This book surprised me with its originality and modern take on a witch’s place in the world of today. Rather than having manipulative powers like Bewitched, these witches work in concert with nature to keep the natural world in harmony. In a world of witches who have a season of power each according to the four seasons, the main character, Clara, is a rare Ever witch who retains her powers all year. Her past experiences with her extreme power have resulted in the deaths of those close to her, so we follow her on a journey of trying to learn to control her power without causing further injury to anyone for whom she cares.

I loved that the plot is intertwined with the current issue of global warming and its negative effects on the planet and humanity. It was interesting and fun to imagine a world in which these seasonal witches can help to control or negate the extreme out of season weather swings. I loved the imagery as well and think the author did a great job describing some of the vivid events that can happen in nature. I loved that it kept me guessing until the end and was quite satisfying in its conclusion.

Can work in upper MG or YA collection.

Creative climate based magic system. The science of it all is convincing as well.

Some moments made me roll my eyes as an adult reader but I think teens will enjoy the melodrama.

I liked the cast of characters and the structure of the book.

Book Review for The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Full review for this title can be found at: @fyebooks on Instagram!

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Nature of Witches was such a fun book to dive into. After first meeting Clara, I had a feeling that I was going to fall in love with her pretty quickly. Well, that sort of happened because at first she was kind of annoying. Mostly because she just kept pushing people away and looking for acceptance and approval from people.. when she should've been doing the complete opposite.

The reason why I saw this is because she is a powerful ass witch. So even though she is at this place to practice and grow with her magic.. she shouldn't act like someone who was weak. At least in my eyes. Then again, she does have some inner demons and insecurities.. that she just had to deal with herself head on.

Eventually she got a lot better once Sang entered the picture. Now these two were really cute and I liked their chemistry a whole bunch. Plus the magic was just really cool and I just wanted to know what made Clara special. Throughout the book, you go through seasons and see everyone adapt to new threats and such. Some of them were pretty interesting and put people in danger. Yet, the outcome was Clara becoming a better witch and one with her own magic.

In the end, the little drama was cute and so was the ending. I just kind of wish one thing was a bit more.. not sure what though. More dramatic? More action? Something. It was still a really good book and I definitely enjoyed getting the chance to dive into it.

I could not put this down once I started to read. I thought the magic system was so unique and I loved the ideas with the seasonal powers. I think that the underlying main ideas of climate change was such a nice touch. I also loved the amount of romance it wasn’t heavily slathered into the book but was just the right amount. Overall, a fantastic debut.

A fun, different take on witches. Cool idea about the seasonal powers. Not too romancy - sometimes YA books don’t get that right but this one did. Only thing I don’t like is the name Clara, kind of clunky. Doesn’t fit the character. But super good! More???

The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin is a coming-of-age tale set in a world where non-magical humans (referred to as "shaders" by the witches in the book) have pushed the bounds of overdevelopment and nature so far that even cadres of trained witches can barely mitigate the increasingly erratic and dangerous weather conditions of the planet. The heroine, Clara, is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, an Everwitch, connected to not just one of the four seasons, but to all of them. Unfortunately, it's been more than a lifetime since the world last had an Everwitch, leaving Clara's mentors to train her through trial and error. But after Clara's mistakes turn fatal, she loses confidence in herself and her abilities as an Everwitch. Griffin's tale combines a unique system of magic with a potent vision of a future where climate change has real and terrifying consequences. The story carries you along as Clara reluctantly learns to trust herself and those around her, and it's a pleasure to spend time in a world so thoughtfully filled with touches of magic. The final resolution is not unexpected, but neither is it unearned, and Clara's journey is one worth reading for anyone still trying to figure themselves out in the face of who the world expects them to be.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC!

In The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin, witches control the weather. Their magic is each tied to a season, and while in that season their powers reach their full potential. Climate change is threatening and depleting witches, leaving the world’s safety in the balance.

Clara is the exception, she is an Ever Witch. Clara’s powers are limitless, she feeds off the power of different witches, as well as her own strength changing with the different seasons. However Clara is young, passionate, and has seen the power of her magic kill those she loves most.

Under a new tutor, Clara starts rigorous training. When an upcoming lunar eclipse threatens to deplete witches all over the world, Clara’s powers will need to not only be utilized but controlled. Is she up for the task?

I am not a huge reader of YA Fantasy, but I found this book refreshing. I loved the idea of tying ones magic into the ebbs and flows of the seasons. Clara was at times frustrating, but overall a great narrator and leading lady. The character of Sang was just amazing. His ideas about botany and respecting nature drew me in.

