In this captivating debut novel, the author cleverly intertwines elements reminiscent of both *Practical Magic* and *Raiders of the Lost Ark*, creating a delightful tapestry of magic, fantasy, and historical fiction. The narrative is not only entertaining but also presents itself as an accessible read, making it a perfect choice for those seeking light yet engaging literature.

The characters are thoughtfully crafted, each possessing a distinct personality that adds depth to the story. Additionally, the backdrop of World War II is woven into the narrative, providing a rich historical context that enhances the overall experience.

For readers who appreciate historical fiction infused with a touch of the magical, compelling female protagonists who confront challenging decisions, and a vivid world that thoughtfully navigates the complexities of wartime, this novel is undoubtedly worth reading.

I devoured this book. Seriously, the storyline was so captivating, and I had a hard time putting it down. This is a multi-pov novel with Lydia, Rebecca, and Henry all having their own point of view chapters. One part I didn't enjoy is that Lydia was very much the main character, I felt like giving Rebecca and Henry their own points of view didn't add enough to the story. I actually would have liked more Rebecca and Henry, both of whom were people that were directly affected by Hitler's regime. Lydia was more fighting because it was the right thing to do, which is a good reason, but I felt like both Henry and Rebecca had more compelling backgrounds.

Lydia starts the story as very insecure in her powers, especially because she doesn't come from a long line of established witches. Her family has always practiced herbs and potions, things considered to be minor magic. She takes on the task of finding the Grimorium Bellum not just because it's the right thing to do, but so she can prove herself. Her traveling to France to find the book of dark magic, sets off the introduction to Rebecca and Henry. Honestly, once Lydia steps foot in France the plot takes off.

On the surface this is a story about Britain's witches covertly undermining Hitler's regime, but beneath the surface it's a story about motherhood and the sacrifices women make. Each main character has a complex relationship with their mother. Again, I would have liked if there had been more development for Henry because his mother was so fascinating. I also felt like Henry's storyline didn't get the same closure as Lydia and Rebecca.

This is a great historical fantasy and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing - Viking for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

solid, kinda creepy historical fantasy with some cool plotting and interesting vibes. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

I was drawn to this book based on the synopsis--a WWII historical fiction mixed in with fantasy--and found that not only intriguing but very unique. This book delivered on both accounts and is easily one of my favorite books this year.

Essentially, witches are involved in turning the tide in WWII and work with both UK and German forces. When a spy infiltrates the Allied side, the main character--Lydia, realizes she needs to find a magical grimoire that has the power to win the war in order to keep it out of Axis hands. Along the way she meets Henry, an endearing character with a magical background, and Rebecca, who is not magical but has lots of grit.

I absolutely adored every second of this book. Without spoiling anything, the action kept me turning the pages and dutifully stressed the whole time as I needed to see what would happen next. Despite the nonstop action, the author also does an outstanding job fleshing out each character. She does not focus overwhelmingly on Lydia, the main character, but offers interesting back stories for each, prompting the reader to invest in both Henry and Rebecca as well.

What was especially unexpected for me is the way parental/familial relationships are portrayed, especially toward the end of the book. The reader sees hints of this theme throughout, but it is really a slow burn reveal until the last few chapters when the author explores the theme fully--which legit brought me to tears. I can only say that each character has a stake in the theme, and I would read this book again to see it all unravel at the end.

I loved this book so much, and I cannot wait to read more from this debut (wow!) author. I highly recommend this for anyone looking to read something unique in the fantasy genre.

Thank you so much to the publisher for letting me read the ARC early.

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the eARC!

I enjoyed this quite a bit. I liked the mixing of real history with fantasy. There was believable chemistry between the characters and the twists were believable, as well. There were a couple places it dragged a little, but that could be the reading slump I was already in from another book. Overall, I would definitely recommend this for any that enjoy magical realism and a well thought out plot.

4.0. I really enjoyed this debut novel. It’s like a mix of Practical Magic (by Alice Hoffman) and Raiders of the Lost Ark, and a combination of magic, fantasy and historical fiction. It is very entertaining and a good and easy read. A welcome change to the many complicated novels I’ve been reading of late. I thought the characters were generally well defined. I also enjoyed the historical context of WWII. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an advance copy in exchange for a candid and unbiased review.

