I think this is my favorite of the three books in the series (so far I hope). I really liked Ravenfall, I liked Hollowthorn a. little less and I absolutely loved Witchwood. Now to tell you why...
First, new characters that will stay with the story (now I know there will be a fourth). I really like Leah and Aunt Miriam and I love the inclusion of the Jewish aspect of family life and magic. And they are part of the family which is. what I loved so much about the series - I just love all the characters and their interactions with each other and the relationships they form.
Second, a new location that can be revisited. Witchwood is a town much the opposite of Wick. While is Wick magic is hidden to protect the non-magical people, in Witchwood everything/everyone is magical and the town protects they from non-magical people. The story uses this idea to drive the plot.
Third, the relationship between Anna and Colin is less awkward, and although Colin is less self-critical and doubting he seems to be evolving. The addition of Anna's cousin Leah eventually makes Anna's personality a little less black and white and softens the character just enough that I didn't want to slap her silly all the time.
This really is a good series and I hope it continues. There is a lot of room for additional stories.

i've been following this series since release and i had assumed that a book centered on halloween would be my favorite. unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. perhaps it's that much of this book was centered away from our favorite characters and magical house, frazzled by the previous book's events and overmaking food and haranguing the guests. perhaps i expected more autumnal atmosphere - i don't know.

anna and colin have left ravenfall and after getting attacked, end up in the magical town of witchwood where she meets her aunt and cousin, who is standoffish for no real reason. i found this a pretty frustrating part of the book because anna has no respect for boundaries and constantly foisted herself in her cousin's face while simultaneously complaining about how she wasn't liked. i get it, it's a children's book, but i thought the characterization was so strange here. there was also a little bit of a girl vs. girl situation as anna's cousin has a thing for colin and it was just... i don't know.

witches start to go missing in witchwood. i don't want to give the plot away, but it felt very... overdone plot of a cw episode. i feel like a lot of what i loved about this book - the wide-eyed wonder, the atmosphere, the culture and how it wrapped up in identity, the cozy little magical elements - was swept aside for dramatic teenaged antics which frankly isn't really what i've been looking for from this world. so ultimately: fine, but i miss the pure joy i got from reading the first book.

Anna is feeling overwhelmed and sad. Ravenfall just won't be the same once her sisters leave for college.
So, when Colin and Liam ask her to help them on a Raven mission, she can't pack fast enough. Since they'll be close, she asks them to stop off at Witchwood to visit her aunt.
Before they reach her aunt's, they are attacked. Anna seems to have been the target.
When they tell her aunt, they find out that witches have been disappearing in Witchwood. And so begins their next adventure.

I love this series! It is one of my favorite middle grade series of all time. I love the characters, especially the sentient houses. So much fun. Sad that I have to wait a year until the next one.

If you enjoy books about magical adventures then this is the perfect book for you!
This is the third book in the Ravenfall series it follows Anna and Collin, two friends with magical powers who work together to discover the truth regarding missing witches in their town of Witchwood.

Kalyn Josephson's Witchwood is a delightful continuation of the magical adventures at Ravenfall, blending mystery, magic, and emotional depth. The story follows Anna and Colin as they embark on another mission that leads them to Witchwood, a town where magic is openly embraced. The novel's autumnal setting adds a cozy yet eerie atmosphere, enhancing the tension as witches start disappearing.

Josephson’s ability to weave Jewish magic into Anna’s character development is a highlight, especially as Anna explores her family’s magical heritage. The conflict with her cousin adds a layer of family drama, making the relationships feel authentic. Anna’s growth as she navigates her complicated identity as a witch and her determination to protect her loved ones make her a relatable and strong protagonist.

The pacing is well-balanced, with enough suspense and intrigue to keep readers hooked. The mystery surrounding the missing witches is engaging, though it sometimes feels predictable. Despite that, the charming friendship between Anna and Colin and the richness of Witchwood’s magical world make this a rewarding read.

Overall, Witchwood earns 4 stars for its well-crafted characters, immersive world, and heartwarming themes of friendship and family, even if the plot’s twists don’t always surprise. It's perfect for readers who love magical adventures with a dash of real-world culture.

I received an e-copy of this book for free from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

I loved this new installment of the Ravenfall series. Colin and Anna are such fun characters to get to know, and I have enjoyed seeing them grow a little more. I'm disappointed that I have to wait until next year to get the next book in the series! I love the Jewish mythology, and I love that antisemitism is addressed by the kids, because it makes it easier for kids to learn about (antisemitism is heavy, ya'll. And heartbreaking).

Witchwood is another fun installment in the Ravenfall series. With more magic, more mythology, and more cozy aesthetics, this book only cements the fact that this is the perfect series to read in the fall.

