The Witch Boy (The Witch Boy #1) by Molly Ostertag

The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag

My Rating: ★★★★★

Aster is growing up in a community full of witches and shapeshifters. The problem? Girls grow up to be witches while boys grow to be shapeshifters, and Aster is destined to be a witch. As the odd one out, he’s ridiculed by his peers for failing to find his shapeshifting form and spying on witchery lessons. One day, something strange is going on in town and it’s targeting the shapeshifting boys close to Aster’s age. He’s barred from helping because he’s not a witch, so with the encouragement of a new non-magical friend, he must take his fate into his own hands so that he can save everyone he knows from what is coming.

This is such a heartwarming story about a boy who doesn’t fit in because he has an affinity for witchcraft rather than the shapeshifting that’s expected of his gender. I really feel for Aster as the story progresses because he’s being pressured to become a shapeshifter like all the boys and men in his community. Meanwhile, it’s clear that his interests and talents lie in witchery, but his parents are unknowingly alienating him for it. It’s clear that they care about him, but the whispered conversations that Aster overhears are hurtful, as well as the lectures on how men pursuing life as a witch spells out doom, only add to the anxiety.

It’s such a great story for people, especially kids, to read because there will always be someone who is pressured to suppress who they are. The story really hits home as Astor struggles under the pressure, but finally comes out on top when he meets a new friend who accepts him for who he is and encourages him to embrace that he’s a witch. The story is important because, while the reality is that there isn’t always a happy ending, there will always be people who accept you for who you are over who other people want you to be. You just have to find them even if it takes a bit of searching. The important thing is to stay true to yourself and hope that anyone who opposes that comes around.

I also love the artwork and enjoyed seeing the concept art at the end of the book. It’s a beautiful story that’s accompanied by beautiful artwork. I also love the family tree even though we didn’t really get to know everyone. It was important for world building and seeing how each of Aster’s peers related to him as a family member or sometimes not so friendly acquaintances.