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The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches: A Novel
In this spellbinding Southern Gothic novel, three women weave together old Southern folklore and magic to fight sexism and educational discrimination in post–Civil War Alabama, perfect for fans of Hester Fox and Louisa Morgan.
When Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are invited to participate in a trial semester for women at Alabama's most prestigious university, they each have their own reasons for accepting. Lucille wants freedom from both her father's control and reminders of her traitorous first love. Catherine wants to escape an arranged marriage meant to halt her attraction to women. And Victoria wants to run from the guilt that haunts her after the death of one of her fellow mill girls.
The trial semester will determine whether or not women across the state will be allowed to attend other universities. But the enrolled women quickly learn that success is not guaranteed, and some of their male cohorts are determined to see them fail. When the men's pranks go too far Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria form a coven under the guise of a sorority and call upon witchcraft steeped in the traditions of Southern folklore to fight back.
As they gather their fellow witches, they discover there is something darker at work at the university, a force that is determined to expel all the women at the university, and they'll need all the allies they can get if they want to succeed.
For fans of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and Weyward, this historical speculative novel explores the darker side of human nature and the ways in which women navigate—and survive—oppressive, male-dominated societies.
When Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are invited to participate in a trial semester for women at Alabama's most prestigious university, they each have their own reasons for accepting. Lucille wants freedom from both her father's control and reminders of her traitorous first love. Catherine wants to escape an arranged marriage meant to halt her attraction to women. And Victoria wants to run from the guilt that haunts her after the death of one of her fellow mill girls.
The trial semester will determine whether or not women across the state will be allowed to attend other universities. But the enrolled women quickly learn that success is not guaranteed, and some of their male cohorts are determined to see them fail. When the men's pranks go too far Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria form a coven under the guise of a sorority and call upon witchcraft steeped in the traditions of Southern folklore to fight back.
As they gather their fellow witches, they discover there is something darker at work at the university, a force that is determined to expel all the women at the university, and they'll need all the allies they can get if they want to succeed.
For fans of Witchcraft for Wayward Girls and Weyward, this historical speculative novel explores the darker side of human nature and the ways in which women navigate—and survive—oppressive, male-dominated societies.
Audible Audio
First published October 6, 2026
About the author
Katie Ortiz
1 book104 followersKatie Ortiz is a writer, teacher, wife, feminist, and cat mom from Alabama. She’s a member of the Alabama Historical Association and writes accessible historical fiction with a speculative twist. Her writing often explores the darker sides of human nature and the ways in which women navigate and survive in oppressive, male dominated societies. She attended the 2023, 2024, and 2025 Alabama Writing Day Workshops and the 2023 Atlanta Writers Conference. When she’s not writing at her favorite local coffee shop, she fights for the right to education every day as a public school teacher, reads witchy books, or takes her two cats on walks.
Katie is represented by Alexandra D’Amico at The Rights Factory
Katie is represented by Alexandra D’Amico at The Rights Factory
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October 11, 2026
Set in the 19th century, the story unfolds at an Alabama university that is "experimenting" with admitting women. Three of those women, Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria, narrate the story. As expected, the university's male population is not thrilled, and some will stop at nothing to scare the women off. The women feel they need to fight back, and when one of them finds an ancient grimoire in the library, a coven seems like a great answer. But the women soon realize they aren't the only ones using magic, and their opponent is not afraid of the dark side.
Oh, this was good! I am always going to cheer on my female she-heroes for fighting the patriarchy! Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria all had strong spirits that kept me turning the pages. Lucille was my favourite because she didn't mind being different and said exactly what she thought. I thought the author was pointing toward a particular villain, but the revelation of who was trying to sabotage our protagonists took me by surprise. I had missed all the signs!
If you like Hester Fox or Paula Brackston, I do believe you will enjoy this witchy tale.
#TheSouthernSororityofSuperstitiousWitches #NetGalley
Publication Date 06/10/26
Goodreads Review 10/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Oh, this was good! I am always going to cheer on my female she-heroes for fighting the patriarchy! Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria all had strong spirits that kept me turning the pages. Lucille was my favourite because she didn't mind being different and said exactly what she thought. I thought the author was pointing toward a particular villain, but the revelation of who was trying to sabotage our protagonists took me by surprise. I had missed all the signs!
If you like Hester Fox or Paula Brackston, I do believe you will enjoy this witchy tale.
#TheSouthernSororityofSuperstitiousWitches #NetGalley
Publication Date 06/10/26
Goodreads Review 10/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 14, 2026
⭐️⭐️ 2.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
When I read the synopsis of the Southern historical witch academia story, I was all in but unfortunately, this book fell a bit short.
The book follows three main characters: Lucille, Catherine and Victoria as they take part in an experiment to be the first women to join university at the state but have to use alternative (read: spooky) methods to overcome their difficulties. Each of their voices felt the same and at times, it was difficult to remember who was speaking.
I loved the sorcery elements with a magic system based on using superstitions. Under each chapter title was a different superstition and I enjoyed all of these and how they tied into the story. I wish I could have read more about this. (Minor annoyance: despite mentioning the danger of practising witchcraft, they were absolutely terrible at keeping it secret!).
While I love the feminism, minority representation and LGBT components of this book; it was very much ‘tell’ rather than ‘show’. The characters don’t seem like voices of that time period, both in their speech and in their views. None of the coven had any religious views, unusually for the South at that time, and no qualms about taking up sorcery and witchcraft. The characters were either super feminist or completely misogynistic. LGBT issues were very casually accepted. While I love that there was a trans character, it was instantly accepted by the group with a flawless transition to preferred name and pronouns which seems incredulous for the time period. It felt a bit of a shoe-in to then be hardly discussed again.
The characters were very much black and white: the antagonists were very, almost unbelievably, evil for no real reason and the protagonists had little flaws.
The ending was literally an “and then everyone clapped” moment.
It was a fun read but overall not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.
When I read the synopsis of the Southern historical witch academia story, I was all in but unfortunately, this book fell a bit short.
The book follows three main characters: Lucille, Catherine and Victoria as they take part in an experiment to be the first women to join university at the state but have to use alternative (read: spooky) methods to overcome their difficulties. Each of their voices felt the same and at times, it was difficult to remember who was speaking.
I loved the sorcery elements with a magic system based on using superstitions. Under each chapter title was a different superstition and I enjoyed all of these and how they tied into the story. I wish I could have read more about this. (Minor annoyance: despite mentioning the danger of practising witchcraft, they were absolutely terrible at keeping it secret!).
While I love the feminism, minority representation and LGBT components of this book; it was very much ‘tell’ rather than ‘show’. The characters don’t seem like voices of that time period, both in their speech and in their views. None of the coven had any religious views, unusually for the South at that time, and no qualms about taking up sorcery and witchcraft. The characters were either super feminist or completely misogynistic. LGBT issues were very casually accepted. While I love that there was a trans character, it was instantly accepted by the group with a flawless transition to preferred name and pronouns which seems incredulous for the time period. It felt a bit of a shoe-in to then be hardly discussed again.
The characters were very much black and white: the antagonists were very, almost unbelievably, evil for no real reason and the protagonists had little flaws.
The ending was literally an “and then everyone clapped” moment.
It was a fun read but overall not for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reader, I seriously considered DNFing before we even got to the first page.
See, this book has an epigraph, but it isn't a quote, it's something written by the author. This is what it says;
Reader, I paused.
I will allow that, if you have picked up this book, you understand that when the author says 'the South', they mean the Southern states of the USA, so it's okay not to specify that. But... 'one would expect the witchcraft to be just as sinister'? As sinister as what? You have not described anything sinister.
Presumably I'm supposed to understand that the author means, as sinister as the temperature. But that's nonsensical. How is temperature sinister? Because it's hot? Hot temperatures are inherently sinister now? Wtf are you talking about? That's such a stupid thing to imply/say!
My heart sank. If the epigraph was already badly-phrased and nonsensical... But still, you can't really DNF before you even get to the first chapter. That would be outrageous. That wouldn't be a did-not-finish, it would be a did-not-start. So I turned the page.
In the first paragraph of the first chapter, one of our main characters slices open her palm to get blood for a spell. This is an unbelievably stupid thing to do and I hate how common a thing it is in Fantasy. If you don't have superpowered healing, this will render your hand semi-useless for DAYS. Only a dumb-ass would do this. This did not bode well for either the main character's intelligence, or the author's - one or the other. (It could be that we're meant to take away from this that the main character is an idiot, in which case it wouldn't be the author being thoughtless/stupid.)
Especially when you tell us, in the same paragraph, that magic has only ever required a few drops from a pricked finger. So you're screwing up your hand for no reason at all?! (Don't even get me started on, this woman has lots of physical chores to do around a farm, so she will NEED HER HAND CONSTANTLY. Making her decision to cut open her palm even dumber than if she at least had reason to think she wouldn't need that hand much in the near future.)
Reader, I should have DNFed right there. It only got worse.
The quotations below are all taken from my advanced reader copy, so they might be edited or even removed from the final, published edition of the book.
This is what happens after she cuts her palm. Ma'am, is something grievously bodily wrong with you? Blood doesn't BUBBLE UP from a human's wound. From the wound of any living thing I'm aware of. Wtf.
What's 'an unusual wind'? In what way is it unusual? I think the author probably means a rare wind, as in, wind is not common in this place at this time of year. But that's not what was written. (This is doubled down on a few times, as the wind is called 'strange' later in the chapter.) 'Unusual' can mean 'uncommon', but I just don't think that's the right word to use here, I don't think the intended meaning is clear at all, at least not without elaborating a little.
They what? The screams...screeched louder???
