Rachel Griffin

Witches, who for centuries have maintained the climate, are losing their power as the atmosphere becomes more erratic, and all hope for a better future lies with Clara Densmore, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

The Nature of Witches

I cannot stop thinking about this quote!! 

Monique Harding 

"A mess is something that needs to be cleaned up. You're not a mess." He looks at me then, and his face turns oddly serious. He is no longer laughing. "You're a force to be reckoned with."

Tace

Just remember, the choices you make today will be felt by you who have yet to become.

Charlotte Huijsmans

Never let anyone make you feel bad for the things you are capable of. Some will insist you step into the shadow to make them more comfortable. But I'll tell you a secret: there's enough light for us all.

There is nothing riskier than handing your heart to another person and trusting them to keep it safe.

There is nothing more powerful than being understood.

Be ware of those who will let you apologize for who you are.

"Just remember the choices you make today will be felt by who you have yet to become."

Charlie Smith

"If spring is a whispered promise that everything can be made new, autumn is a brilliant sacrifice born of love. Because if the autumn did not love the spring, it would nor fall to winter just so the spring coul rise." 

Anneliese Villanueva 

Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

Beth Bartholomew

Chloé

cried all the way through and honestly not sure why.... FUKING LOVED IT THO.

Michaela Hudson

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (which should've been dued like 2 months ago but i'm a really inactive member of the society and that's on me)

The nature of witches is an YA urban fantasy focused on Clara, a girl standing out from other season witches for being the only Everwitch alive among them. While the book shows a new aspect of the familiar witchling theme and holds many potentials to itself, there are still many common flaws made throughout the book. 

Plot: To be honest, this is just the well known chosen one trope wearing new clothes. So indeed everything is predictable. The nice thing about it is that most of the events are wrapped up nicely and well coordinated so that story doesnt get messy. 

World-building: the magical system probably got on my nerves the most. Despite having a firm base of elements, almost everything else mentioned was sloppy, from the vague description to the non specific explanation. The mechanism seems more spiritual, yet the professors and students still carry out tests and experiments like they are scientists. It's just not adding up with so many details remaining mysterious: How did existence of witches come to shaders' knowledge? What do the shaders do to "cooperate" with witches? What causes the blizzard, the tornado, cloudburst, stuff like that, all of the sudden? The story just goes on solving problems without revealing the source to it. 

Characters: I know people will hate characters like Clara but this time I tend to give her a pass since she's young and lost people she loved a lot and everyone grieves differently. But it's sad that her personality was built on just that and not anything else. A horrible character treatment imo. Sang, on the other hand, is an absolute babe. Clara won the whole package. Chemist, botanist, cottagecore influencer and free therapist? He's versatile. The other characters are just meh, somewhat Harry Potter-ish one dimensional. 

Other details:
• Many magical features are forgettable. Put a name on it if you want people to memorize it!
• Mr. Hart being a great loss to Clara but barely mentioned or even if he is, he just sounds like a random person. 
• What's the point of repeating how miserable Clara has been in almost all chapters about Nikki and her parents if we never know what exactly happened to them to cause that misery?

I picked it up for the cover and I was not disappointed, the writing style was right up my alley, I love how the fmc gets called out on how she’s acted and acting! 

I love love love this book!! 

I picked it up for the cover and I was not disappointed, the writing style was right up my alley, I love how the fmc gets called out on how she’s acted and acting! 

And Sang. I think I just love Sang! 

an urban fantasy, based at a college for witches who have magic tied to each of the seasons, except clara who is an ever witch and is tied to the magic of all seasons.

it wasn’t the most addictive fantasy book I have read, right from the start I wasn’t overly invested and only finished it under time pressure for bookclub. Clara was a frustrating FMC who had a lot of self doubt, due to having lost people she cared about because of her magic.

the book is very repetitive & slow paced and I struggled to reread about Clara’s losses and how much she hates her magic over and over. in saying this, the magic element of the book was actually really cool and different from any other fantasy books. I think if it was explored differently, it would have been a really great read.

my favourite part was the fact that spring witches can plant flowers based on their emotions - super cool to me, wish I could do this too!

Larissa Kirchberger

BOOK REVIEW

The Nature of Witches / Rachel Griffin

Rating ⭐⭐

an urban fantasy, based at a college for witches who have magic tied to each of the seasons, except clara who is an ever witch and is tied to the magic of all seasons.

it wasn’t the most addictive fantasy book I have read, right from the start I wasn’t overly invested and only finished it under time pressure for bookclub. Clara was a frustrating FMC who had a lot of self doubt, due to having lost people she cared about because of her magic.

the book is very repetitive & slow paced and I struggled to reread about Clara’s losses and how much she hates her magic over and over. in saying this, the magic element of the book was actually really cool and different from any other fantasy books. I think if it was explored differently, it would have been a really great read.

my favourite part was the fact that spring witches can plant flowers based on their emotions - super cool to me, wish I could do this too!

