I thoroughly enjoyed this! I loved watching Shay grow throughout the story. The magic world was one that really intrigued me. I hated Mr B, and wanted to see him suffer more for his actions. And the romance was just sweet.

I really loved this fun BIPOC futuristic magic world! All of the magical elements and world building were so fun and I could visualize the magic in my head. The colors were so vibrant and I found the characters larger than life. I enjoyed the parallels to our real world and the real life inappropriate behavior that so many young girls face in academia. I personally went to college young and I could’ve benefited from a book like this before I went. Really really enjoyed. Hope to read more from the author!

This was a wonderful YA fantasy fille with social commentary. I love that the story touched on racism and very real world issues. I also enjoyed the magic system.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Bookish First for my raffle copy of a finished hardcover in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this one! This one has an overachieving MC with anxiety who is 200% burnt out but still trying her very damn best. As a fellow overachiever, I felt Shay's struggle with my whole being. She was incredibly realistic and I wish I could've given her a vacation. I loved how witchcraft was included in the world. It was such a fun addition to the story.

The majority of this book is about a school theatre production and how the teacher in charge is a groomer and predator, but no one believes the girls he does it to. When Shay becomes his next victim, she refuses to let him do this to anyone else and is determined to stop him. This book tackles hard topics in a caring way. Too often queer girls of color are survivors who are never given voices. I hope books like this one will start to change that.

Shay is a high school witch who joins the school musical in the hopes of getting a scholarship. To get the scholarship to a magical university, Shay must beat out her rival Ana.

The magical system was fun and easy to follow for a YA read. I loved the magical elements mixed in with real-life teen moments like Starbucks and cell phones.

The characters were unique and the other students in the musical were fun such as the illicit potions dealer.

The teacher, Mr. B., was the worst and his comments to the students made me cringe.

This is a great fall book and I really enjoyed it.

Sadly, this book was not for me. I think it was more YA than I was expecting. The plot was intriguing, and I did enjoy the characters, but the writing did not work for me.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title. I enjoyed reading this title. Would recommend for my library.

Aislinn Brophy's How To Succeed In Witchcraft was such a surprise to me! This book was amazing. Of course, I love books about witches. This book, however, is about so much more. It follows Shay Johnson who goes to TK Anderson Magical Magnet School. She's hoping to win this prestigious full ride scholarship to college called the Brockton Scholarship. Her competition is Ana Alvarez. Mr. B, yes, the B stands for Brockton, convinces Shay to participate in the school musical alongside Ana. There, Ana and Shay become friends. But it gets tricky when Mr. B takes a special interest in helping Shay. Oh, and did I mention that Shay is gay?

Like I said, I loved How To Succeed In Witchcraft. This blog is in FULL SUPPORT of Black Girl Magic. Brophy's story has witches, a musical, romance, and some serious themes too. It all melds together perfectly. I was so invested in the ending and just how it would all play out. I even got really on edge thinking Shay's chance at a good future would disappear. It helps that the audiobook is narrated to perfection by Tashi Thomas. The audiobook is 10 hours and 44 minutes long, but flies by. You absolutely must pick this book up.

Aislinn Brophy has brought a fresh new voice to YA fantasy! HOW TO SUCCEED IN WITCHCRAFT delivers a killer plot packed with magical metaphors and soul-warming sapphic romance. This book is captivating, romantic and deeply powerful — it left me wanting more! One thing I will say is I'm such a sucker for witchy books, and enemies to lovers, and when you add on my undeniable love of musicals, this book was everything. Reading this book, I found even more things to love: a brown lesbian main character, an enemies to lovers love story, an intriguing and refreshing magic system, bi-sexual representation, a writing style the captivated and so much more. This is 100% a book I will recommend over and over again. 4.5 stars.

This is such a great book. The writing is so smooth and easy to get lost in. I love that it’s a magical contemporary. It does go a little more into the fantastic with flying brooms and flying cars. How to Succeed in Witchcraft takes place in a world where magic is normal.

