I was hooked from the beginning!!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

This book is a wildly enchanting ride that blends camp, magic, and queer joy into an unforgettable tale. The characters are fierce, funny, and full of heart, casting spells and throwing shade in equal measure. Fell’s writing crackles with wit and warmth, capturing the spirit of Fire Island with glittering precision. It’s a fabulously fun read that leaves you bewitched, laughing, and wanting more.

4 stars. Dazzling, riotous, and a love letter to summers of the island mentioned in its title, Disco Witches of Fire Island is an absolute boogie of a read.

I love a crew of eccentric characters, which helps when I don't love the main character. I’m not typically a fantasy reader, but was pulled in by the title. No regrets. Deeply weird, funny, and touching as hell at points. A quickly consumed read in a few hours on the beach on Easter. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/6

This book lives up to its creative title and gorgeous cover with a clever story that hits a good balance of nostalgia and reminding readers that this was a really challenging time for the gay community.

The book was a bit different from what I've expected, but in a good way. AIDS period and drag queens-witches? Not something I could ever image, to be completely honest. However, Disco Witches of Fire Island was a pretty awesome read.

I'm not a fan of stories with many important characters in one book, but the changing POVs of characters (most of the times short chapters) didn't bother me in this book; the switches were greatly timed and served as a great plot-building tool.

Joe was someone that felt very natural, honest to me. Flawed, closed-hearted after a loss, but hard-working and dependable. Ronnie had to grow on me as I rather disliked him in the beginning, but came to love a bit later. Vince, my idol, you were my favorite!

The witches were amazing in the found-family sense, however, the magical /fantasy elements in the end felt a bit lacking, rushed, sometimes rather weird. Nevertheless, the whole plot came together nicely to wrap up the story.

I saw some reviews that this book felt too horny for them, I, however, found it moderately horny, raw and even realistic, knowing the history of Fire Island. The pace was good, the plot interesting, characters well-written and writing style, in my eyes, great.

A different approach to AIDS period with a spark of magic, found family and love.

(Actual: 2.75⭐, rounded up) This was such a campy book, and I say that both in perhaps a positive and negative way. While I did find the overall story/premise to be intriguing, the execution ultimately fell pretty flat (if not stale). That's not to say it didn't have any fun, more engaging moments to it... but I also felt like it read a bit juvenile? And oddly, oddly overly sexual lol. Like the way a lot of the ~romantic &/or physical intimacy scenes made me laugh AND cringe in embarrassment because they were just so.... idek how to describe it?? Don't get me wrong: I went into this novel fully expecting it to be a wild (but good) trip.... and yet somehow it was still so underwhelming and just bizarre. Despite being a lover of strange/surreal fiction, I may just not have been the right audience for this book.... and that's okay! I've read others saying they loved it, and so I hope this is just an outlier for me from Fell and I still look forward to checking out whatever they come out with next!

If you need me in the next few business days - don't, BECAUSE I'LL STILL BE CRYING OVER THIS BOOK!!! I know Disco Witches of Fire Island won't be for everyone, but it was just about perfect for me.

I started reading it and was instantly transported into a hilarious and heartbreaking story that will stay with me for years to come.

I loved the concept, the characters, the setting and of course the magic. You pair disco and witches, I'll come running. As a dancer myself, I love how their power comes from it, and reading the acknowledgements makes the whole thing even sweeter.

We could've used a few more details about the magic itself, that's this book's only little flaw, but the rest was amazing.

I learned quite a few things I didn't know before, like Fire Island's history. I may have heard about it at some point, but if I did, I don't remember. I'm also not from the US, so you'll have to excuse me.

Blair Fell made it all feel incredibly vivid, and now Fire Island is on my list of places to visit. I'll absolutely be reading up on it more when I'm done with this review.

I also loved how every chapter starts with the Disco Witch Manifesto, and how unapologetically queer everyone is. It's a breath of fresh air.

A big theme throughout is Joe learning to find that freedom, while recovering from a huge loss. He has to learn to trust again, and not let his own worries and insecurities way him down. Easier said than done.

Joe's growth by the end is evident, and it's one of the best parts of this read. Ronnie evolved similarly, though I wish that last big change happened a few chapters earlier, so we could enjoy it for longer.

Howie and Lenny were the real stars of the show, I adored every second they were on-page. What I'd give to meet them and give them a hug...my babies.

We kept getting fed nuggets of information from their perspectives, about their magic and the Great Darkness that was coming. It kept me on my toes for sure, I couldn't wait to find out where it was all heading.

Romance wise, I shipped Joe and Fergal from their very first meeting, I knew there was something there. And I like how (relatively) slow they took it. Some of that was due to Joe being a bit of a mess, but it's okay, he was grieving.

