The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow

by Caitríona Moran

Perfect for readers of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a sweeping enemies-to-lovers debut epic for romantasy-curious fantasy readers, fantasy-curious romantasy readers, and all lovers of slowburn romance.

In her house, the villainy is her.

Scholar. Healer. Harlot.

Magdalena Overmorrow is all these things and more, especially when she’s performing illegal abortions for the women of Astoleyn. But when a close confidante exposes her secret, she faces a consequence worse than death. Banished to the realm's desolate northernmost city, she helplessly awaits her trial under the watchful aegis of Lord Proctor of Cair Gramora, a man so pious and humorless it is rumored that he has never once laughed in his life.

When she arrives though, Magda is surprised to find that the Lord Proctor isn't the grizzled old priest she expected but a man barely older than she is. As cold and mysterious and beautiful as the mountains at the cair's northern border, he holds her life in his hands. One word from him could send her back to prison and almost certainly to death at the stake, but she can’t help her fascination with the man and the secrets he’s clearly keeping. As she adjusts to life in the north and she’s drawn deeper into the intrigue of the isolated cair, she and the Lord Proctor must form an uneasy alliance that could either save her life or lead her to martyrdom and ruin.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Fiction, Adult, Witches, Science Fiction Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 3, 2026

Reviews

[Karyn Silverman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh holy heck, this was extraordinary and unexpected. It’s fresh, from the fantasy perspective - a world and magic and pantheon that aren’t quite like any of the ones I’ve seen before - and it’s topical af, but it doesn’t feel like a polemic, or like it’s driven by (as the printz criteria put it) MESSAGE. It’s heartbreaking and sometimes humorous, people’s by really magnificent characters who also seem real. If I had a 10 star option I would give it.

Also the romantasy tag is like, 100% not the point. Marketing copy almost led me to skip over this one and I am so so glad I let the Novik comp in the copy sway me instead.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“… of purging one’s house of any villainy that has plagued it during the hot, slack summer. But this year, more than any other, there is nothing to be done for Magdalena Overmorrow. In her house, the villainy is her.”

Imagine that being the first paragraph of her book. Of If I ever managed to be this witty in my entire life about anything, I would be insufferable. Some books take a minute to pull you in. Others, only one second. Which was the case, for me, with The trial of Magdalena Overmorrow.

This was a very character driven story, where the FMC was 33 (always a bonus) and acted like it. She is awaiting trial for her “black magic” aka performing a medical abortion. The parallels with the real world were absolutely not lost on me and the commentary based on this alone are in front of your face. There is men out there that would willingly burn a woman at the stake given the option, and that says a lot about the world we live in and the unprecedented regression we’re experiencing.

Magda is a witty, intelligent and very straightforward woman and being in her head has been nothing but a pleasure. I really enjoyed the deep dive into her head. She’s an independent woman in a world where reputation is above everything, one’s purity and who she’s been seen with valuing more than her voice, or at least she was. What was impressive to me is how she stood by her beliefs even when threatened with the worst possible outcomes, constantly and without flinching. Magda is the definition of being a good person because she is one in a world filled of forced superficial morality.

“Ah, yes, the two great inevitabilities: death and Domina Overmorrow.” The MMC was so unexpected. I don’t think I’ve ever read one such as himself before, from the role he’s supposed to fill to the way he acts and upholds his values, that while coinciding with the FMCs, can really end up looking differently. Their banter reminded me so much of the irresistible urge to fall for your enemy because it held the same humorous undertone, yet very straightforward and direct.

I could keep yapping but honestly what I must say is that this book has been one of the strongest debuts I have read. The writing quality and the prose were impeccable, and I will be reading everything written by Caitriona Moran. I am truly impressed.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc, this one ended up being so special!

So once again I sat with this for two days and after looking through my notes I’ve come back with an edit 😂

“Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?”


“One accursed day, after a well-deserved beating, I decided I would go out and find another man to lie with, in order to cause my husband the deepest possible pain. What could he do, beat me even harder? Beat me to death? This was, of course, unspeakably evil; a wife’s duty is to submit to her husband, to bear what he asks her to bear, and to not complain, no matter what she suffers.”

I just want to say, considering the world discourse around women’s rights and their right to body autonomy, this book hit such a spot for me. The way it approached the topic, from a conservative world, where female healthcare is trialed for black magic and sentenced to burning at the stake, through testimonies written in forms of letters or just present examples, I am completely floored. This story will stay with me forever and even though it’s not finished and I’m very happy we will be receiving more, I hope for a balm to heal some of my heart.

[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was really good. It felt fresh and different from so much of the fantasy and romantasy out there. Even though the book is objectively very sad and – for the most part – heartbreaking, it still leaves you with a sense of hope. And the romantic banter is absolutely top-notch.

The story follows Magda Overmorrow, a scholar accused of heresy for practicing abortions. She’s sent north to await her trial under the watchful eye of Lord Proctor Morgan Mallander – a high priest, who’s known for being extremely pious and serious. Of course, the more Magda gets to know him, the more she realizes he’s quite different from the man she imagined.

This is very much a character-driven book rather than a fast-paced, action-packed adventure, but Magda carries the whole thing. She’s clever, witty, funny, and deeply sensitive, though she doesn’t let many people see the depths of what she truly feels. At the same time, Magda is a woman in her 30s, and that sense of maturity really comes through in her character. Genuinely one of the best-written protagonists I’ve come across recently. I also sympathized with her immensely (though I might be a little biased since we share the same name!)

What happens to Magda and what she experiences in the north is objectively tragic, and the book doesn’t shy away from exploring topics such as female agency, unequal standards, misogyny and discrimination. Despite taking place in a fictional world, the underlying mechanisms sadly feel familiar. However, they’re woven naturally into the story rather than being spelled out through heavy handed moralizing.

