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The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches

Sangu Mandanna

Start date: September 1, 2023

Finish date: September 30, 2023

Discussion: Book of the Month

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What Members Thought

Jan 14, 2023 Lee rated it it was amazing

Mika knows she needs to hide her magic and keep to herself. She does expect for an online account which she is certain no one will take seriously. But, she was wrong. With an unexpected message, she finds herself at Nowhere House where she is asked to help three young witches control their magic. This goes against everything she has been taught, but she takes a chance. As she starts to get more involved in Nowhere House, Mika starts to realize that maybe things aren't what she has always been to Mika knows she needs to hide her magic and keep to herself. She does expect for an online account which she is certain no one will take seriously. But, she was wrong. With an unexpected message, she finds herself at Nowhere House where she is asked to help three young witches control their magic. This goes against everything she has been taught, but she takes a chance. As she starts to get more involved in Nowhere House, Mika starts to realize that maybe things aren't what she has always been told.

This book had sounded adorable. I was thrilled to pick this up and see where this story would go and couldn't have been more thrilled. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was an adorable cozy book that made me smile and really felt like a warm hug.

With the witches, I really did come into this expect this to have more of a vibe that fits fall, but I was pleasantly surprised at how many winter feels this one had as well. It is set around the holidays, so while I started it thinking I read it at the wrong time of year, I was wrong and picked it up at the right time.

There was so much to love her. the family family trope was done so well here. The change in, not just Mika, every character as they got to know one another was wonderful to see. The reader could see them healing as they got to know one another and formed a stronger bond. As the story went on, it became more and more clear how much they all needed one another. It got to the point where I really felt like I was part of the family as well. They all worked so well together and really figured out how to help one another and communicate as they learned more about one another. With each interaction, it was clear how much they cared about one another and wanted the best for each other. The way they treated each other really added to the warm hug feeling.

Mika and Jamie did have a little budding romance and what I loved most about it, was that it was really in the background. The whole focus was on the found family and finding a family can really help heal you. Now, the romance being in the background I do feel like it was a little weak. It was important and a slow-burn, but it did feel a little weak for me. Truthfully, this wasn't a problem for me as I do feel like the found-family aspect was done so well that it made up for it, but I know it could be a problem for others, so keep that in mind as you dive into this one.

The main character, Mika, was a wonderful character. She was so well written and easy to fall in love with. I found myself able to easily empathize with her. With how she was raised, she easily could have been a completely different character, but I love how she kept this wonderful energy and had such a positive outlook.

Another important thing that I adored about her, is she really looked back on her life, how she was raised, how that made her feel and made sure to go and help the three girls. It would be breaking the rules she was trying to abide by, but she didn't want them to grow up feeling like she did. Mika was determined to break that trauma and I admire her for that! It's something I'd love to see more of.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is now the standard for the found family trope with me. It was a warm hug and quickly climbed to the top of my favorites list. If found family tropes or cozy books are your thing, give this one a chance. I can't imagine that you would regret it. ...more

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Dec 30, 2024 Priya rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2024

This was one of the cutest, most adorable books that I have read and one whose characters and world were so wonderful that I didn't want to get out of it.

It has a grumpy-sunshine vibe, a magical found family, three adorable kids and their older, irrepressible caretakers. All of these things along with a wonderfully injected humour and the atmosphere of magic and mystery make this one fabulous book.

I loved how real the characters were too. Mika,a witch who has had to hide her powers, is always ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

May 15, 2023 Ashley Basile rated it really liked it

Shelves: ttx-2023

This was a lovely book. I loved the children. The author should consider writing a trilogy for them as adults! Mika is wonderful, and I loved the world they all live in. Very cute!

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Jan 19, 2023 Angie B rated it did not like it

I almost gave this 2 stars for being so fantastic at being horrible. I just couldn’t do it, though. This sugar spun, plotless and ridiculous piece of poorly worded fluff with a very unlikable main character and random uses of profanity that unmistakably don’t belong only served to highlight how many people have bad taste. I did read all of it because I started it based on great reviews. I did expect it to be cute and whimsical, which is usually fun. It didn’t even live up to that expectation.

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Dec 18, 2024 Ellen-Arwen Tristram rated it liked it · review of another edition

Everyone thought this book was amazing, and I just... it was meh. I'm sorry, Sangu Mandanna - and the rest of the reading public! It was just a bit too... stereotypical and the whole grumpy and aversive to then ending up liking each other didn't work for me. 2 1/2 stars, rounded to 3. ...more

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