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The Witchling's Girl
In a quiet street far from the river, with an ancient tree growing through its walls and floors, is the House of the Dead. There lives the witchling: healer, midwife and conduit between the world of the living and the world below. A witchling must give up her family and friends and spend her life alone, tending to the sick and carrying the dead down dark tunnels to the underworld.
Haley was born with the gift of death-magic, and at the age of seven her mother abandons her to the witchling to be raised as her successor. But as Haley grows older and learns her craft - as invading armies pass through her town, people are born and die on her floor, and loyalties shift and dissolve around her - she finds it harder and harder to keep her vows and be the perfect and impassive healer.
But if she can't, it will be her downfall - and that of everyone she's not supposed to love . . .
Haley was born with the gift of death-magic, and at the age of seven her mother abandons her to the witchling to be raised as her successor. But as Haley grows older and learns her craft - as invading armies pass through her town, people are born and die on her floor, and loyalties shift and dissolve around her - she finds it harder and harder to keep her vows and be the perfect and impassive healer.
But if she can't, it will be her downfall - and that of everyone she's not supposed to love . . .
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First published January 7, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
October 4, 2020
This book was absolutely incredible. I just finished and I am an emotional wreck. The writing is stunning, lush and evocative without getting to bogged down in overly flowery prose but I think the true reason this book now has a place in my heart as one of my favourite books is it's focus on healing as well as discussions around death and having a good death. Books that have a large focus on medicine and the struggles that healers (/doctors) face will always mean a lot to me as I so deeply resonate with them.
In this book we follow Haley who has a young girl discovers she is a witchling, which basically means she has power to raise and guide the dead, as well as healing magic. She gets taken to the house of the dead, where she must now live with the current town witchling as an apprentice and can never see her family again. The house of the dead was very remiscient of the baba yaga/house with chicken legs aspect of russian/slavic folklore, with each town/village havinga house of the dead witha resisdent witchling who acts as the village healer, midwife and helps people who are dying and guides the dead to the underworld.
At first Haley is very angry and grieving the loss of her old life but she eventually comes round to becoming the apprentice to the older witchling, Marian who becomes almost a mother figure to Haley. We watch as Haley grows up and learns several life lessons, as well as getting to watch her learn the healing arts, which I just loved all the healing aspects of this book!! There was a scene where Haley is helping Marian for the first time at a birth and that scene was just so emotionally impactful (especially as a medical student myself!).
However life is not that simple and strange things as starting to occur in the land. People are starting to die of a strange disease where they get seizures, start speaking in strange languages and act rashly and unlike themsleves. Haley discovers this is atually happening because these people are being possesed by ghosts and keeps this a secret from Marian (and everyone else) which leads to a lot of emotional turmoil for her and some reckless decison making. Haley also is visited by a mysterious character called Leah, who we find out more about as the book goes on and Haley and Leah grow closer and their relationship is beautiful T_T it had me feeling all the feelings and the angst, mystery and chemistry was amazing!!
Watching Haley look back on her life (that is how the story is told) was such a joy, just to follow her life from a scared little girl, to a aprentice unsure of herself and her descions, to a powerful witchling keeping a lot of secrets and eventually to getting her own witchlings girl to raise.
The character interactions are some of the best aspects of this book, witchlings are not allowed to have a family/have babies/be in love but watching Haley make meaning connections with different people in the village, as well as her complicated relationship with Marian and her forbidden feelings for Leah created such dynamic and interesting character interactions.
The atmosphere of this book is so haunting yet weirdly comforting (I don't know if that is just me though and my love for medicine) but this book is perfect for autumn/winter and especially spooky season!!
And I have to mention it again but all the healing scenes in thsi book were just perfection. I loved all the stuff with the herbs, that added so much to the atmosphere/setting. I also love the discussions around death and helping give people a good death and knowing when their time has come. I also liked how the families have to choose between sending their loved one to the afterlife to be judged and their soul can live on forever or to be resurrected for a few years but they soul goes into oblivion. Very though provoking, especially around the ethics and morality of doing this - I also liked how the best interests of the person was discussed. This book also brought up some struggles it's easy to face as someone who works in a healthcare setting, such as feeling guilty when a patient dies and like it's your fault even though you did everything you could, deling with the anger and grief of families and the general emotional exhaustion that comes with providing care and being deeply empathatic.
And finally the ending. I am not okay T_T. I teared up a least twice (a rarity for me in books) and everything just comes to a perfect head, the poltical tension in the land that has been building up, the interpersonal conflicts in the village, the emotional stakes. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
In this book we follow Haley who has a young girl discovers she is a witchling, which basically means she has power to raise and guide the dead, as well as healing magic. She gets taken to the house of the dead, where she must now live with the current town witchling as an apprentice and can never see her family again. The house of the dead was very remiscient of the baba yaga/house with chicken legs aspect of russian/slavic folklore, with each town/village havinga house of the dead witha resisdent witchling who acts as the village healer, midwife and helps people who are dying and guides the dead to the underworld.
At first Haley is very angry and grieving the loss of her old life but she eventually comes round to becoming the apprentice to the older witchling, Marian who becomes almost a mother figure to Haley. We watch as Haley grows up and learns several life lessons, as well as getting to watch her learn the healing arts, which I just loved all the healing aspects of this book!! There was a scene where Haley is helping Marian for the first time at a birth and that scene was just so emotionally impactful (especially as a medical student myself!).
However life is not that simple and strange things as starting to occur in the land. People are starting to die of a strange disease where they get seizures, start speaking in strange languages and act rashly and unlike themsleves. Haley discovers this is atually happening because these people are being possesed by ghosts and keeps this a secret from Marian (and everyone else) which leads to a lot of emotional turmoil for her and some reckless decison making. Haley also is visited by a mysterious character called Leah, who we find out more about as the book goes on and Haley and Leah grow closer and their relationship is beautiful T_T it had me feeling all the feelings and the angst, mystery and chemistry was amazing!!
Watching Haley look back on her life (that is how the story is told) was such a joy, just to follow her life from a scared little girl, to a aprentice unsure of herself and her descions, to a powerful witchling keeping a lot of secrets and eventually to getting her own witchlings girl to raise.
The character interactions are some of the best aspects of this book, witchlings are not allowed to have a family/have babies/be in love but watching Haley make meaning connections with different people in the village, as well as her complicated relationship with Marian and her forbidden feelings for Leah created such dynamic and interesting character interactions.
The atmosphere of this book is so haunting yet weirdly comforting (I don't know if that is just me though and my love for medicine) but this book is perfect for autumn/winter and especially spooky season!!
And I have to mention it again but all the healing scenes in thsi book were just perfection. I loved all the stuff with the herbs, that added so much to the atmosphere/setting. I also love the discussions around death and helping give people a good death and knowing when their time has come. I also liked how the families have to choose between sending their loved one to the afterlife to be judged and their soul can live on forever or to be resurrected for a few years but they soul goes into oblivion. Very though provoking, especially around the ethics and morality of doing this - I also liked how the best interests of the person was discussed. This book also brought up some struggles it's easy to face as someone who works in a healthcare setting, such as feeling guilty when a patient dies and like it's your fault even though you did everything you could, deling with the anger and grief of families and the general emotional exhaustion that comes with providing care and being deeply empathatic.
And finally the ending. I am not okay T_T. I teared up a least twice (a rarity for me in books) and everything just comes to a perfect head, the poltical tension in the land that has been building up, the interpersonal conflicts in the village, the emotional stakes. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
November 30, 2020
She was only a child when Haley brought her cat back to life and her mother had to take her to Marian, the Witchling of her small town. Haley is being abandoned and betrayed by her own mother and she doesn't handle it well. She now becomes the Witchling's girl and we see slowly the process of this procedure throughout the years. We see her grow along with the witch and learn everything from her for when her time comes.
If you're looking for some witchy books, look no further. This book is perfect for Halloween or whenever you feel the need to read something dark and haunting. I loved every page, the characters were complex and well developed and I loved the pacing of the story and the fact that I could never guess what would happen next or what secrets these characters kept in the past or what they were hiding in the present.
The world building and all the facts surrounding their kind of witchcraft was fascinating to read. The House of Dead was definitely something I didn't expect to love and I was pleasantly surprised by this. The relationship between Marian and Haley was something I truly enjoyed reading , how it started and how it developed. Definitely one of my favorite reads this month and I would highly recommend it. I'm certain you'll fall in love with these characters and this intricate and unique world building the author has created.
