Rachel Griffin, a witch of unparalleled power and prowess, is a force of wild nature. She embodies the untamed energy of the natural world, harnessing its power to weave her spells and shape her destiny. With her fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, she emanates a sense of raw power and untamed magic. Rachel's connection to nature is evident in everything she does. She communica**tes** with animals, commanding their loyalty and guidance. Birds flock to her, singing sweet melodies that only she can understand.
Birds flock to her, singing sweet melodies that only she can understand. She can call upon the wind to carry her swiftly through the air or summon a storm with a flick of her wrist. But Rachel's wild nature goes beyond her magical abilities.
Wild is the Witch Book Review
After reading Rachel Griffin's debut novel The Nature of Witches, I had a feeling I would love this author. The suspicion was confirmed upon reading her newest release, Wild is the Witch.
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Category: Cozy Read
Want to know more about how we categorize books? See our Lexicon for details.
RATING: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5 stars
Pairings: Blackberry scone + London fog tea
Before we get into it, I wanted to leave a CONTENT WARNING for anyone who may be sensitive to certain topics. This book contains mentions of blood, animal death, cancer/terminal illness, and child death. If any of these topics are difficult for you, please take care or simply pass on the following review.
PLOTWhen a magical accident claims a life, Iris must stand trial for her involvement. After the Witches' Council finds her innocent, Iris and her mother seek a fresh start by moving to Washington and founding a wildlife refuge. But the past still haunts her, and Iris does everything she can to keep her identity as a witch secret—including not practicing magic openly and avoiding people as often as possible.
But it's impossible to always avoid Pike, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist interning at the refuge. When one of his comments hits too close to home, she takes out her rage by creating a particularly cruel curse for him, though she has no intention of casting it. She tries to destroy it, but before she can, an owl steals it and flies from the refuge.
As luck would have it, this owl is an amplifier and not ready to return to the wild. If Iris cannot find it, return it safely to the refuge, and dispel the curse, it will affect people all over the region, not just Pike. Forced to work together, Iris and Pike trek through the forest searching for the owl. But Pike doesn't know his life is in danger or that Iris is the cause, and she's determined to keep it that way.
Of course, nothing goes as planned. Anything that can go wrong does. Storms, wild animals, and a budding newfound respect for each other throws one curveball after another at the duo. For a book that leans heavily on the characters and their evolving relationship rather than action-oriented plot points, there is still excitement to be found.
CHARACTERSThe characters in Wild is the Witch are relatable and easy to adore. Iris and Pike's banter is cute and fun, and her mom is great—something we don't see much of in YA. They all have love and deep respect for nature and the animals they look after, which automatically makes them good in my book.
I can connect to Iris as someone who spends too much time in her head worrying about anything and everything, as well as someone who loves forests and is heartbroken by their decline, who is more comfortable in nature and with animals than people.
I love that Iris’s mom is so supportive of her and values her input, even when she doesn’t agree with Iris’s opinions or decisions. When it comes to her own life, she includes Iris, asking how she feels about it. She also tries to push Iris out of her comfort zone so she can relax and enjoy being in the moment.
But it’s Pike who's able to do this by introducing Iris to new things: music she ends up loving, chips on her sandwich (which I enjoy, so I geeked reading that part), etc. He can definitely be an arrogant, picky ass—witches should burn, and if it’s not done his way then it isn’t right—but he’s also adorable in his geekiness and thoughtful kindness.
I like how Iris and Pike are polar opposites yet have so much in common—losing loved ones, hiding pain in their own way, etc. I adore how they see each other’s rough edges and force one another to confront their struggles while inspiring growth.
And of course we can't forget Winter the wolf and MacGuffin the owl! Winter is Iris's loyal best friend, who I wish could have tagged along for the journey, but I completely understand why that wasn't possible. And MacGuffin's stubborn cuteness is what keeps the story going.
There is LGBT+ representation in a female/female relationship, though they are not major players and it didn’t have a big impact on the story.
Wild is the Witch came out on August 2, 2022. It’s a book you absolutely won’t want to miss! Keep on reading to see all of my thoughts about this stunning novel.
She possesses a fierce independence and refuses to be bound by societal norms or expectations. She walks her own path, guided by her intuition and connection to the natural world. She is unafraid to confront danger head-on, facing down fearsome beasts and malevolent spirits with a calm determination. As a force of wild nature, Rachel also embodies both light and darkness. She can be gentle and nurturing like the soothing breeze on a warm summer day, but she can also be fierce and relentless like a raging wildfire. Her emotions run deep, and when she is angered or betrayed, her fury is like a tempest, leaving destruction in its wake. Rachel's wild nature sets her apart from other witches. She is not content to follow tradition or adhere to the status quo. Her powers and her spirit are too immense to be contained, and she constantly seeks to expand her understanding of magic and the natural world. She delves into ancient texts, seeking forgotten knowledge and uncovering hidden truths. In a world where magic is often controlled and manipulated, Rachel Griffin is a breath of fresh air. She reminds us of the untamed power and beauty that exists in the wild places, and she challenges us to embrace our own wild nature. Through her adventures and struggles, she teaches us that true power lies within, waiting to be unleashed like a force of wild nature..
Reviews for "The Untamed Witch: Rachel Griffin and the Power of Nature"
1. John - Rating: 1/5
I found "The Witch Rachel Griffin is a Force of Wild Nature" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt underdeveloped. The writing style was also confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Emily - Rating: 2/5
"The Witch Rachel Griffin is a Force of Wild Nature" fell short of my expectations. The plot was predictable and the pacing was slow, making it difficult to maintain interest throughout the book. The author's attempt at creating a complex magical world felt forced and unconvincing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Unfortunately, I found this book to be lackluster and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. David - Rating: 2/5
Having read "The Witch Rachel Griffin is a Force of Wild Nature," I was left unimpressed. The story was cliché, following the typical trope of a chosen one overcoming challenges. The writing style was average at best, lacking creativity and finesse. The world-building felt shallow and underdeveloped, failing to captivate my interest. Overall, I didn't find this book to be particularly memorable or enjoyable.