I really liked this story! Not only was it a quick read, but it had so many real life situations without being overwhelming. How to Succeed in Witchcraft is magical contemporary YA. It's modern day in every sense of the word, but with magic influences that enhance the story and truly fits in. It's really hard to get a nice blend of magic into the modern world without raising questions of how everything works. It just makes sense.
Shay is a talented witch who is super motivated (or desperate) to get into a magical licensing college so that she can support her family in the future. She hopes to accomplish this by means of a prestigious scholarship. With that goal in mind, she deals with a creepy teacher, a large role in a play, her feelings for her academic rival, maintaining a job, supporting her friend and her family. Just reading about it had me exhausted for her. Shay is under an enormous amount of pressure, but does try her best in everything. Her romance with Ana is very sweet and I adore Shay's complete lack of finesse in love. She can be so awkward, but that just makes it all the better.
Shay showed some real bravery in her situation with her manipulative teacher. I think the whole thing really showed how easy it can be to be influenced by a person in power, and how you might not see that right away. Throughout the story there is great commentary on racism, classism, elitism, pressures of academics, and homophobia. It really has a little bit of everything, but the great part is that it all fits. I think there's something in here for everyone to enjoy!
Shay is a talented witch who is super motivated (or desperate) to get into a magical licensing college so that she can support her family in the future. She hopes to accomplish this by means of a prestigious scholarship. With that goal in mind, she deals with a creepy teacher, a large role in a play, her feelings for her academic rival, maintaining a job, supporting her friend and her family. Just reading about it had me exhausted for her. Shay is under an enormous amount of pressure, but does try her best in everything. Her romance with Ana is very sweet and I adore Shay's complete lack of finesse in love. She can be so awkward, but that just makes it all the better.
Shay showed some real bravery in her situation with her manipulative teacher. I think the whole thing really showed how easy it can be to be influenced by a person in power, and how you might not see that right away. Throughout the story there is great commentary on racism, classism, elitism, pressures of academics, and homophobia. It really has a little bit of everything, but the great part is that it all fits. I think there's something in here for everyone to enjoy!