The setting: WWII, England. "...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 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.

PHEW.

Billed as historical fantasy--well, yes. But is it believable? [not for me, so, detraction]. I love the witch genre, but this didn't do it.

Add in Winston Churchill [!], Hitler of course--though he's in the background as the force of evil, and the resistance in the French countryside.

It took me a while to get in to the book, then I did, but also often disconnected [especially with the thankfully few "mush" moments". I'm all for suspending belief in storytelling, but...

I did enjoy descriptions of the various witches and their wardrobes [no connection intended]; it was quite a diverse group--and their appearances and talents were quite varied. I loved Lydia's mother, Evelyn--though not a major character, she warmed my heart.

Certainly original--a plus. And a few twists helped, but...

Second debut novel in a row!

In the distinct minority.

📖 ARC Review 📖

It’s the 1940s, and the world is at war. Lydia Polk has caught glimpses of the horrors wrought by the Nazis, but thanks to her magical academy, she has mostly remained safe, hidden from the chaos consuming the outside world.

That all changes when the Grand Mistress pledges the academy’s aid in the fight. To make matters worse, she learns that Hitler has formed his own coven of witches and they’re hunting a powerful book capable of unimaginable destruction.

Now tasked with finding the book before the Nazis can claim it, Lydia must risk everything to keep it out of enemy hands.

Packed with witchcraft, voodoo, ghosts, and Resistance fighters, this novel starts slow but builds to a thrilling crescendo. If you love magical realism, alternate history, and a bit of witchy chaos, this spellbinding adventure belongs at the very top of your TBR. 5 STARS!

What I loved:
✨ The time period! Choosing to set this book during WWII was a bold move and I feel it really paid off. It added to the suspense without having to elaborate much. We can all imagine how devastating the consequences would be if the Nazi witches took control.

✨ The plot! There were a few slow points. However, no sooner than that thought would cross my mind, the author would throw me some new fascinating detail and hook me again. What I was given was a slowly revealed, beautiful layered plot that led up to an epic finish.

✨ The character development! I have to give major credit here for making me FEEL for these characters. It wasn’t right off the bat but by the end of the book their pain was my pain and I was in tears. So well and cleverly done. 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

✨ The action! Just when I thought this book wasn’t going to go very hard…we went there. We got some bloody good scenes in here y’all and I was HERE for it!

What I didn’t love:
✨ Nothing. This is one of those beautiful books that erased any minor grumble I had with it by the end. My mind is absolutely blown that this is a debut novel and I have to say I may have just found my next auto buy author.

Thank you NetGalley and Viking Penguin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! I absolutely LOVED it!

Holy wow. I cannot believe this is a debut novel.

The description of a fantasy/historical fiction crossover is not enough. This book has everything. Witches/warlocks? Check. Ghosts? Check. Magic? Check. Strong minory voices? Check. Queer side story? Check. Beautiful mother-daughter relationship? Check. New Orleans, France, and London? Check.

I have a love/hate relationship with YA fantasy. I usually hate the MC, poisioned with tropes, and the fact I have to slog through 700 pages to find the story and its characters loveable or hateable. This novel takes off with a BANG. Literally. It goes from Harry Potter to Inglorious Basterds in just a couple chapters. You immediately find yourself rooting and cursing characters, and you have to keep reading to find out more. I smiled, I laughed, I cried. I wish this book wasn’t the end of the story, but it was a pleasure to consume nonetheless.

Give me witches fighting Nazis and I will immediately pick up a book. Giving this a 4 out of 5 stars.

In the vein of Juno Dawson's "Her Majesty's Royal Coven," this story imagines a world where witches have been integrated into society but keeps their identities hidden from the public. Taking place during the height of WW2, this story ALSO plays into the real history that is Hitler's fascination with the occult to really weave the history and the fantasy of this story together.

The main characters are well fleshed out, and most readers will be able to easily identify who the culprit of the story is, but I could easily see this series expanded to cover different decades and different historical figures who tried to take advantage of occult rumors.

The Grand Mistress of Britain’s witches has decided that they will join the war effort, after centuries of hiding to avoid mobs and inquisitions. As much as her apprentice, Lydia Polk, loves fighting back against the Third Reich and their small coven, not everyone is on board. Morgan Ryan’s entertaining new novel, A Resistance of Witches, takes us into Lydia’s most challenging and dangerous fight yet.

Lydia’s witchy abilities make her a valuable asset in her Grand Mistress’s arsenal; she can undetectably project herself hundreds of miles away from her body. She can hear all kinds of secrets and, most importantly for the witches of Britain, track down magical artifacts and books that cannot fall into Nazi hands. The Nazis are deadly enough as it is. Once Lydia finds something, a witch with the ability to travel in person retrieves it. That’s how things usually go, until one terrible night when an imposter turns up in the place of the British Traveler and kills the Grand Mistress. The book the British witches were supposed to find goes missing.

All of that happens in just a couple of chapters into A Resistance of Witches, and the pace never lets up. Even as Lydia tries to shake off her grief at her mentor’s murder, she dives back into the fight. The book that could destroy everyone has to be destroyed or at least taken somewhere where the Nazis can’t get it. Thankfully, Lydia isn’t alone. Rebecca Gange, a fierce French resistance fighter, and Henry Boudreaux, a Black American curator in France, join the fight once Lydia pulls them into her secret, magical war.

In addition to the rip-roaring plotting, I very much appreciated Ryan’s originality and character work. The witches in this world do more than create potions or hex people (though there is plenty of both). There are also other magics out there that even the dedicated Lydia doesn’t know about. With the glut of witchy books coming out, it’s refreshing to see someone doing something different. This book also has excellent character development, especially for Lydia, as Ryan is not afraid to run her characters through the wringer. Lydia, Rebecca, and Henry are tested with their greatest fears, betrayals, and death throughout the book.

A compelling blend of historical fiction and dark magic, this novel delivers a gripping story set against the backdrop of WWII, with a heroine you can truly root for. Lydia Polk is smart, stubborn, and unexpectedly powerful—exactly the kind of protagonist I love.

The wartime setting is richly drawn, and the plot moves with real momentum, mixing magical intrigue with real-world stakes. While I do wish the magical elements had been explored just a bit more deeply, what’s here is engaging and imaginative.

For fans of alternate history, magical realism, and strong female leads, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

I haven't finished reading this yet but am loving it! Such a different take on the usual WWII novel.

I really wanted to love this book. On paper, I think it's a fantastic concept, but I found both the character development and the world building to be a bit lacking. The action scenes and chase sequences were well done, but I often felt like we were always running through a forest when I really wanted to sit with the characters and the moral quandaries this book raised a bit more. There were also so few characters that lasted very long that the grand reveal of the traitor was a bit easy to predict merely by process of elimination. I'm sure this will find readers in the historical fantasy space, but I just wasn't the right fit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I really didn’t know how many stars to give this. I read it very quickly, which means it engaged me and I wanted to know how it ended … but it was also way darker than I anticipated … but some readers might like that?!?

I loved the concept (witches helping England fight the Nazis) but I wanted to know more about their magical world. (As an aside - I’ve loved witches who fight Nazis since I saw Bedknobs and Broomsticks as a child.). And the mission these witches were on was very specific one time thing; I was hoping for a more comprehensive witch involvement plan.

So, I liked it but wanted more magic and less violence. 3.5 stars.

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.