Scan barcode
amandas_bookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Death
Minor: Emotional abuse, Bullying, and Physical abuse
booksthatburn's review against another edition
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES is a funny and heartwarming story of found family, starring a lonely witch and a house full of people working to protect three very young witches.
The setting is almost real-world England, but where magic and witches are real while the rest of history seems to have been unaffected. Mika was born in India but was taken to England by Primrose after her mother died (all witches are orphaned soon after birth due to a spell that went wrong sometime in the past). There are various themes of bigotry, marginalization, and even colonialism which are invoked by the characters, but only the magical counterpart is specifically explored. Since a lot of heavy lifting for the worldbuilding is implied by the contemporary setting and setting most of the book at Nowhere House, this has the room to focus mainly on characterization.
Ian is a retired actor who resides at Nowhere House with Ken, his husband and the house's gardener. Lucie is the housekeeper, and Jamie is the grumpy and protective librarian who originally came to the house as a teenager. The children (Altamira, Terracotta, and Rosetta) are very young witches who were adopted by the house's absent owner, Lillian, a witch and archeologist. Ian finds Mika online and invites her to stay at the house for several months and teach the children to control their magic. Mika, who has led a very lonely life due to her former guardian's ideas about witches and the dangers of spending time with one another, agrees to stay but keeps feeling a bit on the outside.
The story is generally heartwarming, focusing on Mika's interactions with the inhabitants of the house. Jamie is grumpy in a way that's initially annoying to Mika but which starts being a bit sexy as she gets to know him better. Mika was invited to the house because there's going to be a visit from Lillian's lawyer and they need the children's magic to be under control (or at least hidden) during the event. They haven't been able to get in touch with Lillian, and none of the other adults are magical, so they have to hope that Mika can help them.
This was fluffier than I usually like, but I ended up enjoying it (especially once Jamie and Mika start really talking). The late-book twist was handled very well and led to some of my favorite scenes in the whole thing.
The setting is almost real-world England, but where magic and witches are real while the rest of history seems to have been unaffected. Mika was born in India but was taken to England by Primrose after her mother died (all witches are orphaned soon after birth due to a spell that went wrong sometime in the past). There are various themes of bigotry, marginalization, and even colonialism which are invoked by the characters, but only the magical counterpart is specifically explored. Since a lot of heavy lifting for the worldbuilding is implied by the contemporary setting and setting most of the book at Nowhere House, this has the room to focus mainly on characterization.
Ian is a retired actor who resides at Nowhere House with Ken, his husband and the house's gardener. Lucie is the housekeeper, and Jamie is the grumpy and protective librarian who originally came to the house as a teenager. The children (Altamira, Terracotta, and Rosetta) are very young witches who were adopted by the house's absent owner, Lillian, a witch and archeologist. Ian finds Mika online and invites her to stay at the house for several months and teach the children to control their magic. Mika, who has led a very lonely life due to her former guardian's ideas about witches and the dangers of spending time with one another, agrees to stay but keeps feeling a bit on the outside.
The story is generally heartwarming, focusing on Mika's interactions with the inhabitants of the house. Jamie is grumpy in a way that's initially annoying to Mika but which starts being a bit sexy as she gets to know him better. Mika was invited to the house because there's going to be a visit from Lillian's lawyer and they need the children's magic to be under control (or at least hidden) during the event. They haven't been able to get in touch with Lillian, and none of the other adults are magical, so they have to hope that Mika can help them.
This was fluffier than I usually like, but I ended up enjoying it (especially once Jamie and Mika start really talking). The late-book twist was handled very well and led to some of my favorite scenes in the whole thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping, Confinement, Alcohol, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Death, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Classism, Racism, Xenophobia, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Mental illness, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Animal death
kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
lizgriffinwords's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Three words: sad, cozy, wholesome.
I sticky-tabbed so many times where Mika’s loneliness resonated deep in my soul. And grumpy heart-of-gold Jaime is just the perfect man.
The ending was satisfying even though I’d sleuthed out part of the big twist.
Highly recommend for an intrinsically diverse, clever, fantasy romance.
I sticky-tabbed so many times where Mika’s loneliness resonated deep in my soul. And grumpy heart-of-gold Jaime is just the perfect man.
The ending was satisfying even though I’d sleuthed out part of the big twist.