ARC was kindly provided by Hodder & Stoughton, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
If you're looking for some witchy books, look no further. This book is perfect for Halloween or whenever you feel the need to read something dark and haunting. I loved every page, the characters were complex and well developed and I loved the pacing of the story and the fact that I could never guess what would happen next or what secrets these characters kept in the past or what they were hiding in the present.
I could never leave. Not even for a week. When Marian died, I would be the witchling of this town, and their dead would need me. I was chained forever to these people who did not love me.
The world building and all the facts surrounding their kind of witchcraft was fascinating to read. The House of Dead was definitely something I didn't expect to love and I was pleasantly surprised by this. The relationship between Marian and Haley was something I truly enjoyed reading , how it started and how it developed. Definitely one of my favorite reads this month and I would highly recommend it. I'm certain you'll fall in love with these characters and this intricate and unique world building the author has created.
ARC was kindly provided by Hodder & Stoughton, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
November 6, 2020
The Witchling's Girl we follow Haley, who as a young girl discovers she has the power to bring back the dead. Her mother instantly takes her to the House of the dead and leaves her there, to train and become the next Witchling when the current one dies!
We start with Haley as an angry child grieving the loss of her life and family and resenting the current Witchling for holding her in the House of dead, but as the years pass we get to see her change into this young strong woman, as she learns her craft her confidence in herself rises and she begins to accept her life as the Witchling.
Being the Witchling her life has never been simple, she has to stick to the laws of never having a family of her own, never having a love, the town's people must come first and she has a duty to care for them all the same.
Soon there's a strange disease sweeping through the town and people start to act strangely and commit terrible crimes before they eventually seizure and die. This disease is erratic and unpredictable and goes on for some years, through it Hayley meets the mysterious Leah and starts to form a strange bond with her.
I really loved the magical elements to this story, it was really well told and I had some serious Baba Yaga vibes.
The characters were all really well developed and I loved the chemistry between Haley and her lovers, every time I was routing for her to just find some happiness somewhere.
While the ending was sad I totally understand why the writer went down that route, it really did add to the whole story and I was left thinking about it for days after I'd finished the book.
A beautiful read and one I'm glad I read in October for those witchy vibes.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a e-arc of this.
We start with Haley as an angry child grieving the loss of her life and family and resenting the current Witchling for holding her in the House of dead, but as the years pass we get to see her change into this young strong woman, as she learns her craft her confidence in herself rises and she begins to accept her life as the Witchling.
Being the Witchling her life has never been simple, she has to stick to the laws of never having a family of her own, never having a love, the town's people must come first and she has a duty to care for them all the same.
Soon there's a strange disease sweeping through the town and people start to act strangely and commit terrible crimes before they eventually seizure and die. This disease is erratic and unpredictable and goes on for some years, through it Hayley meets the mysterious Leah and starts to form a strange bond with her.
I really loved the magical elements to this story, it was really well told and I had some serious Baba Yaga vibes.
The characters were all really well developed and I loved the chemistry between Haley and her lovers, every time I was routing for her to just find some happiness somewhere.
While the ending was sad I totally understand why the writer went down that route, it really did add to the whole story and I was left thinking about it for days after I'd finished the book.
A beautiful read and one I'm glad I read in October for those witchy vibes.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for a e-arc of this.
September 23, 2021
That ending!!! 4.5 stars.
January 3, 2021
I was really excited to receive this book for review by Hodder & Stoughton, the synopsis sounded extremely intriguing and the cover is gorgeous and completely evocative of the novel within. It is so beautifully and eloquently written, it’s dark, haunting and atmospheric and although it made me feel a little uneasy and unsettled at times, I couldn’t help but keep turning the pages wondering what would happen next. The opening chapter introduces you to a 7 year old Haley, the main protagonist, resurrecting a cat and this in itself draws the reader into the story immediately and doesn’t let go.
The world and magic system are fascinating and intricate and there is such wonderful attention to detail. The writer really plays with your emotions, there is an intensity and passion with which the author writes and you never know what is going happen from one page to the next. The pacing is fairly slow, but this is necessary due to the depth of explanation and intricacies of the world. I never once felt bored and the story completely held my attention and never dragged.
The main characters are phenomenal, they are beautifully portrayed and have depth and complexity. The main focus is on Haley and the story is written from her perspective narrating her own life. Haley becomes the village witchling, who lives in the House of the Dead and it is her duty is to try to heal whoever comes to her without question, she is also the proclaimer of death transporting the deceased to the Underworld. I was rooting for Haley all the way through, she has suffered so many hardships and has had such an exhausting life and I hoped she would find happiness. I enjoyed following the exploration and development of the relationship Haley had with Marion and latterly with the mysterious Leah.
This is one of those hauntingly beautiful novels I will be thinking about for years to come and the ending of this book will definitely toy with your emotions. There are some heartfelt and tragic scenes, along with some chilling moments, however although the novel is a little bit grim it is beautifully and vividly written and you can’t help but become completely emotionally invested in the story. The Witchling’s Girl would make the perfect Halloween read or if you love reading about witches and magic and something dark and haunting.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for the beautiful review copy.
The world and magic system are fascinating and intricate and there is such wonderful attention to detail. The writer really plays with your emotions, there is an intensity and passion with which the author writes and you never know what is going happen from one page to the next. The pacing is fairly slow, but this is necessary due to the depth of explanation and intricacies of the world. I never once felt bored and the story completely held my attention and never dragged.
The main characters are phenomenal, they are beautifully portrayed and have depth and complexity. The main focus is on Haley and the story is written from her perspective narrating her own life. Haley becomes the village witchling, who lives in the House of the Dead and it is her duty is to try to heal whoever comes to her without question, she is also the proclaimer of death transporting the deceased to the Underworld. I was rooting for Haley all the way through, she has suffered so many hardships and has had such an exhausting life and I hoped she would find happiness. I enjoyed following the exploration and development of the relationship Haley had with Marion and latterly with the mysterious Leah.
This is one of those hauntingly beautiful novels I will be thinking about for years to come and the ending of this book will definitely toy with your emotions. There are some heartfelt and tragic scenes, along with some chilling moments, however although the novel is a little bit grim it is beautifully and vividly written and you can’t help but become completely emotionally invested in the story. The Witchling’s Girl would make the perfect Halloween read or if you love reading about witches and magic and something dark and haunting.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton for the beautiful review copy.
October 17, 2020
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. My review is my own and not influenced by others.
4,5*
I just finished reading The Witchling girl and it was a fantastic, beautiful, and emotional reading experience. The writing style was great; it pulled me right into the story and kept me fascinating trough the book to the ending.
The world building was unique; the characters were great and well elaborated and the end made me emotional. It made me wonder and inquisitively. I think it was a great job of the writer to choose this ending to keep the book in de minds of the readers.
The Witchling girl a book I highly recommend when someone wants to read a fantasy book that is unique on its own.
4,5*
I just finished reading The Witchling girl and it was a fantastic, beautiful, and emotional reading experience. The writing style was great; it pulled me right into the story and kept me fascinating trough the book to the ending.
The world building was unique; the characters were great and well elaborated and the end made me emotional. It made me wonder and inquisitively. I think it was a great job of the writer to choose this ending to keep the book in de minds of the readers.
The Witchling girl a book I highly recommend when someone wants to read a fantasy book that is unique on its own.
October 13, 2024
This was heartbreakingly beautiful! It was a slow read that I never wanted to end. It gripped me and held me and submerged me and when I again emerged the feeling lingered deep within me. This will be one of the very few books I'll reread.
January 22, 2021
I'd like to thank Hodder & Stoughton for providing this e-arc, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
4 ⭐ a witchy, atmospheric, queer YA fantasy, what is there not to like?
4 ⭐ a witchy, atmospheric, queer YA fantasy, what is there not to like?
November 18, 2020
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with a copy of this book, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review!
The end of October was meant to mark the end of my witchy recommendations, but I HAVE ONE MORE! The Witchling’s Girl is atmospheric, dark and such a unique witchy read.
