I have to say this one was scary. Not because of any spooky matter but simply because the fear that anyone woman in this version of 1824 Edinburgh could find herself labeled a witch and sentenced to death. I wouldn't classify this as historical fiction but more of dystopian but set in the past.

“Nellie wasn’t sure she believed in witches, but she did believe in the power of a man’s anger. And was that not the same thing?”

This book has pieces that are so eerily similar to the real world, it makes you wonder if witches really do exist. But not the kind with warts, broomsticks and terrible magic, but the ones full of power from the earth, who heal, help and guide us through life’s seasons. Honestly, I have never been intrigued by stories of witch trials, but this story of how the patriarchy has evolved from hanging “witches” to silencing women in the 21st century through fear was captivating! Nellie’s story is about a girl who was wronged by her employer, forgotten by her drunk father and left to raise her brother during the peak of hanging witches for anything from being left handed to a man having a coughing fit after looking the wrong woman in the eyes. Not only does she finally find where she belongs in the world, she loses herself and finds her again.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I applied for this one in the hopes that I would find a really good story, and for the first half of the book I was pretty sure I had. The start of this book is fantastic and absolutely delivers on the brief. It is riveting, if not a little unrealistic in places, and I do wish there was a little bit more characterisation and fleshing out of some of the characters and the lore, but it is a good read.

Unfortunately, as we get further into the book, it loses a bit of the charm. Without spoiling anything, it gets very fast very quickly, and it doesn't feel like the story progressed properly from there. I thought it just could have done with a little more fleshing out in that last segment that would have bumped it up to an incredible read.

There were also a few missing pieces for me in the end section of the book, and I was hoping that some of the loose ends would be tied together a little more thoroughly. The protagonist as well had awesome growth to start, but then it petered off a bit and didn't develop her more with all the time that went on.

This book is a captivating journey into an alternate Edinburgh of 1824, where being named a witch sows the seed of fear in every woman. Nellie Duncan, a young unmarried woman, fears being called a witch and of the men and their numerous desires. She discovers solace within the walls of the Rae Women's Apothecary. After a tragedy strikes, Nellie is forced to leave Edinburgh. Years later, she must confront her past and deal with forces that could change her life and those she loves.

I loved this book. When I began reading this book, I had no idea it would make so many connections to the current climate of women's rights. It highlighted the struggle of women moving in a patriarchal society. Several quotes resonated with me; please understand I received an advanced copy, not the finished copy.

"A woman's body is never her own." It's dangerous enough to be a woman, let alone a witch."; "Nellie had never realized she was allowed to be anything but dutiful, fearful. She never realized she was allowed to be angry."

It examines the idea of society's constraints on female behavior and purpose. I found myself highlighting multiple passages and sitting with the words. Nellie's journey reminds us of the importance of standing up for oneself and others, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. The author put so much care and research into this narrative that it will create a compelling read for everyone.

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing.

I was really excited to read this ARC. The story sounded amazing and the cover was gorgeous. It did end up falling flat for me. I didn’t like the time jump. It was too abrupt and I felt like the story was both too long and not long enough.

I liked Jean and Nell together, and their relationship dynamics was great. I didn’t hate it and I’m glad I was able to read it.

Starting this book I was under the impression that the setting was in about Victorian Edinburgh which appealed to me quite a lot. Around the middle of the book this changes and I first found it hard to get into the new setting and plot but in the end the book caught me again and I had fun reading. The grand finale was heartfelt and a nice idea but somehow did not really get through to me.

All in all a good book for all fans of witches, covents and the power of womanhood. For me personally things moved a bit to quick and easy, still very enjoyable.

These was a timeless and powerful story intertwined with magic and historical fiction. The characters and their struggles were beautifully written, and I loved the relationship Nellie had with all the women in her life. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

ARC was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Kensigton Publishing.

1824, Edinburgh. It’s a hard time for women. The city’s streets are stained with blood of innocent women, falsely accused of witchcraft. Things are not different for Nellie Duncan, young, beautiful and unwed. She lives a lonely life, no ambitions and no expections. All that matters for her is to survive and to provide food for her little brother. Until she discovers the Rae Women’s Apothecary a group of witches that worship the winter deity the Cailleach. There Nellie finds affection, support a purpose and also love with Jean a fiery and tenacious witch. Together the witches will have to face an enemy: Angus, the Cailleach’s son, who is determined to destroy her using violence and misogyny.

"To be a woman was to have a body that belonged to everyone but yourself."

In the first half of the book the author takes her time at establishing the setting and describing the atmosphere of fear and hate in Edinburgh, the madness of witch trials. Emphasis is given to Scottish folklore and to Nellie’s thoughts. I really enjoyed the parts where Nellie learns about nature-based craft and all the witches’ abilities. Pure “Practical magic” vibes! In the second half of the book we follow Nellie through two centuries and we watch her growing the strength and the courage to defeat her present and past enemies. This part reminded me of “The invisible life of Addie LaRue”.

