Witch Queen Rising by SAVANNAH. STEPHENS
on September 25, 2025
Published by GOLLANCZ Genres: Fiction / Fantasy / Paranormal
Format: ARC 
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Source: NetGalley and the PublisherWitch Queen Rising by Savannah Stephens pulled me in fast and refused to loosen its grip. At the center of this story is Phine, a FMC who does not apologize for her power, her sharp edges, or her past. She returns to New Orleans after her mother’s death and is forced to step into leadership in a city that once feared and rejected her for her rare and dangerous magic. What unfolds is layered with supernatural politics, tension between witch Houses, and a blight threatening their entire world. Phine is not handed anything easily. Every ounce of power she claims feels earned, and that is what makes her so compelling.
The female empowerment in this story runs deep. It is not about flashy moments or hollow speeches. It is about resilience, about standing firm when generations of expectation try to crush you. Phine is wounded but not weak, fierce but still human. She makes hard choices. She carries scars. She leads anyway. Watching her rise, especially after being underestimated for so long, was deeply satisfying. She is strong in a way that feels raw and real, and that blend of vulnerability and absolute badassery carried the entire novel for me.
And as a fellow Louisianan, I have to talk about the setting. The New Orleans woven into this story feels authentic. The culture, the rhythm of the city, the way magic sits naturally alongside history and community all felt lived in rather than staged. It did not read like a postcard version of the Quarter. It felt grounded. That atmosphere added so much weight to the political maneuvering and supernatural tension. The pacing slows slightly in the middle, but I never disconnected from the story, and I am genuinely excited to see where this series goes next. Four stars from me, and I will absolutely be picking up book two.- Ali 🫶🏼
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I received this book for free from NetGalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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