The Once and Future Witches

Book Details & Major Themes

The Once and Future Witches (2020) is American fantasy and science fiction author Alix E. Harrow’s second novel. A New York Times bestseller, the novel was named one of the best books of 2020 by NPR and claimed a British Fantasy Award for Best Novel. The book falls under the categories of alternative history science fiction and LBGTQ fantasy fiction, and it is based on the premise that magic once existed in the world but was eradicated when St. George hunted down the last three witches in existence. This fantasy premise is combined with factual events of late 19th-century American history, including demonstrations for women’s suffrage and the growing support for national labor unions. As the estranged Eastwood sisters repair their relationships and attempt to build a community of women to take back their lost powers, the novel explores the themes of overt male abuse, covert female resistance, and the strength found in solidarity.

This study guide refers to the 2020 Redhook Kindle edition of the novel.

Author Highlights

Harrow initially rose to prominence because of her short stories, for which she has received multiple Hugo and Nebula awards since 2014. Her first novel, The Ten Thousand Doors of January (2019), was critically acclaimed as well.