Soul of a Gentleman Witch

A cynical 17-year-old witch determines to free his soul from the devil in this overstuffed fantasy by Ferraro (A Vile Season). To regain his spirit, British witch Callum must complete 666 tasks for Lucifer. While awaiting his next assignment, Lucifer’s daughter persuades her father to wipe the remaining tally if Callum successfully escorts teenage alchemist Auggie from London to New York City before the next blood moon. Setting off with his talking, winged, and fire-breathing cat familiar Narcissa, Callum hides his and Narcissa’s powers from Auggie, who believes witches to be greedy and pretentious. When necromancer Ambrosia kidnaps Auggie, Callum and Narcissa rescue him; at the same time, they free four-armed, half-dead witch Freya from Ambrosia’s necromantic possession. Now accompanied by Freya, the group continues their journey, along the way combatting danger, making narrow escapes, and contending with other powerful witches, who seek Auggie for mysterious reasons. Misdirection and curtailed action sequences clutter the plot; nevertheless, the charming characters’ magnetic rapport and emotionally hefty backstories enliven this whirlwind fantasy. Callum reads as white; Auggie cues as Latinx. Ages 12–up. Agent: Eva Scalzo, Speilburg Literary. (Jan.)