Into the Forest discussion

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books inspired by the mythology, folklore, or fairy tales with the theme Witchcraft!

Some books with witchcraft as the theme

Circe by Madeline Miller
The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
The Witch and the Tsar by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore

Here are some of my favourites that involve witchcraft:
Bitter Greens
The Grass Dancer
Bless Me, Ultima

Following Margaret’s suggestion I will be reading VenCo by Cherie Dimaline for this prompt

Probably I'll read "Witches of Kiev" by Ukrainian writer. The blurb is describing it as kind of urban fantasy but the book is unavailable in English :(. Alternatively, Dyachenkos Age of Witches, which I loved in the past.

Or another rearead of Master and Margarita, but Master and Margarita is such a lazy choice- you can fit it into most of this year challenge's categories 🙂

Jalilah wrote: "Following Margaret’s suggestion I will be reading VenCo by Cherie Dimaline for this prompt"

I'm halfway through now and enjoying it!

I feel like this is a pretty easy category. Writers seem to love witches, and I'm not complaining. :) Here are some witchy books I've given 4+ stars to.

-The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings: dystopian future America where witches are real and men legislate women's bodies in an attempt to get rid of witches.
-The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna: A very delightful contemporary fantasy romance.
-The Book of Gothel by Mary McMyne: historical fantasy, retelling of Rapunzel.
-Our Crooked Hearts by Melissa Albert: Dark horror/fantasy YA, witches in suburbia
-The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner: Cute MG graphic novel
-The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon: YA, fae & witches, trans male witch MC
-The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow: Women's suffrage with witches, one of my favorite novels
-The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson: Puritan fantasy horror.
-Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker: Cozy YA graphic novel.
-Witchmark by C.L. Polk: Historical fantasy (Edwardian England), male witch
-Circe by Madeline Miller: Greek myth retelling
-Baba Yaga's Assistant by Marika McCoola: Adorable MG graphic novel
-Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor: MG fantasy set in Nigeria
-Of Sorrow and Such by Angela Slatter: historical fantasy novella

So many good witch books! I'll be reading VenCo for sure; I'm halfway through. But I'll probably read more for this category, too.

Definitely an easy category, I agree! I love witches! :)

An interesting article in the Guardian today which mentions several new witch books out, and also explains why there is such a resurgence in witcherature right now:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/202...

I hope this is freely-available to all the group.

That's an interesting article; thank you.

Amanda wrote: "An interesting article in the Guardian today which mentions several new witch books out, and also explains why there is such a resurgence in witcherature right now:

https://www.theguardian.com/boo..."

Great article! Most of the forthcoming books listed are UK only, though Weyward is also releasing in the US (I started it but wasn't loving it so I didn't finish it).

I've noticed a witch trend for at least the last 3 years, and it does make sense that it would align with the #metoo movement and the ultra conservative pushback against women's rights. I've also noticed distinct pushback against JK Rowling's anti-intersectional feminism in witch books lately, too.

I just finished Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga for this challenge. It's an anthology of tales written by women with their take on Baba Yaga. It was okay.

Ozsaur wrote: "I just finished Into the Forest: Tales of the Baba Yaga for this challenge. It's an anthology of tales written by women with their take on Baba Yaga. It was okay."

Too bad it's just okay; it looks cool.

Margaret, I wasn't too disappointed since I have an interest in Baba Yaga, and I love fairy tales and retellings. Anthologies with various authors are usually chancy anyway.

Ozsaur wrote: "Margaret, I wasn't too disappointed since I have an interest in Baba Yaga, and I love fairy tales and retellings. Anthologies with various authors are usually chancy anyway."

I agree. I usually try to get ones where I know at least half the authors, but then that probably means I miss out on some new-to-me authors that I would enjoy.

It looks interesting, and it's at my library, so I've requested it, thanks!

I recommend The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy!

I really enjoyed the witchcraft in VenCo!

