The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow is a LGBTQ+ young adult novel about two teenage witches who are determined to prevent their world from falling apart. Ruby has spent her entire life being told what she can’t do because she’s a girl. But when she enrolls in the prestigious Witcher School, Ruby realizes that her true powers might be worth embracing – even if they make her enemies at school. Her new friend Liam helps teach her how to control her magic, but as they grow closer, Ruby starts to worry that he may not be telling her the whole truth about himself… or his family history. Meanwhile, Gemma has been dealing with dark secrets of her own: Seven years ago, an evil witch cursed Gemma’s family line, killing every male child born after him. Now only girls remain in the family – and all of them are marked for death before their eighteenth birthday. As soon as Gemma meets Ruby at school and discovers their shared secret, she knows there is only one thing left for her to do: protect Ruby from harm no matter what it takes… even if it means giving up everything else in life.
For who is this book for ?
The Once and Future Witches is a young adult LGBTQ+ novel about two teenage witches who are determined to prevent their world from falling apart. It deals with dark secrets, family curses, and the power of friendship.
Pros :
- The Once and Future Witches contains a well-developed cast of LGBTQ+ characters.
- It has an exciting, fast-paced plot that will keep readers hooked until the end.
- The author’s lyrical writing style brings the story to life in beautiful detail.
Cons :
- The Once and Future Witches is a slow starter. It takes a little while for the story to really get going.
- The climax of the book is not as intense as it could be.
- Some readers may find that Gemma’s self-sacrificial tendencies gets old fast.
Learn more about the author
Alix E. Harrow is a queer, disabled Southern writer and magical creature enthusiast. Their short fiction has appeared in Nightmare Magazine, Uncanny Magazine, Fireside Fiction Company, and other places. They are also the assistant editor for Goblin Fruit magazine and tweets @alix_harrow.
Reader Reviews
“I loved this book! It was exciting and full of magic. The characters were well written and likable.”
“I was pulled into the story from the get-go and found myself quickly turning pages to see what would happen next. […] The author’s writing style makes for an easy, engaging read.”
“A lush, powerful tale about sisterhood, magic and self-acceptance. Ruby and Gemma’s story will steal your heart.”
“This LGBTQ+ young adult novel is a spellbinding tale of two teenage witches who are determined to prevent their world from falling apart. With fierce characters and thrilling magic, The Once and Future Witches will keep you captivated until the very last page.”
