Morgan Ryan’s debut novel “A Resistance of Witches” arrives like a perfectly timed spell, weaving together the shadowy world of wartime espionage with the ancient power of witchcraft. Set against the backdrop of World War II, this historical fantasy follows Lydia Polk, a plain-spoken witch from the Royal Academy of Witches, as she races across Nazi-occupied France to prevent the dreaded Grimorium Bellum from falling into Hitler’s hands.
The premise alone is enough to quicken any fantasy reader’s pulse: what if witches had been working behind the scenes during humanity’s darkest hour? Ryan approaches this question with both reverence for historical tragedy and an understanding of how magic might have intersected with real-world horrors.
The Reluctant Heroine’s Journey
Lydia Polk emerges as a refreshingly grounded protagonist in a genre often populated by chosen ones and magical prodigies. Her stubborn determination and self-deprecating nature make her immediately relatable, while her specialized skill as a “Projectionist” – someone who can track magical objects through psychic connection – provides the perfect narrative vehicle for the treasure hunt that drives the plot forward.
Ryan’s characterization of Lydia feels authentic to the period while avoiding the trap of making her anachronistically modern. Her relationship with her mother Evelyn, a traditional fortune-teller who practices magic outside the academy’s structured approach, adds layers of complexity to Lydia’s identity. The tension between institutional magic and folk tradition provides one of the novel’s more subtle but compelling themes.
What elevates Lydia beyond typical fantasy heroines is her genuine vulnerability. When she suffers magical exhaustion and experiences what modern readers might recognize as panic attacks, Ryan doesn’t brush aside these consequences. The physical and emotional toll of magic feels real and grounded, making Lydia’s eventual triumphs all the more satisfying.
A World Where Magic Hides in Plain Sight
The author’s greatest achievement lies in how seamlessly she integrates magical elements into the historical setting. The Royal Academy of Witches, with its centuries-old traditions and internal politics, feels like a natural extension of Britain’s secretive wartime intelligence apparatus. Project Diana, the academy’s contribution to the war effort, operates with the same bureaucratic tensions and moral ambiguities that characterized real SOE operations.
Ryan’s magic system, while not extensively detailed, serves the story well. The distinction between different magical specialties – Projectionists, Glamourers, and Travelers – creates natural plot opportunities and character dynamics. The author wisely avoids over-explaining her magical rules, allowing the mystery and wonder to remain intact while providing enough structure to maintain narrative coherence.
The depiction of Nazi interest in the occult draws from historical reality, where Hitler’s regime did indeed pursue various mystical artifacts and practices. Ryan takes this historical curiosity and transforms it into something genuinely menacing, creating a Nazi witch coven that feels both fantastical and terrifyingly plausible.
The Supporting Cast: Allies in Dark Times
Henry Boudreaux, the Haitian-American art historian, brings depth and complexity to what could have been a simple romantic subplot. His background as a curator working to preserve France’s artistic treasures during the occupation provides both historical authenticity and personal stakes. Ryan handles his character with particular care, acknowledging the additional dangers faced by a Black American in Nazi-occupied Europe without making his race his only defining characteristic.
The relationship between Henry and Lydia develops organically through shared danger and mutual respect. Their psychic connection during magical tracking sequences creates an intimacy that feels earned rather than forced, and their romance never overwhelms the larger narrative.
Rebecca Gagne, the fierce French resistance fighter, embodies the complex moral landscape of occupied France. Her suspicious nature and survival instincts create natural tension with Lydia’s more trusting approach, while her own hidden secrets add layers to the resistance subplot. Ryan avoids romanticizing the resistance, instead presenting it as a network of ordinary people making extraordinary sacrifices.
The Grimorium Bellum: A Book Worth Fearing
The titular grimoire serves as more than just a magical MacGuffin. Ryan imbues the ancient tome with a genuinely unsettling presence that grows more menacing as the story progresses. The book’s ability to influence those who handle it creates psychological horror that complements the physical dangers of the chase.
The author’s description of the book’s contents – spells for famine, plague, and mass destruction – takes on additional weight when considered alongside the real horrors of the Holocaust. While Ryan never explicitly draws these parallels, the implications hover at the edges of the narrative, adding moral urgency to Lydia’s mission.
Pacing and Plot: A Race Against Time
The novel’s structure effectively builds tension through alternating viewpoints and escalating stakes. The initial setup at the Royal Academy establishes both the magical world and the political tensions within it, while the French adventure provides action and character development. Ryan maintains momentum through a series of narrow escapes and revelations that keep pages turning.