"Loneliness as a companion that walked beside her, that curled up in the pit of her belly each night that draped its darkly clad arm across her shoulders and held her apart from the world. Through loneliss’s gaze it looked as though all the world was happening without her."

The conflict between Cailleach and Angus is also a metaphor for a violent patriarchal society that for years wielded power and controlled women and the long road women have faced to resist and find their voices.

I actually preferred the first half of the book more, because in the second half there were some questions left unanswered, the evolution of the main character felt a little bit rushed and also I found the ending not entirely credible.

is a compelling blend of magic, romance, and powerful social commentary. At its core, this book is a witchy take on the importance of women’s rights, illustrating how these rights have been stripped away in the past and highlighting the necessity for women to stand up and use their voices against male oppressors. Thompson masterfully weaves themes of love, heartbreak, and a mother’s devotion into this narrative, creating a rich tapestry that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

The character of Nellie stands out remarkably. Her evolution throughout the story is beautifully crafted, portraying the significance of standing strong amidst life's storms, even when fleeing seems like the easier option. Nellie's journey and the lessons she learns resonate deeply, making her a character that stays with you long after you turn the last page.

The impact of this book is profound and difficult to put into words. The characters, especially Nellie, Jean, and Chani, leave a lasting impression. One of the most compelling aspects is how the resolution of the story’s conflict doesn’t rely on magic but rather on the power of community and empowering others to speak their truth, even when it’s daunting.

I wholeheartedly recommend "The Last Witch in Edinburgh" to readers. The book's description initially drew me in by comparing it to two of my favorites from the past few years, "The Lost Apothecary" and "Once and Future Witches." Although it took a bit of time to get into, the story did not disappoint. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a mix of historical fiction, magic, and strong, inspiring female characters.

This was a long hard slog to get through the wordy awkward sentence structure. I did not like the MC and thought if her stomach swooped, plummeted, dropped, clenched, whatever one more time, I'd scream.
The backstory of the Cailleach was interesting. I did not understand Nellie or her motivations and she didn't really grow as a character until the bitter end. Why is it called the last Witch in Edinburgh? Rae Jean was living there? Who was the last witch? Her or Nellie? The resolution was a bit weak for me. I expected some big witchy showdown but instead all it took was some paintings.
Not sure I could recommend this one. Others certainly will enjoy it.

“The last witch in Edinburgh” is a dual timeline fantasy book following our FMC Nellie who is living in the time of witch trials. She begins working in an apothecary owned by a group of women who are in fact witches.

Fast forward to present day, Nellie is still alive and decides to return to the visually stunning Edinburgh.

I enjoyed following Nellies story across multiple timelines and seeing the shift in differences and similarities between both time periods.

I enjoyed the location setting and the apothecary aspects, I’m always a fan of learning about home remedies and medicines and the fantasy elements added a nice touch.

The witch trials have also been a topic of interest to me so I enjoyed the parts of the plot surrounding that.

This was a lovely read! Thank you to Kensington publishing, marielle thompson and NetGalley for the EARC!

Publish date: august 20th 2024

Interesting novel of witches, and witchcraft in historical Edinburgh. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Marielle Thompson for giving me the chance to read this Arc Copy of - The Last Witch in Edinburgh

This book was nothing like i had expected. The first half is set in 1824 and the second half is in 2022. It follows our main character Nellie who is a poor girl who has a drunk father and a little brother to care for after the death of her mother. It's set when the witch trials are happening and innocent women are being hanged for simple things and called a witch.

She accepts a job at the apothecary which is ran by a group of women who had dedicated their lives to the mythological Caileach. The Caileach linked to the winter. These women are in fact withes. After working there a while nellie accepts the ways they follow and becomes a witch herself .
Nellies status as a witch means She gets an extra life and also meaning the ageing process slows down for her to be alive hundreds of years. when it becomes dangerous for the witches and the shop is burned down she leaves Edinburgh and swears never to return. the story then shifts to 2022 and Nellie finds herself back and seeing that women are still being hunted and she decides to stay this time and fight.

Overall i enjoyed this book, i feel like a lot of information was given which sometimes took focus off the plot but great read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for a copy of this book, I enjoyed it and would recommend it. It’s a solid 3/5 stars for me.

A great feminist tale of witchcraft in the 19th century. Great characters and lots of great gothic scenes with a passionate love story at the heart of the story.

This book was different than I was expecting but in a lot of ways the story I needed of angry women triumphing and community and witchcraft beautifully blended between fantasy and reality. The writing was stunning and I loved how the transitions were handled.

Thank you NetGalley for this book!

