Format: 416 pages, Hardcover
Release Date: July 15, 2025
Publisher: Viking
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy / Historical
A historical fantasy debut set against the backdrop of World War II, where a witch journeys to find a book of unspeakable power before it lands in Nazi hands
Stubborn, plain-spoken and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Witches. Eight years later, with Hitler’s army rampaging across Europe, the witches of Britain have joined the war effort, and Lydia is key to the she must use her magic to track down magical relics before Hitler—known to be obsessively seeking the artifacts himself—and his sycophants can. Then a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences, leaving the coven shaken, exposed and the elder British witches have no interest in further loss of coven life in service of a government that has forced them into hiding for decades, no matter the consequences to the world. But with the discovery of the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book that leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever it goes—one the Nazi coven is desperate to get their hands on—Lydia’s mission has never been more urgent.
Alone and woefully outnumbered, Lydia makes her way to the heart of occupied France, where she finds allies in Rebecca Gagne—a fierce French resistance fighter chockful of secrets—and Henry Boudreaux—a handsome Haitian-American art historian with a little magic of his own. Together, they traverse the country, stalked by the natural and supernatural alike, in search of the grimoire. But, as Lydia soon discovers, finding the Grimorium Bellum is only half the the book has a dark agenda of its own. Lydia must subdue it before the witches of the Third Reich can use it—but she’ll have to survive the book herself, first.
Stubborn, plain-spoken and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be accepted into the Royal Academy of Witches. Eight years later, with Hitler’s army rampaging across Europe, the witches of Britain have joined the war effort, and Lydia is key to the she must use her magic to track down magical relics before Hitler—known to be obsessively seeking the artifacts himself—and his sycophants can. Then a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences, leaving the coven shaken, exposed and the elder British witches have no interest in further loss of coven life in service of a government that has forced them into hiding for decades, no matter the consequences to the world. But with the discovery of the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book that leaves a trail of death and destruction wherever it goes—one the Nazi coven is desperate to get their hands on—Lydia’s mission has never been more urgent.
Alone and woefully outnumbered, Lydia makes her way to the heart of occupied France, where she finds allies in Rebecca Gagne—a fierce French resistance fighter chockful of secrets—and Henry Boudreaux—a handsome Haitian-American art historian with a little magic of his own. Together, they traverse the country, stalked by the natural and supernatural alike, in search of the grimoire. But, as Lydia soon discovers, finding the Grimorium Bellum is only half the the book has a dark agenda of its own. Lydia must subdue it before the witches of the Third Reich can use it—but she’ll have to survive the book herself, first.
Morgan Ryan’s debut novel, A Resistance of Witches, is a captivating blend of historical fiction and fantasy, set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II. This novel introduces readers to an alternate history where witches, long suppressed by society, emerge as key players in the fight against Nazi forces. Ryan crafts a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant. The story follow three distinct characters: Lydia Polk, who is a witch, Rebecca Gagne who helps right the Nazis with the French resistance, and Henry Boudreaux, a black American who chose to remain in France after the Nazi conquest of France.
Set in 1940, as Hitler’s armies sweep across Europe, the witches of Britain, led by the formidable Grand Mistress Isadora Goode, pledge their magical abilities to aid the Allied war effort after a meeting with Winston Churchill. Their mission: to locate and secure magical relics before they fall into Nazi hands, particularly the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book steeped in dark magic with the power to devastate civilizations. When a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy killing two witches it leaves the coven shaken and divided. Lydia’s role becomes even more critical as she is supposed to be Isadora's heir.
The elder witches, wary of further losses after centuries of hiding from persecution, hesitate to fully commit to the war. Undeterred, Lydia embarks on a perilous journey to occupied France, where she allies with Rebecca and Henry Boudreaux, an art historian with a touch of magic. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape of natural and supernatural dangers to find the Grimorium Bellum—a book with its own malevolent agenda. The novel weaves a high-stakes adventure filled with espionage, magic, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a heart-wrenching exploration of sacrifice and resilience.
Lydia Polk is a compelling protagonist, defined by her insecurities and determination. Coming from a family of “minor” magic practitioners, her journey from self-doubt to embracing her role as a key player in the war is both relatable and inspiring. Ryan doesn’t shy away from putting Lydia through emotional and physical trials, which deepens her character and makes her growth authentic. Her interactions with Rebecca and Henry are highlights, as their chemistry and shared struggles create a tight-knit trio that anchors the story. Rebecca brings a fierce intensity to the narrative.
Her secretive nature and personal stakes in the fight against the Nazis add depth, though some reviewers note that her perspective could have been further developed to match Lydia’s prominence. Henry, with his scholarly charm and subtle magic, provides a unique cultural perspective, and his backstory involving his mother is particularly intriguing. The novel’s exploration of mother-daughter and familial relationships, primarily through Lydia and Rebecca, adds emotional weight, transforming what could have been a straightforward adventure into a poignant meditation on sacrifice and legacy.
Set in 1940, as Hitler’s armies sweep across Europe, the witches of Britain, led by the formidable Grand Mistress Isadora Goode, pledge their magical abilities to aid the Allied war effort after a meeting with Winston Churchill. Their mission: to locate and secure magical relics before they fall into Nazi hands, particularly the Grimorium Bellum, an ancient book steeped in dark magic with the power to devastate civilizations. When a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy killing two witches it leaves the coven shaken and divided. Lydia’s role becomes even more critical as she is supposed to be Isadora's heir.
The elder witches, wary of further losses after centuries of hiding from persecution, hesitate to fully commit to the war. Undeterred, Lydia embarks on a perilous journey to occupied France, where she allies with Rebecca and Henry Boudreaux, an art historian with a touch of magic. Together, they navigate a treacherous landscape of natural and supernatural dangers to find the Grimorium Bellum—a book with its own malevolent agenda. The novel weaves a high-stakes adventure filled with espionage, magic, and moral dilemmas, culminating in a heart-wrenching exploration of sacrifice and resilience.
Lydia Polk is a compelling protagonist, defined by her insecurities and determination. Coming from a family of “minor” magic practitioners, her journey from self-doubt to embracing her role as a key player in the war is both relatable and inspiring. Ryan doesn’t shy away from putting Lydia through emotional and physical trials, which deepens her character and makes her growth authentic. Her interactions with Rebecca and Henry are highlights, as their chemistry and shared struggles create a tight-knit trio that anchors the story. Rebecca brings a fierce intensity to the narrative.
Her secretive nature and personal stakes in the fight against the Nazis add depth, though some reviewers note that her perspective could have been further developed to match Lydia’s prominence. Henry, with his scholarly charm and subtle magic, provides a unique cultural perspective, and his backstory involving his mother is particularly intriguing. The novel’s exploration of mother-daughter and familial relationships, primarily through Lydia and Rebecca, adds emotional weight, transforming what could have been a straightforward adventure into a poignant meditation on sacrifice and legacy.
The WWII setting is meticulously researched, capturing the tension and despair of occupied France, the Blitz in England, and the broader geopolitical stakes of the era. The integration of witchcraft into this historical framework feels seamless, with the Royal Academy of Witches operating as a covert arm of the war effort, akin to the Special Operations Executive (SOE). The witches’ reluctance to fully engage in the war, given their history of oppression by the British government, adds a layer of moral complexity. This tension mirrors real-world debates about loyalty, sacrifice, and resistance. Ryan masterfully balances the thrill of a wartime adventure with the tenderness of human relationships, ensuring that the story resonates on both an intellectual and emotional level.
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