A review by kellysrambles
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

challenging dark tense medium-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

4.0

It’s difficult to describe whether or not I ‘enjoyed’ reading this book because some pages were extremely difficult to stomach, but I also couldn’t put it down. 

Set in the 1970s during a time when pregnant teenage girls would be packed off to a ‘Home’ to be pregnant, give birth and have their babies taken away before returning to their own lives, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls packs a real punch. Fern is fifteen, pregnant and learning to adapt to her new life at Wellwood House. Surrounded by other teenage mothers, Fern and her friends Rose, Holly and Zinnia find themselves drawn to witchcraft, but do they really understand the consequences of such power? 

My favourite thing about this book had to be the friendship between Fern, Rose, Zinnia and Holly. The dialogue and relationship between these four is what kept my reading on even when the plot was quite slow at times. I truly cared for how their storylines would develop. 

A story all about feminine power and rage, I couldn’t help but feel full of anger and sadness at times. There are some extremely gruesome descriptions of pregnancy, child birth and body mutilation - some of which seriously made my stomach churn and I would advise avoiding this if you’re currently pregnant or dealing with any post-labour trauma. 

The true horror of this novel comes from the fact society allowed these places to exist and for these young girls to be stripped of their identities. 

Thank you to Pan MacMillan, Grady Hendrix and NetGalley for my early review copy in exchange of a fair and honest review.