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The Hedgewitch of Foxhall
In this gorgeous stand-alone fantasy romance perfect for fans of Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft, a rebellious witch undertakes a last-ditch quest to restore magic to medieval Wales—as two princes vie for her heart.
Ffion is the last hedgewitch in Foxhall. To work her magic, she takes only what nature can spare, unlike the witches of the powerful Foxhall coven, who sacrifice whole forests to fuel their spells. But across the warring kingdoms of Wales, all magic is fading. Even the dragons have vanished.
Prince Taliesin would love nothing more than to watch magic die. But when his father charges Tal and his brother, Dafydd, with destroying King Offa’s dyke—the massive earthen wall raised by their Mercian enemies to the east, which may be the cause of magic’s disappearance—he begrudgingly seeks aid from a witch.
Because whichever prince succeeds in destroying the dyke will win the throne, and Tal is willing to do whatever it takes to become king. Even if the Foxhall coven refuses to help him. Even if he’s forced to team up with a spitfire hedgewitch who hates him almost as much as he hates her magic. And even if Dafydd proves to be a worthier rival than he anticipated…for the crown, and for Ffion’s heart.
Ffion is the last hedgewitch in Foxhall. To work her magic, she takes only what nature can spare, unlike the witches of the powerful Foxhall coven, who sacrifice whole forests to fuel their spells. But across the warring kingdoms of Wales, all magic is fading. Even the dragons have vanished.
Prince Taliesin would love nothing more than to watch magic die. But when his father charges Tal and his brother, Dafydd, with destroying King Offa’s dyke—the massive earthen wall raised by their Mercian enemies to the east, which may be the cause of magic’s disappearance—he begrudgingly seeks aid from a witch.
Because whichever prince succeeds in destroying the dyke will win the throne, and Tal is willing to do whatever it takes to become king. Even if the Foxhall coven refuses to help him. Even if he’s forced to team up with a spitfire hedgewitch who hates him almost as much as he hates her magic. And even if Dafydd proves to be a worthier rival than he anticipated…for the crown, and for Ffion’s heart.
392 pages, Hardcover
First published March 12, 2024
About the author
Anna Bright
4 books832 followersI believe in woods, mountains, highways, cobblestones, roller coasters, dancing, concerts, cherry Pop Tarts, books, and magic.
When I'm not reading or writing on my couch, I'm dragging my husband off on an adventure, snuggling my new baby daughter, communing with Salem (my kitten/spiritual familiar), or causing trouble at One More Page Books, where I work.
**note: i don't accept GR friends anymore, because of amazon review policy nonsense. please come find me on twitter or insta at @brightlyanna, and we can talk books there! <3***
When I'm not reading or writing on my couch, I'm dragging my husband off on an adventure, snuggling my new baby daughter, communing with Salem (my kitten/spiritual familiar), or causing trouble at One More Page Books, where I work.
**note: i don't accept GR friends anymore, because of amazon review policy nonsense. please come find me on twitter or insta at @brightlyanna, and we can talk books there! <3***
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
Want to read
March 14, 2024I want this cover as my room wallpaper.
Read
September 18, 2023hi friends! just popping in to say thanks for checking out HEDGEWITCH and to offer you all a quick content warning. this is quite a mild book, but if you're concerned about emetophobia triggers or animal death, check out specific page numbers in my comment below.
love you guys,
anna
love you guys,
anna
Want to read
June 27, 2023It should be a crime for a cover to look this beautiful 🤤
March 28, 2024
Do you like magic and adventure and the occasional dragon and unicorn? Do you like a romance between two equally hardheaded people with sharp tongues and insults for days? Have you ever hated a piece of clothing so much that you couldn't shut up about it? Do you like to collect little pieces of nature to put in your cauldron? If so, you might just like this book!
March 12, 2024
Happy Publication Day
Reading about feral ginger-haired girls is my love language.
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is a quiet and cozy fantasy based on Welsh historical events that happened in the eighth century. While I loved the overall vibe and the inclusion of Welsh mythology/folklore, in the end, this book lacked depth in characters that I need to remain engaged in a story.
Ffion is a feisty witch who refuses to abide by Foxhall coven's unfair rules, choosing to help all who need it, with magic that doesn't destroy the forest. Prince Taliesin and Prince Dafydd have been pitted against each other in competition for the throne. Whoever can destroy King Offa's dyke will be King. Prince Tal enlists the help of Ffion, despite his wariness of magic, to destroy the dyke and finally become King, his dream since he was fourteen.