On the day Haley reawakens her pet cat, who had just died, her mother delivers her to the Witchling’s house, to spend the rest of her life training to take over the Witchling’s position. Devastated, young Haley tries everything to escape her fate, but every village must have a Witchling. Without one their sick would not be healed, their babies may not be born alive and there would be no-one to carry their dead to the underworld….or re-animate them if the family wishes. As she learns the ways of the Witchling, the vows she must take, including the forsaking of all loved ones and any chance at a future relationship or family, seem harder and harder to live by.
I love my witchy books to be the type that pull me in to a dark world, and hold me spellbound until the end and The Witchling’s Girl captivated me from the very start. There is nothing fluffy about the magic performed by the Witchling and the story is full of closely held secrets and the raw brutality of the inescapable parts of life. This book is not a rush of action, it develops at a meandering pace that is perfect for a spooky read. The characters are exceptionally well developed and although there were a lot of side characters to keep track of, I never had a problem connecting the dots of who was who. I loved the way we got to watch Haley grow, as the elder Witchling aged, throughout the story. It connected me so completely to them both. The writing was nothing short of magical and this haunting story took my emotions and shook them to the core. Make sure you add this one to your TBR!
The end of October was meant to mark the end of my witchy recommendations, but I HAVE ONE MORE! The Witchling’s Girl is atmospheric, dark and such a unique witchy read.
On the day Haley reawakens her pet cat, who had just died, her mother delivers her to the Witchling’s house, to spend the rest of her life training to take over the Witchling’s position. Devastated, young Haley tries everything to escape her fate, but every village must have a Witchling. Without one their sick would not be healed, their babies may not be born alive and there would be no-one to carry their dead to the underworld….or re-animate them if the family wishes. As she learns the ways of the Witchling, the vows she must take, including the forsaking of all loved ones and any chance at a future relationship or family, seem harder and harder to live by.
I love my witchy books to be the type that pull me in to a dark world, and hold me spellbound until the end and The Witchling’s Girl captivated me from the very start. There is nothing fluffy about the magic performed by the Witchling and the story is full of closely held secrets and the raw brutality of the inescapable parts of life. This book is not a rush of action, it develops at a meandering pace that is perfect for a spooky read. The characters are exceptionally well developed and although there were a lot of side characters to keep track of, I never had a problem connecting the dots of who was who. I loved the way we got to watch Haley grow, as the elder Witchling aged, throughout the story. It connected me so completely to them both. The writing was nothing short of magical and this haunting story took my emotions and shook them to the core. Make sure you add this one to your TBR!
January 6, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing me with an EARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
"She was the witchling and I was her girl, and if we were united in purpose and will, the town was safe."
This is in equal parts a story about magic and humanity, life and death, and speaks volumes on the complexity of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. It's a life story filled with morality set in a rich atmosphere that will leave you breathless.
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR Abandonment, Death, Medical Trauma and Medical Content, Grief, Loss of a Parent, Crime, Violence, and mentions of Sexual Assult.
The setting and atmosphere, along with the writing style was the biggest draw to this book, it is magical and mystical whilst still being raw and real in places. There are many sections that are so meaningful and profound but as a whole, it is easy to get sucked into the world. Definitely, a book that would be great to read in the autumn/ Halloween season and one I am sure a lot of people will find enchanting.
The plot and pacing were very well done considering it encompasses many years, the middle section was a little slower in my opinion however the last half I read in a single sitting. Throughout there is definitely a fair amount of action however I would not say that this was an action-based story and definitely is more of a reflective, character-based one.
Therefore the characters are definitely a strong point, especially our main character Haley and her tremendous growth. The commentary on the different types of love and death that was so well intertwined with the characters' thought processes was refreshing to read about, and the author didn't shy away from darker subjects whilst still being very respectful.
I was expecting more romance from this book but I am not sure why which I think is interesting itself, by the end, I was almost glad there wasn't because it made each of the individual relationships even more meaningful. I was so invested in friendships which I am not sure I have ever done before and at times the story made me quite emotional.
It is unique for sure, however, it shares enough similar traits that I think it should be widely received in a positive way. I definitely thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience!
Rated: 4 Stars
"She was the witchling and I was her girl, and if we were united in purpose and will, the town was safe."
This is in equal parts a story about magic and humanity, life and death, and speaks volumes on the complexity of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. It's a life story filled with morality set in a rich atmosphere that will leave you breathless.
TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR Abandonment, Death, Medical Trauma and Medical Content, Grief, Loss of a Parent, Crime, Violence, and mentions of Sexual Assult.
The setting and atmosphere, along with the writing style was the biggest draw to this book, it is magical and mystical whilst still being raw and real in places. There are many sections that are so meaningful and profound but as a whole, it is easy to get sucked into the world. Definitely, a book that would be great to read in the autumn/ Halloween season and one I am sure a lot of people will find enchanting.
The plot and pacing were very well done considering it encompasses many years, the middle section was a little slower in my opinion however the last half I read in a single sitting. Throughout there is definitely a fair amount of action however I would not say that this was an action-based story and definitely is more of a reflective, character-based one.
Therefore the characters are definitely a strong point, especially our main character Haley and her tremendous growth. The commentary on the different types of love and death that was so well intertwined with the characters' thought processes was refreshing to read about, and the author didn't shy away from darker subjects whilst still being very respectful.
I was expecting more romance from this book but I am not sure why which I think is interesting itself, by the end, I was almost glad there wasn't because it made each of the individual relationships even more meaningful. I was so invested in friendships which I am not sure I have ever done before and at times the story made me quite emotional.
It is unique for sure, however, it shares enough similar traits that I think it should be widely received in a positive way. I definitely thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience!
Rated: 4 Stars
January 12, 2021
My thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Witchling’s Girl’ by Helena Coggan in exchange for an honest review.
Hayley is the girl of the title. After bringing her pet cat back to life, her mother abandons her at the House of the Dead in the care of Marian, the local witchling. Over time Hayley grows into this vital role of healer, midwife, and conduit between the dead and the underworld, that is reached through tunnels under the eight-hundred year house.
I had expected this YA fantasy to be a good fit and yet I found myself feeling very little connection to its characters and found the setting very vague with the result that the world building, aside from the concept of the witchlings and the Death House, felt absent. I don’t usually mind a slow burn but so little actually happened that its nearly 400 pages just dragged and dragged.
I did find the Death House built from the roots of an ancient tree with its branches growing through the house and link to the Otherworld a potent symbol but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps its themes were more relevant to a YA readership, I just know that it didn’t work for me.
Clearly, I am in the minority with my disappointment with this novel as many readers found it relevant and engaging.
Hayley is the girl of the title. After bringing her pet cat back to life, her mother abandons her at the House of the Dead in the care of Marian, the local witchling. Over time Hayley grows into this vital role of healer, midwife, and conduit between the dead and the underworld, that is reached through tunnels under the eight-hundred year house.
I had expected this YA fantasy to be a good fit and yet I found myself feeling very little connection to its characters and found the setting very vague with the result that the world building, aside from the concept of the witchlings and the Death House, felt absent. I don’t usually mind a slow burn but so little actually happened that its nearly 400 pages just dragged and dragged.
I did find the Death House built from the roots of an ancient tree with its branches growing through the house and link to the Otherworld a potent symbol but it wasn’t enough. Perhaps its themes were more relevant to a YA readership, I just know that it didn’t work for me.
Clearly, I am in the minority with my disappointment with this novel as many readers found it relevant and engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
Thank you to the team at Hodder & Stoughton for providing a beautiful copy for review!
I am currently watching the redeveloped tv show of Sabrina the Witch so I felt really excited when picking up this novel about Haley who is a witchling! This was such a dark and atmospheric read! You guys know how I get scared easily and I must admit I found myself getting jumpy and nervous at times while reading! It is intense, emotional at some parts, with an overall gloomy atmosphere throughout the entire read.
It is a bit slower paced, which normally would take my mind off focus, however the spookiness kept me entertained throughout the entire book. The ending had me reeling, I was not prepared for that! It is a heartbreaking story not for the faint of heart, it will certainly stick to your thoughts after reading.
I am currently watching the redeveloped tv show of Sabrina the Witch so I felt really excited when picking up this novel about Haley who is a witchling! This was such a dark and atmospheric read! You guys know how I get scared easily and I must admit I found myself getting jumpy and nervous at times while reading! It is intense, emotional at some parts, with an overall gloomy atmosphere throughout the entire read.
