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A Resistance of Witches

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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

Critics Review

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.
SFX
If you’re looking for your next page-turner, we’ve been hooked on Morgan Ryan’s debut novel.
Take a Break
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.
KIRKUS *starred review
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.
CultureFly
Author Morgan Ryan
Narrator Grace Gray
Duration 13 hours and 16 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781529943573
Format Audiobook
Publisher Transworld
Genre Fantasy, Historical fiction, Second World War fiction
Availability AU, GB, IE

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