Fat Witch Summer

The Thirteen States #1

by Lizzy Ives

Sixteen-year-old Thrash doesn’t enchant eyeliner over her lids or clear her acne with magic. She is plus-size, but she doesn’t hate what she sees in the mirror—that’s the realm of her mother, Osmarra, a slim and elegant Glamour witch. When Thrash unexpectedly breaks a mirror with her mind, she discovers she has a knack for magic and will receive one of the three sanctioned Gifts: Glamour, Growth, or Sight. The only problem is that mothers choose the Gifts, and Osmarra is convinced that the Gift of Glamour will fix her daughter’s looks.

When Thrash fails to persuade Osmarra to accept her as she is, a trio of cool witches who call themselves The Lunes offer her an out. Their leader, fiery and charismatic Cresca, recruits Thrash for a road trip to New Salem University, where the girls plan to steal their own Gifts. As Thrash crosses the magical Thirteen States of America, Osmarra hot on her heels, she discovers bewitched diners, haunted tourist traps, and a secret about the Gifts that will change the Thirteen States forever.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Witches, LGBT, Paranormal, Magic, Queer

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2023

About the author

Lizzy Ives (she/her) grew up in the fog of the San Francisco Bay Area and now burns in the sun of Los Angeles with her husband, her cat, and their massive board game collection. She has a BFA in Film Production and has worked in various creative jobs for Marvel Studios, Lionsgate, and Skybound Entertainment. She has a passion for books, movies, and comics, but above all, for stories well told. FAT WITCH SUMMER is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Lizzy Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty, charming, and likable author review to come!

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Lizzy Ives, Sword and Rose Press, and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review-- all opinions are my own.

Fat Witch Summer is a really fun and enjoyable book. The world-building, characters, plot, and premise of the book are all really nice. I honestly had so much fun reading this book, it was very hard to put down a lot of times. I especially enjoyed the different point of views and narrations from the different characters. Some of which I did not expect to read, so that was an extra plus for me. This book was easy to relate to, with the issues that each character is experiencing and going through. I really enjoyed and valued the effort that the author wet through to give voice and strength to each character and their story. Sometimes this is difficult because of how many characters a story has, but Lizzy Ives gives a consistent and strong voice to every character. Also, I really appreciated the historical timeline and discussion questions at the end of the book. Finally, as always I have to mention the cover., It is so cute and a perfect addition to any reader's shelf. It's one of the things that initially drew me into requesting an ARC copy. If you are looking for a fun and fast-paced book filled with friendship, adventure, and self-discovery- then this book is perfect.

[KorenaJo · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO FUN! THE PERFECT SUMMER BOOK. WITCHES, ROAD TRIP AND BODY POSITIVITY ❤

[thevampireslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not crying you are!! This book is as great as the cover and title suggests its going to be, a body positive book about witches on a roadtrip?? Uhmmm yes please, I adored the character of Thrash, the world building is great too, my only complaint? Its too short, I need it longer..as in it never ends...ever! A fun YA paranormal book about self acceptance, I really enjoyed this and I feel its definitely a cosy comfort read for me I will go back to again and again!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun! Teen witches rebelling and finding friendship and agency!!

[Scott Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible jaunt through an original and creative world. It's a fresh and inventive magical foundation that could support a whole world of stories.

I love that I kept learning about the characters all the way through. And that there's a completely delightful talking horse (it's a magical familiar). I'm also so thrilled by the ending - a satisfying end with the door open to more adventure -- can we have more Thrash?? Can't wait to find out.

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters, but it was a quite an adventure. There were a lot of unanswered questions which leads me to believe this is the beginning of a series. If not, what a pity.

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Will you run away with us? And choose your own destiny?”

A group of teenage witches go on a road trip… That’s all I needed to know to pick up this book. I was ready for the bonding that comes from shared experiences and the hope our four witches would meet some interesting people along the way.

Thrash really wants the Gift of Sight. Her mother wants Thrash to have the Gift of Glamour. This is a problem for Thrash because, in this matriarchal society, mothers get to choose which Gift their children receive. What’s a girl to do?!

Well, if you’re Thrash, this is the perfect opportunity to go on a road trip with three witches from school she barely knows. They’re on a mission to liberate the Gifts they want. They didn’t expect things to spiral this much out of control.

I was entirely on board with learning how magic works in Thrash’s world. I thought some bonding time between myself and the girls was inevitable but didn’t connect with any of the characters. There were also fewer scenes involving Thrash, Saki, Em and Cresca bonding and more with a bunch of people chasing them across the Thirteen States than I expected.

