<i>“Holy Grail?”

Mika shrugged, sheepish. “Well, it is. To be loved and accepted exactly as we are? Isn’t that the thing we’re all searching for?”

“Maybe,” Jamie said, almost to himself, “but we don’t always know it when we’ve found it.” </i>

This book is a perfect cozy fantasy read! It’s packed full of magic, charm and features the most adorable and funny characters. It has so many lessons and really teaches you so, so much. It’s diverse, romantic in tone and so enjoyable.

<i>Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review </i>

4.25/5⭐️

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a delightful read. There is romance, quirky antics of children, and the personal growth as Mika learns to accept who she is and embrace her magical powers. This was a quick, page-turning story that you will not want to put down.

This is the most wonderful, cozy, lovely, magical romantic story. I specifically say romantic story because I wouldn't categorize it as solely romance or solely women's fiction. It's a mix of the two: with a beautiful romance building on the side of a woman finding herself.

Mika Moon is a witch, but witches are still in hiding - only meeting with the small group they are aware of in the UK a few times a year. Witches have to stay alone and apart, something Mika is used to, in order to stay in hiding and not attract attention. But when Mika ends up teaching magic to three young witches to help them learn their powers, she becomes involved with a beautiful found family that changes the course of her life.

Mika is amazing. She is so sweet and kind. She loves with her whole heart but leaves before she can get hurt. She is at her best when she is vulnerable and witchy. Her relationship to the rest of the household is wonderful to read because you know it's a family that she never had and always wanted. The three girls: Rosetta, Terracotta, Altamira I ADORED. They each had their own little personality and their own relationship with Mika. Lastly, you can't review this book and not write about Jamie: surly, growly, grumpy Jamie. Seeing him open his heart to Mika, and then get her back when he messed up, was perfect romance goodness. This book is a MUST READ and the highest of reviews come from me.

Lastly, I will say that Sangu added so much great diversity in this book: racial and sexual orientation. There are queer characters (and old queers which LOVED!!!), the three girls are all different races and ethnicities, and Mika is Indian. But the best part was that Sangu made it not just an add on. They were fully fleshed out, not there just for diversity but clear identities. I especially loved when Rosetta meets another Black witch ("Mika didn't know what it must feel like to be ten years old and to discover the existence of a beautiful Black with like Belinda, but she imagined it was quite possibly one of the top three experiences of Rosetta's life") and when Mika talks about how she wouldn't teach the girls how to be a woman of color "just because she was a witch and just because she had brown skin, it did not mean she had answers to all the questions the girls would inevitably have about their own identities."

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna will be one of my top reads of this year. It's witchy, cozy, the perfect fall read.

Once in a while you’ll come across a book that burrows deep into the crevices of your heart. It’s a rare and special moment especially when you’re a big reader but I cherish it every single time. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is that book for me. Sangu Mandanna wrote a warm, cozy, uplifting, and intensely romantic story that is going into my “forever faves” list. 🙂

My experience reading The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was equivalent to me doing my favorite activity: cozying up by a warm fire with a delicious cup of tea and a scrumptious pastry on a beautiful winter evening. It’s a wholesome story that’s burgeoning with love and kindness. There’s a gentleness to this story that would make even the grumpiest of reader smile like a goofball. I know, I know. I’m beginning to sound overly cheesy, but that’s exactly how this book made me act.

We’ve got a truly stellar cast in this book. Each and every character is unbelievably endearing. The story is helmed by Mika, a witch with a social media platform. Mika has led somewhat of a solitary and secretive life as the rules state that witches shouldn’t co-mingle as it could draw attention to their power. She’s lonely and feels rootless. When one of her followers messages her with an opportunity to teach three young witches in a mysterious remote home known as Nowhere House, she’s at first incredulous, but decides to check it out anyways. At Nowhere House, she finds a quirky group of people taking care of three chaotic little witches who have no idea how to control their powers.

