Now She is Witch by Kirsty Logan is a spellbinding novel unlike any other witch story I’ve read. Dark, lyrical, and utterly immersive, it weaves a tale of survival, vengeance, and the shifting dynamics of power between women.

From the very first page, I was drawn into Lux’s world—a world that has stripped her of everything, forcing her into the shadows where she must rely on her cunning and knowledge of poisons to survive. When she meets Else, a woman with her own agenda for revenge, their journey takes them through eerie winter forests and under the glow of the midnight sun, uncovering sinister secrets and testing their fragile trust.

Logan’s prose is nothing short of magical—at times poetic, at times razor-sharp. The atmosphere is rich with tension, and the novel explores themes of female power, sexuality, and the often-brutal ways women must navigate a world that fears them. I loved how the story played with the concept of witchcraft—not just as spells and potions, but as performance, resilience, and the ability to reclaim one's own narrative.

This book isn’t just about revenge; it’s about transformation. It’s about the choices women make when backed into corners, the betrayals they endure, and the strength they summon in the face of it all. If you love feminist retellings, gothic storytelling, and complex, morally grey characters, Now She is Witch is an absolute must-read.

✨ Haunting. Fierce. Unforgettable. ✨

This book was a unique and bizarre adventure very different to the one I expected, but still an intriguing and enjoyable journey!

This book highlighted the effects that intense religious values often had on women in the past and thus made it an intense read in some areas. The prose could be very confusing in some chapters (continuous lack of grammar and similar things), which was definitely a style choice, however it made the book harder for me to read.

Overall, it was certainly an interesting book, however some of it fell flat for me and the encompassing message was hard to understand.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to experience an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is a beautiful blend of folklore and fairytale that I thoroughly enjoyed. Logan has a stunning style of prose that really created an air of magic throughout the book.
I really enjoyed the mystery element - the further I got into the book, the more questions I had and the more I wanted to keep reading.

Now She is Witch is a hauntingly beautiful story. Kirsty Logan skilfully weaves the characters and plot together in a way that is enchanting and engaging throughout. A wonderful read.

Unfortunately this was a DNF at about 40% for me. I tried to get into it and I just couldn't - there were some formatting issues/typos in the book too which made it difficult for me to get through. A shame, as I've enjoyed other books by Logan - maybe I'll give it another go sometime in the future.

An absolutely riveting read from beginning to end. A dark, satisfying tale with a slow burn to die for. An incredibly atmospheric read, Logan crafts an epic tale filled with mystery. I adore feminist twists, witch based books and fantasy in general, all three you typically have one hungry reader! Logan fills the plate. Logans incredible skill weaves mystery with the truth, leaving readers uncertain on where the story leads until the very end. As each page turns, more questions build, and the more you want to keep reading. It is a true mastery of the pen. Bravo

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Ad Astra/Head of Zeus for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: abuse, death, injury, implied sexual assault, misogyny, religion

“Now She Is Witch” swept me away from the first page, with its wandering slow-burn narrative and its examination of misogyny, sexuality and religion in a world where women are branded as witches for anything. This book is powerfully told through the eyes of Lux, a woman who has returned home following the death of her mother (who drowned in a witch trial) after years spent locked inside a religious sanctuary. However, Lux finds that all that is left of her life is her mother’s red ribbon and the remains of their poison garden. After her home is attacked, Lux meets Else- who wears a hood, is followed by a wolf and has mysterious scars. Else wants one thing: revenge on the man who wronged her, a man who lives far in the north where witches roam freely. They travel with a group of actors, where Lux soon learns she’s excellent at pretending to be other people, before setting themselves up in the kitchens of the lord’s home- the same lord who has branded all women to be witches. Lux and Else are drawn into a web of lies, religion and false identities, all while searching for a place in the world where they can be women and not just witches.