I thought this book was very sweet. It’s centered around the idea that witches are tied to seasons and help to control weather and nature - kind of reminded me of the Tinker Bell movies. 

In all honesty, I picked up this book because of the cover, which is absolutely to die for. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? Probably not. But I still managed to finish it practically in one sitting. I did love though that the witches were neither secret nor hunted in this story, but rather an important part of advancing society! 

My biggest fault is the “woe is me” mentality of our MC. The pity-me-attitude can get a little much, and I appreciate the characters who took no shit on that front. Overall it’s a cute story about learning to trust yourself and those around you to fight for a life worth living. And you get a chance to learn a bit about the language of flowers - if you don’t already know 🌸

I thought this book was very sweet. It’s centered around the idea that witches are tied to seasons and help to control weather and nature - kind of reminded me of the Tinker Bell movies. 

In all honesty, I picked up this book because of the cover, which is absolutely to die for. Was it the best book I’ve ever read? Probably not. But I still managed to finish it practically in one sitting. I did love though that the witches were neither secret nor hunted in this story, but rather an important part of advancing society! 

My biggest fault is the “woe is me” mentality of our MC. The pity-me-attitude can get a little much, and I appreciate the characters who took no shit on that front. Overall it’s a cute story about learning to trust yourself and those around you to fight for a life worth living. And you get a chance to learn a bit about the language of flowers - if you don’t already know 🌸

✓ Forbidden love (self-imposed…)
✓ Natural magic 
✓ Witches 

Ariel

1.5 the writing style didn't mesh with me sad. Don't blame the book, it's just the writing style haha

Gem Koeman

** spoiler alert **
           Things I loved about the book.

🌍 The idea that the witches are trying to save the planet.

🍂 Got some nice seasonal vibes along with the elemental magic.

🏫 A little bit of dark academia goes a long way, especially during spooky season.

Why did I give it a three?

I didn't feel connected to the characters, the MC was obviously dealing with a lot but I felt that we were being told about it rather than being shown. 

I also thought the romance was a bit lackluster, I would have liked to see Clara and Paige ultimately work out their differences and maybe find their way back to each other.

PLEASE read this book, it's such a delight. 

honey

just gonna start off with saying that this book was a tad too slow for me, however, it was still good story. there was a lot of character development with clara which i loved. the magic concept was really cool and i don’t think i’ve read something before that took that kind of approach with seasonal magic so that was cool! the ending was so cute and fantastic. 

Hannah Williams

McKenzie McWhorter

I really enjoyed the atmosphere and witch element, but the pacing of the book felt off and I didn't feel like I could connect with the characters. I know Clara was young but she felt like she was written as much younger at times.

I just feel like...if you're going to write a book about the climate crisis, then write a book about the climate crisis, ffs. Tbh, I'm not really sure who this book was for...bc I don't think today's teens need the climate crisis to be couched in magic & chosen one tropes to be “relatable” since, you know, they are literally living through it. Not to mention the idea of a chosen one to help save us from the climate crisis is just really damaging in general. Yes, the author makes sure to say we are all responsible for saving the planet a few times but lol way to undercut that message with your entire book? Anyway, the writing was lovely but it's mostly a no from me.

Sharanya Sharma

** spoiler alert **
           Thank you so much to Source Fire Books for sending this my way! Witchy reads are some of my favorite titles to dive into. I am so excited to add this one to my favorite witchy reads. The author brings us a story about a powerful witch that has put her powers on "lock" due to events she had to endure. I loved the atmosphere of the story, I am such a sucker for nature and to have every season incorporated into a book along with magic was spectacular. 

The descriptions were easy to follow, the build of the world was pretty darn great! It was beautifully described. The plot of the story had a great flow where everything fell into place for the most part. As I started to learn the different seasons there were parts were I had to give a quick re-read but nothing major, that's just on my part.. I like to be super thorough with how the magical system works. 

One of my favorite things about this story is the inclusion of mental health, Clara has gone through so much, we see how her character strives to better herself along with the support of the main characters. 

I look forward to reading so much more by Rachel Griffin!

Writing often felt blunt and concepts underdeveloped. MC also feels childish at times — which characters call her out for. Hope the author has further developed their writing skills for their next book (genuinely!) because the concept for this book was overall wonderful!