'caused by my own hands' is such an awkward way to phrase that.
Yeah, that's not how toughened skin works. If your skin was actually like the shell of a weevil, you would not be getting cut. Unless you have proper nerve damage, you don't get bloody cuts and just not feel them.
From context, what this means is that she ran into another person. This is such terrible, clunky phrasing!
What you probably mean is that the voice calling her name is heavier, angrier, demanding. What you've written is that her running is heavier, angrier, and demanding.
There's a shiny new carriage, and in contrast the broken-down house looks even worse. I don't know why you would phrase it the way the author has phrased it. Why describe it as 'improper'? Why say 'reflected off' when you presumably mean 'reflected in'?
When you say 'either', it means there is at least one other thing you're referencing. Pa is unhappy about this thing, but also some other thing. Except there ISN'T another thing being referenced here. There's just one (that this character cut her hair short). What does the 'either' here mean???
This could have been a really great image if you had just tweaked the phrasing a tiny bit. 'infused within it' sounds so awkward.
Reader, I DNFed this book. Which is heartbreaking, because I was really, really looking forward to it. Sigh.
See, this book has an epigraph, but it isn't a quote, it's something written by the author. This is what it says;
Southern women are known for their hospitality and honey-laced words.
Southern witches are not.
Down in the South, where the temperature is closer to that of hell, one would expect the witchcraft to be just as sinister.
Reader, I paused.
I will allow that, if you have picked up this book, you understand that when the author says 'the South', they mean the Southern states of the USA, so it's okay not to specify that. But... 'one would expect the witchcraft to be just as sinister'? As sinister as what? You have not described anything sinister.
Presumably I'm supposed to understand that the author means, as sinister as the temperature. But that's nonsensical. How is temperature sinister? Because it's hot? Hot temperatures are inherently sinister now? Wtf are you talking about? That's such a stupid thing to imply/say!
My heart sank. If the epigraph was already badly-phrased and nonsensical... But still, you can't really DNF before you even get to the first chapter. That would be outrageous. That wouldn't be a did-not-finish, it would be a did-not-start. So I turned the page.
In the first paragraph of the first chapter, one of our main characters slices open her palm to get blood for a spell. This is an unbelievably stupid thing to do and I hate how common a thing it is in Fantasy. If you don't have superpowered healing, this will render your hand semi-useless for DAYS. Only a dumb-ass would do this. This did not bode well for either the main character's intelligence, or the author's - one or the other. (It could be that we're meant to take away from this that the main character is an idiot, in which case it wouldn't be the author being thoughtless/stupid.)
Especially when you tell us, in the same paragraph, that magic has only ever required a few drops from a pricked finger. So you're screwing up your hand for no reason at all?! (Don't even get me started on, this woman has lots of physical chores to do around a farm, so she will NEED HER HAND CONSTANTLY. Making her decision to cut open her palm even dumber than if she at least had reason to think she wouldn't need that hand much in the near future.)
Reader, I should have DNFed right there. It only got worse.
The quotations below are all taken from my advanced reader copy, so they might be edited or even removed from the final, published edition of the book.
Blood bubbled up.
This is what happens after she cuts her palm. Ma'am, is something grievously bodily wrong with you? Blood doesn't BUBBLE UP from a human's wound. From the wound of any living thing I'm aware of. Wtf.
An unusual wind cut through the humidity of the Alabama summer heat.
What's 'an unusual wind'? In what way is it unusual? I think the author probably means a rare wind, as in, wind is not common in this place at this time of year. But that's not what was written. (This is doubled down on a few times, as the wind is called 'strange' later in the chapter.) 'Unusual' can mean 'uncommon', but I just don't think that's the right word to use here, I don't think the intended meaning is clear at all, at least not without elaborating a little.
The cicadas' and bullfrogs' screams screeched louder
They what? The screams...screeched louder???
A lifeless body lying in my arms, caused by my own hands.
'caused by my own hands' is such an awkward way to phrase that.
Sharp leaves scraped my skin, making small, bloody cuts as I ran through the rows of corn. I barely felt them against my flesh, toughened over the years, like the hard shell of a boll weevil.
Yeah, that's not how toughened skin works. If your skin was actually like the shell of a weevil, you would not be getting cut. Unless you have proper nerve damage, you don't get bloody cuts and just not feel them.
As I burst through the last of the stalks my body collided with another.
From context, what this means is that she ran into another person. This is such terrible, clunky phrasing!
I ran at the sound of my name again, heavier, angrier, demanding my presence.
What you probably mean is that the voice calling her name is heavier, angrier, demanding. What you've written is that her running is heavier, angrier, and demanding.
Chipped paint, missing shingles, and half-fallen shutters appeared even more improper when reflected off the carriage's spotless black paint.
There's a shiny new carriage, and in contrast the broken-down house looks even worse. I don't know why you would phrase it the way the author has phrased it. Why describe it as 'improper'? Why say 'reflected off' when you presumably mean 'reflected in'?
Pa hadn't taken well to that either.
When you say 'either', it means there is at least one other thing you're referencing. Pa is unhappy about this thing, but also some other thing. Except there ISN'T another thing being referenced here. There's just one (that this character cut her hair short). What does the 'either' here mean???
She made tea so sweet one could practically taste the Southern hospitality infused within it.
This could have been a really great image if you had just tweaked the phrasing a tiny bit. 'infused within it' sounds so awkward.
Reader, I DNFed this book. Which is heartbreaking, because I was really, really looking forward to it. Sigh.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 rounded up for goodreads.
I love witches, vengence and rage so I had high hopes for this novel.
I felt like the author tried to talk about so many social issues that it couldn’t really get into the granular of each. We have women’ rights, racism, abortion issues and queer and trans issues all in one book.
There's a tendency to "tell" and not "show," and I often wished the author had let me come to my own conclusions rather than spelling it out. It read more YA than adult to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I love witches, vengence and rage so I had high hopes for this novel.
I felt like the author tried to talk about so many social issues that it couldn’t really get into the granular of each. We have women’ rights, racism, abortion issues and queer and trans issues all in one book.
There's a tendency to "tell" and not "show," and I often wished the author had let me come to my own conclusions rather than spelling it out. It read more YA than adult to me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for this free ARC! All opinions are honest and my own!
“Let your fear fuel you, and fight like hell.”
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches is a Southern gothic historical fantasy that blends feminine rage with the courageous and unending fight for women’s rights that’s relevant today. We follow the lives and stories of three women from three different walks of life as they become a part of the group of the first ten women to attend a university in Post-Civil War Alabama.
When I tell y’all I SOBBED… the physical against I felt as each injustice was doled out and the immense pride I felt as I witnessed the women fight back… it’s indescribable. This book is a great reminder of the capabilities of women. Let this be a reminder of the sacrifice that came before us and the work that still needs to be done!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I fell in love with Lucille, Catherine, Victoria, and their interconnected stories. Especially Lucille, with her stubbornness and tenacity. I was able to see aspects of myself in each character. I adored getting to explore their growth as characters and how they learned to love and trust again after each betrayal and heartbreak as women in the South. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief each time they got revenge for the injustices against
them. I thoroughly enjoyed the witchy elements and the incorporation of the Superstitions. There was romance included as the story unfolded, but this book is more plot-driven. It made me smile, though!
Setting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a huge fan of speculative historical fiction and Southern Gothic stories in general. I loved how we not only got to see the university in descriptive detail, but
also the small town as a whole. It was vivid enough that I could immerse myself in Post-Civil War Alabama.
Readability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The pacing was phenomenal and I loved how we got each character’s backstory. I found this book hard to put down! I appreciated the writing as it pertained to
the spells and the witchcraft.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was dark where it promised to be and uplifting when it mattered most. If you like Southern gothic historical
fantasy and you’re looking for a speculative twist, I recommend this book! I’m looking forward to more from this author!
“Let your fear fuel you, and fight like hell.”
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches is a Southern gothic historical fantasy that blends feminine rage with the courageous and unending fight for women’s rights that’s relevant today. We follow the lives and stories of three women from three different walks of life as they become a part of the group of the first ten women to attend a university in Post-Civil War Alabama.
When I tell y’all I SOBBED… the physical against I felt as each injustice was doled out and the immense pride I felt as I witnessed the women fight back… it’s indescribable. This book is a great reminder of the capabilities of women. Let this be a reminder of the sacrifice that came before us and the work that still needs to be done!
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I fell in love with Lucille, Catherine, Victoria, and their interconnected stories. Especially Lucille, with her stubbornness and tenacity. I was able to see aspects of myself in each character. I adored getting to explore their growth as characters and how they learned to love and trust again after each betrayal and heartbreak as women in the South. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief each time they got revenge for the injustices against
them. I thoroughly enjoyed the witchy elements and the incorporation of the Superstitions. There was romance included as the story unfolded, but this book is more plot-driven. It made me smile, though!
Setting: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m a huge fan of speculative historical fiction and Southern Gothic stories in general. I loved how we not only got to see the university in descriptive detail, but
also the small town as a whole. It was vivid enough that I could immerse myself in Post-Civil War Alabama.
Readability: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The pacing was phenomenal and I loved how we got each character’s backstory. I found this book hard to put down! I appreciated the writing as it pertained to
the spells and the witchcraft.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It was dark where it promised to be and uplifting when it mattered most. If you like Southern gothic historical
fantasy and you’re looking for a speculative twist, I recommend this book! I’m looking forward to more from this author!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When my bestie sent me a reel that went "You wanna read a book about a coven of southern women disguised as a sorority using witchcraft to hex the patriarchy?" I first laughed and then ran to request an EARC. I read this book in two sittings, it was so much more than I thought it would be! The story is told from the POV of three main characters, Three women from wildly differing backgrounds and experiences forced to work together in order to make something for future generations. I loved the witchy aspects of this and loved the found family and self-acceptance themes. I'd have loved to see more from Alice and more nuance from the bad guys but hey, evil is evil....