But apart from the more serious themes, the book also offers plenty of lighter, funny, and heartwarming moments, along with a romantic arc. And damn. Magda and Morgan are exactly the kind of dynamic I love – very slow-burn, very forbidden, pretty tragic (also I’m weak for doomed clergymen who yearn, so that might have something to do with it). The relationship in this book has this kind of tension that feels emotionally affecting even when very little is actually happening between the characters physically. While Morgan is definitely serious, he really doesn’t come across as your standard grumpy shadow daddy. Needless to say, Magda is also pretty far from your typical romantasy heroine.

The worldbuilding is probably the weakest part of the book, as it felt somewhat vague at times. That said, it was easy enough to follow, so I never felt particularly lost. I just wish there had been a map to help visualize everything. Since I only read an early copy, I have no idea whether the final edition will include one.

All in all, this is a genuinely good book that felt refreshingly different from the flood of romantasy we get every day. I’d definitely recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[BookishKB]

⚖️🕯️ The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow 🕯️⚖️

📖 Bookish Thoughts

My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.

🖤 What to Expect
• Epic Fantasy
• Enemies to Lovers
• Witch Trial
• Morally Gray MCs
• Forced Alliance
• Political Intrigue
_ _ __

📅 Pub Date: November 3, 2026
Thank you to Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

[louise ʚଓ]

ꔛ pre-read ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ

Just got accepted for the ARC. I can't wait to read this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam for the e-ARC!

[Sabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

ARC provided by Netgalley.

Non-spoiler section
I am having trouble rating this one as it is certainly more like a 3.75*, close to a 4 but not quite; but I cannot in good conscience change my rating system just for one book (i.e., my rule of rounding down)!

I want to start by saying the prose and quality of the writing itself is an absolute 5*. I would be extremely interested in reading any further books that Moran writes, especially as she grows as a writer since this is her debut novel.

That being said, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a book that just needed a bit more time in the oven.

As mentioned above, the prose is the strongest part of the book. We are told the story through third-person present tense, which I don't find often, but it really lended itself towards the type of story Moran was telling. The use of what I like to call "old-timey speak" (think Bridgerton-esque writing and dialogue) suited the time period well, said time period being a sort of medieval fantasy setting. I particularly enjoyed looking up some new words and adding them to my vocabulary!

The first chapter drops us in when Magda has already been accused and is about to be sent up North as a ward of The Lord Proctor, rather than await trial in prison, helped by her contacts in the law (aka her best friend). For me this setup made sense and wasn't too far-fetched despite the "heinous" crime of black magic she had committed.

I like that Moran starts giving us bits and pieces of the world and the lore from page one and allows us as the reader to gather and parse that information ourselves. I find so many books these days don't trust the intelligence of the reader and do a lot of telling rather than showing; Moran does the opposite. I found this for the information about the gods, the houses/setup of lawmakers and the history of women in Astoleyn.

I also like that this book is centred around women, and women's issues. It isn't subtle about its real-world mirroring, but it isn't heavy handed either. It reminds me of the early reboot Doctor Who episodes in that regard. I very much enjoyed the spotlight on abortion rights, particularly with Roe v Wade being a thing, and in general womens' rights (to go to school, to work, to be anything but a wife).

Unfortunately past the first third of the novel it felt like the purpose of the book started to get confused. There is a love interest but it feels love at first sight-y since they barely interact in the book before suddenly they are realising they are in love with one another. There is less focus on the trial and/or the original reason of abortions and more on the love interest, but that part feels rushed; and then out of nowhere the trial is here after timeskips.

The book is only 460ish pages. That is not very long for a standalone novel, in my opinion. There was a lot more that could have been fleshed out with the abortion side of things; most of that part had happened off-page and before the book began. The book was also split into three "books", each with a part; there's certainly not enough pages of story to warrant this! I wanted more fleshed out about the gods (considering their role, I'll speak about this in the spoiler section), the Houses, even more time spent with the love interest that actually established more reason for them to be in love and for certain things to happen in the last part of the book (again, will discuss more in the spoiler section).

Overall the story needed more structure and less characters. I think at least four or five characters could have been cut for the sake of rounding out the others and it would not have made a lick of difference to the story. (See: Cass, Klees, Sanja, Rowena, any number of the "lords" at the Cairn).

I will repeat though, I will keep an eye on this author for further books as the writing style itself was spectacular, one of my favourites I have ever read.

Spoiler zone

I do take issue with several plot points in this book.

The main one being the Deus Ex Machina that was the deal with the Hermitess that Morgan made at the end.

There was absolutely no guarantee that the crowd would see Magda not burning as a sign from the gods/a miracle/as proof she is a saint. She is already accused of black magic; surely someone, anyone in the crowd, even the HUGE amount of Doomsingers would try and spin it as black magic or accuse her of it? Therefore rendering Morgan's sacrifice useless. This seems like a gaping plothole to me that I simply cannot get past.

Speaking of the Doomsingers, this plot point went absolutely nowhere. They were simply a vehicle for the dock to break in the middle of the book, and that was all. Nothing happened with Morgan’s father either. And at the end of the book they were just… hand-waved away. They seemed pretty scary to me? But sure I guess it’ll be fine now Magda is pardoned (except they were a big thing in the North before anything to do with Magda even happened..?)

Is there actually a reason the Hermitess comes to the city other than to hang around? I don't understand what the actual reason is, if she is Genka, for her to just sit in the bolt hole and refuse to tell people's fortunes. Why is the Lord Proctor beholden to her? I needed a stronger reason for this to even be a thing. This is where fleshing out the stories of the gods would have come in clutch.

"House of the Goose" is mentioned, as well as another house I forget the name of. This is only mentioned once or twice and never again; never explained, no further information. This information seemed like dead words, it could have been cut and it would not have affected the story at all.

At one point Rowena mentions Morgan is Tisza's brother, in front of Cass. A few pages prior, Cass has only been given the information that Morgan is "helping" Tisza - and he doesn't react to the information when Rowena reveals it - so I can only assume this is a continuity error.

