“Go on then, turn me into a frog, I dare you.”

30. VenCo – Cherie Dimaline

Lucky St. James has been living with her grandmother or her street smart but generally erratic mother for her life in Toronto and it seems like she’s getting nowhere. Also getting nowhere…until they find the next witch of seven total witches they need to find…a coven in Salem, MA, which is part of VenCo, the global corporation situation trying to take the world back from the patriarchy’s bullshit lies about there being a meritocracy or that “working hard” will lead to a life of financial security.

There is also a dude in the desert who wants to stop the coven from getting together, which he has done previously. He’s killed many witches, is immortal, and likes to play games with people or witches. He’s kind of an exact symbol of who I don’t like having anything to do with.

The witches’ world is well-built and interesting and the way Lucky finds her way in is novel and amusing. I enjoyed the story, at first I thought it would end in a very different place and I still am not sure how I feel about where it ended. And although VenCo is kind of a ruse that builds where the story can take place, it’s an interesting way to include the Mother, Maiden, and Crone and taking things back.

 

Sometimes Salem tries to witch hunt Hen Wen, but, she’s always a step ahead too. Or she doesn’t mind being caught for a cuddle with irony.