The Very Secret Society Of Irregular Witches By Sangu Mandanna Jun 2026

The novel critiques the notion that safety lies in solitude. The “very secret society” of witches enforces isolation under the guise of protection, yet Mika’s life before Nowhere House is a study in quiet despair. Mandanna demonstrates that enforced loneliness is a form of slow violence. The magical rules—no friendships, no revealing your identity—mirror real-world social anxieties and the pressures to hide one’s true self. At Nowhere House, the family’s acceptance (including that of non-magical humans) becomes a healing force. The story argues that community, even messy and risky, is essential for psychological and magical survival.

The heart of the novel is the concept of "found family," a staple of the cozy fantasy genre. However, Mandanna treats this trope with surprising depth. The residents of Nowhere House—Ian (the grumpy librarian), Jamie (the brooding groundskeeper), Ken (the gentle architect), and the three children—are not just quirky side characters; they represent a spectrum of acceptance that contrasts sharply with Mika’s biological lineage. The novel critiques the notion that safety lies in solitude