landing for me.

[Nancy ☾.⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Portrait of a Witch Undone is a story about modern witchcraft and its ties to an unsolved art heist, riddled with convent secrecy and a sharp lesson about how time can erode history. It was unique and fascinating, and I applaud the author for her creativity because I have never read anything like this before.

I struggled with the pacing and my dislike for the main protagonist. Maeve spent a majority of the time brooding like a heroine from a bodice-ripper. She grappled with being a failure in her family and convent. As the action unpacked, she was driven by stubbornness and sheer will alone and lacked any real talent. She might be a witch who fell into disgrace, but she was no underdog. Also, imagine my surprise when I found out that she was a 23-year-old adult woman. This book was marketed as fiction for adults, yet many of the characters read YA to me.

For my witchy girlies who imagined they would chase their best friend through peril, this book is for you.

[Kylie Niedermeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The comps to Harrow and Kingfisher don’t lie, Shay is a *gorgeous* writer. I loved this book 🥹♥️

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. GOD. Portrait of a Witch Undone has changed me - in the book’s own terms, you may even say I have become unbound from my previous understanding of witchy horror ✨🖤

Maeve Ryan is towing a thin line between all her life was building up to and the grave consequences she’ll face if she fulfils this fate. But when her lifelong friend and Casting Partner Ash goes missing after raving about a coven fable, Maeve can no longer hide in her denial. And so their adventure into another world - behind an infamous art heist - begins.

K S Shay’s writing throughout is the exact blend of all my favourite writers - perceptive and sharp and fun and evocative to the point where I was feeling goosebumps along my neck. Her tone shifts as the narrative commands it, giving way to character driven scenes that allow the dialogue and actions of Maeve, Ash, Imani and Gabriel to really shine; other times we fall back into the description-laden exposition, which are so brilliant at evoking fear, longing, and wonder. There is no point in the story where Shay’s prose felt like wading through the text - unless she was making it so in order to build fear and suspense - instead she stitches together scenes with a level of craft that immerses you entirely into her world.

Maeve is a wonderful character to experience the story through. Her insecurities are complex and you feel her anxiety for the people she loves mixed with the loathing she feels (both towards herself but also at the people who incorrectly push her) so strongly. Our secondary characters (Ash, Gabriel and Imani) support Maeve’s narrative while still having motives of their own - they’re fully fleshed characters whose stories continued to move outside of our main plot, which once again really helped create a world that felt real. The coven’s dynamic in relation to these characters is so interesting, and Shay has clearly thought about this as a theme for lost (and found) family.

I have to dedicate some of my review to Maeve and Gabriel’s relationship because oh my god the loathe to lovers trope here is SO GOOD. Is there a kind of third act break-up that irked me a little - yes. But for the most part watching these two fall into one another was so much fun and I love how the ending leaves their story.

I also need to dedicate a paragraph to Ash and Maeve. These girls are siblings in every way that matters. They share an unwavering love that leads them to doing things they think are right for one another, without realising this is what will also cause them to drift apart. Shay has expertly handled this dynamic, and over every other relationship in the story, Ash and Maeve’s has so much relatability to it, covering themes of jealousy and unfathomable love in a way that only presents in sisterhood.

The lore and world building in this magic system is once again incredibly thorough. With the likes of bound and unbound magic, Revenant witches, alchemy and magical broomstick pins (so cool), it’s clear Shay has worked hard to create a unique world for readers that takes from what we know within the genre without replicating anything else. I felt as though Shay succeeds in giving us enough information to keep us readers in the loop without overwhelming us, and with witches who excel differently (Maeve with her hereditary knowledge from the matriarch, Ash and her academic approach to magic, Gabriel’s history of covens) we are able to get a well rounded understanding of how the world in Portrait of a Witch Undone operates.

Overall, I was so pleased with this book. I didn’t want to end, and I cannot wait for it to be published later in the year so I can grab a copy!!

A huge thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the arc ✨🫶

[Ines]

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

There are many things one could praise about "Portait of a Witch Undone." For starters, the premise is truly unique. Maeve is a witch who messed up a big spell recently, which left her best friend Ash hurt and both of them scarred. While Maeve desperately seeks a way to rid herself of her powers, Ash disappears into one of the frames of a stolen paintings in the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum. Being a dedicated friend, Maeve must follow suit.

The main cast of this book is really well-written. Maeve is an unconventional protagonist and she seems to fight the forces of the plot at every turn, but somehow the story always finds a way to convincingly bend Maeve to its will. Though I'm not really into romance elements in stories, I did like the dynamic between Maeve and her love interest and I felt like they had good banter. The rest of the cast, however? Nowhere near as good. I didn't like the way the antagonists spoke in almost comically evil ways in certain passages and I could not get behind their motivations at all. It all just seemed a little juvenile to me.

