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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
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
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis is a fun cosy fantasy with a great premise. When a young five year old girl is accidentally bitten by a rogue werewolf and turned, her parents find themselves thrust into a world of magic that they never even knew existed. Navigating a new school with new rules is never easy but when you are the only non magical parents among the mages, shifters, vampires and Fae it is even more challenging. Desperate to help Ariana deal with her new challenges, her parents Vivian and Daniel throw themselves into their new world and even make a few magical friends of their own along the way but when it seems that Ariana might be the subject of a prophecy of doom that will destroy the school many of those friends show their true colours and the stress and tension causes cracks to appear in Vivian and Daniel's marriage.
This is a mostly light hearted read that pokes fun at private schools and the desperate lengths that parents are often willing to go to in order to help their children succeed. The author does a wonderful job of portraying the confusion and challenges faced by Vivian and Daniel as they come to terms with their new life and their daughter's changed future. I really enjoyed the magical town that the author created and populated with a wonderful cast of characters and creatures and although it felt like the story got a little bogged down towards the middle it was still a fun read. That being said it did have some darker moments and the author is definitely tackling some bigger issues with a whole plot thread devoted to the issues in Vivian and Daniel's marriage and the challenges that parenting brings.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with plenty of humor and charm and I look forward to more from this author.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This is a mostly light hearted read that pokes fun at private schools and the desperate lengths that parents are often willing to go to in order to help their children succeed. The author does a wonderful job of portraying the confusion and challenges faced by Vivian and Daniel as they come to terms with their new life and their daughter's changed future. I really enjoyed the magical town that the author created and populated with a wonderful cast of characters and creatures and although it felt like the story got a little bogged down towards the middle it was still a fun read. That being said it did have some darker moments and the author is definitely tackling some bigger issues with a whole plot thread devoted to the issues in Vivian and Daniel's marriage and the challenges that parenting brings.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with plenty of humor and charm and I look forward to more from this author.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Vivian's daughter Aria was bitten by a werewolf, and now nothing is quite right. Vivian has left her job to support Aria's special needs and their family has moved to a new school district so Aria can, with a scholarship courtesy of the local werewolf pack, attend Grimoire Grammar School, alongside mages, other shifters, and assorted fantastical beings. In hopes of integrating with the other parents and bettering community ties, Vivian joins the Parent Advisor Council (because PTA is simply too common for president Cecily). But the problems just keep piling up, and with a looming prophecy threatening their safety and Aria's place at the only school that will take a shifter child with mundane parents, Vivian is struggling to keep the life they're building from collapsing around her.
Vivian's struggle to adapt is paired with constant stress that she is not doing this right. Her own fear of not doing enough continually butts against husband's Daniel's that she's doing too much. The positive inclusion of therapy following the bite (moderate violence described) and discussion of medication pairs with the perspective of a mother trying her best and continually certain it isn't enough. Discussion of mental health and the importance of support structures added another layer to the blending of mundane and magic. (Not a parent or US-based, so elements of childrearing and school politics will have been missed.)
Rozakis' worldblending in this urban fantasy channels the practicalities of modern living (where to park when going to shop for school supplies) against the mystical setting of Grimoire Grammar (how exactly do you wave the dagger to enter the secret street stocking those school supplies?). The juxtaposition of what is assumed knowledge, both in the narrative and of the reader, against what is explained as the plot continues toes the line, while continuing the theme of a protagonist blundering in without the background other characters have. Though sharing similarities with other popular magic school series (including a couple of allusions in the book), the distinct protagonist and fresh angle adds a perspective for those too old to attend but still able to be dragged into a new world, with all the associated complications.
Vivian's struggle to adapt is paired with constant stress that she is not doing this right. Her own fear of not doing enough continually butts against husband's Daniel's that she's doing too much. The positive inclusion of therapy following the bite (moderate violence described) and discussion of medication pairs with the perspective of a mother trying her best and continually certain it isn't enough. Discussion of mental health and the importance of support structures added another layer to the blending of mundane and magic. (Not a parent or US-based, so elements of childrearing and school politics will have been missed.)
Rozakis' worldblending in this urban fantasy channels the practicalities of modern living (where to park when going to shop for school supplies) against the mystical setting of Grimoire Grammar (how exactly do you wave the dagger to enter the secret street stocking those school supplies?). The juxtaposition of what is assumed knowledge, both in the narrative and of the reader, against what is explained as the plot continues toes the line, while continuing the theme of a protagonist blundering in without the background other characters have. Though sharing similarities with other popular magic school series (including a couple of allusions in the book), the distinct protagonist and fresh angle adds a perspective for those too old to attend but still able to be dragged into a new world, with all the associated complications.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Violence, Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Racism
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis is a third person-POV contemporary fantasy putting a new spin on the magic school trope. When Vivian and Daniel’s daughter, Aria, is bitten by a werewolf, they now have to send her to a school for magical folk, opening them up to an entirely new world they didn’t know existed. Things do not go smoothly as all three have to adjust to this new school and the new dynamics as well as a prophecy that points to Aria.
I really appreciated how Daniel and Vivian are having struggles in their marriage throughout the book. As the plot is something of an allegory for a child being diagnosed with a chronic illness, it makes perfect sense that one of the parents would need to quit their job to be a full time parent and that it could create resentment. It also makes sense that Vivian would try to immerse herself as much as possible while Daniel is resistant as he still has his job and has his own experiences when it comes to being an outsider. Vivian starts hiding things from him, which creates even more friction. I fully bought the escalation of the issues they were having because I’ve seen it play out many times in real life.
