Edinburgh in 1824 is not a safe place to be a woman, especially one as young and beautiful as Nellie Duncan. But she finds solace and community in an apothecary full of witches. The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson (Where Ivy Dares to Grow) is full of characters who feel like friends and explores feminism and the patriarchy over two centuries.
Although Nellie finds support in the apothecary--and a romance with the fiery Jean--it cannot protect her from the growing fervor of a witch hunt. When the story jumps forward to the modern world, Nellie might no longer be facing literal gallows, but the challenges of being a woman continue to plague her even though she's aided by the supernatural. Thompson incorporates fascinating folklore elements as she reexamines the Scottish myth of the Cailleach, a hag goddess, and considers how stories can be retold to serve new ideologies.
The dual settings of Edinburgh in 1824 and the modern day come to life. Nineteenth-century Scotland is often rendered nostalgically in fiction, and although Thompson skillfully evokes its whiskey, stonework, and mud, she avoids the trap of romanticization. Instead, she thoughtfully portrays the harsh realities of gripping dread and constant threats that women in such a deeply patriarchal time would have faced. She paints an unflinching yet loving portrait of a city that feels both ancient and timeless.
Nellie is a compelling character who is flawed and relatable in her struggle to fight the powerful forces she's so afraid of. Thompson delivers a delightful and well-considered read for fans of sapphic romance, strong feminist themes, and witchy women. --Carol Caley, writer