Brophy has a new fan! I loved their writing style, and the world is so fascinating. I would love to see more works in this world.
I definitely thought the major revalation about Mr. B would come sooner, but I suppose it makes sense when you think about the realistic time it would take an underage girl to realize what happened.

I also loved the budding relationship between Shay and Ana. Shay is very awkward in an endearing way. It felt very much like a first teenage relationship. I'd love to see more of both characters. ( )

Really Good

This is an undoubtedly memorable and beguiling tale of a teen witch, Shay, who becomes a part of her school's musical in order to have better chances at attaining a scholarship that she is in terrible need for. How will things end up? Will she get the scholarship? What will the obstacles be?

This read provides us with an enemies to lovers trope along with a young adult sapphic magical story. Characters are easily relatable. And you'll feel many emotions while reading through the pages. Mentions of racist topics are talked about in the book too. So there's a twist of reality and magic which is good to acknowledge and uplift books like this so diverse/ women of colors' voice's are heard.

The cover is eye catching and made me have questions come up instantly. Also it made me interested in what it was about and who the characters were and how everything was going to play out. Check it out! I liked it. ( )

How to Succeed in Witchcraft follows Shay Johnson, a Junior at the T.K. Anderson Magical Magnet School. Shay is determined to win a prestigious scholarship to the magical equivalent of an Ivy League university, not only because she is ambitious but mostly because her family is not well off financially. She needs to beat her main competitor, Ana Alvarez, who she sees as her nemesis and rival. She is persuaded to join the school musical by Mr. B, the drama teacher and head of the scholarship committee, who hints that participating will help her chances of winning the scholarship.
I loved Shay, who could be awkward and clueless at times, but is bright, responsible, determined, and a loyal friend with a strong sense of justice. The romance between Shay and Ana was a delight to read, with lots of tension and witty banter.
Mr. B is a popular teacher who dangles the reward of the scholarship to groom and sexually harass vulnerable female students. Shay learns to trust her feelings of discomfort and recognize that his behavior is highly inappropriate. This issue was handled skilfully and was one of the major storylines.
The author has created a fast-paced coming-of-age story in a magical world with potions classes and flying trains but also where teens deal with real-life issues such as racism, homophobia, microaggressions, economic disparity, the pressure to succeed, and predatory adults. How to Succeed in Witchcraft is a captivating combination of YA fantasy and contemporary. I could not put it down. ( )

Real-life pressures facing a high-achieving teen, but add magic.

It only took me a few pages to become a fan of Shay Johnson, the main character in How to Succeed in Witchcraft. She's a biracial lesbian teen witch, working hard to win the Brockton (full-ride) scholarship and get into a university where she can become licensed to perform magic.

Highlights of the book for me were Shay's friendship with Lex and waiting for Shay to work out her feelings for Ana, her nemesis (as in, another smart, hard-working, involved student applying for the Brockton scholarship). Anxiously waiting for two characters to finally kiss is a special kind of magic, and author Aislinn Brophy hit on that for me here.

The main plot, however, seemed to revolved around the Brockton scholarship, which involves tolerating creepy teacher Mr. Brockton. While I thought this was handled realistically (and in such a way that eventually made it clear to the reader that his behavior was not okay), I couldn't help but wish the book delivered more magic and romance.

To be sure, this is YA that doesn't shy away from real-life pressures, from concerns about paying for college to racism at school. Definitely a book I'm glad exists for today's teens! ( )

Witchy in a Wonderful Way

"How To Succeed at Witchcraft" is a truly captivating and, dare I say, subversive tale that should be getting far more buzz than it currently receiving. If you find the time for just one witch themed work this spooky season, then this book should be that read.

Addressing contemporary social issues in a word where magic is supposed to be the great equalizer was an inspired decision that created an deeply poignant and timely story.

Though a young adult novel, people in their late twenties/early thirties who grew up with Halloweentown and Hocus Pocus will undoubtedly fall in love with the endearingly enchanting world that Brophy has created that weaves magic into a recognizable world with extremely recognizable problems.

Aislinn Brophy is an author to follow and I am already eagerly anticipating her next work. Perhaps a follow-up to How To Succeed at Witchcraft that follows Lex on her next steps or delves deeper into the unrest brewing in Shay's world?

[Note: received a free copy from Penguin Teen/G.P. Putnam’s Sons Book via BookishFirst] ( )