What do you think?
Witches Three
Not yet published
Expected 12 Jan 27A magical legacy, both a curse and a gift, haunts three women across centuries in this spellbinding story.
1650: Mary Hatley, a secret healer, longs for a life far from her childhood farm. One star-strewn night, she and her forbidden love escape to London, finding solace working in an apothecary shop. Though this unconventional path harbors peril Mary hadn’t predicted, she’s determined to create a legacy that will protect women like her for generations to come.
1692: When Clara Brooks is accused of witchcraft at the height of the Salem witch trials, she escapes deep into the wilderness with her young daughter in tow. Their only hope of survival is the gift Clara has long kept at bay—a deep and intrinsic connection to the natural world—and a mysterious presence who guides them on their harrowing journey.
1959: July Hathaway, once an aspiring medical student with a hidden power of healing, is now a single parent struggling in a world that disavows unwed mothers. To protect her daughter from imminent danger, July flees to a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where her fate hinges on uncovering the truth about the outcast women who preceded her.
With lyrical prose and captivating characters, this riveting tale is a story of love, courage, and motherhood, as three women across history test the bonds of magic running through them all.
1650: Mary Hatley, a secret healer, longs for a life far from her childhood farm. One star-strewn night, she and her forbidden love escape to London, finding solace working in an apothecary shop. Though this unconventional path harbors peril Mary hadn’t predicted, she’s determined to create a legacy that will protect women like her for generations to come.
1692: When Clara Brooks is accused of witchcraft at the height of the Salem witch trials, she escapes deep into the wilderness with her young daughter in tow. Their only hope of survival is the gift Clara has long kept at bay—a deep and intrinsic connection to the natural world—and a mysterious presence who guides them on their harrowing journey.
1959: July Hathaway, once an aspiring medical student with a hidden power of healing, is now a single parent struggling in a world that disavows unwed mothers. To protect her daughter from imminent danger, July flees to a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, where her fate hinges on uncovering the truth about the outcast women who preceded her.
With lyrical prose and captivating characters, this riveting tale is a story of love, courage, and motherhood, as three women across history test the bonds of magic running through them all.
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication January 12, 2027
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75
I received this ARC on NetGalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. (This was an unedited prof so misspellings/typos/formatting issues have no bearing in my rating.)
This was my first read of Kristin Judd, and I think fans of Paulette Kennedy will really enjoy this title, as it reminded me of her style of historical fiction with differing timelines, and a touch of whimsy.
At its core this is a story about motherhood, and I sadly found it moved slowly at times. I wish Clara’s trial had been shown earlier, immediately the rage you feel over the gaggle of teens in the courthouse. I think if it was told chronologically versus a flash back it would have helped the pacing issue. It’s a very lush prose, but at times overdone - not every sound of wind must creak through the forest, nor every pang of dread leave them frozen - it meant the moments we needed the extra hit of emotion it didn’t impact as much. The pet names at time was too much for me, I found they were overused especially in Mary’s POV.
There were some missed opportunities, I think the cardinal aspect should have been brought in way sooner across two of the timelines - even Mary could have had some pull or visits before being given a broach - July on campus could have seen one in the trees after leaving the office after a pivotal scene. Clara could have reflected on stories before the Gaol and had them in the back as seemingly a minute detail. I also was confused about Beatrice - it is adamantly put that she has no outerwordly inklings and yet her paintings on the canvas seemingly of the others in the story would dispute that.
Once it hits the second half it does pick up at times, but I do wish there had been a stronger driving force. Some of the side characters MADE this story for me. I absolutely loved Jean Luc, what a breath of fresh air he was for the small window of time we got to know him. The way you wish Bethia had been in the story alive as Clara aptly put she was the best of them. While it was not the best read for me, it was still good, and I think others may draw more from it knowing it’s truly a story focused on how far you would go as a mother and less about the magic.
