How could her home not want her anymore? All for something she could not help. (237)

On the night of the Black Moon Ceremony, Seven Salazar and her best friend Poppy hope to be placed in House Hyacinth, but swear they'll be best friends no matter what - but then, only Poppy is placed in House Hyacinth, and Seven becomes a Spare, along with mean classmate Valley and new girl Thorn. As Spares, they'll never be full witches, and even worse, if they don't bind into a coven, they'll remain witchlings forever, with all their magic stripped from them - a fate so terrible Seven never even considered it before. Desperately, Seven invokes the Impossible Task: if the three of them can complete it, they can remain Spares. The only problem is right there in the name...it's impossible.

The Ravenskill town Gran declares that the girls' task is to defeat a Nightbeast. But as they work toward that goal, they discover that they're up against an even worse enemy: someone is controlling the Nightbeast, and that person has it in for Spares.

Creative and immersive world-building and magic, realistic interpersonal relationships (especially friendships), a few surprising twists and turns, and a tight time frame with high stakes - the girls will be turned into toads if they cannot defeat the Nightbeast in three weeks.

There are already two sequels!

CW: Valley's dad is abusive, but Seven reports what she's learned to her mother, who tells Valley's mother, who gets herself and Valley out of that situation. ( )

I thought this book was supet fun and nice magical tale. I also thought that it was unique story involving a curse and three young girls on the outskrits that have to save the day. I also really liked how this story was sructure. It had several elements that reminded me of other series but with a unqiue look. I also liked how friendship is at the heart of this story and so is saving the day!! It was a super fun read and I hope we get a sequel!! ( )

I thought this book was supet fun and nice magical tale. I also thought that it was unique story involving a curse and three young girls on the outskrits that have to save the day. I also really liked how this story was sructure. It had several elements that reminded me of other series but with a unqiue look. I also liked how friendship is at the heart of this story and so is saving the day!! It was a super fun read and I hope we get a sequel!! ( )

Loved this! Another fav of 2022! Check out the Diversity is Lit bookclub discussion to get my in-depth thoughts: https://youtu.be/xThlAg2zfsY ( )

Twelve-year-old Seven is completely psyched for her town's ceremony when the young witches are placed into their covens, magically bound together and gaining in their strengths as a result. Will Seven end up in the same coven house as her parents, or her best friend? But one thing Seven never considered ... becoming a Spare, a witch without a coven!

This fantasy middle-grade novel featuring a trio of friends who must unwrap a mystery in order to battle evil using magical spells and potions is the perfect book for readers looking for a more inclusive Harry Potter-style story. I did find the beginning a little slow and hard to get into, but after that I was more invested and was surprised by the many twists and turns the book took, even if sometimes it seemed to get a little too bogged down in minor details. However, for folks who really like fantasy more than I do, all that world building will be a bonus, not a distraction. ( )