Move over cozy fantasy, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is coming. If you love the idea of found family, reluctant children judging a new teacher, and romance, pre-order this now! It’s my latest obsession! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
As one of the few witches in Britain, Mika Moon knows she has to hide her magic, keep her head down, and stay away from other witches so their powers don’t mingle and draw attention. And as an orphan who lost her parents at a young age and was raised by strangers, she’s used to being alone and she follows the rules…with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously.
But someone does. An unexpected message arrives, begging her to travel to the remote and mysterious Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to control their magic. It breaks all of the rules, but Mika goes anyway, and is immediately tangled up in the lives and secrets of not only her three charges, but also an absent archaeologist, a retired actor, two long-suffering caretakers, and…Jamie. The handsome and prickly librarian of Nowhere House would do anything to protect the children, and as far as he’s concerned, a stranger like Mika is a threat. An irritatingly appealing threat.
As Mika begins to find her place at Nowhere House, the thought of belonging somewhere begins to feel like a real possibility. But magic isn’t the only danger in the world, and when a threat comes knocking at their door, Mika will need to decide whether to risk everything to protect a found family she didn’t know she was looking for….
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
As a fan of Sangu Mandanna’s books – both A Spark of White Fire and Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom – I knew I had to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. And my obsession has only reached new heights. Mandanna’s adult release is cozy fantasy to the core. Contracted through social media to become a magical tutor for a trio of kids (living under the radar of the local magical society), Mika is in for a trip. But there she discovers secrets about their powers, but also must re-discover her self. And what she thought about her powers and the (magical) world.
While the action and the tension – shhh spoilers – certainly kept me reading until past my bedtime, the characters and themes won me over. I absolutely loved every single character (barring one perhaps). There’s not only quirkiness and personality, but heart in each one of them. In their comments and hobbies, but also in the ways they open up to each other. Showing their fears and utterly human doubts. Can you tell how obsessed I am with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches?
The ways in which Mika explores this deep piercing loneliness? Talk about being seen. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is one of those fantasy books I’m recommending to everyone. It’s a book that celebrates the belief that we don’t have to be alone and the power of found family. Of having people in our lives who support us and will always leave a window open for us to come back to. Find The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches on Goodreads, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org & The Book Depository.