I picked this one up for its beautiful cover and because it's recommended for Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft fans. I can see the resemblance to these authors in the overall tone of the book: a charming and cozy fantasy, with a strong female protagonist and soft magic. The presence of mythical creatures and the inherently wild nature of the magic was reminiscent of Enchantment of Ravens and A Far Wilder Magic. Unfortunately, that is where the similarities end.
This novel needed to be fleshed out more. While I did like what I learned about Ffion, I wanted more of her. Initially, she couldn't care less about the princes, but this attitude quickly derailed into a love triangle that had a clear winner from the beginning. It's a real shame since Ffion's strong personality was balanced with her kind nature, something I feel is missing in YA literature. I wish that had been explored.
The princes were on the verge of having personalities. We get POVs from both of them, which was a nice touch, but ended up being a downfall. Too much time was split between them for me to really get to know either of them. In the end, it didn't really matter to me who Ffion ended up with since I couldn't get a firm grasp on the motives and overall characterization of the two boys.
This book will be great as an introduction to YA fantasy, and for those who read books based more on the overall feeling of a book than the content.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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Reading about feral ginger-haired girls is my love language.
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is a quiet and cozy fantasy based on Welsh historical events that happened in the eighth century. While I loved the overall vibe and the inclusion of Welsh mythology/folklore, in the end, this book lacked depth in characters that I need to remain engaged in a story.
Ffion is a feisty witch who refuses to abide by Foxhall coven's unfair rules, choosing to help all who need it, with magic that doesn't destroy the forest. Prince Taliesin and Prince Dafydd have been pitted against each other in competition for the throne. Whoever can destroy King Offa's dyke will be King. Prince Tal enlists the help of Ffion, despite his wariness of magic, to destroy the dyke and finally become King, his dream since he was fourteen.
I picked this one up for its beautiful cover and because it's recommended for Margaret Rogerson and Allison Saft fans. I can see the resemblance to these authors in the overall tone of the book: a charming and cozy fantasy, with a strong female protagonist and soft magic. The presence of mythical creatures and the inherently wild nature of the magic was reminiscent of Enchantment of Ravens and A Far Wilder Magic. Unfortunately, that is where the similarities end.
This novel needed to be fleshed out more. While I did like what I learned about Ffion, I wanted more of her. Initially, she couldn't care less about the princes, but this attitude quickly derailed into a love triangle that had a clear winner from the beginning. It's a real shame since Ffion's strong personality was balanced with her kind nature, something I feel is missing in YA literature. I wish that had been explored.
The princes were on the verge of having personalities. We get POVs from both of them, which was a nice touch, but ended up being a downfall. Too much time was split between them for me to really get to know either of them. In the end, it didn't really matter to me who Ffion ended up with since I couldn't get a firm grasp on the motives and overall characterization of the two boys.
This book will be great as an introduction to YA fantasy, and for those who read books based more on the overall feeling of a book than the content.
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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Want to read
April 15, 2024Speaking my truth (again): I love a well done love triangle and it's been ages since I last got to read one. I have high hopes.
December 2, 2023
First of all, I LOVE the cover. This has to be one of the most beautiful covers I have ever seen. Just by looking at it, I wanted to read it immediately.
I loved the "cottage" vibes that this book gives and the little dragons. My experience reading this one was like a rollercoaster. There were slow moments and high stakes at certain parts but overall it had a very weird pace. I would've liked for the plot to be more consistent but it dragged at times and I had to forced myself to continue. I did liked the romance and the whole of premise of the kingdom and the love triangle situation. However, it was hard for me to connect with the characters, especially with the FMC (she was interesting and had a few anger issues that made me roll my eyes occasionally). Overall, it was and okay read but I was expecting more
I loved the "cottage" vibes that this book gives and the little dragons. My experience reading this one was like a rollercoaster. There were slow moments and high stakes at certain parts but overall it had a very weird pace. I would've liked for the plot to be more consistent but it dragged at times and I had to forced myself to continue. I did liked the romance and the whole of premise of the kingdom and the love triangle situation. However, it was hard for me to connect with the characters, especially with the FMC (she was interesting and had a few anger issues that made me roll my eyes occasionally). Overall, it was and okay read but I was expecting more
August 19, 2023
I'd like to thank Edelweiss for allowing me a chance at reading this book.
I hate to be the person who gave this book 2 stars but here I am, that person.
This book is rough. Rough in terms of world building, characterization, and true 'feeling'. Julliet Mariller for teens is what I was hoping for when reading this. Instead, I got a book about an angry girl (who doesn't really allow you to feel her anger / understand it) who ran away from her family ; two princes - one who is destined for her but doesn't want to rule, the other who isn't destined for her and wants to rule ; a so-so clash between the Welsh and those who want to stifle magic ... Like it's all there, but it's so boring, so lifeless that it hurts.