Overall, I loved this book. It was a quick read, a fun concept and I loved the writing style. Definitely check out The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin!

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

"Witches have controlled the atmosphere for hundreds of years, keeping everything steady and calm. We've always succeeded. We've always been strong enough.
But the shaders -those without magic-were swept away by the possibilities of a world protected by magic, of a world where every square inch could be used for gain. They began to push the limits of our power and our atmosphere. At first we went along with it, caught up in their excitement. Then their excitement turned to greed, and they refused to slow down ignoring, our warnings and charging ahead, behaving as if magic were infinite. As if this planet were infinite. Now they've overplayed their hand.
When we realized that what the world needed was rest, we pleaded with the shaders and pleaded for our home. But we were outnumbered. the shaders couldn't see past their desire for more, developing land that humans were never meant to touch, requiring control in areas that were only ever meant to be wild.
There isn't enough magic to support it all.
And now the atmosphere is collapsing around us."
~~~~
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.
~~~~
Clara is the most powerful witch to live in over a hundred years. But with great power comes great responsibility and in Clara's case, even greater risk. Like the weather she is destined to control, her magic is volatile and manic, unharnessed and striking out against those she loves the most. Twice before she has made the mistake of loving someone, and twice before it has cost them their lives.

Never again.

Now Clara has isolated herself, unwilling to let anyone close until she can either learn to control her magic or the summer eclipse, when she can strip powers forever.
~~~~
I really enjoyed that this book is equal parts magical realism and social commentary on global warming. There is something rather hopeful about Clara's journey, her relationship with magic and with the sweet botanist boy, Sang, even as she struggles with the decision of being selfless with her magic or selfish with her desires. I also found the magic itself to be beautiful, particularly the way that Sang and Clara used flowers to communicate their emotions.

This is quite possibly the most beautiful book I have EVER read.
I highlighted SO many quotes throughout this story and the end left me in TEARS.
The development was absolutely PHENOMENAL.
This is a book about acceptance, hope, love, and learning to fully trust yourself.
Griffin wove a beautiful story that brings awareness to the truth about climate change while adding the element of witchy magic that I LOVED.
This book follows our protagonist- Clara. In a world where witches have elemental magic based on one season and are therefore in charge of bringing balance to the earth and atmosphere, Clara is an ever witch and is able to control all four seasons. However, Clara resents and is afraid of her magic after accidentally killing her parents and her best friend.
With the looming threat of climate change on the horizon, Clara is the world’s only hope (as the only Everwitch) and must learn to use her magic to save them all. Filled with fear and uncertainty, Clara is partnered with Sang- a spring witch and botanist (who made my heart SWOON). His love for plants and calm magic helps Clara , but as she starts to realize her feelings for him are growing she starts to doubt herself and becomes afraid of hurting him. Will Clara be able to control her magic and stop doubting herself in order to bring balance? Or will she succumb to fear and doom them all?
An excellent debut, this book has become a favorite OF ALL TIME. All the stars!

This was great for a debut! I’m a big fan of witches and the occult, so this immediately intrigued me. This was well-written and the descriptiveness was beautiful. I loved the climate change sub-plot. Overall, an amazing story!

I finished this book in one day. I loved everything about it. The climate change theme was a timely one. The descriptions of the natural world and the witch's powers were so beautiful. The love story was sweet and full of tension. A great read.

For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power peaking in the season of their birth. But 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.

This a wonderful contemporary fantasy novel that kept me engaged from start to finish.
I'm not much on fantasy books but this was just amazing.
I read the description and I instantly wanted this one. Witches? Yes please!
The writing was must so well done.
A wonderful story and I really enjoyed it!

What an absolutely phenomenal book! I don’t read a lot of books from this genre, but I am so glad this one caught my attention. This book about witches will likely portray them as you have never considered before. Rather than black magic and cult like beings, these witches work to correct and minimize the damage caused by shaders (read non-magic beings) with their desire to over develop the earth. It is a very refreshing take for a fantasy novel.

I was quite stunned to learn this was a debut novel for the author. I would have never guessed. The writing is absolutely fantastic. She gives breathtaking descriptions and her style is captivating. It is extremely well done. I will definitely watch for future books by this author.

There is some use of profanity in the book and one occurrence of vulgarity, but there are no graphic sex scenes and no graphic violence (save for a bloody nose when a teacher is punched—but he definitely deserved it). I highly recommend this book to the adult reader who enjoys fantasy novels, and even to those who usually don’t prefer this genre. Like me, I think you will be very pleased.

