★ 03/14/2022
Following a disastrous falling-out with her girlfriend Chloe, which left her a social outcast, 17-year-old Eleanor Anderson—“easily the least witchy person” in Salem, Mass.—busies herself with taking care of her mother, who lives with Lyme disease; working at a family friend’s kitschy witch-themed gift shop; and smoking weed to help manage her anxiety. Then she meets Pixie, who invites Eleanor to join a coven seeking to “save the soul of this town.” Despite initial reservations, cynical Eleanor accepts, and soon starts dating more exuberant, open-minded Pix, as interstitials taken from a mysterious book sent to Eleanor reflect the story’s progression and explain the tarot’s major arcana. Employing a tongue-in-cheek first-person narrative and using flashbacks to shed light on Eleanor’s complicated previous relationship, Scelsa (Fans of the Impossible Life) explores public opinion and self-perception alongside themes of forgiveness, relational toxicity, and commercialism. Symbolic magic lends an underlying sense of enchantment as Eleanor opens herself up to new ideas and possibilities, and a sweet, gentle central chemistry sells the central romance. Across the largely queer cast, protagonists are white; secondary characters are portrayed as racially diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Brianne Johnson, HG Literary. (May)
Scelsa explores public opinion and self-perception alongside themes of forgiveness, relational toxicity, and commercialism. Symbolic magic lends an underlying sense of enchantment as Eleanor opens herself up to new ideas and possibilities, and a sweet, gentle central chemistry sells the central romance.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Magic is found through personal growth and accepting love in this enchanting tale.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“In Salem, everyone has secrets, and two teenagers struggle to keep their fledgling relationship alive through Eleanor’s past, and Pix’s best intentions in this charming, heartrending LGBTQIA+ YA.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Cleverly arranged as a journey through the Major Arcana of a tarot deck, this is a queer romance [with] a witchy flourish.” — ALA Booklist
Cleverly arranged as a journey through the Major Arcana of a tarot deck, this is a queer romance [with] a witchy flourish.
In this beautiful and devastating novel, Kate Scelsa introduces three of the most memorable and original characters in recent memory. Fans of the Impossible Life is a truly unconventional love story that will challenge everything you think you know about the nature of love and friendship.
I wish my high school self could read this book. Fans of the Impossible Life perfectly captures the complexity of love, sexuality, and the cost of secrets. Mira, Sebby, and Jeremy will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
A deeply moving story about friendship and individuality in an often inhospitable world.
★ 06/01/2022
Gr 8 Up—Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is the biggest skeptic in Salem, MA. She hates Halloween. A calamitous, tumultuous year has left her isolated and anxious, self-medicating with marijuana and with a complete lack of a social life. So when a mysterious, handmade Tarot guide arrives at the kitschy tourist store where she works to help support herself and her ailing mother, Eleanor finds something new to pour herself into. And when Tarot is soon followed by two honest-to-goddess witches—one of whom, Pix, she feels an instant attraction to—Eleanor wonders if it's actually possible to start over. But in Salem, everyone has secrets, and the two teenagers struggle to keep their fledgling relationship alive through Eleanor's past, and Pix's best intentions in this charming, heartrending LGBTQIA+ YA. Neatly laid foreshadowing makes an important but unexpected reveal all the more emotional, and the pay-off all the better as the narrative straddles the border between realism and the fantastic. The book features a white main character and love interest, with Black and Asian American characters in the secondary cast. VERDICT This title is an excellent purchase for teen collections.—Chrystopher Lytal
★ 2022-03-02
The “least witchy person in Salem” finds herself in the unlikely position of joining a coven and pursuing a new romance.
Nearly a year ago, Eleanor lost Chloe, the girl she loved, and became a pariah. Now, she spends her time working at the Salem Gift Emporium and numbing her emotions by smoking pot. The day Eleanor meets a cute girl called Pixie, a unique package arrives at the shop with a handmade tarot guide. The Fool card, which opens the book, signifies a new beginning; Eleanor’s story continues along the path of the major arcana, with conversational explanations of the cards between chapters. The narrative smoothly shifts between Eleanor’s blossoming romance with Pix and, through flashbacks, a gradual reveal of Eleanor’s toxic relationship with Chloe. Pix is part of a coven, and together the witches participate in ceremonial activities and pagan celebrations (the story stays firmly rooted in realism). Scelsa’s sophomore novel excels at portraying realistic teens who have big emotions and sometimes make frustrating choices. It doesn’t shy away from the cruelty some are capable of, but the overall tone is hopeful. Supportive relationships are showcased, such as Eleanor’s with her mom, who has chronic pain from Lyme disease. The Salem setting is richly depicted, and the story thoughtfully grapples with consumer culture. Eleanor, Chloe, and Pix are White; secondary characters are racially diverse.
Magic is found through personal growth and accepting love in this enchanting tale. (Fiction. 14-18)
