Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I quite enjoyed this one, but at the end of the day I think I was just left wanting more. We really only have two main characters and most of the interactions and events that occur within the book are just between the two of them. I think having more characters in the mix could have helped with making the characters a bit less one dimensional at times. The romance in this seemed rather rushed as well and I didn’t quite buy them together.

Overall though, I had a good reading experience. If you’re looking for a book that’s based around the fall time then this one could definitely get added to your list.

"The day she dies is beautiful."⠀
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Witchlore⠀
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Witchlore by Emma Hinds is a unique fantasy set at a magical college that follows nonbinary shapeshifter Orlando in their search for closure after the unexpected death of their girlfriend. Lando is a deep character who struggles with depression and suicidal ideation as they try to come to terms with their unconventional magic. They shapeshift into many forms throughout the story and mature with each new change. Bastian is one of those characters that I have a love/hate relationship with. They seem very rude and selfish at times but they are also surprisingly kind too, especially when Lando is going through their shifts. I feel like they were a hard character to get to know but by the end of the story I was happy to see the two MCs together.

Wow! That was an incredible book that had so much more and characterization. I found the characters made you feel apart of the story.

Orlando aka Lando is a shapeshifter who changes genders that is attending an academy with witches after dealing with the tragedy of their girlfriend's untimely death. While navigating the aftermath of the fatal accident, Lando finds themselves ostracized for being a shapeshifter who doesn't have control of their abilities. When a new boy, Bastian joins their school with the promise to help Lando resurrect their girlfriend, they cannot help but feel a growing connection with him. This book covers sensitive topics like death, grief, suicide, and body dysmorphia.

The thing I love most is that Lando is not a perfect person. They have been through a lot of trauma their whole life from their parents, bullying from witches at school, feeling different from everyone else on top of feeling at fault for the death of their girlfriend. Because of all of this they do not have an easy going attitude, they are always ready for an argument and slow to open up to people. To me, this felt very realistic for someone with their history.

The world building and character development were strong however the magic in this world was under developed and more so talked about rather than used throughout the story. This is also a very character driven story as it relies on the evolution of the main character to push everything forward rather than a big detailed plot.

i received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity and this review will be honest

First of all, I missed the young adult tag on the book which is unfortunate as I am not a fan of YA novels. The simplistic world view and "after school special" plots tend to turn me off as an older adult. And i cannot say if this book would be appealing to the intended age group.

The protagonists are supposedly in the thier 3rd and 4th year of college, but have the emotional breadth and decision making abilities of a character of high school age or younger. There is a lot more infatuation than love. Self esteem issues, standing up to bullying, discovering one's identity (although sexuality is not at all brought up - the main character appears to have no preference for one sex over another and there doesn't seem to be more intimacy between the characters beyond touching and kissing.

This would be appropriate for preteens. For young people trying to understand gender as a construct - the MC is a shifter and changes from gender to gender so typically feels a sense of dysphoria.

There is a death early on that the MC is trying to come to terms with. The feel guilty and responsibility so the book does speak to some basic grief issues, and some gender/ self identity issues. Parents are absent or "not good people". Adults are nosy and the world is very insular, although it takes place in modern day Manchester. The MC do not react with anyone outside of their small circle of friends, family and acquaintances.

The writing is fine and the story itself holds together. I am left confused by what the author is trying to say about gender dysphoria. The characters are all queer and I do not know enough of queer theory to say whether the author is conveying a positive message of queerdom to young readers. The MC feel isolated and lonely but finds acceptance among their peers. It seems to be a mostly pro message and as a recommendation for young readers that are looking to explore their gender identity it seems to be a good choice.

The world the novel takes place in seems to hold together well, if you don't think too deeply about it.

I give this book an average rating of 2.75., which will round up to 3 stars on NetGalley.

I love the premise of Witchlore, but as a character-driven reader, I struggled to connect with the protagonist. Lando has difficulty forming and maintaining meaningful relationships, which the narrative attributes to being a shapeshifter and outcast. However, from my perspective, it's more due to Lando’s self-serving nature and complete disinterest in investing time or care into others unless there is a direct, obvious personal benefit.

