Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a shrewd witch. She was known far and wide for her cunning and manipulative ways. From a young age, she had shown a quick mind and a knack for getting what she wanted. Her intelligence and deviousness made her a force to be reckoned with in the magical world. The witch was not one to rely solely on her magical powers. She understood the importance of using her wit and charm to outsmart her opponents.
dragon and witch
The lightly magical world with two queer leads that debut author Brophy creates closely mirrors ours, from social issues regarding race and gender to the dilemmas teenagers face in planning their futures. The lightly magical world with two queer leads that debut author Brophy creates closely mirrors ours, from social issues regarding race and gender to the dilemmas teenagers face in planning their futures.
She understood the importance of using her wit and charm to outsmart her opponents. With a sly smile and a twinkle in her eye, she could convince even the staunchest of skeptics to do her bidding. This made her a formidable adversary, as many found themselves ensnared in her web of deceit.
How To Succeed in Witchcraft (Paperback)
Shay Johnson has all the makings of a successful witch. As a junior at T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School, she’s determined to win the Brockton Scholarship—her ticket into the university of her dreams. Her competition? Ana freaking Álvarez. The key to victory? Impressing Mr. B, drama teacher and head of the scholarship committee.
When Mr. B asks Shay to star in this year’s aggressively inclusive musical, she warily agrees, even though she’ll have to put up with Ana playing the other lead. But in rehearsals, Shay realizes Ana is . . . not the despicable witch she’d thought. Perhaps she could be a friend—or more. And Shay could use someone in her corner once she becomes the target of Mr. B’s unwanted attention. When Shay learns she’s not the first witch to experience his inappropriate behavior, she must decide if she’ll come forward. But how can she speak out when her future's on the line?
"Captivating, romantic, and deeply powerful" —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys
About the Author
Aislinn Brophy (she/they) is an actor, writer, and arts administrator based in the Atlanta area. She was born and raised in South Florida, but made her way up to the frigid northeast for college. Their hobbies include pawning off their baking on anybody nearby, doing funny voices, and dismantling the patriarchy. Aislinn has a degree in Theater, Dance & Media, and her experiences as a performer consistently wiggle their way into her writing. In all aspects of her work as an artist, she is passionate about exploring identity and social justice issues. Their debut YA novel, How To Succeed in Witchcraft, will be published fall 2022, with a second untitled novel to follow.
Praise For…
Praise for How to Succeed in Witchcraft
"The perfect witchy read for fall, this debut is a wonderful contemporary fantasy." —BuzzFeed
"Aislinn Brophy adds another dynamite offering to the magical school canon." —Nerdist
★ "Brophy’s rapidly paced debut grounds its magical backdrop by exploring themes of capitalism, grooming, privilege, and racism, and Shay and Ana’s enemies-to-lovers romance offers a sweet reprieve from Mr. B’s ominous intentions." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"This book does the most, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love it." —The Book Riot Podcast
"Delivers a killer plot packed with meaty metaphor and soul-warming sapphic romance. This book is captivating, romantic, and deeply powerful." —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys
"A delightful debut. . . . Come for the crackling queer banter, stay for the history of magic (steeped in shrewd social consciousness)." —Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston
"Sure to delight and burn with righteous rage." —Jessica Lewis, author of Bad Witch Burning
"The lightly magical world with two queer leads that debut author Brophy creates closely mirrors ours, from social issues regarding race and gender to the dilemmas teenagers face in planning their futures. . . . #MeToo with a magical twist." —Kirkus Reviews
"Despite the creative use of magic, the novel succeeds even beyond its fantasy components. . . . A welcome addition to the fantasy genre." —Booklist
"A well-developed modern world. . . . With cool magic in a deeply diverse world, this begs for a sequel." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Well written with well-developed characters . . . a good LGBTQIA+ addition to any collection." —School Library Journal
"Rest assured. It’s a good read. . . . How to Succeed in Witchcraft should be required reading." —Geek Girl Authority
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy / Wizards & Witches
- Young Adult Fiction / Romance / LGBTQ+
- Young Adult Fiction / Diversity & Multicultural
Aislinn Brophy (she/they) is an actor, writer, and arts administrator based in the Atlanta area. She was born and raised in South Florida, but made her way up to the frigid northeast for college. Their hobbies include pawning off their baking on anybody nearby, doing funny voices, and dismantling the patriarchy. Aislinn has a degree in Theater, Dance & Media, and her experiences as a performer consistently wiggle their way into her writing. In all aspects of her work as an artist, she is passionate about exploring identity and social justice issues. Their debut YA novel, How To Succeed in Witchcraft, will be published fall 2022, with a second untitled novel to follow.
She was a master of manipulation. She knew just what buttons to push to get people to bend to her will. Whether it was through flattery, bribery, or subtle threats, the witch always managed to get what she wanted. Her ability to read people and play them like puppets allowed her to stay one step ahead of her enemies. The shrewd witch had a particular fondness for playing mind games. She delighted in watching her victims squirm as she pitted them against each other or planted seeds of doubt in their minds. She reveled in the chaos and confusion she created, always ensuring that she remained the puppeteer pulling the strings. Despite her cunning nature, the witch was not without her vulnerabilities. She had a weakness for power and would do whatever it took to attain it. This insatiable thirst for power drove her to commit dark deeds and make questionable alliances. It was this hunger that ultimately became her downfall. In the end, the shrewd witch met her match in a young and brave hero. Through pure heart and unwavering determination, the hero was able to see through the witch's façade and unravel her schemes. The witch, once untouchable, found herself at the mercy of the hero's righteous wrath. Though defeated, the legacy of the shrewd witch lived on. Her tale served as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of manipulation and the consequences of unchecked power. The story of the shrewd witch became a lesson for generations to come, a reminder to always stay vigilant and true to one's values. In conclusion, the shrewd witch was a cunning and manipulative character. Her ability to outsmart and manipulate others made her a formidable opponent. However, her insatiable thirst for power ultimately led to her downfall. Her tale serves as a reminder of the dangers of manipulation and the importance of staying true to oneself..
Reviews for "The Shrewd Witch: A Historical Perspective on Cunning Magic"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Shrewd Witch" as I love witchcraft and fantasy novels. However, this book was a major disappointment. The plot was weak and predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. I found it hard to connect with any of them, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time reading this book.
2. Mark - 1 star - I cannot express how much I disliked "The Shrewd Witch". The writing style was dull and monotonous, making it a struggle to get through each page. The author attempted to create a magical world, but it fell flat with inconsistent world-building and a lack of descriptive details. The dialogue was equally uninteresting, filled with cliches and cheesy lines. I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "The Shrewd Witch" had so much potential, but it fails to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. The protagonist, who was supposed to be a powerful witch, came across as whiny and indecisive. The romantic subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry. There were also various plot holes that were never addressed. I was left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with how this story played out.
4. Ethan - 2 stars - As a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to dive into "The Shrewd Witch". Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was lackluster and lacked finesse. The world-building was confusing and inconsistent, leaving me with more questions than answers. The conflicts and resolutions felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, this book had potential but failed to live up to it.