Honestly I was blown way away! I was blown away from the truth of global warming and how Rachel used her story as a way to bring awareness to a very real problem. I loved the magic system which was new to my reader's eyes. This book was insightful, telling, hopeful, and daring. I loved the inner turmoil of our MC and I adored every second of her journey. Although this reads as a standalone, I could 100% see it branching off into a series, and I hope it does!!!

This book was a very nice surprise! I may be 66 years old but I love young adult fantasy fiction, though usually only if it is dystopian or a fairy tale retelling. I received this ARC because of well.....witches and the idea of witches controlling climate and trying to fix the problems of climate change was intriguing. It also has a lovely cover!!

Clare is a witch but not an ordinary witch. She is an Everwitch meaning she has strong magical powers in all four seasons as compared to all the others whose power is strong only during one season. She was born on the summer equinox which would make her an autumn normally but as an Everwitch she can control the elements during all the seasons and should be able to draw from the other witches to increase her power, but she finds she can’t. She is afraid of her magic because she has hurt and killed people she loves when she could not control it as she should. Her emotions have proven to be dangerous. But the teachers at the academy she attends believe she isn’t trying hard enough and they need her because the ordinary witches are dying from depletion as they try to fight the damage we shaders (non-magical) humans have caused. She loves her teacher Mr. Hart but the school leaders assign her a graduate student who has returned to study botany under another instructor who is basically taking over her training. Sang is a spring witch with a calm and quiet influence and the training starts slowly but as the two get to know each other beautiful things start to happen, as well as some not so great. Clare wants to end it all by letting herself be depleted during the summer equinox. But life and her heart have different plans for her.

I really enjoyed the quiet reflective tone of this book. The discussion of all the seasons makes you really experience it while you are reading. The epigraphs at the beginning of each chapter are also great. They are basically life-lessons
we should all heed. I think I highlighted most of them! Never too old to learn! There are dramatic moments as well when everything is up in the balance and you just want to cheer Clare on! This is also a coming of age story when it’s all said and done.

Clara is afraid of living and afraid of what she was given by virtue of her birth. This book touches on many things we all have had experience with...fear of love and rejection, loss of those we love, isolation, fear of being misunderstood, fear of our own power. I am actually quite stunned at how much this book makes you want to reevaluate your own life and all the negative things we tend to concentrate on when we don’t realize that nobody else is doing that except us. We are our own worst enemy. This book is lovely and I think great for teens and young adults. It is also LGBTQ friendly. There is no sex or violence, other than the violence of the weather at times. I really enjoyed it and expect more good work from this author.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the digital ARC of The Nature of Witches in return for an honest review. Witches are strongest in controlling the climate during their season. Clara, an Everwitch has power throughout all seasons and is the hope for controlling the dangerous weather that has become common. The further I read into the story, the less interested I became.

This was such a great read! Combining magic, climate change awareness, and a sweet romance, The Nature of Witches is one of my new favorites! In this world, witches are responsible for controlling the climate and keeping the environment stable. Witches are strongest during their seasons, and their magic reflects their season. Clara is an Everwitch, meaning that she has magic for every season and doesn't weaken as the seasons change. But after accidentally causing the deaths of her parents as a child and her best friend more recently. Clara is scared of her magic and plans to stand under the upcoming solar eclipse to get rid of her powers.
Just like in our world, climate change is a growing concern in Clara's. Her unique powers make her vital to keeping storms and unusual weather events from ravaging the world. A boy named Sang is assigned to help her strengthen and feel more comfortable with her powers, and Clara falls for him despite being afraid to get close to anyone in case she hurts them.
I loved Clara's character, and I really enjoyed reading her overcome her trauma and come into her powers. Her relationship with Sang and even her ex-girlfriend Paige was so sweet and fun to read. I highly, highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for this arc!
I've been anticipating this book ever since I saw the deal announcement. A witchy contemporary fantasy with climate change was right up my alley, and this cover is absolutely to die for.
The worldbuilding and magic system are definitely the strongest aspects of this book - I found myself utterly engrossed in the way they worked to further the story. The prose is rich and wonderful, making the weather, setting, plants, and characters feel authentic and real.
My favorite part was the love interest, who was the SWEETEST boy and the found family the pair form together. I would absolutely recommend this book to fantasy lovers looking for a fresh spin on a witchy story.