The pacing started off slow, but picked up significantly in the second half. While I wouldn’t categorize this as a cozy fantasy, the early chapters have that kind of slower, slice-of-life rhythm which I love. By the second half, I was fully hooked and invested.

One of the standout strengths of the novel was the magical system. The way it was integrated into a modern context felt fresh and clever. There were no major flaws or inconsistencies; it’s clear the author put a lot of thought into the worldbuilding.
With a different MC, I would have loved this book. It might be someone else’s 5 star read, but also, not for me.

**This review is based on an e-ARC generously provided to me through Netgalley**

I don't think I really knew what to expect with this book, but I really, really enjoyed it. The banter is funny! The characters, especially Lander, are complex. The story moves fairly quickly, but I think it is appropriate for the genre. It brings big fall vibes and don't we all need that these days? Bastian was delightfully confirming throughout, and while there is some gender disconfirming bullying to be aware of, it pertains to the plot and I think does add to the characters' development. I've already recommended it to book club! Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions mine.

The only reason this book is a four stars is because as I was reading I found the start slow and it was only around 60% through it did I find it becoming truly incredible. This is a perfect read for any who wish for a slow burn romance with two teens grappling with grief. I promise that the ending is worth every second!

I really enjoyed this book! The premise and plot were both very interesting , and I was drawn into the story right away. There’s some shapeshifter, witches, mythical creatures. Also, the representation was excellent, and it also dived into some mental health topics. TW: suicide attempt (off the page).

The story follows Lando, a non-binary shapeshifter who is struggling to connect with their magic after the devastating loss of their girlfriend, Elisabeth. When they meet Bastian, a witch who tells them about a resurrection spell that could bring Elisabeth back, everything changes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm on the fence on this one. I really loved the vibe of Witchlore and the queer rep, but the pacing is what lost me.

3.5/5 stars

I received an ARC copy in exchange for a honest review.

Witchlore is a contemporary YA quest-style fantasy (with romance aspects). The worldbuilding and the magic system are both very well done and interesting. I really appreciated the references to queer and magical culture (like the main character being named Orlando after the Virginia Woolf novel).

I think, at its base, this novel is very YA. I think it would be best suited for a someone in their middle-teens (I am in my late teens), as the writing style reads a little young. I overall enjoyed the plot and the twists, but I wish they were a little more fleshed out/that we explored more of the character's motivations.

Speaking of characters - I enjoyed the relationship aspect of this novel but felt that the individual characters needed more to them. Lando, as a character, is a very interesting person, but not necessarily a person I enjoyed reading about. They are very angry and make some juvenile decisions that I found hard to understand beyond the purpose of moving the plot forward.

I think Witchlore is a book that would be great for a younger/middle-aged teen, especially as it covers a lot of tough topics in a respectful and well-fleshed out way. I think it would also be a great addition to a school library or teacher's classroom. I would love to see a sequel (either about Lando or different characters in the same universe), as I think this is something that could make a really good trilogy/duology.

Wonderful explanation of the world and set up straight from the beginning! This read draws you in with its bounce between seriousness and lightheartedness! We meet Lando our nonbinary shapeshifter, who is certain that everyone hates them due to something that has occurred.

This book is both filled with laughable moments, chemistry between characters, representation, and serious matters such as grief. A good weekend read if you are looking for something with a little bit of everything!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a story about Orlando, a non binary shapeshifter in a world of witches. Shifters can switch genders when they want, but Lando can’t seem to control it. The book starts with Orlando’s girlfriend’s death which they will eventually try to bring back to life with the help of a new witch in town, Bastian.

I liked the world in which this story is set and the representation. However, I could not stand the main character. They were so selfish all the damn time. I could not relate to them in the slightest and was dumbfounded that so many people seemed to be interested in a relationship with them. They only thought about their perspective and their life without ever thinking about the impact of their actions on others. It was infuriating to read.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I found it slow and a bit hard to get into at first but once you get into it is a good read. I really enjoyed the diversity and the overall story.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers!

