Arc Review: Song of the Hell Witch - Taylor Hartley

4.5/5🌟

Pub Date: Sep 09 2025

Firstly I want to thank Aclove Press for allowing me to read this wonderful arc! ❤️

Song of the Hell Witch follows a once street rat turned duchess, Prudence Merriweather as she fights to protect her fragile social standing by hiding her forbidden dangerous magic. Until it betrays her, she is suddenly forced to flee Talonsbury. With nowhere else to go, she turns to her childhood friend and former love, Puck Reed, a reformed Thief Lord who is desperate to save his ailing daughter, Bea. Together, they journey towards Stormlash, a rumored haven for magical women and possibly have the key to curing Bea. Alongside old allies and new dangers, Pru and Puck must outrun deadly forces and face a rising evil that threatens their lives—and the fate of their homeland.

First of all, wow. This ARC was so well-polished, I honestly have no complaints. If anything, I just wish the novel were a bit longer so we could dive deeper into the world and the characters’ unique backstories! I’m usually not a fan of second-chance romance, but the tension and angst between Pru and Puck had me completely intrigued on their past. The world-building was rich and layered, and I loved how it reflected real-world issues especially the topics of misogyny and religion. Song of the Hell Witch struck a perfect balance between romance and action-packed fantasy, creating a space where women could feel empowered—especially within a patriarchal society—by turning perceived weakness into strength. I can’t wait for the second book!

This book blew away my expectations. It was incredibly written. The character development was magnificent. And, the plot had me hooked right away.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the gift of this ARC.
Song of the Hell Witch is a unique tale woven in a world where women are oppressed and radical religious zealots flourish. The story centers around Prudence, Puck and his daughter Beatrice. The magic system is unique and very intentional. Women transform into mythical witch shifters when they experience trauma in their lives, most often at the hands of men. Their magic is powered through song and the strength of feminine sisterhood.
There is strong representation of the queer community in this book. Also themes of feminism, feminine rage, found family, and second chance romance are explored.
I felt the aspect of romance was glossed over and secondary to the other themes in the book. Personally, for me the feminism bordered on misandry, which made the love story between Prudence and Puck just not believable.
However, the magic system was a joy to delve into, and I really enjoyed seeing the diversity of characters represented. The cast of women and queer characters was a refreshing mix and made it interesting enough that romance was not a requirement.
There are some pacing issues, and the story sometimes was hard to follow as it jumps from 3rd person to the internal monologue of different characters.
The author is clearly a passionate writer and articulates well. This is a 3.5 star read for me. The romance didn’t work for me, and the misandric tone was a bit too much. Had it just been a fantasy with the hell witch magic system I would have rated it a 4.

Absolutely nailed the feminist qualities of struggles during this time period while giving delicious romantic rekindled love. Also loved the representation for LGBTQ+ during a time period when it is historically isn't mentioned. I am looking forward to continuing this storyline

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Surprising, magical, and refreshingly original!

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up—but I ended up absolutely hooked.

It starts off with serious Bridgerton vibes (but with witches!), and quickly evolves into a rich fantasy quest. As the story unfolds, you dive deeper into Prudence’s past, and I found myself completely invested in her character. The magic system is complex, unique, and unlike anything I’ve read before—it really pulled me in.

The pacing felt spot on: a good balance of action, character development, and world-building. I loved meeting all the different kinds of witches—there are vampires, banshees, and more—and the levels and types of magic were fascinating.

There’s also a deeper layer touching on religion, gender power dynamics, and societal control, which added some real depth to the plot. Plus, I really appreciated the strong LGBTQ+ representation and the fact that this wasn’t a heteronormative world.

If you’re looking for fantasy with heart, rich world-building, and a fresh take on witches—this is one to try!

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged from start to finish and had some moments that really stood out. Overall, it offered an entertaining reading experience.

This was a well-written story about magic, romance, adventure.....and fighting the patriarchy. I love a good rebellion, especially in a male dominated society. Although that's not the absolute main focus on the story - that focus is Pru (and Puck)- it's a major part. This story about women embracing who they are, and taking down the man. All joking aside, I loved this book. It has everything you could want in a story and then some. I loved watching Pru be the B.A. she is, and I can't wait for the next book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Fierce, Lyrical, and Full of Heart

This debut blends romantic fantasy and feminist themes in a way that feels both fierce and emotionally rich. The world of Talonsbury is dark, atmospheric, and brimming with danger—especially for women like Prudence, who must hide their monstrous magic just to survive. Watching her shed that mask and reclaim her power was incredibly satisfying.

Pru and Puck’s dynamic is the heart of the story—two former street kids turned unlikely nobility and criminal, brought back together by necessity and old wounds. Their second-chance romance is slow-burning and layered, shaped by history, regret, and real stakes. And the bond between Puck and his daughter Bea adds a deeply touching emotional thread to the journey.

The magic system is unique and metaphorically powerful, especially in the way it challenges oppressive systems and highlights the cost of suppression. I also really appreciated the themes of resilience, chosen family, and the idea that healing—whether personal or magical—is messy and nonlinear.