The love story annoyed me because I was very much invested and interested in them as a couple. They had the few dreams together (which were exquisitely written), but then suddenly the Mother of Severine house is accusing Magda of bewitching Morgan and saying he's in love with her. A few chapters later Magda "realises" she is in love with him. I absolutely do not believe that within a few months someone could be in love with someone (without being in an established relationship). They spent two dreams together and otherwise mainly avoided each other - they had barely interacted in the book, even despite the timeskip between part 1 and 2! I was sorely disappointed in the way this was written, as even a small change as describing it as "starting" to fall in love or anything less than that would have saved it but I am just too skeptical.

Morgan needed more time on his own on-page to be fleshed out. We saw glimpses of it when he and Magda spoke, and more was revealed about his father, his disposition etc. but it just wasn't enough. I didn't feel enough for the characters.

I did like that he made the sacrifice for her, and they didn’t end up together. We need more books that aren’t just a happily ever after. But it did feel unsatisfying considering the insta-loveyness; I didn’t feel the weight of the sacrifice that heavily at all. He also didn’t need to be quite so much of a dick to her at the end.

I can't lie I was disappointed the direction the book went in and I did find myself reluctant to pick it up once I reached halfway. The only thing that kept me going was the prose and the hope it was just a slow middle and would pick up.

I've got quite strong opinions on this one but I do want to say that 3.5* is a very good rating for me! I would recommend people to give it a go as long as they don't go into it expecting something very political or a hard magic system, or really a lot of plot; this book is more prose and vibes, with some commentary on womens' rights as the baseline.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I accepted this arc on a whim. I liked the Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries and thought this may scratch the itch. I realized over my several attempts of reading similar novels that I do want romance, but I also want a rich, well imagined setting that's even dark and dangerous to raise the stakes. And Catríona Moran delivered that in spades.

Bare bones: Magdalena Overmorrow is a sorceress with a reputation in the kingdom of Idelymore. She is a scholar who writes controversial pamphlets challenging the divine nature of magic. She is a difficult woman. Indecent. A trouble-maker.
And now she stands accused of heresy which carries the sentence of burning at the stake.
Because she is considered to be so dangerous, she is sent to the northern province Cair Gramora to be the ward of their Lord Proctor who will oversee her behavior until the trial. Magda cannot imagine anything worse than being confined to a distant, cold land on a mercy of a frigid, dour man, but there is more to both cair and Lord Proctor than she anticipated.

So, let's start with romance part. This is a really slow-burn between two mature individuals who are aware of their own feelings just as much as they are aware of the consequences of acting on them. To be fair, entire story is slow, taking its time to build a picture, a situation or a background. It's not for everyone, but it worked for me to really understand Magda's circumstances. In Afterword author mentions that she was inspired by political situation in her world especially the conversation around female reproductive rights and it's mostly tied to why Magda is on a trial- she helped women with unwanted pregnancies. So, if this is something you are sensitive about take it into consideration, but I can tell you it's not something Moran pushes on reader more than through a general debate Magda has with Morgan who is cleric. We also touch upon Magda's reputation as someone who enjoys life and had many lovers and is essentially slut-shamed for that, but author goes deeper into it since her reputation is something Magda puts on like a protection cloak. Morgan, the Lord Protector, on the other hand, is just this genuinely good guy, but he is a man of cloth and I like when authors push their characters through inner conflict that strips them bare. A perfect men of faith whom everyone loves and respects being challenged through love? Delicious. But unfortunately, we are mostly in Magda's head, so we don't get to see what's in Morgan's head and yet, romance is slowly burning and it gets sizzling at some parts and very yearning in others.
And in the service of balance, let's talk about the world Moran imagined. It's classic medieval fantasy kingdom with expansion tendencies and strong clerical presence throughout its government structure. Priests are judges, wardens and powerful individuals in this world. That's why Magda is sent to north as a ward and author makes a point to depict the fallacies of such judicial process. It is messed up. Magic in itself is a thing that's learnt and success depends on someone's inborn ability to wield it, but author doesn't really dwell too much on this which I think is a mistake, because I think the ending twist would be that much impactful if we knew beforehand the (dis)advantages and boundaries of magic. Other than that, the level of risk Magda faces just by being herself is done really well. There is something heavy about the oppressiveness of her detainment and judgement that makes you invested. We don't get to see a lot of kingdom nor the neighboring places and I think we would benefit from it to understand what's the political position of the cair in this kingdom. We start with a cliche view of the barren, cold north and Cair Gramora, but alongside Magda we are learning about these people and their beliefs and rituals, so it's not a monolith. I liked the interpretation of Iscarat, the judge god and Genka and how it differs between South and North of the Kingdom. I also liked the inclusion of Doomsingers as a peculiar, more complex antagonists beside the usual, old-fashioned old guys with stifling interpretation of laws and rigid worldview. They are dangerous because they are radical and disruptive and opposed to everyone else and I feel like they will play a role in the sequel. It's not just run-of-the-mill setting, there is a lot of thought put into it and I appreciated it, but I can understand why it may not be for everyone. I feel like she wrote some parts of the world-building really detailed with all the intricacies while leaving some parts that would enrich the twists in the story undercooked.
We do find out the outcome of the trails at the end, but the story ends on a cliffhanger and on a particularly cruel one when it comes to romance. I am looking forward to see how will they untangle this mess they're in.

Great debut.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons and Catríona Moran for an advanced copy of The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow. All opinions are my own.

