Whether you’re a fan of fantasy or not, you’ll find a lot to love in the City of Witches novel by Juliet Diaz. Not only is the plot intriguing, but the characters are rich and believable. You’ll love getting to know them all. Including the Familiars, the Manningtree Witches, and the Mercies.
The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina
Whether you’re familiar with the character of Orquidea Divina Montoya or not, you’re sure to enjoy this book. Despite its surreal and magical elements, Zoraida Cordova’s novel is an enthralling tale of family, magic and curses.
Orquidea was born during a time of cosmic debt. Her birth was predetermined by stars. She was five feet tall and had black hair and brown skin. She was also tasked with looking after her youngest sibling.
Orquidea had an umbilical cord around her neck. During her childhood, Orquidea dreamed of owning a house. She chose a home based on its color. It was surrounded by a ring of green hills and a mossy lake. Every window and door had a gold laurel leaf. The house provided rice, flour and salt. It also had a barrel of olive oil and seeds.
All the Birds in the Sky
Using ancient fairy tales, mythology, and folklore, All the Birds in the Sky is a fantasy and science fiction novel by Charlie Jane Anders. The story revolves around a witch, a mad scientist, and their unlikely friendship.
The protagonists, Patricia and Laurence, are a couple of misfits. The two end up together in San Francisco and form a tentative relationship. However, when they are teenagers, they split up mysteriously. During middle school, the future witch learns that she has magical powers. She also learns that she can talk to birds.
The Mercies
Among other things, The Mercies in City of Witches is a beautiful historical novel. It’s a fictionalized story of the 1621 Vardo witch trials. It also explores the misogyny and xenophobia of the time. It’s a great read for fans of feminist historical fiction.
The novel is set in Finnmark, Norway. It is loosely based on real events that took place during the early 17th century. The main character, Maren Bergensdatter, is raised on Vardo island. She and her family are left to fend for themselves.
The Familiars
‘The Familiars’ is the story of two young women – Fleetwood Shuttleworth and Alice Gray – coming together in a world where men rule. The novel is based on real people from early seventeenth century Pendle.
The story follows Fleetwood Shuttleworth, the mistress of Gawthorpe Hall, who stumbles upon a life-changing piece of information. She decides to help the accused midwife Alice Gray, who is accused of witchcraft. However, she soon falls into a political battle, loses her husband Richard and suffers three miscarriages.
The Manningtree Witches
AK Blakemore’s debut novel, The Manningtree Witches, is a fictionalised account of the Essex witch trials of 1645. It is an exceptionally accomplished first book. It feels especially timely now.
The novel is set in Manningtree, a small Essex town during the English Civil War. It’s a place where women are forced to scrape a living from the land and water. They’re unable to organize for social change.
The town is depleted of men since the wars began. The lack of male authority in the town creates a threat to the community. When a boy dies after an altercation with a local woman, accusations of witchcraft begin.
The Change
Despite its length, The Change in City of Witches novel by Ami McKay is a sprawling, well-constructed fantasy that’s full of magical New York. It’s not a sequel; it’s a standalone.
In this fantasy, climate change is threatening the hold of witches on the natural world. Their unique magic is diminishing during off-seasons, and their power to control the weather has become diluted. Rather than destroying their magic, they must reclaim it or be stripped of their power.
Juliet Diaz’s guide to plant witchery
Brujas are a new breed of witches and this book offers a glimpse into the magical lives of these women. The book is an interesting blend of whimsy and serious business.
This book is a perfect fit for anyone looking to tap into their own powers of magic, and to discover what they are truly capable of. It offers a no-nonsense guide to creating your own magickal tools, and a chance to test out what you love most.
Laurence and Patricia
Until junior high school, Patricia Delfine and Laurence Armstead had never met. But when their worlds are split by a series of events, they share their misery. When they finally reunite years later, they rediscover each other.
Both of them are outcasts from their families, but they have a strong bond. Patricia is a witch, and Laurence is a genius. But they also have very different philosophical views. And this strains their relationship. But something is determined to bring them back together.
