The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches | Sangu Mandanna
"danger rarely wore a monstrous face and a wielded a pitchfork. no, danger came most often in the form of nice people whose niceness only went so deep, who saved their niceness for people exactly like them, who believed they were more deserving of power and respect than anyone who was a little bit different."
Aside from the quarterly meetings of England’s witch population, they
are living very separate lives. Apparently when they get together, their magic,
which manifests as something like those specks you see in the air when bright
light shines in an enclosed space, but gold, visible only to those with witch
blood, combine and draw attention. Also, they are all orphans.
Mika Moon has been looking for an opportunity. She was the unusual
one in this group, being the child of a witch, and the granddaughter of a witch,
when most of her peers are born by ordinary people. When she was orphaned in
India, Primrose Beatrice Everly, maybe the oldest living witch, found her and
brought her to England, where she was raised in Primrose’s home. Not the worst
life, but a lonely one. So, Mika amuses herself by posting videos online of her pretending
to be a witch, expecting that no one would believe she really is one.
But someone does see the golden sparkle around her, and so a ‘Help
Wanted’ ad finds its way to her. Apparently, someone needs help with some
children.
Convinced that she’s actually a witch, retired actor Ian invites
Mika to Nowhere House, where he lives with his husband, Ken, housekeeper Lucie,
librarian Jamie, and three precocious young witches named Rosette, Terracotta
and Altamira, wards of Lillian Nowhere, herself a witch. While Lillian, the
lady of the house who had adopted the girls from different parts of the world,
is away, he hopes that Mika can teach these young witches how to control their
power before a visit from a solicitor in six weeks’ time that will determine
whether they can stay at Nowhere House.
At first Mika is stunned. Her first instinct is to call Primrose
and report this brazen violation of the witches’ agreement. These witches are
living in close quarters and Mika sees their combined magic as a sure sign of
imminent peril! There are also four, completely non magical, grownups of
Nowhere House. They are very welcoming, well, except for two – the grumpy Jamie
and the feisty Terracotta who follows his lead in everything. While it is clear
that this is a loving household, it is also very obvious that someone needs to
train the girls in how to manage their unusual gift. Looming over the whole
thing, and giving Mika a deadline, is Lilian’s accountant, set to arrive in six
weeks, who holds enormous power over everyone in the house, the girls in
particular. If their magic is not locked down on time it could result in the
dissolution of the household.
Jamie, the grumpy, protective librarian who had the most
responsibility for the girls is the slowest to thaw towards Mika. But though
they are opposites in their personalities, it is obvious what’s coming the
instant these two cross paths. The romance here is formulaic, but still
charmingly done and with some nice magical elements. Over time Jamie reveals
himself to be kind, charming, caring, and protective. . I really enjoyed seeing
him grow and realize that he can move past his difficult childhood and that
there
is someone who cares for him.
The relationships between this whole cast of characters are so
amazing. The girls obviously view the older caretakers as sort of grandparents.
The adult’s shenanigans were very fun to keep track of. Ian is flamboyant and
hilarious and creates as many problems as he tries to solve! It was funny to
watch Ken, Lucie and Jamie try to keep him in check. The girls fight as
children do, but at the heart of it, they fiercely love one another and it was
sweet to see them find a place in their hearts for Mika too. I also enjoyed
seeing Mika’s sunshiney personality melt big ol’ grump Jamie’s heart. They had
fun chemistry and made sense as a couple.
Throughout, Mika struggles with her need for a family, for
acceptance and love. She has been raised to believe that attachment is lethal,
as once non-witch people in her life learn of her powers, only trouble follows.
To protect herself, she doesn’t get attached, never settles in anywhere and
keeps moving. Her only real company is her dog Circe. This all makes for a very
lonely life. She is a strong , funny, intelligent and resourceful woman,
level-headed and kind despite her upbringing. But with the mindset instilled in
her, how is she to accept what appears to be a real connection to a loving
family or partner since it could be yanked away at any time? Despite her best efforts,
she finds herself falling for Jamie, but also for the eclectic family gathered
at Nowhere House.
This was such a fun and heartwarming love story about belonging,
learning that you do deserve love, finding your home and family.
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