Reviews tagging 'Death'
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Bonus Epilogue, by Sangu Mandanna
60 reviews
mcbuckelew's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Abandonment
andloveistoolong's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Injury/injury detail, and Physical abuse
jaydub0221's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, Sexual content, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Homophobia
hunkydory's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse
bbbarttt's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
kiserke's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Such a fun and original book. I enjoyed every minute of it and didn't see all the twists and turns coming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, and Homophobia
For the racism and homophobia content warnings they refer to a character who briefly appears who they are unsure if he is racist, homophobic, or both - it did seem to be both. The main characters in this book are wonderfully diverse, hence the other character's issue with them. One of the MCs does offer alcohol to the other on multiple instances, but it's not lingered on. Death does come up fairly often during the book, so keep that in mind. Additionally, there is some sexual content, but it is fade to black. The next set of warnings does require some spoilers:Spoiler
One of the MCs struggled with the bullying from his siblings upon the death of his dad, who he had been closest to in his family. The other MC had grown up more or less alone and so there are strong themes of feeling abandoned.grace_9613's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
3.75
It was cozy - really gave off The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes with the found family and magic aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Racism and Kidnapping
tragedies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I started The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches around November last year, but I only got around to finishing it this January while my sister and I were completing a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle for the holiday break. I blame this for my recent, all-consuming affinity for the cozy fantasy subgenre, which I never knew was a thing until I stumbled upon this wonderful novel. It was first pitched to me as The House in the Cerulean Sea meets Practical Magic, and I couldn’t agree more. It has the charming, whimsical tropes reminiscent of The House in the Cerulean Sea, while the magic system and the lore echo that of Practical Magic. I love both, so it’s not entirely surprising why this book captured my heart.
It follows Mika Moon, a member of the Secret Society of Witches (which was not its actual name but Mika likes to pretend it is). All her life, she has lived by two rules — hide your magic and stay away from other witches. “Alone is how we survive,” declared Primrose, head of the society and her mentor. And so Mika does. She moves to a new place every few months and mostly keeps her magic to herself. Operative word being mostly. Sometimes, she shares her magic on the Internet by pretending to be a witch on camera, confident that no one would take her blatant displays of power seriously.
However, someone does. That person reaches out and asks for her help to train three young witches in a place called Nowhere House. Intrigued, Mika agrees and moves to this mysterious estate which, apart from the children she just took under her wing, also houses a retired theater actor, his husband slash resident gardener, a housekeeper, and a grumpy librarian. As she spends more time with this eccentric yet loveable group of people, she begins to realize what it means to have a family and a home. She also experiences what it feels like to love and be loved in return. For once, that familiar chasm of loneliness she'd known since childhood is merely a whisper to the boisterous cheer and laughter of Nowhere House.
Sangu Mandanna has the gift of turning mundanity into moments of pure and utter magic that warms the heart and soothes the soul. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a witch herself because she has definitely casted a spell on me with this enchanting tale about found families and coming home.
P.S. Anyone else here who's weak for the grump and sunshine dynamic? It's my absolute favorite! I've read my fair share of it, so when I say this book delivered, I mean it DELIVERED. Sangu Mandanna not only understood the assignment, she aced it with flying colors too. Special shoutout to Ken and Ian, who melted my cold cynical heart just as much as Mika and Jamie did.
It follows Mika Moon, a member of the Secret Society of Witches (which was not its actual name but Mika likes to pretend it is). All her life, she has lived by two rules — hide your magic and stay away from other witches. “Alone is how we survive,” declared Primrose, head of the society and her mentor. And so Mika does. She moves to a new place every few months and mostly keeps her magic to herself. Operative word being mostly. Sometimes, she shares her magic on the Internet by pretending to be a witch on camera, confident that no one would take her blatant displays of power seriously.
However, someone does. That person reaches out and asks for her help to train three young witches in a place called Nowhere House. Intrigued, Mika agrees and moves to this mysterious estate which, apart from the children she just took under her wing, also houses a retired theater actor, his husband slash resident gardener, a housekeeper, and a grumpy librarian. As she spends more time with this eccentric yet loveable group of people, she begins to realize what it means to have a family and a home. She also experiences what it feels like to love and be loved in return. For once, that familiar chasm of loneliness she'd known since childhood is merely a whisper to the boisterous cheer and laughter of Nowhere House.
Sangu Mandanna has the gift of turning mundanity into moments of pure and utter magic that warms the heart and soothes the soul. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was a witch herself because she has definitely casted a spell on me with this enchanting tale about found families and coming home.
P.S. Anyone else here who's weak for the grump and sunshine dynamic? It's my absolute favorite! I've read my fair share of it, so when I say this book delivered, I mean it DELIVERED. Sangu Mandanna not only understood the assignment, she aced it with flying colors too. Special shoutout to Ken and Ian, who melted my cold cynical heart just as much as Mika and Jamie did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Cursing, and Death
ttamgerine's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Sexual content
elliot_alxander's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Okay i first want to say that this book was SOOOOO CLOSE to being 5 stars!! I loved basically everything about this book!! The characters, the setting, the vibes!! All immacualte!! *insert French kiss* if you want just the biggest cozy fall vibes with a cute but sexual relationship this book is for you. Honestly, this book was so cute and giving the best cozy fall family friendly book. Maybe its because i didnt realize that this book was marketed as a romance, but i did not think that the romance was going to be like half of the book. I do love the character that Mika ends up with so I wasnt annoyed, it just didnt seem like the story was heading in that direction. Also there is a very sexual chapter that comes out if nowhere as the characters arent that sexual beforehand. Also i listened to this book and the audiobook is incredible! Highly recommend if youre looking for a cute cozt fantasy that is about magic, idenitity, and found family. ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death