I received this ARC on NetGalley from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. (This was an unedited prof so misspellings/typos/formatting issues have no bearing in my rating.)
This was my first read of Kristin Judd, and I think fans of Paulette Kennedy will really enjoy this title, as it reminded me of her style of historical fiction with differing timelines, and a touch of whimsy.
At its core this is a story about motherhood, and I sadly found it moved slowly at times. I wish Clara’s trial had been shown earlier, immediately the rage you feel over the gaggle of teens in the courthouse. I think if it was told chronologically versus a flash back it would have helped the pacing issue. It’s a very lush prose, but at times overdone - not every sound of wind must creak through the forest, nor every pang of dread leave them frozen - it meant the moments we needed the extra hit of emotion it didn’t impact as much. The pet names at time was too much for me, I found they were overused especially in Mary’s POV.
There were some missed opportunities, I think the cardinal aspect should have been brought in way sooner across two of the timelines - even Mary could have had some pull or visits before being given a broach - July on campus could have seen one in the trees after leaving the office after a pivotal scene. Clara could have reflected on stories before the Gaol and had them in the back as seemingly a minute detail. I also was confused about Beatrice - it is adamantly put that she has no outerwordly inklings and yet her paintings on the canvas seemingly of the others in the story would dispute that.
Once it hits the second half it does pick up at times, but I do wish there had been a stronger driving force. Some of the side characters MADE this story for me. I absolutely loved Jean Luc, what a breath of fresh air he was for the small window of time we got to know him. The way you wish Bethia had been in the story alive as Clara aptly put she was the best of them. While it was not the best read for me, it was still good, and I think others may draw more from it knowing it’s truly a story focused on how far you would go as a mother and less about the magic.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Book clubs everywhere will be reading Witches Three in 2027! It's got it all: a gorgeous cover, strong female characters, elements of magic, and plot twists that will keep you guessing. Kristin Judd's vivid description will transport you to the early beginnings of our country, and to the more recent past, all while illuminating the difficulties that women continue to face today.
Though they are from different times, each of the three main characters are united in the love they have for their daughters. And luckily, each of them have other women in their lives to lean on when things get tough. And things do indeed get tough! Mary, Clara, and July all face harrowing situations that will have you staying up way past your bedtime. You'll tell yourself, "One more chapter" over and over again.
Kristin Judd's love of research and history is apparent in the little details that immerse the reader in every scene. I couldn't decide who's perspective I enjoyed reading more and ultimately decided that my favorite narrator was whichever one I happened to be reading at the moment. One of my favorite books when I was younger was The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I've reread it so many times. In many ways, reading Witches Three felt like meeting an old friend. Although one who has become much more sophisticated and complex over the years.
Trust me, if you suggest this title for your book club, your group will thank you! This book is impossible to put down and is guaranteed to inspire a robust discussion.
Though they are from different times, each of the three main characters are united in the love they have for their daughters. And luckily, each of them have other women in their lives to lean on when things get tough. And things do indeed get tough! Mary, Clara, and July all face harrowing situations that will have you staying up way past your bedtime. You'll tell yourself, "One more chapter" over and over again.
Kristin Judd's love of research and history is apparent in the little details that immerse the reader in every scene. I couldn't decide who's perspective I enjoyed reading more and ultimately decided that my favorite narrator was whichever one I happened to be reading at the moment. One of my favorite books when I was younger was The Witch of Blackbird Pond. I've reread it so many times. In many ways, reading Witches Three felt like meeting an old friend. Although one who has become much more sophisticated and complex over the years.
Trust me, if you suggest this title for your book club, your group will thank you! This book is impossible to put down and is guaranteed to inspire a robust discussion.
September 25, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with this eARC for review.
Witches Three by Kristin Judd is a beautifully written historical fantasy that weaves together the lives of three remarkable women across centuries. Through Mary, Clara, and July, the story explores themes of love, motherhood, resilience, and the lasting power of female connection.
