Reviews

The Lost Witch by Paige Crutcher

vivienned's review against another edition

4.0

This story starts out in 1922, with a desperate Brigid who wanted nothing more than to be a mother. However, her Goddess doesn’t allow it because of Brigid’s role as a protector witch. So, in desperation she makes a deal with Luc, a Demi-god, who makes it happen. Time passes and her daughter falls ill. Brigid tries to save her and through her actions, is sent a hundred years into the future.

After the time jump, Brigid doesn’t remember many things and the story unfolds as we learn things along with Brigid to fill in her memory gaps. Luc is still around, and we have the addition of Finola & Ophelia. Fin is hilarious, and she runs a podcast with Ophelia. Those little snippets of their podcast are fun and break up the seriousness of the story a bit.

There were some repetitive moments, but I thought the writer uncovering things little by little was clever. I predicted a lot of the story, which may just be my love for folklore-type stories and this felt very much like a modern-folklore mix. Overall, an enjoyable read/listen. The narrator did a wonderful job setting the scenes and portraying the characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc. All opinions are my own.

creolelitbelle's review against another edition

4.0

Steeped in Irish folklore, this book has sister witches, faerie, gods/goddesses, family connections, the small town feel, spooky vibes with the Damned, and even a love story. So many of my favorite elements are found in The Lost Witch that I'm sorry some components were not expanded upon firther. I read Crutcher's previous novel, The Orphan Witch, and this one gave me similar (OG) Charmed and Practical Magic vibes. While Brigid, Ophelia, Finola, and others practiced magic against very high stakes for their lives and the village's, the book overall consistently gave me familiar cozy feeling. I really like it and will definitely reread it upon final publication. Preferably the Goddess and the MC wouldn't have such similar names, but I never truly got confused. I recommend the book to anyone interested in a witchy read that pulls in Irish folklore and prefers minimal spice.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin Press, for the chance to read an ARC of this fantastic book in time for Halloween.

litwtchreads's review against another edition

I wanted to like this book I really did. But it felt very disjointed and it was hard to tell the switch between the characters sometimes. Also, the overall plot was kinda convoluted. I wish I could say I finished this book, but I really wasn't able to. I liked the prose and the concept was really interesting, but I think the execution could have taken some more time and been fleshed out a bit more. 

imds's review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Kidnapping, Body horror, Death of parent, Death, Grief, and Violence

cosmicpages's review against another edition

3.0

I wanted to love this one, I really did. The concept was great, the characters were unique, and obviously there was magic! I highly enjoyed the characters and their relationships- especially the sassy banter between Brigid and Knightly. I felt like it was a little too slow paced in some areas and the plot wasn't deep enough to warrant the pacing. If it had either been faster-paced or the plot was deeper than surface level this would have been a hit with me.
I definitely enjoyed it but I did not fall in love with it. Perhaps it is just a matter of taste for me, but it felt like the voice and tone of the writing was a little... scattered. I wasn't able to lose myself in the world Crutcher was creating and found myself confused in other places.
I have to say my favorite character has to be Finola. She is the sassiest of characters that cares very little about how the world sees her and is as true to herself as she can be.

Spoiler

I did enjoy that the coven of nasty witches in the end were beaten and set free of the bonds that kept them tied to each other.

Even Fin might have a little romance coming in her future! I hope that if there is a sequel eventually, that it focuses on Fin and her adventures.

jessicat10's review

3.0

3.5

It took me a long time to get into this book. I enjoyed it overall. I just wanted more. I wanted more details in the love story. I wanted more details about the world, fairies, God's, etc. I wanted more of the relationship with her daughter. It was hard to understand and be invested without additional backstory or explanations. I liked the characters.
The ending was satisfying.
If you like fantasy and witches and want a magical and atmospheric read I'd still recommend this one.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

abookishpenguin's review

emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bboles3984's review against another edition

5.0

I was given the chance to read this through NetGalley and I loved it! It took a few chapters for me to get into the story and keep things straight. However, once I did I really got into the story of Brigid, Ophelia, and Finola. It is a book that takes you into Irish Folklore and adds romance and history. All those elements are some of my favorite things ever. I enjoyed good witches and bad witches and the Gods and Goddesses that walked through the story. I've already started telling people they need to read it the second it comes out.

malicex18's review against another edition

2.5

2.5

Imagine an American writing a Irish witch book with the dialogue style of a cw superhero show.

rmurphy22002's review against another edition

4.0

A lovely little witchy book for October. I very much enjoyed the elements of Irish mythology and folklore being woven into the magic system