Book Review – The Once and Future Witches by Alex E Harrow
In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.
But when the Eastwood sisters–James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna–join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote-and perhaps not even to live-the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.
There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be.
My rating:
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I had high expectations for Once and Future Witches, as Harrow’s previous book, The Ten Thousand Doors of January, was probably my unexpected hit of last year. So despite historical fiction really not being a favourite, I dived into this! And I’m so glad I did. For a start, I do enjoy reading feminist books, and this is definitely that, with some additional witchy goodness. It also sets up an our-world-but-not-quite scenario that really worked for me.
Let’s start with the witches. The concept of witching dying off but small words being passed from mothers to daughters is simply wonderful. And there’s some fabulous discourse about women’s magics versus men’s that I particularly enjoyed. The part of me that loves to read and collect information really enjoyed the aspects of the book that speak to that – this is a book that loves words and it screams off the page. And the women themselves are wonderful. For a start they are largely inclusive in a time when it wasn’t common, and this is discussed in small amounts. Then we see that strength is shown in different ways and it doesn’t make anyone weaker for doing so. Juniper is more stubborn and determined but somehow still fragile, Agnes is both scared and strong, and Bella is weary but still has an open heart. They are all fantastic. Even if sometimes they all annoyed me, and aren’t always likeable, they really move the story along, and show that there’s no one way to be a woman. We also show trans and lesbian inclusivity in this, as well as POC, and that is lovely for a story set at this time.
The story itself is slow, and other than the very early chapters, spends some time setting itself up. This is necessary – any society, secret or otherwise, is slow to start. But from about half way through, I found myself racing from page to page, and dying to find out more. I desperately wanted them to find the way and words to go with their will.
The stories we get told throughout only add to the depth of the world, and I adored that a lot of the words came from rhymes or folk tales that are widely known. It kept making me smile throughout, and really comes into it’s own at the end. Plus Harrow does an excellent job of retelling them in a very short way that doesn’t seem to detract from the meaning which is very impressive.
And finally, we get to see why the way of witches felt so intrinsically tied to the suffragette’s movement. Throughout it felt a little tenuous, especially earlier, but the threads pull together so well you would never know they were there. The overall story does simplify why it is that feminism is needed, and why men act as they do, which did frustrate me, but I loved how cleverly it was done. It was in every action in the book, whether you knew it or not.
Honestly, this is one of the best endings I have read this year. 4.5 stars.
Buy The Once and Future Witches from Waterstones.
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