The Nazis' fascination with the occult has always intrigued me, so I was eager to read this story about Lydia Polk, a young witch from Britain's Royal Academy of Witches who needs to find a powerful book of spells before the Nazis can use it to wreak ultimate destruction on their enemies. A Resistance of Witches did not disappoint. In fact, it's one of the most entertaining, fast paced, un-put-downable novels I've read in a long time, with relatable, well-drawn characters and a lovely hint of sexual tension between Lydia and a handsome young art curator from Louisiana.Ms. Ryan's first novel is a seductive promise of things to come, so Book #2 will be on my auto-buy list. If you just love to lose yourself in a fun, beautifully written story, you'll definitely want to check this one out.
It was everything I hoped it would be and some! As a huge fan of historical fiction; it was Phillipa Gregory goodness but dare I say better?? Lydia was a character that was really easy to relate to, and every character was so well thought out and historically accurate. I can’t wait to read more from Morgan Ryan!
It's WWll in London, and the witches are thinking about helping the English. Witches have been around forever, but since the Witch Trials killed so many, most are "undercover". The Blitz is destroying London and Churchill could use some help. Lydia Polk, an unlikely member of the Royal Academy of Witches. Hitler's supernatural corps is hot on the trail of any magical item that will help his cause.Lydia, through a exciting, tragic twist of fate, is in France looking for the Grimorium Vellum to keep it from Hitler. Her search becomes entangled with Rebecca Gagne, a French Resistance fighter and Henry Boudreaux, a Haitian American art historian with a bit of magic of his own.The battles are tense, the book is a nasty piece of magic that can end the war, or possibly the world.Great, well detailed characters, "spellbinding" plot , and imaginative settings make this an absolute must for historical fiction lovers with a taste for magic. I read it in less than a week - a little more than four hundred pages. Highly recommend!
What an excellent read. Engaging from the very start. Action, dialogue and use of the language are so skillfully done as to make the narrative altogether fast paced and enjoyable. Historical fantasy is always better when the author has done her research. A casual remark in the very first chapter as regards Churchill's encounter with Isidora during the Boer war was the first of many little pleasures slipped in that showed off that research. (Churchill was a journalist and was captured during the Boer war only to pull off an inexplicable, almost magical, escape from his captors.) Altogether a wonderful read and a remarkable debut novel. Hope to see much more from this author.
Couldn’t put it down and as always with a really good read, so sorry when it was finished and I had to leave the characters and world the author created.
I had a feeling that I was going to love this, just from reading the synopsis of the book. I love historical fiction and books about witches, so I couldn't help but be captivated by this story. This story blew me away from the first to the last page, and when I got to the end, I wished there had been more. A Resistance of Witches affected me in so many ways; there is so much I can rave about this story. I've been reading books about witches since middle school, and I'd say this was the most unique one I've ever read. I loved the characters, their backgrounds, the action, and, particularly, the magical world created by Morgan Ryan. There wasn't a single page where I wasn't captivated by the story; every page had me wondering what would happen next to Lydia, Rebecca, and Henry, and whether they would all survive.A Resistance Of Witches is not a book you will be able to easily put down; I had trouble putting it down because I was so immersed in the story. There was so much going on that you couldn't help but turn the pages, and before you knew it, it was the middle of night. If it weren't for classes, I'd probably spend the whole night reading. I loved the way that author blended magic into the real world. The characters and their development throughout the story were amazing, especially Lydia, Rebecca, and Henry. Each of those characters had such depth, and the way they were written made them seem so real. I could say so much more what I loved about each of them, but I don’t want to give too much away. You will have to read for yourself to find out.A Resistance Of Witches is one of the best combinations of historical fiction and fantasy I've read. I loved how she described the book's characters and setting. The relationships in this book, particularly family relationships, were beautifully written. Morgan Ryan is an author to look out for! I’m eager to see what adventures she will take us on next. Highly recommended for fans of historical fantasy.
From one Chicagoan to another, bravo! This is great story with a plot that keeps the reader invested in both the outcome and the characters both heroes and villains. Set during WWII, the plot weaves history with the fantasy of magic. Loved it and I'm looking forward to Ms. Ryan's next book.
There's infighting in the Royal Academy of Witches during WWII, and I'm there for it! A lone witch, Lydia Polk, must keep a powerful ancient text out of the hands of the Nazis, a perilous mission that takes her deep into occupied France. I can hardly believe this is Ms. Ryan's debut novel. But that just means there will be more captivating books to come. I can't wait for the next one.
