Overview

• The novel follows Jamie, who has quietly practiced witchcraft since her teens, as she introduces the craft to her withdrawn mother, Serena.
• Magic operates through intention and self-understanding rather than set incantations or transparent rules.
• Outcomes remain unpredictable, with practitioners urged to be clear about goals yet vague about methods.
• The story grounds its supernatural drama in family secrets and the precarious world of Northeastern academia.
• BookPage situates the book alongside Anders’ earlier work, noting characters defined by their responses to the unknown and cautioning that rule-bound fantasy readers may find the approach challenging.