Found Family, Belonging, and the Magic of Authenticity in Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches was praised for its inclusive, heartwarming representation. Critics noted its handling of loneliness in the digital age—Mika’s online persona echoes contemporary social media performance. The book has been celebrated as part of a growing trend of “hopeful fiction” that responds to post-pandemic anxieties about isolation. It is significant for centering non-traditional family structures without apology or tragedy. Found Family, Belonging, and the Magic of Authenticity
Traditional family is absent for Mika (her parents died) and for the three young witches (they were abandoned). Mandanna deliberately constructs “found family” not as a consolation prize but as a superior model. The members of Nowhere House—a gay librarian, a stern housekeeper, a retired witch, a grumpy handyman, and three children—are bound not by blood but by mutual care and chosen commitment. The novel emphasizes that family is an active, daily practice of love and protection. Mika’s eventual adoption into this unit represents a rejection of her biological witch family’s cold, rule-bound legacy. The members of Nowhere House—a gay librarian, a
Published in 2022, Sangu Mandanna’s The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a cozy fantasy novel that subverts traditional tropes of witchcraft narratives. Rather than focusing on dark magic or epic battles, the novel centers on Mika Moon, a solitary young witch who has been raised to hide her magic, avoid human connections, and follow rigid rules to ensure her safety. The story follows her journey to Nowhere House, a crumbling estate on the English coast, where she is hired to tutor three young witches. This paper argues that Mandanna uses the framework of a lighthearted romance and magical realism to explore profound themes: the human need for belonging, the redefinition of family beyond biological ties, and the courage required to live authentically. Despite her initial resistance
Mandanna writes in a warm, accessible prose style with sharp, witty dialogue. The novel fits into the “cozy fantasy” subgenre (alongside works by T.J. Klune and Travis Baldree), characterized by low stakes, high emotional payoff, and an emphasis on comfort. The magic system is soft (no complex rules), serving primarily as a metaphor for hidden talents and emotional states. The pacing is gentle, alternating between domestic scenes and moments of magical chaos.
Mika Moon is one of the few remaining witches in Britain, bound by three unbreakable rules: hide your magic, keep witches hidden from each other, and never form attachments. To combat loneliness, she posts anonymous videos pretending to be a witch. Unexpectedly, she is contacted by a retired witch and a non-magical librarian who need her to tutor three orphaned witches (Rosie, Terracotta, and Altamira) at Nowhere House. Despite her initial resistance, Mika moves in and forms deep bonds with the household’s eccentric members—Primrose, the stern housekeeper; Ken, the librarian; and Jamie, the handsome yet grumpy groundskeeper. As she breaks the rules and embraces love, Mika discovers that her greatest threat is not exposure, but isolation.