Book Info
So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky
Genre: Young Adult Horror/Fantasy
Publishing Date: July 23, 2024
Synopsis
If boys will be boys, girls will fight back.
For high school senior Nell and her friends, a vacation house on a private Florida island sounds like the makings of a dream spring break. But Nell brings secrets with her—secrets that fuse with the island’s tragic history, trapping them all with a curse that surrounds the island in a toxic, vengeful mist and the surrounding waters with an unseen, devouring beast.
Getting out alive means risking her friendships, her sanity, and even her own life. In order to save herself and her friends, Nell will have to face memories she’d rather leave behind, reveal the horrific truth behind the encounter that changed her life one year ago, and face the shadow that’s haunted her since childhood.
Easier said than done.
But when Nell’s friends reveal that they each brought secrets of their own, a solution even more dangerous than the curse begins to take shape.
Perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Rory Power and reading like a YA feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, So Witches We Became is a diverse, queer horror about female friendship, the emotional aftermath of surviving assault, and how to find power in the shadows of your past.
Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault, sexual harassment, death of an animal (killing of a fish), violence and gore
Book Links
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201626949
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316568805
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/so-witches-we-became-jill-baguchinsky/1144328592
IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/so-witches-we-became-jill-baguchinsky/20862141
About the Author
Jill Baguchinsky grew up fluent in darkness and Disney. She spent much of her life on a barrier island just off the coast of Southwest Florida, where she read way too much Stephen King and dodged more hurricanes than she could count.
Jill’s queer YA horror novel, SO WITCHES WE BECAME, will launch in summer 2024 from Little, Brown and Company. Inspired by Jill’s experience with Hurricane Irma in 2017, SWWB is a story about storm surge, female rage, and toxic bro culture. If boys will be boys, girls will fight back.
Jill still lives in Florida, but after one hurricane too many, she and her mini menagerie of rescue animals moved inland. Aside from the manatees she used to watch in her backyard canal, she doesn’t miss much about island life.
Author Links
Website: https://jillbaguchinsky.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jillbaguchinsky
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillwritesbooks/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4776314
Tour Schedule
5 Reasons to Read “So Witches We Became”
1. Compelling Characters and Friendships
The heart of “So Witches We Become” lies in its richly developed characters and their intricate friendships. High school senior Nell and her friends each bring their own secrets to the vacation house, creating a tapestry of complex relationships. As they face the island’s curse, their bonds are tested and strengthened, providing a poignant exploration of loyalty, trust, and the power of female friendship.
2. A Gripping, Supernatural Plot
If you love a thrilling, supernatural tale, this book delivers in spades. The island’s tragic history and the resulting curse create a suspenseful and eerie atmosphere. The toxic, vengeful mist and the unseen beast lurking in the waters add layers of tension, making this a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The plot’s twists and turns ensure that readers remain captivated until the very end.
3. Themes of Empowerment and Resilience
“So Witches We Become” is more than just a horror story; it’s a powerful narrative about empowerment and resilience. Nell’s journey to face her traumatic past and the shadow that’s haunted her since childhood is both inspiring and relatable. The book delves into the emotional aftermath of surviving assault, highlighting the strength required to confront and overcome such experiences. It’s a story of finding power in the shadows of your past and reclaiming your voice.
4. Diverse and Queer Representation
Representation matters, and this novel excels in providing diverse and queer characters who are fully realized and integral to the story. By weaving these elements naturally into the narrative, the book offers a fresh perspective in the horror genre, ensuring that readers from various backgrounds can see themselves reflected in the characters and their struggles.
5. A Unique Blend of Horror and Feminism
Fans of Courtney Summers and Rory Power will find much to love in this feminist spin on Stephen King’s “The Mist.” The novel deftly combines elements of horror with feminist themes, creating a unique and thought-provoking reading experience. The idea that “if boys will be boys, girls will fight back” is powerfully embodied in Nell and her friends as they confront both supernatural and real-world horrors, making this a standout addition to the YA horror genre.
“So Witches We Become” is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling, thought-provoking, and empowering story. Its compelling characters, gripping plot, themes of resilience, diverse representation, and unique blend of horror and feminism make it a standout novel that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.