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A review by aforestofbooks
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
OKAY THIS IS ONE OF MY TOP FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2022!!
Like I've repeatedly said, please please please drop everything, call in sick from work, forget the dishes in your sink, and read this book. I'm begging you.
I've never read anything by this author, but the first sentence had me hooked. Her writing style can only be described as deliciously whimsical. Every word drew me into the story further. The descriptions of Nowhere House especially made me feel like I was actually there. I loved all the POVs we got. They were unique and fit each character so perfectly. Her way with words and explaining emotions and trauma was perfect.
But I think my favourite part of this book was the discussion on the difference between being nice and being kind. It just makes SO MUCH SENSE. I don't always read a book and leave with a lesson that I can apply to my daily life, but this is one of those moments. I'm going to quote this because it's necessary and I need everyone to see how life changing this specific part of the book is:
<blockquote>Niceness is good manners, and stopping to give someone directions, and smiling at the overworked cashier at the supermarket. These are all good things, but they have nothing to do with what's underneath. Niceness is all 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.</blockquote>
AND
<blockquote>A lot of nice people stop being nice when they don't get exactly what they want.</blockquote>
This book focuses a lot on childhood trauma, on what it is like growing up knowing you have to change and adapt yourself to fit those around you. It touches on feeling unlovable, like everyone around you will eventually leave you behind and move on. The guarding and suspicion and second-guessing when someone shows they care about you, no strings attached. It mentions the hurt and betrayal, and feeling like you'll never leave a mark on the world.
This book made me so emotional because of how much I relate to all of this. At one point, Jamie realizes that even though Mika has magic–the one thing she loves and is such an important part of her–all she craves for is people who will understand and accept her and love her for being <i>herself</i>.
This book is about found family. It's about how trauma can manifest in different ways as you grow older. How trauma can prevent you from creating the kind of life you crave because you've been hurt so many times you're afraid to trust again. It's about creating families that are there for each other, even though they're not related. It's about being accepting and present and having an open ear and heart. It's about love of all kinds, not just romantic. This book is beautiful and wholesome and perfect in everyway, and I wanted to cry so many times while reading this because it felt like a stab to the heart (but in a good way). I still feel like I'm learning about how my trauma manifests in my day to day life and relationships, and sometimes a book like this one is a good reminder to sit back and think about these things instead of letting them gather cobwebs in the back of your mind.
The whole cast of characters are truly loveable. The children are adorable. Terracotta being my favourite because she's super protective of her family and also loves murder. A great combination in my opinion. But Jamie. Oh Jamie.
I have a soft spot for the grumpy/sunshine trope when it comes to romance. And boy does this book deliver. Y'all will fall in love with Jamie and want to hug him a thousand times (which he would hate).
He's the perfect grump, and as Mika calls him, "a cantankerous old man" at heart. I love how much he loves the children and how protective he is of them. But he's also so kind underneath the mask he wears. The romance between him and Mika had the perfect build-up. There were so many good squeal-worthy, and oh-my-gosh moments. The one in the Broomstick when he gives her his coat was an especially good one. Also the scene before that with Primrose and Mika having tea. Just sjfskdjfsklfjdsklfjdsklfjdskjskdfjlksjf
This book will make you laugh-out-loud so many times. It's heartwarming and funny, and very soft and cute, and surprising too.
Also Mika. Can I just say I love her so much I would die for her?!! Her love of potions and tea and her dream of opening a tea and potion shop like fshkfjdskjfs. I geeked out a lot whenever we got a glimpse of her brewing potions and gathering plants and herbs. She's such a good and kind person. Her interactions with Jamie were gold and I love them together so much sdfsdkjf.
Anyway, I will stop gushing and let everyone read this book and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm honestly planning to buy a copy soon because there is no way I can't have the physical book in my hands. There are too many good and relatable quotes, that are also painful, but it's fine because this book is too good and I'm so glad I picked it up!!
(Also, for those of you who've read The House in the Cerulean Sea, but want to support an author and book that doesn't build a story off of Indigenous intergenerational trauma, plus has a diverse cast of characters, then this book is for you. So please pick it up and yell about it because Sangu deserves the world.)
