Title: The Nature of Witches
Author: Rachel Griffin
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy
Tropes/Themes: Witches, Global Warming, M-Spec, Boarding School
Edition/Pages: Hardcover, 362 Pages
Goodreads page

Thank you so much to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for providing an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summary

For centuries, witches have maintained the climate, their power from the sun peaking in the season of their birth. But now their control is faltering as the atmosphere becomes more erratic. All hope lies with Clara, an Everwitch whose rare magic is tied to every season.

In Autumn, Clara wants nothing to do with her power. It’s wild and volatile, and the price of her magic—losing the ones she loves—is too high, despite the need to control the increasingly dangerous weather.

In Winter, the world is on the precipice of disaster. Fires burn, storms rage, and Clara accepts that she’s the only one who can make a difference.

In Spring, she falls for Sang, the witch training her. As her magic grows, so do her feelings, until she’s terrified Sang will be the next one she loses.

In Summer, Clara must choose between her power and her happiness, her duty and the people she loves… before she loses Sang, her magic, and thrusts the world into chaos.

Review

In a recent author panel Rachel Griffin described this as a “love letter to the Earth” and that is the most perfect description of this book. 

This is easily one of the most unique, witchy fantasies I’ve ever read! I love urban fantasy (fantastical stories set in the real world) and I absolutely devoured this one. This story has it all – a chosen one who wants nothing to do with their destiny, the sweetest cinnamon role love interest, commentary on global warming, and beautiful depictions of a nature. You can really feel Rachel Griffin’s wonderment for the world and nature throughout this entire book. 

I really loved the twist of the chosen one trope in the books because Clara clearly wants nothing to do with her destiny. And I loved the growth the heroine goes through as she discovers to love and accept herself and her place in the world. She changes with every season and must learn to embrace that change – which is an arc I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to. And overall the way the author was able to weave in these impactful themes was expertly done. 

Sang stole my dang heart. He is so soft and sweet and wonderful. He is the cinnamon role hero we all need. I really loved the slow burn romance between these two. It was extremely heartfelt and beautiful. 

Overall I was completely swept away by this debut fantasy. And I’m so excited to see what Rachel Griffin writes next!