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The Witches at the End of the World
Rage burns brighter than any spellfire… Deep in the birchwoods of Norway, magic courses through the veins of two sisters. For years they've been alone, but sweet-tempered Kaija is tired of living in shadows and longs for a life filled with community, even if it means stifling her magic. But Minna is a witch through and through, with wrath always simmering just below the surface.
Different as they may be, both will never forget the day they were driven from their village. The day their mother burned. When Kaija leaves to pursue a new life, Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest.
Devastated and outraged at the betrayal, Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything from her. What she doesn't realize is that this act will incite a deadly chain of events. Soon it will destroy everything, including the life Kaija has lovingly built. But once a witch's rage boils, regret means nothing—she can't take back what's already done.
Someone will have to burn.
Different as they may be, both will never forget the day they were driven from their village. The day their mother burned. When Kaija leaves to pursue a new life, Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest.
Devastated and outraged at the betrayal, Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything from her. What she doesn't realize is that this act will incite a deadly chain of events. Soon it will destroy everything, including the life Kaija has lovingly built. But once a witch's rage boils, regret means nothing—she can't take back what's already done.
Someone will have to burn.
320 pages, ebook
First published October 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 299 reviews
September 10, 2023
3 stars Thank you to BookBrowse and Sourcebooks Landmark for allowing me to read and review this book. Publishes October 17, 2023
I so wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. I like books driven by characters, as in speech, or by the plot, where ever the story is going. I found this book to revolve more around the 'thoughts' of the two main characters. So between that and the prose and binding of the story - which I did think was good and interesting - I was a bit disappointed. The novel felt less than an action story and more of a long narrative in third person.
That is not to say that this book is bad - it it far from that. It just was not related to me in the fashion that I like best. So I could only read short patches of it at a time and my interests went to other books I was enjoying more.
I am willing to read another Iversen book. It may be just this book that was unfulfilling for me.
I so wanted to like this book much more than I actually did. I like books driven by characters, as in speech, or by the plot, where ever the story is going. I found this book to revolve more around the 'thoughts' of the two main characters. So between that and the prose and binding of the story - which I did think was good and interesting - I was a bit disappointed. The novel felt less than an action story and more of a long narrative in third person.
That is not to say that this book is bad - it it far from that. It just was not related to me in the fashion that I like best. So I could only read short patches of it at a time and my interests went to other books I was enjoying more.
I am willing to read another Iversen book. It may be just this book that was unfulfilling for me.
November 27, 2023
I have had the pleasure of meeting Chelsea Iversen twice now, both times prior to actually reading The Witches at the End of the World. It had me so interested in reading this debut, and of course, I can't help but mention how beautiful and cool I think the cover is! This story is based on sisters, but really speaks to the witchcraft panic that spread through Finnmark, Norway. I know little about the witch trials that occurred especially in places other than Salem, and while this didn't actually contain any of the trials themselves, it was still a very eye-opening experience for me. I loved the alternating chapters between Kaija and Minna, and it was nice getting to see the contrast between what was going on with Minna in the forest with her magic and Kaija in the village trying to hold hers back.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and thought that Liz Pearce & Amy Scanlon did such wonderful jobs with their characters. I am also really glad that there were 2 narrators as I just don't think it would have been the same with only 1. Pearce and Scanlon really did the story justice in my opinion and they were also very pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. And I can't deny they also helped keep me engaged since the pacing was quite a bit slower than I was expecting it to be. There is definitely a revenge aspect to the story, but I was honestly hoping it would be a bit more aggressive than it actually ended up being and I was left wanting more of the rage that the synopsis promised. All in all, I found The Witches at the End of the World to be a very compelling debut, and I can't wait to see what Iversen publishes next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed the audiobook and thought that Liz Pearce & Amy Scanlon did such wonderful jobs with their characters. I am also really glad that there were 2 narrators as I just don't think it would have been the same with only 1. Pearce and Scanlon really did the story justice in my opinion and they were also very pleasant to listen to and easy to understand. And I can't deny they also helped keep me engaged since the pacing was quite a bit slower than I was expecting it to be. There is definitely a revenge aspect to the story, but I was honestly hoping it would be a bit more aggressive than it actually ended up being and I was left wanting more of the rage that the synopsis promised. All in all, I found The Witches at the End of the World to be a very compelling debut, and I can't wait to see what Iversen publishes next!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 7, 2023
The Witches At The End Of The World is a story centred around sisterhood. The two witch sisters differ greatly but have both been through the trauma of watching their mother be burned for being a witch and then fleeing the village that did this.
After living life out in the remote Birchwood Kaija decides that she wants to return to the village and live a ‘normal’ non-witchy life which infuriates her sister Minna. After Kaija leaves, Minna curses the village with devastating impact.
We follow the story from a dual perspective of both sisters, learning about how they are adapting to their new ways of life. I would have liked a bit more depth and description to their backstory. The writing is very atmospheric and helps with the world building but lacks with the character building. There are a lot of internal thoughts throughout the story and I would have liked a bit more interaction and dialogue from the characters.
The book was a little slow for me before the action started towards the end of the book. That being said there were a few twists I didn’t expect which kept me gripped to the end.
I will certainly keep my eye on this author as I think this is a great debut novel!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks UK & Chelsea Iversen for an Advanced Review Copy in return for an honest review.
After living life out in the remote Birchwood Kaija decides that she wants to return to the village and live a ‘normal’ non-witchy life which infuriates her sister Minna. After Kaija leaves, Minna curses the village with devastating impact.
We follow the story from a dual perspective of both sisters, learning about how they are adapting to their new ways of life. I would have liked a bit more depth and description to their backstory. The writing is very atmospheric and helps with the world building but lacks with the character building. There are a lot of internal thoughts throughout the story and I would have liked a bit more interaction and dialogue from the characters.
The book was a little slow for me before the action started towards the end of the book. That being said there were a few twists I didn’t expect which kept me gripped to the end.
I will certainly keep my eye on this author as I think this is a great debut novel!
Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks UK & Chelsea Iversen for an Advanced Review Copy in return for an honest review.
