The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin

Abstract

Reviewed by: The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin April Spisak Griffin, Rachel The Nature of Witches. Sourcebooks Fire, 2021 [384p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781728229423 $17.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781728229430 $17.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 8-10 Clara is at odds with her own power: she knows that she is extraordinarily gifted as a witch, but those incredible abilities are almost impossible to control. It’s understandable that Clara does not want to explore her role as an Everwitch (a witch who can draw magic from all four seasons), given the fact that she has inadvertently killed nearly every person she has ever loved. It’s also understandable that she resists falling for kind, loyal, intelligent Sang, who has been paired with her to help her learn to use her magic successfully. Love grows where it will, however, and Clara’s dive into it actually provides insight into the ways that being an Everwitch can save the planet from devastating climate change. Clara isn’t the strongest character, but her self-doubts, guilt, and despondency about ever living a life like her peers are understandable. The book really excels, though, at its clever setting, sharp and carefully honed secondary characters, and cool weaving of magic elements into our known world, and readers will happily dive into Clara’s magical realm. Copyright © 2021 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois