Body positivity, cozy, witchy and summery? Sign me up! This was everything that the blurb promised and more. It was so fun and heartwarming!

#FatWitchSummer is a fantastic feel good coming of age story with magic, friendship, and a road-trip that can’t be beat.

Not what I expected based on the title, but a bit deeper than anticipated as well. A fun adventure full of intriguing twists and turns that leads to a more complex coming of age than your average roadtrip novel.

I did not end up finishing this title. I found the writing hard to connect with, and I was expecting so much more.

I loved this! Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I really didn't know what it was going to be about (and read it on my Kindle so had really no good grasp of how long it would be) and it was fun to just watch the story unfold. I think one of the things I liked the very best about this was that it felt like a unique story. The setting is here-but not really here. Magic exists and the country's history vaguely mirrors our own, but all based on magic. I thought the author did such a good job with that-providing enough details to create this time and place, but it was not at all bogged down with exposition.
I also enjoyed the changing points of view (the occasional interludes from the p.o.v. of the horse familiar were a hoot) which let you see how each of the girls was handling this wild road trip on the run. Plenty of teen-parent relationship things.
I loved the story, the magic, and the action. I wasn't sure how everything would be resolved and was beyond thrilled to find out it wasn't just a setup for a sequel. (That said, I liked this world so much I'd be happy to visit it again. Plenty more characters and places to explore and get to know.)
Just terrific.

Fat Witch Summer by Lizzy Ives is a funny, fabulous witchy read that really drives home the idea of coming into your own power and strength. Thrash is the lovable, plus size main character and I could see myself being friends with a witch like her! She's more powerful than she knows and when she joins up with a group of 3 popular witches for an impromptu road trip she has no idea what's in store for her. The friendships that the girls develop through the road trip and the whacky situations they get themselves into are all heartwarming and so much fun. The story is fast paced and keeps up the adventure while also allowing for small, more poignant moments. The witchy political systems have a Salem or Scythe feel with an undercurrent of witch trial style repercussions for stepping out of line. I thought the relationship between Thrash and her mom was interesting and I think the resolution to their conflicts was very satisfying. If you are looking for a lighthearted witchy fantasy with found family vibes this coming of age tale is perfect for you.

Plus size and a witchy book sign me up! I enjoyed this book and it’s fun references to Sabrina just an over all fun summer read

What a wonderful, summer read about the pressures of normalcy in ever direction. Add magic to the mix and you’ve got a wonderful universe where you see bonds grow in captivating ways. I would love to see more from this universe and can’t wait to see what else this author has in store!

Fat Witch Summer is a fun, quick YA read about teens developing friendships and mother-daughter relationships. Toss in some magic, and there's fun to be had. The mother-daughter conflict rooted in Osmarra's expectations and hopes for Thrash ring true; parents often seem, from a teen's point of view, to ignore their wishes in favor of what the parent thinks is best. In this case, Thrash's mom thinks that of the three possible magic gifts, Thrash should be given Glamour, rather than the Sight Thrash covets. When Thrash's knack- the first sign of magical ability- manifests, Osmarra rushes forward to impart Glamour as quickly as possible. Instead, Thrash takes off across the country with three of her school's cool girls on adventure, during which they all learn and grow.
That said, there are several things that didn't work for me. The title implies that there are problems between the girls: Thrash-our heroine, Em, Saki, and Cresca-the theoretical lead mean girl. However, from the time we first see the girls interacting, Cresca isn't mean; she's trying to persuade Thrash to join the adventure. There's a little hostility from the other girls, but that quickly fades as trust grows. Most of the issues with Thrash's body are internal, brought on my her mother's example of beauty and poise.
Still, this is a fun adventure with humor, kindness, and growth on the part of all the characters.

I was super excited to read this book at the end of summer to ease me into the fall mood, and it did turn out to be a fun, witty read.

I did find that at some points, I was losing interest even though there was a lot going on. There may have been too many side characters for a standalone book, as I often found myself trying to remember somebody when their name came up.

I would still recommend picking up this book if you want magic, friendship and lots of action.

The Winx Saga but make it plus size and more fun. Teenage witch Thrash is in for the summer of her life after discovering that things aren't always what they seem, including herself. A delightful, witchy YA romp that shines a light on finding and loving yourself.

This was such a fun book! I loved the main character, and the side characters were all great as well. Each character felt very different from the others, and they were all pretty likable. The road trip was super fun, and the plot was very fast paced. I loved how body-positive it was! I also thought that the idea for the magic system (and mothers choosing the daughters' powers) was an interesting concept, as well. The world building was done super well; overall, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, witchy YA! :)

I really wanted to love this & was super excited going in but this just wasn’t my favorite. I appreciate what the author was going for & some aspects I liked more than others. I think this would realllllllly work for some people but just not me.

This is a very cute book with a unique concept, with social issues mixed in. The self acceptance message is lovely especially accompanied by powerful characters that fight for themselves.

The writing in the books is super fun! It’s really a fun and charming book to read during the last months of summer to get you read for fall. I loved the POVs in this book, it helped me connect with most characters. Will be recommending to others since it’s out!

