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Gutterwitch
Not yet published
Expected 25 Mar 27Scullery maid Joan has always known her place. Bound in service to a powerful witching house, she is maid and companion to Belinda, their treasured heir. But when she stumbles upon a fallen star and makes an impossible wish, she becomes a most fearsome and forbidden thing: a witch with wild magic.
When Joan and Belinda are invited to study at an elite university, Joan is swept into a world of ancient academia, ruthless politics, and intoxicating power. Shunned for her lack of lineage, her magic nonetheless flourishes – and she is drawn to Silas, her enigmatic mentor, and Caspar, a fellow outcast and the bastard son of a faerie queen.
As Joan's powers grow, she is thrust into a web of secrets that threatens the fragile peace between witches and fae. With her heart and loyalties divided, Joan stands at the front lines of a war that will shape her destiny – and the fate of witchkind forever.
When Joan and Belinda are invited to study at an elite university, Joan is swept into a world of ancient academia, ruthless politics, and intoxicating power. Shunned for her lack of lineage, her magic nonetheless flourishes – and she is drawn to Silas, her enigmatic mentor, and Caspar, a fellow outcast and the bastard son of a faerie queen.
As Joan's powers grow, she is thrust into a web of secrets that threatens the fragile peace between witches and fae. With her heart and loyalties divided, Joan stands at the front lines of a war that will shape her destiny – and the fate of witchkind forever.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 25, 2027
About the author
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
6 books496 followersEsmie Jikiemi-Pearson is a Sunday Times Bestselling author, and the inaugural winner of the Future World's Prize. Her forthcoming novel, Gutterwitch, sold to Penguin Random House after an intense eight way auction. In the UK, the book sold to Bloomsbury after a nine way auction.
Esmie's first novel was nominated for Best British and Irish Book at the Tik Tok Book Awards.
Esmie's first novel was nominated for Best British and Irish Book at the Tik Tok Book Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
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August 22, 2025A maid who wishes upon a fallen star and becomes the greatest witch in the land? This is going to be MAGICAL, it's going to give Wicked x Disney core, I can't wait for this one. Wake me up when it's 2027.
October 4, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson for letting me “hold a wish” and read this early!
This enchanting children’s fantasy tells the story of Joan, a strong-willed girl who must overcome classism, fear, and uncertainty to harness her wish to obtain magic from a star. I loved the romance between Joan and Caspar and the scenes of wandering with the stars, but the rest of the story didn't stand out as much.
Unfortunately, the book reminded me too much of Harry Potter, with scenes like an orphan receiving a letter to a prestigious magic school, facing hardships because she's a scullery maid with special powers, the grand dining hall scene with all the professors introduced, darkness enveloping the school, and the word "psilono" used to make her broom rise. There are probably more similarities, but these were hard to ignore.
While there are differences, I found that over 60% of the book drags, and the twist is quite predictable. I didn't like Silas from the start— it seemed unlikely that Joan, who yearned for freedom, would willingly let this man control her and say, “you can be saved.” GIRL PLEASE. That ending was sadly off-tone with the themes the book aimed to highlight.
This enchanting children’s fantasy tells the story of Joan, a strong-willed girl who must overcome classism, fear, and uncertainty to harness her wish to obtain magic from a star. I loved the romance between Joan and Caspar and the scenes of wandering with the stars, but the rest of the story didn't stand out as much.
Unfortunately, the book reminded me too much of Harry Potter, with scenes like an orphan receiving a letter to a prestigious magic school, facing hardships because she's a scullery maid with special powers, the grand dining hall scene with all the professors introduced, darkness enveloping the school, and the word "psilono" used to make her broom rise. There are probably more similarities, but these were hard to ignore.
While there are differences, I found that over 60% of the book drags, and the twist is quite predictable. I didn't like Silas from the start— it seemed unlikely that Joan, who yearned for freedom, would willingly let this man control her and say, “you can be saved.” GIRL PLEASE. That ending was sadly off-tone with the themes the book aimed to highlight.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
DNF 44%.
Thank you to the author, Random House Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited to read a new Dark Academia book but this book is way too slow paced for me. The magic type is unique and the school with its puzzles is amazing. I feel that a plot should have been forming at 44% but nothing is going on.
Thank you to the author, Random House Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited to read a new Dark Academia book but this book is way too slow paced for me. The magic type is unique and the school with its puzzles is amazing. I feel that a plot should have been forming at 44% but nothing is going on.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐ A Deadly Education 🫱🏾🫲🏽 Legendborn 🫱🏾🫲🏽 Darkest Part of the Forest
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“My sacrifice was in vain. All of it, for nothing. I died for nothing. And now I belong to the wood.”
Gutterwitch is crafted into a whimsical and Magical storytelling where we are granted a wish.. any wish really. If you came across an old dying star, who is ready to grant a wish, what would you wish for?
This story made my heart warm as I felt like I was a kid again reliving my best childhood moments, dreaming of having magical powers in an academy school. Kind of like Harry Potter or vibes of Wicked. This is what this debut reminded me of. A classic YA fantasy romance crafted in its own unique way.
Also, Espathio!? Ah! I really enjoyed his moments 🥹⭐️
I was instantly hooked right from the beginning understanding Joan’s world and background as it felt enchanting but we also experience the world through her eyes that can be challenging and tough for someone who was magic-less at first and facing those who shunned her.
I did enjoy the mix between witches and fae as we are facing a war between them, trying to find peace but I did find that the story did drag a bit at times and then pick back up that threw me off a few times but I was eager to know how the story was going to end!
Caspar was witty and charming. I didn’t have a strong connection to him but I enjoyed the tension between him and Joan. She was utterly mesmerized by him and assessed every detail of him that made her blush and I can feel him blushing too, especially the way she stared at him.
Thank you so much Random House Children’s for the early galley! ✨
Gutterwitch is crafted into a whimsical and Magical storytelling where we are granted a wish.. any wish really. If you came across an old dying star, who is ready to grant a wish, what would you wish for?
This story made my heart warm as I felt like I was a kid again reliving my best childhood moments, dreaming of having magical powers in an academy school. Kind of like Harry Potter or vibes of Wicked. This is what this debut reminded me of. A classic YA fantasy romance crafted in its own unique way.
Also, Espathio!? Ah! I really enjoyed his moments 🥹⭐️
I was instantly hooked right from the beginning understanding Joan’s world and background as it felt enchanting but we also experience the world through her eyes that can be challenging and tough for someone who was magic-less at first and facing those who shunned her.
