Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #602: The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman

 

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with Can't Wait Wednesday hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher: The brand-new series from the bestselling author of Practical Magic, following two brilliant young women in 1950s Cambridge, Massachusetts, as they become immersed in a mysterious secret group of witches at Radcliffe known as the Lilith Society.

Once upon a time, women were drowned in the river and the only witnesses were the crows in the trees. The Puritans blamed Eve for the sins of the world. That was when we began to meet in the name of Lilith, Adam’s first wife—banished for refusing to do as she was told.

We Fly Together…

By the 1950s, Cambridge, Massachusetts feels far removed from the legendary witch trials that marked its early days as a colony. Ava, a bright young woman from a small town in Maine, arrives for her first year at Radcliffe College. There, she meets Lauren, her opposite in every way—the wild and brazen daughter of a wealthy and well-established Cambridge family. But the two have more in common than they think. Both are recruited by the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches at Radcliffe dating back to colonial times. As they learn more about their legacy, Ava and Lauren form a close bond that is put to the test as they learn to navigate their new power, friendship, and love.

While Radcliffe seems like a safe haven, the shadow of McCarthyism looms large, an ever-present threat to the flourishing creative and intellectual life in Cambridge. And as girls from the Lilith Society begin to go missing, Ava and Lauren realize the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.

The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman is expected out September 8, 2026 from Scribner.

Why am I waiting on this book? I've enjoyed reading magical realism titles from Alice Hoffman in the past. I like the idea that the past isn't as far away as is generally thought. And I am intrigued by the Lilith Society and what it will come to mean for the girls.

What book are you waiting on? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Can't Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday #384: The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan

 

Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event that had been hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlighted upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. I'm now linking up with "Can't-Wait Wednesday" hosted over at Wishful Endings.

From the publisher:

Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchiere and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her. 

Brittany, 1741

There hasn’t been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According to the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to the whims of superstitious villagers and the prejudices of fearmongering bishops.

Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows is the false spells her mother weaves over the gullible women who visit their fortune-telling caravan. Everything changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future.

Guided by the whispers of her ancestors and an ancient grimoire, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But first, the Orchière magical lineage must survive. And danger hovers over her, whether it’s bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre.

The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan is expected to be released February 15th, 2022 from Redhook Books.

Why am I waiting on this book? I enjoy reading stories about witches. I'm behind when it comes to books by Louisa Morgan. This one sounds good. There will be magic and danger. And I'm curious about what will happen to Ursule as she adjusts to having magic.

What book are you waiting on this week? Share it or a link in the comments so we can check it out and maybe add it to our TBR lists. Thanks for coming by and Happy Reading!

Review: The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe

Connie Goodwin is an on tenure track professor working on writing a book on the history of witchcraft, and in particular, the women who were called witches. She hs a vested interest in this because she comes from a long line of witches seemingly starting with Livvy Hasseltine and her mother.

The book alternates between snippets of her ancestors' lives and workings and the year 2000. Connie is desperately seeking a way to combat a curse on the women of her family that her mother makes her aware of. As the days go on the curse becomes more and more of an issue for her. Her love is in danger.

Meanwhile, her student Zazi is doing research to try and help her. And a former student of Connie's, Thomas, is after her for resources and support.

I gave this book 4 out of 5 stars. I did enjoy the book. It's well-written and has interesting characters. But, for me, there were a few places that dragged a little. And the ending seemed to be resolved kind of quickly. I did like how she showed whether or not the working worked. And I enjoyed the historical aspect.

I would recommend this book especially to people that like stories about witches with a historical background. There is a nice Author's Note at the end that discusses some of the history involved in the book. I understand this is a follow-up book to The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane, but it can be read and enjoyed without reading the first book.

The Daughters of Temperance Hobbs by Katherine Howe was published June 25th, 2019 by Henry Holt and Company.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

Waiting on Wednesday #66: Housewitch by Katie Schickel

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Jill over at Breaking the Spine where we spotlight upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating. 

The book I am waiting on this week is Housewitch: a novel by Katie Schickel. It's due out February 17, 2015 from Forge Books.

Description from Goodreads: 
Allison Darling, former foster child, now a stay-at-home mom of three, desperately wants to fit in with the organic latte drinking, hundred-dollar-yoga-pants-wearing moms who run Monrovia, her charming seaside village. Constantly feeling like an outsider, Allison dreams of more for her children. When the Glamour Girls, a soap-selling company run by the most charismatic and powerful women in town, recruits Allison, she jumps at the invitation. The Glamor Girls have a hand in everything in Monrovia, from bake sales to business deals. This is what Allison’s wanted her whole life—to be liked. To be popular. To belong. After Allison’s estranged mother passes away, she learns her family’s heartbreaking legacy and the secret Allison’s been fighting to suppress all her life emerges: she’s a witch. What’s more, she’s not the only one in town. There’s more to the Glamour Girls then it seems… and once you’re a Glamour Girl, there’s no going back. Allison must use her rediscovered magic to defend Monrovia, protect her marriage and her children, and reclaim her legacy. Fighting tooth and nail for her family is easy, but what about for herself? Is it too late to confront her own demons and become the woman she dreams of being? Housewitch is a fantastic, clever women’s fiction debut with a lot of heart and a touch of magic. 

 I love the way it sounds. It could be a little like Bewitched, a little like Desperate Housewives, and a little bit like the Stepford Wives.It should make for an interesting read.

So, What title are you waiting on this week? Leave us a link to check it out. Happy Reading!