Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady HendrixMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
When it comes to modern horror writers, Grady Hendrix is pretty high up there on my list of go-to authors and every book I've read by him so far has been thoroughly enjoyable. Seeing that Witchcraft For Wayward Girls had become available had me smashing the request button like an impatient boomer on a hotel reception bell.
I went in completely blind to this book with absolutely zero clue about what the plot might be, where it'd be set, or what kind of characters I'd meet along the way. In my mind I had a vague inkling that it might be centred around a school for witches, so I guess I was just a little off on that score.
Set in Florida in 1970 it transpires that the wayward girls are pregnant teenagers, and the setting is Wellwood House. Pregnant girls are sent there from all over the country for the duration of their pregnancies, only being allowed to go home once they've given birth and handed over their babies to adoptive parents.
Fern is 15 and terrified, though she soon befriends Rose, Zinnia and Holly, who each have their own intriguing, and somewhat heartbreaking, backstories. The way the girls and their circumstances is written about is surprisingly tender, and the themes of friendship, support, and solidarity are all strong within the pages.
But let's not forget the witchcraft element, suffice it to say the four girls fall deeply into something that is far too chaotic for them. The struggle between wanting to be a regular teenage girl vs being a witch with unlimited power is one they all contemplate - with varying degrees of success - and they learn that power in any form always comes with a price. Unfortunately it tends to be paid in blood, which lands them in a world of trouble.
Following a bit of a slow start, I eventually finished Witchcraft in a single day because I became desperate to know the fates of the girls. Despite being set in an era that's not even the distant past, it's shameful to think of the ways in which girls and women have been treated throughout history - and still very much are! - at the hands of men. The girls at Wellwood House are made to believe that they're evil, that they're not worthy of being in society, that they're disgusting and shameful and loose...it's little wonder that the temptation of witchery is so strong.
Rating: ✨✨✨✨
Witchcraft For Wayward Girls is available for pre-order now, and will be released on January 14th 2025. I’d like to extend many great thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.
No comments
Post a Comment