The Last Witch in Edinburgh is a story of the persecution of women throughout the 19th and into the 20th centuries at the hands of misogeny.. It tells the story of Nellie, a poor young women who is a victim of a drunk and abusive father and terrorised by the persecution of women in the 1820's Edinburgh where innocent women are being hanged after being declared witches. She stumbles across an apothecary run by women who have dedicated their lives to the mythological Cailleach, an older woman figure linked to the creation of the landscape and responsible for night and winter. After accepting a job at the apothecary she begins her initiation into the ways of the Cailleach and becomes a devotee reaching witch status. She soon begins to understand what is truly behind the hangings and how dangerous it is to be a woman during this time when misogeny rules and no woman is safe. When the apothecary becomes a target, she flees Edinburgh, leaving behind her younger brother and her true love, Jean.

Nellie's status as witch affords her an extra and a longer life. And as the story progresses, she continues to practice her craft and time shifts to the year 2022 where and older and wiser Nellie, along with her daughter, returns to Edinburgh to find that the persecution is still happening in the form of sexual crimes against women. This t me, instead of fleeing, Nellie chooses to fight.

The characters in the story are complex and powerful. They align perfectly with the plot, giving a sense of credibility. The story itself is a compelling recount of women's persecution through the ages in various forms. It highlights how deeply misogeny is aligned with society and the harmful effects it has on every woman. There is a fantasy element to the plot that ties in completely with the premise and has allowed the author to drift from one time period to another faultlessly.
A good solid read.

Thank you to Marielle Thompson, Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

"If there was one thing Edinburgh had learned about itself in the past three months, it was that its people loved to see a witch swing."

4.5 stars.

I simply adored it, I practically fell in love with it. I agree with those who say that the change between 1824 and 2022 was a bit abrupt and took us out of the story. This was also the case for me, but despite everything I really enjoyed this novel.
I loved the atmosphere of Edinburgh in 1824; it's dark, almost eerie and oppressive. There's something about the author's style that really brings out the magic of this city. There is a perfect mix of fantasy, historical fiction and Scottish myth and folklore.
I really enjoyed the first part of the book. Very few novels manage so well to make me forget the outside world and project myself into a different environment.

All the characters have personality and a presence that gives them dimension.
The feminist aspect is really well marked and I enjoyed watching these women evolve in a world where they refuse to be silenced and let themselves be victimised by men and by the patriarchy; it's a slow evolution for Nellie, the central character, but she ends up having as much courage as the other women in this novel.
The notion of community is also very strong, and the transformation of each woman after contact with another is a pleasure to read. The strength that emerges from these exchanges is heart-warming.

There are a few downsides of course, such as the speed with which events unfold in 2022, the repetitions in the last quarter of the story, particularly in Nellie's thoughts, and the resolution, which I almost found too quick.
Despite all this, it's a book I'm thinking of buying to add to my bookshelf.

"You cannot apologize for what you want, even if the world says someone like you shouldn’t have it."

The book begins in the past when witches were tried and burned in Scotland. However, the author creates a sinister fantasy plotline that is connected to the patriarchal sentiments that prompted witch-burning to begin with and often resulted in the deaths of innocent women. Part of the fantasy plotline is that there is a male supervillain who can influence sentiments of male superiority and foment a culture in which violence against women is not only tolerated, but encouraged. As a result, there is a spike in domestic violence, rape, verbal assault and sexual assault of women. A homophobic intolerance of lesbians and trans women is also included in these acts of violence. However, an (actual) group of witches who practice healing and inclusion through herbs and also a bit of arcane magick, manage to build their own small group of resistance. In Scotland, though, this resistance is too late, and the group disbands, scattering around to different areas of the world. The protagonist of the story escapes and raises her own child into the beliefs and spiritual practices of the Scottish witch community only to confront the same villain who is still using similar tactics even in a modern-day setting.

The fantasy elements include resurrection, medicines created both naturally and through magical techniques, the ability to live longer than usual and maintain youth due to spiritual practices, which allows the protagonist and other women (as well as the villain) to transcend time and exist both in the past and in the present. The book is mostly about the ancient struggle of women to exist within a violent patriarchy and resist through the power of love and sisterhood. However, the LGBTQ+ is included and there is even mention of men who reject the violent ways of other men affected by the villain. While the book is fantasy, it is rooted in some historical knowledge and also allegorical for acts of violence that women experience today such as college rape/violence and the lack of reporting systems that work. The book also delves into the ways in which women resist through protest and civic awareness activities. It can read very anti-male, but only because it's intended to be a book through the eyes of female experience specifically in relationship to violence against women, committed due to patriarchal notions. It was still an interesting read, albeit a little didactic and unrealistic in places.

I really wanted to love this book. I loved the premise, and the character was just a strong lead, but there was just something lacking.