I liked no one, I cared about no one for how detached everyone was from the narrative and the plot. I made it to 80% and I had to stop.
I don't think the author is for me. I'll just stick to Julliet Mariller or someone who can write historical inspired fantasy with depth.
I hate to be the person who gave this book 2 stars but here I am, that person.
This book is rough. Rough in terms of world building, characterization, and true 'feeling'. Julliet Mariller for teens is what I was hoping for when reading this. Instead, I got a book about an angry girl (who doesn't really allow you to feel her anger / understand it) who ran away from her family ; two princes - one who is destined for her but doesn't want to rule, the other who isn't destined for her and wants to rule ; a so-so clash between the Welsh and those who want to stifle magic ... Like it's all there, but it's so boring, so lifeless that it hurts.
I liked no one, I cared about no one for how detached everyone was from the narrative and the plot. I made it to 80% and I had to stop.
I don't think the author is for me. I'll just stick to Julliet Mariller or someone who can write historical inspired fantasy with depth.
February 29, 2024
There aren't enough words to express how much I adored this book!
Want to read
June 26, 2023the cover alone gave me enough reason to want to read this. Can't believe I have to wait a whole YEAR for this. I want it now! GIMMEEEEE
i'm in my witch in the woods phase
March 31, 2024
3 stars, because I do not like love triangles and Ffion ended up with the wrong man. I said what I said.
April 1, 2024
I loved the look of this book SO much - I knew I had to read it, it's got the cottagecore vibes DOWN. There's a huge emphasis on magic, the wild and Welsh lore. I loved feeling so immersed in it as the book went on, and I felt myself in awe at Ffion's magic and her connection to the earth.
The first half had me entirely hooked, the banter between Ffion and Taliesin was some of the best I've ever read. They're both SO stubborn and fierce, but in a way that's tied to their honor and morals. They truly would do anything for those they care for, but it doesn't close them off to growth either, and we see Taliesin come around to loving magic again as well.
I wish the book had just featured these two because the love triangle thing between them and Dafydd was one of the worst parts of this book. It absolutely took the spotlight from the atmosphere of the book and ruined it imo because it became front and center. I hated how her dad bonded the two of them, and I think she forgave him WAYY too easily.
The first half had me entirely hooked, the banter between Ffion and Taliesin was some of the best I've ever read. They're both SO stubborn and fierce, but in a way that's tied to their honor and morals. They truly would do anything for those they care for, but it doesn't close them off to growth either, and we see Taliesin come around to loving magic again as well.
I wish the book had just featured these two because the love triangle thing between them and Dafydd was one of the worst parts of this book. It absolutely took the spotlight from the atmosphere of the book and ruined it imo because it became front and center. I hated how her dad bonded the two of them, and I think she forgave him WAYY too easily.
April 7, 2024
I'm an Anna Bright fan for life. This book was magical. The world building felt lush and full, the characters were interesting, and the cottagecore vibe was a warm hug. Loved it!
February 28, 2024
*My thanks to HarperCollins for granting me an eARC through NetGalley*
4.5 stars
I don’t pick up YA very often, but a book like this makes me so glad when I do. This is a YA historical fantasy title that has real crossover appeal, and reminded me of both the classic The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander and The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell—two of my favorite fantasy stories for young readers. Infused with a clear and powerful love for the Welsh landscape and folklore, this book gave me everything I want from a medieval fantasy.
The story is set at the end of the 8th century, when Offa’s Dyke was newly completed and the various Welsh kingdoms (of which Powys is our central concern) maintain uneasy hostilities with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. Despite a clearly defined historical grounding, the world is easy to get immersed in even if you know nothing about medieval history, placing the focus on the characters and the philosophy of Ffion’s magic. It’s easy to get invested in Ffion’s campaign for magic based on hard work and helping the community, as opposed to the more powerful Foxhall coven’s penchant for quicker, flashier magic that requires hefty sacrifices. The two male main characters, rival brothers Dafydd and Taliesin, are also interesting, though Ffion is the real star of the show.
There are several folk songs (adapted to suit the narrative’s purpose) spread throughout the narrative, which is something I love in fantasy novels but I know a lot of people don’t care for. I think they really suit the story and establish tone and setting. The boys’ storyline ends a little neatly, but there’s real heart in this story, and a rediscovery of the childlike wonder that first drew me to the fantasy genre as a young reader.
I’d recommend this book to children, teens, and adults alike. It captures the feeling of classic children’s fantasy and earnestly advocates for a better, more magical, and kindlier world.
