A world ruled by eldritch horrors, set up in beaurocratic systems.
Not something you expect to hear every day.
But the Witch is someone who works within these Horrors of beaurocracy, bound by a contract of 100 years and one day. Of course, she is less than enthusiastic to spend her life like this and tries her best to make everything a little more exciting. Pranks, practical jokes, little mishaps.
But when one of those pranks goes too far and causes the first human ever to become mayor of the city, she is roped into even more politics. Not to speak of the disappearing dread lords she is now forced to take the place of, and search for.
Allying up with such that she never imagined to actually trust, she comes closer and closer not only to the truth behind the disappearances, but also the origin of their eldritch lords themselves.
And it seems like some of them might actually be alright.

This book is incredibly witty and funny, the whole narrative around the beaurocracy of the eldritch horrors is amazing already. I loved every aspect of this, the hint of romance, the absolute and utter annoyance of the witch, the chaos and the horror.
This is an absolute must-read for, honestly, everyone who is just the slightest bit interested in lovecraft and the greater, dark beings.
Our eldritch overlords await you.

A good mix of humour, urban fantasy, horror that kept me reading and having fun. Well plotted, interesting world building and well rounded characters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

She's not just a witch. She is The Witch. The last witch alive in the universe. And she works in an office. With other humans. Oh, and some horrors. And one day she decides that she wants to steal a book from the local library. What could go wrong?

First of all, Kayzer Soze is a mood! In any form, shape, and size. He is the three-legged raccoon you want in your life.
I loved that the author kept the Witch's true name a mystery. She's the Witch. That's who she is. That's all we readers need to know about her.

I enjoyed the writing and the descriptions, the comedy and the action in the book.
In this book, you can find horror (not too much), comedy (lots of it), politics, and love.

Every character was fun to read and the plot was so easy to read through. The character development happened so slowly, but at the same time so fast, it was so satisfying reading the last chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ebook.

I enjoyed this witchy read. It was entertaining and I enjoyed it. I think that it had me hooked from the beginning. I greatly enjoyed this.
I just reviewed The Witch of Tophet County by J. H. Schiller. #TheWitchofTophetCounty #NetGalley
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thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Zany comedy books are RIGHT up my alley (my NetAlley even...) I love that the writer took all of my favorite things, shook them up in a cocktail shaker and pored me a tasty tall book with this one.

I mean, if you're not turned away by reading the synopsis, then you're like me and you'll probably laugh, cry, and look around to see if people are watching you read this book, because at times it gets to all of those points.

The FMC is delightfully snarky and witty (and never wants to reveal her name to you) and deals with all of the nonsense the world is throwing at her. I was rolling from the beginning of this book and couldn't put it down. If you're a fan of books like Assistant to the Villain or Murder Your Employer, this is a definite add to your list.

Thank you NetGalley for this copy for my honest opinion!

The writing style really didn't gel for me, which caused me to struggle connecting with the characters enough to care about the plot. Unfortunate, but I'll be refraining from posting a review on goodreads because of it.

Thank you for giving me the chance to read it!

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

Before I begin this review, I want to thank Net Galley for allowing me to read The Witch of Tophet County for free in exchange for an honest review.

This satirical story includes tentacled alien life forms living among humans and the last witch on the face of the earth, marking one of the strangest books I have ever read. There is humor, unexpected twists at every corner, and perhaps a budding relationship between the witch of Tophet County and the nerdy tech guy, Chad. It's funny, often sweet, and weird!

Honestly, I struggled reading this book as I tried wrapping my head around this world and its characters. This book is weird to the point that it can easily distract you from the story. However, I quickly fell in love with the writing and the relationship between the grumpy but lonely and soft witch of Tophet County and her coworker, Chad! Everything is done in such an outlandish way (the Illuminati openly have meetings where seemingly anyone can join and let me not forget about the chicken nugget that speaks) that it is not hard to view this whole book as one piece of satire for the current state of our world.

We don't know the witch's real name because she must keep her identity a secret to remain untouched by the tighter restraints of her contract. She is grumpy and is trying to do everything she can to get fired and break the contract she is bound to for one hundred years and one day (the day irks her, as I am sure it would irk anyone else). The witch surprisingly has a soft spot for her coworker Chad, and despite being the last witch to roam the earth, she wants more than anything to be treated like an actual person. Her and Chad's relationship is surprisingly sweet and normal, going against the curb of the outlandish humor and other relationships presented in this book.

The plot of this book begins with a very straightforward premise: the witch no longer wants to work or be bound to a contract she had to sign when she was six. But as the story goes on, the witch and everyone she has grown to care about is increasingly threatened by an alien race known as the little white men, who crave order and wish to wipe out anything different or chaotic.

The world-building is fantastic! This story involves Archons, a tentacled alien species that uses human body suits, and humans living in a not-so-harmonizing manner. This added to the explanation for the existence of magic and the history of the Archons helps paint a picture of the world these characters live in. The little white men are the antithesis of the chaotic nature in which the humans and Archons live together, helping further explain the nature of this world.

This book is fast-paced and zany and has interesting characters and a premise. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves satires and isn't afraid of being dumped into a weird world where it seems anything and everything is possible.

okay hear me out. i really wanted to like this book. but unfortunately, it just did not work for me. which is okay. you should still check it out and thank you so much to netgalley!!!!

Read this as an ARC, and wow was this book a complete fever dream. I might be LESS likely to read Lovecraft now than I was when I started, because I didn't realize the amount of quantum physics I'd need to know.

