The Last Windwitch is a beautifully written coming-of-age middle grade fantasy by Jennifer Adam. Released 13th April 2021 by HarperCollins, it's 448 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

Although it's relatively long for a middle grade reader book, the story is so engaging and immersive, and the narrative moves along so quickly that the reader is drawn along. I enjoyed Brida's story and the way the author builds up the world (including the animal characters and magical aspects). Even though this is a self-contained and complete story, I really hope the author has more stories for us in this world. The dialogue flows very well and the characters really seemed three dimensional and believable.

Five stars. This story has really stayed with me. I would recommend it for public or school library acquisition, readers of all-ages fantasy, and speculative fiction. I *sincerely* hope this one is a prime pick when next year's Nebula nominations roll around (yes, it really is that good).

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

One of the best things about The Last Windwitch is that it stands alone. Yes, author Jennifer Adam could return to the world she’s created — and I hope she does — but she doesn’t have to. At 448 pages, it’s probably too long for less advanced middle readers. However, it takes courage to contain the story to one novel, and I commend both author and editor for that choice. The book and overall reading experience are better because of it.

Even though the Adam’s world has an expansive scope, The Last Windwitch has a distinctly intimate feel. The writer’s prose is warm and familiar, making it easy to slip into Brida’s story.

All of the characters from Brida and the hedgewitch to the crows and Brida’s horse have a weight to them. Each is realized at different levels, of course, but that attention to detail completes the tale.

Even at nearly 450 pages, The Last Windwitch moves quickly. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.

A true gem. This book is beautifully written; sweet, and perfectly dark. The world building and mythology were exquisitely detailed, and the characters were a delight.

Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for providing me the opportunity to review this title.

I was really excited about this book given the synopsis and how much I love middle grade. However, I'm afraid to say that this book just wasn't for me. I kept waiting for something really special to come along to make this middle grade fantasy stand out, but the world building and narrative seemed a bit generic to me. The pacing was quite slow and I'm not sure that it will manage to hold the attention of the target audience.

Brida is a hedgewitches apprentice in the village of Oak Hollow. Her magic doesn’t always perform as she wants it to, but she’s on the verge of finding out just how powerful she is. There was an amazing cast of characters in this one. Apart from
Brida I especially liked how Bones and Bear were brought alive for us.

This one really surprised me, I absolutely loved how descriptively it was written and Brida herself was so endearing. I don’t read much fantasy, and I’m so glad I picked this up! Middle graders will love it, as will their teachers and parents. A real treasure.

The Last Windwitch was a terrific read! Following Brida from sleepy village to the halls of an evil enemy's castle was a delightful ride. Tackling a lot of mystery, terrific descriptions about places, people, and the magic being used, surprise encounters with friend and foe, and even a few unique ideas about a fantasy world. The author did a great job of weaving together a fantastic cast of characters in a world that was constantly fluctuating between calm and chaotic. I thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in this world and I hope there will be more books to follow.

Apprentice Hedgewitch Brida struggles to tell the difference between types of herbs, but can listen to a neighbor's wish, and whip up a charm that solves the problem at the root of the wish. But the cruel Queen of Crows is closing in on the corner of the Kindgom where Brida lives with Mother Magda. And the Queen will stop at nothing to gather more magic for herself.
I loved the lyric voice of this story. The lines sang! Beautiful beautiful story. I definitely plan to add this to my own personal library.

Last Wind Witch is a middle grade adventure. Brida is a young hedge witch apprentice and struggles to complete her training. An evil Queen of Crows has taken control of country and has forbidden many celebrations. Her evil influence has even caused weather changes and created great hardships for the communities.
Brida discovers that she and a small group of young friends have the ability to work together and possibly find a way to defeat the Queen of the Crows.

At the far reaches of a magical kingdom lies the town of Oak Hollow, which is home to the hedgewitch Mother Magdi and her ward, Brida. Twelve-year-old Brida has never known her parents, but Mother Magdi has raised her in love while helping to mold Brida’s innate magic to her own. However, Brida has never truly been capable of the skills Mother Magdi teaches her. When Brida sneaks out to the annual—forbidden—Day of Remembering and hears the legend of the last Windwitch, something changes in Brida’s world and she finds herself searching for her own story.

This fantasy adventure blends terms like Goody and Goodman with magic and legends brought to life. Focused around Brida, a girl who feels like an outsider with no parents and lackluster skills as a hedgewitch, the reader learns Brida’s story as it unfolds around her. Beautifully descriptive language is used to paint the backdrop of this tale, and the world building happens in natural and unassuming ways.

Brida begins the story as a sheltered girl, one who sees the world as a dangerous place but is nonetheless curious to discover the truth for herself. As the narrative progresses, Brida becomes more independent—often through necessity rather than outright choice—and discovers her inner strength thanks to the help of supportive family and friends. Echoes of The Hunger Games are found in the uprising detailed in this story, though the presentation is altogether different.