I did enjoy the mix between witches and fae as we are facing a war between them, trying to find peace but I did find that the story did drag a bit at times and then pick back up that threw me off a few times but I was eager to know how the story was going to end!
Caspar was witty and charming. I didn’t have a strong connection to him but I enjoyed the tension between him and Joan. She was utterly mesmerized by him and assessed every detail of him that made her blush and I can feel him blushing too, especially the way she stared at him.
Thank you so much Random House Children’s for the early galley! ✨
August 31, 2026
”My name is Joan Scullery. I wish to be the greatest witch that ever lived.”
Joan was bound in service to Belinda Balthazar as a child. An oath taken to put Belinda first in all ways; to sacrifice her life, if necessary. In this world, ‘wild’ magic is persecuted - faeries put to death for their power. One day she finds a star in a jar in the library, long forgotten, bought for bragging rights, and wishes to be the greatest witch ever… not realising the magic gifted to her would be wild, and instead of revelling in her new power she’d grow up trying to hide it. Years later, on the day Belinda is to receive her official invitation to *thee* elite University, Joan receives one too: taking her in a day from scullery maid to elite University student.
I’ve read these things countless times - the poor student who doesn’t belong, berated and bullied by her classmates, the one she thought was her friend still wanting to be in their group, but this one actually has the political and identity layers to make it work. She’s flawed and complex - she can perfectly articulate in debating how the common-folk only despise the faerie because it allows them to look down on others as they are looked down on, but not see how she is doing the same thing. The conspiracy unfolds well, her studies aren’t forgotten (like so many other ‘dark academias’ I’ve read), and stakes are high. Jikiemi-Pearson’s prose is really lovely in this, too, it’s fairytale without feeling childish (except for the start when, you know, she is a child), and really immerses you in the magic. I kept putting it down because I didn’t want it to be over, and am a little mad at myself for reading it so early, because I now have to wait for book two.
My one gripe - and this is the kind of thing that gets edited out so likely won’t be in the final version - is how often Joan will repeat things we’ve just been told, sometimes literally on the page before.
Joan was bound in service to Belinda Balthazar as a child. An oath taken to put Belinda first in all ways; to sacrifice her life, if necessary. In this world, ‘wild’ magic is persecuted - faeries put to death for their power. One day she finds a star in a jar in the library, long forgotten, bought for bragging rights, and wishes to be the greatest witch ever… not realising the magic gifted to her would be wild, and instead of revelling in her new power she’d grow up trying to hide it. Years later, on the day Belinda is to receive her official invitation to *thee* elite University, Joan receives one too: taking her in a day from scullery maid to elite University student.
I’ve read these things countless times - the poor student who doesn’t belong, berated and bullied by her classmates, the one she thought was her friend still wanting to be in their group, but this one actually has the political and identity layers to make it work. She’s flawed and complex - she can perfectly articulate in debating how the common-folk only despise the faerie because it allows them to look down on others as they are looked down on, but not see how she is doing the same thing. The conspiracy unfolds well, her studies aren’t forgotten (like so many other ‘dark academias’ I’ve read), and stakes are high. Jikiemi-Pearson’s prose is really lovely in this, too, it’s fairytale without feeling childish (except for the start when, you know, she is a child), and really immerses you in the magic. I kept putting it down because I didn’t want it to be over, and am a little mad at myself for reading it so early, because I now have to wait for book two.
My one gripe - and this is the kind of thing that gets edited out so likely won’t be in the final version - is how often Joan will repeat things we’ve just been told, sometimes literally on the page before.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books for an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Gutterwitch, a debut fantasy novel, follows eighteen-year-old Joan, an orphan raised in a wealthy, ancestral witch household as a magically bound companion to the young witch Belinda. As a child, Joan wishes on a star which grants her magical powers. As a result, she ends up at Givenine university alongside Belinda, where she must face a murder mystery, a controlling mentor, classism, racism, and the falling apart of the oldest friendship she has.
Jikiemi-Pearson has crafted a strong debut novel and the beginnings of what is seemingly a duology or series. There is much to like about the first installment of Joan’s story. The worldbuilding, specifically the university Joan attends is richly crafted, along with the folklore and other magical beings that inhabit Joan’s world. As the series progresses, Jikiemi-Pearson has created a lot of room to develop these intruiging plot points (which I hope she does in the next novel). Joan is a compelling character, along with friend and romantic interest Caspar, are well-rounded, fleshed out protagonists that are both easy to root for while also still maintaining mortally grey qualities, which makes them both so complex.
Some of the secondary characters fell a little flat for me, particularly Joan’s magical mentor, Silas Scowl. His villain arc was a little predictable for the majority of the novel, with the exception of his ending – and where he might go in the sequel. Similarly, I hope Belinda and Christian’s characters can be further developed throughout the series to have the same interiority that Joan and Caspar display. The pacing for the first 50% of the book was fantastic. As a reader, I felt fully immersed in Joan’s world as she tried to assimilate to her new environment and the challenges that came with it. However, the latter half of the story’s pacing was off kilter. As Joan and Caspar got to know each other better, characters such Silas and Belinda seemed to fall off the page, only to come back jarringly a few chapters later. I’m curious to see how Jikiemi-Pearson might rectify this in the sequel – which I will certainly be picking up!
Gutterwitch, a debut fantasy novel, follows eighteen-year-old Joan, an orphan raised in a wealthy, ancestral witch household as a magically bound companion to the young witch Belinda. As a child, Joan wishes on a star which grants her magical powers. As a result, she ends up at Givenine university alongside Belinda, where she must face a murder mystery, a controlling mentor, classism, racism, and the falling apart of the oldest friendship she has.
Jikiemi-Pearson has crafted a strong debut novel and the beginnings of what is seemingly a duology or series. There is much to like about the first installment of Joan’s story. The worldbuilding, specifically the university Joan attends is richly crafted, along with the folklore and other magical beings that inhabit Joan’s world. As the series progresses, Jikiemi-Pearson has created a lot of room to develop these intruiging plot points (which I hope she does in the next novel). Joan is a compelling character, along with friend and romantic interest Caspar, are well-rounded, fleshed out protagonists that are both easy to root for while also still maintaining mortally grey qualities, which makes them both so complex.
