Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

A very sweet and cozy story! This had lovely characters, charming magic, and with anything British, so... MUCH... TEA. This book is predominantly about the vibes and the comfort. There are stakes laid out for plot, but at no point did I feel truly worried or unsure of what was going to happen.

Also, and without looking up any press that may have covered this with the author... Mandanna 100% wrote Ian McKellen as one of these characters, right? 🤣

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hannahs_library_'s review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition

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medium-paced

4.25

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franzis_buecher's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

Very wholesome, this book kind of feels like a warm hug<3
I loved all of the characters a lot!
One of the plot twists I saw coming, the other one I was totally suprised by.

The only two things that irked me a tiny bit were the dialogue of the children which seemed a bit too mature for a seven- or eight-year-old at times, and the sex scene which I could have done without and which kind of didn't really fit the vibe of the book.

Anyways, I too now want to live in a house on the coast in Norfolk (a place where according to Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go, lost things are found, which I found wonderfully fitting) with witches, grumpy librarians, gay elders, a housekeeper, pets, and a lot of magic.

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librarymouse's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I love this book so much! It was such a fast and addictive read, and each and every character is so very easy to love!

The way in which the author navigates difficult social issues, and integrates addressing them into the story itself is gorgeous. She fits the necessity of self-representation and seeing oneself in one's mentors/seeing someone who looks like you thriving in a life you'd like to live when you grow up into the narrative in a way in which it is recognizable, but also slots neatly into the narrative like the rest of the lessons taught to the characters. The evolution of Mika and Jamie's relationship, the history of Ian and Ken's and the nuance given to all of the characters in the book make them all so round and lovable! Knowing this to be fantasy, and having read one too many fantasy novels with a prevalent male gaze, I was really pleasantly surprised with how the characters' traumas were explored, addressed, and healed. I should have known better than to expect the worst, but I was so pleasantly surprised that Mika's traumatic experience at University was not a sexual assault. I also really appreciated how the characters spoke to one another. Miscommunication tropes are some of my least favorite, but the way in which Mandanna explores what in Mika's past could cause her to misunderstand her being deserving of love and the idea that she is loved added so much depth to the story.

I might need to come back to edit this review later. I don't know that I can currently explain all the feelings I'm having about this book, other than to say that I waited two days to read the last chapter, after reading the rest of the book in one day because I was bereft at the thought of leaving this world and these people behind.

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eni_iilorak's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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amy_reading_23's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is a very wholesome book, it's truly very warm and fuzzy and nice. Some parts felt a little rushed and I would have loved to have a lot more of it, but I enjoyed what there was. I kind of saw the ending coming, but I still liked reading it and recommend it to anyone looking for a wholesome, witchy, romantic read.

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lucystolethesky's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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