The novel shines in its rich atmosphere and vivid historical settings. Each timeline feels distinct, yet the threads of magic and healing that link these women create a compelling narrative that spans generations. Judd's lyrical prose brings depth to the story, and I found myself especially drawn to the way she portrays women navigating a world that often fears or misunderstands their gifts.
The pacing is more measured than what I typically gravitate toward, as I usually prefer fast-paced, suspense-driven reads. However, Witches Three rewards patience with strong character development, emotional depth, and an immersive sense of place. Rather than relying on constant action, the story unfolds gradually, allowing the connections between the women and their shared legacy to take center stage.
Overall, Witches Three is an enchanting and thoughtful novel that blends historical fiction, magic, and family legacy into a moving story about courage, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of women. It is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy character-driven historical fantasy with a touch of magic.
Witches Three by Kristin Judd is a beautifully written historical fantasy that weaves together the lives of three remarkable women across centuries. Through Mary, Clara, and July, the story explores themes of love, motherhood, resilience, and the lasting power of female connection.
The novel shines in its rich atmosphere and vivid historical settings. Each timeline feels distinct, yet the threads of magic and healing that link these women create a compelling narrative that spans generations. Judd's lyrical prose brings depth to the story, and I found myself especially drawn to the way she portrays women navigating a world that often fears or misunderstands their gifts.
The pacing is more measured than what I typically gravitate toward, as I usually prefer fast-paced, suspense-driven reads. However, Witches Three rewards patience with strong character development, emotional depth, and an immersive sense of place. Rather than relying on constant action, the story unfolds gradually, allowing the connections between the women and their shared legacy to take center stage.
Overall, Witches Three is an enchanting and thoughtful novel that blends historical fiction, magic, and family legacy into a moving story about courage, sacrifice, and the enduring strength of women. It is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy character-driven historical fantasy with a touch of magic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF @ 38% unfortunately. I really do actually want to know how all three of these stories ended but I can no longer torture myself reading this book to find out. I don’t typically like to DNF advance readers copies of books but my honest review is that I physically dissociated while reading this book because it was so boring.
I think overall this was a great idea for a story, however the way the author chose to execute it leaves a lot to be desired.
The writing style for a book such as this was done so poorly that the whole entire story fell absolutely flat, which also made it difficult to connect with any of the three main characters. If I’m reading what’s meant to be a “riveting” story about three witches across different periods of time, I want to feel exactly that, not just read about what they did. Also, the fact that each of these stories are separated chapter by chapter instead of focusing on one story at a time gave me whiplash and it made absolutely no sense at all to write it like that.
I found the dialogue between the characters to be very dull and silly. This whole entire story lacked depth, world building, visual narrative and substance.
I had an interest in July’s story the most and genuinely wanted to see what decisions she made but I just couldn’t force myself to read it to find out.
I think overall this was a great idea for a story, however the way the author chose to execute it leaves a lot to be desired.
The writing style for a book such as this was done so poorly that the whole entire story fell absolutely flat, which also made it difficult to connect with any of the three main characters. If I’m reading what’s meant to be a “riveting” story about three witches across different periods of time, I want to feel exactly that, not just read about what they did. Also, the fact that each of these stories are separated chapter by chapter instead of focusing on one story at a time gave me whiplash and it made absolutely no sense at all to write it like that.
I found the dialogue between the characters to be very dull and silly. This whole entire story lacked depth, world building, visual narrative and substance.
I had an interest in July’s story the most and genuinely wanted to see what decisions she made but I just couldn’t force myself to read it to find out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A big thank you to the author and Berkeley Publishing for this ARC.
This book packs an emotional punch. The author does a fantastic job of connecting you to her characters. And each of the MC’s first chapters are stunners and I could not wait to find out what happens to them.
