In the late 1800s, three sisters use witchcraft to change the course of history in a Hugo award-winning author’s powerful novel of magic amid the suffragette movement. 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 … 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.
What a profound disappointment. The Once and Future Witches is Alix E. Harrow’s latest release, following an impressive debut with The Ten Thousand Doors of January, which managed to scoop up or be nominated by the Hugos, Nebulas, and Locuses, almost every award that an aspiring sci-fi/fantasy writer desires. Despite this, I had no expectations going into this novel; I knew very little about the plot or Harrow’s writing style but was intrigued by the intertwining of magic and historical events and the promise of a narrative dominated by sisterhood, a concept I feel is often overlooked in favor of romance. I nevertheless managed to be let down on almost all accounts and am shocked that a writer that came with such high regard managed to produce such an uninspiring, bland novel.
The Once and Future Witches centers three sisters, James Juniper, Agnes Amarantha, and Beatrice Belladonna, who have all in various ways escaped their father’s abusive household. Agnes fled to mill work after an abortion, Beatrice a librarian following a cruel internment meant to cure her lesbianism, and James Juniper to wherever she could go following her murder of her father. When the three women are brought back together by an unusual spell, they realize that the lost ways of witching are perhaps not so lost after all, and that their sisterhood may be the key to bringing magic back to the women of the world. From attempting to integrate with the women’s suffrage movement to forming their own coven to making unlikely alliances, the trio finds their shaky way to the magic of the past. But where there are witches, there are witch-hunters, and soon they find themselves pursued by a man who is not only determined to kill the leaders of the new witching movement, but to quash all hope for women’s rights whatsoever.
I thought this book was going to do a lot of interesting things that it just didn’t. A historical novel that’s essentially about magical feminism invokes by nature the thoughts of numerous atrocities of days past: more overt racism, sexism, homophobia, lack of medical rights and rights for wives. Yet The Once and Future Witches seemed to skitter away from any kind of meaningful interaction with the time period of its choice; not only a thing to disparage in a historical fantasy, but in any historical book whatsoever. Not to integrate your narrative with the realities of the time is a sin for any historical novel. While The Once and Future Witches touches on many things, that’s all it does. Touches. There is a black woman involved in the story, but we are only tangentially aware that she experiences racism. One of the sisters is a lesbian, which we gently touch upon, but only in her happiness, never her trauma. There’s throwaway line about trans women. The idea that one writes a novel with a diverse set of characters and refuses to think about the way these characters might actually live in a historical setting is galling. This isn’t a call for black characters to experience more racism, nor for the ramping up of queerphobia, but the book almost avoids these issues entirely. How in the world do you have a black, gay, female journalist running around the city and barely touch on the way her life might be different from the rest of the characters? Is a story meaningful at all when it doesn’t interact with its characters or setting to its full potential; can this be called feminist when I feel like I’m being spoon-fed the most milquetoast, #girlboss, white feminist narrative possible?
Even the sister trio, the ones who are meant to inspire the other women in the narrative and presumably the reader, are so bland that I couldn’t imagine anyone following them. None of them do anything truly wrong, therefore they seem like cardboard caricatures of beautiful, sinless feminists. Nothing is ever their fault. Bad relationships with each other? Dad’s fault. Sister does something horrible to another? Well, she misunderstood the situation, so it’s okay. Hurt someone? It’s okay, they would’ve been evil anyway. Sister throws another under the bus? Dad’s fault again. No character ever makes a bad decision in this book. The one time I thought that there was going to be an actually non-perfect female character, an example of how women can oppress another, how white women can experience misogyny and still be racist, how women can throw each other under the bus or simply be three dimensional, complicated human beings, nevermind! It’s all just a misunderstanding and again, nothing is her fault. I don’t really want to be fed this lukewarm stream of flawless, perfect women in the name of feminism. It’s a social justice issue, sure, but mostly it’s just immensely boring. If your characters do everything right all the time and never encounter a situation that isn’t perfectly morally black and white, how am I supposed to be interested in them? I want characters who have flaws, can be messy, have disagreements or fights and say and do the wrong things. That’s what being human is, and to write perfect characters is to miss the point entirely.
To not be entirely cruel, I did find the actual system of witching in this book fairly interesting. Based on traditional women’s work and children’s rhymes, it was whimsical yet crafty. Finding alternate meanings behind the games we all learned as children and the chores normally forced upon women in traditional households provided us with a system that was both relatable and made perfect sense within the time period of this novel. Also mentioned were the magic systems of other cultures who didn’t have the same Western rhymes/ways as the main characters and how those spells could be used via dance, song, or other methods depending on the culture. If the rest of the novel had been this interesting in its execution and inclusion, I probably would’ve enjoyed it a lot more. A good portion of the novel is about gathering these spells, both Western and otherwise, to try and write the ways of witching all in one place, and that is the book I would’ve liked to read.
