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Womby's School for Wayward Witches #3
Witches Gone Wicked
You think you know the world of magical boarding schools? Not from a teacher’s perspective at a school for at risk youth.
Like any twenty-two-year-old who grew up obsessed with fantasy novels, Clarissa Lawrence expects all her Harry Potter fantasies to come true when she is invited to teach at a school for witches. Her dreams of learning magic—and being a good teacher—are complicated when she finds out her deceased mother was the equivalent of the Wicked Witch of the West.
As if being the new “arts and crafts” teacher isn’t hard enough at a school for juvenile delinquent witches, budget cuts are just as severe in the magic community, administrators are as unrealistic in their expectations of teachers, and the job is a hazard if the students find out you can’t actually do magic.
Amidst all these challenges, Clarissa must prove she’s not her mother’s mini-me and that she belongs at the school so she can learn to control her powers. If she fails, her powers will be drained, or worse yet, she might be enslaved by the Fae.
As if this isn’t enough pressure, she has to figure out why teachers are mysteriously disappearing. If she doesn’t, she might be next.
Like any twenty-two-year-old who grew up obsessed with fantasy novels, Clarissa Lawrence expects all her Harry Potter fantasies to come true when she is invited to teach at a school for witches. Her dreams of learning magic—and being a good teacher—are complicated when she finds out her deceased mother was the equivalent of the Wicked Witch of the West.
As if being the new “arts and crafts” teacher isn’t hard enough at a school for juvenile delinquent witches, budget cuts are just as severe in the magic community, administrators are as unrealistic in their expectations of teachers, and the job is a hazard if the students find out you can’t actually do magic.
Amidst all these challenges, Clarissa must prove she’s not her mother’s mini-me and that she belongs at the school so she can learn to control her powers. If she fails, her powers will be drained, or worse yet, she might be enslaved by the Fae.
As if this isn’t enough pressure, she has to figure out why teachers are mysteriously disappearing. If she doesn’t, she might be next.
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2018
136 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 11, 2018
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The last magical school book I read was a total disaster so I didn't have high expectations of this one. I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself enjoy both the world and characters despite the obvious Harry Potter vibe. I actually wonder if this has started life as HP fanfic but even if it has it's sufficiently different that it doesn't bother me. To an extent the parallels made Witches Gone Wicked even funnier.
What I look for in a book is the connection with the characters and getting emotionally attached, so when I first started ranting about what an asshole one of the characters is I knew the book had won me over. My only real complaint and the reason why I can't award WGW a 5 star rating was the feeling at times that I've jumped midway into the story. The first time it happened I assumed the book is part of an ongoing series and tried to find the prequels. After spending some time browsing I came to the conclusion it's a standalone or first in series (boy I hope so because it has so much potential!) and I got annoyed. It happened a few more times and while I was capable of deducing what has happened but it still broke the flow of reading.
Note: Apparently it is a part of a series I just couldn’t find the first two books :/ For some reason they're only listed as series on Amazon.
I'm hoping that this isn't the end of the story and that Ms. Dorie will continue exploring the Womby's world as WGW would be an excellent starting point for a series. There were enough unanswered questions at the end for at least one more book and I got sufficiently attached to Miss Lawrence that I'm quite interested in what will happen to her. Besides I want to learn what is Thatch's deal with her and her mother!
The last magical school book I read was a total disaster so I didn't have high expectations of this one. I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself enjoy both the world and characters despite the obvious Harry Potter vibe. I actually wonder if this has started life as HP fanfic but even if it has it's sufficiently different that it doesn't bother me. To an extent the parallels made Witches Gone Wicked even funnier.
What I look for in a book is the connection with the characters and getting emotionally attached, so when I first started ranting about what an asshole one of the characters is I knew the book had won me over. My only real complaint and the reason why I can't award WGW a 5 star rating was the feeling at times that I've jumped midway into the story. The first time it happened I assumed the book is part of an ongoing series and tried to find the prequels. After spending some time browsing I came to the conclusion it's a standalone or first in series (boy I hope so because it has so much potential!) and I got annoyed. It happened a few more times and while I was capable of deducing what has happened but it still broke the flow of reading.
Note: Apparently it is a part of a series I just couldn’t find the first two books :/ For some reason they're only listed as series on Amazon.
I'm hoping that this isn't the end of the story and that Ms. Dorie will continue exploring the Womby's world as WGW would be an excellent starting point for a series. There were enough unanswered questions at the end for at least one more book and I got sufficiently attached to Miss Lawrence that I'm quite interested in what will happen to her. Besides I want to learn what is Thatch's deal with her and her mother!
August 13, 2019
Clarissa Lawrence has finally made it to Womby's School for Wayward Witches and into her first ever proper teaching job. It is not long before her first magical ‘accident’ in that role.
If, as an art teacher, you had to write a list of the great works of art that you would least like to come to life on your classroom wall, I am certain that Picasso’s Guernica would be in your top two (not sure what the other would be – perhaps that could be left as homework for the pupils). Thankfully, the sneering Felix Thatch – the bane of Clarissa’s existence – is on hand to remedy the situation, and to prevent the school burning down.
Not a bad first day – but things deteriorate when the pupils arrive. As with every school in the Western world, there are that minority of students, who cause your heart to sink, the moment you first set eyes on them. When you consider, that these students have magic as well as their normal teenage antisocial tendencies, you know that Clarissa is in for an interesting time. Added to that, many of the other staff members see Clarissa as little more than a reincarnation of her evil birth-mother, Alouette Loraline, and are decidedly unfriendly. Also, the school has ongoing budget cuts – which hit the Arts department especially severely – no computers, no internet access, and not even one single electrical point, where a mobile phone can be recharged.
On a positive note, Clarissa does make friends with fellow teachers Josie, the gorgeous Julian Thistledown, and the exotic Mr Khaba.
To put a damper on every joy, there is always the fearsome Felix Thatch. Clarissa is a stalwart Harry Potter fan – and compares some of the staff to their Harry Potter equivalents (though cowboy wanna-be, Principal Jeb Bumblebub, could not be less Dumbledore-like if he tried). However, she seems incapable of spotting Thatch’s similarity to the wonderful Snape, and continues to loathe and fear him in equal measures.
The first term goes all to quickly, with untold danger and excitement, brownies (both the chocolatey ones with extra bits and the pixies) and some suggestively saucy wild unicorns. Clarissa needs to keep a firm hold on her sexuality, lest her magic bursts out of control – with potentially devastating consequences. Hopefully, someone will teach her how to use magic safely before that happens.
This series is addictive. I am really enjoying it, and can’t wait to start the next book.
If, as an art teacher, you had to write a list of the great works of art that you would least like to come to life on your classroom wall, I am certain that Picasso’s Guernica would be in your top two (not sure what the other would be – perhaps that could be left as homework for the pupils). Thankfully, the sneering Felix Thatch – the bane of Clarissa’s existence – is on hand to remedy the situation, and to prevent the school burning down.
Not a bad first day – but things deteriorate when the pupils arrive. As with every school in the Western world, there are that minority of students, who cause your heart to sink, the moment you first set eyes on them. When you consider, that these students have magic as well as their normal teenage antisocial tendencies, you know that Clarissa is in for an interesting time. Added to that, many of the other staff members see Clarissa as little more than a reincarnation of her evil birth-mother, Alouette Loraline, and are decidedly unfriendly. Also, the school has ongoing budget cuts – which hit the Arts department especially severely – no computers, no internet access, and not even one single electrical point, where a mobile phone can be recharged.
On a positive note, Clarissa does make friends with fellow teachers Josie, the gorgeous Julian Thistledown, and the exotic Mr Khaba.
To put a damper on every joy, there is always the fearsome Felix Thatch. Clarissa is a stalwart Harry Potter fan – and compares some of the staff to their Harry Potter equivalents (though cowboy wanna-be, Principal Jeb Bumblebub, could not be less Dumbledore-like if he tried). However, she seems incapable of spotting Thatch’s similarity to the wonderful Snape, and continues to loathe and fear him in equal measures.
