I was not sure about this before I started it, but I have to say that I loved it. Whilst there are dark elements to the story, the horror aspects are kept on a slow simmer, rather than a full boil. The mix of Arthurian legend with Welsh mythology works brilliantly and I can't wait to read the follow up to this.

It was a lot of fun reading and discussing this one! I am a sucker for mythology and legend so the fact that this dives into Arthurian legend just got my nerd senses tingling!

Let’s get stuck in:

⭐️ The myth, the magic, the depiction of Arthurian figures being told in a different light under the female lense rather than the male one that has guided these stories for so long.
⭐️ The location of Bardsey tying in so well to the story - can’t say anything more!
⭐️ Our main characters! I had such a soft spot for Tom, a particular scene in a kitchen had me laughing out loud. I appreciated the insight into Ivy’s emotions regarding the search for her mother and her identity
⭐️ The butterflies! 🦋
⭐️ I mentioned the depiction of Arthurian legends, but also the depiction of witches was brilliant.
⭐️The themes around sisterhood, found family and identity are all explored in an accessible way.
⭐️ Whilst this is perhaps ‘younger’ than I would usually read I found it enjoyable and know that my teen self would also have loved it!
⭐️ The ending does leave it open slightly, and I do hope that we’ll see a sequel, but if not the ending has allowed me ponder on how our characters do in the future.

This was a great book to read whilst the weather was becoming a bit more autumnal

I’d like to thank NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this book and Tandem Collective UK for inviting me to take part in the prompt only readalong. This was a first for me and I was very excited. A special shout out to Sammi from Tandem for organising the readalong.

Waking the Witch is a dark and creepy story riddled in Arthurian legend and mythical beings. Listening to the audiobook I felt that the atmosphere was turned up a notch or two and didn’t dare listen to this one late at night.

From the start of the story, when Ivy travels to Wales to find her mother, I felt there were so many questions that I wanted answers to. The banter between Ivy and Tom kept the first part of the book a little more light hearted for me and Tom ended up being one of my favourite characters. It was clear from the start where their budding friendship was heading but I had no problem egging them on.

As Ivy learns more about her past and what danger she has put herself in by travelling to the Island, the darkness of the story really comes alive. What’s even better is knowing that the Island is a real place and the restrictions that are mentioned in the story are true in real life as well. When a story is based on factual places my need to look them up and see if they match what I thought it would look like in my head intensifies. I’m pleased to say Rachel Burge painted the Island beautifully in my imagination and weaving in the story of Arthur and Merlin (with a twist) was brilliantly executed.

I really want there to be a book two! Everything was tied up to a point but you can definitely feel that there’s a second story brewing in there. Fingers crossed it comes quickly! I’m now off to find Rachel Burge’s backlist and add it to my collection!

I usually love a witchy fairytale, but I was really disappointed with this story. It's very repetitive - shadow attacks, run away, attacks again, run away. The whole book reads as filler for a big event, but the ending fell really flat for me. The way it finishes, I thought would lead onto another book, but from what I can find online, this novel is meant to standalone. So it's 300 pages of very little happening.

The story follows Ivy on the journey to find her birth mother, with the help of her friend Tom.

It's a story of reincarnation, but the characters are too underdeveloped - you learn very little about any of them, and I have no connection or care for anyone involved. Ivy goes round in circles, fighting not to show emotional. She basically repeats "I need to wake the witch" and then "I'm too scared" over and over. The reveal of what happened with her friend Katie is teased throughout, but when you finally learn what happened, it's disappointing. I saw a review that used the description "Tracy Beaker-esque" and I completely agree.

It's a tale of good vs evil, but it's so predictable that it became boring. I wanted a lot more.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Waking the Witch was far different from anything I could’ve expected. Its premise was unique and it had an eerie feel all the way through. It was so hard to predict what would happen next.

It was very easy to become frustrated with Ivy and the decisions she made until you sit back and realise she is only 17. I wish she’d have been more open with Tom though, he was so good to her!

I particularly enjoyed the sisterhood within the book. It was nice to see how it all fitted together! This will be a great spooky season read.

From the first page I was immersed in Ivy’s life and the dangers awaiting her at the remote island. The darkness following her on the road trip was high effective in sending chills up my spine. The atmosphere and location of the island was ideal for this creepy tale.
My lack of knowledge of the Arthurian legends this was based on didn't put me at a disadvantage as the folklore is explained well in the prose. The imagery of the cormorants and witches is powerful and haunting adding to the increased tension as sisters fight against evil.
The ending arrived too quickly and I didn’t want to let the characters go. There was so much more that could be explored and has potential to be a series.

