I was so excited to read this book. I love a story about witches and it was a fun twist to see the main character was actually not the witch in question.

The story was just ok. The premise laid out in the synopsis really wasn’t the focus for most of the book which was confusing but overall, it was an ok story.

I had some issues with the writing as well as the naming conventions. All of the golems were names after very obvious “earth” references and it felt silly.

Similarly, the writing itself was clunky. It needs more editing or a good read out loud to really hear how the dialogue in particular could use some tweaks.

Lastly, I know it’s fiction, but the logistics of the world didn’t really hold. The golems clearly age but what are they supposed to do after the story ends? Most of them don’t know what they are. Can they also harness magic?

The story seems to ask the question if the golems are “human” but kind of fails to answer it with actual logistics. Terra and friends are definitely human in the sense that they have feelings, hopes, dreams, etc. but the problem I had is that they are only human when it’s convenient for the writing.

As I mentioned above, I liked this but I think the story and writing need work. It’s a cool concept but the execution was not there for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Woven From Clay by Jennifer Birch is a tender, introspective debut that beautifully explores healing, heritage, and the quiet strength found in everyday life. With lyrical prose and heartfelt characters, Birch crafts a story that lingers like a whispered truth passed down through generations. A gentle yet powerful read.

This had that fantasy romance element that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening. The golem element worked well overall and was glad it was so well done, and engaging from the story, I really felt for Terra in this story and was so well done. The characters had that overall feel worked in the fantasy element that I was wanting. I was glad I was able to read this and loved the way Jennifer Birch wrote this.

This was sooo interesting!!!! I mean, a mc who discovers she isn't born but made of mud and magic?! WHOA, how cool! I was very excited to read it! In fact, I think that the worldbuilding with the golems was the best part of the book!
- I liked Thorne and Terra in a sort of nostalgic kind of way. He's the broody handsome guy, she is the girl who discovers things about her. They make an agreement neither really wants and fall in love. Look, I get it, it's not groundbreaking, but what can I say? I liked it!
- The pacing was a bit off, though. We spent too long on setting things up and for Terra discovering she is a golem.
- The part with the witches was a tad confusing, too. What exactly was their purpose?

Overall, this is a lovely contemporary fantasy with unexpected creatures (GOLEMS!) that reminds you of early 2000s fantasy. I'd read another book in this universe.

I received a copy through NetGalley and the publisher, thank you for the approval!

This one was pretty solid, it does however read less YA and more like a Teen or Middle Grade book.
Even though the main character was a High School student, there was nothing stronger romantically than teen love professions and kissing.

Terra is a senior, who seems like a pretty great well rounded kid, with a good ethic and is pretty happy with her adopted parents and trying to let her best friend know that despite his feelings she sees him more as a brother and is looking for a way to let him down gently.

She lives in a non descript small town where many of the children were adopted by families who really wanted kids, a community figure Mr. Quill helped facilitate those adoptions

Turns out Mr. Quill is a bit more than the polite, quiet older man the community loves and respects- he’s a warlock who’s wanted for crimes and Terra and her friends who he helped get adopted aren’t really human. They’re actually very well crafted golems, constructed from mud and magic.
But here’s the thing, they don’t function like any golems the witch council has ever seen and Terra may be a golem, but she has her own magic but she’s running out of time to save herself and her friends from being unmade.

While I personally found it a tad more juvenile than my usual reads, it was pretty solid. A good mix of light petty teenage drama, character grown and development, unlearning magical and personal biases, taking ownership of themselves and finding out hidden secrets and than everything is not as it seems.
It’s got a nice resolution and happy ending.

Woven From Clay is a YA fantasy about high schooler Terra and the new kid in town who rocks her world by revealing that she is a Golem. The books follows Terra in her search for her identity in a new, immersive, magical world.

picked up Woven from Clay not knowing what to expect, but it completely floored me. From the first chapter, I was hooked by Terra’s journey—her confusion, her longing to belong, and the raw, relatable struggle with her identity. The reveal that she’s a golem, crafted from mud and magic, was both shocking and fascinating, and I instantly rooted for her as she tried to make sense of her new reality.
What really made this book special for me was how much I connected with Terra’s emotional arc. Watching her go from lost and unsure to someone who embraces her power was incredibly satisfying. The magic system, with its weaving and tangible threads, felt vivid and alive, and I loved how the world-building was rich without ever being overwhelming.

The slow-burn romance with Thorne had me on edge the whole time—the tension and respect between them made every scene together electric. I found myself wishing for a few chapters from Thorne’s perspective, just to see how he was processing everything.

#thankyounetgalley

strong female character- check
fun urban fantasy- check
broody male love interest- check
slow burn - check
enemies to lovers- check
This was a very fun fast paced read and I definitely recommend it for young adults looking to get into YA novels and fantasy. I think it's got the perfect mix of relatable but also fantastical which is perfect for people trying to get into the fantasy genre. It also has this coming of age vibe thats very well suited for teens!

Story was too slow. Did not finish it. Couldn’t stay connected to the story or characters. Maybe it’s for the younger age group

An interesting & unique premise but there were some plot holes I was struggling to move past! I don’t full understand the issue with the golems but I think this would be a fun read for middle schoolers!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one. A very different kind of fantasy and new concept (to me) with golems. Whilst it does present the usual high school cliques and teenage angst, there is also so much more in this high stake story with complicated relationships and relatable characters, found family, elemental magic and hope. A refreshing and niche fantasy must read for fans of this genre.

