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“We never thought of ourselves as witches, my mother and I. For this was a word invented by men, a word that brings power to those that speak it, not those that it describes. A word that builds gallows and pyres, turns breathing women into corpses.��

I went back and forth on reading this for ages and I read a LOT of very different reviews. Everything from it being super original (I don’t think so) to being super boring (I have to disagree), from it being anti-abortion (view spoiler)[is it? I’d argue it’s against unsafe self-induced abortion which is itself a pro-choice argument (hide spoiler)] to all the men being horrid abusers (#NotAllMen).

Because of this, I went into it unsure what to expect. And I ended up really liking it.

I definitely wouldn't rush to say this is an original tale-- it's pretty heavy on the tropes. Three different generations of women-- Altha from the 1600s accused of witchcraft, Violet from the 1940s struggling with what is perceived as the correct way to be a woman, and Kate from the present running away from an abusive boyfriend --deal with various shit from various men, but discover their inner strength through connecting with one another and with nature.

So, not particularly original but I guess I have a soft spot for a witch (or two or three or four) fighting against the patriarchy.

It's a pretty dark tale about generational trauma, and those sensitive to depictions of domestic abuse, rape and abortion should be aware that Weyward gets quite graphic at times. Personally, I thought the balance was pretty good. Very dark and awful, yet imbued with a positive message about female power.

I understand the complaints about all the misogyny these women have to endure, but it was that, for me, that made the climax of the book so satisfying. It is true that the book is mostly compelling because of all the shitty men and the awful things they do or attempt to do to women, but, hell, do I enjoy seeing an abusive dickwad get his comeuppance!

What can I say? I had fun.