The first term goes all to quickly, with untold danger and excitement, brownies (both the chocolatey ones with extra bits and the pixies) and some suggestively saucy wild unicorns. Clarissa needs to keep a firm hold on her sexuality, lest her magic bursts out of control – with potentially devastating consequences. Hopefully, someone will teach her how to use magic safely before that happens.
This series is addictive. I am really enjoying it, and can’t wait to start the next book.
April 22, 2018
I read Witches Gone Wicked by Sarina Dorie on Tuesday last week and I had requested it because it said it was a witch cozy, and I love witch cozies most of the time. It is not that I did not enjoy this book, I actually could not put it down but it read more like a guilty pleasure with cozy overtones and it was more fantasy than anything else. I wanted to not like it when I was reading it because I had a preconceived idea of what I think a true witch themed cozy should be and this is really not. That being said this read like a really great fan fiction of Harry Potter, and a touch of a Harlequin Romance with way more curse words than I truly would have liked but still I could not put it down. I liked and at times identified with the main character, the setting was a bit out there but you have to love a book that has mischief, missing answer keys, plot twists and feral unicorns. All in all it was a departure from what I was used to reading and I liked it. Out of my comfort zone a little but worth the read.
April 10, 2019
I posted my review on YouTube.
Basically I loved this book but hated the main character.
https://youtu.be/PYcnJWhVkHQ
Basically I loved this book but hated the main character.
https://youtu.be/PYcnJWhVkHQ
April 11, 2019
Womby's School for Wayward Witches #3.
Clarissa gets to go to Womby's. This is a dream come true, a chance to finally learn about her magic. If she ever gets an opportunity, she is the new art teacher at Womby's not leaving her much time for magical studies. This semester is going to be tough because she doesn't know how to use her magic and will be in front of students who do. Many of them unruly, Womby's being the landing point for underprivileged kids and those that have been kicked out of the better schools for disciplinary reasons. Add in that her budget is basically zero and most of the other teachers think of her as Loraline's daughter and fear that she will be evil like her mother.
Clarissa makes friends with Josie and Julian, a couple of the teachers, and maybe Khaba, head of security, as well. Of course her old nemesis Thatch is seemingly underfoot all the time. He's the one assigned to teach her magic and starts by giving her books to read, not something practical. One of the volumes is the history of Womby's and has pages missing. She finds those are about her mother. What she does find out makes Loraline sound like a great teacher, going the extra mile to help students pass courses in spite of themselves.
Fast fun read. I got so caught up in Clarissa's personal story, search for information on her mother and trying to learn magic, that I didn't think about the mystery. Lots of interesting tidbits along the way including a magical hall of mirrors, an encounter with a pack of wild unicorns and much more. Great pace, never bogged down and lots of humor. Loved it.
Clarissa gets to go to Womby's. This is a dream come true, a chance to finally learn about her magic. If she ever gets an opportunity, she is the new art teacher at Womby's not leaving her much time for magical studies. This semester is going to be tough because she doesn't know how to use her magic and will be in front of students who do. Many of them unruly, Womby's being the landing point for underprivileged kids and those that have been kicked out of the better schools for disciplinary reasons. Add in that her budget is basically zero and most of the other teachers think of her as Loraline's daughter and fear that she will be evil like her mother.
Clarissa makes friends with Josie and Julian, a couple of the teachers, and maybe Khaba, head of security, as well. Of course her old nemesis Thatch is seemingly underfoot all the time. He's the one assigned to teach her magic and starts by giving her books to read, not something practical. One of the volumes is the history of Womby's and has pages missing. She finds those are about her mother. What she does find out makes Loraline sound like a great teacher, going the extra mile to help students pass courses in spite of themselves.
Fast fun read. I got so caught up in Clarissa's personal story, search for information on her mother and trying to learn magic, that I didn't think about the mystery. Lots of interesting tidbits along the way including a magical hall of mirrors, an encounter with a pack of wild unicorns and much more. Great pace, never bogged down and lots of humor. Loved it.
March 14, 2018
Early on, I said to myself about this book, "Won't be amazing, might be amusing," and I was right.
There are signs that it might possibly have started life as Harry Potter fanfiction. It's set in a magical school. The principal, [Dumbledore] Bumblebub, is hardly ever available to talk to about what's going wrong (which is plenty); he does have a corny Southern US accent, which deserts him in a moment of crisis, to distinguish him from his model, but like Dumbledore, he's gay. The [potions] alchemy teacher is mean, nasty, and suspicious (though he does have good hair), and wants the [defence against the dark arts] arts and crafts teaching job, which is cursed; nobody's ever lasted more than a year at it for several years now.
There's a sorting scene.
Our protagonist, a young not-quite-qualified teacher, has just taken the art teacher job. Hijinks ensue.
Hijinks including some sexual bits which I personally found unerotic, but which some readers will probably object to. I guessed fairly early on who the villain was who'd been killing off art teachers, based mainly on "if the author follows the tropes, this is who it'll be," and I was right.
The pre-publication copy I read from Netgalley revealed that the author has little grasp of the use of apostrophes (especially anywhere near a plural), is shaky on commas, and struggles with homonyms; I hope a really good copy editor gets to fix this. I also wonder if she really did her research into which people from the Indian subcontinent wear turbans, what their religion is, what their names are like, and what you might find underneath the turban.
Apart from these issues, the story was well constructed, the protagonist protagonised rather than sitting about and wringing her hands (and rescued herself at the critical moment), the secondary characters were quirky and easily distinguished, the story problem drove the plot as it ought, and in general it was capably done and enjoyable.
There are signs that it might possibly have started life as Harry Potter fanfiction. It's set in a magical school. The principal, [Dumbledore] Bumblebub, is hardly ever available to talk to about what's going wrong (which is plenty); he does have a corny Southern US accent, which deserts him in a moment of crisis, to distinguish him from his model, but like Dumbledore, he's gay. The [potions] alchemy teacher is mean, nasty, and suspicious (though he does have good hair), and wants the [defence against the dark arts] arts and crafts teaching job, which is cursed; nobody's ever lasted more than a year at it for several years now.
There's a sorting scene.
Our protagonist, a young not-quite-qualified teacher, has just taken the art teacher job. Hijinks ensue.
Hijinks including some sexual bits which I personally found unerotic, but which some readers will probably object to. I guessed fairly early on who the villain was who'd been killing off art teachers, based mainly on "if the author follows the tropes, this is who it'll be," and I was right.
The pre-publication copy I read from Netgalley revealed that the author has little grasp of the use of apostrophes (especially anywhere near a plural), is shaky on commas, and struggles with homonyms; I hope a really good copy editor gets to fix this. I also wonder if she really did her research into which people from the Indian subcontinent wear turbans, what their religion is, what their names are like, and what you might find underneath the turban.
Apart from these issues, the story was well constructed, the protagonist protagonised rather than sitting about and wringing her hands (and rescued herself at the critical moment), the secondary characters were quirky and easily distinguished, the story problem drove the plot as it ought, and in general it was capably done and enjoyable.
February 25, 2019
Clarrisa is a witch that doesnt know how to use magic or what her affinity is, so it makes for some comical moments in the story when she tries canting some magical phrases that go hay wire.
She gets a job at a school for gifted kids as a art teacher. There is every imaginable creature there that needs teaching, reminded me of all the creatures in a Star Wars movie. The talking unicorns were hilarious... Most of these kids know how to use some magic just not in a constructive safe way and they soon relize that their Art Teacher doesnt know how to do magic even though she s a witch. They soon wreck havoc in her classroom and hex her and make her stick to the ceiling,another professor comes in to undo the spell to get her down. Professor Thatch is very mean to her and he is forced to teach her how to use magic and hes not to happy about it because he has history with her mom, she used him and took advantage of him and he is still carrying the hurt.
The story is mainly about Clarrisa trying to teach Art, learn her affinity and magic so she can be a true witch and to find her long lost boyfriend and to find out more about her birth mom who she never knew, she just hears stories that she was evil and practiced bad magic that hurt people and so many people hate her birth mom because of this.
