About the Book
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a contemporary fantasy novel by Sangu Mandanna, published in 2022. It follows Mika Moon, one of the few practicing witches in Britain, who has spent her life keeping her magic hidden and keeping her distance from others, including other witches, whose combined powers risk drawing unwanted attention. Orphaned young and raised by a series of strangers, Mika is accustomed to isolation, and she channels her real life into an online persona where she posts videos "pretending" to be a witch.
When that persona catches the attention of the right people, Mika is pulled into an unexpected situation: three young witches living in a remote manor house need a teacher, and the household that surrounds them, a collection of loyal, eccentric adults, becomes something Mika has never really had before. The book's central tension sits between Mika's deep-set instinct to stay separate and the pull of connection she finds herself resisting.
This is firmly cozy fantasy. The conflict is low-stakes in the genre sense, there are no world-ending threats or dark antagonists, and the focus stays on character dynamics, a slow-burn romance, and the texture of belonging. Readers expecting plot-driven fantasy will find it quiet. Readers looking for warmth and character will find exactly what the book is selling.
Narration & Audio Performance
Samara MacLaren narrates, and she's a reasonable fit for the material. Her delivery is warm without being saccharine, which suits a book that could easily tip into over-sentimentality in the wrong hands. The pacing is measured, this is a slow, atmospheric story and MacLaren doesn't try to inject urgency that isn't there. For listeners who appreciate a calm, steady narrator, that works well. For listeners who want more vocal range or intensity, it may feel flat in stretches.
Character differentiation is functional rather than theatrical. The cast of the household, several adult characters with distinct personalities, is readable, though some voices sit closer together than they might with a more expressive narrator. The three young witches are distinguishable, which matters given how central they are to the story.
Production quality is clean with no notable issues. Since runtime data isn't available, the best way to gauge whether MacLaren's delivery style suits you is to listen to the Audible sample before committing a credit.
The Audible Verdict
The audiobook is a perfectly decent way to experience this story. MacLaren's narration is comfortable and doesn't get in the way of the material. That said, cozy fiction in this register doesn't gain much from the audio format specifically, you're not missing anything significant by reading it in print, and you're not losing anything significant by listening. If you have a free trial credit, this is a reasonable place to spend it. It doesn't quite clear the bar for a paid credit given the narration is serviceable rather than standout.
Listen on AudibleIs This Book a Good Fit for Audio?
Cozy contemporary fantasy is generally a good audio format match. The narrative is linear, the cast of characters is manageable, and the prose leans toward warmth and interiority rather than technical complexity. There are no charts, maps, or structural elements that require a visual format. This is the kind of story you can follow easily during commutes, chores, or long walks without needing to rewind.
The one caveat is that cozy fiction benefits from a narrator who can carry emotional texture across long stretches of low-conflict storytelling. When a book's appeal rests on atmosphere and feeling rather than plot momentum, the narration has to do extra work. MacLaren handles it competently, but listeners who are very sensitive to narrator expressiveness may find the print experience slightly richer here.
Popular Listener Questions
Is this book part of a series?
No. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a standalone novel.
Is this narrated by the author?
No. The audiobook is narrated by Samara MacLaren, not by author Sangu Mandanna.
How much fantasy content is there? Is this more romance or fantasy?
It sits closer to romance with a fantasy backdrop. The magic system is light and the plot centers on relationships, including a slow-burn romance, more than on any fantasy-driven conflict.
Is this appropriate for younger listeners?
The book is written for adult audiences, but the content is mild. There's no graphic violence or explicit material, so older teen listeners who enjoy cozy fantasy romance would likely find it accessible.
What kind of reader is this best suited for?
Listeners who enjoy cozy fantasy, low-stakes romance, and found-family dynamics. If you liked books like Legends & Lattes or The House in the Cerulean Sea, the audience overlap is strong.
Similar Audiobooks
Both are cozy fantasy novels centered on found family, gentle magic, and a slow-burn romance in an isolated setting. Frequently recommended together.
Another cozy fantasy with low stakes, warm character dynamics, and a focus on belonging rather than adventure. Near-identical audience.
A Witch's Guide to Escape
Features a witch protagonist navigating connection and community in a contemporary-adjacent setting.
The Ex Hex
Light witchcraft paired with a central romance, similarly warm in tone and low on threat or darkness.
Emily Henry's Beach Read
Emily Henry provided a visible endorsement for this book, and her readership is the natural crossover audience, contemporary romance readers who enjoy genre-adjacent warmth.
Audiobook Details
| Title | The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches |
|---|---|
| Author | Sangu Mandanna |
| Narrator | Samara MacLaren |
| Genre | Cozy Fantasy Romance |
| Year | 2022 |
| Publisher | Penguin |
| Abridged | Unabridged |
| Cast | Single narrator |
| Author-narrated | No |
Ready to listen?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is available on Audible and is a reasonable fit for a free trial credit if cozy fantasy romance is in your usual rotation.
Open on Audible