The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin | 5-Star Book Review
Welcome friends to my review of The Nature of Witches. This book has been on my NetGalley shelf awaiting a review for quite some time. I’m so pleased to present you with my thoughts about this fabulous tale, a little info about the book, and a short biography of the talented Rachel Griffin.
I would never have believed this was the author’s debut novel if it wasn’t stated in the blurb. The tale is so well-researched, gripping, and masterfully told, that it has a seasoned author feel. Please read on for more info about this intriguing story of witches, climate change, and coming to grips with one’s emotions.
Book Details
The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Published by Sourcebooks Fire on 06/01/2021
Genres: Fiction, Enviromental, Fantasy, Friendship, Magical Realism, Young Adult, LGBTQplus, Witches
Format: Audio CD, Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 297
Source: NetGalley, Received from the author or publisher for review.Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.
For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic.
All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It's wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.
In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she's the only one who can make a difference.
In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she's terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.
In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves...before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.
Images and book details are credited to Goodreads.
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Purchase Links for The Nature of Witches
Amazon – OneLink for all countries.
BookShop Blackwell’s Waterstones
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My thoughts on The Nature of Witches
I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading The Nature of Witches. The blurb gave the basics and I avoided reading any reviews. This was the perfect way for me to go into this book.
Elemental witches controlling Earth’s weather is a fantastic concept. When you factor in the damage humans are inflicting on Earth creating climate change, it makes perfect sense that the witches are losing control.
Clara is the only Ever witch, meaning her powers adapt to each season instead of going dormant during the off-season, like the other Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter witches. This makes her an outcast, afraid of her power and abilities.
After seventeen years at the Eastern School of Solar Magic, Clara is determined to protect the ones she loves or be stripped of her powers while trying. This sets the premise for the entire book.
We meet many influential characters throughout the story that each have a profound effect on Clara. Sang, Paige, and Mr. Hart are the three that have the most to gain and lose by helping Clara discover the secrets of her power.
The tale is full of battles waged against elements, other witches, society, and authority. Just like a magnificent summer storm, the intensity of the story builds page by page until it crashes over you and you simply can’t stop reading.
Early in the book, I was a little put off by Clara’s “poor me” attitude. As the story progressed I began to see why she occasionally lapsed into a pity party. By the end, I understood the how and why of the feelings and the courage it would take for her to conquer her emotions and her powers.
The Nature of Witches is one of the best books, I’ve read this year. It captivated my attention, made me think about climate change in a new way, and left me reliving sections for days after finishing the book.
I highly recommend the book to all readers. This magical tale is sure to delight lovers of nature, witches, elements, science, and even romance. I’ve confidently placed it in the top ten books I have read this year.
I received a digital copy of the book from Netgalley, the author or publisher to review. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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About Rachel Griffin
Rachel Griffin writes young adult novels inspired by the magic of the world around her. She is the New York Times bestselling author of The Nature of Witches, and a second standalone novel coming in 2022.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Rachel has a deep love of nature, from the mountains to the ocean and all the towering evergreens in between. She adores moody skies and thunderstorms and hopes more vampires settle down in her beloved state of Washington.
When she isn’t writing, you can find her wandering the PNW, reading by the fire, or drinking copious amounts of coffee and tea. She lives with her husband, small dog, and growing collection of houseplants.
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Purchase The Nature of Witches online from a local Bookshop!
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Amazon Easy Info Links for The Nature of Witches
Amazon – OneLink for all countries.
The Nature of WitchesShop on Amazon Kindle 
The Nature of WitchesShop on Amazon Paperback
The Nature of WitchesShop on Amazon Audiobook 
The Nature of WitchesShop on Amazon Hardcover
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