Perhaps if you’re looking for a simple witch story, this book could be for you. In my opinion it fails to interact with the historical time period and characters in any kind of interesting or creative way, almost deliberately refusing to discuss how the lives of marginalized populations lived at the time. I don’t think this is an inherent evil depending on the story you’re trying to tell, but the inclusion of people of color and queer folks in the narrative and then not interacting with their actual lives at all was bizarre and resulted in this tale being more faux feminism than anything else, mere lip service to diversity. If you don’t bother to do research, then just don’t include it! Both on matters of diversity and just, like, basic historical fact-checking. This novel let me down on a lot of fronts. Disappointing, especially considering the always incredible potential of historical fantasies and a mythos that did seem truly fascinating at times. At over five hundred pages with little substance in them, it felt like a waste of my time and energy. Save yourself.
review blog
The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow was one of my favorite books of 2019. It was like a love letter to readers everywhere. And Harrow has done it again with The Once and Future Witches. This time it’s a love letter to fairy tales and the magic that resides inside of every woman.
The Once and Future Witches combines fairy tales, magic, and the Women’s Suffrage Movement into a tale that unfortunately we are still telling today. Powerful men take what they want and use others until the others have nothing left to give. I don’t want this review to be a downer, because even though this is still the world today, Harrow gives a story that inspires hope.
This is a bigger book at 525 pages, but it flew by. Not like a thriller where you are turning the pages so fast because you want to know what will happen next, but because the story is so well told. Normally I am not one who enjoys a lot of descriptive writing, but Harrow does it perfectly without making the reader feel like they are being bogged down with details.
This novel is about family, the good and the horrible that they do to each other. And about women who are learning about themselves and coming into their own power. The fight of Good against Evil, and all the degrees of humanity in between. But most of all it’s a story about how the world is a magical place.
Do yourself a favor and read The Once and Future Witches and The Ten Thousand Doors of January. Harrow has strengthened her fanbase by one more reader who is contentedly waiting for her next offering to the world.
This book grabbed me from page one. It is about witches, but the world building is wonderful and I bought in right away. It reads more as historical women’s fiction than fantasy, about sisters and the sisterhood of women. Can’t wait to read more of her work.
Did not enjoy this book
This was an interesting read. The story is told from multiple povs. Each of the three sisters in this story have unique traits and represent the maiden, mother, and crone. This story had a vast amount of character growth. I loved the many different themes it touched on. At one point I felt as if there was a lull in the flow of the story but it picked up and moved quickly chapters later. Overall I enjoyed it and would easily recommend it to others.
An exciting, intimate look into the lives of women during a dark time where they fight for their rights, with magic, words, their wills and everything they have to live a life worth living and loving while they can. Three sister’s brought together again whether by fate or coincidence each with problems of their own fight tooth and nail against a darkness, an evil that wants to destroy, burn down and purge all they stand for. With words, the will and the way they may just pull it off. An unforgettable, inspiring read
I thoroughly enjoyed.
Alix E. Harrow’s sophomore novel, The Once and Future Witches, impresses readers with this fantastical take on retelling history, highlighting the suffrage movement.
Empowering
By far, the Once and Future Witches is one of the most influential books I have had the pleasure of reading right now. The story follows the Eastwood sisters―James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna―brought together again by the mystical appearance of a tower in New Salem. After their father shipped the oldest two off to different destinations, these sisters have not seen one another in years.
There is tension between them to drive the story, but they are also bound by their deep love for one another, their belief that maybe they can help the suffragists achieve the rights they deserve.
However, they do not realize that they need this, their witching, more than anything else. Beaten down by society, by men, and religion, women are made to feel lesser than. So now they are using nursery rhymes and fairy tales to stand up for themselves, to speak their spells with words of intent.
Witching is power against those who would oppress us. All we need are the words, will, and intent. This powerful and empowering message resonates throughout the novel, capturing the reader’s attention and holding it while inspiring them. This is a story about equal rights, sexism, and how the term “witch” is used as an insult against women who speak their minds and fight for their rights.
The Once and Future Witches is a novel that gives strength and power to women and the word “witch.”
Strong Female Characters
The fact that the novel splits between the three sisters was terrific. Readers see who these three women are and how different they are. Juniper is the youngest of the three, finally away from her abusive father. She goes to New Salem to join the suffragist and expand her knowledge of witching. Juniper is a firecracker of a cracker, all brash, spunk, and attitude, making her a lioness. She is the catalyst and spurs her sisters on to reclaim the pieces of themselves that they lost.
