Real Women of Gaming

Magic. The word itself evokes ideas and feelings. The power to put intention into action and create change. It is an ability that many people would love to be able to wield. Perhaps that is why witches have always been such an integral part of our history and stories. 

The Scapegracers is a debut novel about witches in the young adult genre. The Scapegracers was released at a time when the world most needed some series magic; on September 15, 2020. It crosses into many subgenres and gives readers a queer protagonist. Hannah Abigail Clark is the author who worked the magic to bring this book to life. They are a queer writer who was the 2019 Lambda Literary Fellow in Young Adult Fiction and a Pushcart nominee. 

Sideways Pike is a loner. She has been for years, but that is fine with her: she has magic. Magic that licks at her skin and makes her feel alive. One night she takes a job at a Halloween party for some of the popular girls to make some extra money. Sideways has no idea what will happen at this party and how it will change her life. The danger that it will bring. 

I love this book. I love that Hannah acknowledges how creepy and feral teenage girls can be. They understand that people send so much hatred at teenage girls at a critical time for them. A time when girls are evolving into something so powerful. That is how the magic in this book is, and, along with the girls, it reads as so empowering. 

I like the verbage and the tone Hannah uses for the book as well. It feels young. It feels urgent. Perfect for a book about teenage witches in the making. 

The plot is good. There are great twists. I enjoyed the characters. They are complex, real, and not always likeable. They made me feel nostalgic for something that I cannot quite place. 

I highly recommend The Scapegracers. It is a great book to get you in the mood for spooky season. I don’t want to spoil too much. Hannah set up an amazing big bad and a great world to explore. There is a sequel coming out in December of 2021. I cannot wait. 

Go get a copy of The Scapegracers. It will add some magic to your life.

ALWAYS KEEP SPARKLING!!!