Part of the charmingness of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches comes from the warmness that Mika exudes. She’s so lovely and genuine, you’ll want to be her friend because she’s actually sunshine and stardust in human form. You’ll also root for her to find her people in her lonely world. She finds that with her found-family in Nowhere House. It’s heartwarming to see how easily her life becomes intertwined with theirs, in a way that feels natural. Though there’s some reluctance on some people’s parts, most of them embrace her with the love she deserved. There’s this sense of “oh they belong together” the minute she shows up on their doorstep and that feeling never goes away. There’s something remarkable about a group of lonely people finding solace and companionship with each other, and gosh, did this found family crack my ice-cold heart. I loved their bond so much.

I also wholeheartedly embraced the romance in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches – what a surprise! We all know that I turn rabid when a book has a stoic grumpy love interest paired with a vivacious sunshine-y character. Jamie and Mika dished out just that in a swoon-worthy slow-burn package. Jamie, the resident librarian and protective guardian, is very closed-off at first with Mika, but he finds himself slowly melting alongside the reader as the story progresses. Honestly, who could blame him? I too fell in love with Mika! Just know that you’ll find a tender and very satisfying romance within the pages of this book. I guarantee you’ll ship these two as much as I did.

If I were to describe the vibes of this book, it would be cozy witchy cottagecore. I loved the witchiness (??) of the book – you’ll find potions, spells, levitations, enchantments and more. I found that the way the magical elements were weaved into the story to be effortless and easy to digest. There’s just the right amount of world-building to leave you with an understanding of the world that the characters inhabit. I haven’t spoken about the three young witches, but just know that Rosetta, Altamira, and Terracotta provide a whole lot of chaos, entertainment, and just a tad bit of drama. 😉 Oh, and the rest of the cast is meddlesome and provide lots of light humor!

Sangu Mandanna’s writing is also the cherry on this delicious cake. There’s a whimsical and poetic quality to her prose that had me, at certain times, gasping at its quiet beauty. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is THE BOOK of the year for me. Please be sure to read it. I can guarantee that you too, like me, will fall for every character and leave the book wishing that you too could live at Nowhere House. 🙂

Sweet, whimsical, magical fun, with delightful characters and a slow-burn romance too! I enjoyed the younger characters' wide-eyed amazement at the magical possibilities they encounter, and the main character herself is lovely and charming. Quite a fun read!

I was unprepared for how much I would enjoy the book. It warmed my heart and when I finished the book, it felt like I had received a nice hug. The book is about found family, love, and kindness. Mika is 31 and alone. She longs for a place where she can just be herself. NoWhere house has a secret. Three orphaned young witches are growing up there hidden from the world. Remarkably, Mika has been asked to come and teach them how to control their magic.
The caretakers of Nowhere house need Mika's help and though she doesn't realize it at first, she needs them as well. I enjoyed spending time at Nowhere house and getting to know everyone who lives there. Jaime, our romantic lead, has also had a rough time growing up. Nowhere house is his home and he doesn't want anything to upset the idyllic life they have there. This is a very sweet romance that I will probably read again.

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the eArc. This is my honest review.

This was a book that I picked up totally without pretensions, it seemed like a very cute and cozy read and that was exactly what I needed. The story follows Mika, a thirty-one-year-old witch living in Britain. She is part of The Very Secret Society of Witches, a sort of social gathering for witches to exchange spells and socialize a bit, but that's it since it's too dangerous if too many witches are together. After being raised by nannies and tutors she is very lonely but has learned to navigate the world by staying short periods of time in each place and not creating connections.

Enter the most amazing found family ever. Mika is hired as a tutor for three young witches to help them learn to control their magic. Raising the children are a couple of amazing people (it really takes a village), the adorable elderly gay couple, the charming cook, and... Jaime. The librarian who constantly scowls and would do anything to protect the three girls. Mika will find a home with these people and in this home, and I just simply adored reading about her journey.

The chapters flew by with amazing speed, the writing was fluid, cozy, and quirky and kept me engaged at all times. I just couldn't get enough of this book! Each time I sat down to read I would devour it and still crave for more. I adored everything about this story, and I'll admit, I am a sucker for the found family trope, it is one of my favorites! And The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches delivered it so well! The characters are very three-dimensional, and everyone has unique personalities and tastes, including the three adorable little girls!

