Not Your Average Witch and Witch Hunter Romance: Night of the Witch

Fantasies have been a little dull for me, as of late. I’ve been finding myself reaching for more and more contemporaries but Night of the Witch has brought me back to life! With a strong plot and characters that are actually characters instead of tropes, I was hooked immediately and I can guarantee, you will be too.

Plot, Prose and Pacing: Strong Storytelling and Solid Plot

It is so refreshing to indulge in such a stunningly well-written book, especially in a landscape where subpar young adult fantasies from big name authors are a dime a dozen. Reading fantasies has gotten very tedious for me as of late because it’s the same themes, same characters and same storytelling rehashed by different authors in order to cash in on trends and go viral on social media. I had expected Night of the Witch to be the same, rehashed drivel but it took me by surprise.

Told from two main points of view, Night of the Witch is a mix of history and fantasy with an incredibly strong plot that sucks you right into the action and wastes no time. It is set during the very real and horrific Trier Witch Trials. Fritzi is a true witch, in a time where women were tried and executed for just about any sort of grievance brought upon them. She and her cousin, Liesl, are the last surviving witches of their coven after a devastating witch hunt but in the midst of the chaos and mayhem, Liesl was captured. She is taken to the city to be burned in a mass trial. Determined to rescue her cousin from the evil witch hunters, Fritzi finds herself right in the lion’s den when she is caught by Otto.

Otto is a hexenjäger, an abhorrent witch hunter, with an agenda of his own. You see, although Otto is highly ranked and respected, he has a singular goal in mind: to dismantle and destroy the very institution that accused his mother of being a witch and killing her. So, when Fritzi accidentally disrupts his master plan, they find their goals aligning. Fritzi helps Otto take down the witch hunters while also rescuing Liesl. It is an unlikely partnership but as more secrets tumble out of the dark, Fritzi and Otto find that they are the only ones they can trust.

Night of the Witch is incredibly well-paced. The action sequences are fast-paced but there are also some mellow moments in between to balance out the plot and allow the characters and us readers, to breathe a little. I refused to put it down. The elements and tropes blended seamlessly and not one thing felt out of place. I also really loved that this is not your typical witch and witch hunter story. It wasn’t heavily charged with sexual innuendo or sex which I appreciated. I really loved that Otto has his own story and motivations that just happened to require Fritzi’s help. It didn’t seem to try too hard to appeal to a mass audience and was a very refreshing read.

I think the only thing that bothered me is the inconsistency in tone, especially when Fritzi and Otto first meet. It starts off in a very generic style. Fritzi is fierce, sassy and almost sexy in a way. While Otto is your typical man who can’t be moved. But they soon lose all the sexy and fun banter without preamble. Just went from super sexy to very solemn and serious. Perhaps, it is a matter of having a two author collaboration.

Characters: Not Your Typical YA Dynamic

What I truly love about Night of the Witch’s characters is how well-rounded and developed they are. I found that they did not fall into any easy or cliche tropes. The portrayals of the characters, specifically Fritzi and Otto, were also very respectful of the setting and era.

Fritzi feels like your typical main character. She starts off in a place of guilt but replaces that with a strong determination to right the wrongs done both to her and her family. She is actually written as a Chosen One but you don’t get too much of those vibes (perhaps they may come in the second instalment) so there’s a lot of fun and excitement in going through the motions and emotions with her. There is a kind of naive youthfulness to her personality but there’s a strength within her.

Otto, on the other hand, is written in a voice that’s much older than his purported nineteen. I guess it would make sense in the grand scheme of things but felt a little too mature compared to the feisty Fritzi. Sometimes, it felt like a young girl talking to a much older man. But there is something so comforting and so refreshing to read in a male main character who is genuinely respectful, kind and unselfish. Otto sets the standard for book boyfriends in a steadfast and unassuming way.

Only thing is, I’m not a huge fan of their romance because it moved too fast. I wouldn’t say it was insta-love but it happened too quickly on the page. I wished Night of the Witch had allowed their feelings to naturally develop. It went from sexy flirting banter to romantic declarations and revelations. After all, they had more important things to do before falling in love and they could have betrayed each other at any moment. However, it was a respectful and effortless relationship.

