Extraordinary Quests for Amateur Witches

Gr 8 Up–Kieran Pelumbra is a terrible witch. Probably because no one expected him to live long enough to need to know any real magic. But after accidentally cursing his maybe boyfriend Ash, Kieran tells the Witches Council that he will find a panacea, a magic cure-all, not just to fix his relationship but also to prove he should keep his magic as an adult. With the help of a slowly growing found family, Kieran sets out on a thrilling magical journey featuring lake monsters and eccentric mountain-dwelling covens to assemble the pieces of an artifact that sounds like exactly what he needs. Despite the risky escapades, the relationship that Kieran has with his friends, and with the dashingly handsome Sebastian Feng, are the heart of this exciting adventure narrative set in the same world as Cottingham’s Practical Rules for Cursed Witches. Kieran’s growth throughout the story focuses on his feelings of inadequacy compared to his sister Briar and best friend Delilah, and his gradual acceptance of himself, his past, and desire for a future filled with love and magic. The pacing of the story is excellent, with high stakes where needed, and the expansion of the world is gradual and intuitive.