The story follows Shay, who is trying to win a scholarship so she can go to a licensing college. Only those with a magical license can get the best paying jobs. Shay wants to be able to help her parents, so she needs the scholarship. She even joins the school musical when the Mr. B, the drama teacher, asks her to join. Mr. B is also on the committee that decides who gets the scholarship each year. Afraid it’ll hurt her chances if she refuses, Shay reluctantly joins the cast.

Of course her nemesis, Ana Alvarez, has also joined the play. Everything is going well at first, but the more Shay is around Mr. B she gets a weird feeling from him. He seems to be a little too touchy feely. Plus he seems to be oblivious as to how racist he comes across. Shay has to decide if she should come forward and wreck her chance at the scholarship, or keep quiet and live with the guilt.

I also like the slow burn romance in this one. Ana and Shay are adorable and I love seeing their relationship grow. This is definitely a book to add to your tbr.

The world building in this book is stunning. It was cheesy and camp yet earnest and honest. I loved the characters and their struggles, the story of queerness, and the academic struggles of existing in a corrupt system. Loved it.

Shay Johnson is on track to be a successful witch. She has her eye on the prized scholarship that will almost guarantee her admission to her dream school on her first try and the means to pay for it, but junior year is about to throw her curveballs. Her rival for the scholarship has a slightly higher GPA but a lower magic score, and they’re both starring in the school musical, though neither are super excited about it. Shay also feels pressure from Mr. B, the drama teacher and for whom the scholarship is named. She’ll have to navigate some pretty grown up problems, battle exhaustion, and keep her grades up, all while learning that maybe she actually likes her greatest enemy.

I read most in print but listened to a little of the audiobook as well. It’s longer than my ideal read, but overall I enjoyed it. I was creeped out by one of the characters, but that was the point. I wasn’t always 100% with the characters, but teenagers, you know. The characters go on a journey and will come out stronger on the other side. Plus, non-white and queer rep. Oh yeah, and witches. Magic as a metaphor for all the stuff we feed kids about their futures and the meaning of success? Here for it. Definitely check it out if you’re into YA fantasy. It’s out now wherever you get your books.

Content Warnings: grooming, racism (anti-black, anti-latine, anti-asian, sinophobia), generational trauma, homophobia, lesbophobia

Shay Johnson is an overachieving witch- she has the highest magic score in her high school. The only person ranked above her GPA-wise is Shay’s enemy, Ana Álvarez. Shay has worked hard over the course of her high school career for a chance at the Brockton Scholarship, which would give her the educational and career opportunities she needs. An opportunity to pull herself ahead when Mr. B- the theatre director and head of the scholarship committee- tells Shay he wants her to try out for the spring musical.
Even though she feels weird about Mr. B dangling the scholarship over her head to convince her to audition, she won’t forfeit the opportunity to get the prestigious scholarship and guaranteed admission to her dream school.
Unfortunately, Ana is also trying out, but when Mr. B casts Shay as one of the leads and sings her praises, it’s clear he favors her over Ana. Shay is willing to swallow her discomfort, but Mr. B’s behavior becomes more inappropriate- he calls her for private practice, calls her pretty on multiple occasions and makes racist remarks. When Shay learns she isn’t the only one who’s been on the receiving end of his unwanted attention, she has to decide if she’ll risk her scholarship to speak up.

I want to start by noting that although I’ve seen this book pitched as sapphic academic rivals-to-lovers, the grooming plotline in this book takes the forefront. Please read with caution.

This book definitely expands on what practical use of magic would look like in our modern-day world. Although I’m not the biggest fan of magic in contemporary settings, I think this was interesting, but it needed more fleshing out. Overall, the characters and setting had a lot of potential that wasn’t always fulfilled, so I’m rating this book 3 stars.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Penguin Teen Canada for an eARC from NetGalley.