The whole atmosphere and coziness of this book were unmatched. Some people mentioned that this reminded them of The House in the Cerulean Sea, and although I didn't finish reading that book I can totally see where the comparison comes from, so if you liked that book, you really must pick up The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches!

This book was like a warm hug, something you don't ever want to end. It is a story about finding your place in the world, yes with found families, but also with romance! Although it is not the main focus of the story I really loved the romance and the interactions between the MC and LI. They were so different but complemented each other really well. Also if you're wondering this book does feature a sex scene! It's not super smutty, it certainly matches the whole vibe of the book of being cute that you sort of forget that you're reading an adult book and then someone suddenly says fuck or something like that. That was funny when it happened.

It was also very satisfying that there really wasn't an invented-super-chaotic fight to make everything crumble, as it goes for romance books and dramas alike. I don't really have much patience for that trope and it is something that when it does happen really puts me off while reading a book. I am so glad this one avoided that, which proves that this is just the most wholesome book ever!

I was debating whether to favorite this one and yes I do feel like it is a favorite. In some ways, I love it and find it perfect, and in others, I just wish it were longer because I just couldn't get enough of this story and I think that is an achievement in itself. Basically, this is such a feel-good book, and I feel so happy to have picked it up. I recommend this for someone looking for a light, funny, entertaining, and wholesome read. You won't be disappointed.

I received a complimentary advanced copy of THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES by Sangu Mandanna. Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to provide an honest review.

THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES is set in Britain where witches are real but are in hiding. Because a gathering of witches is sure to attract attention, witches are forbidden from gathering for more than brief meetings. Child witches are even more dangerous without having control over their magic, so they are removed from their families and kept isolated on their own. Mika Moon is a witch who has grown up in this system.

Mika’s one rebellion against remaining totally secret is an online account where she acts as a pretend witch posting real magic. She assumes that this is a safe endeavor, but her real magical status is spotted and she gets an invitation to Nowhere House. There she finds that there are three young witches under the care of several non-magical adults. Their mother has warded the house to hide their presence there, but the childrens’ caretakers know they need more help to guide them in the safe use of their magic. Three magical children in one house is unheard of, but they are determined to keep the family together and hope Mika can step in to help.

This book was a really fun and magical read. I found the magical system and the rules against gathering to be very interesting. I loved that Mika could find ways to stretch her wings a bit even as she still had to fly under the radar. Given her isolated upbringing, I could certainly see why she was both shocked by the situation at Nowhere House but also fully drawn to helping the young witches and those caring for them.

I absolutely love a found family trope in books and this was a big strength in this story. There is a romance as well with the somewhat grumpy caretaker with a big heart, but I really enjoyed that this was just one element of the story instead of the sole focus.

Heading towards fall, this is a perfect light witchy read for those looking for spooky season books without the spooky!

When I was sent an ARC of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches I had it on my maybe TBR but I did see some friends loving it. So when I was in the mood for an easygoing read, I picked up this book and not only was I entertained throughout but I was also subjected to a hell lot of emotions and attachment to the characters.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is about Mika Moon who gets roped into teaching three young witches to learn and control their magic at a mysterious house called Nowhere House. Enter the unique residents and a handsome librarian, Mika, who has spent her life alone as an orphan and a witch, is tangled up with their lives and the emotions the place and the people evoke in her.

of misfits finding their home

I've made this known so many times but found family is a trope that will always have me tearing up!! There's a special comfort in knowing these outcast, isolated characters end up belonging somewhere, finding their home together and The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches absolutely serves on this front. There's a sweet romance, sister bonds, forming of new bonds as well as celebration of the existing ones.

The recipe for this fun and magical book consist of a retired actor (Ian), a housekeeper (Lucie), a gardener (Ken), three lovely little witches (Rosetta, Altamira and Teracotta), a grumpy librarian (Jamie) and a whole lot of secrets and drama. As a girl who has had minimum social interactions and experiences due to being a witch and in turn, different from the society, it was so heartwarming to see Mika warm up to the people of Nowhere House and develop a relationship with the three girls who are witches just like her and who make her realise the importance of being surrounded by loved ones. I loved every character and the role they played in the book, because with the way they were written, you can actually imagine them in their element.

