3,5 stars

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from a book called Fat Witch Summer. It could go over the top, trying to be too funny. It could take itself too seriously and be too lecturing. Or it could be just the right balance.

In this case I think, for the most part, this book hits the right balance. That balance between humor and emotions that works so very well. And especially the start of this book is very strong in that. I thought after the first half this fizzled out a little. This idea that all the characters needed to be deepened out so we get scenes from the other girls all of a sudden, became clear. I'm not quite sure that worked. It would have been better from the start in full point of views or just to stick to Thrash. Now I had to switch a lot.

I also still have a lot of questions about various things like the history of the thirteen states. We did get that dumped on us here and there but it never came alive for me enough to grasp it as a part of the story. It would put some of the various groups they came across (the rebellion, bounty hunters, the outliers etc) as a part of the whole for me. Now it didn't seem to mean that awful lot to me.

Having said that there were also still a lot of strong aspects of this story. I think the relationships between the four girls was a good one. How Thrash was on the outside but starts getting to know them. The insecurities of each and what they were dealing with at home. That did make this book feel more real so that some of the things that happened did leave its mark on the reader as well.

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of this book and it honestly lives up to the hype! Lizzy is a wonderful writer and really weaves a great story. It was so good I even purchased a copy for myself to read over and over again. I really enjoyed the characters and the world building and highly recommend anyone to give this a go. Any book that includes a map is always a good read!

Omg, I love this book!

I saw it on NetGalley and knew instantly it’ll fit my vibes. I can’t get enough of witchy books and this fit the bill!

Body positivity ✔️
Insecurities that face all humans (witches) ✔️
Dealing with overbearing parents ✔️

This book was endlessly cute and I adore it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sword and Rose Press, and Lizzy Ives for this arc. My review is an unbiased one in exchange for this arc.

Completely loved this, as a fat person myself I love the representation these books now have, I wish I had these books myself when I was younger. The fat representation is so good, I love the fact that characters still have insecurities , even with body positivity, it’s so relatable as being told constantly you’re body isn’t the accepted norm is still hard to just switch off so I loved this about it, that we are all body conscious still because of mainstream media and social media. Overall, this is such a fun, cute YA story, light hearted but important, one long long overdue for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was a cute, fun read! I enjoyed the characters and found them relatable. The story had everything I was looking for, definitely a mood read for me. Very enjoyable!

When I saw this book in NetGalley, I knew it was one I had to read. I love all things witchy and this one did not disappoint. It has been described as Dumplin meets the Craft and it definitely fits. This book is magical but also deals with real life issues such as overbearing parents who love their kids but aren’t ready for them to grow up, loving yourself for who you are, and the hardship of making friends and being in such a close friend group. We also see how different class of people are treated differently, and how important it is to be given the chance to have a choice of things. The characters are written perfectly and really makes you love each and every one of them as we join Thrash and The Lunes on their magical, action filled journey through the thirteen states. Definitely recommend to anyone who loves a good girl trip, and witches of all shapes and sizes. This story is truly incredible and I seriously hope it becomes a series. The writing is amazing the story is so inclusive.

Just looking at the cover I knew I would love this book. Everything about it screams fun and magic. After reading it I was just as much in love. It's a fun coming of age story where our Thrash learns about not only her magic but also how to love yourself. Each character had depth and a reason to love them and each point of view gave a new perspective on the story. Would highly recommend if you like stories about friendship, body positivity, magic, and just a good old road trip!

Thank you to Lizzy Ives, Sword and Rose Press, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I saw this book on Netgalley and immediately had to have it. As one witches and two I wanted a YA happy book. It was everything I wanted and more, it was like a feel good film mixed with the craft and I was there for it.

This book deal with some real life issues in a delicate way that doesn't take away from the story but adds to it, there is no need for TW as it's not those kind of subjects more, body imagine, parents not wanting there kids of grow up and the different class privilege. But honestly it's done so well and this found friends/family story line is amazing.

One for anyone who would love a witchy girls road trip

What a fun read!
I loved the worldbuilding in this one, the matriarchy of witches and what changes that would bring to our world.
This is a book about friendship, the expectations of parents and how those sometimes differ from the wish of choosing ones own fate.
I sometimes found the writing style a bit stilted, which kept me at a distance from fully feeling like I was 100% iimmerged in the story and invested in the characters, but overall a quick and fun roadtrip novel.

A sweet witchy coming of age story with body positivity and friendship at its core.

What does new witch Thrash do when after she gets her knack and is worried her mom - obsessed with looks and has the gift of glamour - won’t gift her the thing she wants most- the gift of sight? Why road-trip with some new friends Of course!

This fresh look at witchcraft is a fun romp through summertime hijinx, solidarity,body positivity, and growing up.