(Bre)anne✨

Samantha Penland

This was kind of slow. I liked it but it didn’t pull me in.

One of the Most Anticipated Young Adult Debuts of 2021! From a stunning new voice in YA comes the fierce, romantic story about a world on the brink of destruction, the one witch who holds the power to save it, and the choice that could cost her everything she loves. 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. "A bright, fresh read from a glowing new voice, THE NATURE OF WITCHES is both timely and stirring. Griffin's emotional writing that cuts to the heart will make her a new YA favorite."—Adrienne Young, New York Times bestselling author of Fable "The forces of nature and magic blend perfectly in this masterfully told story... I couldn't love this book more."—Shea Ernshaw, NYT bestselling author of The Wicked Deep and Winterwood

Clari

I really really liked it. It was well thought and the magic was very very interesting. I also loved the commentary on climate change about how much us human beings have being hurting the earth and we should do so much better.
It's not 5 stars solely cause Clara would get on my nerves sometimes but that's a me thing

Marissa Davis

How what can I say that no one has said yet? I loved this book so much. If your looking for a friends to lovers book this is for you. But it’s also a book about self discovery. The way Clara was set on something and then she met Sang and all that changed. I highly recommend this to everyone trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Livia

4.5/5 stars


aside from clara being unreasonably stubborn, this book was everything. i love the magic, i love the growth of our main character so much, i love sang and paige and even though i do hate the teachers, they served a purpose, and i love the message of this book

Charley

I love the way Rachel Griffin writes!!! Also, I need a Sang in my life. He's so sweet

Virág 

I was really really interested in this book, and I was really happy when the publisher let me have an eARC of it. And I wasn't disappointed, this book completely blew my mind.

The beautiful way the author shows the little personality changes as the seasons, and how she slowly adapts to changes even better. As a person who really disliked her own body and herself for a really long time and felt like I don't fit in anywhere, I could relate to her during a lot of times. And the way she accepted herself over time, it reminded me how I did this too, and it was amazing. I cried a lot during this book, it made me become so emotional. 

The relationship that starts sprouting in the book and goes all the way until the end, well, I might have fallen in love with him too. He is so caring, and his affection towards plants and tea is relatable, I wish he could be my friend. 

I recommend this book with my whole heart, it swalloped my heart and took it on a magical adventure, long before I could notice. And it was totally worth it, this is a magical journey that you don't want to miss.

Megan Beth Davies

Really enjoyed this YA fantasy. The themes and setting were perfect, such a great mix of elemental powers, and how it can be used for good in a modern world. I fell in love with the characters and I want more of them! Definitely read if you love YA fantasy and elemental magic.

Caitlyn Hagen

It was a solid. Ok.

The magic system was really cool. Sang was an intriguing love interest and I really liked Paige. 

I think my problem was I didn't really connect with Clara. 

The plot was a little meh but the end was good.

Caitlyn Whitt

This book was cute and clever! 

It sometimes felt a little scattered and I wanted more depth. The story had potential for a real world-building type story but it fell a little flat to me. I’m left wanting to know more and understand more. 

I really liked the realistic topics that were the undercurrent of the plot. The focus on climate change and how our efforts will eventually be too little too late hit close to home! It made the book compelling 

Not to mention, the hard-cover book is the most beautiful book I own! The surprise under the dust-cover is amazing! Threw the cover away because I never want to hide the beauty underneath! 

Overall it was a good, easy read.

laura cait driscoll 

This book. This book has now become one of my favourites and I can’t even put all my thoughts into words with how much I love it. 
“Our earth is tired - let her rest” really stood out to me as it highlights the real life issues we are having today. The book itself follows the magic of nature witches who help control the seasons and how hard it is when humans are causing so much damage to the earth as we know it and it’s very quickly becoming irreversible if we don’t do something about it. The way climate change is portrayed is poignant but also easy to understand. 
It’s such a poetic and compelling book with love and loss entwined so tightly within it. 
The romance in it pulled on my heart strings and I loved the fact that Sang was a quiet botanist sharing his love of nature in a different way than just weather. The use of flowers and their meaning was also a lovely touch that many miss out “when in doubt - plant something” and rings so true for so many people, whether that’s them trying their best to help the environment or for their personal well-being. 
There are so many lovely and meaningful messages entwined throughout the book that mean a lot to the storyline but also to whoever read it and I think that personal touch is amazing. "Just remember: the choices you make today will be felt by who you have yet to become."

I felt like the book ended way too soon for my liking but it’s definitely one I would recommend 🥰🖤

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Jasmine Davis

Really loved following along on this journey of self discovery and awakening.

The Nature of Witches

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