Witchlore is a contemporary fantasy with outstanding rep. Be advised it deals with heavier subjects right out of the gate so CWs are important. While I enjoyed the concepts of the book, I struggled at times with the pacing and execution. It’s still a good read, especially for those interested in a contemporary fantasy with emotional depth.

Thanks you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is apt for fans of V.E. Schwab and Rainbow Rowell!

An unputdownable mystery , adventure with a dash of romance!

This was just what I was looking for.

A great blend of an amazing world building, paired with well fleshed out characters and a compelling storyline.

Fingers crossed this turns into a series as this has tons of scope!

Witchlore by H.E. Hinds is a poignant, magical, queer urban fantasy that follows Orlando, a nonbinary shifter grappling with grief, dysphoria, and the fallout from a tragic accident that killed their girlfriend, Elizabeth. When Bastian, a mysterious witch, offers to help resurrect Elizabeth, Lando hesitantly accepts—and begins to fall in love with him. Their bond, filled with witty banter and mutual healing, drives a beautifully layered story exploring love, loss, identity, and transformation.

Set in a richly built magical England, the book features an inventive magic system, diverse folklore creatures, and a society fraught with prejudice against shifters. It deftly weaves themes of trauma, queerness, mental health, and social injustice into a gripping narrative. With vivid sensory detail, nuanced characters, and a satisfying romance, Witchlore is a must-read for teens and adults who appreciate emotional depth and inclusive fantasy.

4.25 out of 5 stars

Witchlore had my interest immediately with the promise of a nonbinary shapeshifter MC in a world where witchcraft is an accepted facet of the world as I'm always looking to read more nonbinary rep in books, especially in an urban fantasy setting. This book may not have been perfect but I didn't want to put it down, reading through it in every spare moment I had (and moments I should have probably been doing other things).

I really enjoyed Lando as our main character; their struggles with gender as someone who didn't want to "settle" into a male or female form and who struggled to control the form they presented to the world given their uncontrollable shifts felt very real and relatable despite the fantasy setting. Unfortunately, a lot of the side characters felt pretty one dimensional but luckily the primary side character Bastian is decently fleshed out and it's nice seeing his relationship unfold with Lando over time. Bastian's magical heritage left me wanting to know so much more about the world that was unfortunately not relevant to the main plot so never got touched on above surface level mentions - a book from Bastian's POV would be interesting to read alongside more fleshed out world building of the overall magical society in place.

A couple of the main "reveals" felt so obvious from the get-go that I couldn't tell if they were actually meant to be part of the mystery or not but that didn't lessen my enjoyment too much as all the pieces fell into place by the final act. This could have been a 5 star read for me if the ending hadn't felt so conveniently wrapped up because the writing style and Lando's journey were definitely hits for me, as was Lando and Bastian's relationship and personal growth over the course of the novel.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eArc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have rather mixed feeling about this book. I loved the early book, learning the setting and the interesting and often heart-breaking situation our main character Lando is living through. They're not the most likable person, but they felt rather real, prickly because of the constant stresses and instability they've been living with. While at times difficult to read, I generally liked the handling of the main's bodily disphoria, particularly in such a hostile environment. While the world-building was not the most robust, I recognized that was not the author's focus, and while I would have loved to know more, it felt right for the general tenor of the book. Our romantic love interest, Bastian, felt more like a plot device that a real, sincere character in his own right, almost a caricature of the 'right person right place' needed to move the plot along. He was fine, but I didn't find myself particularly invested in their growth as a couple, primarily because our main didn't seem to be (but to be fair, they did have bigger, more pressing problems to deal with).

The middle/post-inciting incident portion of the book was where it began to lose me. While the motivation for the quest made sense for the characters, it was hard to root for them as it was clearly coming from a rather unhealthy place. The breadcrumbs we begin to be fed began to felt very predictable, and then the big twist-reveal occurs, and I felt I fully disconnected from the story. For a book about finding one's identity, the reveals of the past life seemed to cheapen it. Rather than leaning into "I'm who I have become", the main character is freed from the work of building identity into simple walking into a pre-existing one. It rather took away from the personal impact the story had for me: when it felt like there were no easy/real answers, the main was someone I identified and empathized with. When the main is presented a clear/easy solution, it felt oddly unfair and disconnected from relatable lived experiences. As such, I came away from this book grateful that Lando's finally free but also feeling emotionally hollow.