This book is well written, with expertly drawn character development. The age old theme of good against evil has taken on new depths in this novel. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. If this is her debut, I cannot wait to see what else Morgan Ryan will produce in the future.
Absolute perfection
Fiercely courageous witches. A war with far reaching consequences. An evil book capable of destroying the world.It’s 1940, World War II is ripping the world apart. Lydia is a young witch at the Royal Academy of Witches. Her mentor, Isodora, the grand mistress of the academy, takes her to meet Winston Churchill. Isodora reveals her intentions to assist the British government in the war effort. However, a few years later, Isodora is murdered by a Nazi witch. Devastated,Lydia is tasked with finding an ancient grimoire that contains powerful, dark magic before the Nazi coven. She travels to France and meets Rebecca, a resistance spy, and Henry, a curator of art who is hiding a magical power of his own.I recommend this book for historical fiction and fantasy readers. There are many layers with the historical aspect of WWII, elaborate magic, and the strong bonds of a mother and daughter. The connections between the characters reflects quick, strong friendship borne from intense, life threatening situations. This book is action packed with fierce characters who are fighting to overcome the worst evil imaginable.“Show me a world that does not hate a powerful woman, and I’ll show you a world without men”. Quoted from uncorrected proof.Thank you Penguin Group/ Viking Penguin and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.
This outstanding debut novel by Morgan Ryan has everything — action! danger! betrayal! heartbreak! love! — wrapped in a desperate, life-or-death mission with a touch of Raiders of the Lost Ark vibes. It’s a classic battle of Good vs Evil, the darkest kind of fairytale with the highest of stakes. On the side of the angels, British witches fighting for the Allies; on the fascist side, Nazi witches working for Hitler. They want to annihilate their enemies, destroy everything they disagree with, and rule the world. The prize they’re all searching for is an ancient grimoire, an incredibly evil and powerful weapon, and it soon becomes clear, this is probably a suicide mission for the good guys. The action is nonstop, the danger is terrifying, and it is impossible to put this book down!From the first scene — Grand Mistress Isadora and young apprentice Lydia on the way to meet with Churchill — I was all in, immediately intrigued by the characters and invested in the story. And as is only right for a tale set in the dark days of World War II, there are moments of violence, bravery and hopelessness, horror and totally heart-stopping moments. It’s absolutely cinematic, told so well it was like I was there, too... which is about the highest compliment I can give.The main characters are captivating. They’re brave, battered, overwhelmed and outgunned, and I felt every second of it. I love how this found family kept risking everything for each other! Lydia, the self-doubting yet bold and determined British witch; Rebecca, the French Resistance fighter full of secrets and rage; and Henry, the Haitian American art curator, so steadfast and strong. They each carry a ton of grief and heartbreak but keep going no matter what. So much tension, danger and sacrifice... so perfectly evoked by the author. Everything was on the line, the future of the world no less, and I felt all of it. This is An Experience. Wow.I enthusiastically recommend this book, whether you’re into adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, historic, or war stories, there’s something for you to love! This thrilling story is so smart and compelling, written so assuredly, it’s honestly amazing that it’s a debut. All I can say is Congratulations, Ms. Ryan! I’ll be eagerly awaiting anything else you write.Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Viking Penguin for the ARC!
A Resistance of Witches was a very unusual, unique, and good historical fiction. While it takes place during WWII, here there are witches involved, the British Royal Academy of Witches, mind you. One witch in particular, Lydia Polk who is new to the academy, is given the mission of finding a powerful, ancient book called the Grimorium Bellum before it gets into the hands of the Nazi’s. That journey for Lydia took a lot of bravery and resilience. I cheered and cried for her.This is pretty fast-paced and well written. Very impressive for a debut novel. I enjoyed the story and the characters, mostly Lydia, Rebecca, and Henry. And Lydia’s mum, Evelyn, too. Even though this does take place during WWII, I would say this is more historical fantasy. It was clever and did not disappoint.Thank you to Viking Penguin and NetGalley for the review copy.
Wow. Excellent first-time novel. The author did a good job with both the historical setting and the witchcraft world. This book held my attention, and I finished it in 2 days as it was a quick read.Can't wait to see what she does next.
