There is nothing inherently wrong with this story it’s fine, it’s entertaining… but I know In a years time I won’t be able to recall anything about the plot.

I enjoyed the prose, but I must admit I was expecting a bit more action. The introspection of the characters isn't sufficient for me, although I appreciated the parts with Kaija as she goes through many different experiences while her sister spends all her time complaining about everything, which makes her particularly unsympathetic and completely disconnected me from what could happen to this character. However, the atmosphere set is very well done, and I would be curious to read another title by this author.

Thanks for the arc!

This book was one of my most anticipated reads of fall, and omg it was all I could hope for and more.
Minna with all her rage is my guiding spirit. I disliked the sister more because of her choices, but the character was well written anyway.
The setting? Stunning. I felt the bone chilling cold and night of the birchwood as I was there casting curses with Minna.
The only thing I did not like about this book was the ripetition of “the witch inside me”

3.5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the copy. The opinion is my own.

A story of two sisters that want different things for their lives and the consequences of their choices.
Minna is the younger sibling, wild and full of rage at the injustice her family suffered through, a scar on her hand and brief memories all she has from life before.
Kaija wished to return to the village they ran from as children despite the tragedy that unfolded there, the danger that comes from being a witch in a town at that time. She wishes the life of a normal woman, not a witch.
The two sisters are interesting and their individual and yet intermingled stories told through moments are good, from the day to day to the explanation for their magic and how each sister prefers to do it and what each thinks about it.
This story is missing something in its pacing admittedly. It goes through a year and it feels like nothing happens even though it does? Also, the moments of high emotion somehow don't tend to hit as hard as they should. Which is odd because they truly should, Maybe it's me, I found there was not actual time spent truly simmering in the emotion. For example: deep feelings of Betrayal? It lasts a couple of chapters even though it's weeks in story.
All in all, I think it makes a good debut novel.

I so badly want to love this one! The premise was interesting and the setting was spot on but in the end it all fell flat for me. I needed more depth of character and more consistent pacing. There are still a few people I could think of to recommend it to but it wasn’t for me.

I received this advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. What an imaginative book, featuring two sisters and their individual struggles to become women in the world they live within. An interesting take on how religion altered Norwegian society, and the peoples who may have practiced other types of ceremonies or traditions before Christianity. I have to admit I was surprised by the ending, even though I normally can see the plot twist coming a mile away with many books. This one surprised me in a great way! Strongly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for this opportunity to read rate and review this arc which will be available October17,2023!

Witchy sisters deep in the birch woods of Norway. They’ve lived alone outcasted for years by sweet tempered Kaija is tired of living in the shadows and longs for a life in a community even if it means stifling her magic. But Minna is a witch through and through with wrath always simmering below the surface. Different as they may be they will always remember the day they were outcasted from their village and their mother was burned. So when Kaija leaves to pursue a new live Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest. So naturally she sends out a devastating curse that has long reaching consequences.

I enjoyed this book but it was a read one time and done kinda enjoy. That is not to say that it is a bad book. No quite the opposite. I thoroughly enjoy my time between these pages. Great plot, engaging characters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Source Books for providing this e-arc.

”You can’t cook mothers alive and not expect their daughters to pay.”

Set deep in the ancient Norwegian forest, two witch sisters, who couldn’t be more different, must decide what direction they want their lives to take after their grandmother passes away.

Kaija, who is sweet and tame, decides she wants a new life and all of the things she has dreamed of: friends, a husband, and children. She leaves the cabin to begin again- in the same village that burnt her mother at the stake for being a witch. For this, she is willing to shut out the witch inside her.

Minna, who is wild and full of fire decides to stay by herself in the secluded cabin. Bitter that her sister has actually left her, Minna casts a curse that will change the course of everyone’s lives forever, including the dream life her sister always wanted. With this, she fully gives in to the witch inside her.

