VenCo

Lucky St. James lives in a Toronto apartment with her grandmother Stella when she discovers a silver spoon bearing cryptic markings. The spoon connects her to VenCo, a centuries-old organization of witches that originated in Salem, Massachusetts. VenCo seeks to unite seven witches across North America in a race against time. Lucky learns that she may be the final witch needed to complete their circle, but dark forces work to stop the women from achieving their goals. The story moves between Toronto and New Orleans as Lucky navigates newfound powers, ancestral connections, and alliances with other witches. Her journey intertwines with the complex relationship she shares with her grandmother Stella. At its core, this contemporary witch story explores themes of female solidarity, generational wisdom, and the ongoing struggle for women's autonomy in a world that seeks to suppress their power.

Readers highlight Dimaline's compelling voice and the rich integration of Indigenous traditions with modern witchcraft themes. Many note the strong female relationships and multi-generational storytelling aspects. Praised elements: - Dark humor throughout the narrative - Complex character development of Lucky and her grandmother - Details about Indigenous culture and folklore - Atmospheric descriptions of both Toronto and New York settings Common criticisms: - Plot pacing issues, particularly in the middle sections - Some confusion about the magic system rules - Too many character viewpoints for some readers - Ending felt rushed to several reviewers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (150+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.9/5 (500+ ratings) "The blend of contemporary and traditional storytelling kept me hooked" - Goodreads reviewer "Wished for more clarity on the witchcraft elements" - Amazon reviewer "Strong start but lost momentum" - StoryGraph reviewer

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🌙 VenCo's story weaves together elements of Indigenous traditions with the real Salem Witch Trials, connecting historical persecution to modern-day power dynamics. ⚡ Author Cherie Dimaline is a member of the Georgian Bay Métis Community and wrote her breakthrough novel "The Marrow Thieves" entirely in a Toronto Starbucks. 🔮 The novel's concept of seven witch bloodlines draws from various cultural mythologies about the number seven, which is considered magical in traditions worldwide. 📚 The book's setting spans from Toronto to New Orleans, two cities with rich histories of magical practices, including Vodou, Hoodoo, and Indigenous spiritual traditions. 🗝️ VenCo was partially inspired by a real-life discovery of witch bottles in London—vessels used for protective spells that were commonly hidden in buildings during the 16th-18th centuries.