I'm slowly, very slowly getting through "The witches of Kyiv. Sword and Cross" by Ukrainian writer Lada Luzina. It's difficult to read, mostly because of war. The book was written before the invasion, so it shouldn't matter but I just cannot relax and forget about it :(.

Three women (Mother, Maiden, and Seductress) for various, personal reasons arrive at the current witch's place to witness that old woman's death. This event leads to the awakening of strange powers within them :)

Asaria wrote: "I'm slowly, very slowly getting through "The witches of Kyiv. Sword and Cross" by Ukrainian writer Lada Luzina. It's difficult to read, mostly because of war. The book was written before the invasi..."

That sound interesting!

Margaret wrote: "Asaria wrote: "I'm slowly, very slowly getting through "The witches of Kyiv. Sword and Cross" by Ukrainian writer Lada Luzina. It's difficult to read, mostly because of war. The book was written be..."

Urban fantasy lovers would enjoy it, had someone translated it for English-speaking readers. Not only it is set in a real-life city, but also the story is about three totally different women who have to cope with a strange situation they have found themselves in. Katia - a mother/wife who is a successful businesswoman. Masha, a painfully shy student who adores Bulgakov's "Master and Margarita" and Dasha, a confident, cunning guide and singer in one person :)

Asaria wrote: "I'm slowly, very slowly getting through "The witches of Kyiv. Sword and Cross" by Ukrainian writer Lada Luzina. It's difficult to read, mostly because of war. The book was written before the invasi..."

Yes that does indeed sound interestIng!

I still plan to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for this prompt, but I also just read The Lighthouse Witches which has an interesting exploration of folklore and witchcraft (as well as other things). It was way too suspenseful and creepy for me (my bar is pretty low there, I get creeped out easily), but it might suit others - it was very well written.

Andy wrote: "I still plan to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches for this prompt, but I also just read The Lighthouse Witches which has an interesting exploration o..."

That looks interesting! I like creepy.

Irregular Witches is so delightful. I wish I could go back and read it for the first time again.

I actually read this one for my free spot but it was so good I wanted to share it all as it would work here.

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom: 5 stars

What a wonderfully dark fantasy that combines the historical fiction lure of Colonial New England with witchy supernatural lore for a tale that weaves through genres while creating its own unique path. I will absolutely read more from this author.

Jamie wrote: "I actually read this one for my free spot but it was so good I wanted to share it all as it would work here.

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom: 5 stars

What a..."

Looks intriguing. Thanks for sharing :)

Jamie wrote: "I actually read this one for my free spot but it was so good I wanted to share it all as it would work here.

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom: 5 stars

What a..."

That was on my TBR last year but I never got to it.

Jamie wrote: "I actually read this one for my free spot but it was so good I wanted to share it all as it would work here.

Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom: 5 stars

What a..."

Many years ago we read The Child Thief, another book by the author Brom as a group read.
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
At the time I didn’t think I would like it, in fact I didn’t even want to read it because it seemed so dark and involving children but I ended up really liking it.
I always wanted to read another book by this author and Krampus: The Yule Lord seemed too creepy and then I just kind of forgot about him. I should try this one. If it’s anything like the Child Thief I get that you really liked it!

I read These Witches Don't Burn and gave it 3.75 stars.

This was a fun witchy YA tale filled with queer ladies and lots of "whodunit" questions. I will definitely be checking out the sequel.

Jamie wrote: "I read These Witches Don't Burn and gave it 3.75 stars.

This was a fun witchy YA tale filled with queer ladies and lots of "whodunit" questions. I will definitely be checking out t..."

That's on my TBR; don't know when I'll get to it though.

The last few read that fits here is
Nettle & Bone it was really good! The Witch's Daughter and tomorrow i am starting The Witch and the Tsar

I started Weywardtoday. we are reading it in another group I'm in. So far, it's great. The chapters are short which makes the reading seem to go faster. We have 3 storylines going but it's not confusing at all. If you want to read with us, we are reading it here-
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The Burning Girls this is on sale right now for 1.99. i read it and liked it very much.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087PMPD5S?...