It is a bit slower paced, which normally would take my mind off focus, however the spookiness kept me entertained throughout the entire book. The ending had me reeling, I was not prepared for that! It is a heartbreaking story not for the faint of heart, it will certainly stick to your thoughts after reading.
May 26, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc for review. This in no way influences my opinions.
This was beautifully written! The writing is lovely and so easy to read without being too lyrical and over the top. The story itself is very atmospheric, and I think that was one of my favourite things about the book.
In this story, we follow Haley as she's looking back over the events of her life. I loved the way that it was told, as if she was telling us a story, and felt that really fit the atmosphere of the novel.
Overall I really enjoyed this one!
⚠️ Content warning for off-page rape, off-page abortion, gore, war, graphic descriptions of illness and injury.
This was beautifully written! The writing is lovely and so easy to read without being too lyrical and over the top. The story itself is very atmospheric, and I think that was one of my favourite things about the book.
In this story, we follow Haley as she's looking back over the events of her life. I loved the way that it was told, as if she was telling us a story, and felt that really fit the atmosphere of the novel.
Overall I really enjoyed this one!
⚠️ Content warning for off-page rape, off-page abortion, gore, war, graphic descriptions of illness and injury.
January 15, 2023
This book was amazing. I wish I had time to read it in one sitting, maybe I will do that some day. I bought this book at random, I did not know anything about it. I read the summary and saw the cover so I bought it. It’s the first time I read a book like this, but wow it did not let me down! I love it!
January 8, 2022
This book was different to anything I'd usually pick up, but the synopsis really intrigued me so I decided to give it a try and I'm glad I did!
I enjoyed getting to see Haley growing from being a young, confused, angry child to becoming the witchling. I did get confused sometimes but I found myself getting back into it pretty quickly. I think the book itself was beautifully written and I somehow the author managed to make a whole load of goings on seem like there really wasn't that much at all if that makes sense? Like all of the information and everything that happened throughout the years in the story could have been overwhelming but yet it wasn't.
I really did enjoy this book so It's safe to say I started off 2022 well.
I enjoyed getting to see Haley growing from being a young, confused, angry child to becoming the witchling. I did get confused sometimes but I found myself getting back into it pretty quickly. I think the book itself was beautifully written and I somehow the author managed to make a whole load of goings on seem like there really wasn't that much at all if that makes sense? Like all of the information and everything that happened throughout the years in the story could have been overwhelming but yet it wasn't.
I really did enjoy this book so It's safe to say I started off 2022 well.
December 15, 2022
Loved it!! So very exciting it was hard to put it down and also very heartwarming and heartaching. Beautiful written book could have wished for a better author.
February 17, 2023
I wish I could give this 1000 stars. This book absolutely destroyed me, I am an emotional wreck. I don’t even have words right now
January 20, 2021
Actually 4.5 stars.
Review to come
Review to come
November 9, 2025
Hooked from page one! this story is both beautiful and heartbreaking 😭
October 14, 2021
NO NO NO! I absolutely loved this book from the first page up to what my Kindle told me was about 80% of the story and then it went completely downhill. That has never happened to me before and I usually wait a couple of weeks before I write a review, to let it all sink in, but in this case...NO.
There is not much worldbuilding in this story, everything happens in the little village and the House of the Dead in which Haley, the main character, grows up and lives (by the way, looooove that the house is kinda alive and does its own thing - reminded me of a Discovery of Witches). But the story is incredibly character-driven and I loved that from the beginning because it is such an eerie and haunted atmosphere and it perfectly fits the character's fate and thoughts. However, as much as I loved Haley in the beginning, at some point she just completely drowns in her misery, which she very much brought upon herself, and instead of rising up to the challenges, she breaks. And that was so painful to read. At some point, I got really irritated and thought to myself "If I have to read 'I was so tired' one more time, I'm gonna freak". It was really annoying and in the end, Haley's decisions and thoughts were all so random that it felt like Coggan just wanted to finish the story (Leah should have told me, Leah should not have told me, it would have made a difference, it would not have made a difference....back and forth) and it was a bit weird how suddenly all she could say to Adrienne was how much she loved her and cared for her and whatnot, it was very confusing. If the end had been different, this could have easily been my favourite book of 2021 :(
Also, maybe it's just the ebook version, but did anyone else find a couple of typos or rather missing words in the edition? That got to me as well....
There is not much worldbuilding in this story, everything happens in the little village and the House of the Dead in which Haley, the main character, grows up and lives (by the way, looooove that the house is kinda alive and does its own thing - reminded me of a Discovery of Witches). But the story is incredibly character-driven and I loved that from the beginning because it is such an eerie and haunted atmosphere and it perfectly fits the character's fate and thoughts. However, as much as I loved Haley in the beginning, at some point she just completely drowns in her misery, which she very much brought upon herself, and instead of rising up to the challenges, she breaks. And that was so painful to read. At some point, I got really irritated and thought to myself "If I have to read 'I was so tired' one more time, I'm gonna freak". It was really annoying and in the end, Haley's decisions and thoughts were all so random that it felt like Coggan just wanted to finish the story (Leah should have told me, Leah should not have told me, it would have made a difference, it would not have made a difference....back and forth) and it was a bit weird how suddenly all she could say to Adrienne was how much she loved her and cared for her and whatnot, it was very confusing. If the end had been different, this could have easily been my favourite book of 2021 :(
Also, maybe it's just the ebook version, but did anyone else find a couple of typos or rather missing words in the edition? That got to me as well....
January 7, 2021
The Witchling’s Girl is the perfect book to read for the month of October - dark, secretive and peppered with dark magic.
I was hooked from the first chapter. The concept of every town having a witchling was so unique and like nothing I’ve ever read before. I love books based around witchcraft, so it was refreshing to read something different and imaginative.
I fell in love with the characters, the story and the world. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page for one second, and I couldn’t sleep for thinking about the story. The writing was stunning - some of the best writing I’ve seen for a while. The author really got inside the character’s head and it felt like they were narrating the story right next to me.
The book is told from Haley’s perspective as if she was narrating what happened. We followed her from when she found out she was destined to be a witchling, through her training, until the end of her story. It added another unique factor, and the author wrote it well. It could feel somewhat distanced at times, though.
I haven’t felt this emotionally invested in a book for so long, and it was amazing to feel like that again. It was dark, atmospheric and exciting. The kind of dark that has you hiding under the covers, peering out into the darkness like something is going to get you! I will definitely check out other books by this author and will look out for more from them!
I was hooked from the first chapter. The concept of every town having a witchling was so unique and like nothing I’ve ever read before. I love books based around witchcraft, so it was refreshing to read something different and imaginative.
I fell in love with the characters, the story and the world. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page for one second, and I couldn’t sleep for thinking about the story. The writing was stunning - some of the best writing I’ve seen for a while. The author really got inside the character’s head and it felt like they were narrating the story right next to me.
The book is told from Haley’s perspective as if she was narrating what happened. We followed her from when she found out she was destined to be a witchling, through her training, until the end of her story. It added another unique factor, and the author wrote it well. It could feel somewhat distanced at times, though.
I haven’t felt this emotionally invested in a book for so long, and it was amazing to feel like that again. It was dark, atmospheric and exciting. The kind of dark that has you hiding under the covers, peering out into the darkness like something is going to get you! I will definitely check out other books by this author and will look out for more from them!
November 30, 2020
*I received this book as an ARC on NetGalley*
Sadly, this book just wasn't for me. The plot felt quite plain and slow burning, which might suit some people but unfortunately it did not work for me. It made my reading experience feel like a chore and I probably would have stopped reading about halfway through had this been a book I had bought myself. It often felt like the story needed a major incident to speed up the pace and move the plot along. Despite this, I loved the narrative voice and connected fairly well with the main character, Haley.
Overall this did not suit me but readers who prefer a slow burn story may enjoy this book.
Sadly, this book just wasn't for me. The plot felt quite plain and slow burning, which might suit some people but unfortunately it did not work for me. It made my reading experience feel like a chore and I probably would have stopped reading about halfway through had this been a book I had bought myself. It often felt like the story needed a major incident to speed up the pace and move the plot along. Despite this, I loved the narrative voice and connected fairly well with the main character, Haley.
Overall this did not suit me but readers who prefer a slow burn story may enjoy this book.
December 7, 2020
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. It is scheduled to be published on 7th January in the UK according to netgalley but 8th July on Amazon so the date may change.