I’m so conflicted about this book because I raced through the first half, expecting it to lead to something greater but it didn’t. Although I enjoyed Lux and Else’s relationship throughout the story, I felt like the narrative wandered too much. Lux is a strong main character and I found her experiences in the church and her relationships with the other girls to be the most interesting part of this story. I’m glad I read it and I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Book Review 📚
Now She Is Witch by Kirsty Logan - 4.5/5 ⭐

Confession time. Do I already own a (signed) copy of this book? Yes. Did I request this ARC because it was digital and it was so good I needed more then one copy? Also, yes! Do I regret my choices? Absolutely not!

A spooky, timeless, powerful, imaginative female lead book. There aren't enough words in my vocabulary to describe the utterly phenomenal story that Now She is Witch is. The story line is very "woman empowerment" as we follow Lux and Else. It's filled with strength, courage, wisdom and a world full of magic.

The world building is my absolute favourite part of this book. I was able to lose all focus on real life and emerge myself head first into the world of Now She Is Witch. With detail and description having such a huge impact. I cannot recommend this book enough. If you haven't read it you really are missing out on such beautiful writing from Logan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.

Unfortunately this one was a DNF for me. There was nothing particularly wrong with it, I just wasn’t fond of the writing and wasn’t really gripped by the story.

I'll be honest, reading this book was not an enjoyable experience. And naturally, some books and topics will not be enjoyable, but it's still important to read them.

The overall story and message was good I guess, and it all came together well at the end, but I just can't help but feel a little disappointed.

There were multiple instances with no punctuation, which was exhausting to read, considering that those parts were very important to the story and provided a lot of background.

The language used to set the scene also didn't sit well with me, I know things were smelly back then but was it really necessary to mention piss so often?

But it was dark and complex, a little creepy at times and definitely very intense, showcasing the struggle, but also power, of women.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I am usually instantly drawn to any book with 'witch' in the title and really loved the premise of this book "She dug her mother's grave in the poison garden so it would stay hidden.."
The book follows Lux and Else who meet by chance in the woods one day and the story follows their dangerous adventures as women trying to hold on to their power whilst on a mission to exact revenge. Full of courage, strength, love, sage advice and wisdom and overflowing with magic, I really devoured this book.

This book was a breath of fresh air, I could not link it to any other book I've read before. I was swept away into this world of Lux and how she had to find herself. I was completely rooting for Lux and just wanted everything to go right for her. The folklore intertwined was beautiful and I am a sucker for any type of witchy book.

A stunning, intoxicating, blood-boiling, look into what it was like to be a women in the Middle Ages. It’s dark, claustrophobic, with a dab of magic and whimsy, which is quickly, consistently, swallowed by the pious misogyny that was inescapable during that time.

We follow Lux, a young women whose own mother has just been drowned, after being accused of being a witch. She’s done nothing but help the people of her town, with her knowledge of herbs, and tinctures, but when the accusations begin, none of that matters. When some young men appear to torment Lux, so does a mysterious woman called Else, who saves her, and takes her off on a journey - one which takes us through mummers shows, the stink of the plague, a Lords kitchen, and then higher up into his household.

There was such a frustration in me while reading this. Not for the story, or the writing, which were both addicting and kept my attention firmly in its grasp, but for how the women were treated, and how the survival of yourself sometimes meant the death of another. How easily men could manipulate the story to suit them, how women were lesser, dirtier, easier to be led astray by the devil.

There is a rawness to this book which I’ve rarely seen - it doesn’t skirt around things, but lays them out, bare, which is even more stark in the backstories of both Lux and Else, which are both told in a stream of consciousness format, lacking in punctuation, but smack full of emotions and horror at the things they are made to go through, and the injustice of it all.

Despite all that, there are times when sisterhood breaks through, and what it means to tell your side of the story, rather than letting it be told for you.

It is genuinely quite a phenomenal book, and I’m looking forward to reading more by Kirsty Logan.

Thank you to the publishers, and Netgalley, for the copy to review.