Some of the secondary characters fell a little flat for me, particularly Joan’s magical mentor, Silas Scowl. His villain arc was a little predictable for the majority of the novel, with the exception of his ending – and where he might go in the sequel. Similarly, I hope Belinda and Christian’s characters can be further developed throughout the series to have the same interiority that Joan and Caspar display. The pacing for the first 50% of the book was fantastic. As a reader, I felt fully immersed in Joan’s world as she tried to assimilate to her new environment and the challenges that came with it. However, the latter half of the story’s pacing was off kilter. As Joan and Caspar got to know each other better, characters such Silas and Belinda seemed to fall off the page, only to come back jarringly a few chapters later. I’m curious to see how Jikiemi-Pearson might rectify this in the sequel – which I will certainly be picking up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a YA fantasy that is reminiscent of H.Potter in that a poor orphan girl gets chosen to go to a special school for witches where she is often bullied. She has a few friends, including Caspar, who is also an outcast. She gets chosen by one professor for special training in mind control.
When Joan was eleven, she made a wish on a captured star to have powerful magic. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Joan discovers that her wild magic isn’t as wonderful as she thought it would be. Yes, she is very powerful, but she also has little control over her star magic. She and Caspar go on a hunt to discover who murdered a young woman the year before. Joan is certain she knows the answer and makes a plan to catch him before he can hurt Belinda, Joan’s friend and mistress. When their plans go awry, Joan discovers who the true villain is and becomes even more of an outcast than before. She disappears into the Otherlands determined to show everyone what she truly is.
The story is slow paced until the end. But the world building and character creation is beyond excellent. You really feel like you’re there and that you know these people. The cliff-hanger ending is not my favorite, but none-the-less, an intriguing fantasy with mystery, romance, danger, and more.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Books for providing this ARC.
When Joan was eleven, she made a wish on a captured star to have powerful magic. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. Joan discovers that her wild magic isn’t as wonderful as she thought it would be. Yes, she is very powerful, but she also has little control over her star magic. She and Caspar go on a hunt to discover who murdered a young woman the year before. Joan is certain she knows the answer and makes a plan to catch him before he can hurt Belinda, Joan’s friend and mistress. When their plans go awry, Joan discovers who the true villain is and becomes even more of an outcast than before. She disappears into the Otherlands determined to show everyone what she truly is.
The story is slow paced until the end. But the world building and character creation is beyond excellent. You really feel like you’re there and that you know these people. The cliff-hanger ending is not my favorite, but none-the-less, an intriguing fantasy with mystery, romance, danger, and more.
Recommended.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. Thanks to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Books for providing this ARC.
October 16, 2026
Thank you to Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson and Random House Children’s Books (Random House Books for Young Readers) for providing me with this complimentary eARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. This title will be released on March 2, 2027!
I am going to preface this review by saying I understand that I am an adult with decades of reading under my belt, reading a YA fantasy book. That being said, I will be judging this book for what it is: a YA. Was it still an enjoyable read with a fleshed out world-building and characters? Absolutely. Young adult and adult readers alike will definitely devour this in a heartbeat because it is a dark academic twist on coming of age fairy tales. I truly just enjoyed fully immersing myself in this dynamic and at times ruthless world. I’d recommend it to anyone who loved “Legendborn”, “Harry Potter”, and “The School for Good & Evil”-- the vibe is a mix of the three with fantasy creatures/entities, deception, magical powers, an atmospheric academy, and a journey of self-discovery.
I appreciated not being thrown into chaos on the first page, and having some world-building and just general character building in the opening chapters. Joan– who has had a less than stellar life as an orphan– does what any good fairy tale character would do and quite literally wishes upon a star. But how steep of a cost will entering this world and using magic incur for Joan? (Because wishing to be “the greatest witch that ever lived” as a child feels like the catch-22 presented to Jafar at the end of Aladdin.) That’s what is at the heart of the bulk of this story. Joan goes through a believable character arc as you watch her grow from a repressed 11 year scullery maid into a powerful 18 year old witch. There is a bit of a romantic subplot– but it stays true to the genre with nothing explicit or overtly raunchy/suggestive.
The intricacies of the lore behind their world and their powers kept me addicted, and we get it in pieces throughout the story so you have to keep reading to find out more. The magic system and the world building were well thought out, developed, and easy to understand– and most importantly: fun to read about! I could definitely (happily) read a sequel inside of Givenine University.
I am going to preface this review by saying I understand that I am an adult with decades of reading under my belt, reading a YA fantasy book. That being said, I will be judging this book for what it is: a YA. Was it still an enjoyable read with a fleshed out world-building and characters? Absolutely. Young adult and adult readers alike will definitely devour this in a heartbeat because it is a dark academic twist on coming of age fairy tales. I truly just enjoyed fully immersing myself in this dynamic and at times ruthless world. I’d recommend it to anyone who loved “Legendborn”, “Harry Potter”, and “The School for Good & Evil”-- the vibe is a mix of the three with fantasy creatures/entities, deception, magical powers, an atmospheric academy, and a journey of self-discovery.
I appreciated not being thrown into chaos on the first page, and having some world-building and just general character building in the opening chapters. Joan– who has had a less than stellar life as an orphan– does what any good fairy tale character would do and quite literally wishes upon a star. But how steep of a cost will entering this world and using magic incur for Joan? (Because wishing to be “the greatest witch that ever lived” as a child feels like the catch-22 presented to Jafar at the end of Aladdin.) That’s what is at the heart of the bulk of this story. Joan goes through a believable character arc as you watch her grow from a repressed 11 year scullery maid into a powerful 18 year old witch. There is a bit of a romantic subplot– but it stays true to the genre with nothing explicit or overtly raunchy/suggestive.
The intricacies of the lore behind their world and their powers kept me addicted, and we get it in pieces throughout the story so you have to keep reading to find out more. The magic system and the world building were well thought out, developed, and easy to understand– and most importantly: fun to read about! I could definitely (happily) read a sequel inside of Givenine University.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a tricky one for me.
I wanted to DNF multiple times, especially before the 50% mark. This is a story that takes its bones from familiar places. You can see the plot coming from a mile away. While the writing holds solid, it relies a lot on time passing without much happening... and I almost feel as if this would have been better served over a longer period of time with more things happening in between. For the most part, it's just Joan doing and thinking without much satisfaction to the reader.