I tried so hard to like this! However I feel disliking it is purely subjective to my tastes and preferences.

The writing is good, the story eventful and thw characters interesting. I just didn't feel the URGE to read it. I am sure there are many who would enjoy it, it just wasn't for me.

3.5⭐️ A chilling Upper YA fantasy exploring welsh mythology and arthurian legend

Thank you to Netgalley and Bonnier Books for an e-ARC in return for an honest review

I was originally drawn to the cover and title of Waking the Witch and when I read the blurb and saw that it was about Welsh mythology and arthurian legend I was even more intrigued. I feel like welsh mythology especially (less so arthurian legend) is underrated and neglected in popular culture, media & books in favour of Classical Greek and Roman myths. Now I LOVE classical mythology and studied Classical Civilisation at A-Level so I love reading about them BUT it was so nice to see something different used as inspiration and it has definitely made me want to learn more and broaden my mythological horizons!

The chapters of Waking the Witch were short and the pace was quick which worked really well because of the creepy almost thriller-like parts of the narrative.

If you’ve ever seen the film The World’s End with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost then you’ll understand what I mean when I say parts of this book (slight spoiler- possessed people) made me think of that!

Although I loved the fast pace of this book, the downside was that I found the ending too fast. It felt really abrupt and was also open ended which isn’t something i’m a massive fan of but it was a really interesting read with great ideas!

Waking the Witch

Ivy has been in care her whole life she has finally tracked down her birth mother to a remote Welsh Island. Ivy mother warns her to stay away but she needs answers as strange things start to happen around her. She is soon pulled into a world she had no idea she was part of.

I knew I was going to love this book as soon as I started reading ! A creepy and Atmospheric read. Action packed and i was fully lost in the story would definitely recommend if you a fan of witchy stories. I will definitely be looking for more books from this author


Thank you to Netgalley, Bonnier Books UK and Racher Burge for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest Review

Waking the witch follows Ivy a young teen who grew up in Foster care. After reaching out to her biological mum things escalate quickly as strange and sinister things happen. She rushes to the Welsh Island that her mum lives on to get the answers she needs, only to find out there is a witch within which she needs to unleash if she has any hope of saving the mum and family she's longed so much for.

This book was more of a 2 for me but I lifted it to a 3 because I can admit a big part of that was I don't think I was really the intended audience. Although I love YA this definitely leaned more toward the "Young" in Young Adult.

I feel like this book had so so much potential that was untapped. The foundations of the story with the history and interlinking myths were so interesting but I felt the book was just a bit too rushed. It just seemed to rush from scene to scene, event to event and forced emotion to forced emotion. "I must now feel this way to wrap up this element of the story." I think if this had been tightened up to let the reader really connect with Ivy and fully explore the history and legends then this book could have been amazing. I've read a lot of good reviews though so hopefully in the right hands this book hits the spot - just not my old cynical hands.

Thanks for opportunity to read and give an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free ARC in exchange for a review.

This book had flashes of a really creepy, interesting, gothic horror set in a lighthouse. Sadly it abandoned all of that potential to become a run of the mill YA fantasy featuring reincarnation but pretty much no plot or interesting aspects. Most of the book felt like set up. I kept waiting for a plot to begin, but it had the vibes of the first 80 pages of a fantasy novel, not a fantasy novel. The book was over and I didn't feel like I knew any of the characters, why Merlin was the way he was, or any details of most of the character's backgrounds.

Burge has incredibly powerful writing, but I wish the characters and plot justified it. I found the beginning where it seemed like gothic horror incredibly compelling, atmospheric, and I was really excited. The rest of the book was not it.

I don't think I'm a huge fan of reincarnation stories, but Ivy and Moronoe barely felt like characters and they were the lead. She was a sad foster kid who liked butterflies. Beyond that, I really know nothing about her. Is she selfish, kind, capricious, feisty, dangerous, funny, clever? No idea. I got nothing other than witch with past life.

And Morgan was a carbon copy of a mother figure. We're told she can be capricious and selfish but we're never shown that, so she just seems perfect, which is incredibly boring. If both Morgan and Merlin had been morally grey and Ivy had to figure out where she fit in on the spectrum of morality, that would have been really interesting. Instead we had obviously perfect Morgan versus cartoon villain Merlin, so all of Ivy's actions were completely obvious. In a book with little obvious plot, you expect some internal conflict, but Ivy's only conflict was whether or not to accept a past life, and it wasn't even that difficult for her.