[donutdot · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the e-arc!!!

oh my god wdym this is a debut?? i was offered a copy of this by the publisher because i reviewed a drop of corruption by robert jackson bennett. i almost didn't read this because of the romantasy and sweept enemies to lovers epic simply because i might be burnt out on romantasy but genuinely this was so good and nothing has hit quite like this in a long while.

the magic and story world took some time for me to digest but trust me just stick along with the ride and you will enjoy it immensely. the magic system was interesting and a lot more subtle than i expected and i liked that there isn't some big corrupted government plot going on, but a more quiet, nuanced tale. the writing is lyrical and drawling in the best way possible.

yes the themes of women's rights and justice are very prevelant and in your face but they worked so well in this story that what normally might seem preachy is such a big driver of the plot that i loved it.

madga is of course such a fun fmc. she's in her thirties which is rare for this genre and i liked how genuinely entertaining she is, some of her lines made me laugh on public transport, and she has such depth to her, her sense of what's right, her unshamably doing what she wants and is such a breath of fresh air in this saturated genre.

and of course the romance that read very evajacks from once upon a broken heart to me, but with a priest!! i'm glad this didn't go the very hot forbidden love route, and the fact that the romance was such a slow burn added to it. the whole whysselnight dreams was such a layer to it, and yes it is forbidden because she is his ward before her trial, but what struck me most was the way they got to know each other in the quiet moments and they actually talk it out like the adults they are. the yearning from both of them was on point.

spoilers from here!! but they are evajacks ala ballad of never after and they are tragic, in a way that magda knows she's going die from her trial, and lord proctor aka morgan (he lets her call him by his cradle name) is who he is by position. that whole frozen garden scene where they realise the dreams were real and admit that they are in love with each other (in many other words) hit so hard. and that ending??? god the author had me hooked because i genuinely thought the lesson was that men will turn to or away from women when it's convenient and morgan betrayed her. i don't even know if that tragic end was better. because what do you mean morgan sacrificed his magic and vowed never to see her again ever just so she could survive the burning??? i am in PAIN.

"seeing his face so close to hers, the stern arch of his brow on his high, clear forehead, and the severe line of his cheek and his fairy eyes, she is struck almost stupid with yearning for him [...] she realises that the mother of the severine house is wrong: he isn't in love with her, but she is undeniably in love with him."

"when my dream began," morgan says, "i thought at first we would just talk together, and drink wine, and i would have been happy. more than happy. when you sat down and declared my wine admirable, i already thought that this would be the best whysselnight i ever had. to loom upon you in that robe, to hear you laugh when i tried to amuse you—that would have been the height of contentment, for me."

"me: what else can i offer?
the hermitess: the thing you hold most dear in the world. her."

"she is pierced by a memory of the lord proctor doing the same, in the snow in the foot of the iscarians, and for a bare moment she wishes he was there, that they could laugh together at this farce her life is about to become. but she will never laugh with him again."

and madga's found family is the sweetest. cass, klees, tisza, rowena and sanja being on her side after the fallout was the best thing ever?? and of course jula, her best friend who fought her damn hardest to free her.

i know sam kennet was valid in lord proctor keeping to his position to save himself but i don't think i can forgive him after magda covered for him.

"'i seem to recall that you were always by my side."
'you know that's where i prefer to be.'"

her walking out of the fire and utlimately into sainthood was the peakest ending ever. and finally my favourite quote because it always rings true:

"it is much easier to continue on living the lie, to ignore what's wrong and maybe one day forget it's wrong at all, than to realise an error has been set into the very foundations and cannot be extricated without bringing down the whole."

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a NetGalley uncorrected proof from the publisher (thanks!). What follows are my honest, spoiler-free thoughts.

The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow has a solid premise, world, and characters that needs a bit more time to bake. While I'm hopeful that some of the issues I noticed will be addressed in edits before the final release, there are a few pacing issues and plot threads that are presented in this debut that aren't necessarily addressed before the end.

The premise: The point of Magda's trial is presented immediately, and the book focuses a fair amount of energy not necessarily on the trial itself but on the reason why it's happening - Magda provides magical abortion services, and someone snitched. Now she faces down a trial that hinges on absolutely no one being found to testify against her and the benevolence of the prince to pardon her. Her friend Jula is able to maneuver her out of a filthy prison and into the house of the Lord Proctor to serve as her ward in the months leading up to her trial; to this end, Magda is able to move about freely in the north, making friends and learning about the local customs.

The characters: I liked Magda a lot. The majority of the book follows her perspective and inner thoughts, in third person present tense. She is a progressive woman in a misogynistic society. She has used her influence and knowledge to help other women, and this is shown to us over and over again throughout the story. Morgan, the Lord Proctor, presents as a typical stoic priest, unsmiling and stern, but warms up and shows his true colors as he and Magda become closer. The side characters are not quite so well developed but are still enjoyable on the page and help shape the city of Gramora and its local customs.

The romance: This is presented as an enemies-to-lovers romance, but I think that's misleading. Magda and Morgan are not enemies; there is little to no hostility. It's more fair to say that they are strangers who, under the circumstances of Magda's confinement and the sociopolitical climate, become friendly, then more. They're both intelligent, competent people, and I actually wish that they had more scenes that focused on their intellects coming together.

Worldbuilding: Moran is clearly inspired by the attacks against reproductive rights in the United States and the increasing boldness of right-wing extremists to spout their toxic rhetoric. This is generally well-developed without being too heavy-handed. Religion is a critical feature of this world and story, and it's integrated well throughout. We also have magic, but it's described very vaguely, with a few moments throughout where Magda muses on its theoretical aspects.

One spoiler-y thought: This is the third fantasy romance I've read that has involved drowning. I don't read a lot of fantasy romance, but it's weird that it's happened three times now. Stop drowning women.

Overall thoughts: I recommend checking it out if you like your fantasy with a side of romance. I have a sneaking suspicion (but haven't looked myself) that this is not a standalone. Moran's debut is an enjoyable character study of a headstrong, progressive woman who uses her power and influence to be a force of good for other women and girls who otherwise would be ignored.

[laku · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the book, but it’s important to go in with the right expectations.

This is a slow, character-driven story with a focus on romance and female friendship. From the blurb and the gothic-esque UK cover I was expecting a plot centering around women’s suffering, with a tragic heroine doing her best against a flawed system, and a heavy atmosphere to go with it. The comparisons with Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden contributed to that too, and as a consequence, I struggled through the first few chapters where the tone felt too light and carefree for the gravity of the situation.