May 30, 2023
i am very disappointed by this book. i liked the writing which is full of picturesque sentences that sound beautiful. but the book feels empty. there's barely any plot in it, which isn't to my taste.
i also found that the sisterly love minna and kaija proclaimed to have for one another wasn't really there. they judged each other and refused to understand each other. all the interactions they had with one another were uncomfortable because at times i felt like they hated each other. it was more as if they had to interact because they're blood relatives and they share the ability to do magic, rather than they want to interact with one another.
that wouldn't have been an issue to me if there was something happening in the text. i wish there was more story: that there was more plot, more dialogue, more lore. i feel like i would've enjoyed the book more then.
*copy received through netgalley in exchange for an honest review
i also found that the sisterly love minna and kaija proclaimed to have for one another wasn't really there. they judged each other and refused to understand each other. all the interactions they had with one another were uncomfortable because at times i felt like they hated each other. it was more as if they had to interact because they're blood relatives and they share the ability to do magic, rather than they want to interact with one another.
that wouldn't have been an issue to me if there was something happening in the text. i wish there was more story: that there was more plot, more dialogue, more lore. i feel like i would've enjoyed the book more then.
*copy received through netgalley in exchange for an honest review
November 8, 2023
I was really looking forward to reading this.
It's a book about witches, sisters, and has an amazing cover.
I was a little put off by the narration style. It is almost 100% inner monologue from the two sisters.
Even when interacting with other characters it is still an inner monologue narrating the moment.
It was very off-putting.
The plot itself has the bones, but became less and less interesting with no "direct" interactions within it. Inner monologue is great for thoughts you don't want others to know or transition moments, but it is difficult to carry a story with only inner monologue when your characters are actually speaking characters. When dialogue was introduced it was difficult to realize it was happening as a result.
Thanks NetGalley & RB Media for my ALC.
It's a book about witches, sisters, and has an amazing cover.
I was a little put off by the narration style. It is almost 100% inner monologue from the two sisters.
Even when interacting with other characters it is still an inner monologue narrating the moment.
It was very off-putting.
The plot itself has the bones, but became less and less interesting with no "direct" interactions within it. Inner monologue is great for thoughts you don't want others to know or transition moments, but it is difficult to carry a story with only inner monologue when your characters are actually speaking characters. When dialogue was introduced it was difficult to realize it was happening as a result.
Thanks NetGalley & RB Media for my ALC.
November 7, 2023
Deep in Norway, magic is flowing through the veins of two sisters. For years they have been alone but Kaija longs for a life filled with community. Meanwhile, Minna doesn't have the same desires, both different, but both will never forget the day they were driven from their village and the day their mother burned. Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything, not realizing it would set off a deadly chain of events.
The Witches at the End of the World was good but unfortunately, I finished feeling like I wanted more. I didn't feel like there was a lot happening on the outside, so it took me longer than usual to finish listening/reading. I received a physical ARC and received the audiobook ARC and I enjoyed the audiobook more. I switched back and forth but ultimately opted for the audio version as the narrators did a great job telling the story. I did enjoy the differences between the two sisters, seeing their limits being tested, and the drama.
Thank you so much Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and RB Media for the chance to read/listen to this one and review it honestly.
The Witches at the End of the World was good but unfortunately, I finished feeling like I wanted more. I didn't feel like there was a lot happening on the outside, so it took me longer than usual to finish listening/reading. I received a physical ARC and received the audiobook ARC and I enjoyed the audiobook more. I switched back and forth but ultimately opted for the audio version as the narrators did a great job telling the story. I did enjoy the differences between the two sisters, seeing their limits being tested, and the drama.
Thank you so much Sourcebooks Landmark, NetGalley, and RB Media for the chance to read/listen to this one and review it honestly.
June 13, 2023
Thank you to Chelsea Iversen and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. This doesn’t affect my thoughts towards the book in any way.
3.5 ⭐️
Kaijah and Minna’s journey is a wonderful tale that tells us how a bond between sisters goes beyond the separation of distance and time. Told in dual POVs, this story was driven by both longing and revenge woven by sisters’ love for each other. Both of them were equally strong and determined in their own ways, no matter how wicked and protective they may be as witches. As an only child, it was nice to read a book purely written to convey familial love and forgiveness towards a sibling since it wasn’t a feeling I was able to experience growing up. Suffice to say, this was an emotional read since both our main characters deal with their own definition of heartbreak and loss throughout this book. Yet, I stand by my rating since given that the premise signifies a lot of thrill, I didn’t feel the plot thickening since nothing really happens. I just hope there could’ve been more tension to this story besides the picturesque narration.
Nevertheless, I’d recommend this! I love how this book portrays incredibly strong women fighting for two completely different ideal futures. They didn’t really need a man towards the end and I loved that.
3.5 ⭐️
Kaijah and Minna’s journey is a wonderful tale that tells us how a bond between sisters goes beyond the separation of distance and time. Told in dual POVs, this story was driven by both longing and revenge woven by sisters’ love for each other. Both of them were equally strong and determined in their own ways, no matter how wicked and protective they may be as witches. As an only child, it was nice to read a book purely written to convey familial love and forgiveness towards a sibling since it wasn’t a feeling I was able to experience growing up. Suffice to say, this was an emotional read since both our main characters deal with their own definition of heartbreak and loss throughout this book. Yet, I stand by my rating since given that the premise signifies a lot of thrill, I didn’t feel the plot thickening since nothing really happens. I just hope there could’ve been more tension to this story besides the picturesque narration.
Nevertheless, I’d recommend this! I love how this book portrays incredibly strong women fighting for two completely different ideal futures. They didn’t really need a man towards the end and I loved that.
April 23, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Kaija and Minna live with their grandmother in a birch forest. They both were born to a family of witches, but they have very different types of magic. Minna's magic is dark and wild and fierce, while Kaija's magic is gentle, yet strong. When their grandmother dies Kaija makes the decision to return to the village where they were born - and where their mother was burned as a witch. The events that unfold will test both girls to the limits of their strength and beyond. Hypnotic storytelling and fascinating characters make for a gripping, compulsive read. Don't miss this one, it will have you holding your breath until the very end!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2023
I want to thank the author and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. I liked the two sisters and how they are so different. I also liked the duel POV. I liked the setting. Sisterhood standing the test of time. I wish there was more dialogue in the book. It did seem to drag a bit in the book. It was sometimes hard to read because it was slow. Also, it seemed like not much was going on in the book.
August 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this! If you like witches, magic, and a well-done and easily pictured setting, this is for you.
