Book Review: WILD IS THE WITCH

Title: Wild is the Witch
Author: Rachel Griffin
Genre/s and tags: Young Adult / New Adult, Paranormal, Witches, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Publication date: August 2nd 2022

Synopsis

Iris Gray knows witches aren’t welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches’ Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they’re keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast.

Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.

Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she’s about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.

New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches’ Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.

Review

One of my favorite releases of 2022, WILD IS THE WITCH. Rachel Griffin’s new book about a young witch and the boy she cursed.

I finished reading Iris and Pike’s story last night. What a wonderful experience it was! Rachel must have magic of her own because I felt entirely transported, surrounded by the chill and beauty of the Pacific Northwest. The tone and setting were so strong and I find my mind drifting back to it constantly.

The relationship between Iris and Pike was one I deeply enjoyed. There’s something about couples that make so much sense but just can’t see it, even if the people around them can (thank you for the laughs, Isobel!). Their journey is deeply emotional, full of grief and forgiveness and learning to be vulnerable again.

More than anything this book gave me a sense of comfort and hope. Two things I didn’t realize I was needing but found myself drawn to like the first touch of magic, pulling it in until I burned with it.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for an eARC. And thank you Rachel for this magical story.