The Witches at the End of the World is a dual POV first-person novel about retribution, forgiveness, self-acceptance, and the tumultuous relationship between sisters.

The writing is extremely flowery and descriptive, allowing the reader to easily picture themselves walking through a snowy forest or treading along the rocky shore of the frigid ocean, smelling the salty air.

The novel got a bit slow at times, leading me to skim here and there, hence the 3.75 stars. I just didn’t feel all that invested much of the time. I typically prefer more gripping stories, but if you are a reader who likes something mellow, I think you would enjoy this. At 320 pages, this book would be great to curl up under a blanket with and read on a drizzly day.

For a debut novel, I thought this was great. Releasing October 17, it is arriving perfectly in time for fall.

Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for providing me with this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows two sisters, living in the era of witch hysteria in Finnmark. This gave me The Witches of Vardo vibes, which is a book I absolutely loved and enjoyed, so it got me even more excited to read this book.

The plot was really fun to read, using the dual POV to show the difference in sisters and the comparison of where each sister is. I also really enjoyed the use of Norse Mythology, being a Norse pagan who practices green witch craft it was a wonderful sight to see. Like the mentions of Jörð, Odin, Sól, Njörun and Nótt, and recognising their names and how the characters talk about them was amazing. I also loved the mentions of different norse practices, you can definitely tell the author has done her research. Which in these kind of books is amazing to see, too often I see historical books with no research which is a struggle to read, but this book you can definitely see the reasearch. Anyway, tangent aside, the plot was fun, watching the love of two sisters and their connection, despite having such a drastic difference in how they live.

We follow Mina the younger of the two, a commited witch, stubborn and very much against the people who wronged her family. She wants to do right by her sister and by their grandmother, carrying on their legacy and expecting her older sister to follow suit. Kaija, the older sister is very different, she wants to leave and live in the town they lived in before they went to live with their grandmother, she doesn't want anything to do with magic and wants to have a normal life. For Kaija, we get to see a sprinkling of romance which I find very nice and definitely gives you reprieve from other events in the story. I loved the two sisters embodied a contrast, one who is civilised, a good 'Christian woman' the other a wild uncivilised, witch who lives in the woods. We see these contrasts through their personalities and how they hold themselves. We see these two women differ in opinion, one gets her wish and the other is left behind. We see later on in the book something that happens (I won't spoil what) that brings them back together, although at first reluctantly but they grow to love each other once again. I really enjoyed the theme of sisterly love and sisterhood prevailing, being prominent throughout the book.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it was emotional, it was magical, it was relatable. I will definitely be treating myself to a physical copy of this book once it releases.

Regrettably, this book falls short of its potential. While it's beautifully set in 1600s Norway, its promise fades as the plot struggles to evolve.
The sisterly bond between Minna and Kaija lacks authenticity & it felt hard to connect with either character.
Although the writing is picturesque, it's overshadowed by the lack of a substantial plot, meaningful dialogue, and essential lore. There were quite a few scenes that were just day to day stuff in each of their lives which made it hard to connect with & the plot was severely lacking.

While atmospheric and descriptive, this book ultimately fails to engage readers.

Thank you to the publisher Sourcebooks and NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for an honest review

"The Witches at the End of the World" is a mesmerizing and thought-provoking tale of survival, resilience, and the enduring strength of human spirit, set in a post-apocalyptic world where magic is both a gift and a curse. This enthralling novel, penned by Chelsea Iverson, explores the depths of human nature and the boundaries of morality in a world on the brink of collapse.

The story follows Kaija, a young woman with a unique and powerful magical ability that sets her apart from the remnants of society struggling to survive in a desolate world. Chelsea Iverson paints a hauntingly vivid picture of this bleak landscape, where scarce resources and dangerous creatures pose constant threats. The world-building in this book is nothing short of exceptional, immersing readers in the stark reality of this post-apocalyptic setting.