Loved the story, the setting, and the magic. This was well-written and easily consumed. My only issue was that it was a bit slow in places, but it was still a good read. I would definitely read more by this author.
Thank you so much for letting me be an ARC reader!
4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Loved the story, the setting, and the magic. This was well-written and easily consumed. My only issue was that it was a bit slow in places, but it was still a good read. I would definitely read more by this author.
Thank you so much for letting me be an ARC reader!
4.5 stars rounded to 5.
November 6, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre/tropes: magical realism, historical fiction, superstition
Two sisters, Minna and Kaija, grow up deep in the woods with their grandmother after their mother is burned at the stake for being a witch. Mormor has raised them to protect themselves and hone their magic. Kaija, though is tired of the isolation, and longs to return to the village. Whereas Minna has nothing but contempt for the villagers who persecuted their mother. After their grandmother’s passing, Kaija leaves their hut to return to village life, leaving her younger sister to stay, and continue living freely as a witch. This choice has severe consequences.
Most of the story takes place in their heads so you get a sense of the isolation they’ve endured. You see their perspectives, and how their mother’s death affected them differently. While I appreciated the insight into their minds, I was also anxious to move beyond their isolation. It’s about halfway through the book when things get going thanks to strange occurrences, a disease outbreak, and religious and superstitious villagers accusing the devil of working through witches. Immediately you know where this is going. History could be repeating itself. Kaija’s not safe, and Minna has to face repercussions.
This is a well told story, and a good choice if you’re looking for a seasonal read with a historical bent to it. Set in Norway, Iverson shows life at a crossroads of abandoning the old ways for the new Christian god, and how it displaced and endangered the practitioners of the ancient gods and medicine. I got caught up in it, and the ending was not how I expected it to go. As a said, a good pick for spooky season.
Thanks to @bookmarked for my ARC in exchange for an honest
Genre/tropes: magical realism, historical fiction, superstition
Two sisters, Minna and Kaija, grow up deep in the woods with their grandmother after their mother is burned at the stake for being a witch. Mormor has raised them to protect themselves and hone their magic. Kaija, though is tired of the isolation, and longs to return to the village. Whereas Minna has nothing but contempt for the villagers who persecuted their mother. After their grandmother’s passing, Kaija leaves their hut to return to village life, leaving her younger sister to stay, and continue living freely as a witch. This choice has severe consequences.
Most of the story takes place in their heads so you get a sense of the isolation they’ve endured. You see their perspectives, and how their mother’s death affected them differently. While I appreciated the insight into their minds, I was also anxious to move beyond their isolation. It’s about halfway through the book when things get going thanks to strange occurrences, a disease outbreak, and religious and superstitious villagers accusing the devil of working through witches. Immediately you know where this is going. History could be repeating itself. Kaija’s not safe, and Minna has to face repercussions.
This is a well told story, and a good choice if you’re looking for a seasonal read with a historical bent to it. Set in Norway, Iverson shows life at a crossroads of abandoning the old ways for the new Christian god, and how it displaced and endangered the practitioners of the ancient gods and medicine. I got caught up in it, and the ending was not how I expected it to go. As a said, a good pick for spooky season.
Thanks to @bookmarked for my ARC in exchange for an honest
October 1, 2023
3.75 stars but rounded up to 4 since this is a debut novel!
Thank you to Netgalley and Source Books for providing this e-arc.
”You can’t cook mothers alive and not expect their daughters to pay.”
Set deep in the ancient Norwegian forest, two witch sisters, who couldn’t be more different, must decide what direction they want their lives to take after their grandmother passes away.
Kaija, who is sweet and tame, decides she wants a new life and all of the things she has dreamed of: friends, a husband, and children. She leaves the cabin to begin again- in the same village that burnt her mother at the stake for being a witch. For this she is willing to shutter out the witch inside her.
Minna, who is wild and full of fire decides to stay by herself in the secluded cabin. Bitter that her sister has actually left her, Minna casts a curse that will change the course of everyone’s lives forever, including the dream life her sister always wanted. With this, she fully gives in to the witch inside her.
The Witches at the End of the World is a dual POV first-person novel about retribution, forgiveness, self acceptance and the tumultuous relationship between sisters.
The writing is extremely flowery and descriptive, allowing the reader to easily picture themselves walking through a snowy forest, or treading along the rocky shore of the frigid ocean, smelling the salty air.
The novel got a bit slow at times, leading me to skim here and there, hence the 3.75 stars. I just didn’t feel all that invested much of the time. I typically prefer stories that are more gripping, but if you are a reader who likes something more mellow, I think you would enjoy this. At 320 pages, this book would be great to curl up under a blanket with and read on a drizzly day.
For a debut novel, I thought this was great. Releasing October 17, it is arriving perfectly in time for fall.
Thank you to Netgalley and Source Books for providing this e-arc.
”You can’t cook mothers alive and not expect their daughters to pay.”
Set deep in the ancient Norwegian forest, two witch sisters, who couldn’t be more different, must decide what direction they want their lives to take after their grandmother passes away.
Kaija, who is sweet and tame, decides she wants a new life and all of the things she has dreamed of: friends, a husband, and children. She leaves the cabin to begin again- in the same village that burnt her mother at the stake for being a witch. For this she is willing to shutter out the witch inside her.
Minna, who is wild and full of fire decides to stay by herself in the secluded cabin. Bitter that her sister has actually left her, Minna casts a curse that will change the course of everyone’s lives forever, including the dream life her sister always wanted. With this, she fully gives in to the witch inside her.
The Witches at the End of the World is a dual POV first-person novel about retribution, forgiveness, self acceptance and the tumultuous relationship between sisters.
The writing is extremely flowery and descriptive, allowing the reader to easily picture themselves walking through a snowy forest, or treading along the rocky shore of the frigid ocean, smelling the salty air.
The novel got a bit slow at times, leading me to skim here and there, hence the 3.75 stars. I just didn’t feel all that invested much of the time. I typically prefer stories that are more gripping, but if you are a reader who likes something more mellow, I think you would enjoy this. At 320 pages, this book would be great to curl up under a blanket with and read on a drizzly day.
For a debut novel, I thought this was great. Releasing October 17, it is arriving perfectly in time for fall.
