Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a warm hug in magical form - perfect for anyone who loves cozy reads, found family dynamics, and a sprinkle of fantasy. You’ll meet Mika, a charming and relatable witch, and a cast of quirky, lovable characters (hello, grumpy-hot librarian!). The story is full of heart, gentle humor, and swoony moments, making it ideal for fans of 'The House in the Cerulean Sea,' people tired of doom-and-gloom magic tales, or anyone seeking a feel-good escape with diverse, well-rounded characters. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, inclusive, and gently romantic, this is a winner!
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re looking for high-stakes adventure or a deeply original fantasy world, this might not be your jam - the plot is predictable, and the vibes lean soft, cozy, and low-drama. Some found the pace a little slow, the focus on magic heavy-handed, or wished for less whimsy and more grit. If you’re not into slow-burn romances, lots of description, or the 'found family' trope, you might lose interest. Also, if you’re not a fan of 'YA-feel' in adult romance, or want more steam and complexity, this book may fall flat.
About:
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna tells the story of Mika Moon, a witch who has always hidden her identity, moving from place to place to protect her secret. When she receives a mysterious invitation to teach young witches at Nowhere House, she starts feeling at home among people who know her secret, finding a sense of belonging. The book follows Mika's journey of fitting in, forming relationships with the eccentric residents of the house, and uncovering secrets, including a potential romance with the grumpy librarian, Jamie. The writing style is described as bright and colorful, filled with humor, quirky characters, and heartwarming moments that make the readers feel like they are wrapped in a warm hug.
Genres:
Tropes/Plot Devices:
Topics:
Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include mention of past abuse, emotional neglect, and themes of loneliness and trauma.
Has Romance?
The romance in the story is an important subplot, characterized by a sweet and gentle slow burn.
From The Publisher:
A warm and uplifting novel about an isolated witch whose opportunity to embrace a quirky new family-and a new love-changes the course of her life.
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 peril 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....
Ratings (244)
Incredible (46) | |
Loved It (102) | |
Liked It (53) | |
It Was OK (27) | |
Did Not Like (13) | |
Hated It (3) |
Reader Stats (629):
Read It (252) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (277) | |
Did Not Finish (18) | |
Not Interested (78) |
10 comment(s)
Really cute book
Overall, it's a super cute, cozy, witchy story. She falls in love with her world throughout the story, there's character and plot progression. Some of the parts felt a little unnatural to the flow of the story but those parts also introduced new aspects to the situation they were in. A good read, especially if you're looking for a witchy Christmas book.
4.5 Stars
I enjoyed so much of this book. I am a fan of cozy fantasy with found family so this made me feel all warm and fuzzy - a form of escapism. The characters were so unique and interesting on their own, I found myself thinking of them or getting attached to their entire character design. The discussion questions in the end was a nice touch (This shows how interested I was I even read about the author) . I loved picking up this book. It felt like watching a movie. It's very diverse and inclusive! The main character is so relatable and real. The writing style captivated me, there were no povs but we still got a look into the characters thoughts. It was an easy read and I had audible and physical reactions while reading - at one point I got up and walked around talking to myself about this book. I loved how everything linked up and how conversations from early chapters were always considered and sprinkled into later chapters, it felt so genuine. I had to take off points for the amount of times they used the Lords name in vein but that's just my view. Other than that - PERFECT read.
The book fails to deeply explore one of the most intriguing and central aspects of its universe: the fact that witches cannot be near one another without risking death. This issue, which should carry significant emotional and narrative weight, is treated superficially by both the characters and the plot. At no point does there seem to be a genuine concern or effort to understand or address this danger. On the contrary, the characters simply ignore its implications, living as if the risk were irrelevant — even if it means putting the children (the central reason behind everything that happens in the story) in constant danger. This lack of seriousness makes the comfort Mika finds in finally having a home feel questionable, as it comes at the expense of others' safety. To me, this disregard for such a fundamental issue in the storyline leaves the narrative shallow and inconsistent, undermining the emotional connection the story attempts to create.
Very cozy.
This book is so many diff Kinds of incredible. The characters feel real and alive and the themes of loneliness and found family are beautifully presented. Such a wonderful read, I wish I could read it for the first time again.
3.5 star
RTC
Happy Reading!!
Such a sweet, cozy book and a nice quick read. I had actual tears in my eyes at the end. Loved it ❤️
This book was read with the Weekly Drip Book Club!
I certainly enjoyed this cottage core/ twee read, The harsh words and come ups hit hard.
I loved the twist,
I did see it coming when things were being explained so in-depth in the very start of the book then only brought up when there was nothing else to do with the antagonist lol.
Overall, an enjoyable read!
A very cute story, but it took me a LOOOOONG time to get into it. I think the exposition was just a bit too long for me. Loved the ending, though!
Loved the writing style, humor, fantasy world without being pretentious
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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches?
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