Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel Being a witch in a mystical academy novel can be a thrilling experience, filled with magic, adventure, and personal growth. However, it can also present its own set of challenges and obstacles. First and foremost, it is important for the witch protagonist to embrace and cultivate their magical abilities. This can be achieved through rigorous training, studying ancient spells and potions, and honing their unique talents. As the main character navigates the mystical academy, they must constantly push themselves to excel and expand their magical repertoire. Additionally, in order to thrive in the mystical academy, the witch protagonist must navigate the complex social dynamics within the magical community.
8. The Once and Future Witches by Alex E. Harrow
In 1893, there’s no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching is nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box. But when the Eastwood sisters―James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna―join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women’s movement into the witch’s movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote―and perhaps not even to live―the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive.
But when the Eastwood sisters James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women s movement into the witch s movement. But when the Eastwood sisters James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women s movement into the witch s movement.
Additionally, in order to thrive in the mystical academy, the witch protagonist must navigate the complex social dynamics within the magical community. This can include forming alliances with fellow witches, dealing with rivalries and competitions, and maneuvering through intricate power structures. Developing strong relationships with both friends and mentors can greatly benefit the witch's journey in the academy.
Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel
As I mentioned earlier this week, I’m always excited for a good magical school story, and I’ve been so excited to see how many of them have been coming out this year, especially starring Black girls. You can take your pick between a school set in historic manor in Louisiana and one set at a futuristic school in Nigeria.
Wildseed Witch by Marti Dumas. Abrams, 2022. ISBN 978-1419755613. Read from library copy.
New Orleans middle schooler Hassani has two main goals: to make it as a YouTuber with her channel “Makeup on the CheapCheap” to get her separated parents to reunite. So when her father takes her to meet his new partner, Sandy, after they’ve already bought a house together, Hassani is outraged. This leads to something that she only realizes is an outburst of magic after she is invited to attend Belles Demoiselles, a six-week-long magic academy/finishing school.
Of course Hassani is thrilled to go, but once there, finds the school filled with girls who’ve been practicing their magic for years and all have clothing and room decor to match their “signature flowers,” and look down on Hassani and her dollar store YouTube channel. The rules are unclear but the punishments are strict, leaving Hassani to wonder if she’s in the right place after all. But with a good deal of effort, she does learn more about her powers and her flaws, makes some friends – and perhaps most importantly to the child reader, learns to use her powers to attract adorable kittens.
I was a bit torn about this book. On the one hand, it’s grounded in Black New Orleans history with all-Black characters at the school, while Hassani’s best friend at home is Latina. I also liked that Hassani was able to recognize and address her own biases and work to fix problems she’s caused other people. On the other hand, this magic school had an emphasis on traditionally feminine etiquette that did not appeal to me at all. And the teachers didn’t seem to realize until almost the end of the book that they were punishing Hassani for not meeting expectations they’d never clarified to her, which seemed unnecessarily unkind. That being said, between the magic, the relatable friend and family dynamics, the quest for YouTube stardom, and of course, the kittens, I could see a lot of kids really enjoying this book.
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun by Tọlá Okogwu. Read by Nneka Okogwu. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2022. ISBN 9781665912617. Listened to audiobook on Libby.
Onyeka and her mother have always just scraped by, moving from one cheap apartment to another. She’s never met her father, and her mother has never told her anything about him or why they moved to London from Nigeria. Onyeka’s always wondered, especially because her big, wild hair seems to set people in England on edge. But when her hair saves her best friend from drowning, she finally learns the truth: she is Solari, and called to go to a state-run school in Nigeria to learn how to use her powers. In this near-future story, Nigeria leads the world in technology, and the students have lots of high-tech help in their missions. defending the school from the Rogues. Onyeka makes friends and finds community, but also learns that not all is as it seems at the school that at first feels like a dream come true.
This is a fast-paced thriller of a story, with lots of good things going for it, including Onyeka, mysteries and plot twists (though the plot twist seemed fairly obvious to me, it probably wouldn’t to a younger reader.) I really enjoyed watching (or listening to) Onyeka learn to use her powers, and the audiobook version let me hear the accents in all their glory, from London to Lagos. My biggest problem is that while I wanted it to be empowering for the unruly Black hair to have actual magic powers, using the powers made her sick as a matter of course, and that undermined a lot of the Black hair positivity for me. Still, this is a valuable addition to the magical school roster.
What are your favorite magical school books?
I was given the awesome opportunity of reading this book for an honest review and I am so stoked to deliver it on this. So thank you so much Ashley for letting me read an ARC of this. It will be releasing 23rd September so not too much longer to wait 😉 and you can find this beauty right here…Okie doke without any further ado…
Another key aspect of getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel is overcoming personal insecurities and doubts. The witch protagonist may face self-doubt, imposter syndrome, or feelings of not belonging. It is essential for them to confront and overcome these challenges, discovering their own worth and potential along the way. Furthermore, facing external threats and adversaries is a common trope in mystical academy novels. The witch protagonist must confront and conquer these challenges, often with the help of their magical abilities and allies. These trials serve to test the witch's strength, resilience, and determination. Ultimately, the main idea in traversing the mystical academy as a witch is the journey of self-discovery and personal growth. The witch protagonist grows not only in their magical abilities but also as an individual. They learn to trust themselves, overcome obstacles, and embrace their unique qualities, ultimately emerging as a powerful and confident witch. In conclusion, getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel requires embracing magical abilities, navigating complex social dynamics, overcoming personal insecurities, and confronting external threats. The journey of self-discovery and personal growth is central to the witch protagonist's success in the mystical academy..
Reviews for "Restoring Balance: Healing the Magical Realm in a Witch Academy"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel" because I love fantasy and magic. However, I was extremely disappointed. The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The writing style was also very basic and felt like it was written for a much younger audience. Overall, this book failed to engage and captivate me.
2. Mike - 1/5 stars - "Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel" was a complete waste of time. The story was poorly developed and had no substance. The protagonist was annoying and lacked any real growth or development throughout the book. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself constantly skimming through pages just to get it over with. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and well-written magical academy story.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was juvenile and felt like it was meant for a much younger audience. The plot was cliché and lacked any real depth or originality. The characters were also very predictable and lacked any complexity. Overall, this book failed to deliver on its promises and left me feeling disappointed and uninterested.
4. James - 2/5 stars - I found "Getting through as a witch in a mystical academy novel" to be a mediocre read. The story was filled with tired tropes and lacked any real surprises. The world-building was weak, and I struggled to connect with the magical academy setting. The characters were forgettable, and their relationships felt forced. The writing style was also quite simplistic and failed to draw me into the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-crafted magical academy novel.