Oh and also, I adore the dog companion, Circe.

a feel good, cozy fantasy

As much as I love a complexly crafted fantasy, I found myself also enjoying the engaging and relaxing nature of this book. It's not heavy on the worldbuilding, just the existence of witches and how the magical world blends with the real one. This whimsical and comforting style of telling a fantasy story reminded me of how watching a Studio Ghibli film feels. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches perfectly visualises the cottage-core setting and combines it with witty potions, loveable characters and the right kind of plot twists to give us this charming book.

Mika's emotional arc

I laughed, I cried and went through a whole spectrum of emotions through Mika's character and I found myself empathising with how she acted based on her feelings. She's such a pleasing character and I loved knowing about her witchy magic and the fierceness of her golden heart. All the emotions attached to Mika growing inevitably close to the new family, her constant reminders to herself that she can't stay in this place forever and still being pulled in by the love and comfort she feels around them is well written. I felt deeply for her when her past loneliness surfaced and rooted for her to find her own happy corner where she can truly be herself. As she yearned for.

grumpy x sunshine!

The romance between Mika and Jamie fits with the storyline really well, not taking away the attention from the emotions at hand but also served to be important for Mika's character development. I did see a lot of tropes incorporated throughout the story but they all worked to bring out the best in the novel. And as a huge lover of grumpy-sunshine trope I soon found myself invested in their banter and subsequent understanding of each other. Plus Jamie is such a swoon worthy character, a brooding librarian with endless love for the girls, which makes the build up for the romance all the more engrossing!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches genuinely uplifted my mood as I read it. I enjoyed all the little moments and messages it brought forward. If you're looking for a very easy and light-hearted read I'd definitely recommend this tender story of magic, an eccentric family with a lot of love and the themes of home and being seen for who you are.

As a fan of Sangu Mandanna's books - both A Spark of White Fire and Kiki Kallira Breaks a Kingdom - I knew I had to read The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. And my obsession has only reached new heights. Mandanna's adult release is cozy fantasy to the core. Contracted through social media to become a magical tutor for a trio of kids (living under the radar of the local magical society), Mika is in for a trip. But there she discovers secrets about their powers, but also must re-discover her self. And what she thought about her powers and the (magical) world.

While the action and the tension - shhh spoilers - certainly kept me reading until past my bedtime, the characters and themes won me over. I absolutely loved every single character (barring one perhaps). There's not only quirkiness and personality, but heart in each one of them. In their comments and hobbies, but also in the ways they open up to each other. Showing their fears and utterly human doubts. Can you tell how obsessed I am with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches?

If you are looking for a book that has it all it is right here. This Grumpy Sunshine/ found family story left me all warm and fuzzy from beginning to end. Before I even finished I had my physical copy set for pre-order.
Quick Spoiler Free Run Down: Mika the ever lonely young witch accepts an unconventional offer and in doing so she finds herself in the mix with a family full of its own quirks. Secrets, secrets, and more secrets surround all the characters and of course one by one they all come out. The story highlights several points of view while focusing heavily on the importance of interpersonal relationships.

Things I loved:
The mentions of intersectionality and personal identities
ALL the witchy vibes and the pure whimsical description of the magic.
"'Does it make it more or less magical if I tell you that, scientifically speaking, we're all made of stardust?' He didn't even hesitate, raising his eyes to meet hers. 'More. Definitely more.'"

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review

Give me witchy romances or give me death. Okay, maybe not death, but seriously this reminds me of all the fun things I love in paranormal romances especially witchy ones.

This is some fantastically cute contemporary witchy fiction. It delivers on cozy, sweet moments - found family is the best family vibes, fairy wine, magical greenhouses, and a cuddly loyal dog to start. (Oh, and the cute librarian.) But it also addresses serious topics - the lengths people will go to protect their family and the courage needed to not just survive but also thrive in a world that sees you as different or other.

Mika Moon's journey from a vagabond life style to realizing her desire to stay in the one place that feels like home to her (and having to bare her vulnerable heart to accept that home) was wonderful. I think she is the most fleshed out character in the story. And while the side characters serve their purpose and are quite cute (please, Ian and Ken's backstory next!), they're not as strongly developed to match Mika's storyline.

