★★★★

So many of my favorite witchy books lately were written by Black authors, and Kamilah Cole’s magical, dark academia mystery, An Arcane Inheritance, is a perfect example of why. This book is about the kind of magic that’s been buried and reclaimed, a power that’s been fighting to find its way back to its rightful owners.

Cole’s spellcasting starts early, scrying on the shadowy halls of Warren University, a place built on dark secrets and forbidden power. Try not to be captivated by the world-building—a grounded magic system and deep lore that feels so rich and lived-in. The pace starts slow, creeping from the shadows piece by piece for the first half. The second half is when the story really takes flight, a wild witch’s broom ride that’ll really get the wind in your hair before the final twist.

The book’s outstanding cast includes a coven’s worth of Black, POC, and Queer rep. Ellory Morgan is a phenomenal protagonist. Feisty, quick-witted, and just reckless enough to stumble into every mystery she passes by. Her relationship with Hudson Graves is a perfect foil, their smart, witty, and devastating dialogue a highlight of the book.

But it’s the unflinching look at power, privilege, and history that had me spellbound. Cole uses the occult as a brilliant metaphor for real-world issues of race, class, and immigration status. The rot of this secret society, built on the bones of marginalized students, gives a chilling face to societal oppression. It’s a heavy subject, but Cole navigates these themes with sharp, insightful honesty.

An Arcane Inheritance is a witchy story that’s as smart as it is thrilling, with strong characters and an even stronger message that you’ll definitely want to add to your spellbook.