Reviews tagging 'Homophobia'

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

106 reviews

boba_n_books's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

This book was like a warm hug. Each personality was so distinct but worked with the others so well to create a beautifully diverse family in more ways than one. 

I loved Mika and the way she was able to work through her trauma and even help Primrose with hers. Mika was able to create space for everyone around her including the three young witches who needed it most. The slow burn between Jamie and Mika was really sweet and showcased the grumpy x sunshine trope well. 

Overall, I came to love each of the characters and the way they fit into the family. Was it a tad predictable? Sure. But was it heartwarming and fun? Absolutely. 
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karen_lo's review

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Great book if you want to read something super cozy, super relaxing and cute. This is a feel-good book 
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lauren_shilling's review

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funny 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

3.75

This book was such a good time to read! I adored all of the characters so much, and I just had so much fun falling in love with this found family! These characters complimented each other so well, and all of their relationships to one another were so wonderful to read about. To break down each of the characters, I really liked the three little girls in this book. Rosetta was the one I connected to the most, because as much as I did love Terracotta, I found her to be a bit frustrating at times, and her development felt a bit rushed to me.  I loved what I saw from Altamira, but I felt like it wasn't enough, and I didn't really grasp her character. Ian and Ken were incredible in every way, both as individuals and together. Ian made me smile or laugh every time he spoke, and Ken was just such a kind and wonderful person to hear about. They were also just incredibly cute together, and their relationship will stick with me for a while. If I don't have a love like theirs when I'm that old, then marriage wouldn't have been worth it. Lucie was also a great character, but one I needed more from to really understand as well. I feel like her backstory, which I would have loved to know more about, was glossed over a bit too much for my personal taste. Mika was certainly a favorite, not just in this particular story but overall! I really appreciated everything about her character, even though I was worried in the beginning she might end up being a bit over the top for me. She is such a well rounded character, and I loved every second of what I got from her. I think the main disappointment for me character-wise was actually Jamie, which is such a shame because I do really really like him!! I think, though, that in the end, I really wanted the story to peel back his layers, and it didn't really do that to the extent that I wanted it to. He seems like such a complex character, and I really liked him, but I feel like it didn't really go anywhere, at least not to the extent that I would have wanted. As a result of this, his romance with Mika felt a bit underdeveloped as well, which was a bit disappointing. This is one of the few stories where I would say I honestly wish it was longer! Usually when I complain about length it's to say it was too long, but this book definitely could have benefitted from some more character building scenes. I feel like sometimes we jumped from one plot point to the next in ways that did not feel entirely natural, and a lot of that is because I felt like I was missing something. I think what I was missing was more pages dedicated to in depth character building for Jamie, Lucy, Terracotta, and Altamira. The ending also felt like it wrapped up a bit too neatly a bit too quickly, but I was glad to suspend my disbelief in order to accept the quick fixes that seemed to present themselves. I think my favorite part of this novel (besides the amazingly written found family) was the setting and the magic! The setting was amazing and crafted a perfect cozy atmosphere, and the magic in this book was perfectly done, in my opinion. I loved the way the characters talked about magic and what they love about it and how it impacts their lives in both good and bad ways. I love how Mika loves and cherishes her magic and how passionate she is about it as well. I really do love all of the descriptions of it, and I would honestly reread this book for those parts alone, even if it weren't for the other things I loved about the story!
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margaret_k30's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

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gmat's review against another edition

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emotional 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? No

3.5

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leonorb's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25


An absent archaeologist, a housekeeper, a librarian, a gardener, a retired actor, and three unlikely witches. As backstories went, it was one of the weirdest Mika had ever heard.

Her eyes very round, seven-year-old Altamira said, with perfect gravity, "That was some excellent Mary Poppins shit right there"

When disaster struck, as disaster inevitably does, Mika was somewhat distressed to find that, on account of being knocked out cold, she was unable to take any satisfaction in being proven well and truly right.

The second book with a Mika that I read this year 🤍 I felt hugged by the book and, at the same time, just wanted to give Mika a hug.

Cozy fantasy with a bit of romance on the side. V cute!
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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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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!
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hello_lovely13's review

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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

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vjlp22_reader's review against another edition

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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

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librarymouse's review

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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!
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.
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