4.5 stars
I don’t pick up YA very often, but a book like this makes me so glad when I do. This is a YA historical fantasy title that has real crossover appeal, and reminded me of both the classic The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander and The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell—two of my favorite fantasy stories for young readers. Infused with a clear and powerful love for the Welsh landscape and folklore, this book gave me everything I want from a medieval fantasy.
The story is set at the end of the 8th century, when Offa’s Dyke was newly completed and the various Welsh kingdoms (of which Powys is our central concern) maintain uneasy hostilities with the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. Despite a clearly defined historical grounding, the world is easy to get immersed in even if you know nothing about medieval history, placing the focus on the characters and the philosophy of Ffion’s magic. It’s easy to get invested in Ffion’s campaign for magic based on hard work and helping the community, as opposed to the more powerful Foxhall coven’s penchant for quicker, flashier magic that requires hefty sacrifices. The two male main characters, rival brothers Dafydd and Taliesin, are also interesting, though Ffion is the real star of the show.
There are several folk songs (adapted to suit the narrative’s purpose) spread throughout the narrative, which is something I love in fantasy novels but I know a lot of people don’t care for. I think they really suit the story and establish tone and setting. The boys’ storyline ends a little neatly, but there’s real heart in this story, and a rediscovery of the childlike wonder that first drew me to the fantasy genre as a young reader.
I’d recommend this book to children, teens, and adults alike. It captures the feeling of classic children’s fantasy and earnestly advocates for a better, more magical, and kindlier world.
March 15, 2024
This is a cozy fantasy that has a good setting in a forest with talk of magical creatures and other beasts. The first chapter really pulls you in with the talk of dragons! I do love them.
The characters were good, but I wouldn’t say I connected with them that much. I did understand their reasonings behind a lot of their actions though. Ffion is strong-willed and knows what she wants and the change she wants to see in the world. Tal and Dafydd are brothers who have completely different personalities. These three characters each get their own point-of-view. I did prefer Ffion’s and Tal’s. Dafydd didn’t have a lot to offer and could have been a minor character. You could say there is a bit of a love triangle.
The Welsh Mythology was awesome and I really enjoyed learning more about it! It was probably my favorite part of the book.
Overall, this was good but one of those popcorn reads for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary earc to read!
The characters were good, but I wouldn’t say I connected with them that much. I did understand their reasonings behind a lot of their actions though. Ffion is strong-willed and knows what she wants and the change she wants to see in the world. Tal and Dafydd are brothers who have completely different personalities. These three characters each get their own point-of-view. I did prefer Ffion’s and Tal’s. Dafydd didn’t have a lot to offer and could have been a minor character. You could say there is a bit of a love triangle.
The Welsh Mythology was awesome and I really enjoyed learning more about it! It was probably my favorite part of the book.
Overall, this was good but one of those popcorn reads for me.
Thank you to the publisher for a complimentary earc to read!
March 21, 2024
E-arc kindly provided by the publisher, Harper360YA via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I must admit, I wanted to read this one just because of the cover. I mean, look at it. It’s just gorgeous and cozy and forest-y and magical. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I would’ve liked.
The book started very promising and I was very curious about this witch, Ffion, that doesn’t take part in Foxhall’s coven. And so, she’s trying to help people without asking for anything in return.
Everything was very lyrical, with a great and magical atmosphere, a nice and easy prose and short chapters. But as much as I liked the atmosphere, I couldn’t find myself being interested enough in the characters. While Ffion is a great and lovely witch, she cares a lot about the magic and the forest and it’s inhabitants, she actually annoyed me. I didn’t liked how much she kept things to herself just for the sake of it, just because the other characters “didn’t ask”.
The other characters, the two princes, I found them very “meh”. They were flat and I wanted more from them. I was getting annoyed by how much Dafydd was talking about “the girl is his dreams”. On every page he was going back to this girl he’s seen in his dreams for all of her life, which is a little bit strange, I won’t lie. And I couldn’t understand the reason behind it.
I liked Tal more, but he still wasn’t my favourite in the book. We have both of these princes POVs, but they were really short to make an impact on me. It the end, I didn’t care who Ffion chose.
But the thing that annoyed me the most were the love triangle and the miscommunication tropes. They are very strong in this book and I thought authors would stop writing around these 2. I had some DNF-ing thoughts, but I kept reading hoping it would get better. It didn’t. I wanted more from the characters on their own, to see their personalities while being away from everything. All I remember about Dafydd was that he dreamt about a girl, Tal is a bastard and Ffion is keeping secrets and hates her coven which isn’t a coven.
It was too focused on the love triangle, which was a shame, because the main plot of the book was lost.
Oh well.
I must admit, I wanted to read this one just because of the cover. I mean, look at it. It’s just gorgeous and cozy and forest-y and magical. Unfortunately, I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I would’ve liked.
The book started very promising and I was very curious about this witch, Ffion, that doesn’t take part in Foxhall’s coven. And so, she’s trying to help people without asking for anything in return.
Everything was very lyrical, with a great and magical atmosphere, a nice and easy prose and short chapters. But as much as I liked the atmosphere, I couldn’t find myself being interested enough in the characters. While Ffion is a great and lovely witch, she cares a lot about the magic and the forest and it’s inhabitants, she actually annoyed me. I didn’t liked how much she kept things to herself just for the sake of it, just because the other characters “didn’t ask”.
The other characters, the two princes, I found them very “meh”. They were flat and I wanted more from them. I was getting annoyed by how much Dafydd was talking about “the girl is his dreams”. On every page he was going back to this girl he’s seen in his dreams for all of her life, which is a little bit strange, I won’t lie. And I couldn’t understand the reason behind it.
I liked Tal more, but he still wasn’t my favourite in the book. We have both of these princes POVs, but they were really short to make an impact on me. It the end, I didn’t care who Ffion chose.
But the thing that annoyed me the most were the love triangle and the miscommunication tropes. They are very strong in this book and I thought authors would stop writing around these 2. I had some DNF-ing thoughts, but I kept reading hoping it would get better. It didn’t. I wanted more from the characters on their own, to see their personalities while being away from everything. All I remember about Dafydd was that he dreamt about a girl, Tal is a bastard and Ffion is keeping secrets and hates her coven which isn’t a coven.
It was too focused on the love triangle, which was a shame, because the main plot of the book was lost.
Oh well.
March 13, 2024
2.5/5
I was excited to start this YA fantasy inspired by Welsh folklore; the cover is beautiful and there are dragons in the prologue?! Say no more. However, after the first couple of chapters, it lost my interest and fell short of my expectations.
Pros:
I enjoyed the magic system, which was grounded in nature and interconnectedness with the environment. As someone who knows nothing about Welsh folklore, I appreciated the small nods throughout that were explained more in the Author’s Note. I’m also a sucker for dark/cottagecore fairytale vibes, which did shine through at some parts of the book.
Cons:
My main gripe with this book is the heavy focus on the love triangle, which was not executed well and turned this book into a very generic YA when it could have been something more. The “love triangle” element felt very forced, but still ended up taking over most of the story. If the author would have just stuck with the main romance, it would have been much more convincing (and I would have rolled my eyes less).
As far as the writing itself, I was also let down. I think I was expecting the beauty of the prose to match the beauty of the cover, but it fell flat and detracted from the overall story.
Overall, this was a pretty generic YA fantasy that fell into overused tropes. However, if you’re really craving cottagecore/folklore vibes, you might find some enjoyment in it.
Content Warnings: death of parent, animal death, war
I was excited to start this YA fantasy inspired by Welsh folklore; the cover is beautiful and there are dragons in the prologue?! Say no more. However, after the first couple of chapters, it lost my interest and fell short of my expectations.
Pros:
I enjoyed the magic system, which was grounded in nature and interconnectedness with the environment. As someone who knows nothing about Welsh folklore, I appreciated the small nods throughout that were explained more in the Author’s Note. I’m also a sucker for dark/cottagecore fairytale vibes, which did shine through at some parts of the book.
Cons:
My main gripe with this book is the heavy focus on the love triangle, which was not executed well and turned this book into a very generic YA when it could have been something more. The “love triangle” element felt very forced, but still ended up taking over most of the story. If the author would have just stuck with the main romance, it would have been much more convincing (and I would have rolled my eyes less).
As far as the writing itself, I was also let down. I think I was expecting the beauty of the prose to match the beauty of the cover, but it fell flat and detracted from the overall story.
Overall, this was a pretty generic YA fantasy that fell into overused tropes. However, if you’re really craving cottagecore/folklore vibes, you might find some enjoyment in it.
Content Warnings: death of parent, animal death, war
April 11, 2024
I received an ARC from Edelweiss
TW: death of an animal companion/pet
3.3
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall was meant to be a cozy, nature filled romantasy. The vibes, I can agree, were absolutely what they were meant to be, though the story itself felt thin.
Here's what I loved- the atmosphere, and the general world building. The world itself is not explored very much, and we don't spend much time fleshing it out, but what's implied throughout the story is super interesting. The whole idea of a candler, and the dynamic between the coven and the court, were really interesting and I wanted to see more there.
