The Moonscorn Mandate by Sahar Radosz

Bridging the gap between YA fantasy and grimdark drama, The Moonscorn Mandate by Sahar Radosz is a sinister plunge into the cutthroat world of witchcraft.

An elitist initiate at the Radcliffe Academy of Magic, Ria Moonscorn is accustomed to servants and serfs catering to the whims of her cold and predatory heart. However, that scornful superiority doesn’t help in the realm of magic-wielding, where she fails in everything from summoning fireballs to making friends. Though she would never admit it, the best things in her life are her irritatingly kind roommate Cassandra, and the beautiful grimoire she borrowed from a white-haired woman in the library. As the school year progresses, a demonic force rises within the Academy, forcing Ria to choose between the intoxicating secrets of dark magic, or fight for the fate of the school she is begrudgingly starting to call home.

The writing tone and anti-heroine are a bold choice, as Ria is such a disagreeable main character. A character doesn’t need to be likable, but readers typically expect to empathize with the roots of a main character’s bad behavior, not increasingly despise them as the story moves forward. Ria can be an exhausting narrator; even in moments of self-doubt, she displays little humility or self-reflection, which limits the potential for her character’s evolution. That said, the developing bond with Cassandra does blossom into a more emotional narrative thread, making her seem more relatable and redeemable, if not making up entirely for all her past behavior.

Once one gets used to the lead character’s quirks and deficiencies, the story is enveloping and original. As if Harry Potter had been told from the perspective of Draco Malfoy on his worst day, this Gothic adventure is a gritty exploration of the wicked paths to power.