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my EARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my EARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
These men made women’s college admission conditional on surviving their nonsense, and the women eventually decided, fine, we’re doing witchcraft about it. Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria arrive at an Alabama university during Reconstruction as part of a trial semester for women, except “trial semester” is doing a LOT of work because if enough of them fail or leave, apparently women everywhere can just go back to not having educations. Very normal system. Definitely designed for success.
And the male students immediately act like a woman carrying a textbook is a direct attack on their bloodline. The women are mocked, harassed, humiliated, and repeatedly reminded that plenty of people would be thrilled to watch them fail. Meanwhile Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are supposed to keep their heads down, make perfect grades, smile politely, and prove women belong there while several men are actively trying to make belonging impossible. I lasted approximately twelve pages before I was ready to start hexing people myself.
The three of them also arrive carrying completely different bags of personal disaster. Lucille wants out from under her father’s control and away from a first love who already taught her some unpleasant lessons about trust. Catherine is being shoved toward an arranged marriage because her family has noticed she likes women and has selected “husband” as the cure.
Victoria is trying to outrun the guilt she carries after another mill girl dies. Nobody is arriving at university fresh-faced and carefree. These women have barely unpacked before life is already asking for a group therapy session.
At first they genuinely try to do things the respectable way, which was adorable. Study harder. Ignore the harassment. Be unimpeachably good. Give nobody an excuse. Basically perform womanhood so perfectly that the men will have no choice but to respect them, and we all know how well THAT historically tends to work. Eventually somebody realizes that perhaps institutional misogyny does not deserve another strongly worded response and the secret sorority starts becoming a coven. FINALLY. Ladies, I have been waiting with my shoes on.
And the magic is where this got really fun for me because it comes out of Southern folklore and superstition. All those little rules people inherit without knowing exactly why. Don’t do this. Never put that there. Your grandmother swears something terrible will happen if you ignore this one extremely specific warning. Everybody says they don’t believe any of it while still refusing to test the theory. That becomes the backbone of their witchcraft, and suddenly the things women have quietly passed down to each other for generations have teeth.
The women themselves are also messy enough that the sisterhood actually has to be earned. They do not join hands and immediately become the Feminist Avengers of 1870. Their class differences matter. Their backgrounds matter. Catherine especially has to figure out that privately believing something is wrong is not the same as being willing to lose something by saying it out loud. They misunderstand each other. They screw up. They learn. And eventually they start showing up for one another in ways that actually cost them something.
I did spend part of the first half staring at the title like, excuse me, I was promised WITCHES. Because the men would pull another stunt, the women would suffer through it, everybody would regroup, and I was sitting there tapping the table like a woman waiting on appetizers. How many sexist incidents do we need before someone lights a candle and gets weird? Once the coven really gets moving, though, things get darker and bloodier very quickly, and apparently I should have been careful what I wished for.
The part that got me is why they keep fighting. It isn’t only about Lucille or Catherine or Victoria getting their degrees. They know another woman is supposed to come through that door after them. They have been given this tiny opening and told they should be grateful while half the institution is actively leaning against the other side trying to close it. Watching them finally stop trying to squeeze through individually and start pushing together hit me right in the chest.
The ending wraps itself up a little faster and cleaner than I wanted after everything these women survived, and there were side characters I wanted to grab by the sleeve and keep around longer. But The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches still gave me 3.5 stars of Southern folklore, sapphic longing, female rage, university politics, friendship, blood, and women realizing that maybe the patriarchy has simply not been hexed enough.
Whodunity Award: For Forming a Secret Sorority Because Apparently “Please Stop Sabotaging Women Who Want an Education” Was Too Advanced for the Men’s Curriculum
Huge thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC and for teaching me that if the administration refuses to handle campus harassment, the escalation ladder apparently goes complaint, committee, folklore, coven.
And the male students immediately act like a woman carrying a textbook is a direct attack on their bloodline. The women are mocked, harassed, humiliated, and repeatedly reminded that plenty of people would be thrilled to watch them fail. Meanwhile Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are supposed to keep their heads down, make perfect grades, smile politely, and prove women belong there while several men are actively trying to make belonging impossible. I lasted approximately twelve pages before I was ready to start hexing people myself.
The three of them also arrive carrying completely different bags of personal disaster. Lucille wants out from under her father’s control and away from a first love who already taught her some unpleasant lessons about trust. Catherine is being shoved toward an arranged marriage because her family has noticed she likes women and has selected “husband” as the cure.
Victoria is trying to outrun the guilt she carries after another mill girl dies. Nobody is arriving at university fresh-faced and carefree. These women have barely unpacked before life is already asking for a group therapy session.
At first they genuinely try to do things the respectable way, which was adorable. Study harder. Ignore the harassment. Be unimpeachably good. Give nobody an excuse. Basically perform womanhood so perfectly that the men will have no choice but to respect them, and we all know how well THAT historically tends to work. Eventually somebody realizes that perhaps institutional misogyny does not deserve another strongly worded response and the secret sorority starts becoming a coven. FINALLY. Ladies, I have been waiting with my shoes on.
And the magic is where this got really fun for me because it comes out of Southern folklore and superstition. All those little rules people inherit without knowing exactly why. Don’t do this. Never put that there. Your grandmother swears something terrible will happen if you ignore this one extremely specific warning. Everybody says they don’t believe any of it while still refusing to test the theory. That becomes the backbone of their witchcraft, and suddenly the things women have quietly passed down to each other for generations have teeth.
The women themselves are also messy enough that the sisterhood actually has to be earned. They do not join hands and immediately become the Feminist Avengers of 1870. Their class differences matter. Their backgrounds matter. Catherine especially has to figure out that privately believing something is wrong is not the same as being willing to lose something by saying it out loud. They misunderstand each other. They screw up. They learn. And eventually they start showing up for one another in ways that actually cost them something.
I did spend part of the first half staring at the title like, excuse me, I was promised WITCHES. Because the men would pull another stunt, the women would suffer through it, everybody would regroup, and I was sitting there tapping the table like a woman waiting on appetizers. How many sexist incidents do we need before someone lights a candle and gets weird? Once the coven really gets moving, though, things get darker and bloodier very quickly, and apparently I should have been careful what I wished for.
The part that got me is why they keep fighting. It isn’t only about Lucille or Catherine or Victoria getting their degrees. They know another woman is supposed to come through that door after them. They have been given this tiny opening and told they should be grateful while half the institution is actively leaning against the other side trying to close it. Watching them finally stop trying to squeeze through individually and start pushing together hit me right in the chest.
The ending wraps itself up a little faster and cleaner than I wanted after everything these women survived, and there were side characters I wanted to grab by the sleeve and keep around longer. But The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches still gave me 3.5 stars of Southern folklore, sapphic longing, female rage, university politics, friendship, blood, and women realizing that maybe the patriarchy has simply not been hexed enough.
Whodunity Award: For Forming a Secret Sorority Because Apparently “Please Stop Sabotaging Women Who Want an Education” Was Too Advanced for the Men’s Curriculum
Huge thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the ARC and for teaching me that if the administration refuses to handle campus harassment, the escalation ladder apparently goes complaint, committee, folklore, coven.
Review of advance copy
Did this just become a top read me for? ABSOLUTELY.
Historical, feminism, and witches.
Some parts of this book, as a woman, were hard to read. Not because the book wasn't great but because they were moments so many women can relate to still til this day.
Our FMC's were incredible, strong but stronger together. The way they learn to be intersectional with their feminism was beautiful. True heroines for anyone to look up to.
The 3 narrators did a fantastic job and really brought their character's personalities to life. They made experiencing this story richer.
I highly recommend this book!
Historical, feminism, and witches.
Some parts of this book, as a woman, were hard to read. Not because the book wasn't great but because they were moments so many women can relate to still til this day.
Our FMC's were incredible, strong but stronger together. The way they learn to be intersectional with their feminism was beautiful. True heroines for anyone to look up to.
The 3 narrators did a fantastic job and really brought their character's personalities to life. They made experiencing this story richer.
I highly recommend this book!
October 6, 2026
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches
This book, at this moment in time, honestly couldn't be a more perfect release date. "To all the women whose rights are debated like theory and fears are treated like weakness. Let your fear fuel you, and fight like hell." I loved this story, I loved the fierce, strong women, and men, that came to find themselves in the sorority. While this story takes place in 1870, almost, if not all, the injustices upon women are sadly still a direct mirror to today in 2026. Reproductive rights, basic equality, race, identity, "expectation" of where women belong, workers rights, etc, these are all issues that we are still fighting for.
Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria have all experienced the negative side of men in power, and now with the opportunity to not only attend college, but pave the way for all women in Alabama to do the same, they are ready to make a stand.
I love that the three women form this coven, with barely a second thought to the risks of witchcraft. While reading the things the men did, it made me angry. A feeling we as women are probably used to having when reading news headlines of today. I think this book is intended to make us feel anger and sadness, and to be inspired by the sorority to stand up for something more.
Again, this was 1870, so a lot of these women's thoughts and actions may seem extremely radical for the time, but Women's Suffrage had started in the 1800s, so the fight for equality was not new, just maybe not as widespread in the south.
My favorite scene was of course the end, when so many women banded together to save one of their own, and defeat the very evil trying to get them kicked out of the college program. The irony of the fact that a man was using dark witchcraft to get his way, when women would get burnt at the stake for doing the same or less.
