Synopsis:
In The Once and Future Witches, three sisters use witchcraft to change the course of history. It is a powerful novel of magic, family, and the suffragist movement. In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes.
If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box. But when the Eastwood sisters―James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna―join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote―and perhaps not even to live―the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive. There’s no such thing as witches. But there will be. An homage to the indomitable power and persistence of women, The Once and Future Witches reimagines stories of revolution, motherhood, and women’s suffrage–the lost ways are calling.
Awards/Nominations:
- Locus Award Nominee for Best Fantasy Novel (2021)
- British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel (Robert Holdstock Award) (2021)
- Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fantasy (2020)
Edition:
Digital Arc provided by Net Galley
My Thoughts:
I am KICKING MYSELF over how long it took me to get to this book (but also not because…house fire…you know, it’s complicated). But seriously – The Once and Future Witches absolutely shocked me with it’s goodness. I mean, unless you’re new here (hiiii!), you probably know by now that I love me some A.E. Harrow. And I’m sorry everybody – she’s done it again. This might be my favorite of hers yet, actually.
In The Once and Future Witches Harrow seamlessly weaves a complex, beautiful story out of the pov’s of her 3 sisters – each of whom embodies an aspect of the triple goddess – maiden, mother, and crone. Our maiden is Juniper, the fiery youngest sister who recognizes that a little bit just isn’t enough. The mother is embodied by Agnes – pregnant with a child she wants more for. And the crone is Beatrice, the eldest and most level of the sisters. Together they discover the will and the ways to usher in a world that treats them as more than just objects to deride and/or fear. But if it is determined to fear them, they will at least give them some good reason to. Basically, these women are done being oppressed.
“That’s all magic is, really: the space between what you have and what you need.”
Although The Once and Future Witches begins as a relatively by-the-book “good for her” type fantasy, the historical aspects of it go a long way toward reminding the reader that some of this is very real. And that constant gentle reminder is enough to allow a look behind the veil of the fantasy. It’s a reminder that pushing the past away isn’t enough. If past sins are allowed to fester (ahem, the way we have historically treated women in the past), they will continue into the future (hello women as vessels for sin/women as objects/women still for some reason expected to caregive everyone all the time). If we don’t excise the infection, it will spread, 100% of the time.
“She knows that history digs a shallow grave, and that the past is always waiting to rise again.”
The idea that over time, witches (and they aren’t just women here – everyone has a piece of the pie) have stored their spells in the lines of books, songs, and legends is absolutely fascinating. That way, not even death takes magic from the world, or some semblance of power or control from the needy – provided they know where to look to find it. It’s a truly beautiful idea.
“…witchcraft isn’t one thing but many things, all the ways and words women have found to wreak their wills on the world.”
But lordy – the last half of The Once and Future Witches is tough. It is infuriating. The conflict is absolutely enormous in scope, and the whole resolution is emotionally draining. But overall, I think the message is kind of cathartic.
Rating:
Maybe someday Harrow will write a story I don’t like, but The Once and Future Witches ain’t it.
The Once and Future Witches By Alix E. Harrow Redhook Published: October 13, 2020 ISBN: 9780316422048 Hardcover, Paperback, E-book,