At seven years old, Haley resurrects the family cat, identifying herself as the next witchling. Her mother carries her to Marian, the current witchling and leaves her there. Haley is forced to accept her new destiny, but with a war coming her role may be very different to previous witchlings.
Firstly, I have to admit a certain difficulty reviewing this book. I loved the world building and its approach to death felt fresh and original, but at times I struggled with the story. It starts like a teen book with a young girl learning of her talent and fighting against it with everything she has, but as she gets older the plot thickens and it almost becomes a different kind of book. I can't even decide how much to reveal without risking cries of spoiler so I'm going to do my best to describe it without giving anything away.
The world outside how it deals with death isn't hugely developed, but the depth of explanation into that is well done. It therefore has to be a slow moving novel, which it is, so the reader and Haley can both understand what's going on. A witchling is the town healer, living in the House of the Dead, so called because it has one of many entrances to the underworld in its basement. Although a witchling heals people and is a midwife, it's her dealings with death that singles her out the most. When a person dies the witchling can temporarily resurrect them with magic, or take their body to the underworld. When they are alive they can choose to be judged on death, and those who do are either damned or transcended. If they aren't judged they remain in the underworld forever, or their souls (here called ghosts whether the person is alive or not) will die if their bodies aren't taken to the underworld whole. Follow all that? Understanding that takes about 25% of the book and that's without revealing any plot points!
There are characters I can't mention because it gives too much away but the relationships between them are kind of fluid. Marian and Haley are no doubt the most important characters in the beginning and they spend great swathes of the early chapters almost alone as their relationship builds, which makes sense because they are largely left alone. People fear death so they in turn fear those they see as facilitating it. This alone makes it quite a slow burner and not a book everyone will like. I don't mind it but when the plot opens up with the war and then the aftermath it becomes a bit of a rollercoaster with lots of plot for a few chapters then back to the day to day healing. These peaks come more often further into the book and I found my interest waning and peaking as well to the point I couldn't decide whether I was enjoying it or not.
There's definitely much to be admired in this book, and a new approach to certain things that I enjoyed. Yes it does progress slowly and I understand other reviewers saying not much happens. I thought a lot happened but the plot gets surprisingly complicated and the references to later events when describing past ones can be off-putting; for example describing an event with a character and then saying how they died years later. It gave the feel of a memoir to me but the first time it happened I thought it was saying the person died right after the event, not years later, so I was a tad confused and others may be too.
It's worth reading this for how the world is built and the approach to death and magic but if you doubt like slow burners, maybe go for a library or borrowed copy.
3.5/5
At seven years old, Haley resurrects the family cat, identifying herself as the next witchling. Her mother carries her to Marian, the current witchling and leaves her there. Haley is forced to accept her new destiny, but with a war coming her role may be very different to previous witchlings.
Firstly, I have to admit a certain difficulty reviewing this book. I loved the world building and its approach to death felt fresh and original, but at times I struggled with the story. It starts like a teen book with a young girl learning of her talent and fighting against it with everything she has, but as she gets older the plot thickens and it almost becomes a different kind of book. I can't even decide how much to reveal without risking cries of spoiler so I'm going to do my best to describe it without giving anything away.
The world outside how it deals with death isn't hugely developed, but the depth of explanation into that is well done. It therefore has to be a slow moving novel, which it is, so the reader and Haley can both understand what's going on. A witchling is the town healer, living in the House of the Dead, so called because it has one of many entrances to the underworld in its basement. Although a witchling heals people and is a midwife, it's her dealings with death that singles her out the most. When a person dies the witchling can temporarily resurrect them with magic, or take their body to the underworld. When they are alive they can choose to be judged on death, and those who do are either damned or transcended. If they aren't judged they remain in the underworld forever, or their souls (here called ghosts whether the person is alive or not) will die if their bodies aren't taken to the underworld whole. Follow all that? Understanding that takes about 25% of the book and that's without revealing any plot points!
There are characters I can't mention because it gives too much away but the relationships between them are kind of fluid. Marian and Haley are no doubt the most important characters in the beginning and they spend great swathes of the early chapters almost alone as their relationship builds, which makes sense because they are largely left alone. People fear death so they in turn fear those they see as facilitating it. This alone makes it quite a slow burner and not a book everyone will like. I don't mind it but when the plot opens up with the war and then the aftermath it becomes a bit of a rollercoaster with lots of plot for a few chapters then back to the day to day healing. These peaks come more often further into the book and I found my interest waning and peaking as well to the point I couldn't decide whether I was enjoying it or not.
There's definitely much to be admired in this book, and a new approach to certain things that I enjoyed. Yes it does progress slowly and I understand other reviewers saying not much happens. I thought a lot happened but the plot gets surprisingly complicated and the references to later events when describing past ones can be off-putting; for example describing an event with a character and then saying how they died years later. It gave the feel of a memoir to me but the first time it happened I thought it was saying the person died right after the event, not years later, so I was a tad confused and others may be too.
It's worth reading this for how the world is built and the approach to death and magic but if you doubt like slow burners, maybe go for a library or borrowed copy.
3.5/5
January 7, 2021
'The Witchling’s Girl’ is a quiet young adult fantasy that burrows under your skin and refuses to let you go. The magical elements are intriguing, but the real heart of the story is in its emotions – sadness and longing and heartbreak and love. This is not a happy story, but it’s a profoundly impactful one that lingers long beyond the last page.
The story follows Haley – a perfectly normal child until, aged seven, she accidentally resurrects the family cat. The only people with the ability to resurrect the dead are the Witchling’s – healers and herbalists, but also those with death magic, who can resurrect the dead or take them to the afterlife for judgement. As she knows she must, Haley’s mother takes her to the current Witchling – Marion – and abandons her, leaving the Witchling to train Haley to be her successor. At first, Haley fights her fate – but every town needs a Witchling, and the costs of Haley not becoming the Witchling are worse than those she faces becoming one.
It’s impossible not to become attached to Haley. She’s introduced as a terrified seven year old, not understanding why her mother has left her behind in a strange place. She hates the Witchling and longs so badly for a freedom she will never achieve. As time passes, she grows and matures – but some of that defiant seven year old always remains, and it’s a flaw that’s eminently relatable. Haley is, at heart, a nice person – she cares about people, and wants to do the right thing – but she often cares too much and that starts to become her downfall.
The world Helena Coggan crafts is exquisite in its simplicity. In many respects it feels like Medieval Britain – small towns run by rival Lords, each with their own healer-herbalist who works to balance the humours – but Coggan has taken this framework and built a fantasy world out of it. In her version, there is death-magic – a way of healing severe wounds by giving some of your energy to another, and a way to resurrect the dead – but only once, and at the cost of that person never going to the afterlife. It’s a familiar feeling magic system, but one which works perfectly with the setting and is beautifully described.
The plot is nothing like what I expected when I picked this up. It’s cleverly crafted, with little hints dropped throughout, but still manages to catch you by surprise. The first few chapters are reminiscent of novels like ‘The Sin Eater‘ – historical fiction about a child outcast – but this goes in an entirely different direction, weaving in political upheaval and supernatural entities and, above all, a child forbidden from connecting with others trying – but failing – to follow that vow. Haley doesn’t make good, or logical, decisions, but each one is completely understandable, and the story doesn’t shy away from the consequences. This is magical realism, but the fact that the protagonist is allowed to make these childish decisions makes it feel more real than many similar novels that follow stricter historical fiction.
The writing is one of the best parts. It doesn’t try to be flowery or lyrical; doesn’t craft elaborate descriptions – it just tells the story, but it does it in such a way that every emotion is a stab through the heart. There are a few moments where the flow isn’t perfect, but beyond those this is a masterclass in the effectiveness of simplicity.
Overall, this is a story that’s far more than the sum of its parts. If you’re looking for fantasy filled with action and bold characters this isn’t the book for you – but if you want to read something quieter, something that focuses on character and connection, something that crafts a little bubble of a world and explores the delicate dynamics within that, then this is a recommended read.
The story follows Haley – a perfectly normal child until, aged seven, she accidentally resurrects the family cat. The only people with the ability to resurrect the dead are the Witchling’s – healers and herbalists, but also those with death magic, who can resurrect the dead or take them to the afterlife for judgement. As she knows she must, Haley’s mother takes her to the current Witchling – Marion – and abandons her, leaving the Witchling to train Haley to be her successor. At first, Haley fights her fate – but every town needs a Witchling, and the costs of Haley not becoming the Witchling are worse than those she faces becoming one.
