betweentheshelves's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.5
Oh this was so lovely! It definitely gave me House in the Cerulean Sea vibes, but with witches instead. Always love a good found family trope, and it's strong in this book. Mika thinks she can go on living her life without any connection or relationships, but the little family at the Nowhere House shows her that's not true.
The characters were absolutely the best part about this book, but the magic and the magic system was also so interesting. Plus, the sunshine witch falls in love with a grumpy librarian? Sign me up.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy featuring found family to read as the weather gets colder, I definitely recommend this one!
The characters were absolutely the best part about this book, but the magic and the magic system was also so interesting. Plus, the sunshine witch falls in love with a grumpy librarian? Sign me up.
If you're looking for a cozy fantasy featuring found family to read as the weather gets colder, I definitely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse and Death
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
vjlp22_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
librarymouse's review against another edition
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!
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.
Spoiler
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Domestic abuse
estellec13's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia
martapsalvado's review against another edition
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
4.5
Wholesome, cozy, romantic low fantasy perfection🧙🏽♀️✨️
Found family, slow-burn grumpy/sunshine, witchiness, twists, loveable, diverse and very well-written characters and a dog named Circe. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.
I was so invested in this book that it had me kicking my feet with gidiness and dropping my kobo with shock.
It's so fun and so heartwarming, but doesn't lack depth, also covering some serious issues like loneliness and trauma.
Found family, slow-burn grumpy/sunshine, witchiness, twists, loveable, diverse and very well-written characters and a dog named Circe. If that doesn't convince you, I don't know what will.
I was so invested in this book that it had me kicking my feet with gidiness and dropping my kobo with shock.
It's so fun and so heartwarming, but doesn't lack depth, also covering some serious issues like loneliness and trauma.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, and Sexual content
coraldelian's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.5
Well, how do I start with this? I went through this because some people I follow recommended it. And mostly what I gather was that it was a wholesome witchy read with found family. And well, I'm a sucker for found family and if you know me, you know I love all things witchy.
So, since I'm still new to audiobooks, I'm not venturing into heavy fantasy just get with this format (which is the one i probably consume the most or find myself following more often) I decided to go with this read since it seemed to also be contemporary and magical realism somewhat (two genres I've barely read but I'm finding more interesting everyday) and also not too long. And on this format, I do have to say, the audiobook is great. The narrator did an amazing job, I would suggest you try if you want.
But, anyway, time to talk about the book itself. When it started with a meeting of witches in secret, I though that well, that was what the book was going to be about. Isn't this a found family of witches? And well, yeah, the book is about that. But it wasn't in the way I thought it would be.
Because suddenly we were only following Mika embarking in this journey of her own to a mysterious house and what seemed to be her future found family and I was honestly confused for a second. Then, I went to read de synopsis (sometimes I don't bother to do so and just pick up the book and others I just forget to do it or that I've had) and turns out that it is exactly what the book is about lmao.
So, yeah, after my confusion faded I found myself engaging with the story and actually quite enjoying it. The characters were interesting, the magic system was clearly well-though out but also elevated to match the vibes the author clearly wanted to portray and the setting both intriguing and nicely done. It was just as it was promised, filled with fluff and wholesomeness with a sprinkle of romance that honestly? Had me kicking my feet. Sure, I wouldn't normally enjoy this so much (I'm not much of a romance reader, not as a main plot, and not straight either since as a lesbian and I cannot fully related to the experience lol), but I wasn't looking to thoroughly to it either. I was treating this with the same level of objectiveness that I would do with a piece of fan fiction (of which I am an avid reader as well, despite the bad rap it gets, I've experience amazing stories in that medium).
Still, even though the story stayed at the same line most of the time, the few times it didn't, it threw me out a little bit. Which is why I cannot give it the five stars (even though according to CAWPILE my real rating would be 4.5, but well, goodreads doesn't allow me to put that), but to be fair, most of the times is because it went outside of my expectations rather that being a flaw in the story.
There are three main elements that as it turns out, it was because I forgot that if this book was rated adult, it wouldn't be only because the MC was on her thirties. And even the author had such content warning on her website about the book, which are the: "some on-page sex, discussions of trauma and past abuse, and references to the racism and homophobia experienced by the characters". The first one I didn't expect at all but also because it was almost at the end of the book, and again, I don't go to books for that but I don't hate it for it. I just feel it was a little unnecessary in my opinion, but again, that might be just a me problem. The trauma and abuse, well, I did expect because what is a found family without their broken people and outcasts? The racism often times felt a little bit on the nose, especially with how slightly unaware was Mika about it, always assuming first it was a about being a witch and not her lack of whiteness. But I guess it makes sense since she was used to hide her condition but couldn't take away the color of her skin so she had no choice but to get used to it.
Also I felt like the main villain(?) in this story, Edward, felt a little too plain for me on regards to his racism and homophobia. Yeah, sure, some people are just that simple and hate those who are not the same. But I don't know, I felt it should've been explained better how he acted or maybe that he became a major conflict that what it turned out to be.
