I was given this ARC by the publisher in return for an honest review, so thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this!!!

The sophomore novel by Rachel Griffin, we follow Iris, a witch, who accidentally placed a curse on her coworker/enemy after he made hurtful remarks about witches. Iris’ grandmother taught her to make spells and curses as ways to deal with her feelings, and then give them back to the Earth. But when Pike makes comments that were hurtful about witches, she does her same ritual, dealing with her feelings by making a curse. A curse to turn him into a witch, but something goes wrong and she was unable to cast it into the Earth, instead she must hunt down the owl that stole it and keep it from unleashing it into Pike. Little does she know, Pike will be joining her on her quest in the Pacific Northwest to find the owl, and she ends up seeing a whole different side of him.

I really enjoyed this book! The magic system was one of my favorite parts of it. I think it’s so cool having magic systems that deal with different aspects of the earth, like people, animals, and the earth itself. I wish there was a little more detail into the magic system so I could more understand it. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Iris and Pike, and I really enjoyed the ending of this book. Was this a groundbreaking read for me? No, but I definitely enjoyed it a lot and will continue to read more from this author. I rated it 3.25 stars.

I have a favorite YA author and it is Rachel Griffin. Her debut novel last year (Nature of Witches) was one of my favorite books of 2021. I recommended it to pretty much everyone I know. So when I saw that her newest novel was coming out this summer, I immediately preordered it and knew I needed it in my hands.

And this did not disappoint!

When Iris is forced to leave her hometown, her mom and Iris settle into the beautiful PNW! (Always love books based here!) They run a wildlife refuge where they use their magic to help connect and heal animals. Pike, the intern at the refuge, hates witches. Iris gets upset and accidentally almost curses him. She then proceeds to do everything in her power to stop the curse. It’s an enemies-to-lovers, only one tent, witchy romance and I loved every minute of it.

Griffin’s writing is just absolutely beautiful. It even makes me want to get outside and hike in the rain. And I hate hiking and the rain. (I know, I’m a bad PNWer…).

Read this if you like:
•atmospheric writing
•the PNW
•witches
•owls
•being one with natures, animals & hiking
•enemies to lovers

This book was incredible. I liked the authors debut Novel, The Natures of Witches, so I was excited when the publisher granted my wish on NetGalley! I love nature, owls, enemies to lovers, magic and animals so this book was perfect for me. Iris’ anxiety was portrayed in a good way. Both Pike and Iris were incredibly mature and logical, even when emotions were running high and secrets were coming to light. This book was so so easy to read. The writing was just as beautiful as the story. Don’t mind me, just over here waiting for Rachel Griffin to write another book. Be on the lookout for this one hitting shelves Aug 2. Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks fire for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I will update the review with a link to our blog closer to publication date.
I'd like to thank the publisher Sourcebooks Fire and netgalley for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

really liked this one. The idea of witches pulling their magic from the universe around them is interesting and I liked the characters and their development through the story. Set in the PNW, it’s moody and rich with descriptions that make you feel like you’re there.

Wild is the Witch captivated me from the first page. I loved the Pacific Northwest setting, the characters and the magic system. The descriptive writing pulls you right into the moment and you feel the wind against your skin and can smell the trees. The interaction with the animals was something else I loved about this story. I have always had a special place in my heart for owls and this book too, is going to hold a special place for me.

ARC Copy...Hmmm I like the world building and magic system of the witches which directly tied with nature (nature mood and feel was a big part of the narrative, I liked) plus it was nice to see at least with the protagonist's family, they use their powers to help their community.

I was so excited to be invited to read this through netgalley, because I loved The Nature of Witches. This book absolutely did not disappoint. Magic, nature, animals, and some enemies to lovers romance on top of it really made this a good time.

Rachel Griffin has outdone herself again with another beautifully written nature story. I absolutely loved Wild Is the Witch. I loved Iris and that her best friend was a wolf named Winter. I loved the Pacific Northwest setting and how descriptive everything to do with nature was. I truly felt the magic seeping out of the book and could picture everything the author was describing. I liked the storyline with the curse and the Northern Spotted Owl and thought it was really cool what a big part of the book the owl was. He was a character in and of himself and I enjoyed that the author made him an amplifier of magic since they are such sacred owls. This book was definitely more of a slower pace than I enjoy but the author makes it work through her magical storytelling and earthly elements. Anyone who loved The Nature of Witches won't be disappointed by Wild Is the Witch!

Another incredible witchy story by Rachel Griffin!!! I absolutely adored this book with every fiber of my being. Set in the Pacific Northwest at a wild animal refuge, Iris and her mom are starting their lives over after a tragic magical incident gone wrong back in their old town. We follow Iris and her annoying but funny adversary, Pike, as they learn to be vulnerable and let people close to them when they never thought they would ever be able to again. A camping trip to rescue an owl who is injured and escaped forces them to face their fears and overcome. Iris and Pike are incredibly relatable characters with a complexity that will help all readers relate in some way. The atmosphere is exactly what you would expect for being set in the Pacific Northwest, but intertwined with the best witchy touches. It’s a more realistic magical read, with a strong plot and perfect atmosphere to escape into. I devoured this book in two days, and now have no clue what to do with my life. Rachel I need more books!!!