The story ended abruptly which I didnt like, I would have liked something that would have eased into the next book. otherwise it was an entertaining read.
She gets a job at a school for gifted kids as a art teacher. There is every imaginable creature there that needs teaching, reminded me of all the creatures in a Star Wars movie. The talking unicorns were hilarious... Most of these kids know how to use some magic just not in a constructive safe way and they soon relize that their Art Teacher doesnt know how to do magic even though she s a witch. They soon wreck havoc in her classroom and hex her and make her stick to the ceiling,another professor comes in to undo the spell to get her down. Professor Thatch is very mean to her and he is forced to teach her how to use magic and hes not to happy about it because he has history with her mom, she used him and took advantage of him and he is still carrying the hurt.
The story is mainly about Clarrisa trying to teach Art, learn her affinity and magic so she can be a true witch and to find her long lost boyfriend and to find out more about her birth mom who she never knew, she just hears stories that she was evil and practiced bad magic that hurt people and so many people hate her birth mom because of this.
The story ended abruptly which I didnt like, I would have liked something that would have eased into the next book. otherwise it was an entertaining read.
January 2, 2019
This was my first encounter with the series from Womby's School and at first I thought the story was a bit childish, however, it turned rather dark and with the sexual innuendos in it I figured it was in fact not particularly suitable for a young audience. it is a humorous book and a real fun read with a lot happening to poor Clarissa, who gets accepted as an art teacher in this school of magic for wayward students where she is the only person at the school who has no idea what her affinity is and how to harness any of her magical powers. She is left vulnerable and students become aware immediately of her vulnerability, and as students tend to do, they manipulated the situation until she turns them to her side by her actions rather than her non-magical abilities! There is a villain in the book who is her arch-nemesis and an attractive guy she falls for, a loyal friend or two, a biological mother who is shrouded in mystery and hated by everyone and so much more. Can Clarissa survive her year at Womby's, can she learn what her affinity is and harness her powers? Will she find out more who her real mother was and why she is so ostracised just for being her daughter? Towards the end of the book she manages to unravel some of these mysteries but there is still so much Clarissa needs to learn!
July 21, 2018
I Have truly enjoyed this series. It has been a refreshing look into the world of magic. Many superlatives are out there but it boils down to this if you like Fantasy, Magic, Creatures, Fairies, or anything related. If you ever wanted a letter from Hogworts but didn't get it then this series is for you. You will enjoy thees books . This book is not for young readers as it covers topics that are not age approperate.
May 6, 2018
Interesting and entertaining story! The main character Clarissa, learns that her birth mother was a wicked witch, whereas Clarrisa is not. She has to prove to others that she is not like her birth mother and that she is a good witch. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers.
August 29, 2019
Exceptional book!
I absolutely love the balance of tongue-in-cheek humour mixed with the contemporary fantasy vibe. Dorie's nod to mainstream fiction throughout the book (like Harry Potter) shows the reality of fiction in a truly contemporary world. The characters are memorable and the magic system clearly defined. I can't wait to gobble up this entire series :)
I absolutely love the balance of tongue-in-cheek humour mixed with the contemporary fantasy vibe. Dorie's nod to mainstream fiction throughout the book (like Harry Potter) shows the reality of fiction in a truly contemporary world. The characters are memorable and the magic system clearly defined. I can't wait to gobble up this entire series :)
April 30, 2018
A great read. I felt in the mood for something different and this certainly delivered. It has obvious nods to Harry Potter, a sorting ceremony, an evil potions master in the dungeon and other similarities but despite all that it does have a unique feel. This is not the first book in the series and I did feel that I had missed some things but it was mostly explained well and I really enjoyed the story. Thanks to Voracious Readers for this copy.
May 29, 2018
At first I thought it was juvenile, but kept going, and really enjoyed, even though the main character .supposedly in her 20’s came across as a 15 yr old.
That’s the only criticism I have. Was disappointed when it came to an abrupt end. Want to read more of this authors work..having said that, which on re reading, sounds a bit negative, I must tell everyone that I recommend this to YA readers in particular.
That’s the only criticism I have. Was disappointed when it came to an abrupt end. Want to read more of this authors work..having said that, which on re reading, sounds a bit negative, I must tell everyone that I recommend this to YA readers in particular.
May 12, 2018
A New Teacher at a School for Juvenile Delinquent Witches!
Clarissa is a witch who was raised as a “morty” (mortal / human). She is hired by Womby’s School for Wayward Witches to teach art to teenage juvenile delinquents, and runs into issues because she does not know how to use her magic at all, yet the students are capable of using their magic. The challenges that Clarissa faces are realistic (not fitting in, being a teacher at a new school, not having friends at the school) yet approached with a humorous spin. She is shunned by most every teacher (who are all unique and fascinating), has minimal art supplies, can’t use her magic, yet still desires to be the best art teacher she can be. Clarissa is an interesting character with engaging internal mental dialog. This book is also action packed. Clarissa rides a wild unicorn, battles guardian trees, and tries to find out why past teachers have gone missing, all while avoiding being taken by the fae.
This is book 3 in a series and I was not aware of this when I started reading it (silly me!); however, I did NOT get lost in the book! I am now intrigued enough to want to read all of the books that come before and after this one. I was grateful that the first three books in this series can be read in any order. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Thank you Sarina!!! :) HFN (Happy For Now) satisfying ending.
Clarissa is a witch who was raised as a “morty” (mortal / human). She is hired by Womby’s School for Wayward Witches to teach art to teenage juvenile delinquents, and runs into issues because she does not know how to use her magic at all, yet the students are capable of using their magic. The challenges that Clarissa faces are realistic (not fitting in, being a teacher at a new school, not having friends at the school) yet approached with a humorous spin. She is shunned by most every teacher (who are all unique and fascinating), has minimal art supplies, can’t use her magic, yet still desires to be the best art teacher she can be. Clarissa is an interesting character with engaging internal mental dialog. This book is also action packed. Clarissa rides a wild unicorn, battles guardian trees, and tries to find out why past teachers have gone missing, all while avoiding being taken by the fae.
This is book 3 in a series and I was not aware of this when I started reading it (silly me!); however, I did NOT get lost in the book! I am now intrigued enough to want to read all of the books that come before and after this one. I was grateful that the first three books in this series can be read in any order. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. Thank you Sarina!!! :) HFN (Happy For Now) satisfying ending.
August 25, 2020
Okay, that’s it—no more of this series for me. In a way I liked this book better than the first two, but the fact that there are questions from the FIRST book still dangling makes me sick of waiting. I have read THREE books now—when are we going to discover even a TINY bit about our MC’s mom? When is Derrick, who is constantly mentioned, actually going to show back up? Heck, when is ANYTHING important going to happen? I feel like 50% of these books are just the MC thinking about her problems in her head instead of us actually seeing action.
Also, the basis of the entire storyline doesn’t make much sense to me. I get it, she’s the daughter of someone scary. But she didn’t even KNOW her mother (she didn’t know she was adopted, for goodness sake!) and she is obviously a somewhat inept goody goody. Why the heck are people so scared of her they won’t even tell her anything about who she is?
Most importantly, how does it make sense that this society finds people who do blood magic/kill to be super evil... and yet talk about killing people all the time? That. Makes. No. Sense. I just can’t take it anymore, as much as I wanted to adore these books. I am done.
Also, the basis of the entire storyline doesn’t make much sense to me. I get it, she’s the daughter of someone scary. But she didn’t even KNOW her mother (she didn’t know she was adopted, for goodness sake!) and she is obviously a somewhat inept goody goody. Why the heck are people so scared of her they won’t even tell her anything about who she is?
Most importantly, how does it make sense that this society finds people who do blood magic/kill to be super evil... and yet talk about killing people all the time? That. Makes. No. Sense. I just can’t take it anymore, as much as I wanted to adore these books. I am done.