And Tom was there. That's kind of all he was. He was there and continued to be there. Again, can I name a single personality trait? Uhh, maybe lazy? But again, that was told to us, and not shown.

I think Burge has incredible potential to write a really exciting gothic horror, and I would love to read it. Unfortunately, this book did not have that. Two stars, mainly for the glimmers of potential mixed in with a pretty boring, standard YA fantasy.

Waking the Witch is a YA fantasy novel steeped in Welsh mythology with a nod towards Arthurian legend. We follow Ivy, a teenager who has been in foster care for most of her 17 years after her mother left her at a motorway service station as a baby. She questions why she was abandoned in this manner and wants to find out why and has finally tracked down her biological mother. Her search takes her to the remote island of Bardsey, a tiny barely populated island on the West coast of Wales. The setting is superb, it’s wild and desolate and the author really captured this in her writing with her vivid beautiful descriptions of the island.

Ivy is a great character, she’s an endearing and relatable sort of a character and you really feel her teenage frustrations and pent-up emotions. Her love of her job at the butterfly centre shone through and it was lovely to see her connection with some of the regular visitors. Tom is by far my favourite character, he’s hugely likeable, a tall hunk of a guy with an amusing personality and calm and caring disposition. I loved his humorous comments and jokes and he made me chuckle to myself a lot. His friendship dynamic with Lucy is great and not too heavy on the romance.

I particularly enjoyed the first three-quarters of this book and I loved where it was headed, it’s atmospheric, eerie and tense and it built up beautifully and with the mysterious and strange occurrences you’re never quite sure what will happen next. However, somewhere along the line the story started to lose it’s way and the latter part of the book felt chaotic, over-dramatic and it all started to go a bit bonkers. This is such a shame as it started off so strong.

Waking the Witch is a quick read at only 258 pages. As a standalone it definitely needed an epilogue, it ended rather abruptly and I do hope there is another book to tie everything together.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC via Netgalley to review.

First off I want to say big thankyou to bonnier books /hotkeys books , I was very excited so thankyou thankyou thankyou ,

Plot - Ivy the main character goes looking for her mum who she's not seen since she was young and she ended up being put into foster care,
She ends up on a very remote Welsh Isle, she uncovers a very dark secret about her past corrupt power stalking Ivy , and the only way to save herself, is the dig deep within herself and not be afraid of the power that she withholds.

My Thoughts- well me being me love a good Witcher story and when I got this in my hand I was over excited, I didn't know what to expect I did read one of Rachel's old books which was the twisted tree which I really enjoyed so I thought I had to give this one ago, I love the mythological Welsh side to the story it really Drew me in and I love the darkness and the creepy vibes that made your spine tingle.
The story overall is very atmospheric, feminism in the story the Sisterhood they would have called it back then, it's very enchanting and really makes for a fantastic story.

I loved ivy character I phoned you could really relate to her as a character as well which is always good for any book that you read.
Also the character Tom I really enjoyed the banter between ivy and him they were both very witty and there was a little bit of romance but there wasn't loads just enough I would say.

If you're looking for a gripping creepy witchy very atmospheric story then this is the book for you I promise you won't be disappointed

I write this book 5 Stars

Waking the witch by Rachel Burges.
Ivy is searching for her mother. But when her search draws her to a remote Welsh Isle she uncovers a dark secret about her past.
Omg brilliant read. Creepy and eerie. Loved it. Definitely recommend. 5*.

If, like me, you’re a sucker for feminism, folklore, and witches, then this is the book for you.
Waking The Witch by Rachel Burge mixes the themes of mental health, family, feminism, and identity with the legends of Merlin and Morgan Le Fay, and makes you rethink what you thought you knew about these infamous characters.

The narrative follows Ivy, a girl that has never felt that she belongs anywhere since she was given into the care system by her mum as a baby. Little does she know that her mum, in sending Ivy away from the remote Welsh island she calls home, was trying to protect her from ancient forces that wanted to harm her…
When Ivy gets into contact with her mum, she is warned to stay away, that she will only be in danger if she comes searching for her. However, after an unsettling incident with a customer at work that has Ivy wondering just what danger her mum knew was after her, she embarks on a journey to the island that’s steeped in legends of Arthurian folklore.

