This story feels like Gilmore Girls on a witchy, Practical Magic journey. I loved the attention to magic and self discovery while also navigating family issues and relationships. This is a perfect autumn read!

Okay I didn’t finish this in the time I had on NetGalley, however, I bought it myself so that I could and it’s now going to be reread every year. I LOVE a good autumnal feeling cozy magic related fiction book, and this ticks all my boxes. Imaginative writing and easy storyline to follow, I would definitely recommend this to my audience and anyone looking for a fall read with a bit of oomph. Thank you so much for my ebook! 4/5 stars

A fun witchy books with a lot of family ties. This one is great for the fall season and anyone who wants some magic in their lives. The main character goes on a journey of self discovery and learning to navigate familial expectations. Perfect for fans of practical magic and maybe even Gilmore girls

This one took me a while to get into but once I was past the 30% mark, I was hooked. A tale of setting boundaries, of choosing your own path in life, of forging relationships on your terms; all with the backdrop of magic and family loyalty. This was a great book to read but could have been better paced; for me.

I absolutely loved this, once I got started I could not put it down. I loved the storytelling and the family dynamics and just everything, absolutely loved this.

The premise really sucked me in: 60s magical realism, family obligations, sisterhood, and love. However, the delivery fell flat for me. I would have preferred more world-building and character development.

I needed this story back in my mid 20s when I was breaking free of my family's expectations of me. It was everything. I enjoyed the writing and the self discovery. The regret. The learning. The mother pissed me off but I think because it was relatable for me.

DNF. I was intrigued with the concept and enjoyed its similarities to Practical Magic and the nostalgia that any novel about coming of age in a small town gives me. The pacing was the problem. 27% into a story and nothing has happened. Characters typically drive my reading over plot, but there needs to be something to keep the interest of a reader.

Suggested for readers who enjoy meandering reads.

Considering that this is Andrea DeWerd's first novel, it's pretty solid. The characters are really well-drawn, the role of magic in an otherwise very real world actually makes sense, and the emotional undercurrent that's served by Elisabeth's complicated relationships with her family, the magic they wield, and even herself pulls the reader right in. If anything, the part that's the weakest is establishing a clear sense of ~when. There are some blink-and-you'll-miss-them references to Bobby Kennedy, hippies, the Vietnam War, and the Rolling Stones, and of course, the back cover says that the book takes place in 1968, but other than that, it sometimes feels like the time-setting isn't all that important to the book. Which, on the one hand, speaks to the timelessness of the struggle for a true sense of identity, but also...then why 1968? Overall, though, it was an enjoyable, quick read, and the relationship between Elisabeth and Mary is the absolute heart of it all - what a gorgeous representation of sisterhood. I'd definitely be interested in seeing what else DeWerd has in store for the reading world.

It’s 1968 and in the small town of Friedrich, Minnesota, the Watry-Ridder family is both feared and respected as the town’s witches. Farmers seek out their water charms and the teenagers, their love spells. As the eldest daughter, Elisabeth, recent high school graduate, is set to take over for her grandmother, marry her high school sweetheart, and live the rest of her life in Friedrich. But as the time draws closer and closer, all Elisabeth can ask is, why her? Why is her path so set in stone?

Elisabeth soon discovers magic isn’t the only thing inherited by her family, and that said magic comes with a much greater price than she realized. The more she digs for the truth, the more questions she has, and the less she trusts her grandmother.

As she ventures out, Elisabeth must find out who she is without her family - without their secrets and magic.

This novel had a super messy family, one filled with jealousy, small mindedness, and miscommunication. Elisabeth was raised by her grandmother, Magda, to be the one to take over, therefore she was more superior than her sister, Mary. She would talk about how talented Mary could be in the same sentence she would undermine her.

This novel definitely brushes upon gatekeeping and the benefits of sharing information and skills.

Overall, this magical realism read about a young witch adventuring out on her own to find herself is perfect as a cozy read.

*Thank you Alcove Press and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

I'm a sucker for a magical witchy story, but this one fell flat for me. It felt quite a bit bored by the end. Not my favorite, I am very sad to say.

Set against the nostalgic backdrop of 1968 Friedrich, Minnesota, What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd is a spellbinding debut that seamlessly blends magical realism with a heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and the weight of tradition. Through the lens of the Watry-Ridder family—a lineage of witches with generations of mystical knowledge—the novel dives deep into the tension between duty and self-discovery.

The story centers on Elisabeth Watry-Ridder, the eldest daughter destined to inherit her grandmother Magda's role as the family’s matriarch and magical leader. DeWerd crafts Elisabeth's internal struggle beautifully, portraying the push and pull between familial obligation and personal dreams. As secrets unravel and long-buried truths rise to the surface, Elisabeth is forced to confront questions about identity, loyalty, and the true cost of the power her family wields.

DeWerd's writing is lush and atmospheric, painting vivid images of the Midwestern town and the deep-rooted traditions of the Watry-Ridder family. Comparisons to Alice Hoffman's Practical Magic and J. Ryan Stradal's The Lager Queen of Minnesota are well-deserved, as the book expertly balances mystical elements with a grounded, emotionally resonant narrative.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its exploration of family dynamics—particularly the complex relationships between generations of women. Magda’s wisdom, Elisabeth’s doubts, and the tension between tradition and progress are intricately woven, creating a rich tapestry of emotions.

However, the pacing occasionally falters. The beginning unfolds slowly, with a heavy focus on Elisabeth’s introspection, which may feel repetitive to some readers. When the plot accelerates toward the climax, the rapid sequence of events can come across as somewhat disjointed. Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise enchanting tale.

In the end, What We Sacrifice for Magic delivers a powerful message about the balance between honoring tradition and forging one's path. It’s a poignant reminder that magic, like life, often comes at a cost—and that the sacrifices we make shape who we are.

This was such a cute story and I look forward to more from this new to me author. And I know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover but I adore this cover!

I'm a sucker for a magical withy story, but this one fell flat for me. It felt a little undercooked, like the author hadn't quite plotted out what she wanted to happen, and found herself stuck at the end. Not my favorite, I am very sad to say.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
This book is all about family and choices. The magic, although extremely important to the story, takes a (fitting) backseat to love, loss, and choices made.
Personally, if I was Elisabeth, I would have turned my family into a bunch of toads, and left. Called it a day. The way she was treated throughout this novel made me want to set something on fire.

3.5 stars. I'm not the biggest historical fiction fan, but I enjoyed this book! I loved how it demonstrated the impact generational lies, discord, and emotional abuse can have lasting affects.

I liked it. It wasn't anything spectacular, but still a good time. I enjoyed the characterization and themes, although my issue was that it didn't seem original.

I'm so sorry but I cannot read any more of this book. I am 76% through and nothing of interest has happened and I do not see this improving. I had hoped for more with the magic and family genre's but no, it's just not working for me. The plot is all over the place and it seems to be going nowhere. Unfortunately this story is just not for me. My apologies to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for not finishing. Thank you anyway.

The writing style and story wasn't working for me at all. Lots of telling, not much showing.

DNF

*Thanks to Alcove Press for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*

This was a really slow paced book.

Elisabeth has just finished high school and her grandmother, the matriarch of the family, is keen for her to take on the role as head witch of the small town with her magical abilities.

But when Elisabeth discovers a family secret, she realises that her future isn't set in stone and she sets out to investigate who she really is.