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A review by lollylovesbooks
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
A truly beautiful cosy sapphic fantasy with a strong romance plot.
Marigold has always felt out of place in her home and community - more interested in nature than balls. So it makes sense when she learns that she is a witch, and moves to her grandmother's house to learn how to use her magic. But that magic also comes with responsibilities, including protecting her new home from a rogue witch who has cursed her family never to know love.
I really can't talk about this book without using the word beautiful. The writing is in third person present tense (single point of view), which gives it a very lyrical feel. The whole setup is very cosy, with plenty of cottage slice-of-life moments intermingled with the wider plot.
The magic itself is really interesting - the idea of honey magic and ash magic being opposites but both necessary in their own way. And the magic being both dependent on and responsible for nature was a great concept.
The other characters in the book are fun. Marigold's family are a definite mixed bunch, but their heart is clearly in the right place. Then on the island she reconnects with her childhood friend August, which introduces Marigold to his friend Lottie. The love interest of a witch being a complete magic sceptic is always a great dynamic, and it worked really well here.
I can't not mention that this book is extremely feminist and I am here for it! So many of the lessons Marigold learns as part of her witch training are about supporting women whatever path they choose to take in life.
I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to lovers of cosy fantasy romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy. All thoughts are my own.
Marigold has always felt out of place in her home and community - more interested in nature than balls. So it makes sense when she learns that she is a witch, and moves to her grandmother's house to learn how to use her magic. But that magic also comes with responsibilities, including protecting her new home from a rogue witch who has cursed her family never to know love.
I really can't talk about this book without using the word beautiful. The writing is in third person present tense (single point of view), which gives it a very lyrical feel. The whole setup is very cosy, with plenty of cottage slice-of-life moments intermingled with the wider plot.
The magic itself is really interesting - the idea of honey magic and ash magic being opposites but both necessary in their own way. And the magic being both dependent on and responsible for nature was a great concept.
The other characters in the book are fun. Marigold's family are a definite mixed bunch, but their heart is clearly in the right place. Then on the island she reconnects with her childhood friend August, which introduces Marigold to his friend Lottie. The love interest of a witch being a complete magic sceptic is always a great dynamic, and it worked really well here.
I can't not mention that this book is extremely feminist and I am here for it! So many of the lessons Marigold learns as part of her witch training are about supporting women whatever path they choose to take in life.
I'd wholeheartedly recommend this to lovers of cosy fantasy romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free copy. All thoughts are my own.