The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman
Author : Alice Hoffman
Book : The Witches of Cambridge
/ Fantasy , Historical Fiction /
Publication date : September 8, 2026
Blurb:
Once upon a time, women were drowned in the river and the only witnesses were the crows in the trees. The Puritans blamed Eve for the sins of the world. That was when we began to meet in the name of Lilith, Adam’s first wife—banished for refusing to do as she was told.
We Fly Together…
By the 1950s, Cambridge, Massachusetts feels far removed from the legendary witch trials that marked its early days as a colony. Ava, a bright young woman from a small town in Maine, arrives for her first year at Radcliffe College. There, she meets Lauren, her opposite in every way—the wild and brazen daughter of a wealthy and well-established Cambridge family. But the two have more in common than they think. Both are recruited by the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches at Radcliffe dating back to colonial times. As they learn more about their legacy, Ava and Lauren form a close bond that is put to the test as they learn to navigate their new power, friendship, and love.
While Radcliffe seems like a safe haven, the shadow of McCarthyism looms large, an ever-present threat to the flourishing creative and intellectual life in Cambridge. And as girls from the Lilith Society begin to go missing, Ava and Lauren realize the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.
My thoughts:
Atmospheric and haunting, weaving a story that combines true history and personal journeys in a grand sweep.
The writing style is unlike anything I’ve experienced before, with a vibe reminiscent of reading stories from a diary.
Ava and Lauren are complete opposites, yet their journey begins when they arrive for their first year at Radcliffe College.
One is on a quest to discover her roots and confidence in who she is, while the other seeks healing and to find her heart... whatever that means.
A bewitching journey of friendship, love in all its forms, and the perilous times faced by women, not just witches.
Many unsettling events from history are woven into this book, simultaneously fascinating and disturbing, highlighting how easily humanity can descend into cruelty.
I was particularly drawn to Lauren's character and how her pain and trauma manifested, leading her toward darker magic,
yet her actions were driven by good intentions despite her inner turmoil.
Ava, on the other hand, was like a tree without roots—fearful of her true nature and constrained by expectations;
her character arc was like watching the black apple tree from the book grow stronger and bloom boldly in the end.
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