At its heart, "The Witches at the End of the World" is a character-driven narrative. Kaija is a multifaceted protagonist whose internal conflicts and external challenges make for a deeply engaging reading experience. The author masterfully delves into the psychological toll of survival, making it easy for readers to empathize with Kaija's choices and dilemmas.

The themes explored in the book, such as the consequences of wielding power and the blurred lines between good and evil, add layers of complexity to the narrative. The moral quandaries faced by the characters are thought-provoking and invite readers to ponder the choices they would make in a similar situation.

The pacing of the story is generally well-executed, with moments of tension and quiet introspection that provide a satisfying ebb and flow. However, there are a few instances where the narrative slows down, which might test the patience of readers seeking a more action-packed plot.

The prose in "The Witches at the End of the World" is evocative and lyrical, enhancing the emotional impact of the story. Chelsea Iverson demonstrates a talent for creating atmospheric scenes that transport readers into this harrowing world.

While the novel excels in many aspects, some readers may find that the ending leaves certain questions unanswered, which could be seen as either a tantalizing ambiguity or a minor frustration, depending on personal preferences.

In conclusion, "The Witches at the End of the World" is a haunting and immersive journey through a post-apocalyptic landscape that will resonate with readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and moral exploration. Chelsea Iverson has crafted a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. This book is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling.

This is one of those debut titles that you just know that it was a debut. It felt unfleshed out and really needed something to hook the reader. I felt like this had the potential to being an amazing story but lacked that something special to keep the reader hooked until the end. It wasn't pray tell a bad book but with the synopsis stating things like "Rage burns brighter than any spellfire, casts a curse to punish, deadly chain of events, and of course Someone will have to burn. I felt this should have been far more exciting.

Two witchy sisters, one wants to rejoin society despite witches still being burned and the other wants to be feral and seek vengeance.
This story had multiple components that I enjoyed. I love witchy sisters, a societal battle of old gods vs the new god, and stories that have tragedy - sometime I just can’t stomach a happily ever after. Yeah the sisters survived and so did the baby, but Jon and the aunt died making it more realistic.
I wish we would have gotten more of Olen as he felt like a really promising character.
I really like dual POVs, but at some points this one shifted too quickly and I felt like I was getting whiplash.

This book tells about two witch sisters, Minna and Kaija who grew up isolated, yet found themselves living alone after the death of their grandma. Their own mother got burned as a witch many years ago. Kaija misses her old life in the village and doesn't like being alone in the wilderness, leaving Minna who felt utterly betrayed.

The sisters couldn’t be more different, Kaija’s magic was peaceful, connecting her to nature and helped them living in the wild. The younger sister, Minna, uses darker and more unpredictable magic, and desired revenge for their mother's death.

I like the dark fantasy elements and how it blends to the story seamlessly. However, sometimes the descriptions could be a bit too long, and there were some abrupt time jumps. The dynamic between two very different witch sisters was interesting, I just wish there could be more dialogues between them.

I would still recommend it to those who love a witchy read.

I really love a witchy plot and one with some revenge but man I hate to say it but The Witches at the end of the World did not live up to what I was hoping for.
The things I loved was how the author Chelsea Iversen can tell a story with such vivid descriptions that I could picture it all. I also loved the setting of this. I’ve read so many of witch trials in America that set in Norway was such a nice change.
My main problem was that I was so bored with the actual story. If I was not reading for a review, I have to be honest and I would have stopped at about the 25% mark. So many descriptions for not a lot that was going on.
Thank you to NetGalley, Chelsea Iversen and Sourcebooks Landmark for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

I received an Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea Iversen via Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark and I have to say, this was a compelling read. It was a book that was heavy on vibes and emotions, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the events slowly unfold for sisters (and witches) Minna and Kaija. If you’re looking for a very witchy, cozy, suspenseful story to kick off the fall season, I think this book is a great pick.

I loved Iversen’s approach to witchcraft and her centring of it within a part historical, part fantasy-meets-Norweigan-folklore setting. It made for a unique kind of magic that felt like it had roots in a very tangible place with real history.

