The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow - Restarting July 7th 2021

[Dannii]

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.

[Dannii]

I've developed some COVID symptoms. Even though I am 99% sure it is just a little cold I'm isolating away from home as I live with someone vulnerable. I didn't manage to grab this book to take with me so will be a little late to starting this one, I'm sorry!

[Nicole]

Dannii wrote: "I've developed some COVID symptoms. Even though I am 99% sure it is just a little cold I'm isolating away from home as I live with someone vulnerable. I didn't manage to grab this book to take with..."

No problem. Feel better.

[Dannii]

I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?

[Nicole]

Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?"

I can do it in January if you want.

[Dannii]

Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?"

I can do it in January if you want."

That would be great! Do you have a date that would work for you?

[Nicole]

Dannii wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?"

I can do it in January if you want."

That would be great! D..."

I have free-time to read it between the 10th and 20th besides the 15th and 18th.

[Dannii]

Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?"

I can do it in January if you want."

That wo..."

How would the 12th work for you?

[Nicole]

Dannii wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I didn't manage to get to this in time. Would you still want to read it and alter the date?"

I can do it in January if you ..."

That works.

[Dannii]

I've just requested the change :)

[Dannii]

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Date changed. Restarting January 12th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Karen]

Read the opening three chapters which introduce the sisters. Curious to see how their fight for the vote links to witchcraft.

[Dannii]

I'm hoping to start this, tomorrow :)

[Nicole]

I'm hoping to start tomorrow.

[Karen]

(view spoiler)[ The three sisters have got themselves together, though it seems they have every justification for not wanting to share time with each other. There’s no obvious witchcraft, but there is something unnatural about the way they seem aligned to one another. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch7. I feel it would be useful at this point to know more about the three sisters and how they came to be so separate. The press focus on witchcraft sounds like mass hysteria surrounding upset at women asking to be treated equally.

[Karen]

Up to ch9. The three sisters are meant to be quite different, but there’s an inner strength to them all that I find intriguing.

[Karen]

Up to ch11. With so many keeping their views hidden, how on earth can anyone know who to trust?

[Karen]

Part one. Things come to a head pretty quickly. The Eastwood sisters have a spirit to them that I could imagine being quite appealing.

[Karen]

Up to ch18. (view spoiler)[ I’m surprised that the women are seen as such a threat when they aren’t really affecting anything. Is it the fear of potential trouble, or is it a need to subjugate that drives Gideon Hill to carry out this trap? (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch26. (view spoiler)[ August has shared a lot of himself with Agnes, and I wonder if he’ll help her with this awful situation now she’s gone into labour early. How has this circle broken? I don’t really follow how they’re trapped in the Tower. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Part two ends on a cautiously optimistic note. It feels tinged with sadness though, as there’s a sense of how much time the sisters have lost.

[Karen]

Part three certainly setting up an interesting potential clash. The interaction with the ancient three emphasises the repetitive nature of every fight in history.

[Karen]

Up to ch44. The strength shown by the girls is incredible, though I wish there could have been another way to get this outcome.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. An unusual read. Not always totally enamoured with the characters but they grew on me. I wanted to give this 5 stars - and am probably being mean - but it took me time to warm to the girls/their situation and some of the elements that were introduced/played such a role took me a little by surprise (view spoiler)[ the Gideon/Hansel thing. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

I'm so sorry I'm so late and you have literally just finished it, but I'm starting the book now :)

[Karen]

Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I'm so late and you have literally just finished it, but I'm starting the book now :)"

Dannii, don't stress - I'm all over the place with BRs so am happy to keep popping in and respond to your thoughts. You read fast anyway! I felt this took me longer to get through than normal (busy with other stuff) but I also savoured this.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I'm so sorry I'm so late and you have literally just finished it, but I'm starting the book now :)"

Dannii, don't stress - I'm all over the place with BRs so am happy to keep poppin..."

Aww, thank you! I'm only 50 pages through but absolutely in love, already. I can see this one taking me a little while to get through as it seems like perhaps a lyrical and slower-paced story, so far.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I'm so glad we got to see the sisters reunite, so near to the start of the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

It was definitely one to savour. I’ve probably been mean with my rating but I found the start, though beautifully written, less engaging than the latter parts.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch7. I feel it would be useful at this point to know more about the three sisters and how they came to be so separate. The press focus on witchcraft sounds like mass hysteria surrounding upse..."

(view spoiler)[I'm eager to learn more about their pasts, too. They seem to be strong in their own ways, but suffering in their own ways too. Their daddy seemed like a cruel man who drove the elder two away from their home and the youngest feels like they abandoned her to his wrath. It has been hinted that she has some power over fire, I think. I wonder if he died in a fire she caused, somehow? I wonder if her injured leg was a result of this fire, too?

The public view of both women and witchcraft is very negative. I just came across one of my favourite quotes - "Witching and women's rights. Suffrage and spells... They're both a kind of power, aren't they? The kind we aren't allowed to have."

I'm glad this has included a discussion of how some portion of this women's movement is still exclusionary of those who aren't white and wealthy, as well as showing how happy they are to fight in some ways (banners, petitions, and public speeches) but not in others (physically, truly uniting all women, showing passion for their cause). It is providing much to think about. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "Up to ch7. I feel it would be useful at this point to know more about the three sisters and how they came to be so separate. The press focus on witchcraft sounds like mass hysteria su..."

Dannii, I was struck by the suffering experienced by so many of the women we encounter, yet they all maintain a strength we have to admire.

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch9. The three sisters are meant to be quite different, but there’s an inner strength to them all that I find intriguing."

(view spoiler)[Same here. Usually I would find one I prefer and want to to learn more from but I am immediately intrigued by all three. I'm glad at least some of my the mystery as to why they left without June has been solved. (hide spoiler)]

[Dannii]

Karen wrote: "Part one. Things come to a head pretty quickly. The Eastwood sisters have a spirit to them that I could imagine being quite appealing."

(view spoiler)[I already knew I would love Harrow's writing but wasn't so sure I would love the blend of history and fantasy but I totally am. Mingling the fear of rising women's power with that of witchcraft is making this such a powerful read. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Sorry for being super inactive I'm on chapter 21. I love the story so far and I love the historical aspect of the story. I will try to be more active and make more updates.

[Nicole]

Karen wrote: "Read the opening three chapters which introduce the sisters. Curious to see how their fight for the vote links to witchcraft."

I enjoyed the opening chapters and love all of the characters.

[Nicole]

Karen wrote: "Up to ch18. [spoilers removed]"

I was surprised to find (view spoiler)[ how they treated the women and that they are seen as a threat. (hide spoiler)]

[Nicole]

Dannii wrote: "Karen wrote: "Part one. Things come to a head pretty quickly. The Eastwood sisters have a spirit to them that I could imagine being quite appealing."

[spoilers removed]"

I think of this as more of a historical read but I enjoyed finding out about witchcraft.

[Dannii]

Nicole wrote: "Sorry for being super inactive I'm on chapter 21. I love the story so far and I love the historical aspect of the story. I will try to be more active and make more updates."

That's okay :) I'm loving this one but super taking my time in it. I am just starting part two.

[Nicole]

finished (view spoiler)[ I love this book but wish they made a different ending and didn't have the girl die. But overall it was written beautifully and I loved it. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting July 7th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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