A New Witch in the Northwoods by Elise Posledni
This has been an enjoyable and fabulous ride for a debut novel. Thank you to NetGalley, Ten16 Press, and, of course, Elise Posledni, for this opportunity.
Warning: this review is based on an ARC, so the final product may have some variations.
Title/Izenburua: A New Witch in the Northwoods
Publication date: Sept 12, 2026
Argitalpen data: 2026/09/22
Lenght/luzera: 380 pages/orrialde
Publisher/Argitaletxea: Ten16 Press
(English)
The story builds slowly as the FMC, Mary, discovers the “Other” —a magical world— and tries to learn how to navigate life between both realms.
Of course, there’s also a romantic arc —with the first man/creature she meets in this new adventure (something that seems quite common with this trope, but that I find a little unrealistic and like less and less every time), but, hey, that’s the lore, right?
As I was saying, she juggles between love and the challenge of maintaining her life in both realities, trying to figure out her grandfather’s last decisions, discovering new perils and receiving magical lessons to fight against them, and, last but not least, trying not to lose her previous relationships and lifestyle on the “normal” side.
In all this turmoil of adventures, the romance feels a bit shallow compared to the better-developed background of the antagonist. Therefore, I would have liked to see more of Ruthven before the last 20% of the book. Yes, the most sadist side of me craved to feel a little more of that anguish and fear. The last 20% was indeed a rollercoaster!
Special quotes (beware of vague spoilers) — click to show.
- The small houses and two-story apartments soon gave way to restaurants with tables spilling into the street. (Chap. 7).
- Are you ever truly lost if you are wandering with the purpose of experiencing the beauty of all that is around you? (Chap. 10).
- Just enjoy the gray for a while (Chap. 15).
Puntuazioa/Puntuación/Rating: ★★★⯪☆
