Holloway Witches

by Isa Pearl Ritchie

Ursula escapes to Holloway Rd leaving her former life in tatters, following a bad break-up.

She’s looking forward to a quiet respite in a cozy cottage with a lush garden and lots of bookshelves, but instead she can’t shake the eerie feeling she’s being followed. The tomato plants are growing back out of season, and she's seeing unusual visions of a purple-haired woman who's a lot more intriguing than Ursula would expect.

Then there's gorgeous Rowan with his quirky house truck; she barely knows him yet, but he seems to know more about the weird things going on than Ursula does and she can't deny she's drawn to him as well...

When a creepy and bewitching stranger appears, Ursula has to learn more about magic, her family history, and herself, if she wants to protect the people who are most important to her.

134 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 26, 2020

About the author

Isa Pearl Ritchie is a Wellington-based writer. She grew up in the Waikato as a Pākehā child in a bicultural family and Māori was her first written language. She has completed a PhD on food sovereignty in Aotearoa. She is passionate about food, wellbeing and social justice.

Reviews

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At atmospheric, detailed, and warm read about a young women's return to an early home, the discovery of witchcraft in her family and in herself, and the beginnings of a polyamorous relationship. A comfort read with well-drawn characters and a strongly evoked setting.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first work by Isa Pearl Ritchie that I've read but I've had my eye on her fiction for a while because a) she's a New Zealander, b) she writes for kids (and I have 3 that always need new books), and c) I have Fishing for Maui on my to-read-list. So I jumped at the chance to read and review this witchy novella. It's GOOD. I rarely read fiction set in New Zealand, so this gave me a warm, comforting feeling, hearing our language and references, reading about Wellington and Te Aro Valley, where some friends of mine live. The story follows Ursula who returns to her grandmother's home in Te Aro to heal and reset after the breakup of her toxic relationship. She feels a lot of nostalgia when returning, and also something more, tingles, and occasionally dread as she encounters wee signs that perhaps all isn't quite right on Holloway Road. We're led gently down a story path that arrives at certain facts: magic is real, Ursula is a witch (as her grandmother and great-aunt are), there's dark magic in the nearby forest, and Ursula must fight it with the help of some new friends. This was a surprisingly substantial novella, a fully-formed story, that had sufficient weight and characterisation to keep me engrossed in the plot and the fate of the characters. It was also moderately spooky in a few places, thanks to the threatening Alastair. This is the perfect Halloween read for lovers of witchy fiction.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ursula returns to Aro Valley after many years away. Returning to Holloway Road is bittersweet for her, on one hand she is eager to see her beloved Grandma Esme and Aunt Sorrel, on the other, her return comes after a horrible crash and burn of her life. Once she is back, she has strange visions and the eerie sense she is being followed. Finally, she is confronted with the reality that magic is real and her family has a long line of witches, of which she is one as well. Rebuilding her life anew, is hard, but trying to rebuild it while dodging dangers and stranger’s intent on harming not just her but her beloved family? Doubly hard!
As much as I wanted to love this story, I only feel lukewarm about it. I took too long to get into anything interesting, we had chapter after chapter of Ursula reminiscing about her failed relationship, what she would do now in life, remembering things about her past and the strange lapses in time she is having. But none of that Gripped my interest. It was hard finishing the book, it got a little better, but I am not sure if I would read it again.

[Penny · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cosy Witch book then this is for you. If you're looking for something with a bit more substance like me, it isn't.
I loved the beginning and the way the reader is drawn into Holloway Road and Ursula's life (it reminded me of a witchy short story I read more than 20 years ago that ends in a death, I wish I could remember the title and author), but unfortunately everything felt a little too easy and brief from there. And of course that is fine - if that's what you want to read. I was lent this book by a well-meaning friend who doesn't really understand the kind of fiction I love. I'm glad there is an audience for cosy witch novellas, it just isn't for me. I'm glad I tried though :D

[Becky Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories of women discovering their inner witch 😊
A slow start, but enjoyably familiar to those from Aotearoa. The story picks up with mysterious clues and strange happenings with some light bisexual polyamorous romance thrown in, which is so lovely to see in stories <3
I loved the magic, really enjoyed the planning (great scenes and character development) and conclusion, and relished in their delight in planning for the future.
Would recommend to those who enjoy stories about people finding their magic and inner strength 😊

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman struggling to find her way after a messy break up goes back to the place she always felt most at.

At the cottage home of her Gran and Aunt, she finds not only healing, but magic

Along with magic she faces dark dangers, new challenges and unexpected relationships, romantic and otherwise

Intense battle for the powers of good, and shared and separate roads of self discovery

[Denita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book!

[Claudia Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really great read! I was given a free copy and loved reading it!

Holloway Witches was a really interesting read. You truly get a really vivid image in your mind as you follow the main character on her journey. I love the knowledge that obviously the author has in so many areas - such as the herbs and flowers mentioned. You really do feel like you're right there.

As well as this, I enjoyed the character development. You get to know the characters and feel like you become friends with them. It was great also to read about characters who had real-world issues - horrible ex, not being sure about one's place in the world, confused about oneself, etc. It had a lot of representation (which I won't spoil!) which made it all the better.

[Gillian Warren · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to love it because I live so close to where it's set .But really ,not much impressed.

[Lilli Rorvik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot, and extra fun that it's set in my hometown of Wellington. Witches, magic, a bit of pan / queer romance, a mystery and a lot of fun, only wish it was longer!