Review by Booklist Review
In Revis and Raasch's YA romance between a witch and a witch-hunter, nearly all of Fritzi's family is killed by witch-hunters. While trying to save another witch, Fritzi is captured by Otto, a witch-hunter and her enemy. What Fritzi doesn't know is that after his mother's unjust execution for witchcraft, Otto has been secretly putting together a plan to save witches--a plan that Fritzi has now ruined. Although it's difficult to trust the enemy, Fritzi and Otto work together to stop the witch-hunters and their terrifying leader, Dieter Kirch. As Fritzi returns to danger by infiltrating the prison, she and Otto slowly begin to fall for each other. While working together, the unlikely pair begin to unravel terrifying secrets both about their common enemy and about the nature of the witches' magic. The book's plot meanders in places, but it will appeal to fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope and to readers who enjoy witch/witch-hunter romance, especially as Halloween approaches.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A witch and a witch hunter must work together to vanquish a common enemy in this captivating tale of tragedy, romance, and revenge by Raasch (Snow Like Ashes) and Revis (Across the Universe). Fritzi, an 18-year-old witch, has lived a peaceful life with her coven in a village that is hidden by her mother's magic--until witch-hunting hexenjagers, led by brutal Kommandant Dieter Kirch, find and purge her community. The sole survivor of the massacre, Fritzi sets off to the hexenjager stronghold, intent on finding her captured cousin and exacting revenge on Kirch. A chance encounter with 19-year-old hexenjager Kaptain Otto Ernst, who has spent years plotting to bring down the corrupt organization from the inside, intertwines their fates. As the pair race to foil Kirch's plans, their reluctant alliance, which is initially plagued by mutual distrust and prejudice, develops into romantic attraction. Liberal use of German cultural references, history, and language render a believable and intriguing interpretation of 16th-century Trier, once part of the Holy Roman Empire. The authors sustain tension via Fritzi and Otto's alternating perspectives, and harrowing descriptions of body horror and trauma alongside quiet, tender moments of connection round out this beguiling series opener. Characters cue as white. Ages 14--up. Agents: (for Raasch) Amy Stapp, Wolfson Literary; (for Ravis) Merilee Heifetz, Writers House. (Oct.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The destinies of a witch and a witch hunter become entangled against the backdrop of 16th-century witch trials. It's 1591 in Trier, part of the Holy Roman Empire, and the increasingly brutal persecution of witches has led to the destruction of Fritzi's coven and the murders of her family members. The only other survivor is her cousin Liesel, a younger witch with a unique power who is taken by the hunters' kommandant as part of a perverse plan. Determined to rescue Liesel, Fritzi follows a path that collides with that of Otto, an up-and-coming captain of the hexenjägers, or witch hunters. Otto has a secret: He is working from the inside to bring down an institution he despises for very personal reasons. As Fritzi and Otto learn to trust each other while venturing deep into the Black Forest, they unveil bigger truths about magic and witches (and the goddesses they worship). Romance, magic, and fantasy intertwine with the real history of Trier's witch trials as the worldbuilding juxtaposes paganism and Christianity in a story that explores belief, fate, power, accountability, and revenge. The story grows from the initial, slow-moving setup, becoming a more complex, evolving, dual-perspective tale. While the overly fast romantic bond between Otto and Fritzi feels unearned, and the villain's nefarious plan is a bit cartoonish, overall, the story engages and entertains. A promising introduction to a witchy new series. (content warnings, historical note) (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
