Witchlings

Seven Salazar is a young witch who fails her test to join a coven during her town's New Moon Ceremony. Along with two other failed witchlings, she must complete an impossible task or lose her magic forever. The story takes place in the magical town of Ravenskill, where covens of witches maintain peace and order through their magical abilities. As outcasts who form a "spare" coven, Seven and her companions face both supernatural challenges and social prejudice from their community. The narrative follows Seven's attempts to prove herself while uncovering secrets about her town's history and confronting a dangerous magical threat. Her journey involves complex spellwork, mythical creatures, and tests of loyalty. This middle-grade fantasy explores themes of belonging, self-acceptance, and the strength found in unlikely friendships. The story challenges assumptions about power and worth in a society built on rigid magical hierarchies.

Readers describe Witchlings as a fun middle-grade fantasy with strong themes of friendship and belonging. Many found the Dominican-inspired magical elements unique and appreciated the diverse representation. Liked: - Character development and dynamics between the three main characters - Magic system and world-building details like the different witch covens - Integration of Dominican culture and Spanish phrases - Important messages about standing up to bullying Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the first third - A few readers mentioned confusing plot points and magical rules - Several noted the story took time to build momentum Ratings: Goodreads: 4.27/5 (4,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (580+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.7/5 (150+ ratings) One reader noted: "The friendship between Seven, Valley, and Thorn feels authentic and earned." Another mentioned: "The magic system is creative but could have been explained more clearly early on."

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🌙 Author Claribel A. Ortega drew inspiration from her Dominican heritage and childhood experiences in New York's Hudson Valley to create the magical world of Seven Springs. 🔮 The book explores themes of friendship and self-acceptance through a magical system where young witches must form covens to harness their powers effectively. ⭐ Witchlings was selected as an Indie Bestseller and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which praised its "richly drawn world building." 🌿 The story incorporates elements of Dominican folklore and traditions, including references to traditional healing practices and spiritual beliefs. 🎨 The novel's cover art, created by illustrator Alex Castellanos, features hidden magical symbols and Easter eggs that readers can discover while exploring the story.