The Winter Witch is the debut novel by Canadian author Jennifer Chevalier. Expected to be released on January 27, 2026, it takes readers back to 17th-century Montreal. After being part of a scandal in her small French village, Élisabeth and her sister find themselves on a bride ship to the New World. One hopes to find a cure and return to her love; the other grieves the loss of everything she’s known. What happens when they find themselves confronted with a witch on the journey?
I want to thank Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Winter Witch. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Élisabeth Jossard boards a bride ship to New France with her sister Marthe, forced to start a new life after a scandal in her village in Normandy. She’s harbouring a dark secret and hopes that by coming to Montreal—the holiest place in the world, she’s been told—the saints will hear her pleas and lift the curse that plagues her.
When Élisabeth’s prayers go unanswered, and she is unable to banish the spirit she believes is tormenting her, Marthe encourages her to turn to a powerful witch for help, the enigmatic stowaway Jeanne Roy. But Jeanne has secrets of her own, and when she refuses to help, Élisabeth’s resentment kindles a dangerous fire.
Positives
- Under 400 pages
- Debut author
- The last 30% was action-packed.
- Well researched.
Negatives
- The first 60% felt slow; I struggled to want to read it.
My Opinions
I truly wanted to love The Winter Witch. What historical fiction reader wouldn’t want to read a book set in the 17th century that features a possible witch? While Chevalier did extensive research for her novel, some parts felt forced. I enjoyed reading about the relationship between the brides, especially the sisters. But one was so wrapped in her misery that she refused to share, and often regretted the joy the other tried to find in life. And I understand that’s how sisters can be, but when you’re in your late teens and have no other family to turn to, are you really going to shut out the one you have?
I struggled to read this book for the first 60% or so. I’m not sure if it was the book or me, and life was getting in the way of my devoting the time to reading. That said, when I was approaching the last 30% or so, I didn’t want to stop reading. It seemed that’s where the majority of the action was. And the daring rescue was quite possibly the best part of it all.
I do think that The Winter Witch highlights what can happen when you let others have absolute power and control over every facet of life. There is a scene where Élisabeth is called a dumb peasant for her beliefs. While it may be true that she did not have sophisticated beliefs, she was not necessarily dumb or ignorant. This is brought up later in the story, and the character explains what they meant in a more meaningful way.
Overall, The Winter Witch is a great look at women’s lives in 17th-century Montreal. If you enjoy reading well-researched books, where there is character growth on all sides, then you should give The Winter Witch a read.
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A great winter read! Well written, historically accurate, and a great depiction of women and our complicated relationships. A story of love and forgiveness set on the edge of the world four hundred years ago which can help us understand the world today.