Body positive witches? Hell yes! This cute and enchanting book shows multiple povs and modern day issues and insecurities with a whole bunch of witchcraft on top. A fun, fast paced book about teenagers discovering who they are and who they can be. Thrash is adorable and with a nickname like that how can you not love her

This was a fun story!
I love the body positivity, the friendships and the magic of it.
It was a little hard to get into at first, but it was a cute and fun adventure.

Dumplin' meets the Craft?? Sounds like a crazy bar to meet but Fat Witch Summer meets it. Thrash is an absolutely adorable character, living her best life, comfortable in her own body. Big girls just means there's more to love 😘
Very cute read and that cover? So stinkin cute.

DNF @ 32%

At first I was really excited for this read. Between the fat representation, witchy vibes, and a roadtrip across the thirteen magical states I really thought this was going to be the read for me but ultimately it just fell flat for me.

The magic system is a little confusing (I can’t explain the difference between a knack and a gift), the characters just lack their own distinct personalities, and even though there is a lot of action in the book I’m bored.

I will say that there are moments when the fat representation works for me, especially as a fat person with a parent who is obsessed with appearances. Thrash seems a little insecure in her body at times which is super relatable but there are also moments when she’s talking about others bodies (ie. Rongo’s size) that just made me a little uncomfortable.

I think this book has potential but it’s just not for me.

Fat Witch Summer: it's not your average summer road trip.

Teenage witches who develop into their Knack, the first Magick they can do, are granted one of three Gifts by which to manifest their powers.

Sounds cool, right? But what if you can't get or don't want the Gift assigned to you? What if you want to choose your own path?

This premise is the map for the crew's road trip. With great worldbuilding, characters, and representation, I ate this up. I love reading stories about young people taking risks to follow their own paths, and determining new ways to do old things.

Fingers crossed for more stories in this world!

This was a pretty cute little romance. I am a sucker for a romance with a plus sized main character so I was super excited for this. I enjoyed how fun and light this book was. It is definitely the perfect summer read!

I thought the cover was awfully cute, and I like reading about magic and witches, so it all lined up to be a good read. However, I feel like I personally didn’t connect with the story. I don’t know what I thought I was going to get… but maybe it just wasn’t for me?

I don’t have much more to say, really.

This was a great coming of age story about friendship and learning about yourself. I enjoyed Thrash's journey throughout this and love how she made a change in the system.

Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets YA novel! When a young witch with a rebellious streak, Thrash, suddenly comes into her powers in her senior year of high school, she is forced into choose between meeting her mother's lofty expectations or forging her own magical path. Following the self-deterministic journey of a bildungsroman, Thrash decides to go on a road trip with some friends across the Thirteen States (inspired by Salem-era colonies); the experiences she has along the way will shape the way Thrash understands family, friendship, and most importantly - herself!

I liked this book and all of its creative whimsicality! As with other witchy/wizardy novels set in the current day, I loved the reimagining of modern objects in a magical paradigm (e.g., crystal balls being used like a cellphones) and the magical renaming schemes (e.g., -trix words). Most of all, I liked the novel's emphasis on self-love and sticking to your gut. This novel reminded me a bit of Savvy by Ingrid Law, a book with a road trip and similar magical trappings, which I loved when I was a middle school student with a big imagination. Part of me thinks this book would have been better suited to be written for a middle school age audience as well. I was often thrown off by the infrequent adult references (and I mean milder stuff, like the word DILF) in what I felt would have been a light-hearted novel for younger readers. This book is still a very cute and light-read, and I think the cover art perfectly encapsulates the story!

“Will you run away with us? And choose your own destiny?”

A group of teenage witches go on a road trip… That’s all I needed to know to pick up this book. I was ready for the bonding that comes from shared experiences and the hope our four witches would meet some interesting people along the way.

Thrash really wants the Gift of Sight. Her mother wants Thrash to have the Gift of Glamour. This is a problem for Thrash because, in this matriarchal society, mothers get to choose which Gift their children receive. What’s a girl to do?!

Well, if you’re Thrash, this is the perfect opportunity to go on a road trip with three witches from school she barely knows. They’re on a mission to liberate the Gifts they want. They didn’t expect things to spiral this much out of control.

I was entirely on board with learning how magic works in Thrash’s world. I thought some bonding time between myself and the girls was inevitable but didn’t connect with any of the characters. There were also fewer scenes involving Thrash, Saki, Em and Cresca bonding and more with a bunch of people chasing them across the Thirteen States than I expected.

This is marketed as a body positive novel and there are some elements of that. This was offset for me by many of the characters having significant struggles with their bodies, though, including those who use magic to change their appearance.

While this was an entertaining read, I wasn’t captivated by it like I’d hoped. I’m left with quite a few unanswered questions, the most pressing of which is, did Takoda survive?

I definitely need a magical bottomless trunk to store all of my books.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sword & Rose Press for the opportunity to read this book.