This is marketed as a body positive novel and there are some elements of that. This was offset for me by many of the characters having significant struggles with their bodies, though, including those who use magic to change their appearance.

While this was an entertaining read, I wasn’t captivated by it like I’d hoped. I’m left with quite a few unanswered questions, the most pressing of which is, did Takoda survive?

I definitely need a magical bottomless trunk to store all of my books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sword & Rose Press for the opportunity to read this book.

Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com/

[milliereadsalot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was very cute and entertaining, but I struggled to connect with the characters and I don't know if I just missed something but I didn't understand the magic system at all. I liked the development of the friendships throughout this book, and there was some body positivity, however there were some pacing issues around the middle of the story where it felt quite dragged out, in comparison to a pretty fast-paced beginning. I do think that a lot of people would enjoy this though, as it was lighthearted and fun!

[Kelsey Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars! This is a body-positive coming-of-age witch tale for every reader. The characters were 3-dimensional and I found myself rooting for Thrash and her story of self-discovery and choosing her own path. I think this was a fun, sweet, and quick read. I'm hoping for a sequel to see more or the Lunes stories.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ I am OBSESSED! ✨

When I saw the first line of the description reading “Dumplin’ meets the Craft” I was instantly sold! The blurb did not disappoint and this was such a joy of a read!
Fat Witch Summer follows Thrash as she comes into her Magic, rejects the status quo and sets out on a road-trip that changes not only her life, but the Thirteen States forever! Full of friendship, adventure, badassery, a sassy talking familiar, body positivity, magic and revolution - this paranormal coming of age YA Fantasy is a must read!

Pick up Fat Witch Summer by Lizzy Ives when it hits shelves June 13, 2023!

Thank you so much to Sword & Rose Press for the advanced copy!

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this in theory, but the closer I got to the ending, the more I was like, "Wow, doesn't seem like we have a lot of time to properly address everything in the book" and then the book was over.

I kind of wish the narrative was equally split between the four girls, instead of being primarily Thrash, but also Cresca, Em, Saki, Osmarra (Thrash's mom), Tempest (Osmarra's familiar) and maybe others that I'm forgetting. It tried to not be exclusively Thrash's POV, but ends up giving everyone else very little time, when many characters have backgrounds as interesting as (if not more than) Thrash's.

I'm also torn because on the one hand, this resolves everything and I hate when books clearly leave things open-ended for a series. On the other, they got to NSU and were like "we will not be forced to give up our knacks" and after literally everything that happened the Justice was like "Fine". I appreciate that a lot of the development in this story is emotionally driven, but you get to the end and it's so anti-climactic. It makes sense, but it's like, "oh." I think the way this fizzled out really contributed to me giving this 2 stars instead of 3.

[lj ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was a silly little fun time but it dragged on just a bit too long to be enjoyable. it had some interesting things to say - about mothers and daughters and sisterhood, about beauty standards, about colonialism and oppression - but it did not execute them effectively.

this book is written in a very juvenile style, employing awkward middle-school slang such as "welp," "oof," and "this song is a bop." there were also typos. not to say that slang can't be used in contemporary ya novels, or that typos are a make-or-break thing about a book, especially in an indie release; it's just that overall the dialogue was stilted and the writing didn't have great flow, and because of that these terms stuck out more.

this writing issue then snowballs into to the greater problem of a resulting inability to meaningfully convey its themes. the juvenile, awkward writing creates a weird tone mixture when the author tries to tackle huge subjects like colonialism and oppression. i think this book would've been a lot better if we focused more intensely on the mother-daughter and sisterhood relationships and didn't go into the big 'all magic is colonized' themes etc. i do believe that is an interesting story, but it's not one that worked well within this framework.

for starters, the social movement started by these girls in about 2 seconds is simply not believable. i couldn't get behind it. also i feel like the metaphors were simultaneously extremely heavy-handed and convoluted? like witches were persecuted. ok. there's historically magical universities which seem like a parallel to hbcus... but also they repressed indigenous/non-gift magic, and there's a magic liberation movement that wants to free witches from the gifts, which they see as like mild persecution, but also there's a 'broom breakers' extremist branch that wants to eliminate witches? like, this could be seen as an attempt at nuance, but it just didn't fit together. and the general worldbuilding just felt a little lazy... the way magic was incorporated didn't feel particularly fresh or interesting. 'orbs' = magic iphones. okay. idc. references to dragons/fae. great. it's just the US magic-ified slightly, which i guess was the intention, but there was nothing particularly exciting about how the US was depicted in this witchy society.

