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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Narrated by:
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Grace Gray
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By:
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Morgan Ryan
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
Critic reviews
Narrator
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The narrator did amazing job portraying all sorts of accents. Amazing.
Briliant debut
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Beautiful story brought to life by expert narration
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Quite derivative
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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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