The Witch (self-explanatory) has a government grunt job she hates and is constantly trying to figure out how to get out of her magical contract so she can go live her own life. When she inadvertently gets a human elected as mayor on a lark, strange things start happening, and the Witch finds herself growing closer to both the humans and archons (who seem to be weird alien overlords) around her.

Not going to lie, I retained very little of this book, but it was so kooky that I had to finish. The ironic statements on stay at home moms and MLM culture were very funny. I just honestly couldn't keep up with the major plot points. I do, however, want a pet raccoon now.

The last witch on Earth takes on interdimensional invaders, tentacled overlords, and local politics in this fun, funny, and fast-paced urban fantasy series.

Absolutely bonkers in the best way. Loved it!

Thank you net gallery for the advanced copy of this book. I thought this started off pretty funny then the witch finds out she is being mean, so I don't know what that says about me. This goes from work snark to group hugs in the conference room. Very squelchy group hugs. I did enjoy the read.

Alright, I’ll be honest, it took me a minute to warm up to this book. In the beginning I felt like there was just so much over the top humor that seemed to just be thrown in for shock factor. HOWEVER, I’m so glad I stuck it out, and I noticed that as the main character develops, the sarcasm and type of humor develops along with her. It was such a fun read once I got into it, and heart-warming in its own weird way🤣 Definitely worth picking up in my opinion

What a unique rollercoaster ride! I can best describe this as Cthulhu meets an urban fantasy dystopian thriller that turns remarkably sweet in the end. Although she is more of an anti-hero at the beginning of the book, the main character is fun to read about and we are eventually introduced to a motley crew of people who form an unlikely team to save the world. A fun and fast read!

This book is an incredibly fun ride through cosmic horror. I am a huge fan of horror comedy and this book checks all the boxes.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for giving me an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.

This book perfectly manages the careful balance between political commentary and comedy - especially given its premise! The Witch of Tophet County follows the last surving witch, her three-legged raccoon familiar and a host of Lovecraftian horrors as they navigate the intricacies of County politics whilst trying to save the world.

This was one of my last reads of 2023 - and what a way to end the year! The Witch of Tophet County was a hilarious rollercoaster and I enjoyed every second of it.

I don't know what J. H. schiller has planned next, but I'm definitely going to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Podium publishing and of course J.H Schiller for providing an ARC of this book to review!

The Witch of Tophet County comes out on January 9th, 2024, to a bookstore or library near you!

What do you get when you mix the wit and humor of Douglas Adams with the disturbing imagery of Lovecraft, add in the only surviving witch in the world with a penchant for practical jokes and a 3 legged raccoon familiar? You get this gem of a book, The Witch of Tophet County!

The main character, Witch (she's hell bent on keeping her true name secret), is desperate to break her magical contract with the Archons, a many-tentacled bureaucratic race of Eldritchian creatures that had taken over the world (and wears human suits!); especially since her probationary period is almost up. Once the Winter Solstice hits, she will be magically bound to work in the misery of county government for them for a whole century! But when a practical joke goes awry and accidentally pleases her overlords, she's unwillingly promoted to lead a task force to investigate a series of attacks on the elder Archons, promising that if she solves the case, they'll knock some time off of her sentence. Begrudgingly, she accepts and faces the horrors of teamwork, cooperation with Archons and meetings; lots and lots of meetings. Little does she know that this case will end up with her having to save the world. What is happening to the elder Archons? Who is responsible? Why are there so many god damn meetings?? I'll leave that dear reader, for you to find out!

Honestly, this book really surprised me! After reading the blurb, I went into this expecting something akin to Christopher Moore: funny, crazy, wild, and a lot of fun, but ultimately forgettable. Boy was I wrong! This book is just packed with humor and wit, has an explaination to the magic system that makes sense, makes smart references to today's world and holds a relevant moral with heartwarming moments that made me shed a tear!

I normally don't like sarcastic or abrasive characters, but I warmed up to Witch pretty quickly, I have to admit I loved her humor and creative cursing (though I recognize this could be a negative for some people) and really enjoyed watching her character arc. The quirky cast of characters were endearing and so unique in their personalities (Besides Witch, I absolutely loved Magnolia and Vasquez!), and I found myself rooting for every single one of them. The tale takes so many twists and turns, I never guessed half of the reveals and was shocked when I found them out! The ending is equally phenomenal and is the perfect end to this wild ride. What can I say? This book was my first read of 2024 and it has set the bar impossibly high for anything that follows it.

If you don't mind frequent cursing or casual descriptions of horrible imagery, Love humor akin to Douglas Adams or Christopher Moore and are looking for a fun and crazy read, then you will love J.H Schiller's The Witch of Tophet County!

The Witch of Tophet County is kind of like Office Space or The Office but dressed up in Cthulhu. It's got some very raw and roughshod and hilarious characters who are just perfect for the setting, and it's got queer love stories and a support group for those in them, and it's got complicated rules around magic and archonic power use that I'm not sure I quite fully got the first time, and it's a wild ride to a solid finish. I'm impressed by how well Schiller took a very mundane, bureaucratic story and turned it into this funny and fun application of Lovecraft's mythos; and I'm always happy when someone takes H. P.'s revoltingly racist and antisemitic world and completely subverts it. Well done.

I did not expect to love this little piece of lovecraftian satire this much. In the end I even got emotionally connected to the witch and her WTF.

This was so much fun an drama and funny ideas!