The Nature of Witches ARC Review

[I received a free advance reader’s copy by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review]
This was such a delightful read! I’ve been wary of young adult fantasy books lately because it just felt like I’m reading different versions of the same plot.

The reason I decided to go for The Nature of Witches was definitely the refreshing plot. I have never read anything about climate change before, and I honestly never thought I would go all starry-eyed over something like this but the writing style and the way the author makes us visualize magic was so captivating. Not to mention the whole witches/magic/seasons/shaders/climate change concept was so beautifully woven that I couldn’t help but gape at the originality of it all, especially since it feels so in touch with reality.

I still can’t get over the way this book was written. The seasons were described so beautifully, and I loved the way every witch’s personality reflected the essence of their season. It was so easy to imagine how every scene played out with the way magic was explained. And although it’s sometimes hard for me to actually like the main character in a book, with Clara it just came naturally. Also, I was especially fond of the way the love interest wasn’t portrayed as the partner that just comes in and fixes everything but rather someone who slowly and patiently pushed the protagonist to become more aware of her potential.

All jokes aside, I love how everyone here is a tea person and the only time coffee is mentioned is when someone asked for a “coffee mug” to pour their “tea” into!

The Nature of Witches

by Rachel Griffin

For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves… before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.