December 4, 2023
Minna and Kaija have spent the last 13 years with their grandmother in the birchwood, all alone. After the village they were born in burned their mother at the stake, they all fled, since the accusations were true: She was a witch, and so are the three remaining women. Whilst Minna is happy where she grew up, her only proper memory of her birthplace being her mother's execution, Kaija has dreamt of going back and living a normal life for some time now. Of course, she'll have to hide her magic, but that's only a small price to pay for some normalcy and the company of other people. After their grandmother's death, she finally decides to make the journey. But her sister doesn't agree with her choice and the disagreement sets things in motion that no one could have predicted.
I really really liked this story! Told from both Minnas and Kaijas perspective, the reader (or listener, in my case) gains insight not only into each character and their thoughts and feelings but also into their respective perceptions of loss, family and home. The characters were well written and the plot was well thought through. I could feel with and for both and I loved the author's style. Special mention to the way she wrote the relationship between the sisters - it felt very realistic. This was a lovely and heartbreaking story about love, loss and sisterhood. Would definitely pick up another book by her!
I listened to this on audiobook, the narrators did a wonderful job.
I really really liked this story! Told from both Minnas and Kaijas perspective, the reader (or listener, in my case) gains insight not only into each character and their thoughts and feelings but also into their respective perceptions of loss, family and home. The characters were well written and the plot was well thought through. I could feel with and for both and I loved the author's style. Special mention to the way she wrote the relationship between the sisters - it felt very realistic. This was a lovely and heartbreaking story about love, loss and sisterhood. Would definitely pick up another book by her!
I listened to this on audiobook, the narrators did a wonderful job.
November 6, 2023
This had no right to be as good as it was.
Did not expect to find myself crying at three in the morning.
Witchy with Norwegian folklore running through it, this has the kind of magic lore that I like - wild, unpredictable and has cost attached to it.
The relationship between Minna and Kaija was beautiful and heartbreaking.
Some will think the pacing a little slow, but I found it atmospheric, uneasy and you knew it was building to something.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks
5/5 ⭐️
Did not expect to find myself crying at three in the morning.
Witchy with Norwegian folklore running through it, this has the kind of magic lore that I like - wild, unpredictable and has cost attached to it.
The relationship between Minna and Kaija was beautiful and heartbreaking.
Some will think the pacing a little slow, but I found it atmospheric, uneasy and you knew it was building to something.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks
5/5 ⭐️
February 8, 2024
By all accounts, this is a book I should like. It's witchy and complex and has feminine rage. I was just so bored though. Maybe it picks up further into the story, but I got almost 40% in and it felt like such a drag.
DNF at 38%
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
DNF at 38%
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
May 6, 2023
✨ The Witches at the End of the World // Chelsea Iverson ✨
Details: 320p, 2023, fantasy/historical fiction
TW/CW: witch hunts and misogyny?
First notes: I got this book as an arc, thank you very much NetGalley! I put in the request because I saw witches, Norway, birchwood, sisters, small village, curses and burnings and did not need to hear more, everything there to convince me, elated when my request was met.
⭐️⭐️ 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭: However… However. The plot sadly lacked. It had promise, but from the beginning on the sister bond feels off, they seem to want to love each other, but with so much bitterness and regret. It makes us expect something around their sisterhood will evolve along the way, but the entire story feels like a build up. Everything was cliche and their relationships with everyone, including their sister story, felt unbelievable.
⭐️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: This made me feel distanced from every single character (save Aunt Tilde). Kaija seemed incredibly naive and almost plain stupid, while I wondered if Minna also missed a brain (the boldness, do excuse me). Never could I understand their actions, and again their relationships were unconvincing.
⭐️⭐️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: We switch from sister to sister, which could work, but did not (sorry).
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 + 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞): A positive aspect! Set in Norway in both a dark forest and a small village, it theoretically fit perfectly with the 1600s and witch trials. Beautifully described as well!
⭐️⭐️ 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: Lastly: the sentences were pretty, but my praise regretfully ends there. Too much anticipation packed in words that didn’t say much at all.
Final notes: With some heartache I regret to inform you: I really wanted to not finish this but surprisingly did, I’m just sad to say I don’t feel the slightest connection to this story in any way. It could be alright had it been written differently and to be fair now I write this, maybe it could not be alright no matter what (sorry again). Actually, not a sorry, it just wasn’t for me! Maybe it is for you, but I can’t recommend it.
2⭐️
Details: 320p, 2023, fantasy/historical fiction
TW/CW: witch hunts and misogyny?
First notes: I got this book as an arc, thank you very much NetGalley! I put in the request because I saw witches, Norway, birchwood, sisters, small village, curses and burnings and did not need to hear more, everything there to convince me, elated when my request was met.
⭐️⭐️ 𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭: However… However. The plot sadly lacked. It had promise, but from the beginning on the sister bond feels off, they seem to want to love each other, but with so much bitterness and regret. It makes us expect something around their sisterhood will evolve along the way, but the entire story feels like a build up. Everything was cliche and their relationships with everyone, including their sister story, felt unbelievable.
⭐️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: This made me feel distanced from every single character (save Aunt Tilde). Kaija seemed incredibly naive and almost plain stupid, while I wondered if Minna also missed a brain (the boldness, do excuse me). Never could I understand their actions, and again their relationships were unconvincing.
⭐️⭐️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: We switch from sister to sister, which could work, but did not (sorry).
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 𝐒𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 (𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 + 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞): A positive aspect! Set in Norway in both a dark forest and a small village, it theoretically fit perfectly with the 1600s and witch trials. Beautifully described as well!
⭐️⭐️ 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐥𝐞: Lastly: the sentences were pretty, but my praise regretfully ends there. Too much anticipation packed in words that didn’t say much at all.
Final notes: With some heartache I regret to inform you: I really wanted to not finish this but surprisingly did, I’m just sad to say I don’t feel the slightest connection to this story in any way. It could be alright had it been written differently and to be fair now I write this, maybe it could not be alright no matter what (sorry again). Actually, not a sorry, it just wasn’t for me! Maybe it is for you, but I can’t recommend it.