The possibility of being burned at the stake is introduced in the first chapter and hangs over Magda’s head for the whole book, but most of the plot revolves around her day-to-day life as she learns the strange customs of the north where she has been sent to wait out her trial, becomes involved with several women who have been let down by their families or society, and comes to know and fall in love with her guardian, the Lord Proctor.

I really enjoyed her as a protagonist, once I recalibrated my expectations. She’s playfully irreverent and flirty, but also kind, easygoing, and devoted to helping other women. The Lord Proctor is a good love interest for her, courteous and just as kind, but more reserved. Their relationship starts a little clichéd but progresses in unexpected ways, including through a parallel with a legendary love story between the northern god of justice and a human woman elevated to godhood.

Even before reading how this story came about in the acknowledgement section, you can tell this is a book aware of the time in which it's being read, and some of its worldbuilding relies on parallels with our world. Women are enjoying more rights than ever before, but there are many people who would prefer a return to the good ol’ days when wives were subject to their husbands’ authority and not allowed to study or take part in civic life. One of the major threats in the book is a group of violent protesters called the Doomsingers, though we are never told much of what exactly they do or want besides what’s needed to make the obvious connection with modern-day far-right mobs.

The vagueness of this and other aspects of the worldbuilding was my main complaint, as someone who loves to immerse herself in a new world. I wanted more details about the pantheon, about the different countries and events mentioned over and over, about Magda’s friends and their history together, about what exactly the duties of a Lord Proctor are. I dug up the original Publishers Marketplace announcement, and it looks like it will be a duology, so I hope we’ll get a chance to explore the world more.
This one doesn’t exactly end in a cliffhanger, but with no happy ending for our couple in sight and a final, teasing twist, I will definitely pick up the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley UK and HarperVoyager UK for the advanced reader copy.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow by Caitríona Moran

The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow has a premise I really loved. Magdalena is a scholar, healer, and midwife who secretly provides abortions to women in a society where both her work and her magic are considered dangerous. After she is betrayed and arrested, she is sent north to await trial, where she becomes entangled with Morgan, the Lord Proctor overseeing her case. I really enjoyed what Magdalena is doing and the questions the book raises about women's autonomy, reproductive care, and the ways institutions attempt to control women's bodies. I also loved the female friendships. The relationships between Magda and the women around her feel meaningful in their own right, and the sense of women protecting, supporting, and caring for one another was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The slow-burn romance was also fantastic. Magda and Morgan have plenty of reasons not to trust each other, and I loved that their relationship actually takes time to develop. Their attraction grows alongside their intellectual and emotional connection, so when they finally begin to give in to it, it feels earned. I also appreciated that the romance never completely overtakes Magda's work, friendships, or the larger story. Magda herself is such a compelling protagonist because she is an adult woman with an established life, profession, beliefs, and relationships before the romance ever begins.

My biggest issue was the beginning. This book was a slog to get into. There is so much lore, history, mythology, religion, political structure, magical terminology, and general worldbuilding being introduced that I sometimes felt like I was studying the world rather than experiencing it. I don't mind complicated fantasy, but the sheer amount of information being delivered up front made it difficult for me to get invested in the actual story. Once I got through that initial stretch, though, I found myself much more engaged. The story, characters, relationships, and mysteries were worth pushing through the slower opening.

I also wasn't expecting the book to end where it did, and the final developments left me very interested in what comes next. I wasn't completely surprised by the major reveal, but the emotional consequences still landed for me, particularly with Magda and Morgan. Ultimately, I liked this book quite a bit, even if I had to work harder than I wanted to in the beginning. The combination of a fascinating protagonist, meaningful female friendships, reproductive-rights themes, and an exceptionally well-developed slow burn gave me plenty to love. The lore-heavy opening kept it from being a five-star read for me, but once the story got moving, I was very glad I stuck with it. 4 stars.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I will admit that looking at the premise of the novel, I was a little wary; it's so easy to make the harlot and the priest romance into one of a cliche, but this is so far from that. Magdalena Overmorrow is a charming, brave protagonist, and it's easy to see why most people love her because you fall a little bit in love with her as well as she puts on a brave face despite her impending doom to adjust to her northern surroundings, learn what she can, and help those women in dire need when she can. The Lord Proctor is also far from the stern, emotionless caricature that Magdalena imagines in the beginning, filled with a wry humor at the start, and the relationship between the two begins with wary respect and an easy banter that simmers into a building, sensual romance.

This is an adult romance in every sense of the word; it's two very different people who see the truth of one another and fall in love with that, but they also have their own duties to uphold. They will sacrifice, and they will love when they can, but there is also the realities of the world to deal with. It's a slow-burn, and it's so, so, so worth it to see the payoff.

The world around them is also richly described, the North stark and cold in its savage beauty, but its people still thriving despite and because of that, with all their own traditions and beliefs. The mysticism and magic is deeply intertwined with the plot, and religion is never just one thing, with the dogmatic traditionalist putting Magda on trial, but the Lord Proctor representing all that is good with it. The side characters are also essential to the plot, and it's through them that we really see the nuances of both Magda and the Lord Proctor, from Magda's past and scandals to the Lord Proctor's secrets as well.

The ending is beautifully tragic, and I'm still gutted that Magda doesn't even get a hint of what Morgan was trying to do all along. Couldn't the goddess have implied something??? Also, I feel like Morgan's father being part of the Doomsingers is a plot point that wasn't really addressed. And why didn't Magda and Morgan close the door when they were kissing in real life????

I really hope there's some kind of continuation to this story because I feel like there's a lot that wasn't addressed in the end, but this is hands down one of my favorite books of the year and everyone should read it even if it ultimately rips your heart out.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No one has taught her the proper prayers for a sinner who doesn’t want to be forgiven.”