4.75 🌟 rounded upYes, please. This is what I want in WWII historical fiction. This is what I've been missing.I loved the FMC, Lydia. She's loyal, stubborn, and relatable. Her companions, Henry and Rebecca, are admirable as well. As you'd expect, this book is full of heartbreak. War is ugly, and it shows. The author doesn't shy away from the violence, death, and destruction from the Nazis. Not everything gets wrapped up in a pretty little bow. Even with the magic woven throughout the narrative, I appreciated the realness of the thoughts, actions, and devastations of the time period.In one word - incredible. I'm amazed that this is a debut novel. The book world needs to look out for more from Morgan Ryan, and I absolutely will, too.Recommended for readers who love witchy fantasy mixed with historical fiction - a combo I HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
This is a captivating story. I read the book on one day because I just had to know how it ended. I’m excited to see what this author comes out with next.
After reading A Resistance of Witches, historical fantasy might be my new favorite genre. Morgan Ryan floored me with her phenomenal debut, from the setting, the characters, all of it. Lydia is a complex, fascinating character on her own, but add in her magical powers and she becomes even that much more interesting. When she meets Rebecca and Henry, the dynamic between the three of them and their strengths and weaknesses and their unlikely friendship became one of my favorite parts of the book. Add in an enchanted grimoire called the Grimorium Bellum and A Resistance of Witches is one of my favorite books of the summer. I will be recommending this one to all my thriller, fantasy, and historical fiction loving friends!
Historical fantasy at its best!
Lydia Polk walks into 10 Downing Street at nineteen with a war already nipping at her heels and her magical world on the edge of fracture. "A Resistance of Witches" doesn’t waste time. It drops you straight into secret wartime politics, magical alliances, and the kind of high-stakes tension where every decision feels like lighting a match near a gas leak. There’s no slow build, no magical school fluff. This is blood, bureaucracy, and ancient spellwork wrapped around the British war machine.Lydia is not a magical wunderkind. She’s a projectionist, meaning she’s deadly precise with illusions, but lacks the flashy, diverse talent of the witches around her. Add in a minor family lineage and some very vocal self-loathing, and you’ve got a character who doesn’t believe she belongs, even as she’s asked to lead. Lead. A whole coven. At nineteen. While Europe burns. And somehow, she pulls it off while still being a hot, grieving mess. It's power fantasy grounded in real emotional grit.Then there’s Rebecca Gagne, a Resistance fighter with secrets wrapped tighter than her loaded pistol. Rebecca doesn’t let anyone in. She’s sharp-edged, damaged, and way too familiar with betrayal, and her chemistry with Lydia is all wary glances and earned trust. Their dynamic is survival bonded, not girlboss-friendship. And Henry Boudreaux? Don’t even get me started. Our art historian slash ghost-whisperer enters like he’s too gentle for this world and turns out to be emotionally devastating in the softest, most lethal way. Lydia is very much not ready to catch feelings for someone who sees ghosts and can also see her, really see her, and yet... here we are. Magic, grief, danger, and that one charged silence where they almost touch? It’s everything.And threading through it all is the "Grimorium Bellum," a book that doesn’t just carry dark magic, it is dark magic. It corrupts. It manipulates. It kills. And Lydia has to find it before the Nazi coven does, while keeping her soul intact. Casual, right? Ryan doesn’t turn this into a race-against-the-clock thriller. It’s more psychological minefield. The book wants to be found. And it wants to ruin you.The worldbuilding never pauses to over-explain. It folds magic into the historical record like it was always there: witches negotiating with Churchill, ancient orders cloaked as government agencies, magical relics buried under war-torn cities. The older witches' reluctance to aid the same society that hunted them for centuries adds a sharp layer of moral friction. Why fight for a world that fears you? And what does it mean to lead others into that choice?What really lands, though, is the emotional fallout. Lydia’s grief for her mentor, her mounting responsibility, her fear of becoming too much or not enough, it bleeds through every decision. Rebecca’s trauma and Henry’s quiet heartbreak feel just as real, and their little trio becomes the kind of found family that forms not from soft moments, but from surviving the same fire. No one’s clean. No one’s unscarred. But they choose each other, again and again, and that wrecked me.By the final page, I didn’t just want Lydia to survive. I wanted her to dismantle the whole system, rewrite the rules, kiss Henry once under a crumbling cathedral, and make sure no one ever used magic like that again. It’s not a coming-of-age story, it’s a taking-power-back story. And it slaps. 4.5 stars. Because I can’t shut up about it, and I don’t want to.Huge thanks to Penguin Group and NetGalley for the ARC. I would’ve sold my soul to the "Grimorium" for a sneak peek, but this was way less cursed and only mildly haunting.
This book has a very intriguing story to tell that caught me interest and kept it well. I thought this storyline was quite fresh, and the combination of fantasy and history that is woven through it was smart and seductive. Lydia was a likable and compelling character that was easy to root for and on.