2⭐️
April 19, 2023
thanks to netgalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review!
the story follows two witches - Minna and Kaija, living alone in the forest, after the death of their grandma, as they decide what to do with their lives next.
i loved the writing and the witchy vibes in general. i also really enjoyed the difference in the sisters' povs, in how they both see the world in such different ways that it's impossible for them to understand eachother with ease.
overall, i liked the story and the way it was told a lot. and it had some good plot twists too. great book!
the story follows two witches - Minna and Kaija, living alone in the forest, after the death of their grandma, as they decide what to do with their lives next.
i loved the writing and the witchy vibes in general. i also really enjoyed the difference in the sisters' povs, in how they both see the world in such different ways that it's impossible for them to understand eachother with ease.
overall, i liked the story and the way it was told a lot. and it had some good plot twists too. great book!
July 24, 2023
I received this book as an advanced readers copy from my local library. I deeply related to this story in many ways. It was a beautiful story about becoming who you are through the mistakes you make getting there. It’s a passionate telling of sisterhood, loss, love, understanding, forgiveness, and becoming a woman.
November 4, 2023
The summer(?) of witches continues with The Witches at the End of the World, by Chelsea Iversen. From contemporary romance we travel to historical fiction with this small tale of sisterhood nestled in the woods of Norway centuries ago. I’m impressed with how Iversen won me over despite my qualms about the book’s pacing and plot! I received an eARC from NetGalley and publisher Sourcebooks in exchange for my review.
Kaija and Minna are witches. For most of their lives, they have lived in seclusion in the birchwoods with their adoptive mother, who spirited them away from the village of their birth after their mother was burned at the stake for witchcraft. Now grown, their adoptive mother dead, Kaija and Minna are at a crossroads. Kaija is determined to return to the village and establish an “ordinary” life for herself. Minna, far darker of temperament, sees no need to suppress her magic or fit in with ordinary people. The sisters part ways, each trying to find success at the life they want to lead. Of course, it can’t be that simple….
I was intrigued by the promise of sister drama. Minna’s bitterness towards the world as a result of her and her mother’s persecution is a dark seed that she willingly nurtures. When Kaija abandons her—as she sees it—she is rightly furious. As Kaija works to establish a new life for herself, Minna seeks her out and plots something that is, if not revenge, then revenge-adjacent. The tragedy of Minna’s descent into antagonist and eventual blackhearted villain was so tantalizing for me. However, lest I misrepresent the book and at risk of spoilers—it is not quite meant to be.
Now, the book is still about the bond of sisterhood. That much remains intact, and it’s this theme that kept me going. Watching Minna pull herself back from the brink of darkness proves compelling even as Kaija must grapple with her own setbacks. I admit that Iversen likely made the right call by ensuring that the worst of Kaija’s misfortunes are not directly wrought by Minna. Not only does it offer a pathway to redemption for Minna in the eyes of Kaija and the reader alike, but it’s a potent reminder that often our worst moments in life are not anyone’s fault. Circumstances just suck sometimes.
I liked this book. I also struggled with this book. It’s just slow. It’s a lot of narration from each sister, and it takes forever to get going. Yet at the same time, it feels like we never get to know anyone other than Kaija and Minna. They hold every other character at arm’s length in their narration. Fifteen years in and I still don’t have a great term to describe how I feel about this style of writing. The closest I can get is that I can’t connect with the characters. It’s possibly related to my inability to visualize as I read: authors who rely primarily on descriptive language tend to fall flatter for me than authors who use more dialogue and action.
So, as is usually the case, your mileage may vary. This is a sweet story of sisterhood and dreams denied. It’s a tragedy wrapped around family ties, and it’s an interesting exploration of the ways in which internalized misogyny can fuck you up. But it’s a little slow, and it never quite lives up to the promises I feel like it establishes at the start of the story.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
Kaija and Minna are witches. For most of their lives, they have lived in seclusion in the birchwoods with their adoptive mother, who spirited them away from the village of their birth after their mother was burned at the stake for witchcraft. Now grown, their adoptive mother dead, Kaija and Minna are at a crossroads. Kaija is determined to return to the village and establish an “ordinary” life for herself. Minna, far darker of temperament, sees no need to suppress her magic or fit in with ordinary people. The sisters part ways, each trying to find success at the life they want to lead. Of course, it can’t be that simple….
I was intrigued by the promise of sister drama. Minna’s bitterness towards the world as a result of her and her mother’s persecution is a dark seed that she willingly nurtures. When Kaija abandons her—as she sees it—she is rightly furious. As Kaija works to establish a new life for herself, Minna seeks her out and plots something that is, if not revenge, then revenge-adjacent. The tragedy of Minna’s descent into antagonist and eventual blackhearted villain was so tantalizing for me. However, lest I misrepresent the book and at risk of spoilers—it is not quite meant to be.
Now, the book is still about the bond of sisterhood. That much remains intact, and it’s this theme that kept me going. Watching Minna pull herself back from the brink of darkness proves compelling even as Kaija must grapple with her own setbacks. I admit that Iversen likely made the right call by ensuring that the worst of Kaija’s misfortunes are not directly wrought by Minna. Not only does it offer a pathway to redemption for Minna in the eyes of Kaija and the reader alike, but it’s a potent reminder that often our worst moments in life are not anyone’s fault. Circumstances just suck sometimes.
I liked this book. I also struggled with this book. It’s just slow. It’s a lot of narration from each sister, and it takes forever to get going. Yet at the same time, it feels like we never get to know anyone other than Kaija and Minna. They hold every other character at arm’s length in their narration. Fifteen years in and I still don’t have a great term to describe how I feel about this style of writing. The closest I can get is that I can’t connect with the characters. It’s possibly related to my inability to visualize as I read: authors who rely primarily on descriptive language tend to fall flatter for me than authors who use more dialogue and action.
So, as is usually the case, your mileage may vary. This is a sweet story of sisterhood and dreams denied. It’s a tragedy wrapped around family ties, and it’s an interesting exploration of the ways in which internalized misogyny can fuck you up. But it’s a little slow, and it never quite lives up to the promises I feel like it establishes at the start of the story.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews, where you can easily browse all my reviews and subscribe to my newsletter.
August 6, 2023
Welp… this was disappointing.
The witches at the end of the world is a book depicting 2 sisters, Minna and Kaija, who happened to be witches, and their journey as they navigate life in a world against them. Set in Norway, a catalyst that causes their mother’s death sets the two apart as they embark on different lives. While Minna bathes in vengeance, anger, and revenge, Kaija decides to lead a new life and hide in plain sight in a village that would have burned her alive should they find out her identity.
