Filled with humor and imagination, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is Cecilia Edwards’ first foray into adult fiction. An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating is about a spinster witch named Thorn who finds herself unmarried at the age of 39 during the 17th century. After a love potion goes awry, Thorn Scarhart finds herself flung into the 21st century where her home is now a museum and her broom is made in China. Te story follows Thorn as she goes from isolated and lonely to a modern woman with friends, community, and a Tinder account.
A classic fish-out-of-water story, Edwards knows how to cleverly move the plot along and subvert tropes that come with the genre. Where another story might find the witch having a hard time getting someone to believe her authenticity, the technology, silliness, and intelligence of characters like Meg, who quickly accepts her and allows the story to find its true start in a world of smartphones and cat spaying. In addition to Meg, there is a colorful cast of characters, such as a mad scientist, and telepathic cats. Bandit, her familiar, gives the reader insight into Thorn’s psyche through their comedic and blunt telepathic conversations.
In all the humor of the story, there is a lot of heart. Thorn is not the classic protagonist, but she’s the protagonist we need. Thorn is messy, spiteful, honest about her feelings and insecurities. She’s not the nicest and she is quick to turn you into the frog. Edwards challenges the reader to find fault with her, but readers will find themselves charmed. Follow Thorn Scarhart in her quest for love, magic, and community as she learns about friendship and self-love. Although originally known as Remy Lai, children’s author and recipient of the Sid Fleischman Award for Humor, Edwards’ An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating will surely launch her into the world of cozy fiction and book club spotlights.
