Synopsis:

Two parents and their recently-bitten-werewolf daughter try to fit into a privileged New England society of magic aristocracy. But deadly terrors await them – ancient prophecies, remorseless magical trials, hidden conspiracies and the PTA bake sale.

When Vivian’s kindergartner, Aria, gets bitten by a werewolf, she is rapidly inducted into the hidden community of magical schools. Reeling from their sudden move, Vivian finds herself having to pick the right sacrificial dagger for Aria, keep stocked up on chew toys and play PTA politics with sirens and chthonic nymphs and people who literally can set her hair on fire. 

As Vivian careens from hellhounds in the school corridors and demons at the talent show, she races to keep up with all the arcane secrets of her new society – shops only accessible by magic portal, the brutal Trials to enter high school, and the eternal inferno that is the parents’ WhatsApp group. 

And looming over everything is a prophecy of doom that sounds suspiciously like it’s about Aria. Vivian might be facing the end of days, just as soon as she can get her daughter dressed and out of the door…

Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Titan Books
Pub Date: 27 May 2025

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I received this book as a rep for Dryad Book Box.

Review:

We all love magic schools, let’s be honest here. I know I do, yet there was one sort of magic school story I’d never even thought about, let alone read… Enter Grimoire Grammar School, where we follow the parents of a child who goes to magic school! The PoV we didn’t know we needed.

Vivian’s little girl, Aria, is bitten by a werewolf, and before they know it, she has to attend magic school. You think being a child at school is hard, wait until you’re the parent. What do you bring to a magic school bake sale? Where on earth do you buy ritual daggers?? There’s a lot to learn, and worst of all, Vivian also has to navigate the PTA and the parent WhatsApp group.

The Grimoire Grammar School, is a cosy yet action-packed fantasy with biting humour and some heartfelt moments. I was unfamiliar with Rozakis’ writing before reading this, but it was excellent. Easy to read and pacy, I flew through the pages. (Not literally because I, sadly, am not a magical parent.)

The underlying theme here is the pressure of being a parent and adjusting to a new life and community as a family. Rozakis clearly has familiarity with the education system and the demands it puts on parents to fit in and make their children achieve. I’ve never been through such a thing myself, but I could get a good feel for the anxiety, the stress and the hope that you do a good job.

There are some darker aspects here, with a doomsday prophecy hanging over the town, and Vivian also navigating the more mundane stresses of greed and ambition. These are, however, nicely balanced with cute kindergarten antics, and I loved reading Aria exploring her werewolf side.

I think parents, especially, will enjoy this unique take on a magical school, but I also really enjoyed it, and recommend it if you’re a lover of the trope!