4.25 stars

CWs: student/teacher relationship, racism, homophobia, creepy and manipulative teacher

This was such a good read! First of all, I liked the writing style a lot. Shay’s voice was relatable and the story moved along really well. The pacing was really good, and I was fully invested in Shay’s determination for the scholarship, and all of the other things that began to happen.
Shay was a fantastic character. She was realistic and relatable, and I really liked her. At times she was a bit naive, but it actually fit her character and I liked the growth she showed in the end. Her relationship with Ana was really good. I liked how they went from sort of enemies competing for the scholarship to friends to more. Ana was a good balance to Shay’s character. Shay’s best friend, Lex, was also a good character to help balance Shay. Lex’s struggles with getting into a licensing college were relatable, and Shay’s reactions were exactly what you’d expect of her character. I liked when Lex and Shay finally talked about licensing colleges and their different desires for life because it was a good moment for their friendship but also another way to show the difference in social status and the social issues in this society.
The setting was so interesting. It’s America, but everyone has magic. Shay is gunning for the Brockton scholarship which is a full ride to a licensing college. She needs this so that she can give herself and her parents a better life. The idea of licensing colleges was intriguing because they are the only places you can get magically licensed and without a magic license you can’t make as much money or even do some jobs. Shay has bought into the American Magical Way so much that she can’t even see how dysfunctional the system is at times.
I liked how the author and the book tackled social issues such as racism and homophobia and also people in positions of power. Shay is half-Black and a lesbian, and her drama teacher thinks she’s Latina and straight. After being forced into trying out for the musical, Shay realizes that Mr. B, her drama teacher, thinks she’s Latina because she’s given one of the two Latina leads instead of the only Black female role. After she tells another student that she’s a lesbian, Mr. B overhears and starts treating Shay like crap. I was angry at Mr. B while reading this book, so I think the author did a really good job of writing his character.

My Thoughts:
This YA book may have "witchcraft"in the cover, and there are Hogwarts types of elements, however, this reads like other YA contemporary books about private school privilege, racism, classism, grooming, patriarchy, and queer enemies to lovers romance. It is fast paced and easily "sucked in-able" (yes, it is a made up word, but from the context, quite understandable).

The protagonist, Shay Johnson, knows that as a minority in a prestigious magnet school, she needs to get the best grades, get the highest magic scores, and win the Brockton scholarship in order to get into a licensing college. If she does not get into a licensing college, there is no way to move up in the magic world and help both her parents and herself out of poverty. But of course there are many roadblocks along the way, including her rival, Ana Alvarez.

Honestly, I forgot that this was about witches as it feels like a contemporary, realistic look at private schooling. Strong debut novel to add to the YA contemporary fantasy, LGBTQIA+ booklist.

From the Publisher:
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?

Publication Information:
Author: Aislinn Brophy (she/they)
Publisher: G.P. Putnam Son's Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 27, 2022

TW: racism, homophobia, grooming, bullying, and abuse of power

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?

This novel was exactly what I expected and I’m more than happy about it! While I definitely hoped for a bit more magic, this low fantasy set in modern USA was a ton of fun but also dealt with some serious topics. Full of incredible representation, this was a cute, cozy witchy read with a unique story. This was Brophy’s debut and I think she did an incredible job! *There is grooming from a teacher in this novel so please read with caution.*

I recommend this one to fans of sapphic love stories and academic rivals to lovers, fans of “Never Have I Ever” and “Sabrina The Teenage Witch,” and former theater kids who enjoy a bit of magic.

How to Succeed in Witchcraft is a book that brings you on an emotionally rich and nuanced journey. On one hand, this is a book sparkling with hope and a deep love of musical theatre. On the other hand, this is an often intense read delving into abuse and manipulation.

Our protagonist Shay was definitely a highlight as her dedication and desperation to succeed drives a lot of her behaviour, encouraging that academic rivalry and passion in a way I always love. Seeing a character unapologetically love their skills is amazing to see. Her character progression over the course of the book was also enjoyable, finding moments where she was not perfect. However, this drive also undermines her at times, complicating the situation with the gross abuse of power. That dynamic causes a huge dramatic tension for her and overwhelms her emotionally, bringing her to an extremely vulnerable point. Your heart just breaks for this fierce, brilliant character and the author Aislinn Brophy deftly demonstrates the way this type of behaviour breaks down their victim-survivors. It is truly crushing.

