Now, Conjurers

By Author / Illustrator

Freddie Koelsch

Genre

Horror

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008623494

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-06-2024

Synopsis

November 1999, North Dana, Massachusetts. The body of Bastion Attia - high school quarterback, secret witch, and Nesbit Nunez's even-more-secret boyfriend - is discovered at the edge of Stepwood Cemetery. As Nesbit and his coven of queer misfits investigate Bastion's death, they discover local folktales of Mr. Nous, a terrifying wish-granting creature, one whose gifts come at a terrible price. The coven must do battle against an age-old evil before it strikes again ...

Now, Conjurers is a wildly original, spinechilling YA debut about queer found family and a love that outlasts death.

"This sensational YA debut blends tense, terrifying horror with dark humour, queer romance and hugely original storytelling." The Guardian. 'This book is charm itself ... smart, edgy, funny and heartfelt.' - Tamsyn Muir - bestselling author of Gideon the Ninth.

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Reviews

Now, Conjurers is an enjoyable read, part horror fantasy, part relatable older teen reality, incorporating mystery and crime into its 400+ thrilling pages. The quirky title, strap line ('welcome to the coven') and the perspective of the cover illustration (by Sam Schechter) of you, the reader, looking up from below (the ground?, a hole?, a grave???) into the faces of the group of characters, one of whom appears less distinct than the others, draws you irresistibly into reading this story.

Author Freddie Kolsch's debut YA novel, Now Conjurers is rich with detail as the remaining witches in the group unearth their community's secrets in order to discover who brutally killed their friend, Bastion Attia (brilliant name!). As the witches join together in grief and vengeance, the characters are portrayed as both supernatural yet recognisably teenage with all the usual challenges of friendship, romance and family. This makes them likeable and appealing, even if they are way too cool (and other worldly) to include you in their friendship group!

As a reader you are curious to know more and as the tension builds, leaves you rooting for them to triumph over evil (even if you are figuratively reading the horror passages through your fingers!)

Advisory warning: this book contains mature themes (offensive language, gruesome horror, sexual references) so is recommended for older teenagers and young adults.

448 pages / Reviewed by Ruth Cornish, school librarian