The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith Pages: 448
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on August 31, 2021
Genres: Action & Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Source: Finished Hardcover from Publisher
The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy in this thrilling and atmospheric historical fantasy following a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and is thrust into a battle between witches and wizards.
In 1911 New York City, seventeen-year-old Frances Hallowell spends her days as a seamstress, mourning the mysterious death of her brother months prior. Everything changes when she’s attacked and a man ends up dead at her feet—her scissors in his neck, and she can’t explain how they got there.
Before she can be condemned as a murderess, two cape-wearing nurses arrive to inform her she is deathly ill and ordered to report to Haxahaven Sanitarium. But Frances finds Haxahaven isn’t a sanitarium at all: it’s a school for witches. Within Haxahaven’s glittering walls, Frances finds the sisterhood she craves, but the headmistress warns Frances that magic is dangerous. Frances has no interest in the small, safe magic of her school, and is instead enchanted by Finn, a boy with magic himself who appears in her dreams and tells her he can teach her all she’s been craving to learn, lessons that may bring her closer to discovering what truly happened to her brother.
Frances’s newfound power attracts the attention of the leader of an ancient order who yearns for magical control of Manhattan. And who will stop at nothing to have Frances by his side. Frances must ultimately choose what matters more, justice for her murdered brother and her growing feelings for Finn, or the safety of her city and fellow witches. What price would she pay for power, and what if the truth is more terrible than she ever imagined?
The Witch Haven is a young adult historical paranormal by debut author Sasha Peyton Smith. As soon as I saw this book was described as The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy I was all in! And it did not disappoint. I believe there will be follow up novels following these characters, though I don’t know that for certain, but the ending of The Witch Haven gave me good reason to believe that we have not seen the last of Frances and her gang of friends (and love interests), which makes me very very happy.
I really enjoyed everything about this book. I loved the characters. There are both good and bad, and all the shades of morally grey in between. I also loved that some of the characters totally surprised me! I loved the historical setting (the book is set in New York City in the early 1900s) and the boarding school setting, and I am really hoping that we get more books in this world with these characters. Overall, I felt like the pacing in this book was good. There were a few moments and scenes that felt like they dragged a bit, but whenever overall there was so much happening and so many twists and turns that The Witch Haven had no problem holding my attention throughout the story. I will note that there is a love triangle present in the book, so beware if that is not your cup of tea, but I really dug it!
In the Witch Haven Frances is whisked away to a secret boarding school for witches after she discovers she has powers, and the plot escalates from there. I enjoyed the themes that were woven throughout the story. Sasha Peyton Smith explores the ideas of morality in this have vs. have not world, as well as the bonds of friendship. I loved the whole gang of characters and the plot kept me guessing up until the end. This is a great witchy read that will appeal to both character driven readers and plot driven readers!
To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below to win two (2) finished copies of The Witch Haven. The giveaway will run Monday, August 30, 2021 – Monday, September 6, 2021. There will be 2 winners, and it is open USA only.
Note: Book Briefs Contest Policy applies. All of the prizes, terms and conditions of the giveaway should be contained in the rafflecopter below. No Purchase necessary to enter. Void where prohibited by law.
I also have a second giveaway where you can win an ARC of the Witch Haven. To enter click on my instagram photo below.
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