And also goes to the fact some os the cast, especially Lucie and Ken and also kinda Ian didn't have as much show time nor presence as I thought they should had. I wish we could have gotten to know them a little better despite them being part of Nowhere House. As well as the plot twist at the very end of the book, perhaps if I wasn't so into the story I would've had see it coming but at the same time it felt too convenient for the situation. Although I liked how all wrapped up in a full circle, I found it beautiful.
I do have to praise, however, the casual representation this book had both for our POC MC and support cast which are the other little witches (which I find extremely funny that double meaning their situation had for their condition and skin color) as well as well... Ken? I think he's the only POC who is not a witch in this support cast, I might be wrong though and forgetting someone.
But despite this, I still enjoyed the story so much, not only for the vibes but because it was honestly really good. The part about nice vs kind people, even though it might look a little too cheesy for some, I genuinely really liked it and felt like it was a very true and interesting analysis I never quite though about. How casually it was handled Mika's origins really goes to show the author knows what she's talking about. And the world of witches was so fascinating and real, despite it's "negative connotation", especially for the secret part which again I felt where handled pretty well and it make sense why it was like that despite all the miraculous magic that surrounded them. The very concept of magic was almost fairytale-like and nonetheless delightful.
Speaking of this, at the end, Mika finds her own home amongst her kin and others who are not. She knows the world is not ready to know about witches just yet, but that someday one witch will change that. And she's okay with not being the one who does it. She has found her place, she doesn't need to chase after it until the end or destroy everything for the chance of building a new one. And that's totally okay. And I love it was that way. It feels grounded an realistic, because sometimes you don't have to change the whole world to make it better. You can always try to leave every place better than what you found it, be the change you want to be but not force it into other who do not want to sacrifice what they have for a chance that is not granted.
I think I went a little bit on a tangent with that, I don't know. But yeah, despite the few things that confused me or didn't particularly suit my interests, I loved this story. I wish I could have more. I intermediately went to read the bonus epilogue the author posted at her website and I loved it so much. Agh, the fact that they're ALL a family? Yeah, sure, it might be a little too convenient and too fast but honestly I don't care. I loved that I could have a little extra snippet of their lives after the end of the book.
I wish there was more because of how much I loved it. But at the same time, I love that the book can stand on their own and doesn't need anything else. It makes it even a better read. And it feels almost like a time capsule, of Mika's life in probably one of the best days she will ever have. So, once again and just like her, I have enough with just what I got. Is not everything, but is much more than I could ask for.
So, since I'm still new to audiobooks, I'm not venturing into heavy fantasy just get with this format (which is the one i probably consume the most or find myself following more often) I decided to go with this read since it seemed to also be contemporary and magical realism somewhat (two genres I've barely read but I'm finding more interesting everyday) and also not too long. And on this format, I do have to say, the audiobook is great. The narrator did an amazing job, I would suggest you try if you want.
But, anyway, time to talk about the book itself. When it started with a meeting of witches in secret, I though that well, that was what the book was going to be about. Isn't this a found family of witches? And well, yeah, the book is about that. But it wasn't in the way I thought it would be.
Because suddenly we were only following Mika embarking in this journey of her own to a mysterious house and what seemed to be her future found family and I was honestly confused for a second. Then, I went to read de synopsis (sometimes I don't bother to do so and just pick up the book and others I just forget to do it or that I've had) and turns out that it is exactly what the book is about lmao.
So, yeah, after my confusion faded I found myself engaging with the story and actually quite enjoying it. The characters were interesting, the magic system was clearly well-though out but also elevated to match the vibes the author clearly wanted to portray and the setting both intriguing and nicely done. It was just as it was promised, filled with fluff and wholesomeness with a sprinkle of romance that honestly? Had me kicking my feet. Sure, I wouldn't normally enjoy this so much (I'm not much of a romance reader, not as a main plot, and not straight either since as a lesbian and I cannot fully related to the experience lol), but I wasn't looking to thoroughly to it either. I was treating this with the same level of objectiveness that I would do with a piece of fan fiction (of which I am an avid reader as well, despite the bad rap it gets, I've experience amazing stories in that medium).
Still, even though the story stayed at the same line most of the time, the few times it didn't, it threw me out a little bit. Which is why I cannot give it the five stars (even though according to CAWPILE my real rating would be 4.5, but well, goodreads doesn't allow me to put that), but to be fair, most of the times is because it went outside of my expectations rather that being a flaw in the story.
There are three main elements that as it turns out, it was because I forgot that if this book was rated adult, it wouldn't be only because the MC was on her thirties. And even the author had such content warning on her website about the book, which are the: "some on-page sex, discussions of trauma and past abuse, and references to the racism and homophobia experienced by the characters". The first one I didn't expect at all but also because it was almost at the end of the book, and again, I don't go to books for that but I don't hate it for it. I just feel it was a little unnecessary in my opinion, but again, that might be just a me problem. The trauma and abuse, well, I did expect because what is a found family without their broken people and outcasts? The racism often times felt a little bit on the nose, especially with how slightly unaware was Mika about it, always assuming first it was a about being a witch and not her lack of whiteness. But I guess it makes sense since she was used to hide her condition but couldn't take away the color of her skin so she had no choice but to get used to it.