After the 50% mark, I started to speed read through it, already fairly familiar with where the plot is going. This doesn't reinvent or build upon the wheel, but it turns it just fine. While a lot of the themes I personally wouldn't say are necessarily great for a children's book, I think this would be marketed as young adult, including middle grade. It's more in line with Harry Potter/Wicked, which is a pairing I wouldn't necessarily say is children's. Again, to each their own. As I'm not a parent, I don't feel I have a say. As a bookseller and library associate, I would want this in the YA section.
A lot of the characters were hard for me to like or get behind, including Joan. The message is a bit on the nose, but things did quicken a bit (albeit glossed over) and I was able to finish the book. I think it would be a fine entry into the world of fantasy for someone.
3.5 stars with the possibility of me continuing, if I ever get around to it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.
I wanted to DNF multiple times, especially before the 50% mark. This is a story that takes its bones from familiar places. You can see the plot coming from a mile away. While the writing holds solid, it relies a lot on time passing without much happening... and I almost feel as if this would have been better served over a longer period of time with more things happening in between. For the most part, it's just Joan doing and thinking without much satisfaction to the reader.
After the 50% mark, I started to speed read through it, already fairly familiar with where the plot is going. This doesn't reinvent or build upon the wheel, but it turns it just fine. While a lot of the themes I personally wouldn't say are necessarily great for a children's book, I think this would be marketed as young adult, including middle grade. It's more in line with Harry Potter/Wicked, which is a pairing I wouldn't necessarily say is children's. Again, to each their own. As I'm not a parent, I don't feel I have a say. As a bookseller and library associate, I would want this in the YA section.
A lot of the characters were hard for me to like or get behind, including Joan. The message is a bit on the nose, but things did quicken a bit (albeit glossed over) and I was able to finish the book. I think it would be a fine entry into the world of fantasy for someone.
3.5 stars with the possibility of me continuing, if I ever get around to it.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If you want a lovely, well rounded read with compelling characters and intriguing worldbuilding, then I would highly suggest never reading this book. Ever. In fact, please never even entertain a notion of reading this book and get far far away as soon as possible.
First of all, this was the most predictable book I have ever read. Not only was each twist painfully obvious, but there was not a single surprising thing about the plot, the characters, or anything else. I could have told you the entire plot including all the "twists" from the time I read chapter five.
There was also just. . . a lot of vaguely creepy stuff going on in the background, which very much disturbed me. The author would throw out the most horrifying random custom or the fact that people ate human flesh or some really crude statement or mention of some adult thing, it was almost like she was just trying to shock the reader, or get a reaction or something. On top of that, she felt the need to repeat every piece of information a bunch of times, and then throw in a random scene or flashback about it, just in case you missed it the first time.
Beyond that, the main character was extremely unlikable, did not pick up on any of the terribly-unsubtle clues shoved in her face, and thus was utterly SHOCKED by the appallingly obvious twists when they were finally revealed at the end. What's more, she was actually pretty terrible, and made some really bad decisions and behaved very selfishly. Which could have been a great source of character growth.
But no.
Instead, every character (and herself), constantly validated her, told her that she was justified, that she was a good person and didn't deserve all of the TERRIBLE things that happened to her. She DESERVES to be happy. She deserves to have everyone fawn over her.
And oh but they do. She was one of those main characters who was vastly unintelligent, but who was constantly lifted up, because she was special, she was important. She was SO good at magic, and everything else she ever attempted, she was going to do GREAT things with her life.
Spoiler alert, she did not.
Don't even get me started on the side characters. They were each and every one of them made of cardboard. Wait no. They were made of cardstock. All of them to a fault had exactly one personality trait, exacerbated to the point of absurdity, with zero depth whatsoever. And the descriptions. My word. Every single guy character was absolutely the most handsome man in all of existence. The main character felt the need to point this out every five paragraphs. She also felt the need to bring up Silas's 'hazel eyes' every single time he appeared, sometimes multiple times a scene. HE HAS HAZEL EYES, WE GET IT, ALRIGHT?
I have not hated a character in a good long while with the passion that I hated Silas Scowl. (Yes, that really is his name). Ever since he sleazed into the book to EVER so kindly and generously offer to let the main character study magic under him, I knew he was horrid. It was obvious that he was horrid. Everyone could see that he was horrid and slimy and rotten. Everyone except our stalwart main character, that is, who ignored the fact that he was cruel and horrid to her, the fact that he manipulated and physically hurt her, and stayed insistent that he was actually a really great guy. He just had some problems, whatever, that was fine.
I think part of the reason the book bothered me so very much was that Joan was so passive. Every time something was suggested to her, she justified it in her own mind and then did it without even thinking of the consequences. She was pushed around and manipulated and used by everyone around her, and never once did she even realize it was happening, because she was just that thick I guess. She never stopped being entirely selfish and wholly focused on herself. And fine, write a villain origin story. I wrote a villain origin story. I've enjoyed them in the past. But let it be a villain origin story. Let your character be the villain, don't pretend like she's the good guy when she's clearly not. Let her face the consequences of her actions and don't act like she can do no wrong just because she's the main character. I think it actually might have been interesting if the author had let Joan have some real consequences for her actions, and if she either repented and resolved her character arc at the end, or else embraced her role as antagonist. Instead, she did neither, and ended the book still deluded into thinking she was completely in the right.
There is honestly a lot more I could complain about. The toxic feminist messaging, the weird love triangle, all the content I didn't even get to, the poor writing and sentences that didn't even make any semblance of sense. . . But I think I've gone on quite long enough, so I will just conclude by saying that I was extremely disappointed, and would unfortunately not recommend this book to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are thoroughly my own.
First of all, this was the most predictable book I have ever read. Not only was each twist painfully obvious, but there was not a single surprising thing about the plot, the characters, or anything else. I could have told you the entire plot including all the "twists" from the time I read chapter five.
There was also just. . . a lot of vaguely creepy stuff going on in the background, which very much disturbed me. The author would throw out the most horrifying random custom or the fact that people ate human flesh or some really crude statement or mention of some adult thing, it was almost like she was just trying to shock the reader, or get a reaction or something. On top of that, she felt the need to repeat every piece of information a bunch of times, and then throw in a random scene or flashback about it, just in case you missed it the first time.
Beyond that, the main character was extremely unlikable, did not pick up on any of the terribly-unsubtle clues shoved in her face, and thus was utterly SHOCKED by the appallingly obvious twists when they were finally revealed at the end. What's more, she was actually pretty terrible, and made some really bad decisions and behaved very selfishly. Which could have been a great source of character growth.
