Bad Witches

Akumiah’s sweet urban fantasy debut features three young Black women making their ways in both the real and the magical world. Maya West is a queer fashionista PR assistant; Gabbie Nwosu is a teacher who moonlights as a crafting queen; and Delali Tamakloe is a former child star turned academic wunderkind. The women have nothing in common—until they all wind up in the same bathroom at the same time on the day that happens to be all three’s 22nd birthday and, together, they come into their magic powers, bonding them for life. Meanwhile, in the Sphere, the witching world that runs parallel to Earth, Nadia Nox, a scientist with the Witch Health Organization, investigates why, ever since a historic betrayal in the Sphere, witches have only been able to have non-witch babies. When her search brings her into contact with the newly witched trio, Maya, Delali, and Gabbie are drawn into the complex politics of the Sphere. Akumiah makes her heroines feel real, though readers will wish each woman got a bit more backstory. A fairly open ending will also leave readers hoping it’s just the first foray into this intricate world. One-part fantasy and one-part celebration of sisterhood, this is a loving paean to all that can be accomplished when women pool their experience and power. Agent: Deborah Schneider and Penelope Burns, Gelfman Schneider Literary Agents. (Aug.)