Witches fighting Nazis and fighting FOR Nazis? Sign me up. This one is a wild ride for historical fantasy lovers. Lydia Polk is a British witch, thrilled to be chosen for the Royal Witches Academy. With World War II causing witches to choose sides all over Europe. Lydia's coven is shaken by murders from a treasonous group of witches working for the Nazis. Throw in the mix a fascinating museum curator who's determined to not let Nazi's take precious artifacts, and you have an adventure you might stay up all night to finish. The characters are so wonderfully complex and human, and the pulse pounding narrative will keep you up. Morgan Ryan is an author to watch!

Set against the backdrop of World War II, Lydia Polk goes on an adventure to try and keep the Witches of the Third Reich from retrieving an artifact that could help them end the war effort for good. Lydia's journey takes her on a path that she never thought she would go on, and contains many twists that we as the reader also don't see coming. This is a story of loyalty, betrayal, friendship, and good versus evil. While it is fantasy, the historical elements of the story make it something that I believe a historical fiction audience would also greatly enjoy. This was an enjoyable journey and I would recommend this book to others!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!
What’s better than a good historical fiction novel or a good witchy novel? Both! This was really excellent and I enjoyed it a lot, which is not surprising given that I enjoy these genres so much. Really cool spin on history with a new lens.

Much more than witches killing Nazis, Ryan creates a diverse and inclusive WWII historical fiction that we all need right now.

Highly recommend to anyone interested in the intersection of the occult, and not just "White Woman *magic*", and historical fiction.

Lydia Polk is a Projectionist at the Royal Academy of Witches in England when she gets drafted to help their Grand Mistress with the war effort. On her travels to locate a grimoire, so dark with magic in the wrong hands it could help the Nazis destroy humanity even worse than they've already done, she meets a French resistance fighter, Rebecca Gagne, and a Haitian-American art historian, Henry Boudreaux. Together they venture to find and destroy the book while coming to terms with their own secrets and heartbreaks.

An excellent debut! A Resistance of Witches tells the story of Lydia, a young witch who ends up fighting against Nazis in World War II. The fact that the synopsis was so different than your typical teenage witch or WWII book really drug me in, and good character development and writing kept me engaged until the end. The three main characters are likable, and the bad guys are easy to hate. I figured out a couple of key plot points way early, but that did not affect my enjoyment of the book. A couple of sections were scary enough to make me regret reading it before shutting off the lights! If you dig witchy books and WWII historical fiction, this one should be right up your alley.

Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group/Viking Penguin, and Morgan Ryan for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this story. I'm leaving this review with my honest opinion.

A witch on a mission. A war tearing the world apart. And a book that might destroy them all.
A Resistance of Witches blends historical fiction, magic, and found-family vibes into a story that kept me completely locked in from the start. Lydia Polk is stubborn, plain-spoken, and a little bit underestimated… and that’s what makes her such a compelling lead. While World War II looms over everything, the real battle here is between power and principle, tradition and rebellion.

The magical world Morgan Ryan crafts is richly imagined, with solid lore that adds weight to every magical encounter. And for a debut? Consider me impressed. The lore is tight, the tension is real, and the stakes feel high without ever getting lost in melodrama.

Lydia’s journey through occupied France had me holding my breath more than once. The addition of Rebecca, the gritty resistance fighter with secrets, and Henry, the charming art historian with a dash of magic, brought a perfect balance of grit, intellect, and heart. Their trio dynamic had depth and chemistry without overwhelming the plot, which I appreciated.

And the grimoire itself? Deliciously sinister. Think cursed-object energy turned up to eleven, and it refuses to be passive. This book has teeth.

If you like your historical fiction with a magical twist, female leads who don’t flinch from hard choices, and atmospheric worldbuilding that respects both the horror and heroism of wartime this one’s worth picking up. I'll be keeping an eye on Morgan Ryan, for sure.