To be honest, one of the things that irks me to no end is bad /inconsistent writing. To list an example; in a paragraph about Kaija, a sentence says…”Shall we get started on those ten children?” he says, and closes the door with one steady, stockinged foot. I’m pretty sure no one in real life talks so directly like that. Some of the characters’ behaviors were also slightly eccentric, e.g. 'I want to say something to him, ask him what happened, but I’m not sure he’s even real. All I know is I need to close my eyes now and sleep.' Yes. You’ve just almost drowned in the sea, you’ve been saved by a man, but now you know you need to close your eyes now and sleep? It would have been better if it was described as Minna falling unconscious rather than her knowing she needs to “sleep” right there on the sand.
There were some other sentences that were decently woven, but they did not manage to support the plot. The plot was very vague; whereby for almost a whole section there was nothing substantial happening, and then suddenly at the end there is so much happening. I also got the feeling that the author was trying to write based on the assumption that the reader had already solidified concepts on witching, and there was not enough explanation on it. I don’t even know what do they wear as witches.
Altogether, it was a pretty mediocre book, and while I enjoyed reading the sisters’ relationship, it wasn’t wrapped up that well at the end, and could definitely have been more well-written.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.
The witches at the end of the world is a book depicting 2 sisters, Minna and Kaija, who happened to be witches, and their journey as they navigate life in a world against them. Set in Norway, a catalyst that causes their mother’s death sets the two apart as they embark on different lives. While Minna bathes in vengeance, anger, and revenge, Kaija decides to lead a new life and hide in plain sight in a village that would have burned her alive should they find out her identity.
To be honest, one of the things that irks me to no end is bad /inconsistent writing. To list an example; in a paragraph about Kaija, a sentence says…”Shall we get started on those ten children?” he says, and closes the door with one steady, stockinged foot. I’m pretty sure no one in real life talks so directly like that. Some of the characters’ behaviors were also slightly eccentric, e.g. 'I want to say something to him, ask him what happened, but I’m not sure he’s even real. All I know is I need to close my eyes now and sleep.' Yes. You’ve just almost drowned in the sea, you’ve been saved by a man, but now you know you need to close your eyes now and sleep? It would have been better if it was described as Minna falling unconscious rather than her knowing she needs to “sleep” right there on the sand.
There were some other sentences that were decently woven, but they did not manage to support the plot. The plot was very vague; whereby for almost a whole section there was nothing substantial happening, and then suddenly at the end there is so much happening. I also got the feeling that the author was trying to write based on the assumption that the reader had already solidified concepts on witching, and there was not enough explanation on it. I don’t even know what do they wear as witches.
Altogether, it was a pretty mediocre book, and while I enjoyed reading the sisters’ relationship, it wasn’t wrapped up that well at the end, and could definitely have been more well-written.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and SourceBooks Landmark for providing me with this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book follows two sisters, living in the era of witch hysteria in Finnmark. This gave me The Witches of Vardo vibes, which is a book I absolutely loved and enjoyed, so it got me even more excited to read this book.
The plot was really fun to read, using the dual POV to show the difference in sisters and the comparison of where each sister is. I also really enjoyed the use of Norse Mythology, being a Norse pagan who practices green witch craft it was a wonderful sight to see. Like the mentions of Jörð, Odin, Sól, Njörun and Nótt, and recognising their names and how the characters talk about them was amazing. I also loved the mentions of different norse practices, you can definitely tell the author has done her research. Which in these kind of books is amazing to see, too often I see historical books with no research which is a struggle to read, but this book you can definitely see the reasearch. Anyway, tangent aside, the plot was fun, watching the love of two sisters and their connection, despite having such a drastic difference in how they live.
We follow Mina the younger of the two, a commited witch, stubborn and very much against the people who wronged her family. She wants to do right by her sister and by their grandmother, carrying on their legacy and expecting her older sister to follow suit. Kaija, the older sister is very different, she wants to leave and live in the town they lived in before they went to live with their grandmother, she doesn't want anything to do with magic and wants to have a normal life. For Kaija, we get to see a sprinkling of romance which I find very nice and definitely gives you reprieve from other events in the story. I loved the two sisters embodied a contrast, one who is civilised, a good 'Christian woman' the other a wild uncivilised, witch who lives in the woods. We see these contrasts through their personalities and how they hold themselves. We see these two women differ in opinion, one gets her wish and the other is left behind. We see later on in the book something that happens (I won't spoil what) that brings them back together, although at first reluctantly but they grow to love each other once again. I really enjoyed the theme of sisterly love and sisterhood prevailing, being prominent throughout the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it was emotional, it was magical, it was relatable. I will definitely be treating myself to a physical copy of this book once it releases.
This book follows two sisters, living in the era of witch hysteria in Finnmark. This gave me The Witches of Vardo vibes, which is a book I absolutely loved and enjoyed, so it got me even more excited to read this book.
The plot was really fun to read, using the dual POV to show the difference in sisters and the comparison of where each sister is. I also really enjoyed the use of Norse Mythology, being a Norse pagan who practices green witch craft it was a wonderful sight to see. Like the mentions of Jörð, Odin, Sól, Njörun and Nótt, and recognising their names and how the characters talk about them was amazing. I also loved the mentions of different norse practices, you can definitely tell the author has done her research. Which in these kind of books is amazing to see, too often I see historical books with no research which is a struggle to read, but this book you can definitely see the reasearch. Anyway, tangent aside, the plot was fun, watching the love of two sisters and their connection, despite having such a drastic difference in how they live.
We follow Mina the younger of the two, a commited witch, stubborn and very much against the people who wronged her family. She wants to do right by her sister and by their grandmother, carrying on their legacy and expecting her older sister to follow suit. Kaija, the older sister is very different, she wants to leave and live in the town they lived in before they went to live with their grandmother, she doesn't want anything to do with magic and wants to have a normal life. For Kaija, we get to see a sprinkling of romance which I find very nice and definitely gives you reprieve from other events in the story. I loved the two sisters embodied a contrast, one who is civilised, a good 'Christian woman' the other a wild uncivilised, witch who lives in the woods. We see these contrasts through their personalities and how they hold themselves. We see these two women differ in opinion, one gets her wish and the other is left behind. We see later on in the book something that happens (I won't spoil what) that brings them back together, although at first reluctantly but they grow to love each other once again. I really enjoyed the theme of sisterly love and sisterhood prevailing, being prominent throughout the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, it was emotional, it was magical, it was relatable. I will definitely be treating myself to a physical copy of this book once it releases.
