Most of us have faced the fact that an owl will never come with our acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Find out what this teen does to take matters into her own hands.Nerdy high school outcast, CLARISSA LAWRENCE, has always felt like she didn’t belong in this world. More than anything, she wants magic to be real–and not just because she’s obsessed with Harry Potter and tries to go to Narnia by … Narnia by reading fantasy novels in her wardrobe.
Yet, when she stumbles upon real magic, and fairy tales come true, she doesn’t expect to be the evil villain in her own story. Clarissa learns she’s descended from an evil witch and is destined to kill her older sister.
When she meets a cute boy who offers to train her in magic, she must make a choice. She can have a safe, normal life and no harm will come to anyone. Or she can choose magic and risk everything and everyone she loves in order to be what she’s always known she was meant to be . . . a wicked witch.
This is the first book in the WOMBY’S SCHOOL FOR WAYWARD WITCHES Series, but the first three books can be read in any order.
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
more
I love the Wayward Witch Series by Ms. Dorie, if I am looking for an entertaining read I just reach for a Wayward Witch!
I received a copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. I have already read a few of Sarina’s works, and as she writes stories in a number of genres I wasn’t sure what to expect as some of her stuff is quite dark. However, I was very impressed with this particular book; it’s a great coming of age book where the protagonist discovers a whole new world. If you are going to start with any book from Sarina’s collection, I advise you to start here. It is an introduction into the incredible world she has created for her readers and this is one that I could not put down. Definitely one that will be read again and again
This book was entertaining and the story flowed well. I found myself getting irritated with Clarissa’s sister and her attitude so it obviously sucked me in! I enjoyed Derrick and the role he played in Clarissa’s life. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the series. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.
This first book in Womby’s School for Wayward Witches by Sarina Dorie gently and entertainingly introduced the reader into the world of a teenage girl who is trying to understand the world of magic, both the good and the bad kinds, even though her parents try to shield her from its existence. It is also a story about how far one girl will go to protect and preserve the bond between her sister and herself, even though her sister is anything but caring or loving back. It is also a story about a gentle romance between two witchkins who are trying to find their way in the world of friendship and love, even though every effort is being made by others to thwart and forbid it. And, finally, it was a story about trying to be normal so they could fit in with the others without being teased about being different, or treated as outsiders from the normal kids’ clique. Looking forward to reading the next books in the series, and already have two added to my TBR. This is a voluntary review of this book.
I love this book series, I’ve read all of them. They are quirky and fun. Larissa tries so hard and Vega is straight up hilarious. They are a fun read. The author did an amazing job with the characters.
This is a great series with a lot of twists and turns and great characters
This book is so so so good, I can’t recommend it enough!!!! The plot build-up is great and as the story progresses, you will find yourself falling in love with the characters and their universe…… All Harry potter fans are going to love this series definitely and you will want more.. All the books in the series are of course standalones,and can be read in any order, but I would strongly recommend to follow the story from this first book onwards and you never want the series to end ( I LOVE IT SO MUCH).. Right now I have personally read until the 6th book and can’t wait for next in the series!!!! TRY IT ONCE, AND YOU WILL COME BACK FOR MORE!!!!
That wasn’t what I was expecting, it was much better! Truly original, entertaining, and fun to read! I am looking forward to reading more!
This title has nothing to do with the book – except for words “witches’ spells.”
I liked the story but it was completely different than what I expected. First, when you see the word ‘cozy’ in the title you think of one of those light fluffy little books. Even more so when you see the words ‘cozy mystery.’ This was neither a cozy nor a mystery. (NOTE: Depending where you see this book it may or may not have that as part of the title.)
Next, I’m not sure what ‘tardy bells’ had to do with anything except that they are in high school. Clarissa is a straight-A, goody-two-shoes, freshman that has probably never been late to any class ever. And wasn’t in this book either.
The name of the series is about the Womby School for witches. That school was only mentioned twice in passing. They weren’t at that school and no one left to go there (which I assumed that was what was going to happen).
Beside the title misdirection, I really liked the story of Clarissa, her fascination with magic, and her growing friendship with Derrick.
I’m assuming the other books in the series will have something to do with the Womby school. I’m willing to read further to find out.
No. Just NO!
Clarissa is 14 but honestly seems to be an 8 year old in terms of maturity. She’s starting high school but is completely clueless about basic sexual knowledge because her Mom won’t allow her to take sex ed in school.
**Note to parents: not educating your kids about sex is how you become super young grandparents raising your grandkids!**
Back to this book… gah! There are hints of a lot of things but nothing really is explained. The whole thing with Clarissa not being taught about sex does have consequences because her powers are sorta, maybe, perhaps tied to her sexuality. (??) It’s not clear but bad stuff happens when she “gets tingly.” Her sister goes from being her BFF to literally every stereotypical mean girl in movies and books all wrapped into one little snotty ball of spoiled cheerleader. Cliché! Get your cliché here! Step right up!!
There is a whole lot left unsaid, unexplained or just confusing. I’m not sure what age group this is meant to be directed at. Like earlier stated Clarissa is 14 at the start of the book and 15 at the end but seems to be very much younger since she’s still playing with dolls, doll houses/castles and whatnot. But she makes friends with the “Nerd Herd” (who are actually Goth/Emo with funky died hair, nose and or lip studs & one has a neck tatt and are not nerdy at all, see my confusion here?) and they talk about sex, French kissing and oral sex which our immature MC doesn’t understand. There is talk of S & M and sex magic. Quite a few F-Bombs are dropped. So if this is geared towards middle schoolers it’s inappropriate. If it’s geared towards high school kids the MC doesn’t have the maturity to be in HS so it feels off. Also IS she actually a special needs kid? It’s hinted that she’s “on the spectrum” or perhaps IS actually Autistic but never defined as such. If she is the whole Derek thing who is 17 at the book’s beginning being into her is waaay creepy and inappropriate. Hell it’s creepy that a
17 year old dude is into a 14 year old little girl no matter what.
This book had potential. The idea of a magic school is what made me get it in the first place but that NEVER happens. I won’t even bother dealing with that.
I would steer clear of this convoluting story. Please.
Interesting Intro to a New Magic Series!
An unexpected storyline about witches and magic. I enjoyed the complex characters, intriguing teenage drama, family drama and suspenseful situations and look forward to reading the next book. Enjoy!
I could not put this book down at all as It took me on a wild ride. The characters in this story are incredibly relatable. I laughed, I cried, I felt excited; I felt dread in all the right places in a way that the world around me became invisible as I read this book.
Sarina Dorie has a writing style that is incredibly normal, but at the same time, brings all the magic into the reader’s psyche that makes her book the magic carpet we all wish to sit on when opening a book. Her stories always have the ability to take me on a ride for hours on end without me seeing the time fly by.
If you love books like Harry Potter, where one thinks he is normal but finds out he is from another world, you will love this story. Be warned, time will stand still while you will read this book as it will change you completely by the time you will be done with it.
Missy disappears at fair she was missing for hours. This book is a cliffhanger and leaves you up in the air about what is going on. I love series books but I didn’t like this book.
YA, Paranormal, school, Abstinence, crime] 4 1/2s
I know it might sound cliché but what I got out of this story is that knowledge is its own form of power. Hiding from a problem like what happened in this story (magic triggered by biological energy) doesn’t make it go away. Instead it leaves the main character and the people around her vulnerable to harm and being taken advantage of by others.
A better track would be to teach informed responsibility for one’s actions regarding life situations. In this way, she and the othet students would have been better able to protect and think for themselves. They then could make decisions based on the possible results and probable consequences of their actions, both good and bad.
Teaching only one side of an issue can be just as dangerous as nothing and lead to unhealthy or unbalanced views later in life. Children are smarter than we give them credit for. If we’re honest with them, help them learn the why, how and when various actions are appropriate and what to do based on available facts. They can then also understand what leads up to a bad situation and stop it before it becomes a danger. In this way, they learn to reason for themselves. Most will choose the healthier path for most situations, because they have learned self discipline through reason and example.
This is why learning both sides of history is important along with research and deductive reasoning skills. Most everyone can learn from the mistakes and triumphs of others who have been in the same or similar situations as well as safely learn to investigate a problem. I should think most would rather operate from a position of knowledge rather than being left to flounder from the results of ignorance.
Pretty deep for a teen story I know, but if we read and observe the world in the mindful manner of reason and teach it to our young, we can get so much more out of our day to day interactions with the world around us and each other. Everything has the potential to be a “teachable moment” all life long.
A World Of Magic!
I absolutely LOVE this well written book for all ages! Ms. Dorie’s magical world is second only to Harry Potter and Newt Scamander’s. Imagine Harry Potter not finding out who or what he was. Clarissa Lawrence’s life is as crazy as any teens. The normal ups, downs, and awkward nerdy-ness only with added magical mishaps. Unfortunately, it the mishaps that end up causing Clarissa life to spin out, readers to sigh and cry. Leaving a major cliffhanger ending. Lucky for us readers, we get more books in this wonderfully world – I can’t wait!
A female Harry Potter wannabe has amazing adventures beyond belief – the beginning!
I advise anyone planning to read the Womby’s School for Wayward Witches to start with this Book 1 in the series, and then binge read the series sequentially. That’s what I did after I got hooked on this first book. Each book gets more outrageous than the last; and as the characters age, hormones start heating up the action, and by Hexes and Exes: A Cozy Witch Mystery (Womby’s School For Wayward Witches Book 5), some of the graphic scenes overheated my imagination and computer! Be warned – if you are overly modest or religious, this may not be the series for you. But I thoroughly enjoyed the irreverent and humorous writing style. I’ve read the whole series past Reading, Writing and Necromancy (Womby’s School For Wayward Witches Book 6) and just finished a pre-pub Book 7 ‘Budget Cuts for the Dark Arts and Crafts’. Now I’m looking forward to Book 8. The series is an enjoyable romp, with many memorable characters, and frequent references to Star Trek, Harry Potter, My Little Pony, art and music. Again, it’s definitely best to “binge” read the whole series in order.
At first, I didn’t think I was going to like this book. I didn’t like the main character’s personality and I felt like she was a cry baby. But as I kept reading she changed. I felt like I was watching her grow as the story went on, and I really enjoyed that. I loved all the pop culture references throughout the book. I also fell in love with Derrick. He is definitely my type! I can’t wait to read the next book Hex-ED and see where the third path will take Clarissa