As cute and fluffy as this novel is, I'm glad that some twists and darker elements surprised me at the end. The stakes seemed very low until more information was introduced and connections were made. There's also so much future potential with the witchy worldbuilding. I hope that the groundwork laid here will be developed into other stories about more of the witches.

5 stars — Wow. I don’t think I knew I needed this book, but I 100% needed this book. It didn’t even have the most prominent romance, but what I got more than satisfied me! There was just something magical, in so many senses of the word, in this story and these characters. It made me feel HAPPY. Sure, lots of other emotions as well, but predominantly HAPPY.

If you know me and read my reviews, you know that I am all about the characters. I know people love reading for different reasons, and there are different elements that are most important to them. For me, it has to have characters I can connect with and love. And this book had them in spades. Which is not to say they need to be perfect — in fact, I prefer my characters flawed. It makes them more real, you know?

Mika was an eminently loveable heroine to follow. While there are chunks of the story in other POVs on occasion, the majority of the story is Mika’s to tell. She’s got this beautiful sunshiney exterior that covers up damage from a childhood of neglect and loneliness. She got to me. She was full of spunk and sass, she was quirky and odd, and she had a beautiful heart that she was afraid to let out of its cage. But seeing her fly? So worth it.

The girls were everything. The sass was so strong, I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. And probably snorted. And my heart ached for them. They were each so unique, and I loved them all.

Jamie was the perfect grumpy cinnamon roll hero. He had his moments of frustrating me, but his heart was always in the right place. And he had his own demons to fight.

Ian, Ken and Lucie were the perfect background secondary cast of characters that you just want to be real. They round out the story and take it from great to awesome. Primrose was a challenge, but I do love me a complicated character like her. And Circe was the goodest good dog.

I loved the magical world — I really enjoy these contemporary fantasies where I truly can believe that it’s real, and that magic is hiding in the world we live in. I also appreciated thinking about how it would work in our world, and the inherent dangers that would exist if it was real. I called one of the twists in the story, but it didn’t take away from it whatsoever.

Basically, I was hooked from start to finish, and sad that I couldn’t just gobble it up in one sitting.

This is what I would call a cosy witchy romance story. It was utterly lovely, and I loved every second of it! The plot was great, the characters lovable and the romance positively swoon-worthy. Can highly recommend!

A delightful and warm-hearted fantasy romance that will suck readers in and make them never want to leave! Mandanna's worldbuilding is exquisite, and I would love to spend more time in her magical world.

I loved this found family story that is told through multiple pov’s. There’s plenty of character development and an interesting plot. The romance is a slooooow burn with lots of scowls and smiles and swoons. Mika receives a mysterious request to help tutor three young witches. The only problem is that witches are a secret and most are underground. As she sets off on her new adventure, we’re introduced to a wonderful family and lots of hilarious magically adventures ensue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

TW: death of parent (past), emotional/physical abuse by siblings (past), microagressions, familial estrangement, sex without a condom

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f paranormal romance
-forced proximity
-grump/sunshine
-found family
-sloooow burn

This book was recced to me by quite a few people and they were spot on. This was just a cozy lovely read. I really enjoyed how witchcraft was used as a metaphor for just not being 'normal' (and honest what is normal anymore) and how it gave Mika a community but she also felt very separated. I appreciated how effortlessly inclusive this book was.

This is a book about finding home and family and how different it can be, and the trust it takes to let yourself be loved, whether by friends or family. Jamie was a swoony LI, only nice to kids, with excellent forearms, and an appreciation for books. The romance between Mika and Jamie was a slow burn that built and built.

I adored the secondary characters so much. The three kids, the other caretakers at the house. If you're looking for something cozy, low steam, and just fun, definitely check this book out.

Steam: 3 (brief open door scene)

From the moment you read its title, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches gives off a particular vibe—quirky, wry, humorous. Its first page cements this impression as we take in Mika Moon’s musings about the titular secret society of witches without a name, for whom she decides to create a series of improbable names in order to irritate the prim and proper head witch Primrose. It perfectly encapsulates the overall atmosphere of this book featuring a charming witty heroine who is part of an ancient order with traditions that she bucks against in a low-stakes feelgood paranormal fantasy.