While the story has a wonderfully happy ending, there is some dark and all too real scenes to read through. I loved every second of this book though, and recommend it to anyone looking for some motivation to keep on fighting.
Thank you to Alcove Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy!
Some fave quotes:
"Around me, the women formed a circle without anyone naming it, a small ward of our own making."
"“I’m so sorry.” Though I wasn’t sure why I apologized. I didn’t steal her notebook. But that was just what women did. Apologized."
"“But superiority cannot be claimed until equality has been attempted. You cannot deny women the same education, the same encouragement, the same latitude to err and grow and then point to the outcome as proof of deficiency. That is not assessment. It’s design.""
"“I know what it means to wake up in a hospital bed, being told you barely survived, and realizing no one will be punished for it.” The room tilted with hopelessness."
"If this was the world I was expected to submit to, then I would burn every rule that upheld it. And I would never let that man, or any man, own me."
"Men had the luxury to walk alone without worry, no matter how dark the night. Women only dreamed of such things. The peace and bliss one must feel while doing so made me burn to my core with jealousy."
"“Reconstruction could collapse tomorrow. Men like your father are already trying to make sure it does. But knowledge,” she continued, “is harder to chain than a body. If we learn. If we teach others. If we succeed in this program.” Her fingers threaded through mine. “That is not nothing.” "
"“Do it scared. Do it frightened. Do it worried. But do it anyway, no matter how you’re feeling. That’s what bravery is.”"
This book, at this moment in time, honestly couldn't be a more perfect release date. "To all the women whose rights are debated like theory and fears are treated like weakness. Let your fear fuel you, and fight like hell." I loved this story, I loved the fierce, strong women, and men, that came to find themselves in the sorority. While this story takes place in 1870, almost, if not all, the injustices upon women are sadly still a direct mirror to today in 2026. Reproductive rights, basic equality, race, identity, "expectation" of where women belong, workers rights, etc, these are all issues that we are still fighting for.
Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria have all experienced the negative side of men in power, and now with the opportunity to not only attend college, but pave the way for all women in Alabama to do the same, they are ready to make a stand.
I love that the three women form this coven, with barely a second thought to the risks of witchcraft. While reading the things the men did, it made me angry. A feeling we as women are probably used to having when reading news headlines of today. I think this book is intended to make us feel anger and sadness, and to be inspired by the sorority to stand up for something more.
Again, this was 1870, so a lot of these women's thoughts and actions may seem extremely radical for the time, but Women's Suffrage had started in the 1800s, so the fight for equality was not new, just maybe not as widespread in the south.
My favorite scene was of course the end, when so many women banded together to save one of their own, and defeat the very evil trying to get them kicked out of the college program. The irony of the fact that a man was using dark witchcraft to get his way, when women would get burnt at the stake for doing the same or less.
While the story has a wonderfully happy ending, there is some dark and all too real scenes to read through. I loved every second of this book though, and recommend it to anyone looking for some motivation to keep on fighting.
Thank you to Alcove Press, Netgalley, and the author for a copy!
Some fave quotes:
"Around me, the women formed a circle without anyone naming it, a small ward of our own making."
"“I’m so sorry.” Though I wasn’t sure why I apologized. I didn’t steal her notebook. But that was just what women did. Apologized."
"“But superiority cannot be claimed until equality has been attempted. You cannot deny women the same education, the same encouragement, the same latitude to err and grow and then point to the outcome as proof of deficiency. That is not assessment. It’s design.""
"“I know what it means to wake up in a hospital bed, being told you barely survived, and realizing no one will be punished for it.” The room tilted with hopelessness."
"If this was the world I was expected to submit to, then I would burn every rule that upheld it. And I would never let that man, or any man, own me."
"Men had the luxury to walk alone without worry, no matter how dark the night. Women only dreamed of such things. The peace and bliss one must feel while doing so made me burn to my core with jealousy."
"“Reconstruction could collapse tomorrow. Men like your father are already trying to make sure it does. But knowledge,” she continued, “is harder to chain than a body. If we learn. If we teach others. If we succeed in this program.” Her fingers threaded through mine. “That is not nothing.” "
"“Do it scared. Do it frightened. Do it worried. But do it anyway, no matter how you’re feeling. That’s what bravery is.”"
Review of advance copy
Lucille, Catherine and Victoria know that there are three essentials to casting a spell: 1) The Spirit; 2) The Sacrifice and 3) The Superstition. Lucille’s mama passed it along to her, Victoria had a notion about it, and Catherine’s “high cotton” upbringing made her clueless. These three ladies are among a group of 10 women hand-picked to form the trial run of Brinham University’s co-ed trial program.
It’s hotter than Hades in post-Civil War Alabama and about to become hotter as the women check into the rundown quarters they’ve been assigned. Each has her own reason for wanting to attend. But it isn’t long until they collectively begin to feel the ire of the men who wish they would just go home and be polite ladies of society. Reporting events to the professors and headmaster prove pointless. It’s almost as if no one wants this program to succeed … Retaliation by the men is swift and ugly, and soon the women are in fear for their lives. Lucille, already known for her outspokenness, gathers a coven/sorority of women to attempt evening the playing field.
Chapters alternate between the POVs of the three primary females. As the plot gallops along like a horse that’s ditched its buggy, the characters and their back stories become fully fleshed. Some discover love (including sapphic), some break ties, while others discover aspects of themselves, they didn’t know existed.
There is a lot of “spit flying”, scarred palms, and “strange wind” which at times gives the story a bit of camp. However, overall, Ortiz has crafted a novel of female empowerment. In it she has included echoes of pioneers in women’s fight for equality that began in the 19th century and continues today. If you enjoy a good Halloween read/thriller with historical aspects, you will undoubtedly love The Southern Society. 4 Stars.
Many thanks to @LibrayThing, @AlcovePress and @KatieOrtiz for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Opinions expressed are mine alone.
It’s hotter than Hades in post-Civil War Alabama and about to become hotter as the women check into the rundown quarters they’ve been assigned. Each has her own reason for wanting to attend. But it isn’t long until they collectively begin to feel the ire of the men who wish they would just go home and be polite ladies of society. Reporting events to the professors and headmaster prove pointless. It’s almost as if no one wants this program to succeed … Retaliation by the men is swift and ugly, and soon the women are in fear for their lives. Lucille, already known for her outspokenness, gathers a coven/sorority of women to attempt evening the playing field.
Chapters alternate between the POVs of the three primary females. As the plot gallops along like a horse that’s ditched its buggy, the characters and their back stories become fully fleshed. Some discover love (including sapphic), some break ties, while others discover aspects of themselves, they didn’t know existed.
There is a lot of “spit flying”, scarred palms, and “strange wind” which at times gives the story a bit of camp. However, overall, Ortiz has crafted a novel of female empowerment. In it she has included echoes of pioneers in women’s fight for equality that began in the 19th century and continues today. If you enjoy a good Halloween read/thriller with historical aspects, you will undoubtedly love The Southern Society. 4 Stars.
Many thanks to @LibrayThing, @AlcovePress and @KatieOrtiz for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. Opinions expressed are mine alone.
Did Not Finish
October 3, 2026Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. DNF'd at 19%, so no star review on Goodreads.
On a purely technically level, this book could have worked fine. The characters are interesting enough, if a little tropey because this is A Book About The Fight For Women's Education TM (I feel comfortable saying this because Ortiz describes this book as an "'issues' book" in her note to the reader). The magic based on Southern folklore sounded interesting enough, and what little bit of it appears in the 19% of the book that I read is perfectly adequate. If I knew nothing about American history, I honestly think I would have had a grand old time.
Unfortunately, this is a story set in 1870s Alabama that seems utterly unwilling to engage with race, so I have no interest in continuing with it. Maybe race is explored later on, but what I read did not set me up to feel confident that that would be the case. Ortiz seems to not have wanted to dig into the uglier parts of the American South, or, frankly, the racism of many first wave feminists, based on her wholly positive mention of Susan B. Anthony in her note to the reader. Characters make vague references to "the war", and the race of servants is unmentioned. Apparently there are Black women among the cohort of women at the university, but they are not targeted for their race by either the men or the women. They are treated the same as the other women, which simply would not happen. It also ignores the fact that a lot of the big-name American women who fought for women's right to vote did so only for white women. As is so often the case, if you write a book set in the United States, and you ignore how intensely anti-Black this country is, you are erasing so much.
Best case scenario? I think Ortiz wanted to tell an uncomplicated story set in her home state, inspired by the backslide of women's rights in the United States and past women who fought for women's equality. Unfortunately, the story of women's rights in the US is complicated. I'd love to read a book digging into the victories and hypocrisy of the movement through fantasy, but that book is not this one.
On a purely technically level, this book could have worked fine. The characters are interesting enough, if a little tropey because this is A Book About The Fight For Women's Education TM (I feel comfortable saying this because Ortiz describes this book as an "'issues' book" in her note to the reader). The magic based on Southern folklore sounded interesting enough, and what little bit of it appears in the 19% of the book that I read is perfectly adequate. If I knew nothing about American history, I honestly think I would have had a grand old time.
Unfortunately, this is a story set in 1870s Alabama that seems utterly unwilling to engage with race, so I have no interest in continuing with it. Maybe race is explored later on, but what I read did not set me up to feel confident that that would be the case. Ortiz seems to not have wanted to dig into the uglier parts of the American South, or, frankly, the racism of many first wave feminists, based on her wholly positive mention of Susan B. Anthony in her note to the reader. Characters make vague references to "the war", and the race of servants is unmentioned. Apparently there are Black women among the cohort of women at the university, but they are not targeted for their race by either the men or the women. They are treated the same as the other women, which simply would not happen. It also ignores the fact that a lot of the big-name American women who fought for women's right to vote did so only for white women. As is so often the case, if you write a book set in the United States, and you ignore how intensely anti-Black this country is, you are erasing so much.