But no.
Instead, every character (and herself), constantly validated her, told her that she was justified, that she was a good person and didn't deserve all of the TERRIBLE things that happened to her. She DESERVES to be happy. She deserves to have everyone fawn over her.
And oh but they do. She was one of those main characters who was vastly unintelligent, but who was constantly lifted up, because she was special, she was important. She was SO good at magic, and everything else she ever attempted, she was going to do GREAT things with her life.
Spoiler alert, she did not.
Don't even get me started on the side characters. They were each and every one of them made of cardboard. Wait no. They were made of cardstock. All of them to a fault had exactly one personality trait, exacerbated to the point of absurdity, with zero depth whatsoever. And the descriptions. My word. Every single guy character was absolutely the most handsome man in all of existence. The main character felt the need to point this out every five paragraphs. She also felt the need to bring up Silas's 'hazel eyes' every single time he appeared, sometimes multiple times a scene. HE HAS HAZEL EYES, WE GET IT, ALRIGHT?
I have not hated a character in a good long while with the passion that I hated Silas Scowl. (Yes, that really is his name). Ever since he sleazed into the book to EVER so kindly and generously offer to let the main character study magic under him, I knew he was horrid. It was obvious that he was horrid. Everyone could see that he was horrid and slimy and rotten. Everyone except our stalwart main character, that is, who ignored the fact that he was cruel and horrid to her, the fact that he manipulated and physically hurt her, and stayed insistent that he was actually a really great guy. He just had some problems, whatever, that was fine.
I think part of the reason the book bothered me so very much was that Joan was so passive. Every time something was suggested to her, she justified it in her own mind and then did it without even thinking of the consequences. She was pushed around and manipulated and used by everyone around her, and never once did she even realize it was happening, because she was just that thick I guess. She never stopped being entirely selfish and wholly focused on herself. And fine, write a villain origin story. I wrote a villain origin story. I've enjoyed them in the past. But let it be a villain origin story. Let your character be the villain, don't pretend like she's the good guy when she's clearly not. Let her face the consequences of her actions and don't act like she can do no wrong just because she's the main character. I think it actually might have been interesting if the author had let Joan have some real consequences for her actions, and if she either repented and resolved her character arc at the end, or else embraced her role as antagonist. Instead, she did neither, and ended the book still deluded into thinking she was completely in the right.
There is honestly a lot more I could complain about. The toxic feminist messaging, the weird love triangle, all the content I didn't even get to, the poor writing and sentences that didn't even make any semblance of sense. . . But I think I've gone on quite long enough, so I will just conclude by saying that I was extremely disappointed, and would unfortunately not recommend this book to anyone.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC copy. All thoughts and opinions are thoroughly my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books and the author for allowing me to read this as an ARC!
I really enjoyed the story about Joan Scullery who is an orphaned maid who makes a wish upon a fallen star and is therefore thrust into a magical college along with her witch-mistress, Belinda (where no other maid has been before). We see Joan as she grows with her magic, although there are some dark, perilous plans that are brewing at the school that involve Joan and another character who's the first of his kind to attend the college as well. The world building was done very well, and I feel like we got a well done back story put together throughout the book to better understand Joan and the decisions she makes. The magic did take me a bit to pick up but was explained thoroughly and didn't leave us completely confused.
I will say it was a little predictable once I got through the first half but that didn't take much away from the story because it was just that good. The last portion of the book had me obsessed and unable to put it down until I finished it. The twists were laid out beautifully and once you figured it out, the entire book took on a different light with a darker purpose. There is tension, twists and turns and an ending that (I hope) should lead perfectly into the next book, which I am looking forward to. I am excited to see where the next book takes us!
I really enjoyed the story about Joan Scullery who is an orphaned maid who makes a wish upon a fallen star and is therefore thrust into a magical college along with her witch-mistress, Belinda (where no other maid has been before). We see Joan as she grows with her magic, although there are some dark, perilous plans that are brewing at the school that involve Joan and another character who's the first of his kind to attend the college as well. The world building was done very well, and I feel like we got a well done back story put together throughout the book to better understand Joan and the decisions she makes. The magic did take me a bit to pick up but was explained thoroughly and didn't leave us completely confused.
I will say it was a little predictable once I got through the first half but that didn't take much away from the story because it was just that good. The last portion of the book had me obsessed and unable to put it down until I finished it. The twists were laid out beautifully and once you figured it out, the entire book took on a different light with a darker purpose. There is tension, twists and turns and an ending that (I hope) should lead perfectly into the next book, which I am looking forward to. I am excited to see where the next book takes us!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!
Gutterwitch was a surprisingly quick read. I say surprising because it’s a very slow-moving story that starts when our FMC Joan is 11 years old. We learn about how she came to live as a scullery maid in a wealthy household, and her friendship with her mistress, Belinda. Eventually we witness Joan gaining magical powers granted to her by a literal fallen star. But the real plot doesn’t start until Joan and Belinda are offered admission into a magical school and Joan is apprenticed to a witch named Silas.
While I appreciated that Joan’s mannerisms/choices are realistic of a naive 18-year-old who has been denied affection and love, I did think her obsession with Silas was a bit much. Without spoiling anything, I saw the plot twist coming from miles away.
I like that the fairy word is more aligned with the classic depictions of fae and the Seelie courts, and I hope that we’ll get more of that in the second book.
Overall, the writing was solid and it had some lovely bits of prose woven throughout. I think it was a bit too predictable, perhaps, and the supporting characters were a little flat. If you’re also tired of reading books where women put other women down, this won’t be to your liking. The only female character who seemed to actually support Joan was the Professor McGonogal dupe.
Gutterwitch was a surprisingly quick read. I say surprising because it’s a very slow-moving story that starts when our FMC Joan is 11 years old. We learn about how she came to live as a scullery maid in a wealthy household, and her friendship with her mistress, Belinda. Eventually we witness Joan gaining magical powers granted to her by a literal fallen star. But the real plot doesn’t start until Joan and Belinda are offered admission into a magical school and Joan is apprenticed to a witch named Silas.
While I appreciated that Joan’s mannerisms/choices are realistic of a naive 18-year-old who has been denied affection and love, I did think her obsession with Silas was a bit much. Without spoiling anything, I saw the plot twist coming from miles away.
I like that the fairy word is more aligned with the classic depictions of fae and the Seelie courts, and I hope that we’ll get more of that in the second book.
