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A review by theespressoedition
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"If spring is a whispered promise that everything can be made new, autumn is a brilliant sacrifice born of love. Because if the autumn did not love the spring, it would not fall to winter just so the spring would rise."
If you only read one book this year, please let it be The Nature of Witches. This book is absolutely breathtaking in every way.
From the moment I began reading, I fell in love with the stunning writing and how the author managed to combine a low-fantasy storyline with a very important message about climate change (that didn't come across preachy in the slightest). I've read plenty of books that have a political or environmental subtext, but they often make me uncomfortable. Not because those things aren't important or because I don't want them in my books (neither of those things is the case), but because they can sometimes overwhelm a story and make it feel like that's all it's about. I appreciate that kind of subtext more when it's something you take away from the book because it was so seamlessly entwined throughout the storyline, making it natural rather than forced.
Not only did the book inspire me to do more research on climate change, but it was also just a really interesting story about Clara, an Everwitch who was afraid of her magic because it had hurt people in the past. It dealt with walking through grief, overcoming fear, and learning to trust. The characters were beautifully written, diverse, and relatable. They didn't feel one-dimensional in the slightest, even though the story was only told from one point of view.
The different seasons and wild weather changes were so atmospheric. I felt like I was actually living through the heat waves, tornadoes, blizzards, and wildfires. In fact, the day that I read this book, there was a thunderstorm and it left a really heavy, dark cloud across the sky. The next day felt like there could be a tornado any second (even though there was actually no chance of that), and rather than feeling fear, I felt wonder because I had read this book. The elements have always worried me a bit, but this book made them more beautiful. I also loved seeing how each season affected Clara in a different way.
I would love to see a prequel about the Everwitch that Clara learned from. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter filled me with so much joy that they made me want to know more about her.
Ever since I finished this book, all I've wanted to do is keep talking about it. I would consider it not only in the top five for the year but also in my list of all-time favorite books!
If you only read one book this year, please let it be The Nature of Witches. This book is absolutely breathtaking in every way.
From the moment I began reading, I fell in love with the stunning writing and how the author managed to combine a low-fantasy storyline with a very important message about climate change (that didn't come across preachy in the slightest). I've read plenty of books that have a political or environmental subtext, but they often make me uncomfortable. Not because those things aren't important or because I don't want them in my books (neither of those things is the case), but because they can sometimes overwhelm a story and make it feel like that's all it's about. I appreciate that kind of subtext more when it's something you take away from the book because it was so seamlessly entwined throughout the storyline, making it natural rather than forced.
Not only did the book inspire me to do more research on climate change, but it was also just a really interesting story about Clara, an Everwitch who was afraid of her magic because it had hurt people in the past. It dealt with walking through grief, overcoming fear, and learning to trust. The characters were beautifully written, diverse, and relatable. They didn't feel one-dimensional in the slightest, even though the story was only told from one point of view.
The different seasons and wild weather changes were so atmospheric. I felt like I was actually living through the heat waves, tornadoes, blizzards, and wildfires. In fact, the day that I read this book, there was a thunderstorm and it left a really heavy, dark cloud across the sky. The next day felt like there could be a tornado any second (even though there was actually no chance of that), and rather than feeling fear, I felt wonder because I had read this book. The elements have always worried me a bit, but this book made them more beautiful. I also loved seeing how each season affected Clara in a different way.
I would love to see a prequel about the Everwitch that Clara learned from. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter filled me with so much joy that they made me want to know more about her.
Ever since I finished this book, all I've wanted to do is keep talking about it. I would consider it not only in the top five for the year but also in my list of all-time favorite books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cursing