Best case scenario? I think Ortiz wanted to tell an uncomplicated story set in her home state, inspired by the backslide of women's rights in the United States and past women who fought for women's equality. Unfortunately, the story of women's rights in the US is complicated. I'd love to read a book digging into the victories and hypocrisy of the movement through fantasy, but that book is not this one.
July 13, 2026
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher, so thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for allowing me to read it early!
I met fellow Alabama girly Katie Ortiz at a writing conference, and her enthusiasm and joy for writing, for women writers, and for education really grabbed my attention. So I was excited to read her debut!
For the first ~75% of the book, it was pretty good! I love witchy women fighting the good fight with a coven of besties at her side! Bonus points for the sapphic elements! #wlwrule
For my criticisms… The voice is a little heavy handed (leaning a little too hard into the southern-isms, as to almost feel like an actor feigning a southern accent but we all know they’re not from ‘round here). The characters are also a bit too black and white for my taste (the men especially were too much the evil villains with no nuance; maybe that is historically accurate, which it’s my failing not to understand, but typically enjoy the tension if there is a dash of moral grey).
However, around the 3/4 mark the writing style seemed to change a bit. Perhaps it will get a more thorough edit before final publication (needed as there are several typos and many instances of grammatical errors, subject/verb misalignment, etc.). But the tone seemed a bit more haphazard, more figurative/poetic, and a bit more difficult to follow.
I will applaud the author though, because the climactic scene did make me misty! To get an emotional reaction means she is doing something very right!
I will look forward to this author’s future works. I think she will grow into an author whose work I really love!
I met fellow Alabama girly Katie Ortiz at a writing conference, and her enthusiasm and joy for writing, for women writers, and for education really grabbed my attention. So I was excited to read her debut!
For the first ~75% of the book, it was pretty good! I love witchy women fighting the good fight with a coven of besties at her side! Bonus points for the sapphic elements! #wlwrule
For my criticisms… The voice is a little heavy handed (leaning a little too hard into the southern-isms, as to almost feel like an actor feigning a southern accent but we all know they’re not from ‘round here). The characters are also a bit too black and white for my taste (the men especially were too much the evil villains with no nuance; maybe that is historically accurate, which it’s my failing not to understand, but typically enjoy the tension if there is a dash of moral grey).
However, around the 3/4 mark the writing style seemed to change a bit. Perhaps it will get a more thorough edit before final publication (needed as there are several typos and many instances of grammatical errors, subject/verb misalignment, etc.). But the tone seemed a bit more haphazard, more figurative/poetic, and a bit more difficult to follow.
I will applaud the author though, because the climactic scene did make me misty! To get an emotional reaction means she is doing something very right!
I will look forward to this author’s future works. I think she will grow into an author whose work I really love!
June 13, 2026
A stunning debut that is equal parts atmospheric Southern Gothic and fierce feminist rallying cry. Set in 1870 Alabama, the story follows three women, Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria. They enter a high stakes trial semester at a prestigious, male dominated university.
The magic system feels grounded, muddy, and raw, mirroring the atmosphere of the post Civil War South.
The triple POV was so well done! Left me cheering for these women to survive!
🏛️ Southern dark academia
🌾 Southern gothic magic/ folklore
👥 Multiple POV
🏡 Found family cove.
👩❤️👩 Sapphic- but subplot
✊ Feminist
The magic system feels grounded, muddy, and raw, mirroring the atmosphere of the post Civil War South.
The triple POV was so well done! Left me cheering for these women to survive!
🏛️ Southern dark academia
🌾 Southern gothic magic/ folklore
👥 Multiple POV
🏡 Found family cove.
👩❤️👩 Sapphic- but subplot
✊ Feminist
Did Not Finish
October 14, 2026A trans character in a post civil war era book about witches? Come on.
DNF at 52%. Sorry but this storyline is trying too hard to be relevant to the current cultural times…even as it takes place in a time where women couldn’t even attend school?! Ugh.
Thank you to Spotify for the complimentary copy via Netgalley.
DNF at 52%. Sorry but this storyline is trying too hard to be relevant to the current cultural times…even as it takes place in a time where women couldn’t even attend school?! Ugh.
Thank you to Spotify for the complimentary copy via Netgalley.
September 17, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ rounded to 4 ⭐️ for GoodReads
10 young women have been selected to attend college Brimham University for the first time in a trial run of allowing women to join men in college programs for the entire state of Alabama. If the women do not follow the rules or are unable to keep up with the program, then no other women in the state shall have the chance to attend a University to earn a higher education degree.
The men that attend the college do not want the women there at all and begin to terrorize them and try to get them in trouble so the administration will end the women’s trial.
As the torment toward the women escalates, they decide to take action - they create a sorority - a coven - where they can use witchcraft to fight against the men and for their rights.
This was such a fun book to read! Having lived in Alabama for a significant period of my life, it was fun to read a book where that was the setting.
The 3 main characters that Katie Ortiz created were all enjoyable, layered and unique in their own right. I learned after reading that Katie modeled some of the characters and events in the book after real people and situations which I loved that she drew inspiration from real people who fought for equality for women. It makes the book feel that much more special.
There were some parts to the characters and events in the book that felt a little repetitive, but it didn’t bother me much. I thought the ending might have wrapped up a little too easily and neatly. I think some earlier parts of the book could have been scrapped so more time could have been spent on the ending.
This book is a tribute to women and the battles they have fought for their rights and continue to fight for, wrapped up in some amazing witchy vibes!
10 young women have been selected to attend college Brimham University for the first time in a trial run of allowing women to join men in college programs for the entire state of Alabama. If the women do not follow the rules or are unable to keep up with the program, then no other women in the state shall have the chance to attend a University to earn a higher education degree.
The men that attend the college do not want the women there at all and begin to terrorize them and try to get them in trouble so the administration will end the women’s trial.
As the torment toward the women escalates, they decide to take action - they create a sorority - a coven - where they can use witchcraft to fight against the men and for their rights.
This was such a fun book to read! Having lived in Alabama for a significant period of my life, it was fun to read a book where that was the setting.
The 3 main characters that Katie Ortiz created were all enjoyable, layered and unique in their own right. I learned after reading that Katie modeled some of the characters and events in the book after real people and situations which I loved that she drew inspiration from real people who fought for equality for women. It makes the book feel that much more special.
There were some parts to the characters and events in the book that felt a little repetitive, but it didn’t bother me much. I thought the ending might have wrapped up a little too easily and neatly. I think some earlier parts of the book could have been scrapped so more time could have been spent on the ending.
This book is a tribute to women and the battles they have fought for their rights and continue to fight for, wrapped up in some amazing witchy vibes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you netgalley for letting me ARC read this book.
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches gave me witchy vibes, female friendships, a little bit of magic, and some deeper messages mixed in. 🔮✨
I really enjoyed the witchy elements throughout the story and how most of the characters were loosely connected. It was fun slowly seeing how everyone fit into the bigger picture. I also appreciated the conversations surrounding women’s rights and the struggles women have faced (and continue to face). It added a deeper layer to what could have just been a fun witchy read.
There were so many different characters and storylines that by the end, I felt like there was still A LOT that needed to be tied together.
Overall, a fun and meaningful witchy read that I enjoyed, but I just needed a little more from that ending. 🧙♀️🍂✨
Thank you netgalley for letting me ARC read this book.
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches gave me witchy vibes, female friendships, a little bit of magic, and some deeper messages mixed in. 🔮✨
I really enjoyed the witchy elements throughout the story and how most of the characters were loosely connected. It was fun slowly seeing how everyone fit into the bigger picture. I also appreciated the conversations surrounding women’s rights and the struggles women have faced (and continue to face). It added a deeper layer to what could have just been a fun witchy read.
There were so many different characters and storylines that by the end, I felt like there was still A LOT that needed to be tied together.
Overall, a fun and meaningful witchy read that I enjoyed, but I just needed a little more from that ending. 🧙♀️🍂✨
June 6, 2026
🖤ARC Book Review🖤
I absolutely devoured this book! Everyone knows I love witchy reads, but The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches by @author.katie.ortiz was so much more than just magic. This captivating blend of Southern Gothic atmosphere, folklore, and feminist history follows three women determined to claim their place in higher education during a time when the odds were stacked against them. Along the way, the story explores themes of sexism, equality, female empowerment, LGBTQ identity, friendship, and courage. I loved how the magic felt deeply rooted in Southern tradition, adding an enchanting layer to an already powerful story. This is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction with a witchy twist, rich atmosphere, and strong female characters.