Anges is the middle sister, believed to be the strongest of the three sisters. Anges is the more pragmatic of the three sisters. She is the balance between them and her ferocity; she is a force to be reckoned with when it comes out.
That is what makes Anges so powerful as a character, that she deals with realism, that she stands by her sisters despite her reservations because she wants a better life for her daughter more than anything.
Finally, there is Beatrice Belladonna. Beatrice is the oldest of the three, the librarian, who lives with her head in the clouds and her nose in books. She takes strength from knowledge, from fairy tales, from the magic wrapped within the pages of nursery rhymes. As a member of the LGBTQ community, Beatrice is also the most lost of the characters. While it is not easy being a part of that community now, back in the 1800s, it was even worse.
Beatrice is also beaten down by society, keeping herself closed off and hidden. However, her journey and connection with her sisters give her strength; it gives her the power to fight for those she loves. Moreover, in the end, she learns to love herself and accept herself, becoming a formidable witch by the end.
Final Thoughts
The Once and Future Witches is inspiring. A novel that takes readers back and makes witches real leaves the reader feeling empowered and determined to fight for women’s rights.
The characters and magic come to life in this book. And the twist on the common fairytales is excellent
A dazzling, poetic fantasy novel about sisterhood, rebellious women, and feral, woodsy magic/witchcraft. It absolutely blew me away!
The Once and Future Witches is a fantastic telling of a history of women. It weaves a fast paced ride of wonder, bravery, sorrow and triumph. The struggles of of the three sisters and the growth that occurs for them through put the book is beautifully written. This book is definitely a five star book and I look forward to reading other books by this author if this book is indicative of the types of story telling to come.
To me this book was not as good as The Ten-thousand Doors of January, but that is a high bar to reach. Set in the past close to Salem, it explores a time when witches were hunted down, burned or hung. This theme has been done a million times, but her take is a unique one, focusing on three sisters who have become estranged and the magic each one wields. Woven into the storyline is the distant past of other witches, other times and other possibilities. Alix harrow can write–there is no doubt about that! Both books are unique and stand out amongst the zillions of books out there.
This storytelling is brilliant, the characters well-drawn, the weaving of all the words and snippets of rhymes/historical tidbits precise… The conclusion is that Harrow is a fantastic writer and I give 5 out of 5 stars for that alone, but… (and this may seem contradictory…)
I didn’t always enjoy reading the book.
The truth is that every characters’ life is damaged and twisted leaving no safe place for me to be. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. The story is about a time where there was/is/will be no safe place for a woman in the world. That’s why the five stars. It’s a masterpiece of landing the reader in the story world and keeping her there, no matter how bad things get.
It’s like a living history book, a sad and tormented women’s history….
From 80% onward (Kindle) I was more eager to keep going, but I still constantly cringed and flinched and just wanted it to be over. It was very uncomfortable for me!
Bella, Juniper and Agnus’s resistance to their own bond, their self-involvement that kept them from truly rallying together in the spirit of sisterhood and belonging (save for literally a few moments) was harsh but very human. It made it seem all the more real, and the true acts of heroism extraordinary.
The book is written and edited very well. When I found out at the end that Harrow is a historian, I thought, “Once a historian, always a historian…”
5/5 but I still shudder when I think of it.
Great storytelling!
A tale of three sisters that survived abuse but lost each other, thrown together in a moment that needs each of them. Lyrical prose that weaves together intricate & thoughtful world building of history, folklore and hope. Gorgeous and raw, inspiring and heartbreaking. It’s a story that happens in a Salem that wasn’t, but the pain and strength, the struggles to be endured, the choices to survive or fight for something better are honest and heavy.
This story turned out to be different than I thought it would and that took some adjusting to. There were a few parts that felt like they took a while to get through but I’m glad I stuck with it.
The witchcraft in this is unlike any I’ve come across before and each character is very different which makes even the same spell slightly different at times and that was interesting.
I have to say the ending was my favorite part which might sound odd but I thought it ended wonderfully.
I’m not sure why I picked up this book. Someone might have recommended it. It could have been on special offer. It could easily have been the cover. Whatever the reason, I’m glad I did. It’s stunning.
The prose is beautiful. The story is poignant, tragic and powerful. There is a darkness to it which is made so much more unnerving because a lot of the terror happens ‘off screen’. The protagonists have clear and distinct personalities with flaws and wants. (You know, like real people.) The technical aspects of the writing (brackets, hyphens, asides and so on) add to the story rather than clutter it up. The story is clever but does not ram that cerebral aspect down your throat. The wisdom is not heavy handed.
