🕯️ Book Review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
- Casey
- Apr 14
- 2 min read
Haunting, heartbreaking, and spellbinding in the darkest sense of the word.
Set in a 1970s Florida institution for unwed mothers, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls follows 15-year-old Fern and a cast of equally misunderstood young women who find themselves discarded by society and hidden away. When they stumble upon an old spellbook—complete with groovy instructions for rebellion—the line between real-life horror and supernatural power begins to blur.
🌒 A House of Horrors Dressed as Help
Wellwood House isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character in its own right—oppressive, eerie, and quietly seething with secrets. Hendrix does a masterful job of capturing the claustrophobia of institutions designed not to help, but to hush. The setting pulses with dread, enhanced by the historical accuracy of the era’s attitudes toward women, especially those who dared to become mothers outside of marriage.
💀 Witchcraft for Wayward Girls: Magic, Mayhem & Maternity
Rather than turning to broomsticks and potions, the girls in this novel find strength in something deeper: sisterhood, shared trauma, and the desperate desire to take back control. The spellbook they discover becomes more than just a magical artifact—it’s a symbol of resistance. That said, readers expecting a deeply developed magical system may be left wanting; the witchcraft here serves more as metaphor than mythos.
But where Hendrix shines is in his gut-wrenching depiction of physical and emotional horror. Childbirth scenes are raw and unflinching, adding a layer of body horror that makes your skin crawl—not because it’s supernatural, but because it’s real.
🧨 Feminism with a Fractured Mirror
There’s a clear feminist throughline in the book—themes of autonomy, shame, and rebellion are present from start to finish. However, some readers may feel conflicted about how those themes are resolved. Does the story ultimately celebrate female empowerment, or issue a warning about it? That ambiguity could either deepen your appreciation or leave you frustrated, depending on what you’re hoping for.
🕷️ Final Thoughts: Not Your Average Witch Tale
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is not a cozy coven tale or a quirky YA fantasy. It’s a gritty, emotionally loaded story that blends historical fiction with dark feminist horror. If you’re looking for a feel-good story about magical girl power, this isn't it. But if you want something bold, brutally honest, and emotionally immersive—with just a hint of black magic—you’re in for a memorable read.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)For fans of: gothic feminism, disturbing history, and character-driven horror with teeth.
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