It’s impossible not to become attached to Haley. She’s introduced as a terrified seven year old, not understanding why her mother has left her behind in a strange place. She hates the Witchling and longs so badly for a freedom she will never achieve. As time passes, she grows and matures – but some of that defiant seven year old always remains, and it’s a flaw that’s eminently relatable. Haley is, at heart, a nice person – she cares about people, and wants to do the right thing – but she often cares too much and that starts to become her downfall.
The world Helena Coggan crafts is exquisite in its simplicity. In many respects it feels like Medieval Britain – small towns run by rival Lords, each with their own healer-herbalist who works to balance the humours – but Coggan has taken this framework and built a fantasy world out of it. In her version, there is death-magic – a way of healing severe wounds by giving some of your energy to another, and a way to resurrect the dead – but only once, and at the cost of that person never going to the afterlife. It’s a familiar feeling magic system, but one which works perfectly with the setting and is beautifully described.
The plot is nothing like what I expected when I picked this up. It’s cleverly crafted, with little hints dropped throughout, but still manages to catch you by surprise. The first few chapters are reminiscent of novels like ‘The Sin Eater‘ – historical fiction about a child outcast – but this goes in an entirely different direction, weaving in political upheaval and supernatural entities and, above all, a child forbidden from connecting with others trying – but failing – to follow that vow. Haley doesn’t make good, or logical, decisions, but each one is completely understandable, and the story doesn’t shy away from the consequences. This is magical realism, but the fact that the protagonist is allowed to make these childish decisions makes it feel more real than many similar novels that follow stricter historical fiction.
The writing is one of the best parts. It doesn’t try to be flowery or lyrical; doesn’t craft elaborate descriptions – it just tells the story, but it does it in such a way that every emotion is a stab through the heart. There are a few moments where the flow isn’t perfect, but beyond those this is a masterclass in the effectiveness of simplicity.
Overall, this is a story that’s far more than the sum of its parts. If you’re looking for fantasy filled with action and bold characters this isn’t the book for you – but if you want to read something quieter, something that focuses on character and connection, something that crafts a little bubble of a world and explores the delicate dynamics within that, then this is a recommended read.
October 31, 2021
Every town must have one. Without a Witchling, there is no one to mend their broken bones, birth babies, or heal the sick. Most important of all, a Witchling takes the town’s dead to the Underworld for judgement to prevent a loved one’s ghost from rotting within its body. A town without a Witchling risk their lives and their afterlife. Every town also has a House of the Dead.
Seven year old Haley didn’t know this when she placed her hands on the dead family cat. She didn’t know she could bring creatures back from the dead either. When her mother saw this, Haley was drugged and left with Marian, the town Witchling. Witchlings only live until their 50’s (if they’re lucky), so when a child shows healing powers, they instantly become a Witchling’s girl (An Apprentice).
Haley fought and cried and hated Marian. She felt betrayed by her own mother. But it was to be, and she began to learn the Witchling’s ways in the House of the Dead. She reads, watches, learns and reads some more. She listens to Marian’s lessons and advice, and begins to love the revered town Witchling. Marian teaches Haley about the afterlife and choices and even how to revive a dead person if they’ve requested it. Then there is the knowledge of keeping that person from rotting in front of their own family.
Haley learns she must follow Witchling law – she must not marry, have children or even love. The first rule is always to heal the person in front of her, no matter if they have wronged her or someone she knows. She learns well, assists Marian, then puts into practice all she has learnt as she grows.
Much healing is done through the years, but outside their town and across the land, there is a war going on. Soldiers arrive one night and demand Marian and Haley bring their tools and medicines to heal one of their own. A commander’s daughter is ill, and acting strangely, bloody foam at her lips. Marian can’t heal her and the girl dies. The vengeance wrecked upon the Witchling is brutal, but the girl isn’t the first to be struck down by this strange illness.
The Underworld is not closed off from the living as Haley had thought. Something is escaping and their are other creatures trying to prevent it. One of these creatures is Leah, a witch more powerful than any Witchling. Haley is fascinated by Leah, but her awe causes much destruction in the House of the Dead.
Can she really risk her life, her entire town’s safety and her own new Witchling’s girl’s life for the life of one witch?
Wow. The Witchling’s Girl is written beautifully even through the horrors, lies, and violence of being the Witchling’s girl. Young Haley’s hurt and betrayal is raw and heartbreaking, and so are the rules placed on her. Haley is like any other young woman, needing love and comfort and a shoulder to cry on. Her journey to be all that she is expected to be is a punishing one.
The setting of the House of the Dead is carved into my mind as Haley lives, learns, and works there all hours of the day and night for over a decade. I was awed by the house’s own powers, and the tattoos and the runes carved into the Witchling’s bodies.
As a Witchling you are nothing – no one loves you and you love no one – but you are everything – the very entity your entire town cannot be without.
The pressure is endless, Haley’s internal fight constant. I felt her betrayal, her pain, her loneliness and her final guilt like a blade.
Seven year old Haley didn’t know this when she placed her hands on the dead family cat. She didn’t know she could bring creatures back from the dead either. When her mother saw this, Haley was drugged and left with Marian, the town Witchling. Witchlings only live until their 50’s (if they’re lucky), so when a child shows healing powers, they instantly become a Witchling’s girl (An Apprentice).
Haley fought and cried and hated Marian. She felt betrayed by her own mother. But it was to be, and she began to learn the Witchling’s ways in the House of the Dead. She reads, watches, learns and reads some more. She listens to Marian’s lessons and advice, and begins to love the revered town Witchling. Marian teaches Haley about the afterlife and choices and even how to revive a dead person if they’ve requested it. Then there is the knowledge of keeping that person from rotting in front of their own family.
Haley learns she must follow Witchling law – she must not marry, have children or even love. The first rule is always to heal the person in front of her, no matter if they have wronged her or someone she knows. She learns well, assists Marian, then puts into practice all she has learnt as she grows.
Much healing is done through the years, but outside their town and across the land, there is a war going on. Soldiers arrive one night and demand Marian and Haley bring their tools and medicines to heal one of their own. A commander’s daughter is ill, and acting strangely, bloody foam at her lips. Marian can’t heal her and the girl dies. The vengeance wrecked upon the Witchling is brutal, but the girl isn’t the first to be struck down by this strange illness.
The Underworld is not closed off from the living as Haley had thought. Something is escaping and their are other creatures trying to prevent it. One of these creatures is Leah, a witch more powerful than any Witchling. Haley is fascinated by Leah, but her awe causes much destruction in the House of the Dead.
Can she really risk her life, her entire town’s safety and her own new Witchling’s girl’s life for the life of one witch?
Wow. The Witchling’s Girl is written beautifully even through the horrors, lies, and violence of being the Witchling’s girl. Young Haley’s hurt and betrayal is raw and heartbreaking, and so are the rules placed on her. Haley is like any other young woman, needing love and comfort and a shoulder to cry on. Her journey to be all that she is expected to be is a punishing one.
The setting of the House of the Dead is carved into my mind as Haley lives, learns, and works there all hours of the day and night for over a decade. I was awed by the house’s own powers, and the tattoos and the runes carved into the Witchling’s bodies.
As a Witchling you are nothing – no one loves you and you love no one – but you are everything – the very entity your entire town cannot be without.
The pressure is endless, Haley’s internal fight constant. I felt her betrayal, her pain, her loneliness and her final guilt like a blade.
October 27, 2020
“Magic … is not so much an art as a language, one you are born fluent in.”
Recounting her own story, protagonist Haley unravels the world of the witchlings for the reader; a time entrenched in magic, embroiled in war, entangled in duty.
The witchling of a village is both bringer of health and proclaimer of death. It is her role to care for people without bias, being compassionate but impartial. Haley is discovered as a witchling’s girl with the power to resurrect the dead when she is seven. She is then handed over to Marian, the town’s current witchling, to be parted from her family forever. Her duty is to one day replace Marian as the town’s witchling and protect people from harm while also facing their fear as the woman that deals with the dead.