“Show me a world that does not hate a powerful woman, and I'll show you a world without men.”

I don't know what's up with historical fiction lately, but this genre truly has my heart. I never thought it was my thing, but then R.F. Kuang wrote The Poppy War and completely transformed my soul. I suppose I'm officially a historical fantasy girlie now. So, I was incredibly grateful to Morgan Ryan, NetGalley, and Viking for giving me a chance to read the ARC of A Resistance of Witches. This book releases on July 15, 2025, and—I’ll get into why soon—but I highly recommend pre-ordering it!

A Resistance of Witches is a historical urban fantasy set just after the Blitz during WWII. The story follows Lydia Polk as she searches for the Grimorium Bellum, a magical book of destruction sought by a group of Nazi witches determined to swing the war in Hitler’s favor. Along the way, she teams up with French resistance fighter Rebecca Gagne and Haitian-American art historian Henry Bourdeaux to locate the book and, naturally, battle some Nazis. The cast is diverse, and although the supporting characters are well developed, their struggles remain clear, and the author doesn’t shy away from portraying them authentically.

“Henry glanced at his mirror, then away again. ‘In America, when you're a Black man, you're a boy. It doesn't matter how old, how educated. You're a boy until the day you die. 'Watch your mouth, boy. Don't get smart, boy.' He shrugged. ‘In France, I'm a man.’ ‘The Nazis don't see you as a man.’ ‘There are Nazis everywhere. They just go by different names.’”

The pacing at the start felt a bit clunky, but once it got going, I literally couldn’t put it down—it picks up fast! It gave me vibes reminiscent of Her Majesty's Royal Coven meets Ninth House. While technically categorized as young adult since Lydia is 19, her character felt genuinely complex. Her immaturity surfaces at times, but never in a way that annoyed me. I also loved the little romance sub plot, it was just enough to make me kick my feet a little but didn’t distract from the overall narrative.

The ending—I guessed parts of what would happen, but it still made me sob regardless.

“If I die, let it be with ‘La Marseillaise’ on my tongue.”

This is Morgan Ryan’s debut novel, and honestly, I was surprised to discover this because it does not read like a debut at all. It's a solid, fast-paced standalone novel (although tbh, I would love a Lydia Polk series). The themes feel especially relevant given today’s struggles—a poignant reminder of what happens when groups abandon ethics in pursuit of power.

Tiktok review scheduled but not yet published - will publish 6/7/2025

Genre-bending fantasy/historical fiction books are having a moment among my patrons. This one will appeal to them.

"As World War II rages around her, a witch abandoned by her coven must journey to find a book of unspeakable power before it lands in Nazi hands.

Stubborn, plain-spoken and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Witches. Now, with Hitler's army rampaging across Europe, the witches of Britain have joined the war effort, and Lydia is key to the cause: she must use her magic to track down magical relics before Hitler and his sycophants can. When a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences, the coven is left shaken, exposed and divided. The elder British witches have no interest in further loss of coven life in service of a government that has forced them into hiding for decades, no matter the consequences to the world. But with the discovery of the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book that leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever it goes, Lydia knows her mission has never been more urgent.

Alone and woefully outnumbered, Lydia makes her way to the heart of occupied France, where she finds allies in Rebecca Gagne - a fierce French resistance fighter chockful of secrets - and Henry Boudreaux - a handsome Haitian-American art historian with a little magic of his own. Together, they traverse the country, stalked by the natural and supernatural alike, in search of the grimoire. But, as Lydia soon discovers, finding the book is only half the battle - the Grimorium Bellum has a dark agenda all its own. Lydia must subdue it before the Witches of the Third Reich can use it - but she'll have to survive the book herself, first."

I usually avoid WWII fare, unless it involves the supernatural and in particular witches. Witches for the win!

Well, this book was perfect. I really love a properly done standalone fantasy. Don't get me wrong, I love that a series equals more of the story, but it also means that I will need to wait. Boo.

