Published: 2022
Series: Witchlings
Author: Claribel Ortega
Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Witches, Magic, Fiction, Paranormal, Queer, Friendship
Audience (Grade Levels): Grades 4-8
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: Witchlings
Triggers: Bullying, physical and emotional abuse
Review By: Allison Earl
Publisher’s Summary
A magical adventure for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Nevermoor, about three witchlings who must work together to do the impossible if they have any hope of earning their full powers. Every year, in the magical town of Ravenskill, Witchlings who participate in the Black Moon Ceremony are placed into covens and come into their powers as full-fledged witches. And twelve-year-old Seven Salazar can’t wait to be placed in the most powerful coven with her best friend! But on the night of the ceremony, in front of the entire town, Seven isn’t placed in one of the five covens. She’s a Spare!
Spare covens have fewer witches, are less powerful, and are looked down on by everyone. Even worse, when Seven and the other two Spares perform the magic circle to seal their coven and cement themselves as sisters, it doesn’t work! They’re stuck as Witchlings—and will never be able to perform powerful magic. Seven invokes her only option: the impossible task. The three Spares will be assigned an impossible task: If they work together and succeed at it, their coven will be sealed and they’ll gain their full powers. If they fail… Well, the last coven to make the attempt ended up being turned into toads. Forever. But maybe friendship can be the most powerful magic of all…
Review
Witchlings by Claribel Ortega is an enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel that takes readers to the magical town of Ravenskill, where twelve-year-old Seven Salazar anxiously awaits the Black Moon Ceremony. Seven dreams of being placed in the most powerful coven with her best friend, but instead, she is designated a “Spare” alongside Valley (her classmate and bully) and Thorn (the shy new girl). When their coven initiation fails to seal, Seven invokes the “impossible task” to fight a dangerous Nightbeast. If they succeed, they earn their full powers; if they fail, they will be permanently turned into toads.
I have not been this excited about a book since the Nevermoor series by Jessica Townsend! This book is a complete gem for those who love a good witch story, mysterious quests, and magical creatures. My favorite part of the narrative is the developing friendship between Seven, Valley, and Thorn. All three girls are vastly different and do not get along at first, but they soon learn to break down barriers, look past their preconceived notions, and rely on each other as sisters. The girls acknowledge and accept each other’s flaws and provide support when it is needed most, modeling a beautiful, realistic depiction of growth and reconciliation.
Ortega does an exceptional job introducing the magical world of Ravenskill. The pacing is incredibly swift, keeping readers hooked through every twist and turn as the girls uncover deep-seated secrets about their town’s leadership and the dark realities lurking beneath its polished surface. The narrative addresses heavy themes like classism, systemic exclusion, bullying, and emotional abuse in a way that feels safe, honest, and accessible for young readers. The cover art is absolutely stunning and will easily attract the target middle-grade audience. I highly recommend this modern classic to librarians, educators, and young readers looking for an empowering, magical ride—and I hope there will be a sequel soon!
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA / Plot Structure & Pacing: This novel serves as an excellent mentor text for teaching students about conflict, rising action, and the classic “quest” archetype. The clear stakes (defeating the Nightbeast or being turned into toads) provide a perfect model for analyzing suspense and narrative tension.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The book is heavily grounded in themes of empathy, overcoming peer conflict, and understanding the root causes of bullying. It provides a natural springboard for classroom discussions on how social structures label individuals and how to cultivate genuine, supportive friendships.
Diversity & Representation
Witchlings offers outstanding representation, seamlessly incorporating Latine cultural elements, Spanish phrasing, and queer themes in an organic, validating manner. By centering three distinct, marginalized girls who must dismantle oppressive social hierarchies, Ortega provides a powerful, diverse mirror for young readers of all backgrounds.
Readalikes
- Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend
- Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
- The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste
