Magic, Inn’s, And Romance? Another Review By Char
Magic, when entwined with grief, can either simplify or complicate life. In Sangu Mandanna’s ‘A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping’, Sera’s journey vividly illustrates the intricate interplay of grief and magic, with the mischievous fox adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Sera Swan used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. Then she resurrected her great-aunt Jasmine from the (very recently) dead, lost most of her magic, befriended a semi-villainous talking fox, and was exiled from her Guild. Now she (slightly reluctantly and just a bit grumpily) helps Jasmine run an enchanted inn in Lancashire, where she deals with her quirky guests’ shenanigans, tries to keep said talking fox in check, and longs for the future that seems lost to her. But then she finds out about an old spell that could hold the key to restoring her power. Enter Luke Larsen, handsome and icy magical historian, who arrives on a dark winter evening and might know how to unlock the spell’s secrets. Luke has no interest in getting involved in the madcap goings-on of the Inn. He is not about to let a certain bewitching innkeeper past his walls, so no one is more surprised than he is when he agrees to help Sera with her spell. Worse, he might be thawing. Running an inn, reclaiming lost magic, and staying one step ahead of the watchful Guild is a lot for anyone. Still, Sera Swan is about to discover that she doesn’t have to do it alone. and that the weird, wonderful family she’s made might be the best magic of all.
This book was a long-anticipated read for me. I loved the first book this author wrote and couldn’t wait for more. I had a hard time waiting for this one, too, but the first chapter hooked me. Sera is an intense character. I found her life so interesting, and everything she had to face as a young witch translated into her adult life. I mean, I probably would have tried to bring back my grandma, too, if she were my only caretaker and best friend. I had a love-hate relationship with Clemy and her silly foxy nature. This story battles with grief, mental health, and finding yourself. While this book has some stronger themes in it, I felt like it didn’t delve too deeply, but also let the characters explore everything themselves. Posey is my favorite character. Autism is a spectrum, and writing a character with it can only show a small part of it. Sangu Mandanna wrote it beautifully. She wrote about the battle some people with autism have to deal with about finding their place and how some of their family members have to cope. Posey is a wonderful character who is intelligent and capable.
The Inn was also a character in itself. The way the spell created quarks. The orange blossom tea raining from the ceiling and the daisies popping up in cups or other tea ware. It was fun to read about all the silly things the spell would do to add a bit of whimsy into Sera’s everyday life. Overall, this book is a fun read, and I hope you decide to give it a try!