I also loved the dual perspective approach, particularly as Minna and Kaija were so clearly two opposite sides of a coin. Minna was all fire and fury, sometimes in a way that evoked a strong sense of feminine rage, but also in a youthful way that demonstrated how much growing and learning she still had to do. However, it was Kaija who I felt had the most interesting character arc. She seems shallow and basic for quite some time, and as the suspense builds, I found myself getting a little impatient that she wasn’t putting the pieces together more quickly, but when she finally does, she’s a force to be reckoned with. I appreciated how layered she was, and how often she came to understand more through experience than anything else. She and Minna both are great vehicles for demonstrating the powerlessness of women in the time they were living and the harshness that sometimes came with community living. No matter how Kaija tries, she simply cannot find a way to achieve acceptance, because, during this particular period, anything different or out of the ordinary was to be feared. She dulls herself down to a scrap of who she is, and even that proves not to be enough. It makes it very satisfying when she finally comes to terms with her differences and accepts that they are core to who she is and what she needs to be whole.

The plot was fairly light in and of itself, but the vibes were immaculate, all witchy and cozy and dark and suspenseful. I felt like the introspection of the characters and the emotions they evoked in me kept me wanting to continue turning pages to see where exactly the sisters were going to end up, even if the plot wasn’t moving particularly fast. The end was also perfect for me. I loved the resolution they found and the significant growth that we see in both Minna and Kaija in different ways.

I really enjoyed this book, it’s one that I’ll be recommending. I thought it was an interesting and unique approach to witches and the characters will likely stick with me for some time.

Being Norwegian, and a lover of everything witchy - I was excited for this book. Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. Right off the bat, I don't understand the name choice (and correct me if I am wrong), but these are not common Norwegian names. This is not really a big deal, but it threw me off a little. I did appreciate the use of mamma and mormor though. I was not a fan of the writing and was just not able to get into the story or the atmosphere I was hoping this book would give me. I, unfortunately, ended up DNF'ing this book.

"The Witches at the End of the World" by Chelsea Iversen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: October 17, 2023
Many thanks to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC of this book. All opinions contained below are my own.

I was eager to pick up this book as we slowly approach spooky season—however I quickly realized this wasn’t the spooky, Halloween type of witchy, but rather the witch trials type. I’ll admit I didn’t read too much into the synopsis, immediately grabbed by the title and cover, but it did affect my perception of the book slightly.

Chelsea Iversen does a wonderful job of character development and descriptions of the setting in Norway. Sisters Minna and Kaija live deep in the Norwegian woods, hoping to avoid detection from nearby villagers. They are practicing witches and have seen what can happen to their kind. However, Kaija begins to grow restless, longing for a family and community of her own and plans to escape to the village leaving a fuming Minna alone at their hut.

The ensuing plot is very lackluster and the reason for my 3 star rating. Without giving too much away the story is told in dual POV with Kaija attempting life in the village and Minna’s journey to get her sister to come back home. The relationship between them feels very true to sibling experiences for me, and I love the character development they both make as they realize the other had strength and skills they didn’t know were needed until they were alone. However, aside from that there is no big plot and is more just character development.

Still a very solid read and a great debut, but be prepared for my description than action with this one.

I wasn’t a fan of the writing style with this one. It felt really matter-of-fact and just didn’t convey the type of emotion that I look for in a book. I had a hard time getting into the story and found that I was just skimming the text trying to get through it.

I was hoping for a book painted with lush scenery and a Nordic atmosphere but that just wasn’t my experience. The premise for this one really intrigued me but it fell flat. I wanted to be swept away by a story about sisters and witches but my feet remained firmly planted on the ground.

I enjoyed this book. It is beautifully written and sets the scene well. The isolation that the girls feel at the start of the book is almost tangible. It is a little slow however, and I feel like there isn't much payoff in the second part of the book.