Vince and Ronnie's side romance was equally compelling, and it felt realistic. Both romances did actually, they had ups and downs, and came out better because of it.

The ending made me hunger for a sequel, so fingers crossed we get one in the future. I don't want this to be the end!!!!

The Disco Witches story is truly unique, and, dare I say, a perfect read for Pride Month. It's full of whimsy as well as history, you really can't go wrong with giving it a try.

*Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

First and foremost, thank you to the publisher and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved this story and it was definitely worth the read!

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Beginning with Joe and Ronnie's journey to Fire Island, The Disco Witches of Fire Island is an entertaining book with a lot of heart.

My favorite part of this book was the echoes of what it must’ve been like to be queer in the 80s and dealing with the fallout of HIV aids. I appreciated the way Fell approached honoring those who have been lost, but also speaking about the hopefulness that was beginning at the end of the 80s and early 90s when there began some treatments for the crisis. It was clear that the author added some of his lived experiences and I think he did an excellent job honoring those he had lost to the crisis.

I also really enjoyed the found family aspect of this book. I was glad everyone was able to truly be themselves. Further, I appreciated that there was almost a mentorship between the older individuals and the young.

I struggled a little bit with the pacing at the beginning of the book slow. I wish that there had been perhaps more magical elements or more flashback to what life was like prior to AIDS.

Overall, I think this will be well buy those who love a little historical fiction with a little magical realism mixed in.

(3-3.5)

The Disco Witches of Fire Island is such a unique romp of a novel, taking place over the summer of 1980 in the gay haven of the Fire Island Pines. Joe Agabian is a young gay man in his 20s still reeling from the loss of his partner to AIDS two years ago. Lacking direction, he lets his friend Ronnie convince him to move to Fire Island for a summer full of bartending tips, hot sex, and hopefully a rich boyfriend to leave the island with at the end of the season.

Of course, life in Fire Island isn’t purely the escape Joe had hoped for. Amidst the devastation of the AIDS crisis, the same problems of love, loss, fear, classism, racism, and sickness abound. Meanwhile, the disco witches are on a quest to save a lost young soul among the island community that summer. The witches are a group of older queer folks who create magic through dance, music, and their flamboyant attire to save young people from the darkness that lurks among them. The story builds to a climax as their magical intuition reaches a fire pitch.

Blending elements of fantasy, the supernatural, carnal desire, romance, historical fiction, and coming of age, this novel is a truly singular, unique read. It is joyful and sorrowful; warmly nostalgic and yet clear-eyed about the more problematic tendencies of the queer community—then and now. Ultimately, this book is imbued with hope and a belief in the higher power that lives within us, or as the disco witches would say, within the Great Goddess Mother.

I absolutely loved Blair Fell’s debut novel and highly recommend this book as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Still mourning the love he lost to AIDS, Joe follows his friend to Fire Island for the summer, where he learns that the job he was promised isn't actually his. Instead, he finds community, love, and perhaps a bit of magic (if he can open himself to it).

Blair Fell creates a beautiful world and great characters with an action packed ending. You can tell that Fell is a gifted screenwriter and playwright, but at times it doesn't translate into novel form. I do wish he'd leaned harder into fantasy.

This was such a unique and unexpectedly moving read—part queer fairy tale, part exploration of grief and healing, all wrapped in disco glitter and raw emotion. Set on Fire Island in 1989, the novel follows Joe, a man still aching from loss and trying to outrun his heartbreak. At times, I struggled with Joe’s choices—he’s self-absorbed, reactive, and often unaware of the hurt he causes. But that’s the point. His character is allowed to be messy, and watching him grow through his mistakes is what gives the story its emotional pull.

Joe's transformation is guided by a coven of “Disco Witches,” a brilliant and mystical group fighting their own internal collapse while still determined to save wandering souls like his. Their power isn’t just in spells—it’s in their freedom, their fearlessness, and their love for each other. It takes all of that to draw Joe out of his grief and help him begin to believe in something brighter. His journey toward self-acceptance and emotional honesty felt real and earned.

The AIDS crisis is an ever-present, deeply felt layer in the story, treated with the gravity and sorrow it deserves. The author doesn’t offer false hope or easy answers—just a fierce desire to remember, to grieve, and to keep loving anyway. That balance of magical realism and historical tragedy gives the book a weight that lingers. There are passages that genuinely ache, and others that shine with unexpected joy.

I especially appreciated the complex, sometimes messy friendship between Joe and Robbie. Their connection is full of tension, mistakes, and care—two people trying to hold on to each other even as they grow in different directions. That felt beautifully human.

Stylistically, the writing can be a bit sharp-edged at times, and there were moments that felt slightly too on-the-nose for my taste. But overall, the voice was fresh and imaginative, and the world of Fire Island felt alive with possibility. I loved the mystical elements of the witches—the lore, the power, the pride they carried in protecting their own. And the scenes of joy and defiance, especially in the clubs and on the dance floor, gave the book its pulse.

