The Once and Future Witches: An Alternate Historical Fantasy

I knew that The Once And Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow wasn't being released until October 2020, but I also knew that I had to read it ASAP as soon as I was approved for a digital ARC from Net Galley.  I wasn't the only one apparently.  There are currently a hundred ratings on Goodreads.

                                 

Actually, the reason why this book was so appealing to me is because it was supposed to be about witches who were suffragettes.  These are two of my favorite subjects. The last book with a witch protagonist that I reviewed on this blog was the steampunk novel, Her Majesty's Witch, which I reviewed here. I usually review suffragette novels on Flying High Reviews, my blog for strong female protagonists that aren't in fantasy or science fiction contexts.   I discovered that the women's suffrage movement was not the major focus of this novel though it was very much centered on feminism.   So I was still delighted.

I was surprised that few reviews mentioned the alternate history aspect of  The Once and Future Witches.  My guess is that many readers aren't familiar with the history referenced in the book.

The most important issue in late 19th century America was probably immigration, not witchcraft.  Leaders in late 19th century New England considered themselves scientific though some of the science they believed in was based in racist ideology like eugenics. 

I couldn't find any reference to a witchcraft hysteria during the period, but there is a fascinating Smithsonian article about a vampire hysteria during 1893 in Rhode Island here . While there is indeed a city of New Salem in Massachusetts founded by people from the original Salem, this didn't occur because the Salem where the witch trials took place was burned.  Yet it does seem plausible to me that America could have become permanently obsessed with witchcraft in an alternate timeline. 

The approach to witchcraft in The Once And Future Witches isn't paranormal.  This is unusual within the fantasy genre.  It's stated in this book that anyone can become a witch by knowing the words to the spells.   Having a focus on the intention of the spell is mentioned, but isn't emphasized.  Most current day Wiccans consider magical intent very significant.

As someone who loves fairy tale re-tellings, I was drawn to the alternate versions of fairy tales that are sprinkled throughout the novel. Though of course these are the official versions in this continuity as told by the Sisters Grimm.

I had revolving favorites among the three Eastwood sisters who are the witch protagonists of this book.  Each one was a favorite of mine at various points.  I also loved the African American witch Cleopatra  Quinn who was also a reporter for a local Black newspaper that is described as radical.

I think I can reveal that one of the sisters ends up in a lesbian relationship, but it would be a spoiler to say which one.   There are a few great moments in the development of that relationship that I was glad to see.

I consider The Once and Future Witches really wonderful and a strong contender for best novel of 2020.