However, the pacing occasionally suffers from uneven development. Certain sequences in France feel rushed, particularly some of the action scenes involving Nazi pursuit. Conversely, some of the academy politics, while interesting, occasionally slow the narrative momentum when readers are eager to return to the continental adventure.
Historical Authenticity and Atmospheric Detail
Ryan’s background research shines through in her depiction of wartime France. The details of rationing, blackouts, and the constant threat of German patrols create an authentic sense of life under occupation. The author particularly excels at capturing the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty that permeated daily life during this period.
The contrast between the relative safety of the Royal Academy and the dangers of occupied France effectively highlights the privileges and responsibilities of the magical community. Ryan doesn’t shy away from examining how those with power might choose to use or withhold it during times of crisis.
Themes of Power, Responsibility, and Choice
Beneath the surface adventure, “A Resistance of Witches” grapples with questions that remain relevant today. The novel explores how individuals with extraordinary abilities should respond to systematic evil, and whether neutrality is truly possible when faced with genocide.
The academy’s internal debate about involvement in the war effort reflects real historical tensions about intervention and isolationism. Ryan presents multiple perspectives without heavy-handed moralizing, allowing readers to consider the complex ethical landscape her characters navigate.
Minor Criticisms and Areas for Improvement
While the novel succeeds in most areas, it’s not without flaws. Some secondary characters, particularly within the Nazi witch coven, feel somewhat underdeveloped. The primary antagonist’s motivations, while historically grounded, could have been explored more deeply to avoid feeling too one-dimensional.
The book’s ending, while satisfying, feels slightly rushed given the buildup of the preceding chapters. Certain plot threads resolve perhaps too neatly, though this may be intentional given the novel’s position as the first in what appears to be a planned series.
Ryan’s writing style, while generally strong, occasionally lapses into overly descriptive passages that slow the narrative pace. However, these moments are relatively rare and don’t significantly detract from the overall experience.
Literary Craft and Voice
As a debut novel, “A Resistance of Witches” demonstrates remarkable maturity in its approach to both historical fiction and fantasy elements. Ryan’s prose style feels natural and unforced, with a voice that serves the story rather than calling attention to itself.
The author shows particular skill in her dialogue, which feels authentic to the period while remaining accessible to modern readers. Character voices are distinct and believable, with regional and cultural differences coming through naturally in speech patterns and word choices.
Comparison to Similar Works
Readers familiar with works like Susanna Clarke’s “Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell” or Naomi Novik’s “Uprooted” will find similar pleasures in Ryan’s approach to historical fantasy. However, “A Resistance of Witches” carves out its own niche by focusing specifically on the World War II period and the moral complexities of magical intervention in historical events.
The novel also shares DNA with the best traditions of wartime espionage fiction, calling to mind authors like Alan Furst or Philip Kerr, but with the added dimension of magical elements that enhance rather than overshadow the historical setting.
Final Verdict: A Spellbinding Debut
“A Resistance of Witches” succeeds as both historical fiction and fantasy adventure, offering readers a fresh perspective on familiar territory. Morgan Ryan has crafted a novel that honors the gravity of its historical setting while delivering the wonder and excitement that fantasy readers crave.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its ability to make magic feel both extraordinary and grounded in human experience. By rooting her fantastical elements in real historical events, Ryan creates a story that feels both escapist and emotionally resonant.
While not without minor flaws, this debut novel establishes Ryan as a voice worth following in the historical fantasy genre. “A Resistance of Witches” offers enough resolution to satisfy as a standalone read while laying groundwork for future adventures in this richly imagined world.
Recommended for Readers Who Enjoy:
- Historical fiction with supernatural elements
- World War II espionage thrillers
- Strong female protagonists in wartime settings
- Magic systems integrated into historical periods
- Character-driven fantasy adventures
- Stories exploring moral complexity in wartime
Similar Books to Consider:
- “The Ten Thousand Doors of January” by Alix E. Harrow – For readers who enjoy historical fantasy with portal elements
- “The Midnight Girls” by Alicia Jasinska – Another take on historical fantasy with strong magical elements
- “The Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer – For those interested in World War II fiction with deep character development
- “The Book of M” by Peng Shepherd – For readers who appreciate books about dangerous magical texts
- “The Witches of New York” by Ami McKay – For historical witch fiction in a different time period
