A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox is a wonderfully atmospheric and magical novel.
Synopsis
Augusta Podos is tired of her job as a tour guide for a historic jail in Massachusetts. When she sees a job posting for Harlowe House, a once historic house turned into a museum, she leaps at applying.
One hundred and fifty years ago, Harlowe House belonged to a wealthy family in Tynemouth. Margaret Harlowe has always felt like the odd one out in her family. As Margaret grows older, she also grows into her power. However, it is not long before people become suspicious of Margaret’s power, which seems darker than initially supposed.
When Augusta begins work at Harlowe House, she soon becomes fascinated with Margaret. The historical record doesn’t have much information on Margaret, nor does it seem to know if she ever really existed. Augusta makes it her mission to uncover the truth about this mysterious woman. The more research Augusta does, the more she feels a strong connection to the past. Strange occurrences begin to happen, which spurs Augusta even more.
Is Margaret trying to tell Augusta something, or is it something darker?
Review of A Lullaby for Witches by Hester Fox
A Lullaby for Witches uses alternating perspectives across two timelines. Both POVs have very distinct voices. Margaret’s POV has a lyrical writing style, while Augusta’s is contemporary and less flowery, but no less engaging.
Initially, I preferred Augusta’s timeline, but I quickly became invested in Margaret’s as well.
I loved the details of working behind the scenes in a museum. It reminded me of my short stint working/volunteering as a university student in an art gallery. I also appreciated the author’s acknowledgment of the need for museums and galleries to begin the process of decolonizing these spaces.
If you like witchy novels, I would highly recommend giving this one a try.
CW: disordered eating.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Expected Publication: 01 February 2022
Thank you to Graydon House for providing me with an arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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