This is a story about letting go, holding on, and risking everything for a second chance at love. It's about the people who stay with us—even after they're gone—and the power of community to bring us back to ourselves. Deeply heartfelt, occasionally heartbreaking, and always original, it’s a book that celebrates queer resilience, chosen family, and the kind of magic that can only come from living boldly.

I was trying to get into this book but it’s just not interesting enough for me. None of the characters or anything drew me in enough

Beautiful! So beautiful! We have such a fun cast of characters with a gay coven of witches that dance! Honestly, this was so incredibly creative. I appreciated the time in history that it took place because it really gave the perfect balance of what I think the emotions would have been.

Like gay books? Like sci-fi/fantasy? I think you would really like this one!

Thank you NetGalley, Blair Fell, and Alcove Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell is out today!

Deep dive this glittering era of fabulous with found family, heart break and most of all hope.

The story follows Joe who is grieving the loss of his partner, feeling like he is just drifting in the world not knowing what to do next he takes a leap of faith and a little bit of a push from his friend Ronnie sets off to Fire Island for the summer.

This book will transport you back in time with it's pop culture references ( I had to look a few things up 😆) Touch on HIV/AIDS pandemic that swept through like a force and taking lives too soon. You really feel the struggles, love, and joy of the queer community who had to live through this and pick up the pieces.

I enjoyed the writing style and characters. It truly captures this moment in time, bottles it up and let's you deep dive into it! I laughed, I loved and I might have shed a tear or two throughout this book. It's magically realism and a top summer read for all to enjoy!

* My copy of Disco Witches Of Fire Island was provided by NetGalley and Alcove Press for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reading Disco Witches of Fire Island by Blair Fell was an absolute thrill. The story pulses with energy and heart, and I found its message of resilience in the face of adversity both powerful and uplifting. It’s a hopeful, enchanting read that stayed with me long after I finished. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who loves magic with a meaningful edge.

This is a book that feels more in the genre of lit fic as opposed to romantic fantasy i.e. I would call it magical realism.

I was hooked very early on as it was established that AIDS and the grief associated with loving and losing people to it were going to be central to the story. You get a very clear picture of who Joe is and what he wants from his life whilst still deeply enveloped by grief over his lost love. I also really loved how vivid Howie and Lenny are and felt really invited into their world. The magic system is wholly unique which I appreciated greatly.

Where I struggled with this book were the pop culture references. There is a real sense of time and place however I unfortunately found myself feeling completely lost as quite frequently a place, musician, or other thing that would have been recognisable at the time was mentioned and I just felt completely at sea. Because the magic was rooted in disco and I didn't recognise most of the names associated with the music genre, I found myself pulled out of the story whenever the magical elements where mentioned and in particular "boogying".

I think that this book has a lot going for it but there were also areas that weren't quite to my tastes. This is a tender story where the good far outweighs the bad but it was a challenging read at times.

2.25

Right off the bat, I will say that the writing here is really voicey, so you should know pretty quickly if it's a for you book or not. Unfortunately, I don't think it was a for me book. I love the idea but execution fell short for me. I would have preferred a literary fiction about the AIDS crisis because the magic/fantastical elements weren't fleshed out enough so any time it started going down that route I found myself losing focus. I found the perspective shifts and time jumps a bit jarring and some of the writing felt at times very online in 2025 pretending to be 1980s.

All that to say, that just because this book wasn't for me doesn't mean it won't be for you, so if the idea of a light fantasy set on Fire Island in the 1980s is at all appealing I recommend giving it a shot.

Thank you to @netgalley and @alcovepress for the ARC!

Disco Witches of Fire Island
By @blair.fell
Releases May 6, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

“When the fire started, we rang the alarms, but no one listened. It wasn’t their fire, they said. They watched us burn and laughed.”—Disco Witch Manifesto #201

^ This should be enough to make you go read this book!

Blurb:
“Hit the dance floor with a coven of queer witches on 1980s Fire Island in this gay fantasy romance about finding magic, love, and family in the face of tragedy.”

My opinion:
Go read this book.
Go into it blind and enjoy the ride!

I love books that address our queer ancestors and this book does it beautifully. It addresses the AIDS crisis and also shows what the people who were left behind experienced.

This book wraps struggle, grief, hope, love and joy into the peak of the AIDS crisis.

And isn’t that the point of queer existence. Having to find the joy when everything feels so against us and our community.

This story is beautiful and I’m so thankful I got to read it!

Definitely buying a physical copy so I can annotate. I already have so many highlights in the ebook!

#bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookrelease #maybookrelease #bookarc #arcreview #netgalley #alcovepress #queerbooks #discowitchesoffireisland #fyp #trending