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

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

12 reviews

witcheep's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

In the acknowledgements, Mandanna reveals that her goal was to work on “a warm, cozy, romantic story about magic and family.” That is exactly what this book offers. The plot revolves around the topic of what one is willing or capable to do for those they love, and while doing so, the book shows a multitude of different ways to love by many different people. The characters are loveable individuals who embrace, amuse, and even hurt each other in turns, but in the end act out of love and kindness.

"Niceness is about what we do when other people are looking. Kindness, on the other hand, runs deep. Kindness is what happens when no one's looking."

The main character Mika Moon is a witch who lives in a world that has forced her to hide her witch identity and live in solitude. Being a witch is belonging in a considerable and secretive minority of the British population. Her being of a minor ethnicity has brought its own hardships to her life as well. She has been exploited in her past by many people she trusted and cared about:

"Because the way I see it, to be a witch is to be exploited when it's convenient and turned against when it isn't. I'd love to be just Mika, but the rest of the world has yet to give me that privilege."

This has lead Mika to not allow herself to love anyone or get attached in order to protect herself from rejection, hurt and other uncomfortable experiences. She tries to make herself likeable by putting on an easygoing and sunshiney facade, masking her true self behind the expected behaviors and appearances. However, deep down she craves for a place to call home, people to love; a sense of connection and belonging by being accepted just the way she is.

“It sounds like you've been alone for a long time."
"Oh, I'm used to that," Mika said, her voice just a little too bright. "That's the way it is."
"Not here, it's not," was all she got in reply.

At the Nowhere House Mika meets an unlikely and warm group of people, who slowly get behind her walls. While living there, Mika begins to process her past trauma. The three young witches of Nowhere House and especially a certain scowling grumpy librarian, Jamie Kelly, bring out new sides of Mika and make her think of whole new possibilities for her future and the future of witches. Tropes:

If you love a slow burn grumpy and sunshine romance, you’ll enjoy what this book offers. Found family and familial love are also at the front of the book.

The representation of different aspects of identity (ethnicity, sexual orientation, occupational…) is vast, and done very respectfully in the book. The multitude of identities is represented as something normal and beautiful, but the ugly parts aren’t brushed under the rug: the book addresses that there are injustice and hardships in the society for the different minorities. The outlook on life is hopeful, though, and the main characters aim to create a safe space for each other and at larger scale for the minorities and everyone supporting them.

"Who said anything about transforming the world?" He shrugged. "What about just making it a little better? And then a little better? And then a little more, until, one day, maybe long after we're gone, it has transformed?"

The overall tone of the book is quite lighthearted even though the themes of the book are profound, such as ontological and moral dilemmas; philosophical pondering over what people live for and what kind of choices are the right ones to make. Mandanna manages the light tone by wrapping the deep and philosophical themes in coziness. These heaver topics offer just the right amount of angst and agony to the plot, but the sense of togetherness is strong in the Nowhere House’s household. The stakes aren’t too high all the time, but the characters need to take some big personal leaps of faith if they want to try to change their current circumstances. There are many laugh-out-loud fun, swoonworthy, and even agonizing moments to devour in the book, and I couldn’t put the book down before the end. Between the pages of the book I found a feeling of home that would welcome anyone in need of a breather from the turmoils of life with open arms; maybe the family in that home can't shelter you from those turmpoils, but they can take your hand and help you face them.

"Home is worth finding," he said quietly. "Even if it takes a while."

Review written 16.3.2024

Content Warnings

dancing_dryad_85's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

Content Warnings

gnukiwi's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny 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

4.0

Content Warnings

lunep's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

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.

Content Warnings