Witch Rising (B*WITCH, 2)

Sorrow Point High's witchiest have returned in this conclusion to the thrilling B*Witch duology—and this time, the danger is even closer to home.\nTwo rival covens, led by frenemies Greta and Div, are investigating a radical anti-magic faction—the New Order—for the murder of a sister witch. In fact, Div and her coven mate Mira are pretend-dating a couple of New Order members to infiltrate it and bring it down for good. But when the president of the United States aligns himself with the dangerous group and local police ramp up their search for suspected witches, the covens must be more careful than ever.\nEven outside of politics, complications abound as Iris and the new witch, Torrence, fight for Greta's affections...and Ridley can't get over her crush on a dead girl...and Binx's own crush turns out to be harboring deadly secrets.\nIf the covens wish to solve their friend's murder and protect their kind, they'll have to rise above their problems, big and small. But as they grow closer to the truth, one thing becomes certain—trust no witch.\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 7 Up-Rival sophomore covens are investigating the oppressive New Order in their small town of Sorrow Point, Washington. Our teen witches need to balance homecoming committee with spying on anti-magic meetings, as well as their own coven differences while they try to blend in. The end of the duology brings in tropes, a witchy aesthetic, and queer representation, but the plot wraps itself in a bow with plot conveniences that undercut the story in the end. Latinx, Black, biracial, and trans representation are included in the main cast, with additional diverse elements supporting. VERDICT Unless you have readers waiting for this sequel, feel free to pass. There are stronger queer witch stories out there.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.