October 30, 2019
Clarissa Lawrence is an art teacher who has finally manged to get a job as an art teacher in a school for witches. She didn’t grow up knowing he was magical and never had any control over her magic, which had led to her being threatened with being drained of all her magic, if she had any more ‘magical accidents’. She doesn’t even know what sort of affinity she has, whether it be to plants and animals; the elements such as earth, wind, fire and water; or the sky and stars. She has no knowledge of common wards to protect herself and is less in control than her prospective students.
The art department is not considered a necessary part of the school and just an elective class students can take without the stress of exams or anything useful for their future. If they don’t gain control and more knowledge about their own magic, they are in danger of being grabbed by the fae, to be used as slaves or drained for their powers. Something that happens to a number of graduates every year. The art classes have little to no funding or materials and Clarissa is facing an uphill struggle to prepare her classroom and sort out lesson plans.
Another strange point, is that modern day electronic, such as phones or computers, apparently drain the power of magical people and are banned from the grounds of the school. A nearby village, which caters to normal humans and magical folk, allows internet access, disguised as a café, which many teachers make use of. Clarissa wants to learn magic and be a great teacher to her students, but that goes disastrously wrong on her very first day of teaching. The other teaching staff seem to recognise her, even though she hasn’t seen most of them before. She soon finds out that some are recognizing her birth mother in her and believe her to be the same as her mother, someone she never knew, having been raised by her fairy godmother, as she calls her.
It seems her mother went bad/evil, doing blood magic and other forbidden magic, which affected staff at the school and even blew up part of the school. The memory of her is very strong, she had actually been the head teacher at the school and had lots of experience teaching. Some remember as a kind teacher who went out of her way to help struggling students, but most only remember for all the bad things she did and what she nearly destroyed. Clarissa wants to find out more about her real mother, but most will not speak to her about this topic.
Her main opponent is one of the department heads who dabbles in art and has wanted her job for years. He was also rumoured to have had a relationship with her mother and was used by her mother in her evil endeavours. Something it has taken him years to recover from and from Clarissa’s stand-point, her acts like he hates her and can’t wait to drain her, as he has already threatened her with. One of the female teachers takes her under her wings, but Clarissa is unfortunately sharing a room with another very stern and unfriendly female teacher. Not her first choice and she does all she can to avoid being stuck in the room with her.
One of the younger male teachers, who teaches history, tries to get very friendly with her and she feels herself growing fond of him. There is a rule of NO relationships between staff members, but he seems willing to bend this. Clarissa’s only previous experience was with her high-school boyfriend, who was sucked up in a tornado, when her emotions got too excited and out of control. She wants to control magic and be able to find him, if he is in this realm.
An interesting look at magic and magical beings, set in a school for magical students. Some from rich parents who spent their summer in luxury, some rescued from human schools and others from poor families who have spent the summer holidays working as almost slaves in the fae mines or fields, that is if they were lucky enough not to be caught by evil fae and drained for their magic. Those from a life of luxury need to work as hard as the rest of the students, as the same rules will apply to them upon graduation. If they can’t protect themselves, they won’t last in the outside world for long.
The dark queen of the fae has already shown an interest in Clarissa and she is in danger. She also needs to solve the mystery of why five previous art teachers have either disappeared or died, whilst working at the school. As an art teacher, she believes there is something missing from the bottom of the school pendant, as it disturbs her artistic eye. There is a lost part to the magical world and they are never talked about. Clarissa has yet to find out what she is and more importantly, has to try and keep her job and convince someone to teach her magic. Preferably someone that doesn’t hate her because of her mother!
A great start to a series. I didn’t realise the series had so many books already completed, so there will be no long wait for me to be able to start on the next one. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have bought this one and made a start on buying the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend it to others who like something just a little bit different than the norm. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The art department is not considered a necessary part of the school and just an elective class students can take without the stress of exams or anything useful for their future. If they don’t gain control and more knowledge about their own magic, they are in danger of being grabbed by the fae, to be used as slaves or drained for their powers. Something that happens to a number of graduates every year. The art classes have little to no funding or materials and Clarissa is facing an uphill struggle to prepare her classroom and sort out lesson plans.
Another strange point, is that modern day electronic, such as phones or computers, apparently drain the power of magical people and are banned from the grounds of the school. A nearby village, which caters to normal humans and magical folk, allows internet access, disguised as a café, which many teachers make use of. Clarissa wants to learn magic and be a great teacher to her students, but that goes disastrously wrong on her very first day of teaching. The other teaching staff seem to recognise her, even though she hasn’t seen most of them before. She soon finds out that some are recognizing her birth mother in her and believe her to be the same as her mother, someone she never knew, having been raised by her fairy godmother, as she calls her.
It seems her mother went bad/evil, doing blood magic and other forbidden magic, which affected staff at the school and even blew up part of the school. The memory of her is very strong, she had actually been the head teacher at the school and had lots of experience teaching. Some remember as a kind teacher who went out of her way to help struggling students, but most only remember for all the bad things she did and what she nearly destroyed. Clarissa wants to find out more about her real mother, but most will not speak to her about this topic.
Her main opponent is one of the department heads who dabbles in art and has wanted her job for years. He was also rumoured to have had a relationship with her mother and was used by her mother in her evil endeavours. Something it has taken him years to recover from and from Clarissa’s stand-point, her acts like he hates her and can’t wait to drain her, as he has already threatened her with. One of the female teachers takes her under her wings, but Clarissa is unfortunately sharing a room with another very stern and unfriendly female teacher. Not her first choice and she does all she can to avoid being stuck in the room with her.
One of the younger male teachers, who teaches history, tries to get very friendly with her and she feels herself growing fond of him. There is a rule of NO relationships between staff members, but he seems willing to bend this. Clarissa’s only previous experience was with her high-school boyfriend, who was sucked up in a tornado, when her emotions got too excited and out of control. She wants to control magic and be able to find him, if he is in this realm.
An interesting look at magic and magical beings, set in a school for magical students. Some from rich parents who spent their summer in luxury, some rescued from human schools and others from poor families who have spent the summer holidays working as almost slaves in the fae mines or fields, that is if they were lucky enough not to be caught by evil fae and drained for their magic. Those from a life of luxury need to work as hard as the rest of the students, as the same rules will apply to them upon graduation. If they can’t protect themselves, they won’t last in the outside world for long.
The dark queen of the fae has already shown an interest in Clarissa and she is in danger. She also needs to solve the mystery of why five previous art teachers have either disappeared or died, whilst working at the school. As an art teacher, she believes there is something missing from the bottom of the school pendant, as it disturbs her artistic eye. There is a lost part to the magical world and they are never talked about. Clarissa has yet to find out what she is and more importantly, has to try and keep her job and convince someone to teach her magic. Preferably someone that doesn’t hate her because of her mother!
A great start to a series. I didn’t realise the series had so many books already completed, so there will be no long wait for me to be able to start on the next one. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have bought this one and made a start on buying the rest of the series. I would definitely recommend it to others who like something just a little bit different than the norm. I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
June 19, 2018
I obtained a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only, a website which aim is to help new authors get their novels out into the world by giving them away to reviewers in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the idea of helping new authors out and possibly stumbling upon the next J.K. Rowling so I thought I’d give it a go. Unfortunately, this book was not it.
(Spoiler alert, do not read beyond this point if you want to avoid spoilers)
Ok so, I was not fussed on this book for multiple reasons:
1. It is so clearly copied on Harry Potter. The school is set in a derelict castle, the main character is closely linked to someone evil, they are using wands and “hoodies” of invisibility, the position of art teacher is cursed and no one has ever maintained it for more than a year (they either died or disappeared in mysterious circumstances), the school is dotted with little creatures called “Brownies” that take care of the chores and the kitchens (just like the house elves in Harry Potter), one of the main teachers is a clear copy of Severus Snape: a gloomy and detestable man, possibly linked to evil forces, but who is really just a big softie inside, and finally the very line “I am the chosen one” is used in the book. How someone can publish a book with so much plagiarism inside it is beyond me… As you can see, this didn’t sit well with me and to be honest, it felt like I was reading Harry Potter erotica since the book is also filled with sexual themes.