But around the 25% mark, the book slogs along a bit. The chapters feel repetitive. Not between one another, but the same MC feels repetitive chapter to chapter. A lot of worrying. I felt this could have been more tightly edited in those middle chapters. But once that 75% mark hits, it picks up with a vengeance. I absolutely blew through the last quarter of this book.
There was a bit of heavy handedness or overly stated emotional pleas to the reader that I did do a bit of skimming around. But all in all this is a lovely written book.
Some extremely strong points for the author’s deft hand at really separating the MCs into distinct characters. Yes, of their time, but also, just who they show up as in the world. And of course, the consistent demonstration of people, men especially, working to control women across the ages.
I think fans of Kate Quinn or Alix E. Harrow books will enjoy this immensely.
This book packs an emotional punch. The author does a fantastic job of connecting you to her characters. And each of the MC’s first chapters are stunners and I could not wait to find out what happens to them.
But around the 25% mark, the book slogs along a bit. The chapters feel repetitive. Not between one another, but the same MC feels repetitive chapter to chapter. A lot of worrying. I felt this could have been more tightly edited in those middle chapters. But once that 75% mark hits, it picks up with a vengeance. I absolutely blew through the last quarter of this book.
There was a bit of heavy handedness or overly stated emotional pleas to the reader that I did do a bit of skimming around. But all in all this is a lovely written book.
Some extremely strong points for the author’s deft hand at really separating the MCs into distinct characters. Yes, of their time, but also, just who they show up as in the world. And of course, the consistent demonstration of people, men especially, working to control women across the ages.
I think fans of Kate Quinn or Alix E. Harrow books will enjoy this immensely.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mary Hatley, a talented healer with an incredible gift, an intuition so sense the problem in other people.
Clara Brooks, a woman with the ability to sense the living things around her.
July Hathaway, an aspiring medical student seeking the correct terminology for the diseases she senses in others.
Each woman persecuted, holding their secrets close while desiring so deeply to help others and doing their best to protect and create a better future for their children. Separated by centuries but bound together in magic, motherhood, and the desire to heal.
This novel is absolutely riveting. The way the stories are each separate and yet weave together telling the time old tale of women being persecuted for their intuition, their potential magic, for men’s inability to control them. This is a story of love, loss and unfailing resilience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Judd, and Berkeley publishing group for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. This book lives rent free in my head now.
Clara Brooks, a woman with the ability to sense the living things around her.
July Hathaway, an aspiring medical student seeking the correct terminology for the diseases she senses in others.
Each woman persecuted, holding their secrets close while desiring so deeply to help others and doing their best to protect and create a better future for their children. Separated by centuries but bound together in magic, motherhood, and the desire to heal.
This novel is absolutely riveting. The way the stories are each separate and yet weave together telling the time old tale of women being persecuted for their intuition, their potential magic, for men’s inability to control them. This is a story of love, loss and unfailing resilience.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kristin Judd, and Berkeley publishing group for this review copy in exchange for an honest review. This book lives rent free in my head now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is by far the best book I’ve read in a very long time, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I bump into. All three protagonists have enthralling stories that completely pulled me in—I simply could not put the book down. The imagery is so vivid that I could picture each setting clearly, and some of the characters are so charming that I’d like to be friends.
I also loved the way the author weaves magic into real moments in history. She deftly explores the many obstacles women have faced across generations, presenting a range of perspectives and challenging ideas through characters who are both captivating and deeply human.
I think this would make an excellent book club selection, with so much to discuss and unpack. I can’t wait to gift it to some of the strong women in my family.
I also loved the way the author weaves magic into real moments in history. She deftly explores the many obstacles women have faced across generations, presenting a range of perspectives and challenging ideas through characters who are both captivating and deeply human.