all of this would be forgiven if i loved the characters, if i could dive headfirst into the found-family, cutesy girlhood road trip situation and fofus on that. unfortunately, this connects back to my issues with the stilted, juvenile, repetitive writing. because of it, the characters feel distant, young, and two-dimensional. the character relationships/found family, which were supposed to be the beating heart of this story, felt underdeveloped and simplistic. i liked how the girls helped each other with their personal issues, but i never got a handle on their relationships and group dynamic. it never felt real to me.

i don't want this review to be totally negative though, because although this book annoyed me at times, i did not hate it by any means. i loved the casual diversity among the characters. i loved that the narrative is about deconstructing beauty standards. i loved that there's a continued emphasis on indigenous lands and the colonialist power structures that repressed (and continue to repress) indigenous culture and traditions. i loved the concept of a teenage witch road trip. it just didn't quite deliver.

[Risa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75-4 stars

I liked but didn’t love this fun, magical, witchy road trip adventure. It was full of a mix of characters/identities and settings and explored some relevant issues, such as body/image issues, social/peer conflicts, and difficult relationships with parents. The overall plot lost me once or twice, but that was my issue more than the book’s, I think. It was a good story that I mostly enjoyed, and I wish I would have explored it sooner.

An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Anna Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super relatable teen characters, great pacing, very believable conflict with parental figures. Look sometimes a book hits you in your fat, rebellious 16-year-old heart and delivers a good time with it. A witchy, cheerful John Hughes movie with socialist politics, mother/daughter feelings, road trips, bounty hunters and making decisions as a teenager all tied in together.
Also refreshed to not have a story about 4 teen girls revolve entirely around boys or romance.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really is the perfect summer read. It's about these four witches who go on a road trip to create their own destiny essentially. It is full of body positivity and embracing who you are as an individual. It's magical, literally, and just such a fun read. There's a fat main character and secondary queer and POC rep.

[Pennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This needs to be a movie and a series!

Definitely a young adult read, but I suggest that anyone of any age read this. As a plus size gal, I was looking forward to reading this. I enjoyed all of the characters. I love how Thrash eventually felt comfortable in her own body. I feel like this would teach young girls how to love themselves. Each girl has to find a way to accept themselves in some way. And to me this book teaches young girls this in a fun way. This book would be such a good movie. It could even become a good series of books and movies. Some parts gave me the excitement that I had when I read the Hunger Games books. I will say I also relate to Saki. It’s almost like her super power is cooking! This was such a fun read. It took me an entire night to finish it because I could not put it down.


*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. My review was not influenced by anyone and is my honest review of such a good book*

[Anniek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read if you want some witchy vibes this summer. It was a quick read for me, and I enjoyed my time with it, but I also don't think it will be very memorable for me.

[Chante Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

~ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion ~

I love the never ending ways magic can be written. This was such a fun bad ass witchy book. Embracing yourself, leaning into your friends, standing up to your parents - starting a magical revolution. I hope there will be another book!

[Sudeshna Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with the ARC copy of this book.

The cover photo of the book is really cute and it absolutely matches with the contents inside it. It was a really fun, witchy read. I read something so engaging after a long time.

The writing skills of the author are flawless and captivating. The book was absolutely Unputdownable. I finished reading it in two sittings. The character development was fantastic and the twists were placed in the perfect places and timings. Overall I feel the plot was very well-written.

I will definitely recommend this book to all the fantasy lovers. It was a very fun and delightful Read.

#fatwitchsummer #NetGalley

[Annemieke / A Dance with Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sword Rose Press and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.

3,5 stars

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a book called Fat Witch Summer. It could go over the top, trying to be too funny. It could take itself too seriously and be too lecturing. Or it could be just the right balance.

"You're a witch, b***h." Cresca called behind her. "Start acting like it."

In this case I think, for the most part, this book hits the right balance. That balance between humor and emotions that works so very well. And especially the start of this book is very strong in that. I thought after the first half this fizzled out a little. This idea that all the characters needed to be deepened out so we get scenes from the other girls all of a sudden, became clear. I'm not quite sure that worked. It would have been better from the start in full point of views or just to stick to Thrash. Now I had to switch a lot.

I also still have a lot of questions about various things like the history of the thirteen states. We did get that dumped on us here and there but it never came alive for me enough to grasp it as a part of the story. It would put some of the various groups they came across (the rebellion, bounty hunters, the outliers etc) as a part of the whole for me. Now it didn't seem to mean that awful lot to me.

Having said that there were also still a lot of strong aspects of this story. I think the relationships between the four girls was a good one. How Thrash was on the outside but starts getting to know them. The insecurities of each and what they were dealing with at home. That did make this book feel more real so that some of the things that happened did leave its mark on the reader as well.