I’ve seen a few people call this cozy and I’m very on the fence about whether or not it could be a cozy fantasy. I think that there are parts of it that are on the cozier side, such as the academic fair and the lower stakes when it comes to trying to fit in. On the other hand, we are delving into bullying and there is a somewhat graphic scene of a five-year-old being attacked by a werewolf. I think whether or not this is cozy is really going to depend on the individual and it won’t fit super neatly within the subgenre for a lot of readers.
I loved the worldbuilding bits that came from the school announcement epigraphs that opened each chapter. It acknowledges the modern aspects of our world and how they fit within a magical community that shares the world instead of existing in a separate dimension a la portal fantasy. There’s mentions of what Halloween costumes are not OK to wear and what kind of projects are not allowed. It’s these little details that make a world feel lived-in and throughout.
Content warning for harm down to a child and bullying
I would recommend this to fans of magic school fantasy looking for a book from the POV of a parent and readers of fantasy who want something with cozier stakes but a bit more bite
Mar 7 3:31 PM Show and tell next week! Remember to write your child's name clearly on any objects brought in. No cursed or culturally insensitive objects, please.
Mar 7 3:33 PM Living creatures do not count as objects.
Mar 7 3:36 PM Unliving creatures also do not count as objects.
This was such delightful, adorable read. This book has a little something for everyone - the school parent drama of Big Little Lies, the cozy feeling of Legends and Lattes, and the "happy spooky" setting of Disney's Halloweentown.
Following an accident that turns her child into a werewolf, kindergarten parent Vivian moves her family - husband Daniel and five year old daughter Aria - to Veilport so her daughter can attend specialized school Grimoire Grammar. But while Veilport isn't exactly your normal town - werewolves, vampires, selkies, and wizards are a common occurrence- Grimoire Grammar is definitely a normal private school. Sure the teacher is a vampire and they need ritual daggers on the first day, but it's a cutthroat environment with testing, competitive sports, fundraising galas, and the general pressures that make everyday parents feel like they aren't doing enough. Soon Vivian is caught up in keeping up with their new normal, and that was before she heard a town prophecy that may involve her daughter....
Despite falling into the cosy fantasy category, this book tackled a lot of tougher themes: bullying, anxiety, whether or not to medicate, academic pressure, extended and found families, and the general toll parenting can take on a marriage. Even if you aren't a parent, Vivian, Daniel, and Aria's struggles are beyond relatable, especially in today's environment where people are obsessed with success.
Also the cover is GORGEOUS and even though I've read it now I may need to purchase the book just for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Mar 7 3:33 PM Living creatures do not count as objects.
Mar 7 3:36 PM Unliving creatures also do not count as objects.
This was such delightful, adorable read. This book has a little something for everyone - the school parent drama of Big Little Lies, the cozy feeling of Legends and Lattes, and the "happy spooky" setting of Disney's Halloweentown.
Following an accident that turns her child into a werewolf, kindergarten parent Vivian moves her family - husband Daniel and five year old daughter Aria - to Veilport so her daughter can attend specialized school Grimoire Grammar. But while Veilport isn't exactly your normal town - werewolves, vampires, selkies, and wizards are a common occurrence- Grimoire Grammar is definitely a normal private school. Sure the teacher is a vampire and they need ritual daggers on the first day, but it's a cutthroat environment with testing, competitive sports, fundraising galas, and the general pressures that make everyday parents feel like they aren't doing enough. Soon Vivian is caught up in keeping up with their new normal, and that was before she heard a town prophecy that may involve her daughter....
"People were supposed to be more understanding here. Only it turned out that people here were still people, and people were shit."
Despite falling into the cosy fantasy category, this book tackled a lot of tougher themes: bullying, anxiety, whether or not to medicate, academic pressure, extended and found families, and the general toll parenting can take on a marriage. Even if you aren't a parent, Vivian, Daniel, and Aria's struggles are beyond relatable, especially in today's environment where people are obsessed with success.
Also the cover is GORGEOUS and even though I've read it now I may need to purchase the book just for that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
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
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
This book was such a delight to read!
Imagine the Netflix show Wednesday but instead of Wednesday, it's about Edith. But Edith is a kindergartner and just recently became a werewolf. And the story is not written from her perspective but from her Mom's who is trying really hard to adapt to the magical world and make herself and her family fit in. But of course she has to jump some hoops, and then her family gets accused of being responsible for setting of a centuries old prophecy. Oh, and she also volunteered to be treasurer of the PTA but the numbers don't add up.
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association is such an innovative, smart and funny book! And now I wish I had a child in Kindergarten that spontaneously turns into a wolf cub when emotionally overwhelmed!
4.5 of 5 stars 🌟
Imagine the Netflix show Wednesday but instead of Wednesday, it's about Edith. But Edith is a kindergartner and just recently became a werewolf. And the story is not written from her perspective but from her Mom's who is trying really hard to adapt to the magical world and make herself and her family fit in. But of course she has to jump some hoops, and then her family gets accused of being responsible for setting of a centuries old prophecy. Oh, and she also volunteered to be treasurer of the PTA but the numbers don't add up.
The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association is such an innovative, smart and funny book! And now I wish I had a child in Kindergarten that spontaneously turns into a wolf cub when emotionally overwhelmed!
4.5 of 5 stars 🌟