Overall, the writing was solid and it had some lovely bits of prose woven throughout. I think it was a bit too predictable, perhaps, and the supporting characters were a little flat. If you’re also tired of reading books where women put other women down, this won’t be to your liking. The only female character who seemed to actually support Joan was the Professor McGonogal dupe.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found this book to be fun, adventurous, and filled with believable characters. I especially loved the main character of Joan. As anyone who ever was in a situation where one did not feel they fit in, you understand her feelings well. You, also, understand the anxiety of trying to stay out of the way of bullies, while still trying to find your own spot among others.
Taking place at a magical school, our heroine is endowed with a lot of magic she accident gained from a star; but her family is not one of the elite magic families that the school offers to train, but she gets an invitation anyway. She and another student are given the brush off by most of the staff and others student, despite both being more qualified to be at the school than some whose magic has faded over the years.
There is a lot of politics, twists and turns, and characters you love to hate. The only problem with this book is that the author has not already written more that take place in this world. If there was, I would be putting it in my shopping cart now. There is another due out next year to preorder, though.
I recommend this book to all who enjoy magical stories that take place in a wizardry school, as well as those who love a good heroine and slow burn romance. Just be warned you may be like me, and hooked on the story to want more.
Taking place at a magical school, our heroine is endowed with a lot of magic she accident gained from a star; but her family is not one of the elite magic families that the school offers to train, but she gets an invitation anyway. She and another student are given the brush off by most of the staff and others student, despite both being more qualified to be at the school than some whose magic has faded over the years.
There is a lot of politics, twists and turns, and characters you love to hate. The only problem with this book is that the author has not already written more that take place in this world. If there was, I would be putting it in my shopping cart now. There is another due out next year to preorder, though.
I recommend this book to all who enjoy magical stories that take place in a wizardry school, as well as those who love a good heroine and slow burn romance. Just be warned you may be like me, and hooked on the story to want more.
November 8, 2026
HUGE thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for feedback.
I was less than 15% of the way through this book when I preordered a physical copy. It was written with such clarity & such a unique voice, that I’m sure Jikiemi-Pearson will captivate audiences for years to come.
I loved that there was such an air of mystery wrapped up in the dark academia of it all, with a very clear “if he wanted to, he would” of all the men that were portrayed. The magic system was unique & full-bodied, built in to the world building in such a way that they intertwined & roped you in.
I loved the mix of widely known folklore with new, fresh perspectives & stories; stories that were bold & almost snippets of an entire internal lore system. I wouldn’t be surprised to see sequels & even a companion book of lore similar to that of Leigh Bardugo’s encapsulating world come from this work.
I was less than 15% of the way through this book when I preordered a physical copy. It was written with such clarity & such a unique voice, that I’m sure Jikiemi-Pearson will captivate audiences for years to come.
I loved that there was such an air of mystery wrapped up in the dark academia of it all, with a very clear “if he wanted to, he would” of all the men that were portrayed. The magic system was unique & full-bodied, built in to the world building in such a way that they intertwined & roped you in.
I loved the mix of widely known folklore with new, fresh perspectives & stories; stories that were bold & almost snippets of an entire internal lore system. I wouldn’t be surprised to see sequels & even a companion book of lore similar to that of Leigh Bardugo’s encapsulating world come from this work.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the publisher for the arc!
Gutterwitch has been on my radar since the book deal was announced, but I fear the anticipation remained an anticipation and resulted in nothing more. There were many points where I wanted to DNF because of the pacing; however, I held onto the fact that this is a fantasy, so surely the world building will be worth it, right? Unfortunately, majority of the plot dragged and didn't stand out, which could also be said for the characters. I had trouble connecting with Joan due to her passivity although you could argue she's that way due to trauma and her general upbringing, yet it was difficult to get past that when the side characters blended together.
On a positive note, I did like how gritty and brutal the atmosphere could be at times. The story is centered on the cruelty of power or the desire for it, so to get these shocking moments in contrast to what is seemingly a safe, relatively low stakes environment (the university) is much needed.
Gutterwitch has been on my radar since the book deal was announced, but I fear the anticipation remained an anticipation and resulted in nothing more. There were many points where I wanted to DNF because of the pacing; however, I held onto the fact that this is a fantasy, so surely the world building will be worth it, right? Unfortunately, majority of the plot dragged and didn't stand out, which could also be said for the characters. I had trouble connecting with Joan due to her passivity although you could argue she's that way due to trauma and her general upbringing, yet it was difficult to get past that when the side characters blended together.
On a positive note, I did like how gritty and brutal the atmosphere could be at times. The story is centered on the cruelty of power or the desire for it, so to get these shocking moments in contrast to what is seemingly a safe, relatively low stakes environment (the university) is much needed.
October 23, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
I enjoyed how the story started with a young scullery maid who got to make a wish to be the most powerful witch the world has ever seen. I was instantly intrigued and excited to find out how the magic manifested in Joan and what she decided to do with it.
I really liked the magic, the history, the world building and the academy so much! It was well detailed but I could still easily follow along.
Between regular classes, learning telegastry from Silas & investigating faerie doors and dark magic with Caspar; Joan sure does keep us busy. I
This story has all the elements I love - witches, Magic, Far and academia, but the plot was a little predictable. I still enjoyed it the story and Caspar in particular lol. With that being said, the book was still a fun magical YA read and I will be tuning in for book two!
Notable quote:
“If you have to hide your true self in order to be loved, it’s not a love worth having.”
I enjoyed how the story started with a young scullery maid who got to make a wish to be the most powerful witch the world has ever seen. I was instantly intrigued and excited to find out how the magic manifested in Joan and what she decided to do with it.
I really liked the magic, the history, the world building and the academy so much! It was well detailed but I could still easily follow along.
Between regular classes, learning telegastry from Silas & investigating faerie doors and dark magic with Caspar; Joan sure does keep us busy. I
This story has all the elements I love - witches, Magic, Far and academia, but the plot was a little predictable. I still enjoyed it the story and Caspar in particular lol. With that being said, the book was still a fun magical YA read and I will be tuning in for book two!
Notable quote:
“If you have to hide your true self in order to be loved, it’s not a love worth having.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Books for the ARC.
I appreciate the work that was put into the world-building of Gutterwitch. I think if this was someone's first foray in reading fantasy, this would have been a good one because there's plenty of show, not tell and there is a good mix scenes that show both the wonder and perils of being in a magical world.
