LOCAL BOOK REVIEW BPL staff top picks: Sarah Massey reviews ‘A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping’
Sarah Massey, Barberton Public Library technical services manager, reviews: “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” by Sangu Mandanna
If you’ve ever wanted to escape into a cozy inn full of magical misfits, including a resurrected relative, and a very dramatic zombie chicken, “A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping” is your next read.
Sangu Mandanna blends warm-hearted fantasy with a witty, slightly frazzled heroine and a setting that feels like a cross between a magical B&B and the friendliest havoc you could imagine. At its center is Sera Swan, a once-powerful witch now living in magical semi-retirement after a very ill-advised resurrection spell (which brought back her beloved great-aunt and a rooster, as one does). Exiled from the elite Witch’s Guild, Sera is stuck in a life she didn’t plan for—until a stolen spellbook and a broody magical historian show up at her doorstep.
This book has so much character. From Clemmie, the fox-bodied witch with a flair for mischief, to the mushroom & goat-loving Matilda and the ever-mysterious Nicholas of Mayfair, every member of this unlikely inn-family adds their own brand of whimsical charm. The found-family vibes are strong and sincere—this is a story that gently reminds you that your people don’t have to be perfect to be perfect for you.
While the romance between Sera and Luke is slow-burning and sweet, it never steals the spotlight from the real heart of the story: Sera’s journey of healing, rediscovery, and self-worth. And yes, there’s magical tension and a shared goal that forces them to team up, which makes for delightful moments (especially for readers who love external-conflict-driven romance).
With rich world-building, dry humor, a bit of melancholy, and just the right dose of disorder, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping is a completely charming fantasy that reads like a warm mug of enchanted tea. Come for the magic, stay for the chaos, and leave feeling like maybe misfits make the best kind of family.
