They Called Us Witch

by Ellen Ryan, To be confirmed (Narrator)

True stories. True Magic.

Discover the untold stories of powerful women who have been labelled as witches throughout history – not the kind that ride broomsticks, but real priestesses, wise women, and healers who defied oppression.

From a Haitian Vodou priestess who fought for freedom to a Japanese shaman queen who brought peace to her land, these ten remarkable figures shaped their cultures and inspired change with their magic and wisdom. Their stories have seldom been told before but this incredible collection invites readers to connect with their global histories and culture through powerful narratives.

Join us in celebrating these daughters of magic – each story a spark that ignites our own power and inspires a new generation.

Audible Audio

Published September 24, 2026

Reviews

[Snarhooked]

This was not the book I was expecting from the blurb and I think right audience would enjoy it far more than I did. I thought this book was going to focus on the women behind their reputation as witches, on fact rather than fiction. I did learn a little about each of the women but it was rarely more than the facts stated in the brief introductions at the start of each chapter. Instead, this book narrated scenes from these women's lives as if they all did have magical powers. Personally, I'd be more interested in learning about their actual lives but a more open-minded reader could find something enjoyable here.

A good thing about this book is that it looks at a fairly wide range of women, from around the world. Some of them didn't exactly seem like the best role models, especially when I looked up more about them, but it was still interesting to learn about them.

I thought the narration by Adjoa Andoh was alright and I would listen to another book narrated by her. There's a richness to her voice that works well for storytelling but sometimes the character voices didn't quite work for me. For example a 20 year old that sounded like she was a preteen.

I don't think the narrator had the best material to work with though. For a book intending to celebrate remarkable women, the language is rather everyday. At times the topics mentioned definitely seem intended for Young Adults but the simple language would better suit a younger audience. The writing felt unoriginal as there seemed to be a lot of cliched phrases. Too many times I would hear a word or two and know exactly what was coming next. It's a shame as writing these women's stories as though they actually did have magical powers seems like a wonderful opportunity to be creative.

Not a book that worked for me but I can see it being enjoyed by the right reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins Audio UK for the eARC.

[Jen James]

They Called Us Witch tells the stories of ten ordinary women, who were also extraordinary. These women were born in times when being born in their gender, meant they had so little power and agency in their own lives. Their experiences are varied, and from all over the world, but what united them is their branding as being witches. Some survived, others sadly didn’t.

Each of the women’s stories are succinct, and told in bitesize format. Which makes the book really easy to either dip in and out of, or read a few of the accounts successively.

I enjoyed the narration by Adjoa Andoh, I think younger readers will find her engaging.

They Called Us Witch is targeted at the young adult market. It is important for young people to hear of those from our collective past, who are not talked about, not written of in history books. Though the author, Ellen Ryan, is keen point out that she is not a historian.

I think the book perfectly blends the current thirst for fantasy reads, with a strong feminist message.

[Julia]

Thank you to NetGalley, and Harper Collins Uk Audio for the ALC of this book.

I really enjoyed this audiobook, it's a quick and easy listen, but incredibly powerful. Adjoa Andoh’s narration is fabulous, her rich voice, and compelling tone brings to life the stories of these ten women in an incredible way.

I loved that the book does not rely on the usual stereotypes of witches, focusing on real women, through history, and around the world. Women who were priestesses, healers, herbalists, and leaders who challenged the society they lived in. Ellen Ryan’s writing is incredibly engaging, gripping and interesting, rather than a boring, stale history lesson.

Although written and published as a YA non-fiction book, I was intrigued by every one of the stories. If you enjoy feminist history and beautifully narrated audiobooks, I would definitely recommend listening to this audiobook.

[Miryam Drakon]

I went into this knowing absolutely nothing except the title. Then I quickly learned that it was based on real-life stories, and I was immediately intrigued.

I don't usually pick up this type of genre, but after reading Fishbone Cinderella recently, I realised I actually enjoy these kinds of stories.

So, while I didn't connect with every single story, I definitely enjoyed most of the women's stories. Some of them really stayed with me.

And apparently, I enjoyed it quite a bit because I ended up finishing the whole thing in one sitting.

Definitely recommended for young adult readers.

[Ella]

Beautifully read and engaging. The writer shares a variety of stories exploring witchcraft in a very broad sense, sharing stories from different time periods and locations. There are strong feminist themes and lots to learn. I would have loved to learn slightly more about some stories and have further depth, but this was a quick and enjoyable listen.

via NetGalley