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A review by daijahsbookworld
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
actual rating: 4/5 stars
the final chapter january 2025 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld
witchcraft for wayward girls by grady hendrix is a bold, unsettling read that combines horror with sharp social commentary. set in 1970 at a florida home for unwed pregnant teens, it offers a chilling look at the way society treats women, especially when it comes to bodily autonomy. the story follows fern, a terrified 15-year-old who, along with other girls in her predicament, is controlled and manipulated by a cruel system. everything from what they eat to what they’re allowed to talk about is monitored, and the horrors of this system feel all too relevant today.
hendrix does an excellent job of illustrating the trauma and rage of women throughout history and still today. by focusing on the ways these girls are silenced and stripped of agency, the book forces readers to face the raw reality of denying women control over their lives. the inclusion of witchcraft adds a supernatural element that feels both empowering and dangerous. it's an avenue for these girls to reclaim some control, but as the book warns, power comes at a steep price.
the 1970s setting is also wonderfully done, transporting you into a time where women’s rights were heavily restricted, and the world was on the verge of major social change. the grotesque horror moments are gripping, and while the witchcraft elements are intriguing, i do think they could have been explored more deeply. some readers may take issue with how witchcraft is portrayed, but i don’t think the book is necessarily meant to be an accurate representation of real-life witchcraft.
while hendrix’s characters, including the bipoc characters, feel a bit flat and could have had more depth, this wasn’t a major issue for me. it’s clear that the characters serve more as a vehicle for the story’s deeper messages rather than being fully fleshed out individuals. for some this might be a drawback, and i do think it prevented the book from getting a full 5 stars from me, but it still stands strong without more fleshed out characters.
overall witchcraft for wayward girls is a haunting, thought-provoking read that delivers a strong social message wrapped in a compelling horror story.
thank you to berkley publishing group, grady hendrix, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
the final chapter january 2025 bookclub pick: https://www.patreon.com/daijahsbookworld
witchcraft for wayward girls by grady hendrix is a bold, unsettling read that combines horror with sharp social commentary. set in 1970 at a florida home for unwed pregnant teens, it offers a chilling look at the way society treats women, especially when it comes to bodily autonomy. the story follows fern, a terrified 15-year-old who, along with other girls in her predicament, is controlled and manipulated by a cruel system. everything from what they eat to what they’re allowed to talk about is monitored, and the horrors of this system feel all too relevant today.
hendrix does an excellent job of illustrating the trauma and rage of women throughout history and still today. by focusing on the ways these girls are silenced and stripped of agency, the book forces readers to face the raw reality of denying women control over their lives. the inclusion of witchcraft adds a supernatural element that feels both empowering and dangerous. it's an avenue for these girls to reclaim some control, but as the book warns, power comes at a steep price.
the 1970s setting is also wonderfully done, transporting you into a time where women’s rights were heavily restricted, and the world was on the verge of major social change. the grotesque horror moments are gripping, and while the witchcraft elements are intriguing, i do think they could have been explored more deeply. some readers may take issue with how witchcraft is portrayed, but i don’t think the book is necessarily meant to be an accurate representation of real-life witchcraft.
while hendrix’s characters, including the bipoc characters, feel a bit flat and could have had more depth, this wasn’t a major issue for me. it’s clear that the characters serve more as a vehicle for the story’s deeper messages rather than being fully fleshed out individuals. for some this might be a drawback, and i do think it prevented the book from getting a full 5 stars from me, but it still stands strong without more fleshed out characters.
overall witchcraft for wayward girls is a haunting, thought-provoking read that delivers a strong social message wrapped in a compelling horror story.
thank you to berkley publishing group, grady hendrix, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.