[Chloe Zoebl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether it is body sizes or magical gifts, one size does not fit all.

As a plus size girlie who grew up in the 90s with a very image conscious Mom, this one hit home.

It's not easy growing up plus size in the same house as a parent who is constantly trying out new diets, workout routines, negatively commenting on their bodies and yours (although they try to disguise the critiques as love and "guidance.") I think the author did an excellent job at making Thrash's family dynamic relatable. And seeing her relationship with her Mom grow and evolve reminded me a lot of my own relationship with my Mom over the years so this one is going to hold a special place for me.

I genuinely loved every one of these very relateable witches and enjoyed that we spent time with each girl and got to know each character on a deeper, more personal level. Each character was unique with their own insecurities and challenges and each one grew in confidence by the end of the book.

The friendship between the girls reminded me so much of my friend circle (especially the middle finger salute from all of them at the end 🤣).

Overall just a great feel good read with an empowering message about self acceptance, growth, and friendship with a touch of magical whimsy ✨

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh, what a fun read! I was excited to read a body-positive book, and the fact that it was an adventurous road trip with four young witches was a true bonus.
Theodora, better known as Thrash, is our Main Character. She is a plus-size teen who has just found out that she has magic (not everyone does), and will be given her Gift and go to a maglgical university. The hitch? Her mother will choose which of the three gifts she receives, and Thrash is convinced she will get the Gift of Glamour from her mother, who has the same. Thrash can't help but feel that her mother , Osmarra, wants her to have this particular gift so she can hide her size. but Thrash would prefer to receive the Gift of Sight, like her other mother Duna (who has passed on).
Thrash and some of her peers get together and plan to run off and steal the Gifts they choose for themselves, and this is the beginning of their road trip adventure.
How will Thrash manage with the popular girls in close proximity, with a shared goal?
this book is a great example of friendship, acceptance, and believing in yourself. I hope there are more adventures in store for this quartet.

[erikoreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun story!

📖 I mostly listened to the audiobook, but I also read part of it via ebook, which was helpful because… I’m not very good at listening to audiobooks 😂

It’s right there in the blurb, Thrash (FMC, full name Theodora Blumfeld-Wright) goes on a road trip with the girls from school, known as The Lunes. But for whatever reason, I started the audio thinking they were called The Loons, and was wondering if these girls are supposed to be the “cool girls” or not?? 😆 This is why I need to eyeball read first, so I don’t get confused (and not just rely on hoping I remember what the blurb said 😂). But also, the ebook has a map and I love a good map of magical worlds!

🚙 Anyway, FWS was a fun road trip book set in the Thirteen States, a magical / contemporary fantasy version of the US. The magic in this universe was really interesting — witches get a “knack” first, when they’re around 16, and then get given one of three Gifts (Glamour, Growth or Sight), and then go off to a magical university to learn how to use their magic. But why these three choices only? Why can you only get one Gift? And why do mothers get to choose which Gift to give their child?

🗺️ The Lunes recruit Thrash to go on a road trip to steal their own Gifts, and that’s the start of this crazy adventure. I won’t spoil what happens, but will just say that it is quite the ride!

✌🏼 Also, I also have the audio and ebook for Book 2, Thick Witch Travels, because I backed the Kickstarter. Yay! Now that I have the lay of the land, I think I can dive straight into the audio 🎧

[thewoollygeek (tea, cake, crochet & books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely loved this, as a fat person myself I love the representation these books now have, I wish I had these books myself when I was younger. The fat representation is so good, I love the fact that characters still have insecurities , even with body positivity, it’s so relatable as being told constantly you’re body isn’t the accepted norm is still hard to just switch off so I loved this about it, that we are all body conscious still because of mainstream media and social media. Overall, this is such a fun, cute YA story, light hearted but important, one long long overdue for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Susan Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Right off the bat I appreciate the radical idea of a fat girl who desperately DOESN'T want to get the gift that would allow her to be (or appear) thin even though it would be the easiest thing. Yet I think there's a lot of realistic nuance in Thrash's relationship with her body. The magic system and history was interesting world building, the pacing was good, and the road trip story was a fun one. Each of the characters were well developed and complex.

[Logan Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fun! Good road trip vibes, cool concept with natural magic vs. gifts, especially loved Saki (would have loved even more of her, I want a spin-off with her becoming a master chef using her ability)

[Tylinn Houy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story!
I love the body positivity, the friendships and the magic of it.
It was a little hard to get into at first, but it was a cute and fun adventure.

[Brooke Glazener · Rating 5 out of 5]

I DEMAND MORE! SEQUEL!!! SEQUEL!!! SEQUEL!!!

[Sasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rtc