As for the actual story, I'm going to honest: it read like a badly filed off fanfiction of Wicked (the movie version to be specific) and the main reason why I couldn't rate this highly. Story beats were pretty much identical just in differing levels of impact. However if that's what you're looking for, this would be right up your alley.
I appreciate the work that was put into the world-building of Gutterwitch. I think if this was someone's first foray in reading fantasy, this would have been a good one because there's plenty of show, not tell and there is a good mix scenes that show both the wonder and perils of being in a magical world.
As for the actual story, I'm going to honest: it read like a badly filed off fanfiction of Wicked (the movie version to be specific) and the main reason why I couldn't rate this highly. Story beats were pretty much identical just in differing levels of impact. However if that's what you're looking for, this would be right up your alley.
October 18, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's Books and the author for allowing me to read this as an ARC!
I really enjoyed the story about Joan Scullery who is an orphaned maid who makes a wish upon a fallen star and is therefore thrust into a magical college along with her witch-mistress, Belinda (where no other maid has been before). We see Joan as she grows with her magic, although there are some dark, perilous plans that are brewing at the school that involve Joan and another character who's the first of his kind to attend the college as well. The world building was done very well, and I feel like we got a well done back story put together throughout the book to better understand Joan and the decisions she makes. The magic did take me a bit to pick up but was explained thoroughly and didn't leave us completely confused.
I will say it was a little predictable once I got through the first half but that didn't take much away from the story because it was just that good. The last portion of the book had me obsessed and unable to put it down until I finished it. The twists were laid out beautifully and once you figured it out, the entire book took on a different light with a darker purpose. There is tension, twists and turns and an ending that (I hope) should lead perfectly into the next book, which I am looking forward to. I am excited to see where the next book takes us!
I really enjoyed the story about Joan Scullery who is an orphaned maid who makes a wish upon a fallen star and is therefore thrust into a magical college along with her witch-mistress, Belinda (where no other maid has been before). We see Joan as she grows with her magic, although there are some dark, perilous plans that are brewing at the school that involve Joan and another character who's the first of his kind to attend the college as well. The world building was done very well, and I feel like we got a well done back story put together throughout the book to better understand Joan and the decisions she makes. The magic did take me a bit to pick up but was explained thoroughly and didn't leave us completely confused.
I will say it was a little predictable once I got through the first half but that didn't take much away from the story because it was just that good. The last portion of the book had me obsessed and unable to put it down until I finished it. The twists were laid out beautifully and once you figured it out, the entire book took on a different light with a darker purpose. There is tension, twists and turns and an ending that (I hope) should lead perfectly into the next book, which I am looking forward to. I am excited to see where the next book takes us!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This reminded me of Wicked in a way. The house debutante with almost no power and the strange girl with amazing power. It was still an original story, though, with many twists and turns. I felt very bad for Joan in the way she kept on getting manipulated and used, but im happy she claimed her own power. Caspar was fascinating and I heartily enjoyed all the nods to Arthurian myth, right down to Merdyn and Nimue. I was disappointed to find this was only book 1! Only because now I have to wait for the next book in the series. Im excited to see where Joan goes as she travels and gains a more thorough understanding of her magic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark, whimsical and masterfully written. This story breathes magic and wonder while exploring the shadowy sides of power and its imbalances. In a world torn in two in the aftermath of a war between witches and fair folk, our main character, Joan, struggles to understand her vast wild power while navigating the rigid confines of society at a magical school. Joan is a complicated character-raised to believe that silence is tantamount to godliness and that her life is lesser than that of her mistress (she is essentially a magical lady’s maid)-she fights to realize her ambitions and dreams, yet still doesn’t entirely believe she is worthy of them. What I loved about her arc is how slow she is to realize her worth and potential. It happens little by little throughout the story, with help from two very different men-Silas and Caspar. Silas represents society in its highest form. He is a respected witch with a high position and influence (power through discipline). Caspar is a half-fae prince, representing the pull of wild abandon, pleasure and beauty (power through release). Joan is caught between the two. I loved the exploration of these relationships-they develop naturally over the course of the book. Silas’s teaching methods are very nearly abusive, controlling and fixated on mastery of the self-he is a ‘telegast’ (a mind manipulator, essentially) who shows Joan how her weakness can become strength. Caspar is a fellow student who nontheless teaches Joan what it means to be fully oneself through freedom and encouragement. The ending was quite heartpounding, and I must admit, I didn’t see the twist coming! That doesn’t happen often. Joan’s self-actualization was highly cathartic; feminine rage for the win!
As much as I loved the characters and plot, it was the writing that really stood out to me. This is a YA book, but it doesn’t read like one. The prose is highly lyrical, full and round. The author clearly has a firm grasp of the English language and isn’t afraid to show it. I could tell how much love and effort was put into the research behind this (unless the author was already really knowledgeable about architecture). I was completely transported to the wild woods, to Givenine University, to the sea, the stars-the way these settings were described was utterly enthralling. I just adored living in this world. I will certainly be reading the next book!
As much as I loved the characters and plot, it was the writing that really stood out to me. This is a YA book, but it doesn’t read like one. The prose is highly lyrical, full and round. The author clearly has a firm grasp of the English language and isn’t afraid to show it. I could tell how much love and effort was put into the research behind this (unless the author was already really knowledgeable about architecture). I was completely transported to the wild woods, to Givenine University, to the sea, the stars-the way these settings were described was utterly enthralling. I just adored living in this world. I will certainly be reading the next book!
October 26, 2026
I received this as an ARC and it really wasn’t for me. I wanted to like it, but basically stopped reading at around 50% and speed read the rest.
It says it is for kids, but some of the content at the beginning is very disturbing and didn’t feel necessary for the plot. I kept trying to remind myself of the demographic it is targeted for but even with that reminder I didn’t like the writing style. I wish I could give more constructive feedback, but really it just failed to capture my attention, mostly due to writing style.
It says it is for kids, but some of the content at the beginning is very disturbing and didn’t feel necessary for the plot. I kept trying to remind myself of the demographic it is targeted for but even with that reminder I didn’t like the writing style. I wish I could give more constructive feedback, but really it just failed to capture my attention, mostly due to writing style.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced reader copy of the book. This did not affect my review of the book.
Kind of had some vibes of Cinderella about it. I did enjoy Joan but sometimes it seemed she should not have been able to do telegastry so quickly. I also was left hanging on the essays she was writing for Belinda. Somehow I missed what was decided about who was actually doing the essays. I did not see any punishment to either of them.
