Riverwitch

by Rem Wigmore

2021 Sir Julius Vogel Award Finalist for Best Novella Self-taught witch Ashley Robinson considers it her duty to protect her hometown Hamilton. She spends her time doing community work and picking up litter by the Waikato River.But something is badly wrong with the river, a sickness deeper than mere pollution can explain. Magic must be the cause, but is it a curse or something else entirely? Ash has to get to the bottom of it, armed with nothing more than the support of her best friend Mikaere and a pocketful of crystals.Then there’s Bryony Manu, the town’s only other witch. A charismatic practitioner of dark magic, Bryony is infuriating … and captivating. Ash needs their help to track down the source of the spell draining life from the river. Can she balance her work with her attraction to Bryony, and master her magic along the way?

Genres: Fantasy, Queer, LGBT, Lesbian

126 pages, Paperback

First published December 29, 2020

About the author

Rem Wigmore is a speculative fiction writer from Aotearoa New Zealand, author of the solarpunk Vengeful Wild duology (Foxhunt and Wolfpack). Their other works include Riverwitch and The Wind City, both shortlisted for Sir Julius Vogel Awards. Rem’s short fiction appears in several places including Baffling Magazine, Capricious Magazine and two of the Year’s Best Aotearoa New Zealand Science Fiction & Fantasy anthologies. Rem’s probably a changeling, but you’re stuck with them now. The coffee here is just too good.

Reviews

[AnnMaree Of Oz · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a similar vein to Succulents and Spells we are introduced to more Kiwi Witches!

Ashley Robinson is a self-taught hedge-witch who mainly utilizes crystals to help keep nature in balance, but when she feels a sudden 'sickness' in the River - she knows it may be too much for her minimal knowledge and power. So she seeks the help of Bryony Manu. Bryony goes by they/them pronouns and dresses as a goth, which has got them the reputation for dark magic. Bryony admits to using a few things to their advantage, but is certainly not the purveyor of dark magics their appearance may suggest.

With the assistance of Ash's best friend, and a pre-teen kid they seek to find out the cause and cure the illness seeping into the river.

Ash and Bry's banter is funny and cute, and I loved meeting their familiars. Not a long story, just an amusing little light read!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little story set in the thriving rural New Zealand city of Kirikiriroa, Hamilton . Our protagonist, a quiet but accomplished magic practitioner, senses something seriously amiss with the mighty Waikato river .
During the course of the story, Ash finds fellowship, gains confidence and grows in empowerment and validation.
This story is beautifully written. It demonstrates love and sensitivity to the environment, dwells on the joy found in human relations, the power of joining with others for a common cause, and the value of companion animals.
Possibly, this book would appeal to young people who like to think that they can change their lives with a spot of magic.
However, those readers who are not magic can be inspired by the love these characters have for the environment and perhaps resolve to follow Ashe's example of collecting litter during nature walks.

[Psyckers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic novella set in the provincial city of Hamilton. A great blend of witchcraft and traditional maori mysticism serves in providing the characters excellent development in their motives, personalities and how they inter act with each other.
This enriches the story magnificently, making it quite a believable one for readers like myself to enjoy, repeatily. This could easily become a series of books.

[Kd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing

Well, that was enjoyable! Two witches get past their preconceived notions and work together. Anybody on social media can recognize the different camp biases: “love and light” witches versus shadow witches, witches following a tradition or in this case, mentored, versus self-taught. It’s just nice to sink into something that reflects your worldview, including the inclusion - and I hate that this is still uncommon enough that it has to be noted - of a non-binary character. (Including/inclusion? Sorry for the redundancy.)

[KA Vickers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun. The main character is a self taught witch who likes to get involved and her 'rival' who she works with doesn't like that she hasn't been trained more traditionally and pretty much just googles and hopes for the best. If I was a witch I'd probably do the same.

Something is wrong with the river and they need to figure it out. Between them, the sort of 'magic roadie' best friend and their familiars they find there's something not right with one of the younger people in town.

I liked the setting and the story, I don't read much that's New Zealand based so I was quite enjoying the new environments.

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riverwitch is a warm, gratifying read, with a strong environmentalist theme, heaps of magic, and an f/nbi enemies (enebies!) to lovers relationship. Vivid characters who you want to be friends with (and are self-aware of their own ridiculousness at least some of the time), wonderful familiars, and a lot of hope and friendship in a sometimes uncaring world: this is an excellent choice to finish off the year or start the new one.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few books in the world like this one, and there should be more.
Incredibly comfortable world and relationships while not dismissing the difficulties it took to get where they were.
Lovely characters and setting, a little low stakes conflict, perfect for the cosy fantasy genre.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a warm hug for the soul! I was hit by some Nebulous Unsourced Anxiety this evening, but reading this has soothed it all away. Queer people making friendships, falling in love, caring for trees and rivers and ducks...it’s hopeful and tight.

[Allie // Kitasai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable novella!

Thanks to the author for sending this to me to read :)

4/5

[Nightwitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super cute, gentle, sweet romance novella (F/NB pairing) with a magical mystery that has the kind of solution where no one's really to blame. Heavy found family vibes.