Witches, Boys, and Other Monsters

By: Gail Blue

Narrated by: James D. Sasser

Beware of Old Witch Scraggsies!
A pact with the darkness left her twisted and deformed. Strange noises and flashes of light have been coming out of her basement at night, and her pet monster stalks children from the shadows.

Lies. All lies.

Eliza Scaggs (not Scraggsies, thank you very much) is tired of all the rumors about her. Sure, she’s looking a bit haggard as of late, but she’s been working herself to the bone on a secret government project to prove that she, the only woman in the wizard’s guild, belongs there. So, maybe she’s got some gray in her hair, but she’s not old, not old-old— and the only thing she’s made a pact with is her purveyor of rot brew tea.

Okay, the pet monster thing is true, but Throat Ripper hasn’t caught anyone, not yet.

She’s even taken on a new apprentice.
Mentoring a teen, that’s not something a twisted hell spawn would do, right?
Still, there is something off about the boy, Oliver. He’s a good kid, but he’s quiet, too quiet, and she’s worried that when he asks her if she can “fix” people, he means himself...

Witches, Boys, and Other Monsters is about:
A witch who’s not really a witch.
A boy who’s not really a boy.
All the “monsters” who are regular people.
And all the regular people who are monsters...

That, and a bunch of fireballs.

©2024 Inkmancer (P)2025 Inkmancer

mix of fantasy and real world problems

I love how the story entangled both transgender issues and the fact that magic doesn't solve everything but helps one get through so many of life's problems. I love the way that there are other characters that support each other through good and bad times ones that are confused about themselves that lash out at others. ones that are trying to just get through the world but have people that support them. in this book tells it all.

Sleep scheduling ruining, and so worth it.

I am a little sleep deprived as I write this. Every waking hour I could I've spent listening to it and that hasn't been enough. Naturally that means staying up to listen, and it so worth it. Losing four or five hours of sleep per night is nothing.

I'm not going to be able to describe the book better than the description. Especially not without spoiling anything, but if "A boy who’s not really a boy." Applies to you in any way shape or form it will be a very meaningful read, and even if not it is a very very good story.

Fantastic and Compelling

Narration is some of the best I’ve heard, while there are a few bits that can get confusing on who’s speaking— the constant snark and consistent emotion and portrayal makes for a wonderful listen.

The story itself is a lovely LGBTQ inclusive novel without any of those ‘Disney’ type faults. Characters are well thought out— have understandable flaws and quirks, and altogether make for a story that’s hard to put down.

Also the setting is effectively magic-punk light, so always a good experience to have more stories in one ‘punk’ type setting or another.