I'll also say- the romance with Tal was cuter than I expected. I enjoyed their dynamic and the slow build they got to have. As a fan of forced proximity, I really liked the way that it played out here.
But as much as I was pleasantly surprised by Tal, I really hated Dafydd. He may be the most boring character I've read about in a long time. He has very little prsonality, is not sympathetic at all, and has pretty much nothing going for him, and yet he is forced into this story.
For general reasons, and because of the above, I never enjoyed the love triangle in this. I would have liked the story a lot better without this angle.
I was also let down by the plot twist on Tal's side of things. It felt like every time Bright attempted to add a little more depth to the plot, it just fell short.
TW: death of an animal companion/pet
3.3
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall was meant to be a cozy, nature filled romantasy. The vibes, I can agree, were absolutely what they were meant to be, though the story itself felt thin.
Here's what I loved- the atmosphere, and the general world building. The world itself is not explored very much, and we don't spend much time fleshing it out, but what's implied throughout the story is super interesting. The whole idea of a candler, and the dynamic between the coven and the court, were really interesting and I wanted to see more there.
I'll also say- the romance with Tal was cuter than I expected. I enjoyed their dynamic and the slow build they got to have. As a fan of forced proximity, I really liked the way that it played out here.
But as much as I was pleasantly surprised by Tal, I really hated Dafydd. He may be the most boring character I've read about in a long time. He has very little prsonality, is not sympathetic at all, and has pretty much nothing going for him, and yet he is forced into this story.
For general reasons, and because of the above, I never enjoyed the love triangle in this. I would have liked the story a lot better without this angle.
I was also let down by the plot twist on Tal's side of things. It felt like every time Bright attempted to add a little more depth to the plot, it just fell short.
April 2, 2024
3.5/5
I bought this book for the cover! Fantastical creatures, princes pit against each other on a life-altering mission, and a girl with more secrets than friends come together in this YA fantasy romance steeped in Welsh folklore.
This is my second Welsh inspired YA fantasy book and the names were not being done justice in my head so I quickly switched to the audio to hear the proper pronunciations of everything. While the voice actors did great, I was severely bored for the first 1/3 of this unfortunately. It really didn't pick up at all until the characters came together.
Overall I was just left wanting more. More magic, romance, character development, dragons and other beasts. I needed a little more of everything, and I think I finished it so quickly because I kept thinking I would get it soon- not necessarily because the story was moving quickly or I couldn't put it down.
I bought this book for the cover! Fantastical creatures, princes pit against each other on a life-altering mission, and a girl with more secrets than friends come together in this YA fantasy romance steeped in Welsh folklore.
This is my second Welsh inspired YA fantasy book and the names were not being done justice in my head so I quickly switched to the audio to hear the proper pronunciations of everything. While the voice actors did great, I was severely bored for the first 1/3 of this unfortunately. It really didn't pick up at all until the characters came together.
Overall I was just left wanting more. More magic, romance, character development, dragons and other beasts. I needed a little more of everything, and I think I finished it so quickly because I kept thinking I would get it soon- not necessarily because the story was moving quickly or I couldn't put it down.
April 17, 2024
I do have a rant but overall I enjoyed this read so much!! Not only is the cover stunning but the description of magic and the welsh lands were stunning as well. It was giving Raven Cycle vibes just ancient forest, nature magic, the trees speak...welsh.. in this case! I loved the way magic was portrayed. It gave me a feeling of wonder & foreboding, as did the wildness & welsh lore! Ffion I was drawn to, I liked her connection to nature & her unwillingness to let others judgements effect her! Her red hair & personality reminded me of Merida & I imagined the Welsh country side is somewhat similar to a Scottish country side. I could be off but its the type of wild forest I imagined. I can't say I was the biggest fan of Tal or the whole love triangle in general. I felt it took away from the main adventure & I just didn't connect or follow it well. Other than close proximity I didn't really understand their feelings for each other and once Dafydd was in the picture it just seemed like Tal wanted Ffion because he saw her first. It felt like he just wanted to claim her so his brother couldn't have her, it just didn't sit well with me. That was my biggest qualm with the book but the atmosphere made up for it and rest of the story ! I thought the ending was wrapped up very nicely! I do recommend for cozy magical cottagecore vibes the book really fits the bill! 4/5 stars!!
March 24, 2024
A cozy fantasy read ♥️
March 30, 2024
✨4.5/5✨ This was such a whimsically woodsy treat & I enjoyed it immensely!
