Haven't read YA in awhile and this one was okay. The concept is interesting, but overall it was a little too cheesy for me. The dialogue especially didn't always feel realistic.

Thank you for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I recognize I am not the intended audience. With that being said, I want more from this story.

It wasn't bad, but there was not a whole lot to it.

The characters were not particularly memorable and the MC lacked a full character arc. It could be she was intentionally written that way, but I was not a fan.

The magic system was interesting, I did think the author did do this part justice. My only complaint was the info dumping akin to being in a science classroom, I really do not like stories do that. Show us, don't tell us.

The cover is stunning though, 5 out of 5 stars.

I probably will not read from this author again personally but I do think it will appeal to its intended audience.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started reading The Nature of Witches. The blurb gave the basics and I avoided reading any reviews. This was the perfect way for me to go into this book.

Elemental witches controlling Earth’s weather is a fantastic concept. When you factor in the damage humans are inflicting on Earth creating climate change, it makes perfect sense that the witches are losing control.

Clara is the only Ever witch, meaning her powers adapt to each season instead of going dormant during the off-season, like the other Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter witches. This makes her an outcast, afraid of her power and abilities.

After seventeen years at the Eastern School of Solar Magic, Clara is determined to protect the ones she loves or be stripped of her powers while trying. This sets the premise for the entire book.

We meet many influential characters throughout the story that each have a profound effect on Clara. Sang, Paige, and Mr. Hart are the three that have the most to gain and lose by helping Clara discover the secrets of her power.

The tale is full of battles waged against elements, other witches, society, and authority. Just like a magnificent summer storm, the intensity of the story builds page by page until it crashes over you and you simply can’t stop reading.

Early in the book, I was a little put off by Clara’s “poor me” attitude. As the story progressed I began to see why she occasionally lapsed into a pity party. By the end, I understood the how and why of the feelings and the courage it would take for her to conquer her emotions and her powers.

The Nature of Witches is one of the best books, I’ve read this year. It captivated my attention, made me think about climate change in a new way, and left me reliving sections for days after finishing the book.

I highly recommend the book to all readers. This magical tale is sure to delight lovers of nature, witches, elements, science, and even romance. I’ve confidently placed it in the top ten books I have read this year.

Witches have powers that are tied to seasons, with their powers being at their max during the season they were born in. Clara is a little different, however. Being an Everwitch her powers are not tied to one specific season, but all of them. And the world's seasons, and the magnitude of them, rests in her hands.

I'm very, very torm about this book. The concept was unique and intriguing. Witches that have powers tied to the seasons was a great concept and had a lot of potential. The writing was good and while the pacing was slow, it still held my interest.

Clara was an absolutely annoying FMC. She's bratty and scattered when it comes to her emotions. I liked that she was called out by other characters for her behavior, so that was a refreshing change of pace.

I really loved this!! I felt like the premise was quite original, which is hard to do. Very atmospheric and I can’t wait to read more from this author!

I cannot wait to read more by Rachel Griffin and already have her next novel, Wild is the Witch on pre-order. This is such an interesting idea, having the world's climate controlled by witches and it is brilliantly written, with great imagery. The whole novel is amazingly atmospheric and I could not put it down.

Absolutely loved everything about this book. I had trouble with downloading the copy I was provided via Netgalley, but after seeing the book at a B&N I had to get it for the lovely hidden hardback cover.
I love that the book is unconventional in so many ways. The magic system is unique, the characters are loveable (even when they're not likeable), and Griffin writes so beautifully that I almost didn't mind that I spent half the book feeling an impending sense of doom.

I'd give 6/5 ⭐ if I could.

Beautifully atmospheric, beautifully written, beautifully heartfelt.

The magical system of witches, and cast of characters @timesnewrachel weaves, jumps off the pages and hits you in the heart.

Our MC, Clara, has experienced much trauma in her life, being an Ever witch. An Ever is a witch who's power is tied to all seasons, and not just the season in which they were born. Ever witches are extremely rare.

Because of her power, and past tragic events, Clara closes herself off from people, and develops a Martyr like persona. However seeing her growth with Sang, who trains with her how to harness her immense power, you see her become more confident, more open, and more assure of herself. But, like all of us, we see her struggle back and worth between these new found feelings of herself and her old self. Which, we all have those struggles.

