Short story collections can be hit or miss for me. The shorter ones don’t really give me enough time to get really invested in the characters, and it can be hard to include both a captivating plot and character development in such a short work. Meanwhile, the longer ones make me wish they were longer when they’re good. But since spooky season is just around the corner, I figured I’d get a jump start on reading for it with a book about witches.

One of the most intriguing parts of this anthology was the various takes on witches from around the world. In a lot of places, witches are associated with negative views, and the stories included reflect this—some of the stories are about witch-hunters and witches being forced to live on the outskirts of society. But a lot more are about witches being misunderstood, and what led them to be the way they are now.

I’m very used to the European tropes about witches, which are unfortunately intertwined with antisemitic tropes. I was hoping that the “new and exciting twist” would mean that these antisemitic tropes would be eliminated, but they’re so deeply tied into the witch archetype that many people don’t even realize. Many characteristics associated with European witches, such as the pointy black hat, witches sabbath, heresy, Devil worship, desire to kill children, and consumption of blood, initially stem from how the church and Christian society thought of Jewish people. So seeing accusations of witches killing children and drinking blood was so disappointing in a volume like this. However, I really liked seeing how other cultures viewed witches.

The stories were interesting and I liked seeing what was the same and different between cultures. Some of the stories resonated more with me than others, and I was especially surprised to discover some new to me authors who contributed stories that I really liked. Special shout out to E. Lily Yu (Witchfires), Amal El-Mohtar (John Hollowback and the Witch), P. Djeli Clark (What I Remember of Oresha Moon Dragon Devahrata), and Alaya Dawn Johnson (The Witch is Not the Monster) for some of my favorite stories. But some of the other stories were just meh, and I was surprised to see some poems included. Overall, this was worth it for the stories I enjoyed, but the less enjoyable stories kind of dragged it down.

I am a sucker for any book about witches, and this one did not disappoint! Loved so much about this book I couldn't fit it all into one review if I tried!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Jonathan Strahan is a veteran anthology editor, and he delivers another great one with The Book of Witches. The witches in this book have varied powers—some cast hexes, some craft constructs, some make potions, some change shape—but all have found a source of power that sets them apart from those around them. Sometimes this leads to them being respected and sometimes to them being feared and persecuted.

In two of the stories, we only meet the witches after their deaths. Cassandra Khaw’s “Met Swallow” features a recently deceased witch who asks a huli-jing (a fox spirit) to possess her body so as to hide the fact of her death from her family. At first, the family life to which the huli-jing returns seems idyllic, but then the cracks begin to show. In Andrea Stewart’s “Her Ravenous Waters,” a river goddess grants a murdered woman a new life as a witch. But here, too, the act of beneficence isn’t what it seems. I found both these stories interesting, because they deal with a redress of injustice, but the injustice in question isn’t the witch-burning you’d expect to see.

“Her Ravenous Waters” also shares a commonality with another story, Amal El-Mohtar’s “John Hollowback and the Witch.” In both cases, a witch’s power is fueled by anger—and, contrary to what one might expect, righteous anger. El-Mohtar’s tale at first seems to follow a typical folkloric structure, where a character with a problem must complete several tasks or rituals, each coupled to a significant object, in order to solve it. But each step of the solution reveals more about the title character and how he came to be in the situation he’s in. This was one of the most engaging stories in the book, to me.

“The Cost of Doing Business,” by Emily Y. Teng, is another story that stood out. Most of the witches in this anthology aren’t beholden to any kind of demonic figure (although, as in “Her Ravenous Waters,” they may owe their magic to some other kind of supernatural entity). The witch in “The Cost of Doing Business” has sold her soul to the Devil. The story also portrays Hell as a factory with unsafe working conditions, terrible bosses, and impenetrable bureaucracy.

Another story whose witch character is morally ambiguous is Angela Slatter’s “Through the Woods, Due West.” Two of the three human characters who draw the witch’s ire have done a terrible thing, though it’s not at all clear they knew what they were doing at the time. The third one is ultimately doomed by his loyalty to his friends, which would normally be a positive character trait. The story heavily implies that this loyalty is undeserved, but naivete isn’t the same as wrongdoing. The witch here shares something in common with some of the older portrayals of fairies, with different standards of right and wrong from those held by humans.

The stories in this anthology are a diverse bunch, and most of them are very good. Based on my enjoyment of Strahan’s previous offering, The Book of Dragons, I requested The Book of Witches from NetGalley as soon as I became aware of it. That was a good choice, and I’ll definitely pick up the next such anthology he puts out.

'The Book of Witches' is a solid collection of short stories about witches by a good mix of award-winning authors, some familiar authors whose work I looked forward to and some authors I read for the first time here.

The stories explored witches from several perspectives and many stories had unique tones set by the writing and world-building. The characters were brilliant and relatable. The story arcs were mostly well defined, though some were rambling.

Some stories were hit and miss for me, but that would happen with any anthology. The rating for the whole collection is four stars.

