Practical Rules for Cursed Witches

Seventeen-year-old witch Delilah Bea must break a deadly curse or lose her powers in this warmly rendered sapphic fantasy from Cottingham (This Delicious Death). In Celdwyn, custom dictates that a witch must complete a test of magical prowess, their Calling, to come into their full powers. Taking after her famed but estranged curse-breaker father, Delilah planned to use her Calling to break the curse she inherited from her mother, which ensures that anyone who falls in love with a Bea woman will inevitably forget her. But before Delilah can claim her task, her Calling ceremony is commandeered by Kieran Pelumbra, the son of the richest family in Celdwyn, who is cursed to siphon his magic into his twin sister, with deadly consequences for both. Forced to aid in Kieran’s quest, Delilah sets off on a treacherous journey to find Kieran’s absent twin and break the enchantments of all three before time runs out. Cottingham expertly conjures a story of found family and generational trauma with a charming queer romance at the center, while building an immersive, cozy cottagecore atmosphere. Major characters cue as white. Ages 12–up. Agent: Erica Bauman, Aevitas Creative. (Aug.)