Want to read
August 27, 2023Books with beautiful covers >>>>>>>
March 29, 2024
I actually really enjoyed this. I loved the Welsh history and folklore woven throughout. Some of the plot confused me but it could have been because I was listening to it and got distracted at times. I will say that if you don’t like love triangles you will NOT like this. I happen to be the few who LOVE a good love triangle so I very much enjoyed that aspect of it. This book could have easily been stretched out into a duology but there’s something so satisfying about a standalone fantasy. EDITED TO ADD: the more I think about this the more I really wish it was a duology. Some of the storylines just wrapped up too quickly and nicely.
September 25, 2023
I received an e-arc copy of this from Netgalley, and all opinions are my own.
I loved this book! When Ffion, the main character, joins a quest out of sheer rage, I that this would be a book that would be a perfect fit for me. The banter and some of the repeated lines throughout the book were enough to make me set it down for a few minutes and just bask in the moment. I loved the setting and the focus on Welsh mythology, as well as the way the cost of magic was such a central point to the story. The ending concluded just the tiniest but too quickly for me, but the final scene was exactly the way it should be.
I loved this book! When Ffion, the main character, joins a quest out of sheer rage, I that this would be a book that would be a perfect fit for me. The banter and some of the repeated lines throughout the book were enough to make me set it down for a few minutes and just bask in the moment. I loved the setting and the focus on Welsh mythology, as well as the way the cost of magic was such a central point to the story. The ending concluded just the tiniest but too quickly for me, but the final scene was exactly the way it should be.
January 1, 2024
This has all the feelings of old Disney movies like Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, The Black Cauldron.
I absolutely loved this and will recommend it to anyone who loves YA, a medieval setting, Welsh folklore, and the feeling of a unique fairytale.
I absolutely loved this and will recommend it to anyone who loves YA, a medieval setting, Welsh folklore, and the feeling of a unique fairytale.
April 5, 2024
The Hedgewitch of Foxhall is about magic, and dragons, and kings and court magicians - but mostly, it's about a grieving girl named Ffion and her quest to resurrect Welsh magic and, in turn - and more important to her - her fox familiar.
I adored this book. I was lucky enough that one of Anna's tour stops supporting Hedgewitch was at Novelette in Nashville, which is one of my local indies. Before I'd even read the book, I'd heard about Anna's trip to Wales to hike King Offa's Dyke which inspired the initial idea for it, about how a small idea is what this had started out as - and stayed as - for quite a while. I heard about how each character came to Anna, and how she figured out what each of them truly wanted, and how that became the fully-formed plot of the novel.
Although at times I believed that the pacing of The Hedgewitch of Foxhall was a bit off (hence the four stars instead of five - it often took me out of things - but that could have been a me thing, because I had no clue how long Offa's Dyke truly is or how much time it would have taken two people to walk it), I feel that it is honestly a masterclass in historical fantasy and how to write effective love triangles where each character feels actually realized, not just like they’re there for the sake of the tension and high stakes of a love triangle. Both of the boys are so lovely (although I could go on at lengths about ), but if I said there was one clear favorite for me, I don’t know that that would be much of a surprise to anyone who’s read the book. The family dynamics in this book are so phenomenally developed that at times I had to remind myself it wasn’t real, it was so achingly tangible.
And Ffion. Oh, my god, Ffion is one of those characters who will live with me forever. Wants love but is too stubborn to ask for it. Fiercely, detrimentally independent, with a heart so big it could be seen from outer space. At Anna’s event, she told us that Ffion is firmly in her Reputation era, and after having read this, I would agree, but I would also say she’s a bit of a Folklore-era girlie, too.
Anyway, if you’re a fan of Allison Saft’s A Far Wilder Magic - for the aesthetic, or the relationship between Wes and Maggie, or the complicated familial relationships, but especially if you love Maggie and Wes’s quest - I would encourage you to give this one a try, too. Different time periods, but similar vibes. I would honestly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA historical fantasy with a splash of romance (looooots of will they/won’t they, the tension could be cut with a KNIFE), or is trying to get into the genre, as I feel this is an enjoyable, easily-digestible gateway! I dropped everything I was reading to pick this book up and devoured it in only a couple of days.
I adored this book. I was lucky enough that one of Anna's tour stops supporting Hedgewitch was at Novelette in Nashville, which is one of my local indies. Before I'd even read the book, I'd heard about Anna's trip to Wales to hike King Offa's Dyke which inspired the initial idea for it, about how a small idea is what this had started out as - and stayed as - for quite a while. I heard about how each character came to Anna, and how she figured out what each of them truly wanted, and how that became the fully-formed plot of the novel.