September 12, 2023
Kaija and Minna were raised by their grandmother in the woods after their mother was burned for being a witch. Kaija yearns for a normal life in the village, while Minna wants nothing to do with that place. After their grandmother passes, Kaija jumps at the chance to return to the village and start a family.
It was interesting and different that the witch inside was described as a separate entity. It showed up when it wanted to, and energy needed to be released to appease it. It was pretty unique. This story is more about sisters than witches, I feel. The witch part was a little anti-climatic, but the way the sisters fought, were different, had different wants, but came together in the end was touching. We got to listen to both perspectives through the book, which was nice because they were both so different. I related to parts of each sister. We got to see them grow and develop as well. The writing was decent, but the plot was slow and hard to get into at times. If you like stories about witches in the 1600s, then this would be for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It was interesting and different that the witch inside was described as a separate entity. It showed up when it wanted to, and energy needed to be released to appease it. It was pretty unique. This story is more about sisters than witches, I feel. The witch part was a little anti-climatic, but the way the sisters fought, were different, had different wants, but came together in the end was touching. We got to listen to both perspectives through the book, which was nice because they were both so different. I related to parts of each sister. We got to see them grow and develop as well. The writing was decent, but the plot was slow and hard to get into at times. If you like stories about witches in the 1600s, then this would be for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 7, 2023
I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by RB Media.
Rage burns brighter than any spellfire. Deep in the birchwoods of Norway, magic courses through the veins of two sisters. For years they hve been alone, but sweet-tempered Kaija is tired of living in shadows and longs for a life filled with community, even if it means stifling her magic. But Minna is a witch through and through, with wrath always simmering just below the surface.
Different as they may be, both will never forget the day they were driven from their village. The day their mother burned. When Kaija leaves to pursue a new life, Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest.
Devastated and outraged at the betrayal, Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything from her. What she does not realize is that this act will incite a deadly chain of events. Soon it will destroy everything, including the life Kaija has lovingly built. But once a witch's rage boils, regret means nothing—she can not take back what is already done. Someone will have to burn.
I was so excited to read this. I really struggled with this book, it was just so slow. The plot was really lacking and the bond between the sisters felt off. The writing was very descriptive, but it definitely helped with the lack of a plot. There was so much inner monologue, and it was just more saying than showing by the end. Be prepared that a good chunk of the story was the sisters' internal dialogues and it slowed the pacing down and took away from their interactions with basically everyone else. I really thought there would have been more drama. This book really saved itself with all the descriptions for me. This was a solid read for a debut. But be prepared for more description than action with this book.
Rage burns brighter than any spellfire. Deep in the birchwoods of Norway, magic courses through the veins of two sisters. For years they hve been alone, but sweet-tempered Kaija is tired of living in shadows and longs for a life filled with community, even if it means stifling her magic. But Minna is a witch through and through, with wrath always simmering just below the surface.
Different as they may be, both will never forget the day they were driven from their village. The day their mother burned. When Kaija leaves to pursue a new life, Minna is left alone in the darkness of the forest.
Devastated and outraged at the betrayal, Minna casts a curse to punish those who took everything from her. What she does not realize is that this act will incite a deadly chain of events. Soon it will destroy everything, including the life Kaija has lovingly built. But once a witch's rage boils, regret means nothing—she can not take back what is already done. Someone will have to burn.
I was so excited to read this. I really struggled with this book, it was just so slow. The plot was really lacking and the bond between the sisters felt off. The writing was very descriptive, but it definitely helped with the lack of a plot. There was so much inner monologue, and it was just more saying than showing by the end. Be prepared that a good chunk of the story was the sisters' internal dialogues and it slowed the pacing down and took away from their interactions with basically everyone else. I really thought there would have been more drama. This book really saved itself with all the descriptions for me. This was a solid read for a debut. But be prepared for more description than action with this book.
November 24, 2023
I received a free audiobook copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Sisters Minna and Kaija live a solitary life in Norway, in a small cabin away from other villagers and people in general. Their mother was burned as a witch, and their grandmother whisked them away in order to keep them safe from the villagers and their thirst for blood. This story is familiar, but the difference is that the family ARE witches, and Minna and Kaija are brought up to hone their powers under grandmother's watchful eye. When she dies, their differences pull them apart: Kaija seeks a "normal" life in the village, whereas Minna's anger at the injustice done to their family and Kaija's perceived betrayal of their bond fuels her magical rage and power. This story explores familial bonds, prejudices, and forgiveness.
I enjoyed the setting of the story of course, but the real excitement for me was that I could actually understand both sisters actions and feelings. I sympathized with both, even though they were dramatically different. Definitely an enjoyable read.
Sisters Minna and Kaija live a solitary life in Norway, in a small cabin away from other villagers and people in general. Their mother was burned as a witch, and their grandmother whisked them away in order to keep them safe from the villagers and their thirst for blood. This story is familiar, but the difference is that the family ARE witches, and Minna and Kaija are brought up to hone their powers under grandmother's watchful eye. When she dies, their differences pull them apart: Kaija seeks a "normal" life in the village, whereas Minna's anger at the injustice done to their family and Kaija's perceived betrayal of their bond fuels her magical rage and power. This story explores familial bonds, prejudices, and forgiveness.
I enjoyed the setting of the story of course, but the real excitement for me was that I could actually understand both sisters actions and feelings. I sympathized with both, even though they were dramatically different. Definitely an enjoyable read.
February 11, 2024
This is a story about sisters, trust, betrayal, love, selfishness, discrimination, fear, and survival. Right from the beginning, we're aware of the trauma that the two sisters have endured and get an idea of how each has coped or not, as well as how they feel the other sister has failed in some way to be true to herself and their family. They both reference the witchburning of their mother as a traumatic event and as a pivotal point in their lives for how they want to conduct themselves.
I love the polarizing personalities of the sisters, although I quite hated how selfish Minna had become and how self-righteous she acted, taking on an arrogant superiority complex, while Kaija struggled to force herself to fit into a world that did not welcome her fully. Both experience pain on many levels and though I feel like Minna did not deserve semblance of peace after the agony she put onto her sister purely out of selfishness, I found it nice that the story resolved in a closed-loop kind of way, with sisters recognizing each had strengths and powers that the other did not. Great story, wonderful character development, lovely writing.
