Wild is the Witch is a captivating book that delves into the world of witches and their mysterious powers. The book takes readers on a thrilling journey through the enchanting forests and ancient folklore that surround these intriguing figures. The author vividly describes the setting, allowing readers to feel the mystical presence of the witch herself. The forest is portrayed as a dark and magical place, filled with secrets waiting to be discovered. From the moment readers enter this world, they are drawn into a web of mystery and excitement. The protagonist, a young girl named Lily, stumbles upon a hidden coven of witches and becomes entangled in their magical world.
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.
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. When one of his comments hits too close to home, she takes out her rage by creating a particularly cruel curse for him, though she has no intention of casting it.
The protagonist, a young girl named Lily, stumbles upon a hidden coven of witches and becomes entangled in their magical world. As she discovers her own latent powers, Lily must navigate the treacherous landscape of witchcraft and decide whether to embrace her newfound abilities or reject them altogether. Throughout the book, the author explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the power of the natural world.
Wild is the Witch Book Review
After reading Rachel Griffin's debut novel The Nature of Witches, I had a feeling I would love this author. The suspicion was confirmed upon reading her newest release, Wild is the Witch.
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Category: Cozy Read
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RATING: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 stars
Pairings: Blackberry scone + London fog tea
Before we get into it, I wanted to leave a CONTENT WARNING for anyone who may be sensitive to certain topics. This book contains mentions of blood, animal death, cancer/terminal illness, and child death. If any of these topics are difficult for you, please take care or simply pass on the following review.
PLOTWhen a magical accident claims a life, Iris must stand trial for her involvement. After the Witches' Council finds her innocent, Iris and her mother seek a fresh start by moving to Washington and founding a wildlife refuge. But the past still haunts her, and Iris does everything she can to keep her identity as a witch secret—including not practicing magic openly and avoiding people as often as possible.
But it's impossible to always avoid Pike, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist interning at the refuge. When one of his comments hits too close to home, she takes out her rage by creating a particularly cruel curse for him, though she has no intention of casting it. She tries to destroy it, but before she can, an owl steals it and flies from the refuge.
As luck would have it, this owl is an amplifier and not ready to return to the wild. If Iris cannot find it, return it safely to the refuge, and dispel the curse, it will affect people all over the region, not just Pike. Forced to work together, Iris and Pike trek through the forest searching for the owl. But Pike doesn't know his life is in danger or that Iris is the cause, and she's determined to keep it that way.
Of course, nothing goes as planned. Anything that can go wrong does. Storms, wild animals, and a budding newfound respect for each other throws one curveball after another at the duo. For a book that leans heavily on the characters and their evolving relationship rather than action-oriented plot points, there is still excitement to be found.
CHARACTERSThe characters in Wild is the Witch are relatable and easy to adore. Iris and Pike's banter is cute and fun, and her mom is great—something we don't see much of in YA. They all have love and deep respect for nature and the animals they look after, which automatically makes them good in my book.
I can connect to Iris as someone who spends too much time in her head worrying about anything and everything, as well as someone who loves forests and is heartbroken by their decline, who is more comfortable in nature and with animals than people.
I love that Iris’s mom is so supportive of her and values her input, even when she doesn’t agree with Iris’s opinions or decisions. When it comes to her own life, she includes Iris, asking how she feels about it. She also tries to push Iris out of her comfort zone so she can relax and enjoy being in the moment.
But it’s Pike who's able to do this by introducing Iris to new things: music she ends up loving, chips on her sandwich (which I enjoy, so I geeked reading that part), etc. He can definitely be an arrogant, picky ass—witches should burn, and if it’s not done his way then it isn’t right—but he’s also adorable in his geekiness and thoughtful kindness.
I like how Iris and Pike are polar opposites yet have so much in common—losing loved ones, hiding pain in their own way, etc. I adore how they see each other’s rough edges and force one another to confront their struggles while inspiring growth.
And of course we can't forget Winter the wolf and MacGuffin the owl! Winter is Iris's loyal best friend, who I wish could have tagged along for the journey, but I completely understand why that wasn't possible. And MacGuffin's stubborn cuteness is what keeps the story going.
There is LGBT+ representation in a female/female relationship, though they are not major players and it didn’t have a big impact on the story.
But it’s Pike who's able to do this by introducing Iris to new things: music she ends up loving, chips on her sandwich (which I enjoy, so I geeked reading that part), etc. He can definitely be an arrogant, picky ass—witches should burn, and if it’s not done his way then it isn’t right—but he’s also adorable in his geekiness and thoughtful kindness.
The witches in this world are not portrayed as evil or malevolent, but rather as complex beings with their own desires and motivations. The author challenges traditional notions of good and evil, presenting a more nuanced portrayal of witches and their role in society. Wild is the Witch is a spellbinding tale that will leave readers both mesmerized and questioning their own beliefs. The intricate world-building and captivating plot make for a truly immersive reading experience. Whether you are a fan of fantasy or simply enjoy a good story, this book is sure to captivate and inspire..
Reviews for "Harnessing Lunar Energy: Lessons from the Wild Witch Book"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really excited to dive into "Wild is the Witch" as I love fantasy novels, but unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, I found the characters to be one-dimensional and uninteresting. The writing style was also quite lackluster, lacking the descriptive language that can transport you to a different world. Overall, "Wild is the Witch" did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.
2. Jonathan - 2 stars
I was highly disappointed with "Wild is the Witch". The pacing of the story was incredibly slow, and it felt like not much was happening for the majority of the book. The world-building was also underdeveloped, leaving me with little understanding of the world and its magical system. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. I was hoping for a gripping and enchanting fantasy tale, but unfortunately, "Wild is the Witch" failed to deliver on all fronts. It was a struggle to finish this book, and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't get through "Wild is the Witch". The writing style was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to even comprehend what was happening. The characters were poorly developed, with their actions and motivations making little sense. I found myself constantly flipping back to previous pages in an attempt to understand the story, but ultimately gave up in frustration. "Wild is the Witch" was a disappointment and I would not recommend it to anyone.