2. The writing is not great: I found too many typos to keep track of and some of the sentences are so awkwardly worded that I had to read them a good few times to make sense of them.
3. There is just too much of everything: too many characters to keep track of, too many types of magic (from wands to flying carpets, to fairies and genies, etc…) as if the author was trying to incorporate every single type of magic into the same world and it does not always feel very consistent; and finally, too many storylines: the one where Clarissa needs to figure out what her magic affinity is and how to control her powers, the one where she needs to figure out her mother’s past, the one where she is trying to unravel another teacher’s past and the enigma of what happened to Derrick, her high school boyfriend who mysteriously disappeared years ago. Clarissa is set on finding Derrick again when she arrives at the school, but poor Derrick is never found and his storyline goes out the window.
All in all, this book felt a bit all over the place for me. I liked parts of it and I wish the author had not tried to make it so complex because it just gets confusing. Less is more sometimes. And I also wish it was not so obviously copied on Harry Potter. Also, it is classed as an adult book because of all the swearing and erotic content (which is fair enough), and yet the main character behaves like a teenager…
As it is, I do not think I would recommend it to anyone. In my opinion, it needs some re-working to have some potential. As I said, some parts of it were interesting so if it was simpler and more organised (in particular, the typos and awkward phrasing need seeing to) maybe I would have enjoyed it more.
Read the review in full at https://celinesbookcorner.com
(Spoiler alert, do not read beyond this point if you want to avoid spoilers)
Ok so, I was not fussed on this book for multiple reasons:
1. It is so clearly copied on Harry Potter. The school is set in a derelict castle, the main character is closely linked to someone evil, they are using wands and “hoodies” of invisibility, the position of art teacher is cursed and no one has ever maintained it for more than a year (they either died or disappeared in mysterious circumstances), the school is dotted with little creatures called “Brownies” that take care of the chores and the kitchens (just like the house elves in Harry Potter), one of the main teachers is a clear copy of Severus Snape: a gloomy and detestable man, possibly linked to evil forces, but who is really just a big softie inside, and finally the very line “I am the chosen one” is used in the book. How someone can publish a book with so much plagiarism inside it is beyond me… As you can see, this didn’t sit well with me and to be honest, it felt like I was reading Harry Potter erotica since the book is also filled with sexual themes.
2. The writing is not great: I found too many typos to keep track of and some of the sentences are so awkwardly worded that I had to read them a good few times to make sense of them.
3. There is just too much of everything: too many characters to keep track of, too many types of magic (from wands to flying carpets, to fairies and genies, etc…) as if the author was trying to incorporate every single type of magic into the same world and it does not always feel very consistent; and finally, too many storylines: the one where Clarissa needs to figure out what her magic affinity is and how to control her powers, the one where she needs to figure out her mother’s past, the one where she is trying to unravel another teacher’s past and the enigma of what happened to Derrick, her high school boyfriend who mysteriously disappeared years ago. Clarissa is set on finding Derrick again when she arrives at the school, but poor Derrick is never found and his storyline goes out the window.
All in all, this book felt a bit all over the place for me. I liked parts of it and I wish the author had not tried to make it so complex because it just gets confusing. Less is more sometimes. And I also wish it was not so obviously copied on Harry Potter. Also, it is classed as an adult book because of all the swearing and erotic content (which is fair enough), and yet the main character behaves like a teenager…
As it is, I do not think I would recommend it to anyone. In my opinion, it needs some re-working to have some potential. As I said, some parts of it were interesting so if it was simpler and more organised (in particular, the typos and awkward phrasing need seeing to) maybe I would have enjoyed it more.
Read the review in full at https://celinesbookcorner.com
May 15, 2018
Not on Kindle Unlimited, actually can't find amazon listing for about half the books except as paperback edition, and don't see some listed on goodreads/amazon one way or another. I do have ecopies of all these and several more of her books}, and really think write needs to go back through all her books and make sure there are listings for each book, all of them, on both amazon and goodreads, and for ebook and paperback.
Maybe for others it wouldn't matter, but even though huge time travel fan, a story going back in forth etc is really hard for me to keep up, and feel as if missed something. Mean 3 as amazon does not {for them 3 means okay but negative} just mean it was okay, didn't really dislike nor like it. Have read some of her other books and liked or even really liked them, this series eh not so much 3 as in okay not bad negative amazon just middle of road story. Thought would feel bit better over time as characters got more described and all but never really did.
You think you know the world of magical boarding schools? Not from a teacher’s perspective at a school for at risk youth. Like any twenty-two-year-old who grew up obsessed with fantasy novels, Clarissa Lawrence expects all her Harry Potter fantasies to come true when she is invited to teach at a school for witches. Her dreams of learning magic—and being a good teacher—are complicated when she finds out her deceased mother was the equivalent of the Wicked Witch of the West.
As if being the new “arts and crafts” teacher isn’t hard enough at a school for juvenile delinquent witches, budget cuts are just as severe in the magic community, administrators are as unrealistic in their expectations of teachers, and the job is a hazard if the students find out you can’t actually do magic.
Amidst all these challenges, Clarissa must prove she’s not her mother’s mini-me and that she belongs at the school so she can learn to control her powers. If she fails, her powers will be drained, or worse yet, she might be enslaved by the Fae. As if this isn’t enough pressure, she has to figure out why teachers are mysteriously disappearing. If she doesn’t, she might be next.
WOMBY’S SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD WITCHES {A Cozy Witch Mystery}
Tardy Bells And Witches’ Spells 1
Hex-Ed: A Cozy Witch Mystery 2
Witches Gone Wicked: A Cozy Witch Mystery 3
Other books in the series to be released soon:
Secondhand Hexes
Hexes and Exes
Reading, Writing and Necromancy
Budget Cuts for the Dark Arts and Crafts
Hex and the City
Spell it Out for Me
== also see listing for the books below elsewhere
Spell Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Hex Crimes
Maybe for others it wouldn't matter, but even though huge time travel fan, a story going back in forth etc is really hard for me to keep up, and feel as if missed something. Mean 3 as amazon does not {for them 3 means okay but negative} just mean it was okay, didn't really dislike nor like it. Have read some of her other books and liked or even really liked them, this series eh not so much 3 as in okay not bad negative amazon just middle of road story. Thought would feel bit better over time as characters got more described and all but never really did.
You think you know the world of magical boarding schools? Not from a teacher’s perspective at a school for at risk youth. Like any twenty-two-year-old who grew up obsessed with fantasy novels, Clarissa Lawrence expects all her Harry Potter fantasies to come true when she is invited to teach at a school for witches. Her dreams of learning magic—and being a good teacher—are complicated when she finds out her deceased mother was the equivalent of the Wicked Witch of the West.
As if being the new “arts and crafts” teacher isn’t hard enough at a school for juvenile delinquent witches, budget cuts are just as severe in the magic community, administrators are as unrealistic in their expectations of teachers, and the job is a hazard if the students find out you can’t actually do magic.
Amidst all these challenges, Clarissa must prove she’s not her mother’s mini-me and that she belongs at the school so she can learn to control her powers. If she fails, her powers will be drained, or worse yet, she might be enslaved by the Fae. As if this isn’t enough pressure, she has to figure out why teachers are mysteriously disappearing. If she doesn’t, she might be next.
WOMBY’S SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD WITCHES {A Cozy Witch Mystery}
Tardy Bells And Witches’ Spells 1
Hex-Ed: A Cozy Witch Mystery 2
Witches Gone Wicked: A Cozy Witch Mystery 3
Other books in the series to be released soon:
Secondhand Hexes
Hexes and Exes
Reading, Writing and Necromancy
Budget Cuts for the Dark Arts and Crafts
Hex and the City
Spell it Out for Me
== also see listing for the books below elsewhere
Spell Check Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself
Hex Crimes
November 30, 2018
Content note: sexual assault, mind control, sex pollen, coerced sex, sex with a minor, teacher-student sex, fertility spirit,
Clarissa, from Tardy Bells and Witches Spells, is now in her early twenties and has been accepted as a teacher at Womby’s School for Wayward Witches as an art teacher. She looks forward to trying to learn how to control her magic and do magic at last - only to be told her powers are too dangerous to work on at the school. She is essentially powerless in a school full of teenagers with wands, aside from her forbidden cell phone (electronics interfere with magic and her carrying her phone would be like carrying a concealed gun in a place where that is not legal).