Terra Slater doesn't know anything about her birth family or where she comes from, Still she is determined to mame her senior year her best yet. Everything is going great until the dark and mysterious Thorne Wilder, a magical bounty hunter, arrives in town, bringing revelations that will upended everything.

When Terra learns she is a golem, crafted from mud and magic by a warlock, her world is turned upside down. The warlock who made her, is a fugitive, on the run from the witches who want to hold him accountable for his past crimes. His sentence is death, which would unravel the threads of magic that hold Terra, and all of the other golems that he created, together.

In order to save herself and her friends, Terra strikes a deal with Thorne and his coven to preserve the warlock’s life and his magic. If she can prove her worth to the coven by mastering the magic within her, the golems will survive. If she can’t, they’ll perish along with Cyrus.

The cover of the book is fantastic. It's dark and mysterious. The beginning has a completely different feel to it though. I was a little thrown at how the story began and it takes a while to get into things.

The story is a unique and concept. I just didn't have as much fun with it as I expected. I definitely can see many other readers enjoying this though.

There was a glitch with this book title. I could not upload, or read a copy of this book through NetGalley. So, I cannot review it.
Pennsylvania Literary Journal: Spring 2025 issue: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-spring-2025

Just finished reading Woven From Clay by Jenny Birch (ARC courtesy of @netgalley) and I have to say—it was a good read! 🌿 The story had some really intriguing moments, though I found the development between the main character and others a little weird at times. Still, I was drawn in by the plot and the world-building. The ending definitely leaves you hanging a bit, which I’m still thinking about... but overall, I really enjoyed the journey. 📖✨

#WovenInClay #JennyBirch #NetGalley #BookReview #ARCread #Bookstagram #FantasyBooks #ReadingCommunity #BooksOfInstagram #BookLovers #Bookish #TBR #AmReading #Bookworm #NewReads #ReadersOfInstagram #BookAesthetic #FictionReads #BookBuzz #BookRec

A fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy that explores identity, magic, and survival! Perfect for fans of A Forgery of Roses and The Nature of Witches. I loved all the characters and worldbuilding, and you will too.

I first of all want to thank Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an arc is exchange for a honest review.

I have some many feelings about this book that I’m not quite sure how to explain it. I fell in love with the main character Terra. She was so wholesome and selfless. Her willingness to do anything for her people was truly inspiring. I was not sold on Thorne for most of the book I struggled with his attitude and where his loyalties laid, but by the end he had won me over. It was a super cute read with enough fantasy to keep things interesting. The mud references and scenes sometimes gave me an ick, but overall I was very impressed and wanted to keep picking the book up.

"Woven From Clay" is a gripping tale that skillfully combines aspects of unadulterated magic. Magic, tension, strong-willed characters, and a slow-burning romance abound in this paranormal novel. The way magic is portrayed throughout the story is surprisingly original and gives it vitality in ways that keep you on the edge of your seat. I found myself absorbed in the story, eagerly reading every page since the premise is captivating and the plot develops with such accuracy.

Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me. It read a little younger than I anticipated and I found the plot to predictable because of that. I think it would be great though for ages 14 to 17.

This one is great for younger teen audiences, or anyone still in the trenches of their early 2000's paranormal romance phase. (I'm looking at you, Twilight.)

I found this storyline to be very predictable, and the romance to be cliche and, at times, a littttttle problematic. I am also walking away from this book unsure as to what the purpose was...and why it warrants the sequel I am hearing about. Definitely could have used a deeper plot, in my opinion.

However, all of that said, there are some very creative aspects to this story that I think Jennifer deserves credit for! And despite my misgivings, I still had a decent time with it as a whole. I won't be reading the sequel myself, but there are certain people I would recommend these books to!

***Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.


Woven from Clay is a rich and emotionally grounded YA fantasy that blends self-discovery, magic, and identity in compelling ways. The story follows Terra Slater, a high school senior who is determined to make her final year unforgettable. But when the enigmatic Thorne Wilder arrives, everything she thought she knew about herself—and her world—begins to unravel.

Jennifer Birch delivers a fascinating twist on the chosen-one trope with Terra, who discovers she’s not human at all, but a golem crafted from magic. This revelation sets off a journey not just of magical training, but of deep emotional growth and a redefinition of what it means to be alive and to belong. Terra is incredibly relatable—strong, kind-hearted, and driven to protect others like her, even as she wrestles with her own fears and doubts.

The world-building shines throughout the novel. Birch creates a magical ecosystem that feels fresh and intricate, with rules that unfold naturally through Terra's experiences. The magic system, particularly the process of Terra learning to control her abilities, is handled with care and a sense of wonder. Her evolution from confusion to competence is one of the story’s strongest arcs.

That said, the pacing could have used more balance. Key plot points—such as the hunt for Quill, Terra's creator—feel rushed, and Quill’s death, though pivotal, doesn't have as much narrative weight as it might deserve. Additionally, the sudden importance of the other golems at the climax felt underdeveloped, as they are barely mentioned before becoming central to the resolution (sharing their powers).

Still, despite these pacing issues, Woven from Clay is a strong and heartfelt novel. It stands out for its emotional resonance, its unique take on identity, and a protagonist you can't help but root for. Fans of magical coming-of-age stories will find a lot to love here.