Read with Fern

Rainy March is a proud third-generation book witch, sworn to defend works of fiction from all foes real and imaginary. With her magical umbrella and feline familiar, she jumps into and out of novels to fix malicious alterations and rogue heroes.
Book witches live by a strict Real people belong in the real word; fictional characters belong in works of fiction…. Do not eat, drink, or sleep inside a fictional world, lest you become part of the story. Falling in love with a fictional character? Don’t even think about it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 4 out of 5.

Meg Shaffer has the unique ability to write multiple stories about the collective magic that comes from the love of books. In The Wishing Game, a children’s book author’s fantastical island brings a group of hopeful adults together. In The Lost Story, two boys find themselves in a hidden storybook world, and deal with the repercussions as adults. And in The Book Witch, the main character is responsible for protecting the characters and plots of books from the inside.

In all three of Shaffer’s books, there’s a masterful blending of YA fantasy, the darker dramas of realistic everyday life, and a potent trail of nostalgia. While the plots seem light and fun, Shaffer does not shy away from deeper topics, leading her main characters through emotional moments of despair, denial, and depression. Instead of dragging the vibes down, this type of emotional exploration brings a different kind of depth to overall sweet books.

I really enjoyed The Book Witch, and I loved Rainy March, the titular witch. Rainy is determined, motivated, and has the tenacity of all the classic book characters she interacts with. The nostalgia from visiting so many classic stories was magical, and I enjoyed every moment spent hopping between the pages of books that have been revered for generations

If you are looking for a book that’s a blend of silly magical realism & heartbreaking reality, I’d highly recommend The Book Witch and all of Shaffer’s other works!

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!