A review by cakt1991
Like a Charm by Elle McNicoll

adventurous emotional 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

 I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own. 

As with Elle McNicoll’s previous books, I had heard great things from Gavin of How to Train your Gavin about Like a Charm, so I was eager for the US release. Where McNicoll’s prior works were contemporaries, this one dives fully into middle grade fantasy territory, yet her mission of promoting representation for neurodivergent children remains consistent. 

The setting is one of my favorite aspects of the book. I’ve read many stories about Scotland, but my favorites have always been the ones written by Scots themselves, and McNicoll delivers on this front. While there are some familiar creatures, like vampires, and it’s a witch story, it’s also rooted in Scottish folklore. 

And the intersection between the “witch” archetype and neurodivergence is well-thought-out in Ramya’s character. She has dyspraxia, a condition which I can relate to due to my own issues with motor skills and processing (while this is not my own diagnosis, some of my own symptoms and its impacts on my life overlap with Ramya’s). She feels misunderstood and isolated from the world due to this, but also has the ability to perceive things others can’t. I appreciate the nuanced portrayal of her experience, including not expecting her to be perfect all the time, and being allowed to have anger in response to being misperceived, masking her differences, or reckoning with difficult relationships with her family. But I also love that this adventure allows her to come into her own, and embrace her true power. 

The adventure plot is engaging, and keeps the story moving in a fast-paced fashion. I was curious how (if?) things would wrap up, and how much a sequel would be warranted, knowing this would be a series, but I didn’t need to be worried. As the final line of the story suggests, it’s “The End. Ish,” and it concludes on a good note, while leaving room for future adventures. 

This was another magical read (this time in a literal as well as figurative sense) from Elle McNicoll, and I can’t wait for more. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy middle grade fantasy adventure stories, especially if they’re looking for neurodivergence rep.