The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches: Book Club Discussion Questions

Genre: Cosy Fantasy Goodreads rating: 4.03

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is a warm, enchanting, and emotionally rich novel that explores found family, belonging, identity, loneliness, love, and the courage to let others into our lives.

The novel follows Mika Moon, a solitary witch who has spent her life carefully hiding her magic and keeping her distance from other witches. When she is unexpectedly invited to Nowhere House, a mysterious home where three young witches are being raised, Mika finds herself drawn into an unconventional family alongside the enigmatic librarian Ian, the eccentric inhabitants of the house, and the children she is determined to protect. As she becomes part of their lives, Mika begins to question the rules she has always followed and discovers that family, friendship, and love can be found in the most unexpected places.

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches book club discussion questions below were created by our Chapter 25 team of dedicated readers. This charming novel is perfect for readers who enjoy cosy fantasy, found-family stories, magical worlds, romance, and heartwarming character-driven fiction. These prompts are designed to spark conversation about belonging, loneliness, family, identity, love, independence, community, and the idea of finding a place where you truly feel at home.

Book Club Discussion Questions:

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches blends elements of fantasy, romance, and mystery. Which of these aspects did you find most compelling, and how did they work together to create the novel’s cosy atmosphere?

  
  

• Mika has spent most of her life hiding who she is. How does that secrecy shape her personality and choices?

  
  

• Mika believes she’s better off alone to keep others safe. Do you think that belief was ever truly about safety or something else? How does this view change from the beginning of the book to the end?

  
  

• If magic were real in this world, do you think secrecy would actually keep people safe? If you had magic that set you apart, would you hide it or share it and why?

  
  

• Jamie initially comes across as prickly and guarded. How did your perception of him evolve?

  
  

• Mika and Jamie have very different personalities but find themselves drawn to each other. Why do you think that is? What parts of their personalities would complicate or complement each other in a real relationship?

  
  

• The children are powerful but vulnerable. How does the book portray responsibility towards children with gifts or differences?

  
  

• Do you think Mika’s approach to teaching magic is similar to how you would approach it? Is it more about magic or about emotional safety?

  
  

• How do the adults at Nowhere House differ in how they protect the children? Which approach felt healthiest?

  
  

• After meeting his mother and brothers again, Jamie states that “some kinds of trauma can’t be revisited and some needs to be.” What do you think he means by this, and how does this impact Mika’s own journey in the novel?

• Which relationship in the book (romantic or platonic) felt the most meaningful to you?

  
  

• What specific moments or behaviours make Nowhere House feel like home rather than just a setting?

  
  

• Edward and Primrose are both viewed as antagonists. How do you think they differ from each other, and how do these differences affect the way Mika deals with them?

  
  

• Did the plot twists in the book surprise you? Why or why not?

  
  

• There were several secrets in the book. Are there moments where secrecy is portrayed as kindness rather than harm?

  
  

• How does the book challenge the idea that being different automatically means being dangerous?

  
  

• Which character would you most like a sequel or novella about?

• If Mika had never gone to Nowhere House, what do you think her life would look like five years later?

  
  

• What was your favourite scene, and why did it stick with you?