About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is navigating the complexities of legacy, the weight of family expectations, or the vulnerability of a first crush on a best friend. It is an ideal pick for a reader who enjoys urban fantasy where the magical and the mundane collide in the high school hallway. The story follows Laura Wilson, a young witch who accidentally summons a powerful ancestor while trying to break a historic curse during her school's production of Macbeth. While the book provides plenty of supernatural action with vampires and demonic forces, it is grounded in the emotional reality of growing up and finding one's own voice. It addresses self-confidence and the courage required to be honest about one's feelings. Parents should be aware of some spooky elements and mild horror themes, but the core of the story is about identity and the strength found in honest relationships. It is a wonderful choice for ages 12 and up, especially for those seeking stories that feature queer joy and inclusive representation within a fast-paced adventure.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
1. DISTRESS: There are scenes depicting the 'true horrors' of being a witch in Elizabethan England, which include themes of persecution and historical violence against women. Additionally, the demonic forces in Shipley Hollow provide several jump-scare moments and mildly graphic supernatural threats that might be intense for younger or more sensitive readers. 2. CONVERSATION: Parents should be prepared to discuss the historical context of the witch trials and the concept of 'curses' as metaphors for inherited family trauma or high expectations. There is also a secondary storyline involving a vampire whose possessive behavior provides an opportunity to discuss healthy boundaries in relationships.
Ideal Reader
A 13 or 14-year-old who feels 'the odd one out' in their family and loves theater, Shakespeare, or supernatural mysteries with a romantic subplot.
Parent Prep
Preview the scenes involving the resurrection of Cecily and the descriptions of Elizabethan-era persecution (near the middle of the book) to ensure they aren't too dark for your specific reader. A parent might see their child struggling with 'perfectionist' tendencies or feeling like they can't live up to the family name.
Age Experience
Younger teens will focus on the magic and the 'will they/won't they' romance. Older teens will likely pick up on the deeper themes of breaking cycles of generational trauma.
What Makes It Special
It masterfully weaves the literary history of Shakespeare's Macbeth into a modern queer coming-of-age story, making 'The Scottish Play' feel relevant to a New Age audience.
Read plot summary
Laura Wilson is a descendant of the witches who cursed Macbeth. Under immense family pressure to break this ancient curse, she attempts a spell during her school play that backfires, resurrecting her ancestor Cecily Wilson. As demonic forces threaten her town, Laura must navigate her feelings for her female best friend Holly, a complicated love triangle involving a vampire named Peter, and the terrifying history of witchcraft in Elizabethan England.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Laura feels a lot of pressure from her family's history. Have you ever felt like you had to live up to a certain reputation or expectation?
2
Cecily comes from a very different time. How did her perspective on being a witch change the way Laura saw her own powers?
3
The book mixes the plot of Macbeth with Laura's real life. Why do you think the author chose this specific play for the curse?
4
How does Laura's relationship with Holly change throughout the book, and what does it teach her about being brave?
5
If you could summon an ancestor to help you with a problem today, who would it be and why?