I love the polarizing personalities of the sisters, although I quite hated how selfish Minna had become and how self-righteous she acted, taking on an arrogant superiority complex, while Kaija struggled to force herself to fit into a world that did not welcome her fully. Both experience pain on many levels and though I feel like Minna did not deserve semblance of peace after the agony she put onto her sister purely out of selfishness, I found it nice that the story resolved in a closed-loop kind of way, with sisters recognizing each had strengths and powers that the other did not. Great story, wonderful character development, lovely writing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2023
Short synopsis: After the death of their mother caused by the village many years ago, two sisters (also witches) were raised by their grandmother in the isolation of the birchwood and taught the ways of their magic. But free their grandmother passes, the two sisters realise just how different they are from each other, one calm and longing for a life back around civilisation while the other is full of anger and wants to stay hidden. Told through a duel POV, you see just how the strong bond of sisters can be.
While I enjoyed this book, reading through it without hesitation or losing concentration, it definitely feels like it’s missing… something. It’s thorough in creating a image in the readers mind but some of the story gets caught up in it. I can’t help but wonder how much further the story been explored without if not for the picturesque descriptions.
While I enjoyed this book, reading through it without hesitation or losing concentration, it definitely feels like it’s missing… something. It’s thorough in creating a image in the readers mind but some of the story gets caught up in it. I can’t help but wonder how much further the story been explored without if not for the picturesque descriptions.
October 14, 2023
"Does strength always have to be ruthless?"
The Witches at the End of the World is a lovely story about two sisters who are witches and who only had each other and their grandmother growing up. Minna and Kaija are a couple of years apart and that makes all the difference in their upbringing, their mentality, their goals... it truly shapes their lives so differently that it reminded me of how much siblings can grow up to be very different people, despite a similar upbringing.
"My sister is flowers and herbs. I'm fire and blood."
This book reminded me so much of another book called "The Witch and the Tsar" in the way it was written, the narration, the folklore & the lessons behind it. In this debut book, Iversen delves into the lives of Minna and Kaija and it is a dual POV so you get to see how different they are, what magic means to each of them and the prices they are willing to pay to achieve their own needs.
To me, it was such a lovely journey, to see the sisterhood build up between Minna and Kaija, through pain and life experiences. It reminded me of the fact that relationships and unconditional love always comes at a price and it is truly unconditional once you learn to forgive the person for breaking your heart.
This was a 4 star read for me and I'd recommend it to people who like fiction stories with a lesson & morality standing in it. I truly loved this book and read it quickly, always wanting to know where the journey would take us with the two sisters, the villages and their love for each other.
Thanks to NetGalley for the Arc in exchange for my honest review.
October 8, 2023
Told from two perspectives, this is a tale of two sisters trying to find their place in the world. We follow Minna, a wild tempered witch that decides to stay hidden in the forest and live a solitary life, and Kaija, a softer soul that goes to live in the village and has to hide her true witchy self.
I really enjoyed reading about these witches, their spells and their sisterly bond. The pacing is slower, even more so in the first half, but it isn't boring or redundant. You read about their everyday lives and the ways they're dealing with their own troubles and it's actually quite interesting. I loved both of them, as well as the side characters. Their development was gradual and the ending was very satisfying. I would highly recommend this to everyone who loves more atmospheric and a bit slower books. Most of the story is told through their thoughts, there wasn't much dialogue and I surprisingly didn't mind!
While reading this, I recommend listening to some Viking and Nordic playlists, the songs tie it all together! ⚔️ This is a debut novel (!!) and I would love to read whatever this author writes in the future!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
I really enjoyed reading about these witches, their spells and their sisterly bond. The pacing is slower, even more so in the first half, but it isn't boring or redundant. You read about their everyday lives and the ways they're dealing with their own troubles and it's actually quite interesting. I loved both of them, as well as the side characters. Their development was gradual and the ending was very satisfying. I would highly recommend this to everyone who loves more atmospheric and a bit slower books. Most of the story is told through their thoughts, there wasn't much dialogue and I surprisingly didn't mind!
While reading this, I recommend listening to some Viking and Nordic playlists, the songs tie it all together! ⚔️ This is a debut novel (!!) and I would love to read whatever this author writes in the future!
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and the author for sending me an ARC of this book!
November 12, 2023
I received an ARC for this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
I have to admit, it was hard for me to find the appropriate rating for this book. Even though I loved the writing and prose, I found it lacking in other aspects.
For me, the writing was truly the best part of the book. Atmospheric and magical, it creates fascinating images that will transport you to the beauty of norwegian nature. Chelsea Iversen truly has a way with words and for that reason alone I would definately pick up any future work of hers.
As for the plot, it is where the book kind of lost me, although it definitely had potential. I liked the dual POV and seeing how each sister dealt with their mother's loss as well as their relationship both with eachother and other people. Personally, I found the characters a bit one-dimentional and I felt like we spent more time reading the thoughts of each character, whereas I would have enjoyed a bit more interaction and dialogue. It felt a bit more like a long narrative and the pacing was quite slow for my taste, only picking up in pace towards the end of the book.
All in all, a very good debut novel, especially for fans of historical fiction as it gives a great insight of how the witch hunt evolved in closed communities during the 17th century and how devastatingly easy it was for it to get out of control. I can safely say I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
3.5 stars
I have to admit, it was hard for me to find the appropriate rating for this book. Even though I loved the writing and prose, I found it lacking in other aspects.
For me, the writing was truly the best part of the book. Atmospheric and magical, it creates fascinating images that will transport you to the beauty of norwegian nature. Chelsea Iversen truly has a way with words and for that reason alone I would definately pick up any future work of hers.
As for the plot, it is where the book kind of lost me, although it definitely had potential. I liked the dual POV and seeing how each sister dealt with their mother's loss as well as their relationship both with eachother and other people. Personally, I found the characters a bit one-dimentional and I felt like we spent more time reading the thoughts of each character, whereas I would have enjoyed a bit more interaction and dialogue. It felt a bit more like a long narrative and the pacing was quite slow for my taste, only picking up in pace towards the end of the book.
All in all, a very good debut novel, especially for fans of historical fiction as it gives a great insight of how the witch hunt evolved in closed communities during the 17th century and how devastatingly easy it was for it to get out of control. I can safely say I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
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