I really enjoyed Roots & Wrath. The story felt fresh, unique, and genuinely intriguing from the very beginning. Wenstrom creates a world that pulls you in, and the plot maintains a strong sense of momentum throughout. The twists and turns of the thriller were exciting and kept me on my seat.

The characters were a standout for me. Each one felt fully fleshed out, with believable motivations and emotional depth. I especially appreciated how realistically the book handled themes like PTSD & themes of guilt. — it was woven into the characters’ experiences in a way that felt authentic and meaningful, without ever overwhelming the rest of the narrative. The group dynamic was gripping, and I found myself invested in how their relationships evolved.

The only area that occasionally pulled me out of the story was the magic system. At times it felt slightly over‑detailed, and I found it a bit hard to follow in places. Similarly, the shifts between past and present, as well as between different character perspectives, could be a little confusing at first.

Overall, though, this was a very strong and engaging read. The originality of the story, the depth of the characters, and the emotional realism made it a memorable book, and I’m glad I picked it up.

(Full disclosure--I liked this book so much that I blurbed it!)

Roots & Wrath pulls you in from chapter 1 and doesn't let go until that VERY LAST SCENE. Messy friendships. Witchcraft. A bloodthirsty oak. A secret that can't be outrun. And one character who will do anything to come out on top...even kill. (But who is it?) This was an easy five star read for me!

Really fun book. Hope to see more from this author. It’s very rare that a horror book has me on the edge of my seat like this. It didn’t disappoint.

I received this as an ARC copy. I really enjoyed it. I read in a day. It said it was like yellowjackets meets the craft. I think it is similar to Grady hendrix books too. I think it was a fun little read. It's about teens who go to a witch academy. Something happens to one of their friends and they can't get past it. But the death of their mentor forces them back together. But then they start dying off and they have to figure out which one of them is killing the others. Each character narrates ... It goes from then to now so you get their back stories. I think it was very well written. The end was kinda meh but it was still a fun read.

3/5 stars.

this was a fun read. i liked the main cast, how their personalities differed so much while having the exact same aspiration, how fleshed out their characters were, and especially how morally grey they were. it's refreshing to pick up a book about female characters who aren't typical mary sues. they were all so diverse and interesting. my favorites were definitely alicia and isa, though everyn is close behind.

that being said, i found the magic system presented in this book quite confusing. it feels like the reader isn't really introduced to, or given an explanation, of the power system, but rather expected to have some level of understanding about it. personally, i struggled to grasp how the magic system worked, and i often felt like i was missing context.

i do want to highlight that this is only the second witch-themed book i've picked up. maybe i'm not used to the typical terminology used in the witchy genre. maybe those who often read witchy fantasy would have an easier time understanding it. either way, i personally found it a bit complicated to follow. my confusion did prevent me from connecting with the story as much as i wanted to.

still a solid read despite that.

i would also like to add that i did not feel bad for the rat even once. #shehaditcoming

This was a really fun book to read!
Once I’d read through the introduction and got into the story I was totally hooked. The twists and turns were great and I didn’t find it predictable so it kept me fully engaged throughout.

I particularly enjoyed the characters and how well written they were. It was great to see from different perspectives and I felt genuinely attached to the characters which isn’t always easy to achieve.
The book dealt with some more heavy and adult themes excellently and really gave depth to the characters.

I did find the magic system confusing at times, but overall it was a fun and very engaging read - looking forward to seeing more from this author!

Once I got through the first chapter or two, this story had its hooks in me so deep I spent every second possible reading it as quickly as I could!

The magic system is a little unclear. I wish the connection to fire and their lighters had been explained clearly, because that definitely confused me at first. The spells themselves seemed somewhat straight forward, but the counter spells didn't make much sense to me. Especially towards the end.

What really drove this book was the characters. I love a book from multiple perspectives and with multiple timelines, so this was perfect for me. All of the characters are deeply realistic and flawed, no Mary Sue energy here. Each one is so well fleshed out and while they all have somewhat similar motivations, they're all wholly unique characters that stand out on their own.

The complex themes of things luke grief, regret, power hunger, manipulation, and PTSD were all handled really well. They flowed along with the story and were deeply relatable and realistic without being preachy or overdone.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC!

