The main character is delusional, prejudiced and throws around a vamp-slur constantly. This habit lasted way too long. Bigoted bitch.

And then I’m STILL left wondering why we spent SO much time on her stinky period blood. Im mad about more things. But. I don’t want to think about this anymore.

This book was so incredibly close to a 5 star for me! I absolutely lived and breathed this world and these characters whilst I read, and it hasn't really left me since. Honestly, the reason it didn't make 5 stars, in the end, was probably mismatched expectations. It's taken me almost 2 months to finally review this, because I was so torn!

A Witches Guide is billed as cosy fantasy, and that brings with it certain expectations as to content and direction, that this one veers from quite dramatically in its ending. I spent huge amounts of time posting in the forum about this one, and it took going through my entire book journey again to decide how to rate this one!

It really has it all, though, oh my gosh! It's a story that pulls you in from the first page! It's got quirky, complex and real-feeling characters to love, to respect, to relate deeply with (and, others, to hate)! Wonderful, accepting autistic, disability, and queer rep - in particular I was moved by the beautiful treatment of the young autistic child - meeting her where she was and allowing her to be herself, no masks, was a huge and moving part of this story!

It has real stakes, unlike much cosy fantasy. A semi-sentient inn that takes care of its lovely (and gorgeously brought to life) found-family of residents. MC's in their 30's, and a diverse group of people around them of all different ages, including kids. A zombie rooster (and resurrected aunt!). A romance between older people. A lovingly rendered magical system that gives me such cosy vibes!

It has incredibly complex explorations of trauma and its effects on people, and the often messy healing from it. Oppression, bigotry, political harm, resistance and rebellion against it - and gentle, empathic caring for those hurt by it. Moments that brought deep and sometimes painful (but healing!) self-reflection for me. Beautiful prose that added so much to the magic and the power of this story.

Frankly, this one hit me right in the feels over and over and over again! It made me laugh, it made me ugly cry - and everything in between. It taught me some great lessons in being kinder to myself, and having grace with my past self.

Where I struggled is, I was expecting something of a traditionally cosy end, and I got a painfully complicated one instead. It was powerful, and it was incredibly well written (omg, please read it!), but it lost some of its cosiness, and a lot of other readers seem really torn, too. So here's me giving you the heads up - the ending has painful elements alongside the cosy, loving, wonderful ones. It's an incredible book, but I can't help but believe it was a mistake to specifically market it as cosy with some of the choices made at the end. Or, hell, perhaps this is just an example of what cosy can be when it gives us true stakes along with tender moments and loving found families? Either way, I hope that going into it knowing it's not all easy and gentle and lacking in pain will allow this to hit like it should, and not cause that sense of whiplash at the end.

That said, Sangu Mandanna is honestly becoming a favourite author for me. Nothing I've read of hers, including her kids books, hasn't delighted me - and made me talk and talk about them to anyone who will listen! I will read whatever she has to give!

I loved this book, and I'm certain I'll come back to it one day to breathe it in all over again!

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𖹭 Please do note that A Witches Guide isn't set in the same universe as Irregular Witches, a lot of people came into it thinking it was and were disappointed or confused.

Suzanne Collins, I mean this in the nicest possible way, but what the fuck?! Why do you keep breaking my heart like this?

The original Hunger games trilogy will always remain superior but this is a really great addition. Devastating and utterly chilling.

i am literally packing my bags to move to shady hollow as we speak. idec if i get murdered. of all the places to be murdered shady hollow seems like the best one for sure