This is my first Grady Hendrix book, and I was super excited to read it. For quite some time, I heard a lot of good opinions about his books and writing style, so when Witchcraft for Wayward Girls came out, I waited for a few weeks before I bought it myself so I could get a few opinions first around Mighty Bookstagram, and I was really hyped.
The story follows Neva, who is 15 years old and pregnant. We have 1970 in Alabama, and it has been decided. She is going to the house for unwed mothers to have her child and give it up for adoption. Her parents will tell everyone she will stay with her aunt or acting summer camp all summer, and then she will be back without ‘problem’ living her life like nothing happened. Her father took her to the Wellwood house, where she met a dozen other girls in the same situation as her. In the house, she is renamed Fern( every girl gets a different name to protect their identity and keep her personal life to herself). Girls spend their days eating, playing games and doing house chores. That is it for about 30% of the book. Eating, sleeping, and all discomforts related to pregnancy are shown. The only fun they have is a library on wheels that comes once a week, if I remember correctly. That is a chance for fun. When Fern goes inside to get a book, she receives a spell book, and Fern and her friends can change their lives. Get the power back into their hands. Now, they will be able to fix all their problems. But will they? To find out, you have to read it.
This book has a little horror besides gruesome pregnancy-related situations and childbirth. It can be upsetting for some people. For me, two things were upsetting: pacing and character development. The pacing was so slow that by the 30% of the book, I wanted to DNF it. I didn’t because in May, I am going to a book signing by Grady, and I bought a hardcover to get it signed ( bad idea to even spend 20 pounds for this book). I felt like eating by the girls and sleeping and doing chores was over and over and over. Repetitive so much. I was waiting so much to have some witchy weird shit happen, but in the whole book, it was little of it. The other characters, Fern and her friends, were so alike. Nothing special about any of them to feel like you can root for them. Fern has no personality to my liking. Yes, she got under my skin more towards the end. Rose was the only character in the book who was interesting in some way. This book could easily be cut by 100 pages. The whole plot was simple, and the witches were so unrealistic. They had a new scene, and that was it.
The ending left me disappointed. I have to say, this book was a waste of time. I already read How to Sell a Haunted House, and I will let you know what I think about it. This one was not for me.
Five key categories for rating horror books:
- Atmosphere and tension: This is the backbone of horror- how well the book builds a creepy, unsettling vibe. Does the setting (dark woods, haunted house, possessed people) pull you in? Does the book keep you on edge, dreading what’s next? A great horror book makes the air feel thick with unease.
My rate: 0.5 - Characters and Relatability: Are the protagonists fleshed out enough to care about? Do their fears or flaws resonate? Weak characters can tank a story- nobody roots for a cardboard cutout. The best horrors make you feel their terror as if it’s your own.
My rate: 0 - Plot Coherence and Pacing: Does the story hold together logically, even in its madness? Are twists earned, not just cheap shocks? Pacing matters too- too slow, and it drags: too fast, and the fear does not sink in. A tight, well-structured plot keeps the horror gripping.
My rate: 0.5 - Fear factor and Impact: How much does it actually scare you? This varies by reader—some want visceral gore, others subtle dread—but the book should leave a mark, whether it is nightmares or lingering chills. It’s about emotional punch, not just jump-scares on paper.
My rate: 0 - Writing Quality and Styles: Clunky prose or overdone cliches can kill the mood. Does the language flow, painting vivid images without bogging down? The best horror writers wield words like weapons, sharp and deliberate, ampifying the story’s power.
My rate: 1
Overall stars: 2/5