B*WITCH Series, Book 1

May 1, 2020

Gr 9 Up-Iris, a teenage witch, is new to Sorrow Point High. To ameliorate her sky-high anxiety she performs a calming spell at school, breaking federal anti-witchcraft law 6-129 and potentially outing herself to any anti-magic Antima members operating at school. While no Antima see her, she is, however, noticed by Greta, Ridley, and Binx, witches and members of one of two feuding covens; the other coven is made up of three teens of the mean-girl variety. The two covens are both keen on recruiting Iris and Penelope, another potential witch, when someone is murdered and the teens must work together to solve the crime. The witches are a diverse bunch, including POC, lesbian, and trans characters, as well as one who is coping with a sensory processing disorder and anxiety. There are many characters to keep track of and the story line is elusive at first, but readers who persevere will be rewarded by an elaborately plotted, if unevenly paced, novel that is clearly the first in a series. VERDICT With faint traces of Harry Potter and whiffs of the television series The Secret Circle and Charmed, this will appeal to teens who love witches in contemporary settings and can't get enough of the subject.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's Sch., Brooklyn

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May 15, 2020
Teen witches are tasked with finding those who are threatened by their existence. Sorrow Point, Washington, seems like a typical American small town except for the two secret covens of sophomore witches who have been feuding since junior high. When newcomer Iris--who is just doing her best to manage her anxiety and sensory processing disorder--arrives, Greta (the levelheaded leader), Binx (the technomancer rebel), and Ridley (the studious and artistic one) make plans to recruit her before the rival coven does. Since the new president started stirring up venomous hatred toward witches, there have been more Antima (Anti-Magic) members lurking around. Suddenly, the girls start receiving threatening shadow messages. Their entire existence is illegal and could spell trouble if anyone ever found out who they truly were. As they attempt to track the notes' sender, tragedy strikes, and now the covens will have to band together to find out who murdered a fellow witch. The author crafts an honest, promising story narrated through a third-person omnipotent voice and featuring an inclusive, distinct cast of young women who detail their unique struggles. The story fizzles at the very end with the setup for another installment, however readers will relish the character-building as they get to know these young witches. Greta is cued as Latinx, Iris is white, Binx is Japanese American, and Ridley is black and trans. For readers seeking a diverse, witchy mystery. (Fantasy. 12-16)

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