[Half a star for the premise and the whole collection; One star for the characters; Half a star for the story arcs; One star for the writing; One star for the world-building - Four stars on the whole.]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and author for this ARC!

I did not like this book as much as I thought I would. It’s not bad just not great for me but you might like it more than I did.

This was a great anthology of all things witches. Loved reading the different voices and stories and poems.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for a review! 5 out of 5 stars.

I had not expected to be accepted to read this, so of course, I was thrilled to receive the email of availability. I’ve been a fan of witches since Wicked, of course— saw the musical, accidentally read the book at seven without knowing what I was getting into.

I was extremely excited to see some authors I knew to love— CL Clark, P. Djèlí Clark , Amal El-Mohtar, and Darcy Little Badger. I was also thrilled to be introduced to new writers or new writing styles, such as Tobi Ogundiran and Premee Mohamed.

I look forward to holding this book in my hands!

This is a fantastic anthology for anyone interested in witches and folklore. Featuring over twenty short stories and poems in a variety of genres, The Book of Witches offers a little bit for everyone, and is a great way to discover a favorite new author or two. I appreciated the diversity of perspectives, as well as the gorgeous writing and thought-provoking nature of many of the stories.

Like most anthologies, I didn't enjoy every story, but all were well-crafted and enjoyable, with quite a few favorites. I'd initially requested the anthology for new works from Darcie Little Badger and Andrea Stewart, and those are absolutely fantastic.

Little Badger's "The Luck Thief" is a brilliant cross between mystery, thriller, and magical realism, centering around a narrator with the ability to tell any lie and have you believe it -- and be cursed never to be believed when they tell the truth.

Stewart's "Her Ravenous Waters" is a stunning tale of divine revenge with a twist you certainly won't see coming, and a world so richly textured that you can practically feel the current of the river beside you.

Other standouts include:

P. Djeli Clark's "What I Remember of Oresha Moon Dragon Devshrata," a beautiful, sapphic fable of a town's prejudice laid bare by the arrival of a mysterious visitor proclaiming herself their savior.

Cassandra Khaw's "Met Swallow," a lyrical horror that begins with one of the best opening lines I've read this year ("she was already dying when I met her") and only gets better from there.

Tobi Ogundiran's "The Nine Jars of Nukulu," a story about a father and daughter with deadly secrets between them, and an ending that is feminine rage personified.

Angela Slatter's "Through the Woods, Due West," about three soldiers lost in the woods and the beings that come to find them.

Fonda Lee's "Nameless Here For Evermore," a Poe-esque story of a dead girl, her grieving mother, and a witch who exposes the truth of the bond between mother and daughter.

And Emily Y. Teng's "The Cost of Doing Business," a thought-provoking contemporary-horror set in hell, where workplace accidents happen every day.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon & Harper Voyager, and editor Jonathan Strahan for providing me this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"With a breathtaking array of original stories from around the world, P. Djèlí Clark, Amal El Mohtar, Garth Nix, Darcie Little Badger, Sheree Renée Thomas, and two dozen other fantasy and science fiction geniuses bring a new and exciting twist to one of the most beloved figures in fiction, witches, in never-before-seen works written exclusively for The Book of Witches, compiled by award-winning editor Jonathan Strahan and illustrated by award-nominated artist Alyssa Winans.

Witches! Whether you know them from Shakespeare or from Wicked, there is no staple more beloved in folklore, fairy tale, or fantasy than these magical beings. Witches are everywhere, and at the heart of stories that resonate with many people around the world. This dazzling, otherworldly collection gathers new stories of witches from all walks of life, ensuring a Halloween readers will never forget. Whether they be maiden, mother, crone, or other; funny, fierce, light and airy, or dark and disturbing; witches are a vital part of some of the greatest stories we have, and new ones start here!

Bringing together twenty-nine stories and poems from some of the greatest science fiction and fantasy writers working today, including three tales from a BIPOC-only open submission period, The Book of Witches features Linda Addison, C.L. Clark, P Djeli Clark, Indrapramit Das, Amal El Mohtar, Andrea Hairston, Millie Ho, Saad Hossain, Kathleen Jennings, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Cassandra Khaw, Fonda Lee, Darcie Little Badger, Ken Liu, Usman T. Malik, Maureen F. McHugh, Premee Mohamed, Garth Nix, Tobi Ogundiran, Tochi Onyebuchi, Miyuki Jane Pinckard, Kelly Robson, Angela Slatter, Andrea Stewart, Emily Teng, Sheree Renée Thomas, Tade Thompson, and E. Lily Yu - and contains illustrations from three-time Hugo award-nominated artist Alyssa Winans throughout. This extraordinary anthology vividly breathes life into one of the most captivating and feared magical sorceresses and will become a treasured keepsake for fans of fantasy, science fiction, and fairy tales everywhere."

Because it's never too early to start planning your Halloween reading.

Delicious, charming, and interesting diverse witchy folklore, myths, and fairytales from around the world. With many short stories to entertain different readerly tastes.