I love the representation of Clara's manifestations of mental health and dealing with grief. We all react, deal, and heal, differently from one another. The LGBTQIA2S+ representative was also beautiful. Clara being bisexual, and as completely natural as the Sun rising and setting each day, is how it should be with everyone, everywhere. Beautiful.

The eeriely similar state of the cyclical climate, and tie-in with how we as society are rapidly throwing this cycle out of balance, was intense. As it should be.

Love, love, love.

Thank you to Netgalley, and Rachel's publishers, SOURCEBOOKS Fire, for allowing me to read and review The Nature of Witches.

Although the pacing of this one was a little off at times it was still worth the read. I love books about witches and this one was very interesting on how the author did the witches powers. I loved the feel of the story and the changing seasons.

I thought this was such a great book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. It had a great witchy and nature vibe. I love how the witches help control nature and each of them have their own seasons. Summer, Winter, Spring, Fall. But there is Clara who is an Everwitch which means she can control all the seasons. With this power comes great reasonability and very dangerous responsibility. Clara fears that her magic will kill everyone she loves. It already took her parents and best friend. When the weather goes out of control and witches are starting to die Clara must really focus on her training to help save her people and the world.

Mostly spoiler free review. Spoilers kinda past the 6th paragraph

Overall I really enjoyed this book. The story and most of the characters were compelling. I was really impressed with the magic system in this universe. I dont feel there has been much magic based on seasons/changing seasons so that was pretty neat.

The not so subtle climate change was also nice. Too bad we don't have witches around us trying to help us solve our problem pushed forward faster by corporate greed. But I digress.

I was excited with Bi representation with the main character at first. But it kind of felt like it was disingenuous or just another box to tick for representation. I could be off the mark but as the book progressed thats the impression I was left with and was saddened by it.

The pacing of the book was both very well tied in with the changing of the seasons and clumsy? Some transitions between scenes and conversations seemed very rushed or not tied together very well. Some instances needed more flow and transitions.

I could also live without the very very subtle religion/god tie in. This is one hundred percent my personal preference. I know and acknowledge that there are religious/christain witches. Sometimes though I could live without Christian religious references in fantasy books.

Overall I would still give this book a 4 star rating. I don't know if I would read it again but the first time was very good.

Clara made peace with her inner torment, found love and friendship, and self acceptance. And really the self acceptance should be the main take away for readers. You are amazing the way you are, dont let anyone tell you you are too much.

I did not finish this book (DNF @ 37%). It felt like nothing was happening and the same things kept repeating, none of which gave me any sense of where the plot is going. Usually compelling characters can pull me through that sort of ambling plot, but I also disliked the voice of the main character. This may have been in part due to the writing style. None of the other characters were developed enough for me to care at this point. The season-witch worldbuilding was neat, but I had little sense of the broader world implications; the climate change themes felt simultaneously heavy-handed and surface level.

"A season for everything"

The Nature of Witches weaves a magical tale of witches, nature, changes in us and exploring our true selves.

I enjoyed this book and thought it was an interesting story. The Nature of Witches had a bit of a Wicked meets Harry Potter with a focus on nature vibe. I was a little surprised that the love story kind of took center stage I wasn't really expecting that but if YA love stories are your thing you'll enjoy this one!

Wonderful book! I loved the magic system, romance and characters. Also, the cover and naked cover are so pretty!! This was a super cute fantasy and a wonderful debut. Check it out!

This is the perfect witchy book, with a unique take on magical powers. Witches have power tied to nature, with strength tied to a particular season. That is, unless you are an Everwitch, like Clara. However, Clara has had a lot of hardships in her life, and it is not easy to overcome her personal fears and self-doubts in order to reach her full potential. But, without her, the world may be doomed to the impact of human behaviors and their effects upon mother nature. Griffin creates a beautiful story, tying in climate change with magic and powers, as well as a good romance. I loved this book and can't wait to read more from her in the future!

Thank you to @NetGalley, @Sourcebooksfire, and @TimesNewRachel for an opportunity to read this book!
#NetGalley #TheNatureofWitches #RachelGriffin #SourceBooksFire #witches #magic #magicalreads

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I know witches usually relate to nature, having a book with witches and their magic completely entwined with each season was awesome. I loved reading about Clara who didn't trust her magic and her journey to learn to trust it. I finished this book in two days once I sat down to read it. Highly recommend.

Rachel Griffin's The Nature of Witches is warm and cozy and magical, with a sweet romance I wouldn't normally like except I loved it here. I normally try to summarise my reviews at the top, but I really can't think of something short and snappy to say about this book, except please read it.