WOW. i was immediately drawn to this book with the promise of witches, and man was i HOOKED FAST. without spoiling think, harry potter meets pretty little liars meets thriller/horror/mystery. this book was truly special and i don’t think i have ever read anything like it. while i don’t think it was exactly a horror novel i still loved the way that a fantasy world was intertwined with drama and mystery/thriller vibes. i was literally guessing what was gonna happen up until the last chapter. i loved the crew of girls and their diversity. i also LOVE a book with past and present chapters so that was a huge bonus. highly recommend this to anyone who is obsessed with the prior mentioned genres and themes. i will be placing a pre order for the physical copy immediately and cannot wait to see what else this author publishes in the future! thank you to both netgalley and E.J. Wenstrom for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC 🖤

roots & wrath was such a unique blend of fantasy, horror, and dark folklore. from the very beginning, there was an atmosphere of unease woven throughout the story that kept me invested. the world felt alive in a way that was both beautiful and unsettling, and i found myself completely drawn into its mysteries.

what stood out to me most was the way the story explored power, survival, and the complicated relationship between humanity and the natural world. there is a constant tension running beneath the surface, and i appreciated how the narrative wasn't afraid to sit with difficult questions about sacrifice, responsibility, and the consequences of our choices.

i also really enjoyed the pacing. the story steadily builds, revealing new layers of the world and its characters without feeling rushed. every revelation felt earned, and i found myself wanting to know more about both the history of the world and the forces shaping it.

overall, this was an immersive and thought-provoking read. if you enjoy fantasy that leans dark, embraces folklore and horror elements, and isn't afraid to explore complex themes, i would definitely recommend picking this one up.

3,5⭐

It took me a little bit to get into the story but once I did it went very well. The writing was simple but enjoyable; besides wishing the magic system was better developed, the author knew how to use and explore the characters very well and the constant switch between pov's and past and present worked in favor of the narrative. Not one thing was black and white here and that works really well with the horror genre.

Thank you to Netgalley and E. J. Wenstrom for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Roots & Wrath is a hauntingly gorgeous fantasy horror that will make you look twice at the shadows in the trees. It’s a perfect, deeply atmospheric page-turner for readers who want their magic systems to come with a heavy dose of terror.
​Read if you love: Folk horror, sentient forests, dark fantasy quests, body horror elements, and stories where humanity is at the mercy of ancient, cosmic nature.

I really enjoyed this book and I think this story has so much potential. The author took on a lot with all the different viewpoints and timelines and I see why she did that. I got nervous that things wouldn't be tied up by the end, but they were. I didn't really get the whole significance of the tree being the culprit at the end. I really thought it was going to be one of the characters who was responsible for everything. Also, this book has quite a few typos. In a few places, the correct dialogue tag isn't used. It didn't change my opinion of the book, but just something to note before publication.

Thank you for the ARC

A dark, atmospheric fantasy filled with mystery, magic, and long-buried secrets. The story expertly weaves together past and present as five witches are forced to reunite after nearly two decades, confronting the tragic ritual that changed their lives forever. With compelling characters, strong themes of friendship and betrayal, and a haunting magical backdrop, this is an engaging read that keeps you guessing until the very end. Perfect for fans of witchy fiction and suspenseful fantasy.

Six young witches hungry to achieve remarkable things…until they performed a clandestine ritual in the dark wood. Only five witches returned. The secret they buried beneath a hungry great oak split them apart forever. First I would like to say that I fortunate enough to have a arc copy of the book but my review is mine and 100% honest! When I first picked up the book I was obsessed with it but then I'm not sure what happened whether it was my mood or something in the story changed but it didn't feel like a 5⭐️ rating anymore but I still really enjoyed the book I just wish we had more explanation on the magic and how it works and what are the basic spells etc and had more actual class scenes but I also understand why they weren't included but I do feel as though it would've given the book more content and upped my rating up. Also I didn't particularly like the ending with them having the child when there was a father in the picture that got killed off for no reason at all he could've not died and lived with the child alone and the plot would've still been the same. My rating for this book in the end was a 4.5⭐️.

I support women's rights and wrongs. And oh boy was there a lot of that throughout this book!

Six young witches who meet and bond at a hidden magical academy are chosen together to achieve great and powerful things. But the power starts to get to their heads and only five live to grow old. Years later, they are reunited at the death of their professor and they are forced to carry on her studies and work, unless they are willing to break their magical pentam bonds. We find out who is willing to turn their backs on the other witches, spill secrets, and even kill to get rid of their clandestine past.