Haley’s formative years are spun throughout the novel, showing her growth as a witchling and a person. The careful balancing of tone as Haley grows is particularly well crafted; her younger self reads far differently than it does by the end of the novel, but at no point did I feel like she was overly childish. Perhaps this is due to the reflective tone of the writing. You are aware for the entirety of the story that Haley knows much more than she is sharing. Yet, these do not feel like needless hooks - they definitely kept me turning pages.
Likewise, there is a careful conversation between female duty in many forms. Haley is constantly torn between what she has been told to believe is her responsibility and what her feelings dictate she should do. Particularly in the case of Leah, Haley’s allegiances are incredibly blurred; but it is in a striking moment of loss that takes the novel in a direction that allows Haley to see that obligation and emotions as a witchling can live comfortably alongside one another if you are careful.
I found this to be an original storyline with some interesting character development and plotting. I don’t think I’ve read anything like it before which is rare to come across these days! The world building was an important feature for me and I think it is something keen readers of fantasy will really enjoy.
I felt I was kept on my toes enough to peak my interest, especially with Daniel and Samuel’s storylines. Marian is probably my favourite character. Her quiet demeanour and authority alongside her clear motherly love for Haley is something the protagonist only sees with age. Their dynamic felt very organic and helped to introduce the reader to their world without overwhelming them. I felt the most emotional impact from her story arc. I wasn’t particularly a fan of Leah as a character - probably due to her differing morals to that of Haley which I felt more akin to - but it was great to read a fresh interpretation of a sapphic relationship with different obstacles to overcome than the norm.
The lore behind the witchling magic and the underworld was also fascinating, even more so with hindsight about the novel’s conclusion. I’d love to read more from this world and get a feel for the magic of the rune tattoos, the witch’s world, and more about the lords fighting the war - there’s so much potential in that story!
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this e-arc.
Recounting her own story, protagonist Haley unravels the world of the witchlings for the reader; a time entrenched in magic, embroiled in war, entangled in duty.
The witchling of a village is both bringer of health and proclaimer of death. It is her role to care for people without bias, being compassionate but impartial. Haley is discovered as a witchling’s girl with the power to resurrect the dead when she is seven. She is then handed over to Marian, the town’s current witchling, to be parted from her family forever. Her duty is to one day replace Marian as the town’s witchling and protect people from harm while also facing their fear as the woman that deals with the dead.
Haley’s formative years are spun throughout the novel, showing her growth as a witchling and a person. The careful balancing of tone as Haley grows is particularly well crafted; her younger self reads far differently than it does by the end of the novel, but at no point did I feel like she was overly childish. Perhaps this is due to the reflective tone of the writing. You are aware for the entirety of the story that Haley knows much more than she is sharing. Yet, these do not feel like needless hooks - they definitely kept me turning pages.
Likewise, there is a careful conversation between female duty in many forms. Haley is constantly torn between what she has been told to believe is her responsibility and what her feelings dictate she should do. Particularly in the case of Leah, Haley’s allegiances are incredibly blurred; but it is in a striking moment of loss that takes the novel in a direction that allows Haley to see that obligation and emotions as a witchling can live comfortably alongside one another if you are careful.
I found this to be an original storyline with some interesting character development and plotting. I don’t think I’ve read anything like it before which is rare to come across these days! The world building was an important feature for me and I think it is something keen readers of fantasy will really enjoy.
I felt I was kept on my toes enough to peak my interest, especially with Daniel and Samuel’s storylines. Marian is probably my favourite character. Her quiet demeanour and authority alongside her clear motherly love for Haley is something the protagonist only sees with age. Their dynamic felt very organic and helped to introduce the reader to their world without overwhelming them. I felt the most emotional impact from her story arc. I wasn’t particularly a fan of Leah as a character - probably due to her differing morals to that of Haley which I felt more akin to - but it was great to read a fresh interpretation of a sapphic relationship with different obstacles to overcome than the norm.
The lore behind the witchling magic and the underworld was also fascinating, even more so with hindsight about the novel’s conclusion. I’d love to read more from this world and get a feel for the magic of the rune tattoos, the witch’s world, and more about the lords fighting the war - there’s so much potential in that story!
Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for this e-arc.
October 4, 2020
The Witchling’s Girl is fantastically written, it’s got a unique premise in which each village has a witchling to cure the community, to act as a midwife and upon their death to either bring people back or escort them beyond for judgement. Each witchling has a girl, an involuntary apprentice in a way, who upon showing signs of the craft at a young is renounced and given to the witchling to live with her in the House of Dead, train and become her successor. The story starts with our protagonist Haley, taken as a little girl after bringing her dead cat to life, being passed to Marian, the current witchling, where is taught she no longer can see her family, she cannot love, she serves her people and in turn must disown herself. She is taught medicine, magic, the laws of the underworld, but along with day to day healing Haley must learn, the village is also facing a mysterious illness and, if that’s not bad enough, in the middle of a war between battling Lords.
Haley is a fantastic character, you really experience her character development throughout the book As she grows up,, starting off angry and resentful when her mother gives her away, and through life lessons and good (and bad) people, becoming a young woman with torn loyalties, tenderness and fierceness until full circle, she becomes the witchling raising the girl. This book has great LGBQT representation and in particular a connection with Leah, a mysterious character who is brought in later in the book, is tender and intimate and the chemistry is delightful. Similarly, another beautiful relationship is the one between Haley and Marian which takes on a maternal role that is so perfectly captured. There are also a lot of relationships and characters introduced that have special meaning, characters are introduced for a reason and build each other up.
The writing really is fantastic, there is a scene where Haley and Marian deliver a baby that particularly stayed with me. Morality, loyalty, love, violence is addressed, the writing is deep and poetic and my goodness this book will make you feel! While this book is beautifully written, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of the 5, simply because I finished the book and just sat there feeling Incredibly overwhelmed and devastated because this book is very dark, very brutal, very heavy that I genuinely found hard to get past. This book is as much about life as it is about death and while it’s beautiful, it doesn’t hold back. It’s a testament to the writing that it made me care so much about these people.
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review
Haley is a fantastic character, you really experience her character development throughout the book As she grows up,, starting off angry and resentful when her mother gives her away, and through life lessons and good (and bad) people, becoming a young woman with torn loyalties, tenderness and fierceness until full circle, she becomes the witchling raising the girl. This book has great LGBQT representation and in particular a connection with Leah, a mysterious character who is brought in later in the book, is tender and intimate and the chemistry is delightful. Similarly, another beautiful relationship is the one between Haley and Marian which takes on a maternal role that is so perfectly captured. There are also a lot of relationships and characters introduced that have special meaning, characters are introduced for a reason and build each other up.
The writing really is fantastic, there is a scene where Haley and Marian deliver a baby that particularly stayed with me. Morality, loyalty, love, violence is addressed, the writing is deep and poetic and my goodness this book will make you feel! While this book is beautifully written, I’m giving it 4 stars instead of the 5, simply because I finished the book and just sat there feeling Incredibly overwhelmed and devastated because this book is very dark, very brutal, very heavy that I genuinely found hard to get past. This book is as much about life as it is about death and while it’s beautiful, it doesn’t hold back. It’s a testament to the writing that it made me care so much about these people.
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for an honest review
October 1, 2020
This book saw me pouring a pumpkin spice latte, slapped it out of my hand and said “No! This is how we do spooky season now!” And honestly?! Favourite book of the year.
Do you want to curl up with a cup of tea and fall into an entrancement of hauntingly, beautiful literature during fall? Yes? Thought so.
First of all- it took me by surprise as it was not advertised as LGBT+ but THIS BOOK IS QUEER AND I LOVE IT. My gay heart was over joyed.
1. Our main character, Haley- is Bi
2. Leah- is Asexual, and sapphic (I believe, but many interpret her character in different ways)
3. There’s also mention of a gay male couple early in the book though fleeting.
Now the book itself. I was gripped by the house’ talons and brought into the magical world of a witchling. The book has a medieval, fantasy style feel, with battling lords attempting to take one another’s land.
The story however mostly focuses on Haley, who at an extremely (not normally seen) young age, begins to display powers of resurrection; showing she is a witchling.
However the life of a witchling is one of only devotion to the cause and total impartiality; punishable by death if you choose to deviate from your path. Haley is ripped from her mother’s grasp, taken into the house of the dead and looked down upon by a town who fears the dark and wonderful powers of its healers.
