Song of the Hell Witch by Taylor Hartley is a beautifully written dark fantasy that stands out for its lyrical prose and bold storytelling. The world Hartley has built is rich with eerie atmosphere and folklore-inspired magic, pulling readers into a realm that feels both otherworldly and deeply human.

The main character is fierce, flawed, and unforgettable—her journey is one of pain, power, and hard-won growth. I especially loved how the book explores themes of rage, revenge, and the fine line between salvation and destruction. Hartley doesn’t shy away from the gritty or the raw, and it adds a real emotional weight to the story.

A dark, evocative debut that’s perfect for fans of gothic fantasy and morally complex heroines.

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the ARC.

Fantasy novels have a special way of sweeping readers off their feet and transporting them into entirely new worlds — places where dragons soar, magic pulses through ancient forests, and heroes rise from the most unlikely places. This book is no exception. Rich in imagination and brimming with heart, it delivers an unforgettable tale that blends high-stakes adventure with deeply personal storytelling.

The world-building is one of the novel’s strongest assets. From the first page, readers are immersed in a universe that feels both vast and intimate.

thank you to alcove press for the arc!

i didn’t realize this was going to be the beginning of a series, but that made the ending so much better.

i came for the second chance romance and stayed for the monstrous women. pru and puck felt so real that sometimes the side characters didn’t seem as well fleshed out as the others. i’d like to see more of some of our side characters’ personalities in the next book.

the writing was fantastic, once the story got going, the book was difficult to put down. i will say that the beginning felt a tad like info dumping but the rate that information was shared at slowed down as the story progressed. i liked that we didn’t know everything about this world because pru didn’t and i look forward to learning more in the next book.

this was a lot more gritty and dark than i expected but i liked that it didn’t brush over the harsh reality of being a woman. i would like to see more of their society in the next book.

all in all, this was a really good setup to what could be an amazing series. i’m excited to see where it goes and hope in the next books to dig a little seeping into the world and the characters.

Song of the Hell Witch is a fantastic debut novel!

I really loved the main characters, with Pru being an amazingly strong FMC whose motivations and decisions greatly impacted the course of the book and felt very reasonable given the context. I loved Puck's relationship with his daughter, Bea, and the self-sacrifices he was willing to make in order to keep her safe. While there were some moments where the romance felt a bit out of place given their ages, it overall was super sweet and a great second chance romance!

The aspect of the book that I loved the most was the idea of the religious backlash against women such as Pru who were viewed by society as being hellwitches and evil. I definitely felt the similarity to real-world events that have occurred and the allusions to real life. The prosecution of anyone who seemed different, under the guise of religious duty, hit hard.

There was a really interesting magical system as well as a societal one and I felt as though the portrayal of high society was fun and intriguing. All in all, I really enjoyed this novel and will be keeping an eye out for future books written by Taylor Hartley.

I recently had the opportunity to read an advance reader copy (ARC) of Song of the Hell Witch by Taylor Hartley, and it was an enthralling experience. The novel masterfully intertwines themes of magic, empowerment, and redemption within a richly constructed fantasy world.

The story follows Pru, a Hell Witch—a woman endowed with formidable magical abilities that transform her into a powerful vultress. Having left behind a life of thievery, Pru attempts to navigate the complexities of noble society. However, an unexpected tragedy thrusts her and her loved ones into a maelstrom of danger and uncertainty. Hartley’s portrayal of Pru is both compelling and relatable, capturing her internal struggles and resilience with depth and authenticity. 

The novel’s pacing is brisk, seamlessly balancing action-packed sequences with moments of introspection. Hartley’s prose is both evocative and sharp, painting vivid images of the fantastical world and its inhabitants. The plot twists are unpredictable, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover what lies ahead.

In summary, Song of the Hell Witch is a standout debut that delves into complex relationships and moral dilemmas against a backdrop of mythic grandeur. Its intricate world-building, compelling characters, and gripping storyline make it a must-read. I wholeheartedly recommend it to fans of epic fantasy and those seeking a story that will linger in their thoughts long after the final page.

This book had so many things I adore: inclusivity, magic, love, character development, and female assassins!

