WICKED ENDEAVORS

In the island kingdom of Coventry, a teen orphan seizes the opportunity to avenge the loss of her family.

When Gaspar Ruiz, a widowed nobleman from neighboring Domingo, comes to Kindred Orphanage and offers to adopt 17-year-old Cataleya Donant, she’s hesitant—until he says the magic word: revenge. Witches killed many people, including Ruiz’s family, before being exiled from Domingo. And Cata wants to exact justice against the longtime friend who betrayed her; Sebastjan Arroyo helped the Domingan witches after they fled to Coventry, where they enacted a bloody takeover. Sebastjan is now close to the Domingan Prince Tomás Castellan, and Ruiz’s plan involves morpher witch Caya’s transforming herself into Lady Marisol Vinyet, infiltrating the Domingan social season known as the Coronet, and finding the plants used to create potions, so Ruiz can create neutralizing counter-potions and restore the pre-magical world. During her mission, Caya forms attachments that may upend everything they’ve set in motion. This tropical world, which centers on Black and brown leads, is hierarchical: If young people show signs of magical abilities, they’re claimed by the High Houses (one for each of the three types of magic). Welks, who never develop magic, exist at the lowest level of society. In this simmering story, Cole explores themes of segregation, classism, and colorism. Twists abound, as do moments of manipulation, deception and betrayal.

A magical roller coaster of a story.