She is also told that she is forbidden to date other professors,that her powers would endanger those around her. She is assigned a strict teacher to guide her in learning from books, a dungeon disciplinarian Professor Thatch - who was the school district psychiatrist she ran into in high school.
Felix Thatch heavily reminds me of Severus Snape, especially fanfic Snape, who subtly supports students and could be seen as a pain kink almost if you squint. Forbidden knowledge and power is very much his domain, and possibly a double-agent of ambiguous morality.
She is enamored of one her fellow teachers, Julian, and something about that bothered me early on, although I am not sure what it was (other than perhaps a subtle bias of “Thatch seems like Snape, she should end up with Snape”).
Mind control and sex magic / love spells, as well as an adult teacher having sex with teenage students is very much a thing towards the end, which was slightly jarring and disturbing. It is observed happening without graphic detail, as well as thoughts as to whether photographic documentation to expose the teacher constitutes child pornography.
Clarissa as well experiences sexual assault (possibly rape, although it was not explicitly clear in the text but could be inferred from the pain she experiences later), which was suggestive and sensual/emotional in the text rather than very explicit.
I finished the book with mixed thoughts, as I enjoyed the earlier parts of the book and this magical world, in large part that a sexual assault formed the climax of the book’s plot. Yes, there was some recovery / healing afterwards, but… emotionally didn't feel like I had enough time to recover before the book ended. (I grasp that it can be a marketing strategy to get readers to go get the next book, but it feels increasingly problematic as I realize how many books I have read do this, or any major trauma right before the end with a fast wrap up).
Clarissa, from Tardy Bells and Witches Spells, is now in her early twenties and has been accepted as a teacher at Womby’s School for Wayward Witches as an art teacher. She looks forward to trying to learn how to control her magic and do magic at last - only to be told her powers are too dangerous to work on at the school. She is essentially powerless in a school full of teenagers with wands, aside from her forbidden cell phone (electronics interfere with magic and her carrying her phone would be like carrying a concealed gun in a place where that is not legal).
She is also told that she is forbidden to date other professors,that her powers would endanger those around her. She is assigned a strict teacher to guide her in learning from books, a dungeon disciplinarian Professor Thatch - who was the school district psychiatrist she ran into in high school.
Felix Thatch heavily reminds me of Severus Snape, especially fanfic Snape, who subtly supports students and could be seen as a pain kink almost if you squint. Forbidden knowledge and power is very much his domain, and possibly a double-agent of ambiguous morality.
She is enamored of one her fellow teachers, Julian, and something about that bothered me early on, although I am not sure what it was (other than perhaps a subtle bias of “Thatch seems like Snape, she should end up with Snape”).
Mind control and sex magic / love spells, as well as an adult teacher having sex with teenage students is very much a thing towards the end, which was slightly jarring and disturbing. It is observed happening without graphic detail, as well as thoughts as to whether photographic documentation to expose the teacher constitutes child pornography.
Clarissa as well experiences sexual assault (possibly rape, although it was not explicitly clear in the text but could be inferred from the pain she experiences later), which was suggestive and sensual/emotional in the text rather than very explicit.
I finished the book with mixed thoughts, as I enjoyed the earlier parts of the book and this magical world, in large part that a sexual assault formed the climax of the book’s plot. Yes, there was some recovery / healing afterwards, but… emotionally didn't feel like I had enough time to recover before the book ended. (I grasp that it can be a marketing strategy to get readers to go get the next book, but it feels increasingly problematic as I realize how many books I have read do this, or any major trauma right before the end with a fast wrap up).
July 31, 2018
What would Hogwarts be like from the point of view of a teacher? Especially one who can't do magic?
That's basically the premise behind "Witches Gone Wicked," by Sarina Dorie. Clarissa was raised in the Morty world, but it turns out she has magical powers. Only she's never learned to use them. Now she's gotten a job as an art teacher at Womby's School for Wayward Witches, which is supposed to provide her with gainful employment in a place safe from the Fae, and give her a place she can learn to control her magic. Best laid plans...
The book makes its borrowing of Harry Potter clear, and while it's not exactly fan fiction, it's not exactly not fan fiction, either. So Harry Potter fans are probably either going to love it because it has so much in common with their favorite series, or hate it because it's close but not close enough. Certainly worth checking out if you're jonesing for some magical school drama, in any case.
Making it from the point of view of a teacher is a fun change. Maybe the best parts of the story are in when Clarissa deals with the frustrations common to American high school teachers: big classes full of under-achieving students, and a constant lack of supplies. Without, I hope, giving too much away, some major plot points hang on the lack of supplies and teachers having to scrounge up scrap paper, literally, in order to teach their classes. And all the while the school board and their standardized tests are breathing down the school's neck...
This is also a more grown-up version of the same basic story in that romantic entanglements feature heavily, including a bit of a--I'll try not to give too much away again--love triangle between Clarissa and someone who's clearly a Snape character and someone who's clearly a Gilderoy Lockhart character. In fact, the relationship between Clarissa and Thatch (the Snape character) has some of the most genuinely insightful and moving moments in the book, as Thatch asks Clarissa what she thinks it's like to be the Devil and the Dungeon Master, the person who does the controlling and punishing of their charges. Although the book is mainly about exuberant spell-based magic in the vein of Harry Potter, it also touches upon serious issues surrounding contemporary education, something that sets it apart from a lot of post-Potter works out there.
This is the third book in a series, but the first one I've read. It refers to events in previous books, and sets up the next book, but can also be read on its own.
That's basically the premise behind "Witches Gone Wicked," by Sarina Dorie. Clarissa was raised in the Morty world, but it turns out she has magical powers. Only she's never learned to use them. Now she's gotten a job as an art teacher at Womby's School for Wayward Witches, which is supposed to provide her with gainful employment in a place safe from the Fae, and give her a place she can learn to control her magic. Best laid plans...
The book makes its borrowing of Harry Potter clear, and while it's not exactly fan fiction, it's not exactly not fan fiction, either. So Harry Potter fans are probably either going to love it because it has so much in common with their favorite series, or hate it because it's close but not close enough. Certainly worth checking out if you're jonesing for some magical school drama, in any case.
Making it from the point of view of a teacher is a fun change. Maybe the best parts of the story are in when Clarissa deals with the frustrations common to American high school teachers: big classes full of under-achieving students, and a constant lack of supplies. Without, I hope, giving too much away, some major plot points hang on the lack of supplies and teachers having to scrounge up scrap paper, literally, in order to teach their classes. And all the while the school board and their standardized tests are breathing down the school's neck...
This is also a more grown-up version of the same basic story in that romantic entanglements feature heavily, including a bit of a--I'll try not to give too much away again--love triangle between Clarissa and someone who's clearly a Snape character and someone who's clearly a Gilderoy Lockhart character. In fact, the relationship between Clarissa and Thatch (the Snape character) has some of the most genuinely insightful and moving moments in the book, as Thatch asks Clarissa what she thinks it's like to be the Devil and the Dungeon Master, the person who does the controlling and punishing of their charges. Although the book is mainly about exuberant spell-based magic in the vein of Harry Potter, it also touches upon serious issues surrounding contemporary education, something that sets it apart from a lot of post-Potter works out there.
This is the third book in a series, but the first one I've read. It refers to events in previous books, and sets up the next book, but can also be read on its own.
December 3, 2019
This series whole is an enjoyable romp, with many memorable characters, and frequent references to Star Trek, Harry Potter, My Little Pony, art and music. My advice is to get the several Book Bundles and start from the beginning. It's definitely best to "binge" read the whole series in order. One book leads right into the next, and it's nice to be able to continue without interruption.
