Sangu Mandanna’s books are always full of wonder. I’ve read her middle grade KIKI KALLIRA duology and her young adult CELESTIAL TRILOGY, and I love the worlds she creates and the ideas she brings to life. What I love most is that her stories feature complex South Asian girls and women embracing the power within themselves. Her adult romance debut is no different and is brimming with magic and wonder. 

 

THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES tells the story of Mika, a witch who is used to being alone. The world doesn’t know that witches exist, and they can never know because that would put all witches in danger. But being a witch is everything to Mika, so she spends her time pretending to be a witch in videos on the internet. After receiving a mysterious message that begins with the words “witch wanted,” Mika finds herself traveling to Nowhere House to teach three young witches about magic. This breaks all the rules Mika’s ever known, but she can’t help but feel like she’s finally where she belongs. 

 

This book is full of characters who love each other fiercely and are willing to fight for each other and the lives they want to lead. It celebrates differences and the power of community, and centres love and kindness. I love the way Mika and Jamie, her love interest, challenge each other in their grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and I love the way they slowly let their guards down and let the other person into their heart. The supporting adult characters add a lot of humour and charm, and the three young witches were mostly delightful (one of them is an absolute menace!). 

 

My favourite aspect of this book is its focus on hope and the importance of taking chances. Mika has never had a home or a family, and she constantly gets in the way of her own happiness. But the book makes it clear that you have to allow yourself to take chances and not be afraid of what might happen next. Nothing would happen if we didn’t take leaps of faith—whether that’s falling in love, finding a place where you belong, or making space for yourself to exist as you are. 

 

This kindhearted story is full of warmth, humour and love. It brought me so much joy and I look forward to rereading and visiting these witches again soon.