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A Resistance of Witches

As WW2 rages, Britain’s witches join the fight! Discover the magic-filled new fantasy, perfect for fans of Her Majesty’s Royal Coven.

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

'Prime Minister Churchill, the Witches of Britain are at your service . . .'


1940, and war rages across Europe. The future looks bleak. But now, emerging from the shadows, the Royal Academy of Witches offers its help. And so it is tasked with finding an ancient artefact that, were it to fall into Nazi hands, would help Hitler fulfil his twisted Aryan dream . . .

Stubborn, plain-spoken and from an unimpressive family, Lydia Polk never expected to be chosen to work under Isadora Goode, the Grand Mistress of the Royal Academy of Witches.

Now, three years into her apprenticeship, and with Hitler’s armies rampaging across Europe, the Witches of Britain have joined the war effort – but not without some resistance from within, the British government having originally forced the witches into hiding.

As Lydia’s power grows, she too joins the cause, tracking down magical relics in order to keep them out of Nazi hands. But a Nazi witch infiltrates the Academy with heart-breaking consequences and suddenly Lydia’s mission becomes even more urgent . . . Somewhere out there, hidden amidst the chaos of war, is the Grimorium Bellum - an ancient book that Hitler craves, a book so steeped in dark magic that it has the power to wipe out civilisations - an artefact that Lydia must find and secure at all costs.

Dropped into the heart of Occupied France, Lydia finds allies in Rebecca Gagne, a French resistance fighter with a secret, and Henry Boudreaux, a Haitian-American art historian who seems to possess a little magic of his own. But tracking down this book is only half the battle - for the Grimorium Bellum seems to have a dark agenda all of its own . . .

© Morgan Ryan 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

20th Century Fantasy Historical Historical Fiction Magic Military Witchcraft Magic Users Emotionally Gripping War

Critic reviews

Enchanting, immersive, and beautifully written. A Resistance of Witches is historical fantasy at its absolute best. (ALEXIS HENDERSON, bestselling author of An Academy for Liars)
Morgan Ryan's historical fantasy debut is World War II meets A Discovery of Witches . . . a witchy war-time delight. (KATE QUINN, bestselling author of The Briar Club)
An expertly woven story of fate, witchcraft, and war that will both thrill you and tug at your heartstrings, A Resistance of Witches is an enchanting and pulse-pounding debut. (KRISTIN HARMEL, bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names)
A wonderful, sometimes terrifying, always exciting tale of courage and devotion and honour, and heart-rending sacrifices made for a great cause. Morgan Ryan has deftly explored the breadth of the power of the craft, for good and for ill. I feel sure every lover of witch literature will be enchanted. (LOUISA MORGAN, author of A Secret History of Witches)
This book conjures a devastating emotional punch.
If you’re looking for your next page-turner, we’ve been hooked on Morgan Ryan’s debut novel.
With fascinating worldbuilding set against a rich and thoroughly researched moment in history, this debut novel is nothing short of wildly entertaining; it’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to dip their toes into historical fiction or fantasy, and its urgent pace will have readers in a white-knuckle grip from start to finish. An exciting, fast-paced blend of historical fiction, spy drama, fantasy, and romance.
A thrilling, fast-paced and delightful adventure into the heart of witchy, war-torn London and occupied France. Wonderfully immersive and unputdownable—I was transported to a rich, alternate world where magic, secrets, and dark mysteries colour impossibly high stakes. Yet the heart of this book lies in its tender human relationships, where love, longing, and death entangle. (YANGSZE CHOO, bestselling author of The Fox Wife and The Night Tiger)
Riveting, atmospheric and darkly magical...If this book is anything to go by, Morgan Ryan is sure to become an instant pre-order author for fantasy readers in the future.
All stars
Most relevant
I found it difficult to follow and not what I was expecting. Disappointed but may read again to understand more

Narrator

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This story was AWESOME. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel. Cannot wait for more to come.

The narrator did amazing job portraying all sorts of accents. Amazing.

Briliant debut

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I really enjoyed stepping into Morgan Ryan’s magical world of witches in World War Two. I was immediately invested in the main character, Lydia Polk, and her friends, beautifully brought to life by Grace Gray’s expert narration. Grace flips between English, American, French and German accents so flawlessly, you forget you’re listening to one person. Whether you’re new to audiobooks or a long-time convert, this one combines an excellent story and narrative performance beautifully.

Beautiful story brought to life by expert narration

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The performance is quite good, but the story is derivative. I found the protagonist a bit hysterical at times, but she is 20 so…

Quite derivative

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A Resistance of Witches by Morgan Ryan is what happens when you mix history, magic, and a group of very opinionated people who refuse to sit quietly while the world burns. I came for the witches; I stayed for the characters, and the emotional investment I did not consent to but thoroughly enjoyed.

At the center of it all is Lydia Polk, a refreshingly no-nonsense protagonist who isn’t trying to be legendary, chosen, or particularly impressive. She’s practical, stubborn, and deeply human, which makes it wildly inconvenient when she’s handed a mission involving an ancient magical grimoire and the fate of the world. Lydia’s strength lies in her persistence rather than bravado, and watching her grow into her power feels earned, not rushed.

Rebecca Gagne is sharp, fearless, and exactly the kind of person you want on your side in occupied France. She’s all grit and quiet vulnerability, with a personality that snaps and crackles on the page. Her dynamic with Lydia brings both tension and warmth, and their partnership feels grounded in trust built under pressure, not instant friendship for plot convenience.

Then there’s Henry Boudreaux, who brings heart, intelligence, and a steadiness that balances the chaos beautifully. He’s thoughtful, observant, and quietly powerful, the kind of character whose presence makes every scene better. And looming over it all is Isadora Goode, mentor, authority figure, and walking reminder that good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes.

The story itself balances wit and gravity remarkably well. There are moments of humor, sarcasm, and magical mishaps, but they never undercut the stakes. This is a book about resistance in every sense—against fascism, against fear, against the expectations placed on who gets to be powerful.

By the end, I wasn’t just invested in whether the mission succeeded; I cared deeply about what it cost these characters to keep going. A Resistance of Witches is clever, heartfelt, and quietly fierce—a magical historical fantasy that understands that bravery often looks like showing up scared and doing the right thing anyway.

Highly recommended for anyone who likes their witches smart, stubborn, and emotionally complex.

Wartime Witches, Bad Decisions, and a Grimoire That Refuses to Behave

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