I found the book to be very Pretty Little Liars meets Yellowjackets in the theme, atmosphere, and characters. Also reminded me a bit of the dark comedy-horror and morally grey characters of Rachel Harrison's stories. I didn't get a whole lot of the horror/terror feeling, but the magical dark atmosphere was really well done.

I really enjoyed the chapter and timeline setup and how it swapped between "now" and "then"; it flowed really nicely (once you read it you'll see how). I absolutely loved the beginning and the middle, and the end initially wasn't my favorite but then BAM there was a little wholesome moment that I thought really tied everything together. I even told my partner how much I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you to E. J. Wenstrom and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had a good time with this one. The atmosphere was easily my favorite part; it leans into that dark fantasy/folk horror vibe without feeling like it’s trying too hard. The mystery kept me reading, and I liked that the characters all had some baggage instead of being straightforward heroes. A few parts dragged a bit for me, especially when the lore got a little dense, but overall I enjoyed the ride. If you like fantasy that’s a little creepy and a little weird, this is definitely worth checking out.

This novel hooked me from the start with the premise of five young women/witches get called back to their old school to attend the funeral of their former mentor. From the start it is clear that these women were close as students but have taken very different life paths and it quickly becomes apparent that something mysterious and terrible happened while they were in school.

The characters were all very different but united by shared ambition and a desire for power. The two storylines -- past and present -- provide a satisfying slow reveal of the central mystery and provide fascinating context for the characters' motivation. I really loved the spooky atmosphere and the focus on the dynamics between the main characters and how they change over time. Wenstrom does a great job crafting a truly scary story that explores women's relationships and how the desire for power can become all-consuming.

Thank you Netgalley and E.J. Wenstrom for this advanced reader copy.

If there's witches, sign me up!
I liked how all the characters were different but somehow united by shared ambition. The fact that they all had some kind of history, made everything even more interesting. No predictable hero. It somehow reminded me of Pretty Little Liars and I loved for it! On the other side, it wasn't as horror as I thought it'll be.
I enjoyed the swap of timeline between the present and the past. If you've loved yellowjackets, you'll definitely love this book!
Definitely a unique story, with complex themes that were handled really well by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This fantasy captivated me from the very first chapter. The world-building is rich without becoming overwhelming, and the characters are wonderfully complex. The story balances action, emotion, and mystery beautifully, making it one of my favorite fantasy reads in quite some time.

*Roots & Wrath* was an immersive fantasy that immediately pulled me into its world. From the very beginning, there was a sense that something much bigger was unfolding beneath the surface, and I enjoyed slowly uncovering its mysteries alongside the characters.

One of the highlights for me was the atmosphere. The author created a setting that felt vivid and full of history, making it easy to imagine every scene. I also appreciated that the story balanced action with quieter moments that allowed the characters to grow and the relationships to develop naturally.

The writing was engaging and flowed well, making it easy to stay invested throughout. While there were a few moments where I wished certain scenes had lasted a little longer, the emotional core of the story kept me turning the pages.

Overall, *Roots & Wrath* is a compelling fantasy filled with rich world-building, memorable characters, and a story that leaves you wanting to explore even more of its world. I'd definitely be interested in reading more from E.J. Wenstrom.

Wasn't bad but honestly could do with 100 pages less.
Otherwise story was interesting but magic system weird made little sense.

I like the idea of this book in theory. I loved that it was billed as dark fantasy horror, Mean Girls esque, and I am always going to be drawn to witches. I think this would work very well for people who are plot driven who like a mystery element to their books and enjoy jumping around in a timeline and between characters.

The reasons I listed as to why someone else might like a book is why ultimately this novel was not for me. I am first and foremost a character driven reader. I don't need to necessarily like the characters that I am reading about but I do need to feel something about them, whether that is love, hatred, obsession, humor, etc. I didn't really feel anything towards our characters, even as the story developed and it was hinted at how the characters had their falling out. I also did not love jumping between characters AND the past and the present. I think it is difficult to execute both and I think Wenstrom did a nice jump but every time the POV would jump or the time period would jump, I was removed from the story.