Title: Fat Witch Summer
Publisher: Sword and Rose Press
Author: Lizzy Ives
Pages: 318pp
Price: $29.99 / $16.99 / $9.99

Thrash — plus-size, magenta-haired, bookish and a bit of loner — is the only child of Protectrix Osmarra, a powerful and elegant witch with the Gift of Glamour. When Thrash unexpectedly develops her “knack,” indicating that she does have an inherent skill for magic, she hopes this will finally earn her mother’s acceptance. But Osmarra is determined to force Thrash to accept the Gift of Glamour, changing her magic, her appearance, her very self. Terrified, Thrash jumps at an offer from three other witches — Cresca, Em, and Saki — to travel across the Thirteen States to New Salem University to steal the Gifts they really want. But their secret trip soon turns into a national obsession, and the girls find themselves being chased by journalists, bounty hunters, and even the powerful witch known as The Justice. And the more the girls learn about the nature of the Gifts, and the true nature of their “knacks,” the less they trust the system that upholds magic in the Thirteen States ….

I admit that I am not one to normally read coming of age teen books. But the cover was cute and the premise sounded interesting. So I decided to give Fat Witch Summer a shot.

I am so glad that I did, because I had a blast reading this book. Fat Witch Summer is more than just a coming of age/road trip adventure. There is so much more going on, as the story addresses everything from government oppression and gender expectations to mental health and body positivity.

Every single one of the characters is fully, individually realized, with their own quirks, foibles, and fears. We get to see inside not only Thrash’s head, but also that of Cresca, Em, and Saki — and even Osmarra. Cresca is not as perfect and glamorous as she appears to outsiders. Em, as the only child of a powerful witch and an exiled mer prince, is basically royalty, but she is also smothered and isolated. Saki suffers from terrible anxiety and, even though her parents are letting her choose her own Gift, she has no idea what she wants.

I also loved the world created by Ives for these characters. The Thirteen States are clearly modeled after the United States, but there are striking differences. This is a matriarchal society, and the country has Founding Sisters, not Founding Fathers. Two of the states have majority indigenous populations and follow their own laws, different from those of the other eleven states. Goddess is honored instead of a (male) God, and, given the dating system, I would assume that Christ was female. And, instead of an Industrial Revolution, the country underwent a Magical Revolution.

Fat Witch Summer is a great read, filled with adventure, magic, and self-discovery. Highly recommended to fans of The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow, A Rival Most Vial by RK Ashwick, Spell Bound by FT Lukens, Cinder Ella by ST Lynn, and The Runaway Princess by S. Usher Evans.

[Reviewed by Rebecca Buchanan.]

What a fun summer read! I really enjoyed the cast of characters we were introduced to, and the story kept me interested all the way through. I appreciate the nods we got to body positivity, though I wish we could have seen a bit more of this from three of the four girls. Similarly, getting to see them develop their friendships with Thrash was sweet, but I'd have enjoyed more of that. There was so much going on in this book and I think it could have benefited from being longer or being simplified a bit. The larger plot with the adults in the book is so interesting and I want a whole separate book about the origins of that.

I can't find anything online to indicate that there will be a sequel, but there's definitely opportunity there and I'd gladly pick up the next book if we got one. Anyone that likes YA stories about friendship and adventure should check this book out, even if fantasy/paranormal books aren't normally your jam.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me this audiobook for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sword & Rose Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Fat Witch Summer by Lizzy Ives is the most heart-warming, good vibes coming of age story I've read in a very long time. This is a world set in an alternate U.S. where witchcraft came out in the open after the Salem witch trials and the country is largely governed by witches. When a witch shows a magical Knack and comes of age, their mom chooses one of three Gifts: Glamour, Growth, or Sight.

Our main character, Thrash, has just learned she has a Knack. She has always wanted the Gift of Sight but is convinced her mom will never give it to her, instead saddling Thrash with her own gift of Glamour. A trio of cool witches from school adopt Thrash and the foursome sneak off on a road trip to steal their own Gifts allowing them to choose the Gifts they want.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It delves into incredibly hard and deep topics and yet maintains the best vibes throughout the book. The entire time I was reading, I felt like I was sitting outside on a pleasantly warm day, basking in the sun with the perfect glass of lemonade and a cool breeze. I don't know how else to describe the vibes of this book. It was so incredibly refreshing even while covering racism, classism, an unjust governing system, and navigating society's and especially your parent's expectations for you even when they don't match your own.

I wish I had this book when I was sixteen but I'm so glad that I got to read it at any point in my life.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️🌟(4.75)

#fatwitchsummer #NetGalley

Thank you to Lizzy Ives and the Sword & Rose Press team for this ARC of Fat Witch Summer in exchange for an honest review.

I grew up with the Secret Circle & the Cahill Witch Chronicles so Fat Witch Summer really scratched that itch for me. It's a fun book to read with an easy to understand magic system. I loved the road trip aspect of the story and how the backstories of the four main characters came out gradually throughout the road trip. I really enjoyed the character of Em and how being half mermaid affected her - I just thought it was such a cool idea! I felt there were a few threads left hanging by the end of the story but I feel this is the beginning of a series so it makes sense.

Best of luck to Lizzy in the future, you nailed your debut!

In this witchy coming of age novel, Thrash sets out to find the meaning of true friendship whilst also finding herself. In the process, she comes to terms with the fact that her mother just might not be the overbearing “witch” she thought her to be. While the novel started slow for me, it picked up about halfway through after which I couldn’t put it down.