A review by coraldelian
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
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