These are ultimately me problems and I do think this book would work for other people, it just did not work for me too well. This did however make me want to dive into Wenstrom's backlist!

This book hooks you in, keeps you, and is over before you know it. It really is Mean girls meets The Craft, which is an impressive feat to pull off - I look forward to more from Wenstrom.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars.

The Yellowjackets meets The Craft tag for this book really hit the nail on the head; those were the exact vibes I got reading this!

I really enjoyed the book and I think the way the timelines and perspectives were handled unravelled the plot at just the right pace. I really didn't expect where we ended up but I loved it.

Also so glad that we started the book with Berriman's death because I haven't had such a strong dislike for a character in a long time. The way she manipulated those girls was horrible.

Just to note, there were quite a few typos throughout, and also some pronoun confusion during the Isa/Sybil sections towards the end (sometimes Sybil was referred to as they).

Such a breath of fresh spin when it comes to academia in the writing - I enjoyed this way more than I anticipated. The magic was slightly harder for me to follow at times but it was a great read otherwise

Love the concept at times I was looking for more of a back story the two time lines were a good idea

Roots & Wrath has a great premise with its dark, messy witchy dynamics. But, the constant timeline-hopping and chaotic friendships made the plot feel super muddled. On top of that, the use of "they/them" pronouns for Isa kept breaking the narrative flow for me because it often read like a plural reference instead of a singular one. I love dark fantasy and supernatural thrillers, but I wasn't as immersed as I had hoped.

Thanks to NetGalley, for the chance to review the audiobook and I give my review voluntarily.

This was a unique and interesting story which was well written and easy to become immersed in. I found myself caught up on the characters’ journey and often found it difficult to put down.

The time jumps were executed well and really supported the plot and my understanding of the characters. It was well paced but I did find it quite repetitive in places, especially towards the end.

I liked the magic system, although it wasn’t super clear how it worked sometimes - I didn’t really understand the reference to the lighters.

Overall a nice read and would be keen to read more by this author!

Thank you to netgalley & publishers for this arc!

Roots & Wrath is a dark fantasy novel that follows a group of witches (friends) dragged back together after the death of their former professor. The memorial takes a dark turn when Alicia, Everyn, Isa, Rachel and Sybil learn their professors will has bound them together through a blood oath to her unfinished work.

Morally gray female characters. YES YES YES - I will always support women's rights and wrong this was no exception to that! It’s so fun and refreshing to read a book where the female characters are morally gray, where they’re all diverse and so well fleshed out.

There was such an eerie tone throughout the book that constantly had me on edge - it worked well with the horror elements to create a growing sense of unease and tension. I loved how the timeline flowed cohesively between ‘now’ and ‘then’ and we were able to see the girls' dynamic build and sharpen.

This is a great novel about power, ambition, betrayal and a past that refuses to stay hidden. It’s the perfect book for anyone who enjoys dark fantasy that centres around messy friendships and magic school settings. This isn’t a typically cozy witchy read - it’s biting, it’s irritable, it’s unpredictable and it’s a whole lot of fun because of it !!

The craft meets mean girls/yellowjackets?!
Sign me the hell up.

"blaze to blaze, kindle to kindle , ash to ash"

5 witches, once best friends at "Millinocket Preparatpory School and Advanced Studies for Witches and Fucking Witching Craft", sepereated by secrets, brought together by the reading of their old mentors will. Now, they must work together, recreate their powerful pentam and continue the very research that tore them apart years ago.. or face death. The blood pact made sure of that.

This book was everything I hoped for without even knowing I was hoping for it.
Its been the longest time since I read a witchy book and man I missed it.
Witchy, dark atmosphere, captivating strong female characters, full of mystery & magic = everything I love.

The characters in this book were very well written. They were complex, emotional, flawed and yet so intriguing. Each character felt completely their own and real. As we read the story in not only then and now (past and present) we also get an insight into each character through their POV in the chapters. Something I enjoyed, seeing the women they become from their young girls they once were. This worked well as the story progressed as it kept the mystery and intrege alive throughout. Even when you think you've uncovered something in the present, theres so much more to uncover in the past to understand the whole.
There were a couple of LGBTQA+ characters, which felt natural to the story, without it turning into a romance novel or trying to tick a box.

"Honor the Self, Honor the Task, Honor the Goddess"

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves anything dark, witchy, mysterious & thrilling.