I absolutely devoured this book! Everyone knows I love witchy reads, but The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches by @author.katie.ortiz was so much more than just magic. This captivating blend of Southern Gothic atmosphere, folklore, and feminist history follows three women determined to claim their place in higher education during a time when the odds were stacked against them. Along the way, the story explores themes of sexism, equality, female empowerment, LGBTQ identity, friendship, and courage. I loved how the magic felt deeply rooted in Southern tradition, adding an enchanting layer to an already powerful story. This is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction with a witchy twist, rich atmosphere, and strong female characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
[thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for the e-arc!]
this novel had everything to be great. i’m saddened to admit it wasn’t.
i have to start by highlighting that it is advertised as follows: witchy, feminist and sapphic historical fiction. i didn’t need to know more to request an arc! little did i know, (1) the witchy stuff (aka the promise of the premise) only truly starts at like, a quarter of the book; (2) there is an alarming amount of ‘not all men’ vibes; and (3) only two main characters are explicitly sapphic . that last point was probably the most disappointing for me, as i truly believed everyone would be queer (i mean. witch and lesbian are basically synonyms in my book). the jump scare i had when i realised lucille was straight, had an ex-boyfriend AND began an obviously flirty epistolary exchange with a man (who was basically the incarnation of ‘not all men’) (though i did like him; he’s nice and actually genuinely not misogynistic)
the main plot is actually interesting, as is the whole concept of the book. basically, we’re in the 1870s, and a few women get to try university for a semester, and their success will decide the fate of women’s education all over the state. except everyone is working against them, so it’s a little bit of a lost cause. however, one of our main characters lucille is nothing but determined and stubborn, and also a witch, so she gathers all the women students (and others) into a sorority/coven to make men pay for their misogyny and ensure women are finally listened to. perfect plan!
the story is shared between three povs: lucille, who had to quit school as a child to work on her father’s farm and whose mother was a witch; catherine, our token explicitly queer MC, whose high-cotton family is decidedly racist and homophobic; and victoria, a mill worker whose health, both mental and physical, suffers from that environment. i have to say they made a nice combination as we get vastly different perspectives from the 19th century. their personal histories couldn’t be more different, which allows several very interesting subplots and character arcs. their narrative voices at times tended to blend a little, but they are haunted by memories that helped set them apart. that’s an aspect of the novel i definitely enjoyed, because the characters sort of repressed those memories and therefore only slowly granted access to their past, and left me begging for more!
the main theme of the novel is of course women’s rights and their battle against systemic misogyny. that being said, i have to warn you: if i had to choose one (1) feeling that was overly present throughout my reading, it would be frustration. ALL the men are ALWAYS trying to set up the women students. yes, i knew there would be attempts at discouraging the women, but boy was it unnerving to see them ALWAYS get away with it!!!! and it wasn’t just sexist ‘jokes’ or filthy remarks (those, i expected); there were LITERAL CRIMES!!!! and they still got away with it!!!!
which makes the ending all the more unbelievable, to be honest. i was glad to get a happy end, but. how/why does everyone all of a sudden just support women’s education and right to be seen and heard and considered?
on that note, i should mention the antagonist, whom i recognised from a mile away. he is quite obviously the only option, but not because he has any depth or motivation (unless you count misogyny as a motivation), more so because no one else makes sense. i wish he would’ve just been a supporting, ally character.
another unbelievable thing: the witchcraft. i’m all for angry women seeking vengeance against men, don’t get me wrong, but all the time i had one (1) thought: they will definitely pay some kind of price for using all that magic, right? i feel like it would make sense in the context of 19th century south america, where religion is central and witchcraft is a literal crime and will get you burnt/hanged. lucille (our legacy witch) repeatedly mentions how dangerous witchcraft is and how it shouldn’t be spread around like a silly secret. but no. nothing. no repercussion. and it does get spread around like a silly secret because the sorority (that is called a sorority precisely to avoid calling it a coven, which would get them in trouble) keeps on growing as the story goes on. and none of the women who gets invited into the sorority reacts badly towards witchcraft, somehow. granted, no character is said to be religious, but i felt like it was heavily implied, so i was surprised how easily everybody just accepted it.
so: childish vengeance and bullying, overly cliché happy end and antagonist, practical acceptance of witchcraft… the suspension of my disbelief has an extent. which makes me wonder why this book isn’t young-adult, retrospectively. i would definitely categorise it as such if it weren’t for all the (content and trigger warnings ahead) blood, death, murder, self-harm (for witchcraft purposes), assault (physical, sexual, psychological, + graphic scene of force-feeding).
all that might be summarised as this: the broad idea, the themes, the specific histories of each character, and the amount of research that has obviously been done to create this novel are very, very good. however, the way it was written and executed made the result fall flat, in my opinion. the relationships didn’t feel genuine, most things were told to the reader instead of implied, every resolution felt too easy, there was simply no tension at all even though the stakes are supposed to be high. i wouldn’t say i didn’t like reading this novel, that would be a lie. each character’s subplot, having to do with their repressed memories, had me invested—perhaps more so than the main plot. i liked how the superstitions (heading the chapters) weaved into the story. the author’s note at the end was also enjoyable and proved how much thought was put into this book. which is why i’m so sad i didn’t love it.
i still would recommend giving it a shot, though. yes, it might not be as great as it could’ve been, and i might have wanted to throw my e-reader against the wall a few times because why do men always win??? but i wouldn’t say it was a waste of my time. and it’s definitely an important topic to explore in times such as today, when women’s rights feel on the verge of collapsing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Alcove Press and Katie Ortiz for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A book about a coven disguised as a sorority fighting oppression? Sign me up!
This book is perfect for fall, with its witchy vibes, feminine rage, lovable characters, and incredibly intriguing premise. The sense of sisterhood is one of the book’s strongest elements, adding emotional depth to the story and making the relationships between the characters especially compelling. I also loved the atmosphere—the setting has a cozy, mysterious quality that feels especially fitting for fall. There were plenty of moments when I found myself genuinely invested in the story and eager to see how everything would unfold. The premise itself is creative and compelling, and there is a lot of potential in the story and its themes.
I really wanted to love this book. I also appreciate that the author drew inspiration from actual historical events, women, and the ways they were treated. Knowing that some of the gruesome treatment in the book is rooted in things that truly happened makes those moments even more disturbing and meaningful. However, while the story draws from real history, I felt that the execution did not always reflect the time period it was meant to portray. The historical inaccuracies, anachronisms, inconsistencies, and overly explanatory prose became too frequent to overlook.
My biggest issue is that the book does not always feel like a story set in 1870. At times, modern ideas, language, social attitudes, and feminist concepts seem to be placed directly into the historical setting. This was especially noticeable in the way certain social ideas were discussed. So, while I appreciated the historical inspiration behind the story, I found myself frequently pulled out of it by elements that felt too modern for the time period. For example, one character says:
“Well, isn’t beauty subjective, anyway? Just something society created for advertising and monetary purposes?”
This is presented as a rhetorical observation, but the framing feels extremely modern. The book is set in 1870, yet this passage seems to assume the existence of the modern, advertising-driven beauty industry. Mass advertising as we understand it developed much later, particularly toward the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the large-scale corporate beauty industry and major cosmetics brands we associate with modern beauty standards simply did not exist in 1870 in anything resembling their current form.
This becomes especially noticeable in the book’s treatment of feminism, social issues, and language. The ideas themselves aren’t necessarily implausible for the period, but the way they are phrased and discussed often feels distinctly modern. Historical characters can absolutely hold progressive views, but the language used to express those views should still feel believable for the time.
The treatment of body image is another example. One of the main characters is repeatedly described as “plump,” and other characters are frequently fatphobic toward her. This characterization would make considerably more sense in a later historical period, but it clashes with the specific setting of the 1870s. At that time, being plump, substantial, rounded, or well-fed was often associated with health and prosperity, while thinness was generally associated with illness or a sickly appearance. Fashion also emphasized a fuller silhouette, including the use of bustles. There was even popular literature around this period promoting the idea of becoming plump, such as How to Be Plump, published around 1878. Having a character from the 1870s treated as though “plumpness” carried a negative connotation therefore feels like the author has imported modern attitudes toward weight into the past.
The historical issues are compounded by inconsistencies within the text itself, particularly in how characters’ accents and abilities are portrayed. These inconsistencies sometimes made the story feel less cohesive and pulled me out of the narrative.
The prose felt repetitive at times, with emotions and descriptions often explained more than necessary. Characters’ physical traits and the book’s secrets are frequently reintroduced, which sometimes lessened the impact of the mystery.
While the book didn’t fully work for me, I think it has an interesting premise and explores compelling themes. I found the ideas surrounding feminism, race, secrecy, and social expectations especially interesting. I can see the potential in the story and think there are strong ideas at its core.
Note: A more in-depth review was provided to NetGalley and the book’s publisher.
A book about a coven disguised as a sorority fighting oppression? Sign me up!
This book is perfect for fall, with its witchy vibes, feminine rage, lovable characters, and incredibly intriguing premise. The sense of sisterhood is one of the book’s strongest elements, adding emotional depth to the story and making the relationships between the characters especially compelling. I also loved the atmosphere—the setting has a cozy, mysterious quality that feels especially fitting for fall. There were plenty of moments when I found myself genuinely invested in the story and eager to see how everything would unfold. The premise itself is creative and compelling, and there is a lot of potential in the story and its themes.
I really wanted to love this book. I also appreciate that the author drew inspiration from actual historical events, women, and the ways they were treated. Knowing that some of the gruesome treatment in the book is rooted in things that truly happened makes those moments even more disturbing and meaningful. However, while the story draws from real history, I felt that the execution did not always reflect the time period it was meant to portray. The historical inaccuracies, anachronisms, inconsistencies, and overly explanatory prose became too frequent to overlook.
My biggest issue is that the book does not always feel like a story set in 1870. At times, modern ideas, language, social attitudes, and feminist concepts seem to be placed directly into the historical setting. This was especially noticeable in the way certain social ideas were discussed. So, while I appreciated the historical inspiration behind the story, I found myself frequently pulled out of it by elements that felt too modern for the time period. For example, one character says:
“Well, isn’t beauty subjective, anyway? Just something society created for advertising and monetary purposes?”