‘If I stayed stupid, if I did not study, then I would not learn how to carry the dead into the underworld’
The book follows Haley as she grows, starting from a young age and flowing through her life like a hauntingly, spiritual diary. It follows the elder witchling who raises her also,
It’s extremely hard hitting, emotional and has beautiful depth.
I know some people are looking for books to replace their usual Harry Potter reading with this year- and I would highly reccomended this tale of magic. An inclusive, haunting and hard hitting tale of magic.
Content warnings; brief mentions of rape, violence, abuse, bullying, being taken from family, abortion.
I would like to thank the publisher Hodder Books , for providing me with an ARC of this brilliant book.
Do you want to curl up with a cup of tea and fall into an entrancement of hauntingly, beautiful literature during fall? Yes? Thought so.
First of all- it took me by surprise as it was not advertised as LGBT+ but THIS BOOK IS QUEER AND I LOVE IT. My gay heart was over joyed.
1. Our main character, Haley- is Bi
2. Leah- is Asexual, and sapphic (I believe, but many interpret her character in different ways)
3. There’s also mention of a gay male couple early in the book though fleeting.
Now the book itself. I was gripped by the house’ talons and brought into the magical world of a witchling. The book has a medieval, fantasy style feel, with battling lords attempting to take one another’s land.
The story however mostly focuses on Haley, who at an extremely (not normally seen) young age, begins to display powers of resurrection; showing she is a witchling.
However the life of a witchling is one of only devotion to the cause and total impartiality; punishable by death if you choose to deviate from your path. Haley is ripped from her mother’s grasp, taken into the house of the dead and looked down upon by a town who fears the dark and wonderful powers of its healers.
‘If I stayed stupid, if I did not study, then I would not learn how to carry the dead into the underworld’
The book follows Haley as she grows, starting from a young age and flowing through her life like a hauntingly, spiritual diary. It follows the elder witchling who raises her also,
It’s extremely hard hitting, emotional and has beautiful depth.
I know some people are looking for books to replace their usual Harry Potter reading with this year- and I would highly reccomended this tale of magic. An inclusive, haunting and hard hitting tale of magic.
Content warnings; brief mentions of rape, violence, abuse, bullying, being taken from family, abortion.
I would like to thank the publisher Hodder Books , for providing me with an ARC of this brilliant book.
April 15, 2022
I was in tears by the ending of this I can't explain the impact this slow building, tense fantasy has had.
Abandoned by her mother as a tiny child, and given to the Witchling seemed a fate worse that death to Haley.
As she grows up in a peaceful house, far from the river but sheltered from storm, she learns to let go of her resentment to Marian, the Witchling.
Here in the house of the dead, she aids Marian in healing or returning the souls of the villagers to the underworld.
Until, one day, she encounteres a strange new illness. Untill she meets Leah. Until the Lord invades her home.
And suddenly, everything has changed.
Now loyalties are in fluctuation and suddenly those who were born and died in Hayley's care doubt her. At what cost?
Ok so when I started this I had absolutely no idea that it was going to be sapphic. Haley has several relationships with men and women, so although it's never explicitly mentioned I would say she's bi and the whole romance subplot was so well written and sweet but heartbreaking at the same time.
The Witchling's Girl did get off to a bit of a slow start, but I soon got into the story and value how Coggan set up the story in time for both us, and Hayley to gather our thoughts and understand the lives of this world.
Haley herself was the perfect protagonist, born with the gift of death-magic and therefore destined to be the next Witchling, she obviously resented her fate but as the book develops her feelings and we mature with her. She was flawed and selfish in places, but just as all humans are. And she was interesting and had personality and purpose, as all humans do.
This was such an original world, definitely not the standard YA and I would say this is aimed at 15+.
Especially the ending, it was incredibly sad but so perfect at the same time. I would recommend this to literally anyone because of the emotion Coggan writes with. It feels like a classic, but at the same time wholly modern.
I can only say it was devastating, and if you enjoyed 'For the Wolf' by Hannah Whitten, 'The Way Back' by Gavriel Savit or Naomi Noviks 'Uprooted' you'll adore Tje Witchling's Girl.
Abandoned by her mother as a tiny child, and given to the Witchling seemed a fate worse that death to Haley.
As she grows up in a peaceful house, far from the river but sheltered from storm, she learns to let go of her resentment to Marian, the Witchling.
Here in the house of the dead, she aids Marian in healing or returning the souls of the villagers to the underworld.
Until, one day, she encounteres a strange new illness. Untill she meets Leah. Until the Lord invades her home.
And suddenly, everything has changed.
Now loyalties are in fluctuation and suddenly those who were born and died in Hayley's care doubt her. At what cost?
Ok so when I started this I had absolutely no idea that it was going to be sapphic. Haley has several relationships with men and women, so although it's never explicitly mentioned I would say she's bi and the whole romance subplot was so well written and sweet but heartbreaking at the same time.
The Witchling's Girl did get off to a bit of a slow start, but I soon got into the story and value how Coggan set up the story in time for both us, and Hayley to gather our thoughts and understand the lives of this world.
Haley herself was the perfect protagonist, born with the gift of death-magic and therefore destined to be the next Witchling, she obviously resented her fate but as the book develops her feelings and we mature with her. She was flawed and selfish in places, but just as all humans are. And she was interesting and had personality and purpose, as all humans do.
This was such an original world, definitely not the standard YA and I would say this is aimed at 15+.
Especially the ending, it was incredibly sad but so perfect at the same time. I would recommend this to literally anyone because of the emotion Coggan writes with. It feels like a classic, but at the same time wholly modern.
I can only say it was devastating, and if you enjoyed 'For the Wolf' by Hannah Whitten, 'The Way Back' by Gavriel Savit or Naomi Noviks 'Uprooted' you'll adore Tje Witchling's Girl.
November 10, 2020
The Witchling’s Girl follows the story of Haley from the time she discovers her gift and becomes the witchling’s girl and then what happens to her throughout the following years with the world around her changing and different people entering her life.
The book follows Haley’s life from when she was a child till she is an adult and details her role of becoming the witchling and what she gets up to, the plot itself is not very exciting however I really enjoyed the writing style and tone of the book. The way the book was written made me want to read on and made Haley’s story interesting, we follow her throughout different important parts of her life but my favourite thing about the book is Haley herself and her voice. She has a lot going on and her new role means she is isolated from those around her but as the story progresses we see her slowly start to trust people and deal with her vulnerability and her conflicted emotions around having to do her job/keep her vows and balance them against her feelings for the people she cares about. There is also so much about the world she lives in that she does not know and without answers she makes mistakes, there is so much guilt she carries and it was interesting to read about her and what her choices lead to – the ending of the book connects to something from her past and I liked how everything linked together.
The plot of the book is not action packed or very dramatic but that was fine because the slow pace and simple storyline suited the tone of the book. I also liked how throughout the book there is references to the past and the future and information about other side characters, it made the storytelling aspect of the book interesting to read.
I really enjoyed the story overall; the setting, the magic and the characters but I did feel like the book was building up to something especially near the end of the book which lead nowhere and I would have liked to know more about the world the book is set in – more about what happened to those the witchling helped.
3/5
The book follows Haley’s life from when she was a child till she is an adult and details her role of becoming the witchling and what she gets up to, the plot itself is not very exciting however I really enjoyed the writing style and tone of the book. The way the book was written made me want to read on and made Haley’s story interesting, we follow her throughout different important parts of her life but my favourite thing about the book is Haley herself and her voice. She has a lot going on and her new role means she is isolated from those around her but as the story progresses we see her slowly start to trust people and deal with her vulnerability and her conflicted emotions around having to do her job/keep her vows and balance them against her feelings for the people she cares about. There is also so much about the world she lives in that she does not know and without answers she makes mistakes, there is so much guilt she carries and it was interesting to read about her and what her choices lead to – the ending of the book connects to something from her past and I liked how everything linked together.
The plot of the book is not action packed or very dramatic but that was fine because the slow pace and simple storyline suited the tone of the book. I also liked how throughout the book there is references to the past and the future and information about other side characters, it made the storytelling aspect of the book interesting to read.
I really enjoyed the story overall; the setting, the magic and the characters but I did feel like the book was building up to something especially near the end of the book which lead nowhere and I would have liked to know more about the world the book is set in – more about what happened to those the witchling helped.
3/5
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