Although at times I believed that the pacing of The Hedgewitch of Foxhall was a bit off (hence the four stars instead of five - it often took me out of things - but that could have been a me thing, because I had no clue how long Offa's Dyke truly is or how much time it would have taken two people to walk it), I feel that it is honestly a masterclass in historical fantasy and how to write effective love triangles where each character feels actually realized, not just like they’re there for the sake of the tension and high stakes of a love triangle. Both of the boys are so lovely (although I could go on at lengths about ), but if I said there was one clear favorite for me, I don’t know that that would be much of a surprise to anyone who’s read the book. The family dynamics in this book are so phenomenally developed that at times I had to remind myself it wasn’t real, it was so achingly tangible.
And Ffion. Oh, my god, Ffion is one of those characters who will live with me forever. Wants love but is too stubborn to ask for it. Fiercely, detrimentally independent, with a heart so big it could be seen from outer space. At Anna’s event, she told us that Ffion is firmly in her Reputation era, and after having read this, I would agree, but I would also say she’s a bit of a Folklore-era girlie, too.
Anyway, if you’re a fan of Allison Saft’s A Far Wilder Magic - for the aesthetic, or the relationship between Wes and Maggie, or the complicated familial relationships, but especially if you love Maggie and Wes’s quest - I would encourage you to give this one a try, too. Different time periods, but similar vibes. I would honestly recommend this book to anyone who loves YA historical fantasy with a splash of romance (looooots of will they/won’t they, the tension could be cut with a KNIFE), or is trying to get into the genre, as I feel this is an enjoyable, easily-digestible gateway! I dropped everything I was reading to pick this book up and devoured it in only a couple of days.
February 13, 2024
3.5 stars
This started out very promising, but I found myself losing interest about halfway through. The positives - I loved the whimsical cottagecore vibes and Welsh influence, and I enjoyed Ffion as the MC. I loved that her magic was so closely tied to nature and that she wanted to help people without causing harm to the land. I also adore an animal companion.
The love triangle situation was interesting at first, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of how it played out. I would have liked more from some of the characters, mainly the love interests, and certain things didn’t really make sense to me. There was this big buildup as to why one of the MMCs hates magic, but the reveal ended up being pretty lackluster. I really just kind of lost the will to finish as it went on, although there were some heartwarming moments at the end that made up for it a little.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC!
This started out very promising, but I found myself losing interest about halfway through. The positives - I loved the whimsical cottagecore vibes and Welsh influence, and I enjoyed Ffion as the MC. I loved that her magic was so closely tied to nature and that she wanted to help people without causing harm to the land. I also adore an animal companion.
The love triangle situation was interesting at first, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of how it played out. I would have liked more from some of the characters, mainly the love interests, and certain things didn’t really make sense to me. There was this big buildup as to why one of the MMCs hates magic, but the reveal ended up being pretty lackluster. I really just kind of lost the will to finish as it went on, although there were some heartwarming moments at the end that made up for it a little.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC!
April 8, 2024
What a journey!!!!! Oh my goodness. Five stars. Bravo. This was such a good story and a ONE SHOT even! I was so afraid it was going to surprise me with a “see you in book two!” But NOPE. An entire, wonderful story all in one go.
The banter between Ffion and Tal was top tier. Once they came together and started their journey, I was smitten. I absolutely need to look into more books by this author if this is how she writes dialogue.
The elephant in the room is the love triangle. It was…interesting. I am never a fan of a love triangle but this one did bring a level of intrigue to the plot I suppose. It wasn’t frustrating enough for me to deduct any over all points 🤷🏻♀️
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good fairy tale or fantasy journey, like LotR, but less high fantasy and more squishy rainy wildernessy.
The banter between Ffion and Tal was top tier. Once they came together and started their journey, I was smitten. I absolutely need to look into more books by this author if this is how she writes dialogue.
The elephant in the room is the love triangle. It was…interesting. I am never a fan of a love triangle but this one did bring a level of intrigue to the plot I suppose. It wasn’t frustrating enough for me to deduct any over all points 🤷🏻♀️
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a good fairy tale or fantasy journey, like LotR, but less high fantasy and more squishy rainy wildernessy.
April 18, 2024
It’s giving the Last Kingdom.. except more boring without a hottie like Uhtred and replace religion with magic/witches.
This book is not pitched well. This is not Margaret Rogerson inspired because it’s not overly whimsical. The dialogue between the characters is good but it’s very slow paced and the characters aren’t interesting enough to carry the story.
This book is not pitched well. This is not Margaret Rogerson inspired because it’s not overly whimsical. The dialogue between the characters is good but it’s very slow paced and the characters aren’t interesting enough to carry the story.
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