Fantasy Book Critic: Book review: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Grady Hendrix is the author of the novels Horrorstör, about a haunted IKEA, and My Best Friend's Exorcism, which is like Beaches meets The Exorcist, only it's set in the Eighties. He's also the author of We Sold Our Souls, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, and the Final Girl Support Group!

He's also the jerk behind the Stoker award-winning Paperbacks from Hell, a history of the 70's and 80's horror paperback boom, which contains more information about Nazi leprechauns, killer babies, and evil cats than you probably need.

And he's the screenwriter behind Mohawk, which is probably the only horror movie about the War of 1812 and Satanic Panic.

You can listen to free, amazing, and did I mention free podcasts of his fiction on Pseudopod. He also does a podcast called Super Scary Haunted Homeschool.

If you're not already sick of him, you can learn all his secrets at his website.

Publisher: Berkley (January 14, 2025) Length: 468 Formats: audiobook, ebook, hardcover, paperback

Grady Hendrix strikes again, this time with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. He’s trading haunted houses for something much scarier - societal judgment, systemic abuse, and the 1970s institution of unwed mothers’ homes.

The story follows 15-year-old Neva Craven, a pregnant teen dragged by her irate father to Wellwood House, a grim institution in Florida where “wayward girls” forced to give up their babies. Renamed Fern, Neva bonds with her fellow captives - budding revolutionary Rose, sharp Zinnia, and sweet Holly. These girls have been abandoned, dismissed, and exploited by the very people who should protect them.

While there are witchy parts and mischief, the real horror here lies in the everyday atrocities - the crushing weight of societal judgment, toxic families, and the grim realities of childbirth. Fair warning: if you’re squeamish about body horror, this one might hit hard. The story here hits hard, and it’s only Hendrix’s humor and warmth that keep things from sinking into despair.

As mentioned, things take a turn for the magical when a cryptic librarian offers Fern an intriguing book, titled How to Be a Groovy Witch. Things get complicated and sinister when girls play with spells and have their revenge. It’s worth noting the revenge they seek is hard won and comes at a cost, but oh, is it satisfying to see the power dynamics shift, even briefly. The magic and witchcraft parts were most interesting to me and I’ll admit the ending was a bit of a disappointment, but I can’t say why because spoilers.

Despite the heavy themes-shame, injustice, and society’s knack for blaming teenage girls for pretty much everything-Hendrix balances it all with a light touch. If you like your horror with heart, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls is worth picking up. It’s a little spooky, a little sad, and satisfying.