The author takes a light hand with the world-building given that this book has a contemporary setting and its witches have assimilated into society, only meeting once a month in small numbers to avoid attracting attention and otherwise avoiding each other’s company. Magic in this world is a whimsical creature that responds to the needs of the witch as opposed to something with firm rules that can be nailed down, which is a little convenient, but all part of the charm of this book. It’s treated like a natural element that surrounds them at all times and just needs to be coaxed into doing a witch’s bidding, something that Mika does with enthusiasm as she channels her magic into potions and thrills in the creative process of enchantment.

Because all witches are orphans, Primrose found Mika as a child in the care of a social worker in India and she promptly whisked her away to England to place in the care of a series of nannies, each of whom had their memory wiped as soon as Mika exhibited any magical tendencies. Now as an adult, Mika is a cheerful but lonely woman, restless with no roots and a tendency to pick up and move on at the drop of a hat, forever searching for a place to call home. And that’s where Nowhere House comes in…

An eccentric cast of characters occupy Nowhere House—the most eccentric of them all is Ian Kubo-Hawthorn, a flamboyant retired actor; Ken, his patient long-suffering husband who does his best to rein in Ian’s grander impulses; Lucie, the sweet motherly housekeeper; Jamie, the grouchy irritable librarian; and three young orphaned witches Rosetta, Terracotta and Altamira who are in dire need of tutoring to keep their magic under control. Fortunately Ian identifies Mika as a witch from her YouTube videos (a source of contention between Primrose and Mika who insists that nobody would think they were genuine!) and invites her to stay with them in a temporary tutoring role.

To say that this book feels like a warm hug is a cliché, but one that is 100% true nonetheless and a credit to the author who wrote it during the pandemic with the intention of creating a ‘warm, cosy romantic story…that was, above all things, about love and human connection’. Lovers of the found family trope will be in heaven as we witness Mika settling into Nowhere House and overcoming a series of obstacles to find her place in its unconventional but tight-knit loving family unit. Most of the adults welcome Mika from the start, but Jamie is fiercely protective of the young witches he has nurtured in a paternal role and feels hostile towards Mika, viewing her as a potential threat. She finds that Rosetta and Altamira are both easy to win over, but the middle child Terracotta is a hilarious mini-Wednesday Addams who tries her hardest to intimidate Mika with ominous predictions of her death and a general brooding demeanour when she isn’t loudly contemplating murder.

The slowly brewing romance in the background is swoonworthy as Mika breaks down Jamie’s defences, charming him despite his best efforts to resist her, but the real highlight is Mika’s integration into the Nowhere House family. For a light breezy fantasy, the writing packs a punch and hits the reader emotionally every time she reaches a milestone with them that she never experienced anywhere else. Mika may be an independent and self-sufficient adult, but that doesn’t stop her inner wounded child craving stability and the elusive concept of belonging somewhere. This isn’t a melodrama with high stakes, but all the same, don’t be surprised if you find yourself tearing up at certain points!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is beautifully written with gentle humour and a lot of heart; it will wrap you up in a warm fluffy blanket and surround you with joy, laughter and contentment. Its characters are larger than life, endearing and wonderfully fleshed out, and the story mostly follows comfortably predictable beats with a few surprising swerves along the way to happily ever after. Sweet, heart-warming and whimsical, readers will thrill at losing themselves in these magical pages and never want to leave Nowhere House!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is about family, community, mystery, adventure, and doing what you can for those just like you. We have a witch who leaps at the chance to take a job as a tutor. Little does she know she is the perfect fit cause she is teaching three young witches to control their powers. But of course, things are not always what they seem, and Mika Moon is about to discover just how much she needs this crazy group of humans and witches.
A story that is close to real life and can be believed to be honest is always a plus. I can see this old witch taking in 3 young children who need protection, but then she is so wrapped up in her own goals she neglects to provide them with the means to control their powers. Outside forces must be let in to keep them safe, and then one world meets another, and an amazing some, what predictable plot twist unfolds.
I was entranced from the first page to the last. The characters are solid and likable, the mystery is believable, and the emotional toll of it all makes for a cozy, magical story.