**review of advance copy received from netgalley**

If you like morally grey characters and magic, this book is for you! It’s a dark fantasy thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Five former best friends return to their school for a memorial service for their former professor. From there you are taken on a journey from past to present to learn about past relationships, betrayal, bonds, and power.

I love that each character has her own personality and characteristics that stand out. Each one is going through something, and you get a glimpse of it from all perspectives. The magic system is a little confusing, but once you get further into the book it makes more sense. Overall, If you are looking for something that hooks you from the beginning and stays that way through the whole book, this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Roots & Wrath is a dark fantasy centered around witches, a magical school, murder, and a cast of morally complex characters. The story has a gritty atmosphere and leans into emotional conflict, mystery, and darker themes. E.J. Wenstrom's writing is immersive, and it's clear the world and tone were crafted with intention.
I tend to gravitate toward fantasy with a little more warmth or connection between the characters, so I had a harder time connecting with this cast and the overall tone. That said, readers who enjoy darker fantasy, morally gray characters, witchy academia, and stories with high emotional tension will likely find a lot to appreciate here.
While it wasn't a standout read for me, I can absolutely see this resonating with readers who love atmospheric, character-driven dark fantasy.

Some books have a way of grabbing your attention and whisper “You’re not leaving until you uncover every secret.” This book was that kind of read for me. It brought dark magic, complicated friendships, hidden truths and a group of witches who probably needed a very long friendship intervention before attempting anything magical.

I loved the eerie, mysterious atmosphere of this story. Millinocket Preparatory School felt like a place full of old magic, hidden corners and memories that refused to stay buried. The witchy elements, the tension and the feeling that something was always waiting around the corner kept me completely curious.

The characters were honestly my favorite part. Alicia, Everyn, Isa, Rachel and Sybil were messy, flawed, powerful and wonderfully complicated. They weren’t written as perfect heroines and I appreciated that. They carried their own regrets, ambitions and wounds, which made their relationships feel much more realistic. Their history together was complicated and I enjoyed watching those layers slowly unfold.

I also really liked the way the story moved between the past and the present. It gave me little pieces of the puzzle while showing how these witches became the women they are now. Every chapter made me want to know more and I found myself trying to connect the dots like I was investigating my own magical mystery. 🕯️

The darker themes, supernatural elements and morally gray choices gave this book a unique edge. While there were moments where I wished some parts had a little more room to breathe, especially with certain emotional moments and world details, I still found the overall experience captivating.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy dark fantasy, witchy stories, complicated friendships and characters who are far from perfect. It’s moody, magical and full of secrets and I had such a fun time getting lost in this world. It definitely is worth adding to your TBR.

A huge thank you to E.J. Wenstrom and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. I truly enjoyed this dark and magical journey and I can’t wait to get my hands on the physical copy and reread it. Honestly, I wish I could experience it for the first time all over again because discovering all the secrets and atmosphere was such a fun ride.

I wanted to read this book cause i saw that it was like the craft and mean girls and this book did NOT disappoint. As someone who always enjoys a good witchy book this was WOW.

Roots and Wrath pulled me in from the very first chapter with its eerie atmosphere and the mystery surrounding a group of witches bound by a secret they could never truly leave behind. I was immediately curious to see how everything would unfold.

I really enjoyed the characters and found myself becoming more invested in them as their pasts, relationships, and motivations were revealed. The themes of grief, guilt, manipulation, and power gave the story emotional weight, while the shifts between the past and present kept the mystery moving at a steady pace.

My favorite part was the atmosphere. The dark woods, haunting magic, and creeping sense of unease made this feel refreshingly different from other witch stories I've read. While I wished a few elements had been explored a little more, I still had a great time with this one.
It's an immersive blend of fantasy and horror that I'd happily recommend to readers looking for a darker, character driven witch story.

A captivating read that I found difficult to put down! For a stand alone novel, I felt that the world of magic in this book was fleshed out beautifully. Enough detail for me to understand the world and the events of book, without wasting precious pages dedicated to the inner workings of magic that wasn't needed.

The character development was solid. I loved the back and forth between the past and present happenings, as the author does a wonderful job at maturing the characters while keeping hints of their teenage selves present. Each character had excellent personality traits mixed with down-to-earth flaws, creating a potential for meaningful development while also keeping it realistic that anyone could be behind the sinister events at play.

