The Witches at the End of the World
Norway, 1667. Women, sisters, witches, and curses. Thirteen years ago, Kaija and Minna were forced to flee their home when their mother was burned as a witch. They’ve lived quietly in the birchwood learning magic with their last living relative, but after their grandmother’s death, Kaija decides to return to their old community. Enraged at her sister’s decision, Minna casts a curse upon the village. She doesn’t expect it to affect her sister until she has a vision: Kaija on a pyre crying for help. Now Minna must follow her sister into a realm of men and suspicion.
Unfortunately, the plot and characters feel underdeveloped. It’s hard to have empathy for the sisters as their personalities are opposing extremes, one full of rage and one submissive in hopes of fitting in. Both sisters are going through the motions of daily life, and there isn’t a lot of plot. Minna is constantly berating Kaija for leaving, while Kaija tries to hide her witch powers and follow the rules of Norwegian society. The two simply don’t communicate or try to understand the other’s reasonings. Instead, they react intensely to assumed slights and betrayals. They’ve grown up together and learned magic together, so where is that history in the story? Why does Kaija insist on leaving while Minna is so full of rage? As Minna performs spells, it’s never really explained how magic works and what the cost is, other than an itchiness under the skin if it’s not used. Where do the words come from and what are some of their rules? This book is full of potential and a strong historical setting; however, more time spent on character development and world-building is needed.