While I loved both Otto and Fritzi, the star of the show is Fritzi’s ten year old cousin, Liesl. She is so charming, darling and endearing with all the sass I wish Fritzi had. She had me absolutely cracking up with how she mouths off to everyone around her and how incredibly fierce and resilient she is.

Worldbuilding: Room for Improvement

The worldbuilding in Night of the Witch is a little tough for me to touch upon, mostly because there’s quite a lack of it. It’s not to say that it is bad but there is a lot of room left to improve upon. However, the strong plot definitely makes up for it so you don’t notice it so much.

I love the concept of the witches and their powers. It’s not the freshest take on a magic system but it’s one I haven’t read of in a while. However, I still think there’s a lot more to be desired but I would say a lot of the reveals are tied into the main plot so, I hope we see a lot more of the magic developed in the sequel. While it is also supposed to be rooted in historical events, I would also have liked to see the authors’ versions of Trier and the setting expanded upon. I get vague impressions of the places that Otto and Fritzi travel to, especially once we get to the heart of the book, and the passing of time gets confusing in some places.

Conclusion:
To sum it all up, Night of the Witch is one of the best books I have read in 2023. And sadly, I have not read that many books this year. But it has completely blown me away, left me speechless and renewed my hope for well-written young adult fantasies. You will not find another Serpent and Dove here but you will find a rich world that mixes history, mythology and fantasy that you will not regret. It’s only unfortunate that the title is a little too generic that search engines fail to bring it up immediately.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude as I extend my deepest appreciation to the brilliant author for graciously providing me with an advanced reader copy of their remarkable book. From the very first page, I embarked on a transformative journey, captivated by the author's masterful storytelling and entranced by the world they brought to life.

The author's narrative prowess is nothing short of extraordinary, effortlessly weaving together a tapestry of emotions and intricacies that kept me spellbound throughout. Every twist and turn in the plot unfolded with impeccable timing, leaving me hungry for more, my anticipation mounting with each passing chapter. The characters, exquisitely rendered, sprang to life before my eyes, their hopes and struggles resonating deeply within my heart.

The author's eloquent prose painted vibrant landscapes within my imagination, whisking me away to enchanting realms and bustling cityscapes. With vivid descriptions and a deft touch, they conjured images so vivid and tangible that I felt as though I was a part of the story, an observer in the midst of breathtaking beauty.

I commend the author for their courage in tackling profound themes and delving into the depths of the human experience. Their exploration of love, loss, resilience, and self-discovery struck a chord within me, evoking a range of emotions that lingered long after I closed the final pages. It is a testament to their skill and sensitivity in navigating complex emotions with grace and authenticity.

Receiving an advanced reader copy of this book has been an immense privilege. To witness the author's artistry firsthand and to be among the first to experience their literary creation fills me with a sense of honor. Their dedication to their craft is evident in every meticulously crafted sentence, every vividly painted scene.

To the esteemed author, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for sharing this exceptional work with me. It has left an indelible mark on my literary journey, a treasure that I will carry with me. I eagerly await the day when this book graces the hands of readers worldwide, for it is a gem that deserves to be discovered and celebrated.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fellow literature enthusiasts. It is a testament to the author's remarkable talent, their ability to transport readers to new realms, and their gift for illuminating the intricacies of the human soul. Thank you, dear author, for this profound and unforgettable experience. I eagerly await your future literary endeavors, knowing that they will be nothing short of extraordinary.

Not your typical witchy story and that’s what I love about it. I loved the characters and the story but I do feel that the world building could have been better. I do wish there was more information on the magic system a bit but overall a good read!

Serpent and Dove vibes set in Medieval Germany witch trials.

It’s Witch vs Witch Hunters when Fritzi’s coven is destroyed leaving only her and her ten-year-old cousin alive. Now Fritzi’s on the war path to rescue her cousin and make it to the Black Forest alive. Unfortunately, that means teaming up with a Captain in the hunter ranks.

But corrupted magic is out to get them both and won’t stop until the world is under its control.

What I liked:
- “Warrior. Poet. Got a name Boy?—3 musketeers.”Otto. I love him.
- I love how quick paced the plot moves. It really was a race to safety and survival.
-Revis and Raasch really are masters of twists and turns and they don’t disappoint here

What I Thought Could Use Work:
-I wanted to a tad more world building and knowledge of the magical system. However this is part of a series and I’m sure we will get more in the next book
-the romance happened extremely fast. Like *snap* but that’s me really picking to find something.

4/5 stars

My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Set in 1591 in Germany, this is the story of witch hunters gearing up for the largest witch burning ever. It is violent, with misleading leaders, and accused witches who are mostly not witches at all. The ones who are try to protect their towns, but the witch hunters are determined to rid the country of this unholy group of women. Little do they know that some of the higher=ups in the witch hunters are killing to gain power. It's a sad story and a time in history that should never have happened anywhere in the world. The brutality, the mistreatment of innocents, and the lying, cheating leaders are despicable. But heroes arise, as they always do, and the story becomes one of good vs evil. It was a dark book but a good read.

I really enjoyed this! I thought that the pacing of this was done really well to keep things moving at a breakneck speed. The dual POV was really compelling and coupled with some pretty great world-building, this story really came to life in an exciting way. I can't believe they did me like that with the cliffhanger, though, but now I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series. The only spot in this work I took issues with was that the very beginning, with the breakneck pace and the way the story develops, takes a teeny bit to really get into but once you do it flies by! I am so excited to get our physical copies in, just in time for the fall season!

This book sucked me in right away and kept me captivated until the very end. The world building is fantastic. And I was so fascinated by the magic. The dual POV was surprisingly easy to follow. And it had a solid plot for a new series. The cliffhanger has me wanting the next book immediately. Can't wait to read more about this world! Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely fantastic! I struggled a bit adjusting to the speed of the book and was a bit confused for the first 20ish percent, but after that stage, I couldn't put the book down. I loved the characters and the epilogue was *chef's kiss*

This dual POV book was devastating and intriguing from the first chapter. It has strong worldbuilding that wasn’t an info dump, an interesting magic system, likeable main characters, and sufficiently evil villains. I appreciated that the backstory was eventually explained. Overall a really great first book in series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an arc of this book.

Overall, I thought this was a lot of fun. It felt like a more mature Serpent & Dove to me with a richer world, more likable characters, and more refined prose. I appreciate the amount of research that went into the story from geography to culture to history surrounding the German witch trials. Fascinating stuff I knew nothing about!

I will say the romance fell a little flat for me. I was 100% in for about the first half. I thought it was going to be a nice slow-burn with the characters having to overcome their assumptions about one another and gradually coming to terms with budding feelings. But it was more like a switch was flipped. Nothing, nothing, nothing, then all of a sudden they were head over heels for each other and I'm not sure what caused the sudden shift.

The plot also felt a little rushed. I wish the first half of the book had been book 1, and the second half of the book had been the next in the series. I think the main plot point of the first half deserved to be fleshed out more (especially considering all the research that went into crafting it!), but as it is there was a lot of telling, not showing, so it felt glossed over.

It's also worth mentioning that Johann is precious and I wanted more of him!

Such an enticing and fast paced read, witches and witch hunters colliding, the world as people know it, wether they be witch or not, spiralling into something new. The mixture of German words gave a fresh look towards the setting and gave it a fairytale vibe that was wonderful. Fritzi is a green witch, she follows her covens rules without question and believes their ways are fair and true. Until her coven is destroyed and her cousin is kidnapped by the witch hunters, she will stop at nothing to find and rescue her but even rescuing a witch from the witch hunters is never as it seems. Otto, is a witch Hunter, well like of, he’s a damn good fake and tries to help rescue the people he’s supposed to hunt. When Fritzi comes across Otto and his sister faking an arrest for the ultimate rescue plan, fritzi unknowingly saves his sister and changes all their lives forever. This isn’t a enemies to lovers story, it’s so much better.

For the first time, I picked up a book without knowing anything about it. I didn't read the synopsis, but wow. this had me hooked!
The first thing that I noticed right away was the writing. its utterly divine. And the content is so magical. it's totally giving off massive Salem vibes.
Overall, this surprised and excited me at every turn and I had such a wonderful reading experience! 10/10 would recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of this book to read and review. All of these thoughts and comments are my own.

This was such a fun witchy read. I really loved the plot and the characters. I thought they were well rounded and fun. I always love reading witch type books because I love the magic systems that everyone creates and uses. I think the magic in this book was cool. Everyone didn’t have the same type and so there were different groups of magic.