For the crime of providing forbidden abortion services, Magdalena Overmorrow is banished to the desolate northern lands to await trial. Assigned as her jailer is the Lord Procter of Cair Gramora, Morgan Mallander, a man said to be entirely humorless. Despite the cold nature of the northern mountains and its Lord Procter, Magdalena is drawn into the lives of the others in the cair - will these alliances prove to be her salvation, or her downfall?

The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is an incredibly fresh approach to an entirely heartbreaking story. At the core of a very character-driven plot is Magda; Magda is humorous, intelligent, and deeply kind. Part of the heartbreaking aspect of the plot is how unfair the world is - desperate women sought Magda for abortion services and providing them was a kindness, in the way that every act of healing Magda performs is a kindness. Though Magda is betrayed, with her freedom and possibly her life at stake, she never stops being a kind person at heart and seeking to help others. She has no regrets about the choices that led to her trial, nor does she seek to “change” herself to better her chances during the trial. She firmly expresses an inner belief in herself and her actions that was inspiring. This story, told in her voice, is incredibly compelling and it was a pleasure to live in her head.

The other aspect of the story that hooked me was the dialogue. Magda is incredibly funny, both in her inner thoughts, and when speaking to others, but the banter between her and the Lord Procter was impeccable. Due to the forbidden nature of their friendship, and later, romance, the relationship is slow burn and drenched with yearning. The tension was incredibly emotional, and though it was never heavy handed, Moran did a fantastic job of combining a soft romance with an increasing sense of doom.

Coupled with superb prose, pacing, and overall writing quality, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was refreshing, moving, and unputdownable. I would happily recommend it to anyone as one of my favorite reads of the year.

✨ 5 stars! ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing an ARC. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magdalena Overmorrow is brave, smart and a talented midwife and healer as well as a practitioner of magic. She is also a woman who embraces the labels that are thrown at her such as harlot, whore and, what gets her arrested, using dark and unnatural magics to stop a pregnancy. Magda has spent her life of 30 plus years being strong but this charge with the chance of being burned alive has her worried. Her dear friend Jula, an accomplished lawyer has already gotten her released from the horrible prison of Hosselheim to temporary house arrest. Now she is to be removed to the far north from her home in Astoleyn. Also, her keeper until her trial is the Lord Proctor of Cair Gramora who is reputed to be incorruptible and stern and Magda imagines he is a dour old man. He is not.
After a long journey encased in handcuffs to keep her from using her magic, she finally arrives in the totally strange town of Cair Gramora which is already promising to start winter much earlier than her old home. Determined to make the best of bad situation Magda first finds out that although the Lord Proctor is certainly a grave person hard to connect to, he is only slightly older than she is and also there is much for her to learn about living in this northern stronghold.
Thus begins an enchanting story of Magda and Morgan (his birth name) who learn to appreciate each other. With her trial hanging over her, Magda works to make the time pass by embracing the library of the duke and learning the language and also the life up north which is different from what she is used to, especially the holidays that are celebrated. This book was compared to the fantasies that Naomi Novik has written which is what made me want to read it and it stands up to those comparisons. The book ends with the possibility of a sequel, and it will be eagerly awaited.

[Marina Vidal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Trials of Magdalena Overmorrow is a novel that surprises for many reasons, including its ability to address the issue of who holds power over women’s bodies and how religious extremists ( and not so extremists) believe they have the right to decide, judge, and abuse those bodies. 


It is a deeply political and moral issue, which the author manages to incorporate without making the text feel heavy-handed, yet she clearly articulates her stance and defends it forcefully, all while using elegant, story-like prose to convey her message. 


The story is simple: a woman accused of witchcraft is sent to a fortress to be held under the watch of a high-ranking religious figure while awaiting trial. Along the way, the two get to know each other and end up respecting and falling in love with one another. The romance is beautiful, full of yearning and moments that make you smile. There are a few steamy scenes, but they aren’t very explicit. The world-building is interesting and focuses heavily on the religious and cultural aspects of society—not so much on how magic works, but rather on people’s beliefs. 


But if the novel shines in one area, it’s in its characters, especially Magda. Magdalena is a charming, nuanced character whom you get to know not only through her actions but also through the eyes of other women. The book is full of sisterhood. And is beautifully portrayed.


I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, and the ending left me with a lump in my throat. If you like Katherine Arden or Naomi Novik you will loved Caitriona Moran.


A big thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read the arc. It's one of my favourite novels this year. 

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me an early copy of this book.

The book follows several months in the life of Magdalena Overmorrow as she awaits trial on charges of black magic. She is sent to the cold North, where she is placed under the care of the local Lord Proctor.

This is a world where magic exists and is accessible to everyone, with varying degrees of success. There is also religion institutions and a number of different gods, who remain deaf throughout the book, as gods usually do. All of this is described rather vaguely, perhaps because it is not particularly important to the story. And, of course, there are women whose fates are difficult in every possible world.

Magdalena helps women wherever she can, using her knowledge as a healer and a scholar when others refuse or unable to do so. But she is also, essentially, the embodiment of feminist ideas, which makes it difficult for her to fit into the society around her. The society of course is rather rotten, and probably too similar to ours in that matter.

Both of the main characters, Magda and Morgan, are very kind people above all else, and it was interesting to watch their relationship develop.

By the end of the book, I still had quite a few questions, but I suspect there will be a sequel, and perhaps some of them will be answered there.

This was an unusual book, I liked it and I will be looking forward to the next installment.

[Faye Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is the first book in what is possibly a romantasy duology – I can't really find anything specific online, but it definitely ends on a cliffhanger, which was a bit of a surprise because I thought this was a standalone until the ending. I am definitely going to get the sequel though to see how the story ends!

Third person present tense is my least favourite POV/tense combination as I find it awkward to read for some reason, so I did wish that it was first person and/or past tense. It's definitely a me thing, so it won't bother most readers. It just meant that it took me some time to get into the book to start with, which probably brought my score down to 4.5/5, but I came to really love the two main characters, which helped me move past that issue luckily.