Lydia Polk, member of the Royal Academy of Witches, works with her fellow witches to track down and acquire magical artifacts before Hitler can find them. When an attack happens within the walls of the Royal Academy, the senior witches decide that it is not worth risking the lives of their own to protect a country who has always betrayed them. Lydia, however, goes against her coven to continue the quest to find the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient and dark spellbook, before the Nazi coven. As she works against unforeseen obstacles, she gains two unexpected allies, a resistance fighter and an art historian.

I'm so impressed that A Resistance of Witches is Morgan Ryan's debut book! It was incredibly well-crafted, answering all of my questions without leaving unnecessary loose ends. I loved the world she created (within a historical setting). I really enjoy the different ways that authors write magic and explain the rules of that world which Morgan Ryan totally nailed. Plus, it was a more academic setting mixed with a bit of household magic. I love both types of magical worlds, particularly academic, and mixing them made it all the better!

I couldn't put this one down and I can't wait to recommend it to everyone!

3.75 Stars

A favorite subgenre of mine is WWII France and I also love fantasy, so this book was really catered to my tastes.

The story follows Lydia - a projectionist witch - in her role among the Royal Academy Witches of Britain as they aim to stop the enemy German coven. Essentially, the outcome on the war depends on the dominating coven, so there is less integration of wartime than you would think. Where historical fiction usually integrates the war almost as if it's a character in itself, in this book it is really more of a backdrop. I think I would have liked to see more world-building/setting to help fuel the story and put some real weight behind the characters' motivations. Regardless, I enjoyed the story. It is packed full of spies, betrayals, and reveals (though vaguely predictable). The interpersonal relationships between the characters were decent, and I liked that the romance element was a true SUBplot- so much so that I would call this book teen/YA, not adult. The magic system in this book was also very unique in the way that witches are classified and powers manifested. It was definitely an entertaining read that captured and held my attention. I would recommend this to lovers of fantasy- especially lovers of witches and good action with a paranormal element.

Thank you Viking Penguin and Morgan Ryan for this ARC!

A captivating blend of mystery, magic, and Nazis, “A Resistance of Witches” follows a flawed protagonist navigating human relationships, dangerous ideologies, and power. This historical fantasy fiction weaves fascinating witchy magic with real World War II events, exploring Hitler’s obsession with the occult and the consequences of unchecked power. A timely debut read by Morgan Ryan.

I liked this book, though it wasn’t a difficult thing because fantasy and World War II are my two biggest obsessions in life.

The three lead characters are likable, and their personalities are very different from one another and together they make a good team. Lydia (the main character) is the best constructed of them all. We’re able to see all her faces and reasons, and her stubbornness is consistent throughout the whole book, but I didn’t like it too much when she kept silent when other people argued with her. She’s supposed to be brutally honest and plain-spoken, she could at least try to defend herself.

I also liked the magic system. It’s simple and easy to understand, and the fact that it’s not too complicated helps it to be consistent and avoid plot holes. The writing pace felt a bit rushed sometimes, though, especially near the end of the book, and it was pretty obvious who the traitor was, but it doesn’t make the story less likable.

Another thing the book put its focus on was grief, and I’m grateful for it. Since they’re at war, it was necessary and some books forget to mention that part. I would’ve liked it if the author had developed it more.

A pretty good story to be a debut novel. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25

I flew through this book, it was a gripping read and I'm pretty impressed this is the author's debut. I honestly wasn't expecting to be that engrossed, but I ended up not being able to stop reading! The book starts a little slow, but about 20% in things start to shake up and I was fully unable to look away. Loved the parts where the book gets kinda spooky. I wanted the author to lean into that and use the aspects of the occult even more.

Lydia and Evelyn were a very realistic and interesting pair of characters to read about. Lydia especially I thought was written well, I kept forgetting she was 19! I do wish that we spent more time getting to know Henry and Rebecca, Henry especially as I wasn't totally convinced on the relationship as it felt quite fast. I also thought Henry was just an extremely interesting character in general and would have loved more time with him and expanding upon him.

I also wish there was a bit more to the world-building, as it did feel a bit basic. But I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others. Kinda hoping the author will continue to delve into this world, I want a Henry sequel!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Viking Penguin for the arc!