We follow women who have been transformed through traumatic events into what religious zealots would call “hell witches”, which in reality are vampires, gorgons, banshees, etc.. healing their past pains and using their newfound strengths to keep communities of women safe.

On the other side, there are the religious fanatics who are creepy as hell, hypocritical, and misogynistic - very realistic! One villain in particular goes to show how toxic male insecurities can be, leading to a hunger for power in order to prove themselves and a desire to hurt anyone who gets in their way. They are hell-bent on making examples out of these women, especially our scrappy FMC, Prudence. Pru has to flee her lavish and boring life as Duchess of Talonsbury, face her past mistakes with former-love Puck, find a cure for his sick child, and locate the Ladies of Leora. It’s an exciting adventure with a lot of danger and a side of second-chance romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free eARC. I will definitely keep an eye out for book two when it’s out. I would agree that this author is an excellent choice for readers who love Hannah Whitten or Rachel Gillig’s works.

I enjoyed the concept of the Hellwitches, i.e how they were awakened, the types of Hellwitch dependent on her circumstances and the connection through the Witches were great elements of this novel. I would have loved to see the Bea's experience amped up.

I really struggled with the Romance for this one, for older characters they felt excitedly immature in their fights and means of communication.
While I do enjoy flawed characters and have been begging for a protagonist that puts themselves first (i.e not your general self-sacrificing Mary-Sue) Pru kind of takes a swing at appearing this way and then turns out to be generally self-sacrificing.
I really didn't enjoy Pru's offhand comments about Pucks dead wife, and comments on their relationship, the fact Puck didn't call her out was also kind of meh.

Enjoyed the plot line with Paris and Hale, it was a well portrayed group of Zealots and their wave of misinformation and spreading extremism hit the right notes.

I had the absolute pleasure of diving into an ARC of Song of the Hell Witch, and wow—what a ride. From the very first page, the world-building pulled me in with ease, and the story unfolded with a seamless, lyrical flow that made it impossible to put down.

The concept of the “Hell witches” is both fierce and beautifully crafted. The reason behind their transformation and how these women come together is written with such poetic intensity—it gave me chills.

This book is the perfect blend of fantasy, second chance romance, empowerment, and redemption. Not once did it drag; every chapter felt purposeful and immersive.

Pru and Puck, the main duo, have a magnetic dynamic, and the supporting cast? Each one felt fully realized, adding richness and depth to the journey.

At its core, Song of the Hell Witch is a powerful tale about women rising up, uniting against those who fear their strength and seek to diminish them.

I’m already counting down the days for the next installment—can’t wait to see where Taylor takes Pru and Puck next!

Strong women powerful with magic! I love when womens stories are told in such an empowering way. This book is everything we need right now. Honestly, take notes on the defiance and attitudes to use in our own lives. When is book 2 coming?!

Pru is a Hell Witch — a woman with fierce magical powers that transform her into a formidable vultress. After leaving behind a life of thievery, she attempts to embrace the world of nobility. But despite her efforts, something still feels missing.
When an unexpected tragedy strikes, Pru and her loved ones are thrown into a whirlwind of danger and uncertainty. Love, longing, and the resilience of women shine throughout this gripping tale. The dramatic ending left me reeling — I didn’t see it coming! I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment to see where the saga leads.

This right here is a friken masterpiece. The characters, the rekindling. The connection???? Are you kidding me. And don’t even get me started on the empowerment. Take my money and give me ten of them.

I was drawn in by the blurb promising the rekindling of an old romance, light fantasy and women empowered by magic.
I found what I was looking for and more.

The story is solid, and makes for a great first instalment in a series, with a convincing romance, lot of action and a light but vivid world building.
The cast of characters is really interesting and I found the main characters well developed and complex enough to make them interesting beyond their relationship.

But maybe most of all, I found the depiction of a society's war on women scaring in its realness, with the deep hope that comes with the courage to fight back. The solidarity depicted between the women in the books, in small acts of kindness or grand gestures of bravery, is a tale that is needed now more than ever.
I can't wait for the next book.

Thank you Alcove Press for this ARC, I had a great time!