Half Bad

Half Bad takes place in a hidden world of witches living alongside humans in modern-day Britain. The story centers on Nathan, a 17-year-old who is both White and Black witch by birth - a rare and dangerous combination that makes him an outcast in society. The Council of White Witches keeps Nathan under strict surveillance due to his infamous Black witch father. Nathan faces persecution and imprisonment, spurring him into a desperate race against time to claim his magical gifts before his seventeenth birthday. The novel pits White witches against Black witches in a society ruled by fear, prejudice, and rigid social codes. Nathan must navigate complex family relationships and conflicting loyalties while trying to understand his own identity and powers. This dark coming-of-age story explores themes of discrimination, identity, and the arbitrary nature of good versus evil. The stark division between White and Black witches serves as an allegory for real-world prejudice and systemic oppression.

Readers say this witches-and-magic YA novel has a darker, grittier tone than similar books in the genre. Many found the second-person narrative sections unique and compelling, with the protagonist Nathan's voice coming through strongly. Liked: - Complex morality and exploration of good vs evil - Raw, visceral writing style - LGBTQ+ representation - Original take on witch mythology - Fast-paced final third Disliked: - Slow first half - Confusing timeline jumps - Underdeveloped side characters - Abrupt ending - Graphic violence/torture scenes felt excessive to some Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (89,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (300+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Started slow but picked up dramatically" Frequent criticism: "The pacing is uneven - takes too long to get going" Frequent praise: "The second-person segments put you right in Nathan's head"

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🔮 The book was Sally Green's debut novel, written after she left her career as an accountant at age 49. ⚔️ "Half Bad" broke two Guinness World Records: most translated book by a debut author pre-publication (45 languages) and most territories sold pre-publication for a debut book (45 territories). 🌙 The author drew inspiration for the witch society's discrimination from real-world racism and the treatment of mixed-race individuals throughout history. 📚 The novel is part of the "Half Life" trilogy, which took Green just four years to complete, from first draft to the publication of the final book. 🎬 In 2022, Netflix adapted the series into "The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself," though the show was canceled after one season despite positive reviews.