This was an absolute firecracker of a book, delving into sensitive and nuanced topics as indicated in the trigger warnings. It is a heavy read at times, exploring the full emotional toll this takes on Shay. There are so many layers of manipulation and expectations to unpack, highlighting real life issues. Brophy does not shy away from these intense and saddening moments. Their ugliness and seedy nature is on full display, highlighting how disgusting this abuse of power is. I also really appreciated how they showed the subtle growth of these behaviours and their insidious ability to distort your mind. Gaslighting and manipulation are hallmarks of this grooming and predatory behaviour, making you feel unable to trust anyone around you⁠—even doubting your own thoughts. Brophy emphasises these behaviours, providing useful hallmarks for recognising these in real life. Your stomach just drops at the sinking realisation of what is truly going on and sadly, these are all too real moments. I loved the overall narrative though and how it stayed in those murky complexities of a situation like this. It is not easily resolved and even pulling that charming mask off to reveal the villainy does not always convince everyone.

At the same time, this is a book characterised by sparks of joy and light. I was drawn to this book partially with that love of the theatre and musicals. There is an abundance of that here, with plenty of dance rehearsals and acting moments. The escapism and pure happiness you can derive from performance is wonderful to see, though it is mired by other factors sometimes. Also there is an absolutely gorgeous and hopeful romance blossoming, with a sapphic witches rivals to lovers arc. This relationship was brilliant to witness, with chemistry sizzling and dialogue popping in all the right places. You just recognise and love that dynamic, watching it cultivate over the pages. It brings warmth and a sense of hope in a book unafraid to step firmly into the shadows. That emotional balance reinforces the abhorrent nature of the contrasting behaviours. The queer joy embodied by this relationship also emphasises the way the abuse of power impacts heaviest on those from intersecting marginalised backgrounds. It is an all too familiar narrative sadly. Finally, the magic system was also very enjoyable. It was creative and innovative, providing a slight spin on our world to take it into the realm of the fantastical.

How to Succeed in Witchcraft is a layered and important story, combining moments of joy and light with a heavy but necessary depiction of the abuse of power and grooming.

Thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an e-ARC of How to Succeed in Witchcraft & to PRH Audio for providing me with a complimentary audiobook!

How to Succeed in Witchcraft is a fairly good book -- there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, but for some reason, I felt like I struggled to get through it. It tackles pretty heavy topics, such as being groomed + harassed by a teacher & that whole ~thing~ made me sick to my stomach so major props for tackling that subject. It was also neat to see how the magical world melted into reality & didn't seem so much like a fantasy. I think the only part that I cared about though & that kept me reading was the f/f rival-to-lovers relationship.

Ok wow this book.

This book made me so angry and uncomfortable almost the whole time and I loved it. That, to me, is the sign of a really good author. When the feelings they want you to feel come through.

The grooming, homophobia, and racism were super heavy. By the end of the book, every time Mr B was on the page, I felt so squicked out.

That being said! I loved Ana! The two of them together were the best!

Thanks to Penguin Canada for an ARC!

I’ve gotta say, Aislinn Brophy has written perhaps the best form of enemies-to-lovers I’ve ever read. I won’t give too much away but basing the enemies on one of the characters being totally oblivious was perfection. I really enjoyed the relationship in this one and how it develops.

I read an early copy so I’m hoping some edits made it to the final version, but the narration dragged a bit for me. It felt very teen movie-esque. So, so many “ughs” in the dialogue and description and parts of the description felt dumbed down and over-explained. That said, by about the halfway point the story was so compelling I couldn’t put this book down.

While the early narration wasn’t a hit for me, I did find it a realistic teen story. Though I was begging these characters to please, for the love of God, share what you’re worried about with the people in your life, I liked that this was addressed and became a learning opportunity for these teens.

The book takes place in an alternate world than ours — of course, there is magic — but it was also uncomfortably realistic in the way racially marginalized characters had to deal with subtle racist remarks, how powerful people retain their power, and so on. There aren’t any easy solutions here but it offers a look at some real-world ways that different abuses can be handled.