Witchcraft for Wayward Girls

out of 5 stars

Author: Grady Hendrix

Genres: Horror, Fantasy

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TL;DR: If you’ve ever wanted to burn the patriarchy down with a spell book in one hand and a cigarette in the other, this book is for you.

Okay, so let’s talk about Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Because this book? This book did something.

Grady Hendrix is out here writing horror with a side of “smash the patriarchy,” and honestly, I love that for him. This time, we’re diving into the world of wayward girls—aka teenage girls who got pregnant in the 1970s and were shipped off to Wellwood Home, a place where their families could pretend their indiscretions never happened. These girls are told what to eat, what to say, what to think. Their babies are taken from them, and then they’re expected to return to their lives like nothing ever happened.

And then they find a book. A book about witchcraft.

This is feminist horror with TEETH.

The first thing you need to know is that this is not your typical Grady Hendrix book. If you’re expecting the over-the-top, campy fun of My Best Friend’s Exorcism, this one is a little different. There’s horror, yes, but the scariest part isn’t the witchcraft—it’s the real stuff. The forced adoptions. The way these girls are treated. The fact that homes like this actuallyexisted.

That said, the witchy elements? Delicious. It starts with small spells, tiny acts of rebellion. Then things escalate. Quickly. And let me tell you, when these girls finally get a taste of power? It is so satisfying.

Vibes

  • The Virgin Suicides meets The Craft
  • Feminine rage turned supernatural
  • A librarian moonlighting as a witch? Say less.
  • The absolute horror of childbirth described in visceral, stomach-churning detail (seriously, consider yourself warned)
  • Girls who have been told their whole lives to stay quiet finally, finally getting loud

Things I loved:

  • The setting is so immersive. You feel the Florida heat, the claustrophobia of Wellwood, the suffocating rules these girls live under.
  • The friendships. Rose, Zinnia, Holly—these girls will break your heart.
  • The feminist undercurrent. This book is ANGRY, and honestly? Same.

Things that didn’t quite work for me:

  • The pacing is slow at first. It takes a hot minute to get to the good stuff.
  • There are a LOT of characters, and not all of them feel fully fleshed out.
  • Fern, our main character, is a bit… bland? She’s fine, but I kept wishing we were in Rose’s head instead.

This book made me feel things. It’s dark, it’s unsettling, and it’s a little enraging—but in the best way. If you’re looking for straight-up horror, this might not be it. But if you love a story about girls taking back power (with a little bit of bloodshed along the way), Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is absolutely worth picking up.

Disclaimer: All reviews shared on this account are my own honest opinions. I do not receive payment for my reviews, and unless stated otherwise, I purchase or borrow the books myself. If I receive an advance copy from publishers or authors, it will always be disclosed—but my thoughts remain 100% unbiased. My reviews are for fun, discussion, and sharing my love of books with fellow readers! 📚✨