Clarissa has already had many interesting adventures, first as a "morty" high-school student, not even fully realizing she is a witch, but hoping she is, and that she will be accepted to a school for witches like Hogwarts. It turns out she has such powerful potential skills, which she doesn't even realize she has, and that she cannot control, that she is too dangerous to be accepted into Womby's School for Wayward Witches as a student. However, her powers are so strong that she eventually MUST be taken into Womby's for her own safety, the safety of the mortal world, and to keep her powers from the Raven Court, other fae, and even from other witches. But not as a student; instead she is hired as a teacher, despite having fewer witch's powers and capabilities than any of the students she is supposed to be teaching. Her adventures as a teacher without magic in a class of young witches are hilarious gets off to a fiery start as she sets her classroom on fire. Then she learns she will not be allowed to use her magic, until her nemesis, Felix Thatch, teaches her. Her interactions with her fellow teachers, who are all accomplished witches, and all of whom hate her because of her evil witch mother, are priceless.
Clarissa has already had many interesting adventures, first as a "morty" high-school student, not even fully realizing she is a witch, but hoping she is, and that she will be accepted to a school for witches like Hogwarts. It turns out she has such powerful potential skills, which she doesn't even realize she has, and that she cannot control, that she is too dangerous to be accepted into Womby's School for Wayward Witches as a student. However, her powers are so strong that she eventually MUST be taken into Womby's for her own safety, the safety of the mortal world, and to keep her powers from the Raven Court, other fae, and even from other witches. But not as a student; instead she is hired as a teacher, despite having fewer witch's powers and capabilities than any of the students she is supposed to be teaching. Her adventures as a teacher without magic in a class of young witches are hilarious gets off to a fiery start as she sets her classroom on fire. Then she learns she will not be allowed to use her magic, until her nemesis, Felix Thatch, teaches her. Her interactions with her fellow teachers, who are all accomplished witches, and all of whom hate her because of her evil witch mother, are priceless.
April 14, 2022
The third book in the series. Clarissa has her dream come true as she is a teacher in the Unseen Realm at
a magical school. Her only problem is she can’t seem to be able to control her powers yet and when she finds out what she is she can’t tell anyone else because of what others would do if they found out!
She makes a friend with a fellow teacher but most everyone else of the teachers despise her because of who her biological mother was. She feels an attraction towards one teacher but is conflicted because of what has happened to her in the past. One of her dreams does come true, however, so it’s not all bad. She experiences pain, loss, betrayal and humiliation but she still strives to be a good teacher to her students. Her school seems to consist mainly of students who are half Witchkin and Fae.
I recommend this series as one young adults will especially enjoy since it deals with their age group but adults should enjoy it as well. To understand Clarissa you need to get the other two books in this series first and read them in order. Those who enjoy reading about witches especially will enjoy this series as a young woman realizes she really is a witch and now has to try and fit into that world.
This book and series is grittier as it portrays life as we know it not as we would like to believe it is except for the magic which those of us who love this genre wish we ourselves possessed.
More adventures await Clarissa at Womby’s so why not come along with me as we explore together her fascinating new world and the experiences awaiting her there!
a magical school. Her only problem is she can’t seem to be able to control her powers yet and when she finds out what she is she can’t tell anyone else because of what others would do if they found out!
She makes a friend with a fellow teacher but most everyone else of the teachers despise her because of who her biological mother was. She feels an attraction towards one teacher but is conflicted because of what has happened to her in the past. One of her dreams does come true, however, so it’s not all bad. She experiences pain, loss, betrayal and humiliation but she still strives to be a good teacher to her students. Her school seems to consist mainly of students who are half Witchkin and Fae.
I recommend this series as one young adults will especially enjoy since it deals with their age group but adults should enjoy it as well. To understand Clarissa you need to get the other two books in this series first and read them in order. Those who enjoy reading about witches especially will enjoy this series as a young woman realizes she really is a witch and now has to try and fit into that world.
This book and series is grittier as it portrays life as we know it not as we would like to believe it is except for the magic which those of us who love this genre wish we ourselves possessed.
More adventures await Clarissa at Womby’s so why not come along with me as we explore together her fascinating new world and the experiences awaiting her there!
October 26, 2020
Witches Gone Wicked - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Book 3 in her Womby's School for Wayward Witches series, is Witches Gone Wicked by Sarina Dorie.
Reluctantly hired as a new teacher at the school where her birth mother was a maligned headteacher, by Headmaster Bumbleby, Clarissa Lawrence has no magic (until suitably tutored by her disagreeable mentor, Mr Thatch), which makes her life rather complicated, to say the least.
She's glad to make friends with some other staff members, Josephine ('Josie') Kimura and Mr Khaba, after being told there is no internet at the school, nor are mobiles or other electronic devices allowed. Her first few weeks are a middle of mischievous student pranks and trying to find out more about her mother's time at Womby's.
As she struggles with Mr Thatch as her magical tutor, Charlotte's grateful for any help she can get, including enchanted sweets, (to soothe both herself and the students if necessary), from an old admirer of her mother's, still on the school's
wavelength.
When Womby's School is attacked, can Charlotte help defend it and prove her innocence and that of a pupil?
Get your spell-binding copy of this Witchy wonder, by Sarina Dorie - there's no voodoo curse on it, but Witches Gone Wicked will cast a spell on you that you're sure to love!
Book 3 in her Womby's School for Wayward Witches series, is Witches Gone Wicked by Sarina Dorie.
Reluctantly hired as a new teacher at the school where her birth mother was a maligned headteacher, by Headmaster Bumbleby, Clarissa Lawrence has no magic (until suitably tutored by her disagreeable mentor, Mr Thatch), which makes her life rather complicated, to say the least.
She's glad to make friends with some other staff members, Josephine ('Josie') Kimura and Mr Khaba, after being told there is no internet at the school, nor are mobiles or other electronic devices allowed. Her first few weeks are a middle of mischievous student pranks and trying to find out more about her mother's time at Womby's.
As she struggles with Mr Thatch as her magical tutor, Charlotte's grateful for any help she can get, including enchanted sweets, (to soothe both herself and the students if necessary), from an old admirer of her mother's, still on the school's
wavelength.
When Womby's School is attacked, can Charlotte help defend it and prove her innocence and that of a pupil?
Get your spell-binding copy of this Witchy wonder, by Sarina Dorie - there's no voodoo curse on it, but Witches Gone Wicked will cast a spell on you that you're sure to love!
October 18, 2019
A spunky art teacher in a magical school takes on the job in order to pickup scraps of magical knowledge and to enhance the lives of underperforming students.
Clarissa is a super spunky character, which makes the book fun to read. The book mostly focuses on her job at a magic school and on her fellow teacher colleagues and some students. There are a lot of modern fantasy literary references throughout the book, mostly in relation to Harry Potter. There's a heavy nod to that series in this book, purposely borrowing a few ideas, and overturning some others. Don't get me wrong. This is a wholly unique book, but it publicly acknowledges its Harry Potter roots.
There were a lot of confused romantic relationships over here. They get somewhat cleared up towards the end, but not fully resolved.
I wanted more traditional magic, but the magic in here was wild and very different from the usual. I'm not sure I liked it. It dealt too much with touch and physical attraction. Still, the book was well written, and I enjoyed the main character's voice.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Clarissa is a super spunky character, which makes the book fun to read. The book mostly focuses on her job at a magic school and on her fellow teacher colleagues and some students. There are a lot of modern fantasy literary references throughout the book, mostly in relation to Harry Potter. There's a heavy nod to that series in this book, purposely borrowing a few ideas, and overturning some others. Don't get me wrong. This is a wholly unique book, but it publicly acknowledges its Harry Potter roots.
There were a lot of confused romantic relationships over here. They get somewhat cleared up towards the end, but not fully resolved.
I wanted more traditional magic, but the magic in here was wild and very different from the usual. I'm not sure I liked it. It dealt too much with touch and physical attraction. Still, the book was well written, and I enjoyed the main character's voice.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2024
Good in spite of itself
Okay, so it's a story about a teacher at a magical university. There's a very real danger that something like that might turn out to be dangerously close to Harry Potter fanfic. But the author mostly avoids that problem, possibly with a bit of humour. Several times a character is given to claim "this isn't Harry Potter!"