Also I felt like the main villain(?) in this story, Edward, felt a little too plain for me on regards to his racism and homophobia. Yeah, sure, some people are just that simple and hate those who are not the same. But I don't know, I felt it should've been explained better how he acted or maybe that he became a major conflict that what it turned out to be.
And also goes to the fact some os the cast, especially Lucie and Ken and also kinda Ian didn't have as much show time nor presence as I thought they should had. I wish we could have gotten to know them a little better despite them being part of Nowhere House. As well as the plot twist at the very end of the book, perhaps if I wasn't so into the story I would've had see it coming but at the same time it felt too convenient for the situation. Although I liked how all wrapped up in a full circle, I found it beautiful.
I do have to praise, however, the casual representation this book had both for our POC MC and support cast which are the other little witches (which I find extremely funny that double meaning their situation had for their condition and skin color) as well as well... Ken? I think he's the only POC who is not a witch in this support cast, I might be wrong though and forgetting someone.
But despite this, I still enjoyed the story so much, not only for the vibes but because it was honestly really good. The part about nice vs kind people, even though it might look a little too cheesy for some, I genuinely really liked it and felt like it was a very true and interesting analysis I never quite though about. How casually it was handled Mika's origins really goes to show the author knows what she's talking about. And the world of witches was so fascinating and real, despite it's "negative connotation", especially for the secret part which again I felt where handled pretty well and it make sense why it was like that despite all the miraculous magic that surrounded them. The very concept of magic was almost fairytale-like and nonetheless delightful.
Speaking of this, at the end, Mika finds her own home amongst her kin and others who are not. She knows the world is not ready to know about witches just yet, but that someday one witch will change that. And she's okay with not being the one who does it. She has found her place, she doesn't need to chase after it until the end or destroy everything for the chance of building a new one. And that's totally okay. And I love it was that way. It feels grounded an realistic, because sometimes you don't have to change the whole world to make it better. You can always try to leave every place better than what you found it, be the change you want to be but not force it into other who do not want to sacrifice what they have for a chance that is not granted.
I think I went a little bit on a tangent with that, I don't know. But yeah, despite the few things that confused me or didn't particularly suit my interests, I loved this story. I wish I could have more. I intermediately went to read the bonus epilogue the author posted at her website and I loved it so much. Agh, the fact that they're ALL a family? Yeah, sure, it might be a little too convenient and too fast but honestly I don't care. I loved that I could have a little extra snippet of their lives after the end of the book.
I wish there was more because of how much I loved it. But at the same time, I love that the book can stand on their own and doesn't need anything else. It makes it even a better read. And it feels almost like a time capsule, of Mika's life in probably one of the best days she will ever have. So, once again and just like her, I have enough with just what I got. Is not everything, but is much more than I could ask for.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Death of parent, Death, and Abandonment
julierambaeck's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Soooooo cute!!!! The romance: perfect, the found family: perfect!
For fans of "The House in the Cerulean Sea"
For fans of "The House in the Cerulean Sea"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews because I don’t like leaving them. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
“It’s a leap of faith to love people and let yourself be loved. It’s closing your eyes, stepping off a ledge into nothing, and trusting that you’ll fly rather than fall.”
This was a cozy contemporary new adult fantasy read for autumn to get you in the Halloween, witchy mood! It's told in third-person limited POV, and I listened to the audiobook, which was fantastic. I highly recommend it!
Mika begins a new job as a teacher for three young witches at the Nowhere House, which is much different than anything she has done before. She grew up with the messaging that witches should not spend much time together, as it was dangerous, so she's led a super lonely life full of people who don't know the truth about her identity as a witch. These three girls, who are elementary school age --Terracotta was my favorite, and I would read (or watch an adaptation!) another middle-grade series based on her growing up!
Not everyone welcome Mika though - Jamie, the grumpy librarian, doesn't think Mika should be there, and doesn't like the way Mika sometimes "others" the three young girls (this comes from her own internalized messaging about how hard it has been to be a witch). He is very protective and defensive of them, and feels it is the world who needs to change, not them. I get it, dude, I do! They have a lil grumpy x sunshine dynamic, with lots of fun banter, and the entire house illustrates found family so beautifully.
There's an interesting worldbuilding fact that if you give birth to a witch, that you may die because of spells gone wrong, and that was quite dark lollll. I was like, 'Woah, I certainly was *not* expecting that out of this fluffy lil romcom and coming-of-age!' Anyway, besides this, the plot was extremely low-stakes and I listened to this in one day. It flew by, and it felt like a warm autumn hug!
steam rating: I felt it was quite tame so like a 1.5/5
cw: abandonment, death of a parent, death, child abuse, racism, homophobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Racism, Death, Child abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
kouyu's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Child abuse