The Witch Haven

Written by Sasha Peyton Smith

Narrated by Piper Goodeve

A New York Times bestseller
“Spectacular, singular, and spellbinding” —Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White & Royal Blue

The Last Magician meets The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Piracy in this historical fantasy following a young woman who discovers she has magical powers and is thrust into a battle between witches and wizards.

In 1911 New York City, seventeen-year-old Frances Hallowell spends her days as a seamstress, mourning the mysterious death of her brother months prior. Everything changes when she’s attacked and a man ends up dead at her feet—her scissors in his neck, and she can’t explain how they got there.

Before she can be condemned as a murderess, two cape-wearing nurses arrive to inform her she is deathly ill and ordered to report to Haxahaven Sanitarium. But Frances finds Haxahaven isn’t a sanitarium at all: it’s a school for witches. Within Haxahaven’s glittering walls, Frances finds the sisterhood she craves, but the headmistress warns Frances that magic is dangerous. Frances has no interest in the small, safe magic of her school, and is instead enchanted by Finn, a boy with magic himself who appears in her dreams and tells her he can teach her all she’s been craving to learn, lessons that may bring her closer to discovering what truly happened to her brother.

Frances’s newfound power attracts the attention of the leader of an ancient order who yearns for magical control of Manhattan. And who will stop at nothing to have Frances by his side. Frances must ultimately choose what matters more, justice for her murdered brother and her growing feelings for Finn, or the safety of her city and fellow witches. What price would she pay for power, and what if the truth is more terrible than she ever imagined?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 31, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797135120

Sasha Peyton Smith

Sasha Peyton Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels for young adults, including The Witch Haven and The Rose Bargain. Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide. She lives in a one-hundred-year-old house in the mountains of Utah, with her husband and (allegedly) two ghosts, though she has yet to see them. 

[Djilan Boelen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Francis learned in the end. But it took some time and many eye-rolls from my side.

I loved the magic in this story, but Francis annoyed me big time at moments. She was kind and meant well, but also so naive, stuck in her grief about her brother and acting out without thinking so many times.
The search for her brothers murderer was a main theme, so I understand that her feeling's about this were a big part of the story, but sometimes I found her actions too rash. Maybe she really was blinded by grief, but still. I wonder if reading the book instead of listening would have made me feel different about this, but for now I only know that I sighed a lot in the second half of the book.

The grande finale was well written though it felt hasty compared to the long slow part leading towards it. And it makes me wonder if a sequel is going to follow.

Regarding the narrator. I liked listening to her and she did a good job bringing the different characters to life.

I'm still in doubt between giving it 3 or 4 stars. For now it is 3.

[SonRae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a little different from most fantasy/romance books.

It is from the 1911 era, so a little historical. It has a murder mystery that kept me guessing who did it. A secret world of witches (female) and magicians (male), a push for power between them, and a young girl who newly discovers she is part of it all. A secret school of magic where friendships develop and of course a little bit of a love triangle. I should have predicted the ending, but I didn't.
If you like that sort of reading than you will probably like this book.

My only dislike is the main character constantly dwells on her brother's death and puts her own desires above everything else. It is a necessary part of the story plot and if someone I love suddenly dies, I would probably be focused on my lose too. I just wish in the story there wasn't so much of it and more of the other parts of the story.

[steve tozzi · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Entertaining but slow and not much of a payoff at the end. Left you hanging but in a good way. I bet the next book in the series will be more exciting since this one was felt like it was setting everything up. I liked all the characters.

[Cathy Mc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Excellent character development & plot & had a great ending

[Jenna Diaz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a wonderful book. This was a magical story and I couldn’t put it down. Wonderful narrator as well. I just loved it!

[Piyachat Mejia Gutierrez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The plot twist has me good ? I couldn't believe the ending! I can not wait for the second book!

[C. Lynn Shaffer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Definitely a great premise for a YA centered audience. If you want a fantasy + historical piece w/a touch of romance, this is a well crafted read. Some parts were predictable, but it's still enjoyable and the author is very skilled at character development.

[Elsa Allred · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this book! Such a great read! I am looking forward to the next!

[Justin Riggs · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed the book, the voice actor did a great job and it kept my interest well.

[Alex V · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love, love, love! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!!!!

[healthierclaud · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written, amazing World building. The readers/interpreters are very good

[Kati Lynn McDermott · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was interesting but got pretty dark at times. I would have liked more depth to the story w more character development and I. Relationships especially between the girls.

[Nicci Leandra Faw · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I'm still actually reading it but I have to say that this book is moving pretty slow for a young adult fiction fantasy. What bothers me the most is the main characters reluctance to trust anyone without an actual reason? And how slowly the plot is moving along. The book starts out fast and exciting and dwindles down from there. I don't think I'll be finishing this one. As I'm finding myself frustrated in chapter 14

[Xiomy Santiago · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

While the idea of witches and a school that teaches magic is quite fascinating plus set in the 1900s in NYC sounded all enticing it quickly fell flat for me. Frances mentions "how quickly I always seem to ruin everything" and it's fitting. After she gets bored being in the school everything turns into solving the mystery of her brother's death. Then, it just goes downhill and feels lackluster until the near end which was rushed and could have been expanded.

[Maya Chrizti R. E. Romo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's an interesting story... but I've never met such a dumb main character before. She has absolutely no creativity and is incapable of making plans to save herself. On the other hand, the narrator has a very agreeable voice and makes the experience much better.