Thank you for Netgalley and Kirsty Logan for the ARC of Now She is Witch.

I fell in love with the narrative, told from mainly Lux's view point. The writing itself is beautiful. Dark, mysterious, almost dreamlike in places. I also felt it was very historical. Relates to the world now and in the Middle Ages to how women are treated, for the journey they make and how there is such an imbalance of power and autonomy..

I also loved the story that both Lux and Elsie told each other. Not sure if it's the ARC or whether Kirsty meant to use very little punctuation in these story parts. I find it a little hard to read in places but that also gave the narrative in these parts a very dreamlike, otherworldly feel.

My favourite quote which deeply resonated within me was, " No need for power over others, as she has power over herself " The true meaning of self empowerment.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an arc of this book. "But theres no use in a girl wanting" What can I say What a story this was. A historical feminist witch story told through the eyes of Lux and Else. A beautifully written book full off magical characters who's stories resonate with today's world. Each woman in this book has her own story to tell and are the central characters in a man's world. I really enjoyed the prose style of the book and the world the author built. I highlighted so many quotes while reading this and it will stay with me for a long time

This was a strange and wonderful book. Dreamlike in places and visceral in others. I'm not sure that I have read anything quite like this before.

For she is a witch like no other …

This was a lot deaper than most witchy books I have read . Following Lux and her friend Else who I can only describe as odd .

The book is about the relationship between the two women Lux opening up about her past , the way that Logan described her trauma was unnerving but worked incredibly well . The women are like chalk and cheese , Lux wants a calm quiet almost off the radar life and Else is full of vengeance and destruction .

Perfect read for a miserable day , enjoyable . Thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to read this .

Powerful and Evocative

Kirsty Logan certainly packs a punch with this gritty novel.

This story about a young god-fearing woman called Lux and her adventures with strange and mysterious folk, takes you on a journey of tales of witches, sexual desires, humanity and brutal survival.

The writing is both savagely raw and poetically beautiful.

A captivating read.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Scottish author Kirsty Logan blends historical fact with folklore and fairy tale to construct an unusual variation on a ghost story and queer, coming-of-age narrative. Set in a slightly-fantastical, reimagining of medieval times, Logan’s plot revolves around Lux, an outcast orphan on a journey that leads her to witness great terrors and unexpected wonders - from plague to witch trials to shapeshifting to an iconoclastic band of performing players, masked mummers who seem destined to cross her path wherever she goes. Lux’s goal is to avenge a terrible crime committed against her enigmatic, travelling companion Else. A crime carried out by an all-powerful, local lord. Logan’s novel is often brutal and visceral with graphic scenes that recreate the simmering violence of a time marked by its elaborate forms of discipline and punishment: the mortification of the flesh through flagellation; scolds’ bridals used on “outspoken” women; hunted animals; and plague victims boarded up and left to die. But this isn’t primarily historical fiction. The emphasis here is on storytelling, not just in Logan’s approach to her material but through an intricate exploration of roles on offer to women like Lux accused of witchcraft and devoid of social or economic clout - the parts she’s forced to play, and who gets to tell her story. Logan’s examination of issues of gender and power may not be desperately original but it’s thoughtful and heartfelt. The pace can be uneven and there are quite a few heavy-handed, bordering on melodramatic, scenes, yet I found this oddly gripping. It’s definitely manipulative but it’s also brooding and nicely atmospheric and I liked Lux as a character. Plus, the element of mystery was intriguing enough to keep me turning the pages until I reached the end.

Sorry, I was attracted by the cover and didn't pay attention to the plot.
I already read and reviewed it. Here's my review:
I found it fascinating and original: there's a lot of books about witches to the point that you risk mixing names and story.
But this is a different type of story and the women in this books are realistic and well developed.
There's elements of folk horror, there's some very dreamlike parts, and some that I found a bit dragging even if the book kept me hooked.
4.5 upped to 5
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine