For teens navigating the bewildering world of first crushes and discovering extraordinary hidden talents, this book offers a magical journey of self-acceptance.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the anxieties of a first crush or feeling like an outsider in their own family or culture. This charming story follows Cicely, a Haitian American teen who believes she's inherited a family love curse. Her world turns upside down when she discovers the "curse" is actually a magical legacy rooted in Haitian traditions. As she fumbles with a love spell to win her crush, she ends up on a journey of self discovery, learning to embrace her unique heritage and find confidence in herself. It's a sweet, funny, and empowering read for teens 13-17 that beautifully blends a relatable high school romance with a celebration of cultural identity, family bonds, and self-acceptance.
The book's primary cultural element is its positive and central portrayal of Haitian Vodou. It is presented not as a formal religion but as a system of ancestral magic and cultural heritage. The approach is direct, celebratory, and educational, working to demystify and destigmatize the practice for readers who may only know it through negative stereotypes. The resolution of the story is deeply hopeful, emphasizing self-love and cultural pride.
Ideal Reader
A teen, 13-16, who enjoys contemporary romance and light fantasy. It's perfect for a reader feeling a bit awkward, navigating their first big crush, or feeling disconnected from their family's heritage. Specifically, it offers powerful, positive representation for Black and Haitian American teens looking for a joyful story that centers their culture.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold as it does an excellent job of explaining the cultural context. However, a parent might want to be prepared to have a positive conversation about Haitian culture and Vodou, reinforcing the book's message that these traditions are rich, powerful, and something to be proud of. A parent observes their teen expressing frustration or sadness about their love life ("I'll be alone forever!"), feeling insecure about their appearance or personality, or perhaps questioning what makes their family's cultural traditions seem "weird" compared to their peers.
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely be most drawn to the sweet romance, the friendship dynamics, and the fun of the magical mishaps. An older teen (15-17) may connect more deeply with the themes of cultural identity, embracing one's heritage, and the journey of self-acceptance as a path to true empowerment.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA fantasies with generic or Euro-centric magic systems, this book's magic is inextricably linked to Haitian culture and Vodou. This specific, positive cultural representation is its greatest strength. It uses magic not just for plot, but as a powerful metaphor for embracing and understanding one's own unique heritage.
Read plot summary
Cicely, a Haitian American high schooler, is convinced she has a family curse that dooms her love life. At a special family celebration, she learns the truth: her family, particularly the women, possess magical abilities rooted in Haitian Vodou traditions. Eager to solve her crush problem, Cicely and her best friend attempt to cast a love spell. The spell backfires in comical and unexpected ways, forcing Cicely to learn about the source of her power, connect with her ancestral heritage, and realize that true magic comes from accepting and loving herself first.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Before she learns about her powers, Cicely calls her family's trait a 'love curse.' How does her perspective on her heritage change throughout the book? Was it ever really a curse?
2
Cicely's magic is strongest when she's cooking. Why do you think the author connected her power to something so tied to family, tradition, and nourishment?
3
Compare Cicely's relationship with her best friend, Priyah, to her relationship with her Tante. How do both of these important women help her understand herself and her magic?
4
The love spell doesn't work exactly as Cicely plans. What does this failure teach her about control, destiny, and what she truly wants in a relationship?
5
How does the book challenge common stereotypes about Vodou? What did you learn about the culture that you didn't know before?