Overall, it was a light, fun-enough read, but it lacked some of the emotional development and resolution that would have really made it a great one. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me access to this work!

While reading Witchlore by Emma Hinds, I managed to take notes at exactly one point and from then on I was too hooked by the story to even think about writing anything down. So in this review, I have my notes at 16% of the way through, and then my full final review after finishing the entire book!

Notes at 16%: This is a very funny book! Really liking the narration so far, it feels fresh and unserious which is interesting compared to some of the more serious topics getting addressed. Bastian has extreme Orion energy (from A Deadly Education) and we’ve got a very grumpy/sunshine dynamic going on here. I hope Carl dies. The worldbuilding so far is interesting, and from the synopsis I thought the literal gender-fluidity from shapeshifting was just gender and Lando’s general features would be the same, kind of like Alex Fierro from Magnus Chase, but it seems like they take on a whole new face each time it happens.

Now that I’ve finished reading Witchlore, I can safely say I really enjoyed it! I didn’t stay up very late to read it because as I write this I’m recovering from a very mild sore throat and a general lack of sleep, but I did finish most of it on a peaceful Sunday morning in bed.

Witchlore follows Orlando, a young shapeshifter at Demdike College of Witchcraft in Manchester. They’re an outcast, since they’re the only shapeshifter there, and on top of that, they can’t control their magic to cast any spells, or even decide when they change forms. Not to mention that five months ago, Lando’s girlfriend Elizabeth died and everyone thinks they were the one who killed her. When Bastian shows up on the first day of classes, he befriends Lando when nobody else will talk to them aside to bully them, and they decide to work together to bring Elizabeth back from the dead.

First off: this is a funny book. The narration and dialogue are top-notch. I laughed out loud more than once, and the voice feels like an older and slightly darker Percy Jackson thanks to the wit and sarcasm from Lando. But it’s also a book about grief. The main plot is about bringing Lando’s girlfriend back to life, so obviously there are themes of loss and how you deal with it. In Lando’s case, when they feel so guilty about it and everyone thinks it was their fault to the point where they almost believe those people, it’s a lot to process and live with.

I really loved the dynamic between Lando and Bastian! Their banter and friendship were fun, and when they argued it felt real. I had a great time watching their relationship evolve and grow into something more. I said before in my notes and I’ll say it again now that I’ve finished: if you liked the grumpy/sunshine relationship of El and Orion in A Deadly Education, this book is for you.

I also felt the author did a good job of including enough worldbuilding for things to make sense, but it never got info-dumpy. Everything shared felt relevant. It was really nice to lose myself in a quaint British fantasy world full of magical creatures and spells without worrying about the author personally funding the erosion of rights for trans people.

The plot was good, though there were a few parts that I wish had been expanded on more, and some more time spent with other side characters that would have helped everything flow better, because it sometimes felt like there were a few people who had information that just never got revealed until the very end and it felt disconnected. There was a little bit of foreshadowing that I did pick up on, and I did manage to figure out a twist right before it happened, so it wasn’t like it was impossible to tell what was going on. One line in particular I picked up on, and spent the whole book wondering why the main character never thought about it again because it seemed important. Otherwise, I liked each of the little quests to collect spell ingredients and I felt like they made a good structure for the story to follow and for Lando and Bastian to get to know each other better.

Witchlore is advertised for fans of V.E. Schwab and Rainbow Rowell, and while I haven’t really read enough V.E. Schwab to totally get the comparison, the connection to Rowell’s Carry On series is clear to me. Both it and Witchlore are about characters who can’t control their powerful magic, and the similarity just in vibes is palpable.

Clearly just based on the length of my review, I had a great time reading Witchlore, and I can’t recommend it enough!