Like I've repeatedly said, please please please drop everything, call in sick from work, forget the dishes in your sink, and read this book. I'm begging you.
I've never read anything by this author, but the first sentence had me hooked. Her writing style can only be described as deliciously whimsical. Every word drew me into the story further. The descriptions of Nowhere House especially made me feel like I was actually there. I loved all the POVs we got. They were unique and fit each character so perfectly. Her way with words and explaining emotions and trauma was perfect.
But I think my favourite part of this book was the discussion on the difference between being nice and being kind. It just makes SO MUCH SENSE. I don't always read a book and leave with a lesson that I can apply to my daily life, but this is one of those moments. I'm going to quote this because it's necessary and I need everyone to see how life changing this specific part of the book is:
<blockquote>Niceness is good manners, and stopping to give someone directions, and smiling at the overworked cashier at the supermarket. These are all good things, but they have nothing to do with what's underneath. Niceness is all 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.</blockquote>
AND
<blockquote>A lot of nice people stop being nice when they don't get exactly what they want.</blockquote>
This book focuses a lot on childhood trauma, on what it is like growing up knowing you have to change and adapt yourself to fit those around you. It touches on feeling unlovable, like everyone around you will eventually leave you behind and move on. The guarding and suspicion and second-guessing when someone shows they care about you, no strings attached. It mentions the hurt and betrayal, and feeling like you'll never leave a mark on the world.
This book made me so emotional because of how much I relate to all of this. At one point, Jamie realizes that even though Mika has magic–the one thing she loves and is such an important part of her–all she craves for is people who will understand and accept her and love her for being <i>herself</i>.
This book is about found family. It's about how trauma can manifest in different ways as you grow older. How trauma can prevent you from creating the kind of life you crave because you've been hurt so many times you're afraid to trust again. It's about creating families that are there for each other, even though they're not related. It's about being accepting and present and having an open ear and heart. It's about love of all kinds, not just romantic. This book is beautiful and wholesome and perfect in everyway, and I wanted to cry so many times while reading this because it felt like a stab to the heart (but in a good way). I still feel like I'm learning about how my trauma manifests in my day to day life and relationships, and sometimes a book like this one is a good reminder to sit back and think about these things instead of letting them gather cobwebs in the back of your mind.
The whole cast of characters are truly loveable. The children are adorable. Terracotta being my favourite because she's super protective of her family and also loves murder. A great combination in my opinion. But Jamie. Oh Jamie.
I have a soft spot for the grumpy/sunshine trope when it comes to romance. And boy does this book deliver. Y'all will fall in love with Jamie and want to hug him a thousand times (which he would hate).
He's the perfect grump, and as Mika calls him, "a cantankerous old man" at heart. I love how much he loves the children and how protective he is of them. But he's also so kind underneath the mask he wears. The romance between him and Mika had the perfect build-up. There were so many good squeal-worthy, and oh-my-gosh moments. The one in the Broomstick when he gives her his coat was an especially good one. Also the scene before that with Primrose and Mika having tea. Just sjfskdjfsklfjdsklfjdsklfjdskjskdfjlksjf
This book will make you laugh-out-loud so many times. It's heartwarming and funny, and very soft and cute, and surprising too.
Also Mika. Can I just say I love her so much I would die for her?!! Her love of potions and tea and her dream of opening a tea and potion shop like fshkfjdskjfs. I geeked out a lot whenever we got a glimpse of her brewing potions and gathering plants and herbs. She's such a good and kind person. Her interactions with Jamie were gold and I love them together so much sdfsdkjf.
Anyway, I will stop gushing and let everyone read this book and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm honestly planning to buy a copy soon because there is no way I can't have the physical book in my hands. There are too many good and relatable quotes, that are also painful, but it's fine because this book is too good and I'm so glad I picked it up!!
(Also, for those of you who've read The House in the Cerulean Sea, but want to support an author and book that doesn't build a story off of Indigenous intergenerational trauma, plus has a diverse cast of characters, then this book is for you. So please pick it up and yell about it because Sangu deserves the world.)