The Trial Of Magdalena Overmorrow is a bit of a slow burn plot-wise, and it felt very character-lead, so I really came to love the characters and become invested in the story. I cried twice during the second half of the book, and the injustice of what was happening to Magda had me so angry for her and the other women in the story too. So although the POV and tense combination meant it took me a while to get into, once I was in, I was all in. I was very surprised with how it ended and now I can't wait for a sequel to see how FMC Magda and MMC Morgan move forwards from here!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

[RubyReadingBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a delightful read. I received this ARC through NetGalley. This review is entirely my own. I am thankful to G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to ARC read this wonderful novel.

One of my favorite aspects of the book is that, while it's written like a period piece, the themes of the book are very relevant and relatable to our own times. Feminine equality, women's rights and body rights, gender roles, among so much else particularly stand out to me. "Piety" versus promiscuity, holy versus tainted--these will especially resonate for readers who've lived these issues firsthand.

In addition to the deeper themes, the book is absolutely joyful. Magda, the FMC, is hilarious, for one. I loved the dynamic between Magda and the Lord Proctor.

As release date is out in November, I do not want to write anything that could be spoiler-y in nature.

I believe the book is currently being marketed as "romantasy," but I think this one could absolutely fall under something like speculative fiction.

Lastly, the prose itself is absolutely beautiful, witty, and eloquent without pretense. It is refreshing, intellectual, and gripping and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this wonderful novel.

I am looking forward to reading more of author Caitríona Moran's writing in the future!

[BonniePB · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐.7 - Very Good

Overall, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a good debut. If you’ve been looking for a romantasy featuring older MCs who feel like their ages (33 and 40 in this case), then look no further! Magda and Morgan might be your OTP. The romance was a gradual burn. While I thought the way the spice scenes played out was unique, I could see them being unsatisfactory for some readers. The strong themes surrounding women’s reproductive rights and body autonomy are woven seamlessly into the plot. The world, which has a medieval vibe, feels properly developed and lived in.

The magic system is subtle and vague, which helps it feel digestible and realistic. However, I would sometimes forget there was any magic, so when it would come back into the story it felt jarring to me. The character work was solid for the most part concerning Magda and Morgan, but I didn’t feel strongly connected to any of the side characters. The Doomsingers storyline held no interest for me and felt very underdeveloped. Also, in the last few chapters I didn’t buy Magda’s utter shock about someone the way I think I was supposed to. It was just very obvious to me what was actually happening, so the tension wasn’t there for me.

Thanks to Putnam for the eARC via NetGalley.

[Hannah Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kind of took over my life. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I was going into it. I enjoyed myself, but then it slowly consumed my days and nights. I was either thinking about the story or reading it. I would get so excited to pick it back up again, even though it had me nearly pulling my hair out with stress. I don’t know what to say other than I love this book, even though it broke my heart at times. There’s an impossible love story at the heart of everything. It’s painful, but also some of the best yearning I had ever read. I loved the feminist narrative woven throughout the story. I loved how strong and passionate our main character is. She’s selfless to a fault at times. She is so good despite how the world has treated her. I appreciated that she is also written as what seems to be plus size, but it wasn’t a huge focal point of the story. Often if there is a plus size main character, there tends to be constant mentioning of their size. I appreciate that it was only causally mentioned once or twice. I hope to god there’s a sequel, because that ending was painful.

🎶Now playing: Guilty as Sin? By Taylor Swift 🎶

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest review*

[Vivien Gintner · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW, The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow was one of the best books I’ve read this year!
It’s not for everyone, but it was the perfect book for me. It's a slow, character-driven novel with a strong romance subplot, but I wouldn't call it romantasy.

Magda was an excellent main character. She wasn't the usual healer-type, and that's why I loved her so much.
Morgan, the love interest, was a priest, and the fact usually wouldn't appeal to me, but the author wrote him in a way that his priesthood didn't bother me. His priesthood even added an extra element to their forbidden love.

The novel deals with a lot of important and difficult themes. Abortion is rarely a theme in fantasy books and it was so good to read a novel about it.
The letters from women that Magda helped were such a great addition.

My only complaint is that the world-building and the magic weren't explained enough. I hope this will change in the sequel. I hope there is a sequel after that ending!

I definitely recommend the novel to those who love a well-written slow-burn forbidden romance with lots of angst.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperVoyager for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sonia Koss · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow is a beautifully written new epic fantasy, and I loved every minute of it. Magdalena (Magda) has been accused of being an apostate and a black witch. Her accused crime? Providing abortion services to women. While she awaits her trial, she is sent to the far north of her country as the ward of the Inscrutable Lord Proctor, rumored to have never even laughed once in his life. Once she arrives, life in Cair Gramora isn’t what she expected, and neither is the man holding her proverbial chains.

I truly enjoyed this book, especially the relationships that Magda develops in Gramora, both platonic and romantic. The plot itself and the world building felt unique and fresh, and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it. I gave it 4.5 instead of 5 stars however because the addition of a glossary would be immensely helpful. The author throws us into this complex world with little explanation at times, and you are left trying to figure things out on your own. This didn’t completely detract from my experience, but a glossary definitely would have enhanced it. Overall a wonderful debut!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Terror F · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trial of Magdalena Overmorrow took a little while to sink its hooks into me, but once it did, I couldn’t put it down.

The opening is definitely a slower burn, taking its time to establish the world, the characters, and the weight of what’s at stake. I can see that pace not working for everyone, but I promise it’s worth sticking with. Every piece of groundwork pays off as the story steadily gains momentum, eventually becoming something you don’t want to put down.

What I loved most was how rewarding the payoff was. All of that careful worldbuilding and character development came together in such a satisfying way. The themes, the emotional moments, and the questions the book asks all stayed with me after I finished.

If you loved Blood Over Bright Haven for its layered storytelling, intelligent magic system, and the way it slowly builds toward an unforgettable conclusion, I think you’ll find a lot to love here as well. They’re the kind of books that trust the reader, and that trust is rewarded in the end.

