I had the pleasure of reading The Never Witch in its final stage before the official launch on September 16, 2025.

As a great admirer of JP McLean’s work, I was eager to read her latest novel. It’s the first book in her new series, The Thorne Witch novels.

It was a mesmerizing read from the very first page, and I was quickly drawn in.

The world JP McLean was able to create so effortlessly is complex and exciting without being too ambitious and overcomplicated. One of her greatest skills demonstrated throughout all her books is her ability to create believable magic.

The clever plot, fast pacing, the rhythm and the pulse of this novel are testaments of JP McLean’s creativity and craftmanship. The protagonists—Adeline Thorne, a witch from a well-known family unable to wake up her magic, and her unlikely protector, Luke Churchwell, a warlock, who by a definition should be the archenemy of her kind—are strong and multilayered, motivated and evolving, brave and vulnerable. It’s easy to connect with them—they’re determined to face problems head-on, to act rather than to react, and that resonates with readers. 

Supporting characters are also fully fleshed out, adding more depth to the protagonists and giving the story a meaningful context.

I like the concept of the inherited and bitter yet absurd animosity between the realms of witches and warlocks that their leaders don’t want to resolve, using (and abusing) it as fuel to stay in power. Although it’s a familiar trope, it feels fresh and uniquely developed.

The story is told through the perspectives of several characters (but not too many!), which adds additional layers of dynamics and interest.

If you’re a novice to McLean’s work, you’ll enjoy this delicious blend of magic and suspense (and likely want to go backwards and read the Gift Legacy and the Dark Dreams series). If you read her previous books (also reviewed here on my blog), you’ll find yourself pulled into the familiar yet always original and superb storytelling.

The book is available for preorder on all major platforms (Amazon, Kobo, Chapters Indigo…)