Thank you to @netgalley @avonbooks @harpersvoyagerus and @harpercollins for the eArc

Like so many short story anthologies this one is up and down. The stories that are up, are WAY up, 5 stars. I'll never forget them. There are a few that are just okay. None are bad, but just okay.
Overall, though, I love a short story and this was a lovely collection. There are some I will likely return to again and again.

The Book of Witches
By lots of authors
Compiled and Edited by Jonathan Strahan

Like all short story compilations this one had some stories that I appreciated more than others. But all in all I thought it was a very solid set of stories.

The ones that linger with me are by Darcie Little Badger, Amal El-Mohtar, Tade Thompson, Garth Nix, and Cassandra Khaw.

Such an interesting set of stories with bits and pieces of folklore from different cultures and time periods.

Thanks to @netgalley and @harpervoyagerus for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Book of Witches is collection of 29 short stories and poems about witches. This was a delightful collection and I truly enjoyed the variety of essays, poems, and short stories. My favorite was The Liar by Darcie Little Badger!

The Book of Witches is a huge anthology, jam-packed full of wonderful prose and poetry from a diverse range of writers, lovingly edited by Jonathan Strahan. The quality of writing does not wain throughout, but here the following really stood out to me:

The collection opens with a moving poem, Seed of Power, by Linda D. Addison. It made me feel powerful, but also made me cry, and I think the work really sets the tone for the anthology.

The first story, What I Remember of Oresha Moon Dragon Devahrata, by P. Djeli Clark, was another amazing entry. A traveling witch, a curious young girl, a giant "champion". Clark built a world so quickly, and I did not want to leave.

I was hugely impressed by Kathleen Jennings’ 2020 novel, Flyaway, so I knew I’d love her story, Catechism for Those Who Would Find Witches, written as a pamphlet about witches, that seems to be speaking directly to the reader.

I’ve been meaning to read Alaya Dawn Johnson for a while, and her story, The Witch is Not the Monster, definitely encouraged me to do this asap. A haint, a storm, generations of witches. Eco-horror. I absolutely loved it.

I am an unflinching Cassandra Khaw fan, and her story, Met Swallow, did not disappoint. A dying girl exchanges her dying body for a living fox.

The Nine Jars of Nukulu, by Tobi Ogundiran, is a tale in which a girl encounters a man in her dreams with the reflection of a panther, which leads her to discover the truth about her mother's death. Another incredibly rich story.

Premee Mohamed continues to impress with So Spake the Mirrorwitch, where some witch hunters find themselves deservingly trapped in a living nightmare.

In the story, Her Ravenous Waters, by Andrea Stewart, a dead woman becomes indebted to a sea witch who "saved" her after her abusive husband drowned her. Again, a work of incredibly rich and engaging writing.

It’s always a pleasure to read new work by Angela Slatter. In her story Through the Woods, Due West, three young men have some strange encounters while trekking through a forest.

The ending of Night Riding by Usman T. Malik is one of the most horrifically entertaining things I’ve ever read.

E. Lily Yu captures horror and beauty perfectly in Witch Fires, a story of modern-day witch hunts and a portable crematorium.

I am so excited to seek out other work by Miyuki Jane Pinckard and Emily Y. Teng, two new (to me) writers. Pinckard’s story The Academy of Oracular Magic is about a trans girl destined for greatness, attending a prestigious magic school. Teng’s story, The Cost of Doing Business, takes place in a strange factory, which has an on-site witch to deal with injuries.When it becomes clear what the factory is, the story just opens up so wonderfully. I loved this so much.

But my absolute favorite story came last, from the remarkably intelligent writer Amal El-Mohtar. John Hollowback is a story of betrayal, forgiveness, and resentment. When the titular Hollowback visits a witch to fix his affliction, the reason for his literally hollow back unravels. This one also made me cry; it’s such a gorgeous story.

And these are just the highlights! This is such a strong collection, showing the many facets of witchcraft. And I really hope people discover their new favorite writer in this anthology.

Excellent book for those of us who.love all things Witchy. Great stories and great for an evening bs creepy entertainment. I loved all the stories.
I recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book was interesting. A collection of stories, poems, interviews, etc. It was not my favorite book I read this year. Some of the stories were lacking, overall it was good.

I’ve been trying to read this for months and I have had such a hard time making myself do it. I think I expected it to be different when I read the blurb. I thought it would be more like stories of witches in folklore from around the world. Must have been a mistake on my part, but there were very few stories that captured my interest.

My favorite was definitely the one by P. Djèlí Clark. A few others I liked, but that stands out.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an advanced copy of The Book of Witches in exchange for an honest review.

This... will be my shortest review to come I think as I don't know what to say. This is not what I was expecting and that may be my fault but nonetheless, I did not enjoy more than half of these stories/poems. My favorite part of this book was Jonathan Strahan's note at the beginning, and his passion behind the project. I felt that deeply.

Excellent anthology. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't find a story I didn't enjoy.
If switches from scary to humorous- are your thing you'll love this book.

29 witchy short stories and poems. Very interesting and super charming. Had a lot of fun reading this.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of this book.