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A review by natashaleighton_
Waking the Witch by Rachel Burge
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Waking The Witch is a deliciously witchy, feminist and delightfully creepy YA fantasy that’s full of atmospheric prose and steeped in Welsh mythology and Arthurian legend which I found utterly intriguing.
It follows seventeen year old Ivy, who after year spent in the foster system has finally tracked down her biological mother (who abandoned her at a motorway service station) to a remote Welsh island which some experts claim to be the legendary isle of Avalon.
But, in finding her mother Ivy has uncovered at dark secret about her past. Now, an ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy and her only chance of survival to look deep within herself. For not every story in Legend is true and some evils are not what they seem…
It’s an enchanting allegorical tale of female empowerment and sisterhood that I throughly enjoyed. I loved how it subverts a lot of the popular portrayals of Arthurian Legend especially Morgan Le Fay who I really liked.
I loved quite alot of the characters, including our protagonist Ivy who was a well written and endearingly relatable character. She goes through quiet a lot (having to deal with a lecherous and misogynistic boss before anything creepy or strange even happens) but her slow burn friendship with Tom—their witty banter and jokey comments to one another was a real highlight. Watching Ivy navigate her complex emotions surrounding her life in the care system, constantly feeling like she doesn’t belong but ultimately choosing to open up to Tom (and to include him in her emotional journey) was just a joy to witness.
Their friendship dynamic does veer slightly into romance in the second half of the book and I’m hoping this isn’t a standalone as I’d love to see more of Tom and Ivy together.
I also loved her growing bond with Morgan and the other witches (Glitonea and Thiten especially) who are probably some of the first people to truly welcome, encourage and make her feel she belongs for the first time in her life.
The setting was throughly atmospheric and the island, wild and isolated from human life (beside Ivy’s mum) really helped to bring the mythological magic to life, especially the sinister feeling of unease and foreboding which impressively managed to linger for the entire book—I have to say I was definitely on the edge of my seat both dreading and anticipating that something terrible was about to occur.
Overall an engaging, feminist and thoroughly enchanting read that fans of witchy, eery coming-of-age YA fantasy are bound to enjoy. This is the first book by Rachel Burge I’ve ever read and I can honestly say it won’t be the last!
A massive thank you to Molly Holt, Hot Key Books and Kaleidoscopic Tours for the finished copy and for including me on the book tour.
It follows seventeen year old Ivy, who after year spent in the foster system has finally tracked down her biological mother (who abandoned her at a motorway service station) to a remote Welsh island which some experts claim to be the legendary isle of Avalon.
But, in finding her mother Ivy has uncovered at dark secret about her past. Now, an ancient and corrupt power is stalking Ivy and her only chance of survival to look deep within herself. For not every story in Legend is true and some evils are not what they seem…
It’s an enchanting allegorical tale of female empowerment and sisterhood that I throughly enjoyed. I loved how it subverts a lot of the popular portrayals of Arthurian Legend especially Morgan Le Fay who I really liked.
I loved quite alot of the characters, including our protagonist Ivy who was a well written and endearingly relatable character. She goes through quiet a lot (having to deal with a lecherous and misogynistic boss before anything creepy or strange even happens) but her slow burn friendship with Tom—their witty banter and jokey comments to one another was a real highlight. Watching Ivy navigate her complex emotions surrounding her life in the care system, constantly feeling like she doesn’t belong but ultimately choosing to open up to Tom (and to include him in her emotional journey) was just a joy to witness.
Their friendship dynamic does veer slightly into romance in the second half of the book and I’m hoping this isn’t a standalone as I’d love to see more of Tom and Ivy together.
I also loved her growing bond with Morgan and the other witches (Glitonea and Thiten especially) who are probably some of the first people to truly welcome, encourage and make her feel she belongs for the first time in her life.
The setting was throughly atmospheric and the island, wild and isolated from human life (beside Ivy’s mum) really helped to bring the mythological magic to life, especially the sinister feeling of unease and foreboding which impressively managed to linger for the entire book—I have to say I was definitely on the edge of my seat both dreading and anticipating that something terrible was about to occur.
Overall an engaging, feminist and thoroughly enchanting read that fans of witchy, eery coming-of-age YA fantasy are bound to enjoy. This is the first book by Rachel Burge I’ve ever read and I can honestly say it won’t be the last!
A massive thank you to Molly Holt, Hot Key Books and Kaleidoscopic Tours for the finished copy and for including me on the book tour.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment