A review by jennaniho
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is not just about self-discovery, is also about self-acceptance. And have the bravery to fight for what you want.
 
This book felt like a love letter to our planet Earth in the most magical way possible. Rachel’s writing style feels fresh and easygoing, but still capable of projecting deep emotions and thoughts through her characters. I identified with Clara in many ways and I loved how the author connected different areas of all the characters’ personalities with what their season represents, making you understand even some of the unlikeable ones. Yet, Clara’s self-isolation and insecurity were a bit of a stereotype. However, her overall nature is an archetype for women who are deemed too emotional, too much, or too dangerous. She represents those who are struggling with their personal power, but learn that the only way to be happy and free is to show and embrace all sides of themselves. 

This leads us to Sang, Clara’s mentor and romantic interest. Sang was probably my favorite character in the book. His quiet and calming personality clashed against Clara’s stubbornness and self-loathing and he was the perfect mirror for her to look at herself and face her fears. Sang reminded me a lot of my grandfather and how his gentle love soothes my abuela’s fiery and passionate personality. And just like my grandparents, Clara and Sang’s romance was not rushed or forced, but it was very present from the beginning.  Furthermore, I liked how the author gently treated Clara and Paige’s love story breakup without eliminating Paige from Clara’s life. 

Though the details of the magical system in the book are a bit vague, it still shows you how it works and how it is deeply connected with everything in the story. So much so that one of the characters researches how to take out harmful plants without the witch or the plant feeling pain. Or how clouds have a mind of their own when manifesting rain and thunder. Likewise, I love how the author has the witches loyal to the Sun rather than the traditional Moon veneration without demonizing the latter; as well as, referencing the Sun as a she (probably honoring sun goddesses hardly mentioned in modern witchcraft and paganism). 

Finally, my favorite element of this story is how it tackles climate change by cleverly linking it to the essence of a witch. Throughout history, witches have been deeply connected to the earth, acting as stewards of the planet and utilizing its resources for healing and sustainability. This said, the book also highlights the pressing issue of how human greed is deeply detrimental to our environment. The term "shaders" is used in the book to describe non-magical people; which, I think is fitting because it can symbolize how this greed has cast a dark cloud over our world's climate and our lives. Despite this, the book offers a sense of hope by emphasizing the importance of working together as the only way to make a positive difference in restoring balance to our environment and our lives. 
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