I’m so glad I stuck with this one. It’s the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page, and I’ll definitely be recommending it.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of dark fantasy I want to read, this book is awesome.
In a genre of forever escalating extremes, this book comes along quieter. It’s more personal, more intimate. It shows that you can be brave, stand up for people and make sacrifices for the benefit of others without having to slay the armies of your kingdoms enemies. The relationship between Magda and Morgan is great: no toxic behavior, no bravado, just two people who respect each other and understand the place in the world the other found themselves in and has to deal with.
The feminist elements are what makes this book even relevant to our own world. A lot of the cruel, abominable treatments women encounter here were customary in earlier times and with the rising of traditionalism right now it is good to be reminded what the “good old times” involved.
A perfect blend of dark fantasy, feminism and romance in one novel.
I really really hope there will be a second book.

Favorite quote: “Isn’t it strange, she thinks, that the healing arts only became black magic when they were applied to women’s bodies?”

Thank you very much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with the earc!

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Putnam Books for allowing me to read this amazing book early.
This book has left me speechless. As a debut novel I just want to say the author did an amazing job with the world building, characters, and making us readers get so attached and emotionally involved with the whole story. I loved Magda, our 33yr old FMC who was very relatable to me. She was smart, funny, optimistic but still practical. I enjoyed hearing her perspective on the way the world worked and how it viewed women. A perspective that is very much reflected in our current state in the US.
This story was so different from anything out in the world right now and I loved it. There is a lot of religious and political intrigue happening during the book but I loved the undercurrent of slow burn romance. Honestly the pacing with which it happened made it feel that much more real. Theres so much more I would really like to say about this book but can’t without giving away spoilers. Just know that if you read this book buckle up, pay attention, and know that you’re in for a long ride. This book is going to stay on my mind for a very very long time.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to read and review an e copy of The Trial of Magdalina Overmorrow.

3.5 saintly stars.

Magdalena Overmorrow is sentenced to a trial for performing black magic. As her trial approaches, she is sent North, to the town of Gramora to await the verdict. While there, she spends her days learning the customs of the North, becoming friendly with a few ladies who, too, have struggled in life, and falls in love with the Priest and her guardian, Lord Proctor.

I enjoyed the main character. She knew what she faced and was scared but she kept her head high. She learned a new language, partook in their customs, made new friends, all while knowing this could be her last 100ish days.

I think when reading you must take into account the time it was written and also noticing similarities to the real world. I think I was expecting a different story when going in, but a few chapters in i was able to reset my expectations. There's a unique magic system that I would have greatly benefitted from having a little more information on. This is a slower paced book, with slow burn love.

[Amy Verkruissen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was offered this book from the publisher and what pushed me into reading it was not the "romantasy" aspect. It was the comparisons to Katherine Arden and Naomi Novak that got me and I'n so pleased I decided to read it. Calling it a romantasy is a bit of a stretch as the only thing that's fantasy like, is that fact that magic is a normal thing in this world that everyone has a touch of. Magda even taught the stable boy some easy spells. That being said, it is definitely a slow burn romance and a harsh look at the treatment of women in that day and age.
I absolutely adored Magda's character. For some reason Olivia Coleman played Magda in my movie brain and I thought she was perfect. Magda is smart, independent, witty and very headstrong. Her hesitant attraction to the Lord Protector who has agreed to keep her prisoner until her trial leads her into trouble more often than not.
The way it ended really makes me wonder if another book is coming. Not just because I need more answers on how this story progresses but because one book is too short to spend in the life of the inegmatic Magdalena Overmorrow.

[Michaela Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy through NetGalley for review.

This is a refreshing modern feminist conversation on women, power, autonomy and claiming your own power. And how men will always feel threatened by it. Easier to call you a witch or to degrade a woman in possession of their own wiles, body and intelligence, to govern one's self without them.

Magdalena Overmorrow is the heir to a wealthy house, despite being a bastard, she was her father's only heir and therefore inherited everything. She's a talented healer, magic user and scholar, intelligent, charming, but simply too wild for the overbearing society she resides in.
She find herself accused of heresy, for assisting in abortion and healing to women who desperately needed them and is arrested, shackled and sent far into Northern Territory to be held until her trial, that she knows that she knows will likely result in her gruesome death, likely a burning at the stake.

The harsh Proctor that oversees her, find she is not as he expected, and is forced to acknowledge she is not the person that the rumors have painted her to be. And finds himself in great conflict with what he knows and what he's always believed in.

This was incredibly well done. I highly recommend picking this up when it comes out!

[pqrs.books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very unexpectedly a very nice read! After I saw that the book was picked for a subscription I was kinda skeptical since said subscription and I are usually not compatible. But this book was really well written, with a great fmc and a nice romance in the background.

Magda is a stunning woman with sass, shes capable without needing saving from a man and I loved how she helped women as a healer even tho the men around her are trying to stop her.

The book is very political and not fast paced but still I was flying through it. I just wanted to know if she manages to beat misogynic believes and win her trial. Also the small side stories of the women she encounters were built beautifully but definitely read with care if you have triggers with SA etc.

The ending was heartwarming and heartbreaking at once and I'm really curious if we get another book since the romance subplot definitely didn't get its closed ending in my opinion.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC!

[Mel Ozaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had been a while since a book was able to get me so hooked.
Magda is a great main character, she’s a gem. I loved the female friendships in this book.
The world building was easy enough to settle into, and the magic system was quite straightforward, I will say sometimes it felt like we forgot there was magic at all and then it would suddenly come back and I would be a bit lost, but overall, it was well constructed.
The theme… I loved it, and the letters??? What a nice touch. The book brings you the themes of womanhood and motherhood in a very sensitive way.
I will say the ending was a bit rushed for me, with the time skips we had but I understand it is setting the scene for the next book. The ending was kind of expected and I wish it had played out a little differently , but it was still satisfactory.
I NEED the next one NOW… or at least as an early copy when it comes out!