“That’s all magic is, really: the space between what you have and what you need.”
(The Crone)
There is humour. There is hate. There is love. And, of course, there is a witch burning, though that may not turn out how you expect.
In short, the book is stunning.
I feel that a review needs some kind of ‘but…’ to give it credibility. I have no buts to give. The book had me from the dedication to the last page.
I’ll read it again. Soon. At the moment, though, part of me is worried that The Once and Future Witches won’t live up to my remembered expectations. Memories can be treacherous things. But for those of you who have the will, this book has ‘the words and the ways’.
And they are magical.
One of the very best novels I’ve read in a long time. It reminded me of a combo of Margaret Atwood’s dynamic and feminist “Handmaid’s Tale” plus Diana Gabaldon’s historical fantasy “Outlander” — a true marvel! I was really impressed with the story, worldbuilding, character development, historical fantasy that combined suffragettes and witchcraft in a town that could be every-town in America, and plotline. It didn’t make me cry, but I read it in about 3.5 days, couldn’t put it down! Absolutely stunning achievement by this new sci-fi and fantasy writer. It intertwines women’s rights, feminism, and patriarchy with the difficulty of true sisters (both our deepest connections in life and the deep wounds between those we loved the most). Alix E. Harrow must have a clear understanding of the deep bonds between sisters, and the unique heartache that can occur between sisters that grow up together, leaving us wounded and half ghost — so long as we are without those we love the most in this world. And yet, when we are re-connected again, those that hurt us the most are the same ones we are unexpectedly willing to sacrifice our own life, our own happiness for. A brilliant literary achievement of real heart, guts and hardship.
What does one say about a perfect book, other than the fact that it’s perfect. Not a character nor scene implausible, despite the story’s “alternate” history. The twist on nursery rhymes and folklore is nothing short of brilliant. It’s a book I wish I’d written myself, but I’m happy to have been a thoroughly satisfied audience for. Alix E Harrow has become one of my favorite authors, first with The 10000 Doors of January, and now this.
I very much enjoyed Ms. Harrow’s debut novel The Ten Thousand Doors of January and was delighted that I found The Once and Future Witches equally captivating. It plays on riffs of classical fairy tales, Mallory’s Le Morte D’Arthur, western colonialist history, and, best of all, subverting the patriarchal paradigm by uncovering all of the women’s magic in the world–the charms and nursery rhymes and amulets that women in all societies have cultivated, wisdom passed down from Crone to Mother to Maiden.
Three sisters come together on a heroine’s journey to reclaim their status as witches, and to share their wisdom with their fellow witches–essentially, all women. Not surprisingly they’re hunted and stymied by the powers-that-be, but they also find men who are allies and supportive lovers and women great and small who help them on their journey.
It sounds preachy but it’s not–its a captivating and delightful examination of reclaiming our history and the power of women who band together, whether it’s to demand better working conditions in sweatshops, access to health care, or to win the vote. Ms. Harrow’s now on my autobuy list, and I look forward to more quality reading from this talented fantasy author.
I listened to the audiobook and loved it. The execution of putting this audiobook together is excellent. The book alone, the story, is well written as this historical fiction turns the suffragettes of the women’s movement into the witch’s movement in New Salem. This audiobook production should not be missed. I recommend it.
I can’t imagine finding a more unique take on women fighting for their rights. Although the novel has quite a slow start, it eventually builds toward a compelling and suspenseful conclusion.
It’s the 1800s. Three sisters are born into less than ideal circumstances. A mother who dies after the birth of the youngest. A drunken and abusive father. Fortunately, the girls have a strange but loving grandmother who shares her knowledge of herbs and “spells.”
• Belle, the oldest, leaves home after someone exposes her darkest secret to her father.
• Agnes, becomes a librarian, navigating a hostile environment while struggling to protect her own secret.
• Juniper, the wildest of the three, has been deeply hurt and can’t understand why her older sisters abandoned her to live alone with their father.
But even when separated, each sister still feels a strong, almost mystical, personal connection with the other two, innately sensing when one is in trouble. When the sisters finally reunite, they become involved with the budding Suffragette movement, fight against the political establishment — all the while seeking to learn more about the lost world of Avalon.
The plot is much more creative and ingenious than my description but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Alix Harrow is an inventive writer and not afraid to struggle with her craft, as she readily admits in the book’s ending Acknowledgments.
I greatly enjoyed and was impressed by Harrow’s first book, The Ten Thousand Doors of January. But this one surpasses the first.