I also did not care for the ending. It happened so quickly and left one hanging.
Kind of had some vibes of Cinderella about it. I did enjoy Joan but sometimes it seemed she should not have been able to do telegastry so quickly. I also was left hanging on the essays she was writing for Belinda. Somehow I missed what was decided about who was actually doing the essays. I did not see any punishment to either of them.
I also did not care for the ending. It happened so quickly and left one hanging.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
in a world where kindness seems to abandon us, trust is what keeps us running. trust not for everyone, but for ourselves. gutterwitch definitely reads like a wicked retelling where joan came to be with an ancient power set in academe where everyone shuns her because of who she is, but it's also where she found friendship, love, and totally trustable mentors amid everything. the concept of gutterwitch, however, can also stand on its own evident in a way that it left me wanting for more as the story conveniently tackled themes of racism and classism in a world where magic should be the word that balance it all.
when power begets power and respect begets respect, joan continued to thrive on what she hopes and believes is true and i liked her for that. the first half of the book actually kept my hopes up but it was gone in the next when i started to feel like the execution of the story falls off as the plot progressed. i just wish this book was more subtle on pushing the antagonist as, well, the antagonist, because it was one of the most obvious things in this world. character relationships in this book also feels like a false surface without any depth at all. i also wish we had seen more of belinda being a friend to joan, and caspar being a love interest to her because both certainly left me little to no impact when all of them are barely together in the entirety of the book, with most of the developments happening in the background.
the ending, though, i certainly liked! joan has no reason at all to save the world that continues to reject her even at the very last moment, but she held still to her beliefs of doing what's right even when it puts her in jeopardy in the process. my heart is always for those who have been and continued to be wronged for something they clearly did not do. maybe if given the chance, i would like to pick up the sequel as well.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
when power begets power and respect begets respect, joan continued to thrive on what she hopes and believes is true and i liked her for that. the first half of the book actually kept my hopes up but it was gone in the next when i started to feel like the execution of the story falls off as the plot progressed. i just wish this book was more subtle on pushing the antagonist as, well, the antagonist, because it was one of the most obvious things in this world. character relationships in this book also feels like a false surface without any depth at all. i also wish we had seen more of belinda being a friend to joan, and caspar being a love interest to her because both certainly left me little to no impact when all of them are barely together in the entirety of the book, with most of the developments happening in the background.
the ending, though, i certainly liked! joan has no reason at all to save the world that continues to reject her even at the very last moment, but she held still to her beliefs of doing what's right even when it puts her in jeopardy in the process. my heart is always for those who have been and continued to be wronged for something they clearly did not do. maybe if given the chance, i would like to pick up the sequel as well.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy
From the opening chapters, Gutterwitch hooked me with a classic, deeply satisfying underdog premise. Following the death of her mother, Joan Scullery is brought into the great Witch House of Balthazar as a servant to the young noble daughter, Belinda. But after an argument, the young Joan stumbles upon a trapped star in the library and makes a desperate wish: to be the best at magic. What follows is a chaotic, volatile awakening. Joan gains a wild, lethal star magic she can barely control—deadly to the touch—forcing her to conceal her power in a world where magic is strictly divided between the Saint-descended elite houses and "wild" magic wielded by creatures like the Fae.
When Belinda is sent to the elite magic academy, Joan finds herself there too, and the dark academia elements immediately shine. Joan is instantly recognised by the faculty for her raw, unmatched power, yet she is shunned, mocked, and isolated by the high-born student body. The stakes escalate rapidly during the school entry trial when Joan discovers the murder of a former student, pulling the narrative out of simple boarding-school rivalry into a dangerous mystery involving elite secret societies, smear campaigns, and a systematic witch conspiracy to close portals and trap wild magic users.
What truly elevated the book for me was the romantic tension and the dramatic irony baked into the plot. Upon touching the star, Joan caught a glimpse of the future that convinced her she was destined to be in love with her professor. This sets up an incredible dynamic with Caspar, a half-Fae prince and fellow outcast. Their reluctant alliance as they try to solve the murder while navigating high-society deception is fantastic, providing just the right amount of slow-burn intrigue for readers who love romantic fantasy with lower spice and rich chemistry.
The climax delivers a massive, brilliantly executed plot twist. The mentor dynamic, the prophecy, and the vision Joan thought she understood all shatter at once. Seeing Joan overpower the forces trying to mould her into a pawn, reclaim her agency, step through the final portal, and forge her own legend as the titular Gutterwitch was an immensely satisfying payoff.
This is an easy recommendation for anyone who loves dark academia with murder-mystery peril, subverted prophecies, low-spice romantasy, and rich worldbuilding.
When Belinda is sent to the elite magic academy, Joan finds herself there too, and the dark academia elements immediately shine. Joan is instantly recognised by the faculty for her raw, unmatched power, yet she is shunned, mocked, and isolated by the high-born student body. The stakes escalate rapidly during the school entry trial when Joan discovers the murder of a former student, pulling the narrative out of simple boarding-school rivalry into a dangerous mystery involving elite secret societies, smear campaigns, and a systematic witch conspiracy to close portals and trap wild magic users.
What truly elevated the book for me was the romantic tension and the dramatic irony baked into the plot. Upon touching the star, Joan caught a glimpse of the future that convinced her she was destined to be in love with her professor. This sets up an incredible dynamic with Caspar, a half-Fae prince and fellow outcast. Their reluctant alliance as they try to solve the murder while navigating high-society deception is fantastic, providing just the right amount of slow-burn intrigue for readers who love romantic fantasy with lower spice and rich chemistry.
The climax delivers a massive, brilliantly executed plot twist. The mentor dynamic, the prophecy, and the vision Joan thought she understood all shatter at once. Seeing Joan overpower the forces trying to mould her into a pawn, reclaim her agency, step through the final portal, and forge her own legend as the titular Gutterwitch was an immensely satisfying payoff.
This is an easy recommendation for anyone who loves dark academia with murder-mystery peril, subverted prophecies, low-spice romantasy, and rich worldbuilding.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A magical fantasy book set around a magical school. Friendships and treachery take a forefront in this book. Twists and betrayals to keep you turning pages.
Read
November 8, 2026Good but slow, and I was annoyed at how obvious some things were to the reader but apparently not to Joan, who was too smart to be that stupid.
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