***I SOLD MY SOUL TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS COPY AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN***
***Received from Netgalley in exchange for review- but the blessings I will bestow on this beauteous offering are all from me***
Cast your mind back to January. Before we all fell under the corona curse, I was blessed to read a wondrous book called Ten Thousand Doors of January. Such was the enchantment of the narrative, I was sure that no other book I read this year could surpass it… Until now. For, Once and Future Witches has utterly bewitched me.
Before we get started, I must confess I lost my notes for this review. No matter how much I hunted for them, those devilish scribblings couldn’t be found. Never fear, however- I shall scry my memories to tell you why you should read this wickedly clever twist on Arthurian legends and fairy tales. With legendary skill, Harrow roots this story in the oral tradition, telling of ancient tales resurrected and revived into something new (actually, given all that, it’s kind of fitting that my notes vanished into the aether).
Masterfully written, this has the kind of charm you cannot put into words. Dressed in darkness and showing off its witchy wares, this captivated me from the start. Weaving its magic steadily through the pages, I was cloaked in its mystifying atmosphere. Hinting at history, yet entirely made up- this ties threads together that don’t really belong in one story. It shouldn’t really work- and yet, as if by magic, they all blend together in a remarkable tapestry. In fact, the story snaps so many conventions in its crooked fingers, pointing us in a dazzling new direction… which I suppose just shows that some rules were made to be broken 😉
I’ll admit, I’ve always had a soft spot for witches. Unconventional and with pinch of dubious intent, they feed my need for anti-heroines. And these were no exception! They weren’t your average “good girls” nor were they cackling caricatures- they were entirely fleshed out as individuals. Mirroring archetypes, they came to life thanks to their distinct personalities, steady development and most importantly their relationship with each other. Beyond the romances and friendships, my favourite part of this story was how it explored the complexities of sisterhood. Evil brews throughout the story- yet they learn to stand together in the face of it.
The plot was quite something to behold. For a spell, I did wonder where the story was heading. But ultimately, it comes full circle, setting a blaze of drama and thrilling me to the core. And there are real costs at the end of it. The results were haunting; it left a shadow in its wake.
Stories are layered atop of stories here. While some of these will be familiar, others are utterly unique. Covering the woman’s suffrage movement and more, this delved into areas I usually prefer not to see in my fiction… but given Harrow’s talent I can’t pretend to have been all that bothered by it. Whether I agreed with every bit of its themes or not, this was a tale that held a great deal of power. It enthralled me even in its gloom. It conjured more beauty than I ever could have imagined possible. And you really can’t ask for more than that.
Rating: one eye of newt, three dead mans toes, some serpents teeth…
Just kidding: 5/5 bananas of course!
So, have you read either of Alix E Harrow’s books? Do you plan to? Let me know in the comments!
Fantastic review, fantastic book, loved Ten Thousand Doors of January and I loved this too.
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Thank you!! I’m so glad you agree!!
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Oh your review is just fab! I havent seen this book before but now I really want to read it! I got given an Amazon voucher today so I’m off to spend it!!!
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Thanks so much!! Ahh that’s so exciting!!
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I’ve got it and I’ve started!!!
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Your review persuaded me to buy ‘Ten Thousand Doors…” and I’m tempted again… But first I have to finish the latest Rebus – nothing if not eclectic…
(Will I ever find time to rewrite my ‘Pond People’?)
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Thank you! (Ah I sympathise- too many books to read!)
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I haven’t read anything by this author but you just pushed this book to the top of my TBR. Amazing review!
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Oh glad to hear it! Thank you!
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I just finished this book this morning (amid a flood of tears) and I absolutely agree with everything you said! Harrow’s writing is absolutely stunning and it’s a story that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
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Ahh I’m so glad you agree!! Absolutely!!
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I am even more excited to read it!!! It gets so many amazing reviews and yours is one more to add to the pile!
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Ahh really glad to hear it!!
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Haven’t read any…but do have to wonder about something you’d sell your sound for…
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hehe!!
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Such a great review!!! I love how you word your posts!
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Thank you so much! You’re really kind! ❤
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I haven’t read either of these books yet, but I do plan to read both! I already bought The Ten Thousand Doors (just haven’t gotten to it) and I also pre-ordered Once and Future Witches, so I have that one waiting for me now, too!
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Oh brilliant!! 😀
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I’m SO glad you loved it so much, it sounds totally AMAZING 😍👏🏻✨
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It really was!! 😀
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Such a wonderful review! I debating on requesting this from netgalley. It sounds bloody brilliant! I’m so happy you loved this! It makes me even more excited to read it 😍😍
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Thank you! It was wonderful!!! I love this author!!
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I remember Ten Thousand Doors! I have not yet read that but I’m still adding this to the list (probably by the time I get round to this, it’s already been published :p)
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Oh definitely recommend both of them! (hehe, well, I will agree- because I published this review on publication day 😉 )
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I really want to read this now!
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Glad to hear it! 😀
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I loved The Ten Thousand Doors of January and I am so excited to read this one! Even more excited now I’ve read your review!
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Oh really happy to hear that!! 😀
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Greta review, I am currently reading this and loving it 💜💜
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Thank you! Ah brilliant- so glad to hear it!! 😀 ❤ ❤
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So glad you loved this! I’m super excited for it and hope to be reading it soon, hopefully!
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OMGGGG WHY ARE YOU ALWAYS MAKING ME BUY NEW BOOKS
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Wonderful review! I loved it too!
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