I love that this book continues to expand upon the magic and mythology already introduced. It’s so cool to see the characters grow in their magic as well as their confidence in who they are, but the story also shows that they have a lot more to learn, too. I appreciate that this book explores more of Anna’s Jewish heritage and opens up conversations about anti-semitism. I’m continually grateful that Kalyn Josephson includes real life problems alongside the magical aspects. The themes about family and friendship are so powerful!

The addition of Aunt Miriam and Leah was lovely, and I’m looking forward to how they play a part in future books. I also adore that Aunt Miriam has a Baba Yaga-esque house on chicken legs. It almost makes up for this story not being set at Ravenfall.

It’s obvious that this book is starting to build toward a bigger conflict than book one and two had and I’m glad that there’s going to be a fourth book! I love this world, these characters, the compilation of magic and mythology from Celtic and Jewish lore. It’s such a fun middle grade series and deserves all the love.

This was a quick, fun read! I really appreciated the “Last time in Hollowthorn” recap at the beginning to refresh my memory before diving into this book.

Anna and Collin are tackling their insecurities in really relatable ways, and even though they have magic at the foundation of their problems, they’re still really relevant issues.

This was a great continuation and I can’t wait to see what happens next! Thank you to Delacorte and NetGalley for the ARC! Now to just wait for the release date and my pre-order!

The Ravenfall books are so much fun! I typically listen to them on audiobook but still loved this one. The third book in the series was just as entertaining as the rest of the series. Anna and Colin are back in the Witchwood to help find the witches that are going missing. However, they soon find themselves under attack and they much hide with Anna's Aunt and cousin. Anna and Colin have to work quickly because they realize that Anna could be next to disappear. This was a great addition to this series and I had a blast reading it!

I had never heard of this series before when I got approved for this arc, but I immediately got the other books to read before I started this one and I must say I’ve enjoyed every single one of them! This is a perfect middle grade series while still being enjoyable for us adults who are still kids at heart.

This has been one of my favorite middle grade series of all time. It's complicated without being over-the-heads of its target audience, has two protagonists that serve as a great example for younger readers, and is very entertaining. I also really like that Anna and Colin are just friends. The themes of growing up and finding your identity continue here with Anna seeking more information about her Jewish heritage while being made to feel like an imposter by her cousin and Colin trying to determine how to be the type of Raven who helps rather than harms. I love how Anna and Colin continue to develop as characters over the course of the novel and are starting to come into themselves. The introduction of Leah adds a new dimension to their friendship that I am looking forward to seeing unfold over future books. I'm especially interested in following Colin and Leah's friendship now that they both have an ancestor they are not especially excited to be associated with. I was so glad that Anna had the difficult conversation with Leah rather than letting things continue to fester - once they better understood one another they could let their animosity go and discover they had a lot in common. And Anna learning more about her powers was really interesting. The mystery here was interesting and the reason behind it a surprise. I never fully trusted that coven - their interest in Anna and willingness to help just came too easily. Once again it took both Anna and Colin to defeat the villains - I like this because it keeps the balance of power between them even. I'm always a little sad at the end of these books because it means it will be a while before I get to spend time with these characters again. I am definitely looking forward to the next book, something to look forward to next fall!

Witchwood by @kalynmjosephson

Book 3 of the Ravenfall series did not disappoint! I love these characters so much. They feel like home. The coziness, the mystery, the fall vibes, the house and the food and the animals, I just love it all. These books make me feel happy and cozy and full of love and wishing for fall. I love the new characters in this story and I can’t wait to see where book 4 takes us!

Friends, don’t sleep on YA or middle grade books. Some of my favorite stories are middle grade or YA and they make me SO happy!

I love this series with all my heart. I can’t wait to get a physical copy of this to add to my series collection. 🧡🎃🍂

Ahhhh!!!! This is the 3rd book in this series and I was so excited to read it! And it DID NOT disappoint. Anna and Colin, our two main characters are growing and learning about their magical powers and make some startling new discoveries about their abilities and just how strong they are. Add in a trip to a magical town filled with witches and family Anna hopes to reconnect with. At first, things go poorly with Anna’s cousin, but both girls realize that they are stronger together and put their differences aside. Which only makes them more powerful, a power they will need if they are to uncover the dark secret that Wytchwood holds. It will take the combined powers of these 3 young teens to save the town and those they care about. Betrayal is around every corner, but strong bonds of friendship can help them survive if they realize how much they need each other.

Step into the enchanting world of Ravenfall once again, where magic swirls in every corner and adventure awaits! In this third book of the series, Anna and Colin are back together just in time for another thrilling escapade. This time, they find themselves in Witchwood, a town where secrets and spells mingle freely.

