49 pages • 1 hour read
The Once and Future Witches
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Book Brief
517
Novel • Fiction
New Salem • 1890s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Alix E. Harrow's novel The Once and Future Witches, set in the late 19th century, the estranged Eastwood sisters reunite in New Salem with the aim of restoring lost magic and challenging patriarchal oppression through their involvement in the women's suffrage movement and labor unions. The story explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and the resurgence of covert female resistance against overt male abuse. The book contains instances of physical and emotional abuse.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Emotional
Dark
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
99,383 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow has generally received praise for its rich prose and feminist themes. Reviewers admire the complex, well-drawn characters and the blend of historical and fantastical elements. Some critics note that the pacing can be slow, and the plot a bit predictable. Overall, it’s celebrated for its empowering message and vivid world-building.
Who Should Read The Once and Future Witches?
Readers who enjoy The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow likely appreciate historical fantasy with strong feminist themes, much like in Naomi Novik's Uprooted or Katherine Arden's The Bear and the Nightingale. Fans of rich, lyrical prose and tales incorporating folklore in a reimagined historical setting would find this book appealing.
99,383 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Agnes Amaranth Eastwood
Agnes Amaranth Eastwood
The middle Eastwood sister, epitomizing the Mother aspect, known for her strength and persistence, who navigates the balance between her desires for a normal life and embracing magic.
Beatrice Belladonna Eastwood
Beatrice Belladonna Eastwood
The eldest Eastwood sister, embodying the Crone aspect, characterized by her wisdom and deep connection to books, who plays a crucial role in the awakening of magic due to her library work.
Cleopatra Quinn
Cleopatra Quinn
A tall and charismatic reporter for a Black newspaper in New Salem, who supports Bella in her magical endeavors while navigating the nuances of intersectional feminist movements.
Gideon Hill
Gideon Hill
A conservative politician in New Salem with hidden, dark motives, whose ambitions threaten the magical and social equilibrium.
August S. Lee
August S. Lee
A union organizer with some magical knowledge, whose initial skepticism about the Eastwoods' magical abilities evolves into active support and personal involvement with them.
Grace Wiggin
Grace Wiggin
A representative of the Women’s Christian Union with traditional views, who serves as an example of how some women uphold existing power structures.
517
Novel • Fiction
New Salem • 1890s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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