“A multi-layered and intoxicating fantasy that explores the adverse effects of emotional abuse and the courage it takes to break away and pave your own path.”
-Lenore Borja, author of “The Last Huntress”
Greensboro, NC – Wander the world with Georgette and her magical friends in this tender and hopeful fantasy story from award-winning author, Alison Levy. Magic by Any Other Name: The Witch’s Odyssey (Nov 7, 2023, SparkPress) follows one young witch’s difficult decision to leave her toxic family and seek a better life for herself. With the help from a diverse group of magical creatures, Georgette confronts the demons of her past in order to pave a way for a brighter future.
CIBA-winning author of the Daemon Collecting series, Alison Levy returns with a new whimsical and cozy fantasy series taking readers on an enchanting exploration of the world and within yourself. Loosely based on the heartbreaking yet empowering family decisions Alison made for herself, Georgette’s story will resonate with young readers choosing “no contact” and creating their own found families.
Ivy Nichols O’Reilly has grown up in a wealthy family full of magic, fantasy creatures, and emotional abuse. When her narcissistic mother arranges an unwanted marriage for her, Ivy decides to leave her life of privilege behind and flees across the country with her best friend, a Wood Nymph named Mei-Xing. Along the way, she encounters a number of different magical creatures all on their own journey of purpose. But in order to grow into her new identity, help her new friends, and develop a healthy relationship with a man she’s beginning to care for, Georgette will have to confront the privileges that have shielded her from the pain and ugliness of the magic community in which she was raised—and find the strength to overcome the trauma of her childhood. Perfect for fans of The Secret Society of Irregular Witches.
Such a great ya novel by Alison Levy. I have read and reviewed a few by her and I never come away disappointed. She is a wonderful author that knows how to create a wonderful set of characters in these great fantasy worlds that just pull you into the story.
This novel is no different, it pulls you into a world of magic and mystery and family abuse from a young witches point of view. You meet a nymph , a were hyena, a Valkyrie and many other magical characters along the way in a world full of humans.
Georgette aka Ivy is on the run from her abusive witch family with her friend and they fall into this crazy situation and she just cant leave without helping which throws her down the rabbit hole of bad situation after bad situation.
Such a whirlwind of a story but I loved it.
5 stars
Alison Levy lives in Greensboro, North Carolina, with her husband, son, and a variety of pets. When she’s not writing or doing mom things, she crochets, gardens, and walks her collies. Find out more on her website.
An Interview with
Alison Levy
What is one takeaway you want readers - particularly those who can relate to Georgette - to have upon completing the novel?
I’d like readers to understand that a found family is a real family. Blood relations who
make unreasonable demands or mistreat you all in the name of “family” are not entitled
to control your life. It is okay to step away from people who don’t have your best
interests at heart. A true family is not made from DNA, but from love.
How do the fantastical elements in your story help you address topics such as family trauma and mental health with a unique perspective?
By telling Georgette’s story through a veil of fantasy, I hoped to emphasize how
alone she feels as she flees her family. Breaking away from an abusive family can be
incredibly isolating, even with a strong support network around you. Because her family
is already separated from general society by their magic, Georgette has even less
connection to the wider world than the average person. Overcoming her upbringing is
that much harder for Georgette since she can’t fall back on typical social safety nets.
How did writing help you overcome some of your own personal family trauma?
I started writing this book shortly after my final contact with my narcissistic parent, the
last interaction I had with him before going no contact. It was a difficult, emotional time in my life when I was coming to terms with the fact that a lot of my family relationships were not healthy and never had been. Writing Georgette’s story was a way to help me process what I was going through and help me figure out how to move forward. Georgette is not an autobiographical representation but she shares some key characteristics with me that made her a useful means of exploring my trauma.
What are some challenges you faced while writing Georgette’s story?
My book features a diverse cast of characters, drawing on mythologies and
cultures from all around the world. I was very conscious of the fact that I’m a cis white
American woman writing about characters from other ethnicities and backgrounds. I did
a lot of research on related issues and topics to make myself as knowledgeable as
possible while developing these characters. Doing so has led me to confront some
privileges I wasn’t fully aware of for most of my life. I’ve done my best to write my
personal growth into the story.
Can you tell us about the relationships Georgette has in the book that help her navigate her healing journey as she works through her family trauma?
Mei-Xing (a Wood Nymph): After Georgette helped Mei-Xing escape from her birth
family, Mei-Xing became her rock, supporting Georgette through this challenging time of her life. Ishak (a Werehyena): Through Ishak, who she initially declined to help in his time of need, Georgette learns to recognize the privileges that her upbringing afforded her.
Nico (a curandero): Nico becomes Georgette’s de facto therapist and is the first person to
give her the terminology she needs to contextualize her abusive childhood. Neil (her love interest): Dating a good man like Neil shows Georgette that not all close
relationships are inherently manipulative. Kazimiera (a Vampire): Georgette’s problematic employer who shows her the dark side of the magic community that her family avoided.