The pacing in this book is definitely something. I'm not sure if I like it or not. The plot is really tight and fast-paced. There's really not a single boring moment, which makes this a great book to get out of a reading slump. At the same time, there is SO MUCH going on here for a 400 page book! Some detours did not need to be taken, in my opinion. The story dragged a little towards the end in particular.

Something I took issue with while reading this was the shallow treatment of a very relevant-to-the-plot femicide. I think this event deserved to be treated with more nuance and not merely some tragedy that just happened. The repercussions this had on the people involved were not considered by the narrative at all and in my opinion really should have been.

All in all, a very solid debut that could've been made better by cutting some of the more redundant parts of the story in favour of expanding others.

[Sonia Koss · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up) This was such a unique contemporary fantasy, centered around the 13 paintings stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. The way the author blends witches and magic into a real life unsolved heist felt seamless and incredibly original. I genuinely haven’t read anything quite like it before.

My one critique is that there were moments where I struggled to fully picture the scenery. The writing is gorgeous and very intricate, but at times it felt almost too intricate, and I found myself rereading a few paragraphs just to be sure I was following what was happening. That said, it’s still a beautifully written, thoughtfully crafted story, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to read an eARC of it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Erewhon for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Lexie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Erewhon books for the advance copy! 4.25 stars rounded down. This book was SO FUN. The elements of magical realism worked so well, and the atmosphere of the marsh added such an interesting level to both the storyline and the character development. I also found the relationships between the main characters to be very complex and well-thought out. The magic system was so unique, as well, and it made me feel so immersed in the characters and their stories.

[Jean Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Fun, twisty, original.

[Erin Ruemmele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I absolutely devoured this book! This is such a perfect fall/witchy season read.

I don't think there was a single slow part through this entire book. Things just kept happening and yet nothing felt rushed.

I loved how the premise of this book surrounded a real life museum heist from the 90's. Those paintings have never been found and the author includes pictures of each painting in the beginning of the book. Such a neat concept!

I also loved the maps placed in the story to understand where the characters were.

I loved this book. It is definitely now in my fall reading rotation and have already recommended it to a few fellow readers for when it comes out!

[Betsy Fulmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book. There were times when I felt like I was very lost in the story and had to go back and reread an entire section because I found myself distracted and didn't take in anything I read because I completely lost interest. I do feel like parts were unnecessarily long. I loved the scene development. I could really picture the museum and the other museum. The characters were well developed. The story itself was just a little off at times for some reason. I didn't know if it was the style of writing or just the topic in general that I just couldn't stay engaged with. Overall, it was good. I would recommend for young adults maybe. Definitely not written for a more mature audience.

[Julie Ditton]

I can't wait to read this new book. Look for my review in August on my Storybook Lady book blog.

Visit the Storybook Lady book blog and get the story on your next read.

[MJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an ARC through netgalley.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I made it 108 pages in before deciding this book is not for me. I’m still not sure if it’s me or the book.

I really enjoyed the premise of the novel, somewhat modern day witch craft meets a real life art heist, and a missing best friend. There is a lot of unique world-building in this book that I haven’t seen before. That being said, I think there was a lot of information and not all of it was helpful to the reader. The writing, at times, seemed like a steam of consciousness, which caused confusion and boredom on my part. I noted based on other reviews that I am alone in this opinion. I really felt like I was forcing myself to get through the book and it failed to capture my interest.

So to end my review, I would say if the plot intrigues you, definitely give it a go! Witchcraft x Art Heist is really unique and I can see how others might enjoy this.

[TheReallyBadReviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

-My Review
A note to readers: I’m reviewing this book based on an Advanced Reader Copy. Thanks NetGalley and Erewhon (an imprint of Kensington Publishing Corp) for the opportunity to read this book and provide an honest review.
Who am I? I write a book blog focused on interpreting bad reviews to help readers determine not if a book is good or bad but if it’s right for them. For the more in-depth version of this review, you can follow me at thereallybadreview.substack.com.
So, let’s dive in.
-My Expectations
A witch coven meets art heist plot. This could either be awesome or a really bad mashup. I genuinely didn’t know which to expect. The book blends Sabrina-style occult vibes with real‑world art history, using the Gardner heist as a backbone. The art references are frequent but approachable, though some readers unfamiliar with the paintings may feel a bit lost at times. Make sure you Google.
-Main Characters
Maeve is a once‑powerful witch now afraid of her corrupted magic, pulled into a fight to save her coven and herself. Ash is her strategic, loyal best friend whose disappearance drives the plot. Gabriel (love interest with secrets) and Imani (rival torn between coven loyalty and doing what’s right) add tension and complexity.
-Notes on Perspective
The narration is first‑person past tense, but the prose is polished and intentional rather than diary‑like. Maeve’s voice reads like a skilled narrator, not a stream‑of‑consciousness teen. However, some readers who are used to reading older characters may find Maeve immature or too teen-like. (As if turning twenty suddenly transforms people from irresponsible brooding teenagers into rational, mature adults—she’s twenty-three and she acts twenty-three, imo).
-Tone
This is firmly in the "new adult" category. Not YA. Not graphic adult. It avoids graphic content while still incorporating body horror and darker scenes. Readers expecting gore, spice, or older protagonists may find it too light, but those wanting atmospheric, creepy fantasy focused on themes of identity, responsibility, and navigating early adulthood will enjoy it.
-Language and Readability
The prose sits around a ninth‑grade reading level: accessible, clean, and engaging without being simplistic. It’s not lyrical or ornate, but it’s effective and easy to follow. Mild swearing appears only when appropriate, and the writing is strong for a debut.
-Theme
The book explores new‑adult themes like reconciling past and present selves, finding purpose, and stepping into adulthood with intention. It also touches on history, legacy, and learning to live with imperfection.
-Pacing and Structure
The opening third moves quickly, introducing the world and diving into full-blow action by chapter seven. The middle third slows down for character work and problem‑solving, which may feel laggy or “YA‑ish” to some readers, especially with noticeable plot convenience. The final third picks up the pace for a fairly strong (if convenient) finish.
-The Bad Reviews
Normally, I look at the bad reviews a book receives and try to translate them for readers. Since this is an ARC, there aren’t many other reviews. So, I’m going to tell you what I noticed.
-Top 3 Issues:
1. Setting Authenticity
One question kept popping into my mind: Is the author from Massachusetts, or did they just visit after hearing about the art heist? There’s a noticeable difference between writing a place you know and writing a place you Googled, and readers from the Northeast may ask that question. The setting descriptions did not feel authentic to me.

2. Underdeveloped Character Descriptions
First, everyone is introduced by their race. I really appreciate and respect avoiding the “only non-white characters” flaw by introducing everyone, including white characters, by race. At the same time… sometimes it’s the only concrete descriptor we get. Height? Build? Hair length? Distinguishing features? Clothing? Personality cues? Sparse to nonexistent or painfully vague.

Another example: Gabriel may or may not wear glasses—I don’t remember. Ash was definitely introduced with glasses, but the glasses must be magic. As someone who wears glasses, I can confirm: if I’d gone through even half the things these characters went through, my glasses would not survive without significant noticeable effort on my part. No effort by these characters, though.

There just wasn’t a lot of thoughtfulness in the character descriptions generally. These inconsistencies make it hard to form a clear mental picture, especially with so much action happening around them.

3. Plot Convenience and Minor Errors
So. Much. Plot. Convenience. Not true plot holes—well, most of the time—but lots of convenience. This novel was very action-focused and, as a result, certain plot points felt pretty patched over. If you’re a fast reader who really gets into the action, I don’t think you’ll mind. If you’re highly detail-oriented and analytical, this book might start to bug you by the halfway mark.

Check out my full review for more discussion on these points.
-Reader Recommendations
You might like this book if you: enjoy new adult fantasy, atmospheric witchcraft settings, art‑heist vibes, accessible prose, and event‑driven plots with light description.
You probably won’t like this book if you: need rich sensory detail, airtight world‑building, mature protagonists who make smart decisions, or graphic horror and spice.
If you’re looking for a dark, gruesome, explicit horror novel, this is not it.
It’s a creepy, imaginative new adult fantasy with inventive magic, fast pacing, and a strong sense of atmosphere—not the best book ever, but impressive for a debut author.
Want me to read and review a book so you know if it’s worth the plunge? Visit my blog or contact me here to suggest a book for review.

[jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Creator Collective for providing me with an advance reader copy of Portrait of a Witch Undone in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and emotional damage caused by fictional characters are, as always, entirely my own. 🤍

I love books that begin with a mystery but I love them even more when they reveal that the greatest mystery was never what happened. It was /why/. Portrait of a Witch Undone starts with one of the most infamous unsolved art heists in history, whispers about witches hidden in the marshes of New England and paintings that become literal doorways into another world. Naturally, I expected to have fun.

What I DIDN’T expect was to become so emotionally invested in a story that, underneath all its haunted landscapes, eerie folklore, and delicious magical lore, is simply about people refusing to let go of the ones they love. Because, at its heart, I really think this is a story about sisters. Maybe not always by blood but by choice. About best friends who know each other’s souls so completely that saving one another becomes second nature, even when neither of them believes they’re worth saving.