The only reason this isn't a full five stars is the pacing—certain sections felt a bit drawn out, and the worldbuilding, while rich, occasionally slowed the momentum. But overall, this is a bold, beautifully written story that balances grit, heart, and hope in equal measure.

Highly recommended for fans of feminist fantasy, monster girls, and love stories that bloom in the ashes of ruin.

Not a fan. Definitely felt like a half-baked idea that is trying to capitalize on BookTok trends. I was hopeful based on the blurb, but everything felt underdeveloped and too trope-y. DNF.

3.5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book. The world building and magic system are easy to understand. A great romantasy. Looking forward to reading more. Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for ARC.

4 out of 5 stars.
I was captivated by the description & the mention of witches in the genres. And it did not disappoint me in the slightest.

The book grabbed my attention with its world-building and the circumstances surrounding the characters. I loved the vivid emotions and the detailed world within the story's pages. The relationships between the characters and the women in this book warmed my heart. Thank you for such an impressive story!

* Copy provided by Alcove Press via NetGalley & 100% voluntary review.

A story filled with feminine power and commentary on the impact of religion and blind faith in a fantasy setting, Song of the Hell Witch pulls you into an adventure that will make you question if the monsters we see are truly wicked in the inside. This has one of the most unique magic systems I've ever read. The fact that women who become traumatized because of something bad happening to them can transform into a creature of nightmares.

YESSSS! Just Yes! I love a dark feminist fantasy. The folklore is amazing. The feminine rage burns on the page. With how things are all over the world, for women currently, it speaks volumes. It’s so incredibly relevant.

A delightful gothic fantasy.

This author may become an insta buy for me!

Taylor Hartley deserves all of the internet’s attention right now with her debut novel, Song of the Hell Witch. All fantasy and romance enjoyers look no further because this is the perfect blend of the two. Prudence has spent her life as a poor girl, secretly a Hell Witch, a group of powerful women who transform into witches after traumatic events, and who are hunted by the religious men of their country, Leora. But finally, Prudence has married a rich man and become a duchess. She’s escaped her past, and Puck Reed— an old lover and friend. But when she accidentally kills her husband, she seeks Puck’s help in getting to a sanctuary for Hell Witches. Puck has a sick daughter, Beatrice, who’s haunted by hallucinations and fevers, and the Hell Witches might be able to fix Beatrice. They agree and together, with help from a gender-fluid hotel manager, Arcadie, a transgender woman, Mari, who’s only witch is to become a Hell Witch (which would prove to her that she’s a real woman), and Beatrice, who’s become mute during her sickness after her mother’s death, they travel to where the Hell Witches are while being hunted by Prudence’s brother-in-law and religious extremists. This book was the feminist fantasy book of my dreams with an amazing male protagonist Thief Lord who is more than happy to uplift the women in his life. This book needs to become as popular as humanly possible upon release day because I’m obsessed. I need the second one ASAP.

“More than anything, she was furious at every man who had ever penned a law or holy book or sentence aimed at shrinking a woman’s power, who made women believe they needed to make themselves small.”

There were strong elements to this book, didn’t quite deliver the pow I was hoping for.. Likable story and characters — still it was just a little too sweet and predictable for me completely fall in love with it.

I feel this book has a lot of promise but it was missing the mark for me. While its a really cool premise and covers a lot of important topics that are parallel to what we are seeing our society today, the overall plot felt disjointed. I was missing some of the character building and it seemed that new characters were being introduced and then fading quickly away without much explanation. The conflict while obvious didn't feel developed enough. I loved the diversity of the characters and the themes throughout.

gorgeously interesting and well-written romantasy with interesting style and very impressive character building. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Big thanks to Netgalley and Taylor Hartley for the eARC in exchange for a review.

This was an interesting take on the 'hidden power' troupe. It's known but also feared.
There is a sudden and forced reunion that ultimately ends in a cliff hanger.

Love it and will be looking for the second in the series!

5 stars

#IndigoEmployee

My Rating: 4 stars!

I love me some “fuck the patriarchy” witches.

First and foremost Mari there is nothing in this world you could do to make me hate you. I will love you until the day I die. Secondly I adore Pru and Puck, my beloveds. The book was a great read, and I loved all the world building and magic woven through the story, though I wish more information was given on the different kinds of hell witches and why certain ones become one or the other. I also found the ending to be almost too quick, I would have loved to explore more around then, draw it out a little. Still, I loved reading about these characters and can’t wait until the next one.

BUMBLE BETTER BE ALRIGHT DO YOU HEAR ME!!

Just finished Song of the Hell Witch and while it didn’t totally cast a spell on me, it had some real promise. The plot was cool and surprisingly fresh, with a dark magical edge and older main characters who actually got to be the stars instead of fading into the background. That alone earned some points. The writing felt a bit rough around the edges, like the author’s still finding their voice, but the bones of a great story are definitely there.

The book dives into themes of oppression, identity, and rebellion, which could’ve packed a punch, but instead felt a little too much like a speech. It’s not that the message wasn’t important, it just needed to blend more smoothly into the world instead of climbing up onto a soapbox. Still, I’m curious where the series goes from here. There’s enough potential bubbling under the surface to make me consider picking up book two.