The Title Could Have Been Shorter

 

TITLE: The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association

AUTHOR: Caitlin Rozakis

PUBLISHER: Titan

PUBLISHING DATE: May 27, 2025

PAGES: 368   

SOURCE: Library 

FROM GOODREADS: 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…

MY THOUGHTS: Let's be real for a moment.  My main thought is why can I never get this title right when talking about this book?  Trivial but true.  Thank goodness that didn't stop my enjoyment though and the pretty cover and sprayed edges almost makes up for it.

Vivian's family have recently moved.  She and Aria were hiking one day when Aria was brutally attacked by a werewolf, causing her to contract the infliction.  Now there are living in a magical community they aren't really a part of and don't understand with a Kindergartner who "wolf's out" any time she gets nervous.  Daniel still has his job in the city, but Vivian left hers behind to care for Aria and desperate to fit in when she is clearly a non-magical being, she joins the PTA.  What follows is a lot of mistakes made by many which touch on topics of supernatural beings, decades old town curses, unaccounted for money in the PTA budget and marital woes. Unbeknownst to Vivian, she has basically joined the "mean mom's club" which is driving her crazy and Aria has to get a better grip on her magical abilities, or she will be kicked out of school and the family forced to move once again.

Although all tied in a magical cozy book, the root of (insert long book title) is acceptance and not changing to please others. While I found the book a bit slow in the beginning, I was definitely interested enough to power through.  I think part of my problem was there are a lot of players in this book, and they are all some different supernatural creature with different roles and different family dynamics.  I will say I loved how hard Vivien and Daniel worked to help Aria adjust to her new normal and some of the situations in the book were just plain fun to read about.  Also, there is a small found family element with the werewolf clan, once Vivien and Daniel finally agree to accept their help, and I'm a sucker for found family tropes.

If you are looking for a low-stakes cozy read, then look no further.  I have another book by this author sitting on my shelf and now I'm even more excited to pick it up.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS