The Witch Haven by Sasha Peyton Smith
Synopsis: In 1911 New York City, seventeen-year-old Frances Hallowell is grieving the death of her brother and trying to survive her days as a seamstress. Everything changes when she accidentally kills a man who tries to attack her. Instead of being arrested, she is whisked away to Haxahaven, a school for witches that promises safety, guidance, and a new beginning. But the more Frances learns about magic, the more she realizes the school is hiding secrets about her past, her powers, and her brother’s death. What begins as refuge quickly becomes a search for truth in a world filled with dangerous alliances and hidden agendas.
Want a story with dark magic, secret societies, and girls learning to reclaim their power? This book might be right up your alley. Frances is a stubborn, grieving, determined protagonist who is tired of being pushed to the side. She wants answers and she wants control of her life, and honestly, same girl, same. Frances is trying to stay low-key, but life is like, nope, time to face who you really are.
So let us get right into it. Smith starts strong with a murder, tension, and a mysterious rescue, all within the first chapter. You are immediately tossed into Frances’s world, which is gritty, emotional, and so easy to visualize. Once she gets to Haxahaven, things slow down in a good way. We meet the girls who become her found family, and they keep the story grounded. I loved the friendships in this book. They felt real, protective, and complicated in the best ways.
This is a historical fantasy that does an excellent job at worldbuilding. Early twentieth-century New York mixed with witchcraft gives the book a unique vibe. The author does not dump everything on you at once. Magic is sprinkled throughout the story, and you pick things up as Frances does. As someone who loves fantasy, this worked perfectly. The school, the city, the magic circles, all felt layered and atmospheric.
As the story progresses, Frances grows too. She becomes braver, sharper, and more willing to risk everything for the truth. Her friendships help shape her, and those girls are truly the heart of the book. I love a strong female cast in fantasy, and The Witch Haven gave me exactly that.
So you may wonder, hey K, why not the full 5? A few parts in the middle slowed down for me, and there were moments where the story felt pulled between different plots. It did not ruin the experience, but it made me want a tighter focus at times. The ending was strong, though, and definitely set up for the sequel.
Overall, The Witch Haven is a magical, atmospheric, girl-powered fantasy that gives you mystery, emotion, and a gorgeous setting. If you love witches, sisterhood, and historical vibes, check this book out.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
