I’ve been hearing about The Nature of Witches all over Goodreads and Instagram and I knew I had to grab this one with the whimsical cover and premise of seasonal magic. This one surprised me with a deep character study of a young woman dealing with confidence issues, descriptive text and an immersive world that I describe as a fantasy slice of life and a great standalone.
Your enjoyment of this book will mainly depend on what you think of Clara, our protagonist. She’s an Everwitch, the most powerful type of witch, who can command all four seasons. She’s the first one in over a century. However, she has crippling levels self doubt about her magic, and initially wants to get rid of it as she feels it only hurts those she loves. Personally, I feel characters struggling with self doubt as super relatable, as it’s an issue I’ve had to deal with though my life, especially recently. Her self doubt is justified due to what’s she’s been through, and is realistic, it doesn’t go away in one incident. It’s a growing process that takes a year for her to sort out. If you aren’t a fan of those types of characters and feel they are whiny, you might not like this one.
I loved the character interactions in this one, as they come in all ranges, with nearly all of them supportive of Clara, even if it doesn’t seem like it at the time. There’s some heartbreak and swoon worthy moments, and I like how cute the romance gets at points.
As I mentioned previously, this book takes place over the course of one year, taking place at the end of one summer into the Autumn Equinox, to the one a year later. It explores Clara through all four seasons. The plot is very much low key. It’s not about saving the world from an evil villain or disaster (though it’s hinted that the atmosphere of the world is breaking down, but it’s treated as a problem beyond the scope of this book). It’s more of a slice of life with magic.
The magic system was fleshed out, and I love how it was connected to each season, but at the same time, not just one element per season, but more of the temperament of the time of the year. I love the creativity of how everything works as well. The relationship between witches and shaders (which I assume are non-magical humans) is pretty well done for a standalone, even if there isn’t much.
I was in love of the prose, descriptive, yet easy to read, and I felt like I was there for every moment, from the calm to the chaos and everything in between. It’s very well paced as well. I also enjoyed the quotes at the start of each chapter, which emphasizes little life lessons throughout the book, which goes also with the theme of coming of age, growth and trusting in yourself.
I personally loved this book and can’t wait to read more from Rachel Griffin.
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Relatable FMC
Just finished this one last week. I had to percolate on it for a minute... feel some feelings and sort through some stuff. I thought this was gonna be a nice, easy read about some Witches who control the weather. Fun right?! ❌️ It was heavier than I anticipated. Our FMC has some serious inner turmoil that was a bit too relatable for me if ya know what I mean. I had to stop a couple times and check in with myself like, "Who is spiraling here, her or me?" 😅 I really, really loved it though and am looking forward to diving into the other 2 books I have by Rachel!!!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2021
Initial Thoughts
At first, when I saw this book, I told myself I wasn't interested in it. I have no idea why, but I had this idea, that I didn't really care about this release. Then, I started seeing people talking about it. Then, the publisher offered it as a Read Now to the first 500 people who downloaded on NetGalley and I just new, I needed to read it.
Some Things I Liked
The romances. I adored the romance plots in this book. I loved the way they were personified through the seasons. I saw romances, plural, because we got to explore Clara's past loves as well as the love that blossomed during this story.
Clara as a main character. I adored her and her inner monologues. She was real and raw and said everything I know I'd be thinking in her shoes. She was morally grey at times and completely selfless at others. She was perfect.
Sang. What I'd give for an epilogue or short story from Sang's POV. Sang was a wonderful contrast to Clara and I loved his role in the story. Present enough to be memorable but not overbearing because this is Clara's story.
The statement on nature and our world. I loved the metaphors used in this book to describe the state nature in the world today.
Series Value
I'd love more books set in this world and more stories about Clara. However, this feels right as a standalone. There's a certain ambiguity and mystery to the ending that I think is best left up to the reader's imagination.
Final Thoughts
Here's the part of my review where I eat crow because I can't believe I ever thought this wasn't a book I wanted to read. This was a phenomenal debut and I can't wait to read more of Rachel Griffin's future works.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At first, when I saw this book, I told myself I wasn't interested in it. I have no idea why, but I had this idea, that I didn't really care about this release. Then, I started seeing people talking about it. Then, the publisher offered it as a Read Now to the first 500 people who downloaded on NetGalley and I just new, I needed to read it.
Some Things I Liked
The romances. I adored the romance plots in this book. I loved the way they were personified through the seasons. I saw romances, plural, because we got to explore Clara's past loves as well as the love that blossomed during this story.
Clara as a main character. I adored her and her inner monologues. She was real and raw and said everything I know I'd be thinking in her shoes. She was morally grey at times and completely selfless at others. She was perfect.
Sang. What I'd give for an epilogue or short story from Sang's POV. Sang was a wonderful contrast to Clara and I loved his role in the story. Present enough to be memorable but not overbearing because this is Clara's story.
The statement on nature and our world. I loved the metaphors used in this book to describe the state nature in the world today.
Series Value
I'd love more books set in this world and more stories about Clara. However, this feels right as a standalone. There's a certain ambiguity and mystery to the ending that I think is best left up to the reader's imagination.
Final Thoughts
Here's the part of my review where I eat crow because I can't believe I ever thought this wasn't a book I wanted to read. This was a phenomenal debut and I can't wait to read more of Rachel Griffin's future works.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
Mayra
Livro não é o que estava ilustrado nas fotos
Reviewed in Brazil on September 14, 2022Samantha Cain
beautiful story, didn’t get the gorgeous hardcover art
Reviewed in Canada on October 26, 2021
Marisol Barrera
“Discovery is a gift : discovering ourselves and discovering others.”
Reviewed in Mexico on October 17, 2021
Marisol Barrera
Reviewed in Mexico on October 17, 2021
Nature of Witches was so utterly beautiful. It’s a story about self discovery, acceptance and about believing and loving yourself and the earth you live in. The atmospheric and beautiful writing, the unique magic system, the supportive and real characters, the way Rachel incorporated climate change into a witchy YA contemporary fantasy was just, wow. I absolutely adored it, It’s a book that will stay with me forever ever ever.
Honestly I loved going in to this blind, I feel like it’s my new favorite thing and I think you should do the same.
Read if you like 💫
•Witches
•Seasonal magic •Friends to lovers •Chosen one•Winter, spring, summer and autumn •Cinnamon roll MC •Fierce and Brave Heroine •Kitties, tea and flowers
Images in this review
noxwitchbooklife
A very beautiful poetic witchy story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 10, 2022