The world of Wild is the Witch is a world where everyone knows witches exist. There are laws governing what witches are and aren't allowed to do with their magic, but for the most part, witches coexist peacefully with humans. I thought this was a really unique concept, since most YA books dealing with witches or other supernatural beings make it clear that absolutely no one can know about them. So this was a fun deviation from the plot of most YA books.
I really liked Iris as a character; I appreciated her devotion to and love of animals, and I liked how determined she was. Her banter with Pike was absolutely hilarious, and once they got to the woods and Pike opened up more, I liked him a lot too.

A truly compelling narrative. After I read, and loved, the author’s debut “The Nature of Witches” I was excited to receive an e-ARC of her latest novel. Iris and Pike are dynamic and rounded characters, whose personalities draw the reader in, forcing you to root for both of them.

The plot’s premise is intriguing, and this is a novel that is very hard to put down. A fantastic read that I am excited to discuss with students, and to use as a First Chapter Friday once it is released to hopefully get some of our students hooked too.

I have strong mixed feelings about this book. I found the development of Iris’s background and the context of how witches are known in their world to be well done and interesting. I thought the transition from enemies to romantic interest was charming and that Iris’s anxiety was portrayed well. I was enthralled for the first 90% of the book. But I did not appreciate as a reader that Pike was cursed and that she was teaching him how to become a mage. I had hoped the curse would be lifted. I was angry to see him forced to become what he feared and resented and then see her being the one to teach him and then being together. I think that is very toxic. It was a very upsetting conclusion to an otherwise enjoyable book.

After a devastating accident two years ago, Iris Grey is determined to keep her identity a secret from anyone that could possibly threaten her and her mother’s happiness in their new home. Trouble is, she’s a witch. And loves being a witch. And when Pike the intern makes snide comments and angry words concerning witches, she does something about it. In a ritual to “give to the earth” she writes a curse - turn Pike into a witch - but before she can finish it an owl swoops in and carries the curse away into the woods. Iris and Pike must then go after this bird and bring him back to the refuge before he unleashes the curse he carries!

This was so good. Iris’s anxiety plays a huge part on this story and honestly it was nice to read about a main character that struggles with the same issues that I do. I loved this so much and so many amazing quotes!

What a perfect Sunday afternoon story full of nature, wildlife, magic and love. It is a family film waiting to happen. The enemies to lovers trope was set out so well, that you finally didn't hate Pike. Nature magic at its purest, animals at the forefront of the story and a full circle by the end of the book turned a sad occasion happy.

Wild is the Witch is another beautiful YA contemporary fantasy by Rachel Griffin. I loved how Griffin creates a compelling magical world and uses it to tell a quiet, yet complex and riveting story between Iris and Pike. The way their relationship grows as they race through the woods in search of the owl offers a delicate unspooling of enemies to lovers and you can't help but root for them to find their way to each other. The writing is atmospheric and magical, as is Griffin's world, and the anxiety and grief rep felt real and palpable. I will be recommending this book to everyone!

I devoured Rachel’s first book and I was so excited when I was allowed to read an arc of Wild Is The Witch. (Thank you NetGalley and FireReads). I was not disappointed and finished this one just as quickly. I love how witches are worked into regular life and how nature is revered. . The story broke my heart a little but I read the last page with a smile on my face.

ARC from NetGalley - I really enjoyed this one! Griffin has a great balance of nature and human connection here, as her descriptions made me feel like I was there with Iris and Pike. I will definitely recommend !

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙:
Pacific Northwest/mountain setting
One bed (ahem…tent) trope
Enemies to lovers
Witches with a deep connection to nature

𝙁𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
I read this book in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon and just loved it. The PNW is seriously my favorite place to hike every summer, and this book transported me back to the gorgeous mountains of Washington. The descriptions are so vivid and I really felt the connection to nature throughout the book.

The enemies to lovers romance (by way of the one tent trope) is always one of my favorite stories. I love how Iris begins to see pieces of Pike that don’t line up with her previous opinion of him, and the realization that he is a good person happens slowly over time. Iris feels everything around her so deeply, and her character journey felt very genuine.

Overall, the majority of the book takes place throughout about a week or less. I almost wish that timeline had been a little more spread out to allow deeper feelings to develop in their relationship. Other than that, I absolutely enjoyed this read and am still such a huge Rachel Griffin fan!

I have loved Rachel's debut novel too, but this book has absolutely amazed me. Rachel managed to craft such an amazing magic system that made me become speechless. The witches can't create or do magic without the magic that is already around us, and I am so in love with this sstem.

About the romantic part of the book, Pike is such an amazing book boyfriend, he is kind and caring, he would do anything for the people he loves, and wow, my heart. I started sobbing starting at the 25th chapter, and haven't stopped until the last sentence. This book got me completely destroyed. So please please if you are looking for an emotional rollercoaster book that will leave you in pieces then definitely pick this book up.

So if you like magic, witches, emotional rollercoaster, only one tent, camping in the forest, following an owl, cute love stories do not hesitate and order this book.