I can't really decide if the division of all the students at the school into "teams" that lose points for misbehaviour is a joking reference to Rowling's houses or an actual copying of the theme. But if that's the only flaw then the book is still worth the read.
Like many (most) modern series authors, Ms Dorie has no idea how to craft an actual conclusion so the book ends abruptly with no real wrap-up, but fortunately nothing seems to be left hanging either so it's just tasteless and not actually bad.
The middle of the book is much better. While there's not really a plot per-se, there is a lot of action and a lot of decent world building. And a decent bit of subtle humor. Not jokes, just fish out of water type situations and accidental rule breaking type stuff.
Overall, pretty good.
Okay, so it's a story about a teacher at a magical university. There's a very real danger that something like that might turn out to be dangerously close to Harry Potter fanfic. But the author mostly avoids that problem, possibly with a bit of humour. Several times a character is given to claim "this isn't Harry Potter!"
I can't really decide if the division of all the students at the school into "teams" that lose points for misbehaviour is a joking reference to Rowling's houses or an actual copying of the theme. But if that's the only flaw then the book is still worth the read.
Like many (most) modern series authors, Ms Dorie has no idea how to craft an actual conclusion so the book ends abruptly with no real wrap-up, but fortunately nothing seems to be left hanging either so it's just tasteless and not actually bad.
The middle of the book is much better. While there's not really a plot per-se, there is a lot of action and a lot of decent world building. And a decent bit of subtle humor. Not jokes, just fish out of water type situations and accidental rule breaking type stuff.
Overall, pretty good.
August 20, 2018
A fantastical, magical realm has been created by Ms. Dorie for the telling of this tale. Great characterizations. All characters were well developed and had great depth to them. Although not overtly a romantic tale, there are glimmers of a smouldering romance occurring between the two main male and female characters. This story was rich in flavour and provided this reader with much entertainment. I felt like I was right there with the characters in this fantasy world. There was an excellent story line that included murder, mysteries, intrigue, drama, adventure and refreshingly, some humour via puns, wry and acerbic types. The story ends; however, there is certainly a wide open door for a continuation of tale.
I am new to this author but hope to change this in the future. Excellent writing ... very engaging. This was a thoroughly enjoyable long read. I highly recommend this read.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Voracious Readers and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to the author nor to this group.
I am new to this author but hope to change this in the future. Excellent writing ... very engaging. This was a thoroughly enjoyable long read. I highly recommend this read.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Voracious Readers and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to the author nor to this group.
September 7, 2018
In this volume, FINALLY we get to see the Womby's School, and to survive there our heroine is finally given the chance to understand her own magic.
However, it turns out that it's a type that is considered taboo by the Fae as well as the Witchkin who inhabit the hinterlands where Womby's is located. This makes constant circumlocution by those trying to help her acquire self-control inevitable, which leads to plenty of mishaps. Clarissa turns out to be the answer to the school's mysterious danger from within, once she finally gets through her first school year-- alive.
And thank the Powers, Thatch is NOT her father! That really would have been weirder than what either of them could stomach. The truth is weird enough, thanks.
I was waiting patiently through the first two volumes for this reveal, and it's well worth it.
However, it turns out that it's a type that is considered taboo by the Fae as well as the Witchkin who inhabit the hinterlands where Womby's is located. This makes constant circumlocution by those trying to help her acquire self-control inevitable, which leads to plenty of mishaps. Clarissa turns out to be the answer to the school's mysterious danger from within, once she finally gets through her first school year-- alive.
And thank the Powers, Thatch is NOT her father! That really would have been weirder than what either of them could stomach. The truth is weird enough, thanks.
I was waiting patiently through the first two volumes for this reveal, and it's well worth it.
January 31, 2019
Who Can You Trust?
I read this book in the series after reading a number of the later stories. In spite of knowing how some of the plot lines would end, I still was drawn into the story and regaled in filling in many of the missing details.
The story follows Clarissa relationships with Josie Kimura, Julian Thistledown, Professor Felix Thatch, and her students. It also lays the groundwork for plot lines in future stories.
This reminded me that each story has enough background material that you can start almost anywhere and have a good understanding of what happened in the past that is germane to the current book. So on of the grounding is almost identical descriptions that help paint pictures in your mind.
Author Sabrina Dorie does a great job of developing her characters. The primary characters are multifaceted and evolve as you progress through the books.
I read this book in the series after reading a number of the later stories. In spite of knowing how some of the plot lines would end, I still was drawn into the story and regaled in filling in many of the missing details.
The story follows Clarissa relationships with Josie Kimura, Julian Thistledown, Professor Felix Thatch, and her students. It also lays the groundwork for plot lines in future stories.
This reminded me that each story has enough background material that you can start almost anywhere and have a good understanding of what happened in the past that is germane to the current book. So on of the grounding is almost identical descriptions that help paint pictures in your mind.
Author Sabrina Dorie does a great job of developing her characters. The primary characters are multifaceted and evolve as you progress through the books.
September 8, 2024
an entertaining not so cozy cozy mystery paranormal series
This is an entertaining not quite so cozy paranormal cozy mystery series. Great castle characters in an entertaining storyline. This is the story at least so far of young teacher and a magic school. She grew up with magic but I always had it hidden and her mind and memory erased when she performed magic. At some point her magic kept coming out even though they kept trying to block it. She lived in the mundane world until one day they finally gave her chance to go to the magical realm and teach her to school. Currently she is an art teacher a school for wayward witches and is learning to control her magic teach and live new life. She’s only starting She’s not having great success at either. Ronna and see where these adventures take her.
This is an entertaining not quite so cozy paranormal cozy mystery series. Great castle characters in an entertaining storyline. This is the story at least so far of young teacher and a magic school. She grew up with magic but I always had it hidden and her mind and memory erased when she performed magic. At some point her magic kept coming out even though they kept trying to block it. She lived in the mundane world until one day they finally gave her chance to go to the magical realm and teach her to school. Currently she is an art teacher a school for wayward witches and is learning to control her magic teach and live new life. She’s only starting She’s not having great success at either. Ronna and see where these adventures take her.
November 25, 2025
Funny, exciting, and enchanting
After teasing us with the possible existence of the mysterious unworldly institution in the first two books, we finally get to Womby’s Reform School for Wayward Witches!
Clarissa is a teacher, but because of her inexperience in magic, ignorance of her family’s legacy, and diminutive size, she’s not much different than the students.
While teaching, she tries to solve the mystery of her birth-mother’s legend, her own powers, and what became of her long-lost love. Along the way, there are plenty of high jinks where the only talent our klutzy heroine seems to have is making enemies. She’s absolutely boy-crazy, but any intimacy makes her untamed powers go completely bonkers.
There are lots of shocking surprises, references to geek culture, and a satirical play on many of the familiar tropes, which makes it seem almost like a parody. This book is a joy to read, even though I am far from the target audience. It does the most important thing, which is to make me want to live in this world.
I am truly and unironically a Sarina Dorie fan.
After teasing us with the possible existence of the mysterious unworldly institution in the first two books, we finally get to Womby’s Reform School for Wayward Witches!
Clarissa is a teacher, but because of her inexperience in magic, ignorance of her family’s legacy, and diminutive size, she’s not much different than the students.
While teaching, she tries to solve the mystery of her birth-mother’s legend, her own powers, and what became of her long-lost love. Along the way, there are plenty of high jinks where the only talent our klutzy heroine seems to have is making enemies. She’s absolutely boy-crazy, but any intimacy makes her untamed powers go completely bonkers.
There are lots of shocking surprises, references to geek culture, and a satirical play on many of the familiar tropes, which makes it seem almost like a parody. This book is a joy to read, even though I am far from the target audience. It does the most important thing, which is to make me want to live in this world.
I am truly and unironically a Sarina Dorie fan.
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