My friend the witch cousin I have a friend who is quite unique. She is my cousin, and she is a witch. Yes, you read that right. My cousin is a witch. Growing up, I always knew there was something different about her, but it wasn't until we reached our teenage years that she revealed her true identity to me. Finding out that my cousin was a witch was both exciting and daunting.
Further Reading: If you like a bit of magic with your romance and a bit more depth, we heartily recommend A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness.
Their word on the street is that this is a cocktail of Ms Roberts previous The Sisters series and Sign of Seven right down to the appearance of an identical mark on a character s neck. Charlie quickly becomes not just Aster s friend but his rock, giving him a safe place to talk about his feelings and even to practice his burgeoning witch s magic on her broken leg.
Finding out that my cousin was a witch was both exciting and daunting. I had so many questions and curiosities about her life, her powers, and her experiences. Thankfully, she was more than willing to answer all my inquiries and share her world with me.
Book Review: THE WITCH BOY by Molly Knox Ostertag
Aster has a problem. He’s 13, the age at which he should know the animal into which he will shapeshift, a crucial part of growing up as a boy in his magical family. But Aster feels no connection to any animal, and doubts he will ever learn to shift. He’s far more interested in the potions and spells that his sister and female cousins are learning as they mature into full witches. But he’s always being chased away as he tries to eavesdrop on their lessons.
“This lesson isn’t for you,” his aunt tells him in the first pages of Molly Knox Ostertag’s graphic novel The Witch Boy. “These girls are learning secrets.”
Secrets of more than one kind abound in this book. Sensitive Aster isn’t the only family member who has known he’s a witch deep down inside: He’s heard the cautionary story of Mikasi, his matriarchal grandmother’s twin brother, who sought to become a witch and became a monster instead.
Teased by both his male and female cousins, Aster wanders away from his forest home to a nearby suburban neighborhood where he can practice mild magic without being observed. There he meets Charlie, a girl who broke her leg confronting her world’s gender roles when she challenged a group of boys to a daredevil bicycle move—and did it first.
Charlie quickly becomes not just Aster’s friend but his rock, giving him a safe place to talk about his feelings—and even to practice his burgeoning witch’s magic on her broken leg.
Tensions rise back in the forest as Aster’s shapeshifting cousins start disappearing—and when one returns in a horrible monstrous form, Aster is approached by the mysterious creature that had lured them all away. The creature says that it’s the only thing that can teach Aster how to shift, and if Aster agrees to learn, he’ll become more powerful than any other shifter. Aster has a choice: to take the creature’s help and become the shapeshifter his parents and whole family want him to be, or to use his witch’s abilities to try to rescue the other boys.
Ostertag neatly shifts story conventions as her sweet and sensitive male protagonist confronts gender stereotypes and restrictions. The story also hints at more than just a dichotomy of genders, late in the book introducing a character who is both a witch and shapeshifter. The illustrations are vivid and colorful, depicting the bright calm of Charlie’s world, the mystery and menace of Aster’s, and the nightmare landscape of the creature’s.
The Witch Boy is a powerful warning of the dangers—and hurt—that results when gender roles and expectations fail to recognize who people truly are. Highly recommended.
All things medieval fascinate children’s author Diane Magras: castles, abbeys, swords, manuscripts, and the daily life of medieval people, especially those who weren’t royalty. Diane lives in Maine with her husband and son and thinks often of medieval Scotland, where her stories are set. Her middle grade fantasy adventure The Mad Wolf’s Daughter (March 6, 2018, KD Books/Penguin Younger Readers) is her debut novel.
Charlie quickly becomes not just Aster’s friend but his rock, giving him a safe place to talk about his feelings—and even to practice his burgeoning witch’s magic on her broken leg.
One of the first things she told me when she disclosed her witch status was that being a witch wasn't like what you see in movies or read in fairytales. It wasn't all about casting spells and brewing potions. While those things were a part of her craft, being a witch was so much more. My cousin explained that being a witch meant being in touch with nature and the energy around us. It meant honoring the elements - earth, air, fire, and water - and harnessing their power for good. She talked about how witches have a deep reverence for the Earth and strive to live in harmony with it. She also shared stories about her experiences with magic and spellcasting. She told me about the rituals and ceremonies she would perform to manifest her desires and intentions. She stressed the importance of using magic responsibly and with good intentions, as any misuse could have negative consequences. But being a witch wasn't only about magic and spells for my cousin. She also had a strong sense of community and spirituality. She was involved in a coven, a group of witches who would come together to support and uplift each other. They would celebrate the cycles of the moon and the changing of the seasons, finding meaning and guidance in these natural occurrences. My cousin's witchcraft also played a significant role in her personal growth and self-discovery. Through her craft, she was able to tap into her intuition and connect with her inner wisdom. It provided her with a sense of empowerment and helped her navigate life's challenges. Being friends with a witch cousin has been a fascinating and eye-opening experience for me. It has allowed me to learn and understand a different perspective on life and spirituality. It has taught me the importance of honoring nature and the interconnectedness of all things. My friend, the witch cousin, has shown me that being unique and different is something to embrace rather than hide. She has taught me that magic exists in the world if we are open to seeing it. And most importantly, she has taught me that love, kindness, and respect are the most powerful forces of all, regardless of whether you wield a magical wand or not..
Reviews for "Exploring My Witch Cousin's Spellbook: Tales of Sorcery"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I found "My friend the witch cousin" to be incredibly boring and uninteresting. The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing style was also quite dull, lacking in descriptive language or any depth. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. John - 2 stars
I really wanted to like "My friend the witch cousin," but I just couldn't get into it. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with no clear direction. The characters were also not very likable or relatable, making it hard to care about their story. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unnatural. While the concept had potential, the execution fell flat for me.
3. Michelle - 2 stars
I struggled to finish "My friend the witch cousin" as it failed to hold my interest. The pacing was slow, and I found myself skimming through pages just to get to the end. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with many unanswered questions. The ending was also unsatisfying, with loose ends that were never tied up. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book.
4. Brian - 1 star
I found "My friend the witch cousin" to be incredibly juvenile and poorly written. The language and vocabulary used felt too simplistic, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. The characters lacked depth and development, and the plot was predictable. I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
5. Emily - 2 stars
I was hoping for an engaging and magical story in "My friend the witch cousin," but I was left feeling underwhelmed. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow parts dragging on and action sequences feeling rushed. The story also lacked originality, relying on overused tropes and cliches. While there were moments of potential, the overall execution fell short for me.