The mix of present day happenings and flashbacks to the past were done brilliantly. The changes happened at just the right moments to create suspense for what was to come in both timelines, without drawing away from either half of the story. It was almost like reading a prequel and a sequel at the same time, but without having to wait for a second book to come out to find out what's next.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself anxious for what was to come with each chapter I read (and sometimes within chapters). There were some minor grammatical mistakes (omitted words, off spellings, repeats of phrases), but nothing unexpected for an ARC. I wish I could reread this one with fresh eyes again!

Roots & Wrath is a deliciously dark, magical adventure that follows six young witches training at a secret academy to become the very best. Their lives change forever when their mentor tasks them with sneaking into the woods for a ritual. Though only five were meant to go, six make it to the forest, but after a tragic accident with magic they cannot control, only five return. Consumed by guilt, the remaining girls part after graduation, only to be forced back together 18 years later by their mentor's death. Summoned for the memorial and the reading of her will, they find themselves bound to continue her work, where the only escape is death. Boasting a shocking twist you won't see coming, this is an absolute must read to see just how far these women will go to lay a past to rest that is now haunting them more than ever.

Roots & Wrath follows five witches through the past and present bound together by a blood oath at a witching school in Maine. As adults, when a professor’s death forces them to confront the sins of their past, they must navigate secrets, betrayal, and impossible choices that threaten to unravel everything they’ve built.
4.5 I really enjoyed this book, it’s a dark, twisty tale of ambition, friendship, and the price of power.
I devoted this book, I was turning pages late into the night. What truly stands out is how vividly distinct each character is even with there past and goals in the book. I loved them all Alicia with her burning ambition and sharp mind, Rachel anxious and duty-bound, Everyn creative yet torn between loyalty and survival, Isa driven and ruthless, and Sybil practical and calculating. Each woman comes from a different background and carries her own set of values and traumas that make their interactions feel authentic and deeply personal. Their relationships shift and fracture in believable ways, and watching them navigate their shared history while being pitted against each other creates genuine emotional stakes.
The writing itself is polished and easy to follow, even as the narrative jumps between timelines and perspectives. The plot with written and developed with skill. Seamlessly weaving together mystery, backstory, and present-day conflict without ever losing the reader. The world-building feels natural, and the magic system is intriguing without overwhelming the character driven story. Most importantly, the plot itself delivers on its dark promise. This isn’t a feel good story, but it’s a gripping one that explores the messy, complicated consequences of the choices we make under pressure. Highly recommended for fans of dark adult fantasy who appreciate morally complex characters and sharp and witty dialogue.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this title in return for an honest review.

Was so so eager to read this! I love a magic school story with horror elements. I didn't actually find it that horrifying. Definitely fits the dark academia designation, however.

I respect the multiple POVs but I would have been happy with fewer. I feel like I didn't really know these characters since they were essentially each given maybe 20% of the book to really communicate their characters. Consequently, tha characters each felt like three character traits stacked in a trench coat rather than more dynamic personalities.

Without naming them, there was one character who served no purpose but to be victimized and that lowered my rating. It just felt like they should have some worth to the story, some purpose. Even in death, they were only a literary device. Often in real life there is no justice and the book certainly mimics that.

The thing with the baby felt...odd? Anything else I could say would be a spoiler, but it was just...strange to me, from pregnancy to the ending.

I thought the writing was effective, though in general bouncing between the past and present is a writing device that gets really old. I almost wish the story had just been told consecutively so that we could sit in the tragic events rather than reflect on them. The pacing was somewhat disappointing—we cover seven years of schooling so quickly I felt like I never got to enjoy the school setting. That's pretty subjective, I know, but it was what I was most excited about. The larger magical world setting also fell by the wayside in lieu of interpersonal conflict.

Random aside: apparently the southern United States, specifically New Orleans, isn't magical? My suspension of disbelief could not stretch that far.

Tl;dr Very cool idea. I wanted something more deeply embedded in the world the author created. I feel like it was skimmed over to get to the big, tragic reveal. I wanted more from the relationships and more complexity from the characters. The book is NOT bad, but I wanted more.

Three Stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and E. J. Wenstrom for the chance to read Roots and Wrath!