Rachel Burge did a fantastic job in writing a teenage protagonist who struggles with feelings of not belonging, of discomfort with showing her emotions for fear that she’ll lose those she cares about. Also, the setting of the island and the lighthouse were evoked well with strong sensory details. Not to mention the Arthurian folklore that saturates the plot - it was so refreshing to have a new take on the legends of Merlin and Morgan Le Fay!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hot Key Books for the ARC, it was a pleasure to read Waking The Witch.

I read a lot of witchy novels and I am always on the look out for a fresh take on the witch trope, so I was thrilled when Bonnier Books UK sent me an ARC of Rachel Burge's new novel, Waking the Witch. I have already read The Twisted Tree by the same author and enjoyed it, so I was eager to read this new story.

Waking the Witch is set just off the coast of Wales on Bardsey Island, which is often said to be the site of Avalon. It is there that young Ivy travels with her friend Tom, in search of Ivy's mother, who gave her up at birth. Ivy has grown up in care, moving from one foster home to another and she is looking for answers as to why she was abandoned. Following up on a lead, she learns that her mother lives on the island and so Ivy writes her a letter, which results in a strange phone call from her mum telling her to stay away from the island and warning Ivy that there are dark shadows who are trying to find her and harm her.

Ivy ignores her mother's warning and goes to the island anyway, eager to find some sense of family and homecoming, but there are strange shadows that follow her, shadows which can takes over anyone and make them attack her. When Ivy finally meets her mother, she finds herself pulled into the midst of a battle between good and evil. How far will mother and daughter go to save one another?

This is a witchy tale with an Arthurian twist, but in this book the popular mythology is subverted, with Morgan le Fey being a benevolent force and with a much darker depiction of Merlin than I have ever read before. The characters are well drawn, with Tom providing the light relief of humour to quite a dark story.

This is an evocative novel which successfully incorporates witches, shape-shifting, demonic possession and reincarnation, all woven together quite beautifully. As Ivy discovers more of her family history she must come to terms not only with who she really is, but what she really is too. The book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I expect that there will be a sequel coming soon as well, which I am looking forward to reading.

All in all this is another fabulous magical world created by Burge, full of twists and turns and things that I didn't expect. I loved the Arthurian slant and the witchy vibes were strong throughout the story. Waking the Witch is an atmospheric read, perfect for curling up with on a rainy day. Happy reading!

Marie x

AD; This novel was sent to me by the publisher for the purposes of review. It is released today August 18th, and is available in paperback, digital and audio book formats.

Ivy has grown up in foster care and has learned to rely on herself for everything, but one day she finally gets a lead on the identity of the woman who abandoned her as a child—the address of a lighthouse on a remote Welsh island. But as Ivy searches for the truth about why her mother abandoned her, strange things begin to happen. In order to solve the mystery, Ivy must figure out who she really is and how to release her own power.

This is a an utterly compelling, darkly atmospheric novel that swept me away from the first page. I loved the juxtaposition of Ivy’s contemporary story with the ancient Arthurian myths and the witchy allure of the lighthouse itself. An empowering and refreshing feminist lens on a classic tale. Brilliantly done.

Ivy grew up in foster care, nursing a dream of finding her biological mother. Believing to finally located her, she was surprised when she got a mysterious phone call. A woman, supposedly her mother, warned her against the dark forces that hunt her and made her promise never to travel to the island where she lives. But Ivy’s curiosity and the need to meet her mother were too intense...⁠
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I have to say that I loved the first part of this novel. I found it fascinating and addictive. The mystery of Ivy’s heritage made me read half the story in one sitting. But the second half... It probably wasn’t what I expected from this book. Steeped in Arthurian legends, the story has a surprising twist that I did not fully enjoy. The novel became a bit too weird, the action seemed rushed, and the language was simplified.⁠
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Still, the author develops an original idea and uncommon representation of a witch in this book. It also has a very feministic message that some will love, but others might find it too intrusive.

I've not read any YA fiction in years and this book showed me how enjoyable it can be. I loved the dynamic between Ivy and Tom and the atmosphere was super creepy and tension building. The second half for me was less enjoyable as I liked the build up the most but overall really enjoyed the Welsh setting, Arthurian references and the fast plot.

What a book, I felt like I was there! I loved Ivy breaking down her walls to let Tom in. The folklore of Arthurian Legends, Morgan Le Fay, Avalon & Witches yes please!