Maeve is such a compelling main character because she is not polished, not effortless, not one of those fantasy protagonists who walks into chaos already looking like the final boss. She is messy. She is hurt. She is powerful in a way that feels dangerous even to herself. I think what makes her so readable is that she feels human first and magical second. She is not “the chosen one” in that shiny, instantly gratifying way. She is someone trying to survive her own mistakes, her own fear, and her own unsteady relationship with power. And I love that. I love when a book lets a female main character be cracked open and still worthy of wonder.

And then there is Gabriel, who, excuse me, but HELLO????? He gave me such intense Peeta energy in the best possible way. Maybe it is the soft but steady presence, maybe it is the emotional intelligence, maybe it is the way he sees Maeve so clearly when she cannot even see herself but I was absolutely getting that same kind of “quietly devastating in the most loyal way” vibe. He is the kind of character who does not need to be loud to be unforgettable. He simply stays, notices and understands. He offers steadiness without trying to take over the room. And in a book like this, that kind of warmth feels like a miracle.

The romance is just really good. It is not rushed, nor performative. It does not feel like the book is pausing its actual story just to toss in a kiss and call it chemistry. No, this romance feels earned, layered, and emotionally intelligent. Gabriel loves Maeve in a way that feels almost painful to witness because he sees all her brilliance before she can fully accept it herself. And Maeve, for all her ferocity, feels completely unaware of how brave she actually is. That dynamic hit me hard. It reminded me a little of Everlark (Hunger Games brainrot in 2026 ?!!!) in the sense that one person keeps seeing the other’s survival, softness, and strength as something sacred, even when that person is too busy doubting themselves to notice.

Also, I just need to say it plainly: the emotional payoff here is delicious. Plot-wise, this was such a fun, fresh, and clever read. The idea of getting inside paintings and uncovering a pocket dimension is not exactly new on paper but the execution here makes it feel sparkling and eerie and alive. The lore is honestly the kind of lore I want to tuck into my brain and shake around like a snow globe. I loved how the art heist premise was woven into the magic. That was one of the coolest parts for me because it gave the story this very specific kind of momentum. It was not just “witches doing witchy things.” It was witches, history, art, myth, consequence, and obsession all colliding in one gorgeously strange package.

What I also appreciated is that this book understands the emotional complexity of female friendship and coven dynamics. There is tension, yes. There are frayed edges, yes. But beneath all that, there is also the deep truth that women and girls can hurt each other and still matter to each other. They can be rivals and protectors at the same time. They can be annoying and necessary and deeply moving all at once. That complexity made the story feel more real to me, because it never flattened anyone into a simple label. Nobody here is just “good” or “bad.” They are scared, flawed, loyal, defensive, and trying their best in a world that keeps asking them to be more than human.

And that is part of why this book stuck with me. It is not only about magic. It is about the cost of being the person people expect too much from. It is about guilt that lingers. It is about what happens when communities fail their own people and then act surprised when the consequences come back hungry. It is about the kind of love that keeps reaching anyway. It is about choosing tenderness in a place that has taught everyone how to survive by being hard.

By the time I finished, I was left with that exact kind of book hangover that feels both painful and precious. I was emotionally invested, aesthetically fed, and genuinely impressed by how much heart this story carried inside all its eerie, glittering, witchy darkness. So yes, I would absolutely recommend Portrait of a Witch Undone to anyone who loves witches, atmospheric fantasy, found family tension, emotionally charged romance, and stories that feel like they have secrets under their skin. If you like your fantasy with a little rot and a lot of beauty, if you love a heroine who has to claw her way toward herself, if you enjoy romances where someone sees the other person like a miracle before they see themselves that way too, then this one might be for you.

[Kourtney L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating world and character building that made for a book that I couldn’t put down.

It addressed some serious topics (namely loss, navigating relationships, decisions that aren't black and white) in a way that is digestible to adults or to teenagers/YA. The story felt fully fleshed out, incorporating real-world research about native people and covens. AND the (no spice) romance was catching and flowed with the plot.

Thank you, K.S. Shay for the opportunity to read this work of art prior to release! I loved it!

[Leanne Poussard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches and art heists and the Power of Friendship!! Checked all my boxes. This novel had me on the edge of my seat, it was one of those rare ones that kept me up until 4am to finish it. I was thrilled to be able to read the early drafts and I’m so excited for everyone else to get to read it.

[Majestia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't wait for the release so I can relive the magic all over again! ✨ Thanks for kicking off my new obsession with art heists and the Gardner Museum. 💖