I'm trying to be a lot pickier with the books I rate 5 stars nowadays, but I couldn't resist giving one to The Nature of Witches. This book was beautiful, and I'm kicking myself for not reading it earlier, especially when I got an eARC months before the book actually released last June and so could have actually read it what-seems-like-500-years-ago.

I wish I could end this review there, but I guess I have to actually talk about the book!

I loved Clara. She's imperfect and messy and feels things deeply, and I Just Adored Her. I really don't see how Rachel could ever improve her craft to write a better book than this one (although I'd be delighted to be proved wrong), because Clara's emotions were palpable. Especially her grief and anger over losing her parents and best friend... I felt those – hard. Her struggle and journey over controlling her magic was equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. After so long hating herself and fearing her magic, it was wonderful to see Clara become more comfortable in herself and her confidence grow.

I've read a few books in recent months where I haven't been able to click with any love interest who wasn't your typical dark, brooding villain because I didn't think they had any personality, but Sang wasn't brooding or a villain and I loved him. He was so sweet, exactly the type of boyfriend you would want in real life... Rather than someone who has maybe tried to kill you or is just generally a jerk, haha!

The other characters in this book are also delightful. Mr. Hart and Paige (Clara's ex-girlfriend) are standouts for me. I actually had a teacher in high school called Mr. Hart (he wasn't my favourite but he was still really nice), so Clara's scenes with him felt really special for me. I loved their bond and their trust, and how much Mr. Hart truly believed in Clara, even when maybe no one else (including Clara herself) did. I didn't know how to feel about Paige at first, but over the course of the book, she definitely grew on me. She's a little prickly, unafraid to say what she thinks and feels. You could feel all the history and tension between Paige and Clara, all the things they left unsaid. It was really touching seeing the two of them patch things up towards the end, and I wouldn't be mad at all if Paige ever got her own spin-off.

Someone give me a video game where I can wander around the Eastern School of Solar Magic and go to classes there. No, seriously, please. I loved everything about the world building in this book – it was the definition of atmospheric. If there isn't already a 'what season witch would you be?' quiz, I need one. The Nature of Witches is proof that fantasy books don't need to be epic with mind-blowing plot twists for them to be enjoyable or fast paced. Nor, in fact, do they need to be part of a super long series!

Overall, and though this review wasn't super detailed or long, I really can't say enough good things about The Nature of Witches. I adored it, and Rachel Griffin was clearly born to be a storyteller. I cannot wait for Wild is the Witch to come out, and I will be preordering a copy as soon as I possibly can. Even if you're not a fan of "quieter" fantasy books (or standalones), please give The Nature of Witches a chance. This book is wonderful, and I can't wait to see Rachel writing and publishing books for many, many years to come.

I typically adore stories about witches and this was just the same. Wonderful telling of Magic that includes messages about climate change. Usually over discussion of things like that can turn me away but it’s all so well done. Just a wonderful book.

The Nature of Witches is a beautifully written standalone novel about a witch, her ever-changing magic, and the costs of keeping-or losing-her magic.

Clara is an Ever-witch, the first one in several generations, and no one knows how her magic works. Normally, a witch's power is connected to the season they are born in, but Clara's magic is available to her year round, but with a caveat- the power, and her sense of self, changes with the seasons. And sometimes that power comes with a terrible price,  one she no longer wants to pay. Unfortunately, Clara's magic is of interest to the rest of the community of Witches, and in fact, the entire world-her magic may hold the key to fixing the dramatically shifting climate.

I really enjoyed Rachel Griffin's debut novel, and cannot recommend it enough. It blends personal and global climate concerns in a way I have never seen before, and I was riveted from start to finish.  A must read for fans of the chosen one trope, flowing sun dresses, and weather soaked kisses.

I'm still trying to find the words to describe this book.

This is an enthralling read about believing in yourself. There's a quote I read yesterday that said something like "the difference between success and failure is perseverance" (I read it in French). And it describes Clara perfectly. She hated her magic because it was a wild thing that she couldn't control. The perseverance paid off, she learns how to play with it, and she blooms with this new strength she has over her magic. It's honestly such a beautiful thing to see (read), that when I finished the book I was left with a peaceful feeling. I wanted to cry, to laugh, to hug Clara so much! I really loved her. I love to see her grow confident. It's one of my top 10 reads this year without a doubt.

Many thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.