This was a great fantasy book! The magic system was very well written and well thought out. I loved this book so much and could not put it down.

Taylor Hartley has delivered a breath of fresh air to the genre with Song of the Hell Witch.

From page one, I was brought into a world that was built with care and didn't require 200 pages of world building. I didn't need a diagram to follow along with the politics and the magic system the witches possess, which allowed the story to build effortlessly.

Each character Hartley created was a joy to interact with. More importantly, I cared about what was happening to them. In a land filled with religious upheaval where women of all kinds are struggling to find their voices, their unique stories create a rich tapestry, woven together to fight the oppression of those trying to keep them down.

For fans of strong female characters, Pru is the truest embodiment of this that I've ever read. She doesn't get in her own way, and while there is a romantic subplot in this book, she isn't reliant on that as a major part of her character.

This was a quick read, and I'm dying to know what happens next. I highly recommend reading this book!

Join Pru as she fights her way to safety, rekindles her first love, and makes new friends. This book is full of emotion and adventure. I truly enjoyed it. All of the characters felt so real. Like they could be someone that I could meet in passing some day. It was beautifully written and emotionally twisty. I never really knew how to feel because there were so many emotions that felt necessary but they were all so conflicting.
I cannot wait for the rest of this series to find out what happens with Bea, Prudence, Puck, and everyone else.

Glorious writing - magic, strong female leads, action and romance. Hints of women’s fights for emancipation. I loved it, fantastic read highly recommended, Thank you to the author, surely there are more books coming? Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Song of the Hell Witch by Taylor Hartley is a dark, evocative fantasy that blends rich world-building with powerful social commentary. Set in a world where women with powerful magic are oppressed by a patriarchal society, the book offers a fresh perspective on the intersection of feminism and fantasy.

The protagonist, Prudence Merriweather, is a "hell witch" — a term used by the oppressive religious regime to label women who have endured trauma and now wield magical power. When her powers are exposed, she’s forced to flee with the help of her childhood friend and former love, Puck Reed—now a reluctant criminal trying to save his sick daughter. Their journey toward a rumoured magical haven, Stormlash, is fraught with danger, unspoken truths, and the rising threat of a dark force consuming their homeland.

The beauty of this novel lies not only in its atmospheric world, but also in how it reflects our current socio-political climate. The “hell witches” are essentially women trying to heal from past trauma and create a safer world for other women. Hartley’s exploration of these themes — the fine line between empowerment and destruction, the complexities of female relationships, and the impact of toxic masculinity — adds a depth to the story that will resonate with many readers.

Prudence’s journey alongside Puck is emotionally raw and deeply satisfying. The romance is beautifully intertwined with themes of power, sacrifice, and healing, while the action and adventure keep the story moving at a thrilling pace. There’s a strong feminist backbone to this narrative, particularly in the solidarity between women, and the emotional stakes of the characters are incredibly high.

With its complex characters, immersive magic system, and a relevant message about power dynamics and female empowerment, Song of the Hell Witch is a must-read for fans of feminist fantasy, morally complex characters, and stories that challenge societal norms.

Something that stood out to me with this, in the way it featured women empowering each other, was the solidarity shown between the women in the book in both small acts of kindness and big feats of bravery. The characters and story are solid with a good balance of romance and action and the whole theme of the power of women is strong. This book explores feminity, the dynamics of female relationships, toxic masculinity but also healthy masculinity and the both romantic and platonic love

Due to the traumatic experiences our main character has had, she is now considered a "hell witch" (a term coined by the religious weirdos/zealots/whatever you wanna call them of this fantasy world).

This was a really cool magic system/world/I'm not sure what to call that aspect of this book. But it also feels very relevant to what's going on in the world (especially the US) today. These "hell witches" are really just feminists trying to heal from past trauma and to make the world a better and safer place for women, and they happen to also be magical creatures. So if you liked feminism and magical creatures, this is a fantasy for you!

We get to see a lot of different things in this book that show how complicated life can be, dealing with past relationships, dealing with insecure and toxic men, power hungry individuals, and everybody trying to prove their point in whatever way they can. There are so many character arcs in this story that we follow in this book.

I did find this writing style to be a tad slow for my taste (but that is totally personal preference, so you may not care at all about that), but this was really cool to read. And I think it helps to educate about what is currently going on in the US without making it overwhelming since it is in a magical world and not here (easier to handle when you can separate yourself from it for a second while still knowing in the back of your mind).

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

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!