I really loved Fritzi and Otto. Their romance wasn’t slow burning, it was quick but I loved it none the less. There wasn’t really any spice in this book and honestly I didn’t see a need for it, so that was a nice change for most of the books I read. I think the only complaint I really have is that the ending was a bit underwhelming. I think I just wanted more of a fight. The cliffhanger was good though. I’m excited to see where this author takes this series.

I think if you love fantasy and witches then you should definitely check this book out. You’ll enjoy it.

4 stars!

This book was fine. The characters were fine, the plot was fine and the romance was fine. There was nothing bad about this book but there wasn't much good either. It was fine.

Everything on paper worked but I just didn't connect emotionally to any of the characters and I ended up not caring much for the plot.

It felt like a lot of YA books i have read before, so I think if you like a lot of YA titles then you will like this one. It was entertaining and easy to read but ultimately quite forgettable.

Thank you to Sara Raasch, Beth Revis, and Sourcebooks Fire for letting me review this ARC!

I was hooked from the first chapter. Maybe even from the first page with the dedication that reads, "To every witch that burned, and every witch that watched, and every promise they made in the smoke". I love the unique magic system with affinities, and the blend of history from the Witch Trials throughout Germany/Europe/Salem along with elements of the Holocaust in the early 1900s. I appreciated the chapters with Otto's POV as well as Dieters, which in turn allowed the author to move their story long faster. It didn't feel rushed nor drawn out in my opinion.

The end is a slight cliffhanger that sets up for what is presumably a second novel and I cannot wait for it to be announced!

I think this might be a case of “it's me not you”. I really wanted to love this. It sounded so good! And it was good but just not as spectacular as I was hoping for. I did really like how well-researched it was. The story world and themes of persecution against women who were believed to be witches is such a fascinatingly horrible part of history that I thought was well-crafted in this book. And it was the perfect setting for this story.

I liked the characters well enough but failed to really connect with them on a deeper level. I didn’t really feel the relationship between Fritzi and Otto either. It wasn’t developed enough in a way that made me feel it or made it believable. The baseline for the tension it needed was totally there, and I could tell that the spark for something to develop was there. But the reality of how it happened was bland and not nuanced enough for my preferences. Calling it enemies to lovers and forced proximity would be misleading.

The plot itself also felt very predictable. Although there were definitely moments of action that kept me engaged, it lacked the mysterious drive to hold my interest for the outcome. There just wasn’t any one thing that wowed me or stood out to me. I hate saying something is generic, but at times it kind of felt that way.

It was just an okay read for me. I liked it enough though to continue with the series. I am definitely willing to give it another go and see how things develop further. I still definitely recommend it to YA fantasy readers. I don’t think it is bad by any means - it’s a solid 3 stars for me. But as someone who has read a LOT of YA fantasy, this isn’t anything mind-blowingly memorable. I just needed a little more of that special something from it.

I was hooked from the first line! The book was fast paced and I couldn't put it down. The plot is strong and easy to follow, with a lot happening.
I did find the world building a little slow and there are still some details that are left unfinished - particularly around the magical elements of the world.
There's also room for relationship building between the characters. I felt like we needed a bit more time on developing the relationships rather than rushing through with the plot.
The relationship between Fritzi and Otto felt very rushed. I would like to have seen a bit more pining and lead up to the actual relationship.
I loved how this book linked back to the witch trials and there was a lot of in-depth information that was really interesting.

I received an ARC of this novel through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

An adventurous and unpredictable witchy novel! I normally don’t love historical stories but I do love anything with witchy vibes and this was grwat

I didn't want to put this book down! I fell in love with these characters almost right away! I love how fierce Fritzi is and how compassionate Otto is. They complement each other so well and I love them so much!

I wasn't very familiar with the German witch trials when I picked up this book, but it didn’t feel like I needed any prior knowledge to understand the historical context.

I loved the magic system and I can’t wait to explore this world more in future books.

I would recommend this book to people who love Serpent & Dove and The Owl House, and to those who are excited about the upcoming Assassins Creed game Codename Hexe.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book. Overall, it was a fun and easy read. The romance felt a bit rushed but plot was great and had deep historical context that added to the story. The world building and magic system was easy to understand. I think this would be great for upper YA readers,