I think this would make an excellent book club selection, with so much to discuss and unpack. I can’t wait to gift it to some of the strong women in my family.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Read this one for a cover quote, which I was very happy to give. Kristin Judd deftly weaves together the stories of three very different women who struggle with motherhood, ostracism, and the curse of being a woman who is just a little too different: teenaged apothecary assistant Mary in 17th century London, accused witch Clara in hysteria-racked Salem, and unwed mother July in 1950s America. All three women have gifts they don't understand, gifts that may just come to their rescue as society brands them outcast. WITCHES THREE is a delight: observant, twisty, magical in all the very best ways.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kristin Judd’s novel will keep you up well past the witching hour guessing how the stories of three remarkable women in different timelines come together—and you won’t be disappointed by the twist at the end. The life-and-death challenges of these characters, accused of witchcraft and wrongdoing, resonate uncomfortably with far more recent events. With its beautiful prose, spooky speculations, and insightful mediations on the natural world and the costs of freedom, it's the perfect late-night read.
Review of advance copy
Beautiful and compelling, with downright gasp-worthy twists, Witches Three grabs you by the heart and doesn’t let go. Weaving the stories of Mary, Clara, and July, each with their own fraught tales, this vivid story probes the reality of women throughout history and the lengths they will go to protect their loved ones. It is a testament to the indefatigable female spirit, and I could not put it down!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Net Galley for this advanced reader copy!
This is a spooky historical fiction dual timeline novel, with a hint of magic (spoiler alert: witchcraft).
I’d recommend this book to lovers of Kate Quinn (dual timelines, thoughtful historical research, strong female main characters), and anyone interested in the Salem witch trials.
Final ~10% had me on the edge of my seat and enjoyed seeing how the three stories came together. 4 stars.
This is a spooky historical fiction dual timeline novel, with a hint of magic (spoiler alert: witchcraft).
I’d recommend this book to lovers of Kate Quinn (dual timelines, thoughtful historical research, strong female main characters), and anyone interested in the Salem witch trials.
Final ~10% had me on the edge of my seat and enjoyed seeing how the three stories came together. 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Witches Three is a spellbinding tribute to magic, motherhood, and female resilience. Following three women across different eras, this novel explores the ways women have been feared, judged, and persecuted throughout history. Kristin Judd’s brilliant storytelling celebrates female empowerment and the enduring enchantment of hope.
August 21, 2026
Witches Three follows three women living in three very different time periods, each with an extraordinary gift for healing and a strength that carries through generations.
In 1650, Mary Hatley is a healer who falls for a boy far above her station and eventually finds work in an apothecary shop. Mary becomes determined to protect other women like herself.
In 1692, Clara is accused of witchcraft during the height of the Salem witch trials. With her life in danger, she escapes into the woods and does whatever she can to survive.
Then there is July, 1959, a medical student with the power to heal. She is also a single parent trying to protect her child while feeling completely on her own.
I really enjoyed how each woman's story unfolded and eventually intertwined. The three timelines were interesting on their own, but seeing the connections between them made the story even more compelling. The characters were well written and easy to root for, and I found myself invested in what would happen to each of them.
Overall, this was a well-written story about women, healing, survival, and the strength that can be passed down through generations. I enjoyed watching these three women's stories come together and seeing how their lives were connected in ways they couldn't have imagined.
In 1650, Mary Hatley is a healer who falls for a boy far above her station and eventually finds work in an apothecary shop. Mary becomes determined to protect other women like herself.
In 1692, Clara is accused of witchcraft during the height of the Salem witch trials. With her life in danger, she escapes into the woods and does whatever she can to survive.
Then there is July, 1959, a medical student with the power to heal. She is also a single parent trying to protect her child while feeling completely on her own.
I really enjoyed how each woman's story unfolded and eventually intertwined. The three timelines were interesting on their own, but seeing the connections between them made the story even more compelling. The characters were well written and easy to root for, and I found myself invested in what would happen to each of them.
Overall, this was a well-written story about women, healing, survival, and the strength that can be passed down through generations. I enjoyed watching these three women's stories come together and seeing how their lives were connected in ways they couldn't have imagined.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews