A tale of witchcraft by Chris Colfer

Hodder & Stoughton 2020. ISBN: 9781510202191.
(Age: Young Adult). Highly recommended. Brystal Evergreen and her band of magical friends are back to entertain in A tale of witchcraft, sequel to 2019's A tale of magic. The Fairy Council have defeated the evil Snow Queen and negotiated for the emancipation of women and the lawful use of magic throughout the four kingdoms. Brystal is now in charge of the magical academy founded by her mentor, Madame Weatherberry, and has welcomed magical beings from across the land to the school. However, from the novel's opening page we know that something is once again amiss. Legal tolerance of magic does not automatically equal social acceptance and the ascendance of magic users has given rise to a movement of magic-haters called the Righteous Brotherhood, who are determined to stamp out fairies and their ilk once and for all. If this isn't concerning enough, a mysterious witch with dark intentions arrives at the academy to recruit students for her rival school. Brystal knows it is only a matter of time before the mankind vs magic conflict begins again . . .
While Chris Colfer's books may be set in fantastical lands with little similarities to our own, there are always parallels to be drawn between his plots and our own society. As once marginalised and oppressed minority groups become more accepted and vocal in the community, so to do reactionary movements intent on returning things to the status quo. A tale of witchcraft is in part an allegory for our times. It is also an entertaining and fitting sequel for A tale of magic and readers will be thrilled to follow Brystal and her friends as they once again battle to save themselves, their community and all of humanity.
Themes: Magic, Magical creatures, Witches, Friendship, Cults, Adventure, Schools.
Rose Tabeni