Five witches return to their former academy, Millinocket Preparatory School for Witches and Witching Crafts, Once upon a time they were the best of friends, but their coven was torn apart by a terrible night. Reunited by the death of their former mentor, the 5 witches are forced to face their past.

I loved this book! Not a book I would typically read and I am so glad I did.

The characters were fleshed out nicely, I loved that all of the characters were either women or gender neutral, men were just a small blip in the story. The main protagonist was a bit of a twist for me, I expect another character to be the main character based on the start of the book, so I was really pleased with that little twist.

The pacing of the story was tight and interesting, just an overall fun story to read.

I think this would work great as a movie and I look forward to reading more stories from E. J. Wenstrom.

Roots & Wrath is a wonderfully immersive fantasy that blends rich world-building with emotionally driven storytelling. From the opening chapters, I was drawn into a world where ancient magic, dangerous secrets, and complex relationships intertwine to create a story that feels both epic and deeply personal.

The author's prose is vivid without becoming overly descriptive, allowing the world to come alive naturally. The characters are layered and flawed, making their victories and failures equally compelling. I especially appreciated how the emotional stakes continued to rise alongside the external conflict, giving every decision real weight.

Fantasy readers who enjoy intricate magic systems, morally gray characters, and stories that balance action with heart will find plenty to love here. I'm excited to see where this world goes next.

Thank you for the early read!

I was drawn to the premise because it sounded very similar to Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson, which I absolutely loved. In a way, this is definitely more like The Craft, which is a good comparison. I loved the atmosphere and the worldbuilding of the academy, the flawed characters, and the relationships woven throughout the story, and the morally gray components of the characters. I think anyone who enjoys dark academia/fantasy will enjoy this, and it's a perfect read for the fall. It was also very well written and pulled me in until the last page.

This was a wild ride and it definitely surprised me. It was fun. If you like witches this is for you.

Take a dive down a wild and dark side of magic...with plot twists and turns that will have you itching for more and an ending that will stun you. Roots & Wrath is the perfect mix of fantasy and horror, following 6 girls through a horrifying trail of destruction, all with perfectly placed flashbacks to the causation and events that led up to it. If you are up for a dark time, this journey will leave you gasping and enthralled with what happens when the thirst for power tears apart life, time and friendships.

Enjoyed this book, real "the craft and mean girls" vibe. I love a good witchy murder mystery story. Good twist and turns. Enjoyed it all and has a crazy ending. Dark & mysterious with lots of magic

First, I would like the thank NetGalley & E. J. Wenstrom for the advanced copy!! I gave this story 4.5 stars on TheStoryGraph.

I LOVED this so much! The character's perspectives & the timelines were well paced. This sucked me in from the first page & I really didn't want to put it down (but, you know... life).

I really enjoyed the story starting with a twist. I don't want to spoil it but what a way to begin and then work backwards to figure out who did what & why. Roots & Wrath is a lovely combination of fantasy and mystery.

I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to people who love magical mysteries!

Roots & Wrath by E.J. Wenstrom is a dark, atmospheric fantasy that explores power, survival, and the complicated bonds between people and the world they’re fighting to protect.

This is the book you want to pick up when you're in a reading slump!

With five POVs, a then-and-now timeline, fast paced, dark academia, magic, love and hate, and plenty of mystery, I honestly can't think of a way this book could have been any better.

I loved the writing. It was easy to follow, and I always knew whose POV I was reading. The jumps between past and present were perfectly timed and added so much to the story.

This is an easy 5-star read for me. I highly recommend it! ✨

Roots & Wrath is a book that has alternating timelines. We follow 5 young witches through their training years and what happened to them after they left their magical school. The strength they must gain, the lies they had to tell, all the secrets, it was all in hopes of gaining power. This book smacked me in the face a few times, I guess "sisterhood" means something different to everyone. Such a great book & kept me on the edge of my seating, wanting more!

I was able to read "Roots & Wrath" prior to its official release thanks to NetGalley. This book is a dark academia/revenge story with some great twists. I wasn't able to figure out who the true villain was until just before it was officially revealed! In one of the last reveals I actually yelled outloud "THAT B@+*&!" and startled my poor wife!

This story really used flashbacks and multiple POVs effectively to move the story forward without being repetitive. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found myself smiling ear to ear at the ending!