Highly recommend for an intrinsically diverse, clever, fantasy romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content and Grief
theespressoedition's review against another edition
hopeful
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
Updated in 2023 to 5 stars after a reread!
A little disclaimer: I'm not someone who typically enjoys the most hyped books--especially contemporary romances. Usually, I wind up disappointed that I've even read them at all, and sometimes I even go so far as to resent the internet for hyping them up when it feels so unnecessary.
PSA: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches deserves every ounce of hype it has received. Hopefully, that says a lot considering the information that I just provided about my reading tastes.
I gave this one a shot with the lowest of the low expectations. I figured I might like it. Maybe I'd give it 3 stars if it was even semi-decent. Instead, I read it all in one sitting and loved every second of it!
The concept is pretty simple. A witch without a family is welcomed into a somewhat mismatched and unusual "family" in need of a witch. Emotions are high, hijinks ensue, and both parties are forced to make adjustments to the way they live and view the world. It's found family at its absolute finest.
Now, I've seen plenty of people compare this book to The House in the Cerulean Sea. While I would agree with some elements resembling one another, this felt different to me for some reason. THITCS actually made me slightly uncomfortable while I read it (sadly) but TVSSOIW brought great coziness and peace. I can see it becoming a comfort reread for sure! There was less innuendo (though some sexual content was in the book), the children were much more likable, and I never felt confused as to which age group it was intended for. It was a wholesome adult novel with lots of great vibes.
This was the last book I read in October, and while I wouldn't say that it absolutely blew me away or became my favorite book of all time, I did thoroughly enjoy it and I can see myself reading it again each year during this time!
A little disclaimer: I'm not someone who typically enjoys the most hyped books--especially contemporary romances. Usually, I wind up disappointed that I've even read them at all, and sometimes I even go so far as to resent the internet for hyping them up when it feels so unnecessary.
PSA: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches deserves every ounce of hype it has received. Hopefully, that says a lot considering the information that I just provided about my reading tastes.
I gave this one a shot with the lowest of the low expectations. I figured I might like it. Maybe I'd give it 3 stars if it was even semi-decent. Instead, I read it all in one sitting and loved every second of it!
The concept is pretty simple. A witch without a family is welcomed into a somewhat mismatched and unusual "family" in need of a witch. Emotions are high, hijinks ensue, and both parties are forced to make adjustments to the way they live and view the world. It's found family at its absolute finest.
Now, I've seen plenty of people compare this book to The House in the Cerulean Sea. While I would agree with some elements resembling one another, this felt different to me for some reason. THITCS actually made me slightly uncomfortable while I read it (sadly) but TVSSOIW brought great coziness and peace. I can see it becoming a comfort reread for sure! There was less innuendo (though some sexual content was in the book), the children were much more likable, and I never felt confused as to which age group it was intended for. It was a wholesome adult novel with lots of great vibes.
This was the last book I read in October, and while I wouldn't say that it absolutely blew me away or became my favorite book of all time, I did thoroughly enjoy it and I can see myself reading it again each year during this time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
takarakei's review against another edition
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
4.5
This is such a cozy witchy rom-com and I adored it. Found family. Grumpy sunshine. A bit spicy.
I really saw the witches “needing” to stay separated from each other to avoid their power becoming “too strong” as a metaphor for systems of oppression keeping people out of community in order to maintain their control.
3/5 🌶️
I really saw the witches “needing” to stay separated from each other to avoid their power becoming “too strong” as a metaphor for systems of oppression keeping people out of community in order to maintain their control.
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Death of parent
Abusive siblings, isolation/abandonment of child resulting in childhood traumasdupont's review against another edition
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
4.25
What a cute and cozy read, perfect for fall! I enjoyed reading this book. The ensemble of characters all rounded each other out quite nicely. I found the books themes around home, found family, and identity to be well done. I also loved Mika’s distinction between nice and kind- something that really resonated with me. The romance in this story is the B plot so readers should go in expecting a solid fiction novel rather than a romance. I would recommend this book to fans of cozy witchy reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Child abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
lexa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
5.0
All the stars and all their star dust for this cozy, romantic, magical book about found family and living as your true self. Perfect autumn read. Great narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Child abuse, Grief, and Racism
womanwill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Abandonment
saliwali's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Grief