As they explore Witchwood's mysterious lakeside streets, Anna dives deeper into her own magical abilities and family ties. Alongside a feisty cousin and a brewing mystery of disappearing witches, the duo faces challenges that test their courage and cunning. With danger lurking around every enchanted corner, Anna and Colin must uncover the truth before it's too late.

Packed with whimsical charm, witty dialogue, and spine-tingling suspense, this installment of the Ravenfall series casts a spell that's impossible to resist. It's a magical ride that will keep readers guessing and laughing along the way. Whether you're a fan of supernatural adventures or simply looking for a tale to whisk you away, Ravenfall's latest chapter promises a spellbinding journey through friendship, family, and the power of believing in oneself.

Grab your wand and get ready to be swept off your feet—Ravenfall: Into Witchwood is a magical treat for readers of all ages!

Another interesting adventure in this series, although not as nicely dark as the first book, Ravenfall. The inclusion of Jewish holidays and cultural practices is nice to see.

As always I enjoyed returning to the world of Ravenfall and Anna and Collins adventures as they grow into young adult's. There's always thr atmospherical and magical vibe the author sets that whisks you away into an autumn dream filled with magic and mystery. Witchwood was a really cool town and I love how there's always growth not only in the characters but within their families. The mystery of the missing witches was captivating and kept me on my toes. And I always love Max!

Thank you Netgalley, Random House Children's, and Keith Josephson!

This was a great installment to the series. I love how much Anna and Colin have matured throughout the stories. In this book they start out to deal with a kelpie and get sucked into a whole other adventure. Anna almost gets taken then goes to witch wood where she gets to see her aunt and cousin Leah. They learn about witches who have gone missing and set out to help discover what is going on. It was a great middle grade read and I'm glad to find out there will be a fourth book coming out next year!!

Anna and Colin, best friends who each have their own role to play in the world of magic, embark in a new adventure set almost a full year after the first book and nine months after the events of the second. After spending a summer apart - Anna working in her grandmother’s tea shop and Colin training with his brother Liam - they reunite and undertake a mission dealing with a kelpie near Seattle, Washington. Seattle happens to be very close to the all-magic town of Witchwood where Anna’s paternal Aunt Miriam lives. So when the mission goes sideways and Anna seems to be the target of a plot involving abducted witches from the area, it makes sense to crash in on Aunt Miriam and cousin Leah even though Anna only met the former once seven years ago and the latter never. Anna and Colin must work to solve the mysterious abductions before another witch, or even Anna herself, becomes the next to disappear. All while dealing with the fact that Leah seemingly hates Anna.

Let me begin by saying that I absolutely adore this series. The first book, Ravenfall, was, in my opinion, absolute perfection. It was atmospheric and magical with the perfect blend of endearing, well developed characters and a well-paced murder mystery steeped in magic and mythology.

I mention my deep appreciation of Ravenfall because while I did enjoy this book and will absolutely purchase it and recommend it to any students I can, I have enough qualms about the direction of the series and its deviation from what worked so well in the first book that I do wonder if my rating is fully fair. Am I marking it higher than I should given my qualms out of an enduring attachment to the world and characters?

So much of what I loved about the first book is just… absent here. Max is still my entire life and he remains as loveable and amazing as ever. But the relationship between Anna and Colin has become flat. While there are declarations of best friendship, it just doesn’t seem to ring as true as it once has. Colin inexplicably sides with Anna’s cousin for no reason at all and never even thinks about Anna’s perspective, immediately assuming Anna is the one who is failing to listen or try. It’s even gotten to the point where Colin illogically no longer trusts Anna’s assessment and assurances of his skills because he trusts her so much? Meanwhile, Anna’s interactions with Colin seem to involve little else than superficial teasing and sticking out her tongue at him like a toddler.

Meanwhile, so many of the characters I had hoped would come back and feature more heavily for this third book after only having small roles in the second aren’t there. There’s no more Rose and Kara. No Uncle Roy and Aunt Elaine. No Gran and Nora, or even Henry after his heavy presence in the second book. No Ravenfall, which let’s be real, is one of the best sentient houses ever created. While all these characters are gone, what we get in return are Aunt Miriam and Leah. Both of whom just kind of suck.

Finally, while I appreciate the nods to Jewish mythology throughout the second and third books, it doesn’t feel as well developed and integrated into the plot as the Gaelic mythology did in Ravenfall. It feels more superficial and forced rather than flowing seamlessly into the events and atmosphere. The plot is rather direct and predictable, rather than being layered and steeped in history and folklore.

To reiterate, I did enjoy reading this book. I liked revisiting this world and these characters. The series is still great and enjoyable. I just really hope that some of the magic of Ravenfall can be recaptured in the next installment to bring this series back to the absolute perfection it began with.