The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman Publishes 9/8/26


 

4.5 Stars- Alice Hoffman knows how to write a unique and fascinating novel!


Two young women are sent to college in Cambridge in the 1950s, only they are not your typical students. Both Ava and Lauren are witches and as they spend more time at college they learn more about their unique gifts. Ava knew nothing about her heritage until she came to Radcliffe whereas Lauren and her brother were well aware of their heritage. Both girls have had difficult lives but are very different from one another. At first they dislike each other but eventually become friends although they face many different situations and conflicts along the way.


The story also flashes back to the very first witch of Cambridge in 1692. Her story was honestly my favorite. The flashback revolved around the Mather family and their persecution of witches as well as the founding of Harvard. The Mather family is important to the 1950s storyline so it was an interesting look at the past, and great insight into what was happening in the main storyline.


There was so many elements to this story that made it great. I loved the history about witches and how the author described their abilities. She took what women were persecuted for and made it their superpower in a way. I also found it interesting that men also had these abilities. The setting in the 1950s was momentous, since women were so oppressed and were fighting to have more independence and control. It fit perfectly with the idea that men have persecuted women throughout history and claimed them to be witches when they didn't like the power or knowledge women had. The story also had romance, mystery, and great conflict that made you want to read more. Ava and Lauren were great characters that I became invested in and wanted to know they would be O.K. One could classify this novel as dark academia or historical fantasy but it was so much more. It is about strong women who have a right to claim their power from people who want to make them small.


Thank you to Scribner Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. 

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