Rachel Griffin’s debut novel, The Nature of Witches, seamlessly blends fascinating magic, the turmoil of being a teenager, and the dangers of climate change. While the execution falters at times, Griffin shows herself to be a budding voice in the YA realm.
Clara Densmore is an Everwitch. The first in a century and the one who will save the world from the damage it is doing to itself. But Clara has lost more than she can handle because of her magic and she wants nothing more to do with it. When other seasonal witches start dying at alarming rates from the escalating natural disasters, Clara must finally accept her role as Everwitch, no matter the cost.
So let’s dive straight into the things to love about The Nature of Witches. The magic system is absolutely entrancing. Griffin weaves the elemental magic and climate crisis that, while providing a much needed and stern message about global warming, never feels heavy handed Clara, our chosen one main character, is an Everwitch, meaning her power is not bound by the seasons unlike other witches, but her power is her problem.
And this is where we get into some of the not great aspects of this novel. The Nature of Witches, while being beautifully written and full of emotion, doesn’t bring anything new to the Chosen One trope. Clara, having killed people that she loves with her power, doesn’t want the magic anymore, regardless of the fact that it’s the only thing that can save the whole world. While younger readers, objectively the ones this book is truly for, will find Clara relatable, older YA readers may struggle with Clara’s personality.
Griffin brings a lot of character focus in this story, which is both good and bad. Sang is a fantastic romantic lead and Paige is a great side character. But the story felt slow anytime there wasn’t some weather related action happening. With so much focus on the characters, the stakes of the plot never felt very important. The novel as a whole would have benefited from more balance with the plot and characters.
At the end of the day, The Nature of Witches is a really good debut novel. Rachel Griffin is at the start of her career and I feel like we will see a lot of growth from her and her magical stories. While The Nature of Witches didn’t blow me away like I was hoping, that doesn’t take away from the fact that it is an intriguing read from an author to watch.
The Nature of Witches is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.
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Synopsis | Goodreads
For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.
In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic―losing the ones she loves―is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.
In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.
In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.
In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves… before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.
Practical Magic meets Twister in this debut contemporary fantasy standalone about heartbreaking power, the terror of our collapsing atmosphere, and the ways we unknowingly change our fate.