This is presented as a rhetorical observation, but the framing feels extremely modern. The book is set in 1870, yet this passage seems to assume the existence of the modern, advertising-driven beauty industry. Mass advertising as we understand it developed much later, particularly toward the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the large-scale corporate beauty industry and major cosmetics brands we associate with modern beauty standards simply did not exist in 1870 in anything resembling their current form.
This becomes especially noticeable in the book’s treatment of feminism, social issues, and language. The ideas themselves aren’t necessarily implausible for the period, but the way they are phrased and discussed often feels distinctly modern. Historical characters can absolutely hold progressive views, but the language used to express those views should still feel believable for the time.
The treatment of body image is another example. One of the main characters is repeatedly described as “plump,” and other characters are frequently fatphobic toward her. This characterization would make considerably more sense in a later historical period, but it clashes with the specific setting of the 1870s. At that time, being plump, substantial, rounded, or well-fed was often associated with health and prosperity, while thinness was generally associated with illness or a sickly appearance. Fashion also emphasized a fuller silhouette, including the use of bustles. There was even popular literature around this period promoting the idea of becoming plump, such as How to Be Plump, published around 1878. Having a character from the 1870s treated as though “plumpness” carried a negative connotation therefore feels like the author has imported modern attitudes toward weight into the past.
The historical issues are compounded by inconsistencies within the text itself, particularly in how characters’ accents and abilities are portrayed. These inconsistencies sometimes made the story feel less cohesive and pulled me out of the narrative.
The prose felt repetitive at times, with emotions and descriptions often explained more than necessary. Characters’ physical traits and the book’s secrets are frequently reintroduced, which sometimes lessened the impact of the mystery.
While the book didn’t fully work for me, I think it has an interesting premise and explores compelling themes. I found the ideas surrounding feminism, race, secrecy, and social expectations especially interesting. I can see the potential in the story and think there are strong ideas at its core.
Note: A more in-depth review was provided to NetGalley and the book’s publisher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2026
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches offers a compelling blend of historical fiction, women's empowerment, and the journey of reclaiming silenced voices. Set in post-Civil War Reconstruction Alabama, the story follows three women fighting to claim their space in higher education and address the deep-seated injustices around them.
Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are accepted into an Alabama university on a trial basis to test whether women are "suitable" not just for higher learning, but for enjoying the same everyday freedoms as male students. Entering with high hopes to live on their own terms, protect their loved ones, and pursue their dreams, they instead encounter the exact same patriarchal systems, bigotry, and closed-mindedness they left behind at home. They are expected to suppress their true selves, quiet their voices, and perpetuate systems they abhor. To make matters worse, the stakes couldn't be higher: if they fail under the "rigors of academic life," it will be used as proof that *no* woman belongs in higher education. It’s a rigged challenge, and the male student body is determined to watch them fall, help them fail if they begin to succeed, and enjoy the show.
Weighed down by personal trauma and rigid societal expectations, their struggles resonate deeply with issues women still navigate today:
Lucille is recovering from a controlling father and a broken first love.
Catherine is being forced into marriage simply because she finds love and connection with women, with her family believing marriage will "cure" her desires.
Victoria is haunted by the tragic death of a local mill girl.
Bound by shared hardship, the three form a fierce found sisterhood. Drawing on Southern folklore, local superstitions, and the power of female community, they turn to the only path left to gain agency and a voice: magic. As they carve out their own space within this misogynistic environment, the narrative takes a wonderfully dark, gothic turn.
While the story has a somewhat slow start, the early pacing felt entirely necessary to build the rich world and establish the depth of these characters. A moving, atmospheric read!
Thank you to Alcove and Crooked Lane Press for sharing a gifted arc with me.
Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria are accepted into an Alabama university on a trial basis to test whether women are "suitable" not just for higher learning, but for enjoying the same everyday freedoms as male students. Entering with high hopes to live on their own terms, protect their loved ones, and pursue their dreams, they instead encounter the exact same patriarchal systems, bigotry, and closed-mindedness they left behind at home. They are expected to suppress their true selves, quiet their voices, and perpetuate systems they abhor. To make matters worse, the stakes couldn't be higher: if they fail under the "rigors of academic life," it will be used as proof that *no* woman belongs in higher education. It’s a rigged challenge, and the male student body is determined to watch them fall, help them fail if they begin to succeed, and enjoy the show.
Weighed down by personal trauma and rigid societal expectations, their struggles resonate deeply with issues women still navigate today:
Lucille is recovering from a controlling father and a broken first love.
Catherine is being forced into marriage simply because she finds love and connection with women, with her family believing marriage will "cure" her desires.
Victoria is haunted by the tragic death of a local mill girl.
Bound by shared hardship, the three form a fierce found sisterhood. Drawing on Southern folklore, local superstitions, and the power of female community, they turn to the only path left to gain agency and a voice: magic. As they carve out their own space within this misogynistic environment, the narrative takes a wonderfully dark, gothic turn.
While the story has a somewhat slow start, the early pacing felt entirely necessary to build the rich world and establish the depth of these characters. A moving, atmospheric read!
Thank you to Alcove and Crooked Lane Press for sharing a gifted arc with me.
October 5, 2026
This is a great debut historical fantasy. Ortiz champions women’s rights, LGBTQ+ acceptance, and racial equality in the old South, specifically Alabama. As someone who grew up in Alabama, I think she captured the general vibes of the state well, even though this takes place in the 1800s. The story follows three women. All of them lead wildly different lives- “high society” (Catherine), farmer’s daughter (Lucille), and a cotton mill worker (Victoria). These three women find themselves accepted into the first class (a “trial” class) of women at the fictional Brimham University. “Trial” is an understatement. These women find themselves facing not only the general bias towards women in post-Civil War Alabama, but pranks, vitriol, and even violence. Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria form a coven under the guise of a sorority. They use their known and newly acquired of witchcraft to forge their way through the challenges they face.
The story is fun but challenging at times. Ortiz is not afraid to tackle some of the very real problems head on with unabashed detail. I’m not gonna lie, I was almost uncomfortable because it’s crazy how a lot of the issues mirrored today’s problems. I really appreciated the kind of who-done-it aspect to the story as the coven tries to figure out who’s causing the chaos. The story ends on a great note!
Now to the reason I dropped a star: It’s definitely a debut. I really enjoyed the overall story, but I caution anyone wanting to read a book that’s incredibly accurate/realistic. The writing should have been cleaned up more in editing. The characters were realistic to an extent, but the overall acceptance of everyone within the coven was written with rose-colored glasses. I think with more guidance Ortiz’s future endeavors will be even better!
If you’re looking for a historical fantasy that’s heavy on women’s rights with witchy vibes, this is it!
Thank you Alcove Press and Toppling Stacks Tours for the gifted early copy.
The story is fun but challenging at times. Ortiz is not afraid to tackle some of the very real problems head on with unabashed detail. I’m not gonna lie, I was almost uncomfortable because it’s crazy how a lot of the issues mirrored today’s problems. I really appreciated the kind of who-done-it aspect to the story as the coven tries to figure out who’s causing the chaos. The story ends on a great note!
Now to the reason I dropped a star: It’s definitely a debut. I really enjoyed the overall story, but I caution anyone wanting to read a book that’s incredibly accurate/realistic. The writing should have been cleaned up more in editing. The characters were realistic to an extent, but the overall acceptance of everyone within the coven was written with rose-colored glasses. I think with more guidance Ortiz’s future endeavors will be even better!
If you’re looking for a historical fantasy that’s heavy on women’s rights with witchy vibes, this is it!
Thank you Alcove Press and Toppling Stacks Tours for the gifted early copy.
June 3, 2026
3.5, rounded up.
“The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches” follows a trio of young women who have been selected for various socioeconomic backgrounds to be the first women to attend a prestigious university in post-Civil War Alabama. The ability for any woman to attend college is dependent on success of the extended group of women, who are faced with people trying to undermine their education at every turn. Ortiz tackles the misogynist, sexist, & homophobic rhetoric that Christians justify through their interpretation of the Bible. The juxtaposition of the occult elements with the Christian elements really set the mood for the entire book.
That being said, I really enjoyed the historic, postbellum Southern vibes happening here, but parts do feel redundant and as the book progresses the pacing starts to become a little stagnant for me. I loved these characters fighting for equality and their beliefs, although at times I felt like I was being told a checklist of things about them instead of letting their actions and behavior demonstrate it.
Lastly, a life-long Southerner, one of my favorite things about this book is how our terminology and colloquialisms just jump off the page so naturally. I could hear their accents and nuanced inflections in my mind without thinking twice about it.
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on October 6, 2026!
Thank you to Alcove Press and Katie Ortiz for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
“The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches” follows a trio of young women who have been selected for various socioeconomic backgrounds to be the first women to attend a prestigious university in post-Civil War Alabama. The ability for any woman to attend college is dependent on success of the extended group of women, who are faced with people trying to undermine their education at every turn. Ortiz tackles the misogynist, sexist, & homophobic rhetoric that Christians justify through their interpretation of the Bible. The juxtaposition of the occult elements with the Christian elements really set the mood for the entire book.
That being said, I really enjoyed the historic, postbellum Southern vibes happening here, but parts do feel redundant and as the book progresses the pacing starts to become a little stagnant for me. I loved these characters fighting for equality and their beliefs, although at times I felt like I was being told a checklist of things about them instead of letting their actions and behavior demonstrate it.
Lastly, a life-long Southerner, one of my favorite things about this book is how our terminology and colloquialisms just jump off the page so naturally. I could hear their accents and nuanced inflections in my mind without thinking twice about it.
Be sure to grab a copy when it’s released on October 6, 2026!
Thank you to Alcove Press and Katie Ortiz for providing this eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 11, 2026
This book is a fictional slant on some real life characters. I enjoyed the banter between the ladies and between Lucy and Henry. It's always hard looking back at history and the crimes perpetrated against minorities. Whether that be women, BIPOC, the LGBTQ community all have been victims and sometimes it seems that history repeats itself. No one is safe, unless we're all safe.
The women in here advance that theory throughout that book. Each viewpoint giving rise to the injustices they've received and how it effects them. While the sorority (coven) starts larger, it really whittles down to the 4 women. Alice, Lucy, Catherine, Victoria all done from different aspects of society. Their journeys are marked by their pain but together they work to overcome those levers of power holding them down. I do think I'm a way this story seemed a bit YA to me, just my opinion. I did enjoy it and world read another book by this author.
Tropes and Triggers: multi pov, banter, witchcraft, persecution, equal rights, blood magic, book of spells, emotional scars, family drama, feminine rage, fierce FMCS, group of misfits, historical, intervention trauma, religion, revenge plot, rich vs poor, roommates, secret society, unlikely allies.
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for the opportunity. Those is my honest review and I'm leaving my review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
The women in here advance that theory throughout that book. Each viewpoint giving rise to the injustices they've received and how it effects them. While the sorority (coven) starts larger, it really whittles down to the 4 women. Alice, Lucy, Catherine, Victoria all done from different aspects of society. Their journeys are marked by their pain but together they work to overcome those levers of power holding them down. I do think I'm a way this story seemed a bit YA to me, just my opinion. I did enjoy it and world read another book by this author.
Tropes and Triggers: multi pov, banter, witchcraft, persecution, equal rights, blood magic, book of spells, emotional scars, family drama, feminine rage, fierce FMCS, group of misfits, historical, intervention trauma, religion, revenge plot, rich vs poor, roommates, secret society, unlikely allies.
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for the opportunity. Those is my honest review and I'm leaving my review voluntarily. This is my honest opinion.
October 8, 2026
Thanks to Alcove Press for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.
Post reconstruction Alabama made for a compelling setting for this story of three women who are a part of a trial program at the university to consider admitting women. They come from different classes and backgrounds but the Southern culture defines them, despite their true desires. We see the reaction of the men around them, which is vitriolic, violent and filled with hate. The women band together and discover via witchcraft they can try to turn the tables and save the program.
I think if this were just straightforward historical fiction, I would have liked it more. It reminded me of the best parts of The Reformatory. The raw reality of discrimination and the battles of race and class. The women were great and I really rooted for them. That said, it was maybe too angry for me. One of those overly feminist reads where basically all men are scum. The two exceptions seemed really unrealistic, one sweet guy fighting everyone else and a man that these days would be trans. I also didn’t really understand why everyone could easily use magic either, although the spells were interesting and fun.
Post reconstruction Alabama made for a compelling setting for this story of three women who are a part of a trial program at the university to consider admitting women. They come from different classes and backgrounds but the Southern culture defines them, despite their true desires. We see the reaction of the men around them, which is vitriolic, violent and filled with hate. The women band together and discover via witchcraft they can try to turn the tables and save the program.
I think if this were just straightforward historical fiction, I would have liked it more. It reminded me of the best parts of The Reformatory. The raw reality of discrimination and the battles of race and class. The women were great and I really rooted for them. That said, it was maybe too angry for me. One of those overly feminist reads where basically all men are scum. The two exceptions seemed really unrealistic, one sweet guy fighting everyone else and a man that these days would be trans. I also didn’t really understand why everyone could easily use magic either, although the spells were interesting and fun.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This felt a little underdone...half baked, if you will. The concept is there, but the execution isn't quite. I had a hard time keeping the girls straight (and I read this book in a day, so it wasn't because I was picking it up and putting it down). While I know the book was trying to be realistic, there's frustration built when there is constantly no accountability, and the ending was so fantastical it almost didn't feel as satisfying as like...legitimate consequences, which could have been paired with the ending as it stood. Character aspects felt forced...like the author was trying to throw in groups to get representation just to have it there, when it wouldn't probably have realistically shown up in that time period. Representation is always great, but the way it was done felt forced. I did enjoy the comradery and kinship between the girls. Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the eARC, and for the opportunity to leave an honest, voluntary review.
October 6, 2026
Witches, a secret coven disguised as a sorority, and women fighting back? Okay, you got me.
I really liked the premise of The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches. We follow three very different women, Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria, and I enjoyed getting each of their POVs and watching their stories come together.
There is A LOT going on in this one. Witchcraft, mystery, female friendships, women’s rights, discrimination, found family...and at times I think it was just a little too much for me. I liked the story, but I wasn’t completely pulled in the entire time, which is what kept this at 3 stars,
I did this one on audio and really enjoyed the narration by Sadie Provost, Amber McCulloch, and Amanda Stribling. Having different narrators for the women definitely worked for me and made it easier to keep their stories separate.
Overall, a solid debut and a fun witchy audiobook for spooky season. I’d definitely read Katie Ortiz again.
I really liked the premise of The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches. We follow three very different women, Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria, and I enjoyed getting each of their POVs and watching their stories come together.
There is A LOT going on in this one. Witchcraft, mystery, female friendships, women’s rights, discrimination, found family...and at times I think it was just a little too much for me. I liked the story, but I wasn’t completely pulled in the entire time, which is what kept this at 3 stars,
I did this one on audio and really enjoyed the narration by Sadie Provost, Amber McCulloch, and Amanda Stribling. Having different narrators for the women definitely worked for me and made it easier to keep their stories separate.
Overall, a solid debut and a fun witchy audiobook for spooky season. I’d definitely read Katie Ortiz again.
May 31, 2026
*** I received an e-ARC of this book from Alcove Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review***
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches by Katie Ortiz is a fantastic and timely novel that blends magic with powerful social commentary. Ortiz does an excellent job highlighting the inequalities women continue to face in multiple aspects of life, while weaving those themes into an engaging and entertaining story.
The book hits hard, especially given the current climate surrounding women's rights and gender equality. One of my favorite parts of the book was the note to the reader at the end, which added an extra layer of connection and significance to the novel's message. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a little magic mixed with an important message.
✨ Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches by Katie Ortiz is a fantastic and timely novel that blends magic with powerful social commentary. Ortiz does an excellent job highlighting the inequalities women continue to face in multiple aspects of life, while weaving those themes into an engaging and entertaining story.
The book hits hard, especially given the current climate surrounding women's rights and gender equality. One of my favorite parts of the book was the note to the reader at the end, which added an extra layer of connection and significance to the novel's message. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a little magic mixed with an important message.
✨ Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Southern Sorority of Superstitious Witches brings us a group of women who have been chosen as the inaugural class at a university in post-civil war Alabama. It closely follows Lucille, Catherine, and Victoria who, unfortunately, blended together easily throughout the book. The women are challenged by those who do not believe they should be allowed to attend university, including their fellow students, the headmaster, and the people of the town.
The magical realism aspect was pretty well done, channeling the rage and spirits of women before them, but I could not get over how constantly they spoke about their magic being dangerous to do (should they be found out) but then they never stopped telling people about it. I felt like I was waiting for something significantly more sinister to happen because they’d been found out. I felt for each of them as they faced the injustices put before them.
Overall, this was a nice and easy read, but I struggled to connect with the women at times.
Publish Date: October 6, 2026
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for my review.
The magical realism aspect was pretty well done, channeling the rage and spirits of women before them, but I could not get over how constantly they spoke about their magic being dangerous to do (should they be found out) but then they never stopped telling people about it. I felt like I was waiting for something significantly more sinister to happen because they’d been found out. I felt for each of them as they faced the injustices put before them.
Overall, this was a nice and easy read, but I struggled to connect with the women at times.
Publish Date: October 6, 2026
I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for my review.
June 19, 2026
I was lucky enough to be an advanced reader for this book to provide my feedback and this book was such a good read! I really liked the three POVs and the twist! I did not see that coming! If you like some female rage and justice, you’ll love this book!
The only areas I felt like the book fell short was abandoning some of the side characters after we meet and fall in love with them, and then the ending felt too fast for me. I would have loved to slow down during the main climax of the book around the town square and better understand WHY the antagonist chose to do what they did.
Overall, this was a great book and I cannot recommend it enough.
The only areas I felt like the book fell short was abandoning some of the side characters after we meet and fall in love with them, and then the ending felt too fast for me. I would have loved to slow down during the main climax of the book around the town square and better understand WHY the antagonist chose to do what they did.
Overall, this was a great book and I cannot recommend it enough.
Did Not Finish
October 13, 2026While I think that this story could have been very promising, unfortunately, some of the descriptions in the book would take me completely out of the story. The story follows a group of women who were accepted into college as a trial to see if this is something that would work out. The discrimination that they would face, including harassment, and sexism. I would say that there would be a lot of feminine rage coming soon, but I just couldn't continue further.
The narrators, Sadie Provost, Amber McCulloch, and Amanda Stribling portrayed their characters very well, especially the southern accent. I just found it too soothing unfortunately, and I would catch myself closing my eyes. I knew that this one wasn't for me.
DNF at 37%
A very special thanks to TLC Book Tours and Spotify Audiobooks for the gifted ALC.
The narrators, Sadie Provost, Amber McCulloch, and Amanda Stribling portrayed their characters very well, especially the southern accent. I just found it too soothing unfortunately, and I would catch myself closing my eyes. I knew that this one wasn't for me.
DNF at 37%
A very special thanks to TLC Book Tours and Spotify Audiobooks for the gifted ALC.
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