Though the people with the most power and influence in this story are primarily female, male characters have an important role to play, as well. Magic is only one form of strength; there are many ways to make a difference in a broken world. This gripping fantasy tale uses magic and nature to emphasize the importance of choosing the path of justice and is a memorable escape for middle grade readers.

I received this ARC from Netgalley--thank you to Jennifer Adam, HarperCollins Children's Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read!

A young apprentice witch with a mysterious past must discover who she when the evil queen attempts to harness powers beyond the scope of the realm and disrupts the environment in the process. The story reminded me of the Girl who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill.

I was excited to read this book because I love Middle Grade, especially coming of age stories that involve magic (basically anything by Diana Wynne Jones is my jam, and I also absolutely love Laura Wolk).

However, I'm afraid to say that this book just wasn't for me. I kept waiting for something really special to come along to make this middle grade fantasy stand out, but the world building and narrative seemed a bit generic to me. The pacing was quite slow and I'm not sure that it will manage to hold the attention of the target audience. That said, that characters are warmly drawn.

Brida is an unassuming apprentice to a hedgewitch who seemingly can’t do anything right. She is always called by a force to do what she knows she shouldn’t do and ends up in the clutches of black magic stronger than anything she can fight. Brida stumbles into her destiny and finds it by sheer will and a little help from a few friends. I left a lot of things undone to be able to finish this book. My thanks to the author and publisher for providing this review copy.

As a result of my various committee appointments and commitments I am unable to disclose my personal thoughts on this title at this time. Please see my star rating for a general overview of how I felt about this title. Additionally, you may check my GoodReads for additional information on what thoughts I’m able to share publicly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this and any other titles you are in charge of.

Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were all interesting and the story felt almost akin to a fairytale but original. Mother Magdi and Brida's relationship was sweet, and I appreciated that Magdi wasn't the "crabby old lady" trope, she was loving toward Brida, though she had to keep secret from her for her own safety.

The magic system was really entertaining and the Queen of Crows was frightfully terrifying! Not too terrifying, but still pretty creepy.

The only issue I had with the book is that I wanted Brida to spend more time with the Queen of Crows, I'd have liked to see more of her terrifying reign.

The Last Windwitch is an entertaining novel that's sure to please all ages!

Absolutely gorgeous tale of magic connected to the natural world and a girl who never dreamed the world might rest upon her shoulders. A gorgeous, thorny magic system. The evergreen classic middle grade fantasy

This story sits deep within you for longer than the moments spent on its pages. While reading it you find yourself worried for her, cringing when you can see what will happen before she does, and cheering as she grows closer to her truth. I have fallen in love with her world and in love with her.

I highly recommend this book no matter what age you may be. It is listed under children’s literature but as a 50 year old woman, I would easily nestle it along side N.K. Jemisin.

CAWPILE Rating: 10

A wonderful new middle grade fantasy by debut author Jennifer Adam. I loved the folklore feel to the story, along with the different types of magic and witches, the powerful storm horses, and especially the way very unlikely allies come together to fight against a fearsome magic. This book will definitely appeal to preteens/young teens who love fantasy and stories packed with magic.

I was so involved in the story, I couldn't remember what age it was written for. With the exception of the book cover, which announces "juvenile" and "middle grade", the title could promoted for teen or adult audiences. I felt as though I was living in the world along with Brida. Her impulsive need to react to situations and reject the rules given by the adults in her life, felt so realistic that I believe middle grade readers will relate to her.

To read THE LAST WINDWITCH is to escape into a timeless world of magic, the power of nature, and adventure. Beautifully written, and richly imagined the story follows 12yo Brida as she slowly, but most assuredly, discovers the depths of her own powers. The world Adam has created is artfully woven from strands of mythology and elemental magic. It felt somehow both new and familiar to me in that way that great stories always do.
Exploring the relationship between people and nature, the power structures people impose on society, and the imbalances that those create all work to create a powerful message for young readers.
I highly recommend this book to both lovers of MG fantasy and those who have yet to discover the charms of a magical, fantastical story.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the E-Arc

There is so much to love about this story! For one thing, it weaves hedgewitch mythology with stormhorses that carry elemental magic in a wonderful medieval setting complete with a wicked Queen. The 12yo protagonist undergoes a wonderful transformation in the story, at first questioning her suitability to apprentice a hedgewitch but eventually finding her own source of power, which is a wonderful (but not didactic) message for young readers. The story also forces readers to think about deeper subjects including looking beyond our own comfort, the power of story, and the importance of balance in nature. A must-read!

This is a gorgeously written fantasy full of heart and magic that will sweep you away into a world torn by an evil queen and powerful stormhorses that can only be tamed by a 12yo orphan whose magic doesn't always work like she expects. I loved watching the main character Brida find her place in the world with the help of friends Hush, Bones, and Bear, and a very ornery but lovable pony.