Grady Hendrix delivers another spellbinding tale with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, blending eerie atmospheres, emotional depth, and a dash of dark humor. In this post, I’m diving into three standout elements that made this book a memorable read. From its haunting exploration of sisterhood to its clever nods to witchy folklore, here’s what kept me hooked and why this novel deserves a spot on your TBR!
Title: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls
By: Grady Hendrix
Genre: Historical Fiction/ Horror
Pages: 496
Release Date: January 14th, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:
There’s power in a book…
They call them wayward girls. Loose girls. Girls who grew up too fast. And they’re sent to the Wellwood Home in St. Augustine, Florida, where unwed mothers are hidden by their families to have their babies in secret, give them up for adoption, and most important of all, to forget any of it ever happened.
Fifteen-year-old Fern arrives at the home in the sweltering summer of 1970, pregnant, terrified and alone. Under the watchful eye of the stern Miss Wellwood, she meets a dozen other girls in the same predicament. There’s Rose, a hippie who insists she’s going to find a way to keep her baby and escape to a commune. And Zinnia, a budding musician who knows she’s going to go home and marry her baby’s father. And Holly, a wisp of a girl, barely fourteen, mute and pregnant by no-one-knows-who.
Everything the girls eat, every moment of their waking day, and everything they’re allowed to talk about is strictly controlled by adults who claim they know what’s best for them. Then Fern meets a librarian who gives her an occult book about witchcraft, and power is in the hands of the girls for the first time in their lives. But power can destroy as easily as it creates, and it’s never given freely. There’s always a price to be paid…and it’s usually paid in blood.
Three Things I Loved
2. The Perfect Blend of Horror and Humor: Grady Hendrix masterfully balances unsettling chills with moments of wry humor, making the story both eerie and entertaining. This unique tone kept me on edge while also delivering moments of unexpected laughter.
3. The Richly Atmospheric Setting: From the creaking halls of the old boarding school to the eerie woods that seem alive with secrets, the setting was practically a character itself. Hendrix’s vivid descriptions created an immersive world perfect for a witchy tale.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is a captivating blend of the eerie, the emotional, and the enchanting—a story that lingers long after the final page. With its rich atmosphere, complex relationships, and signature Hendrix charm, it’s a book that both delights and unsettles in equal measure. If you’re in the mood for a spellbinding tale that’s as thought-provoking as it is chilling, this one’s a must-read. Have you read it yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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