Gutterwitch - by Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this captivating crossover fantasy, a scullery maid must hide her forbidden magic when she enters an elite witching academy in a world on the precipice of war.

When Joan Scullery stumbles upon a fallen star, she seizes the chance to change her fate. Although sworn to serve her witch-mistress Belinda, Joan asks the star to grant her dearest wish: to become the greatest witch who ever lived. Instantly, she's made into a fearsome and forbidden thing--a witch with wild magic.

For years, Joan hides her star-given power, as the magic of the wildfolk is outlawed among witches. But when she and Belinda are invited to study at the elite witching university Givenine, she is swept into a world of ancient academia, ruthless politics, and powerful sorcery. While Joan is shunned for her lack of lineage, her magic flourishes, and she finds solace in her mentor Silas and fellow outcast Caspar, the bastard son of a faerie queen.

As Joan's powers grow, however, she's thrust into a web of danger and secrets that threatens the fragile peace between witches and wildfolk. With her heart and loyalties divided, Joan is at the front lines of a new war that will shape her destiny and the fate of witchkind forever.

Review Quotes

"Our wishes have been granted: whimsical fantasy is back! Spellbinding and bewitching, Gutterwitch is a romantic, dreamy tale full of whimsy and heart. With an enchanting school setting and a story brimming with magic and secrets, Gutterwitch will put you under its spell from the very first page."--I.V. Marie, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Blackwood Academy series

"A bewitching tale that casts a spell upon its readers. This is fantasy at its best, dreamy, wishful and lurking with wild magic. Joan Scullery will find a way into your heart and refuse to be forgotten. A starry accomplishment by an author to watch."--Tigest Girma, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Immortal Dark series

"Magnificent storytelling and a tremendously well-realized world. GUTTERWITCH spins young adult fantasy on its head in the most compelling way, exploring questions of power, identity, and ambition. Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson has breathed new life into the genre." --Chloe Gong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights

"Gutterwitch reminds me of the classics of my youth--it's imaginative and utterly enchanting, with a heroine worth following--and proves to be an evolution of the magical campus novel, with a gripping exploration of darkness and exploitation that transcends the familiar and elevates the tale. At various points charming and harrowing, Gutterwitch is an unmissable work of crossover fantasy fiction. Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson makes magic with deftness and ease." - Alexene Farol Follmuth, New York Times bestselling author of Twelfth Knight

"From a fallen star to the brink of war, Gutterwitch conjures a world of dazzling magic and deadly politics that swept me away completely. And Joan--fierce, forbidden, unstoppable--is the heroine to carry it. I was spellbound."--Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author

"Gutterwitch devastated me with its bold heroine, heart wrenching relationships, and breathtaking prose. Set in an immersive world of powerful witch houses, fae princes, and an illustrious magic school, Gutterwitch is a fresh twist on everything I love about classic fantasy. Pearson is a brilliant, rising star." --Axie Oh, New York Times bestselling author of The Floating World and The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea

"Classic YA is BACK and better than ever in GUTTERWITCH. This extraordinary opener to the series is the perfect blend of familiarity and originality; every page crackles with magic. I have no doubt that GUTTERWITCH deserves to be the next YA phenomenon." --Sarah Underwood, New York Times bestselling author of Lies We Sing to the Sea

"Lyrical, dreamlike, and enchanting, Esmie's voice spins a tale of wishes upon stars and the cost of power. With a fiercely lovable heroine, lore rich and captivating, and friendships that are every bit as magical as the heart-pounding romance, all set within a beautifully crafted, wholly original world I never wanted to leave, this was an unforgettable read--and my favourite book of the year."
--Imani Erriu, author of Heavenly Bodies

"Extraordinary and enchanting, GUTTERWITCH is a shining shooting star of a story and destined for greatness in the fantasy genre and beyond. Reading this book feels like finding real magic. I absolutely loved it and am already looking forward to rereading so I can return to the bewitching and beguiling world of GUTTERWITCH." -- Katherine Webber, bestselling author of Twin Crowns

About the Author

Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson is a Sunday Times bestselling author of fantasy fiction, and the inaugural winner of the Future World's Prize. She sits on the Board of Trustees for a UNESCO City of Literature in the south of England and holds a BA in English Literature and Classical Studies from the University of Exeter. Raised between London and Sydney, Esmie is an author of Nigerian, Jamaican, and British-Australian heritage.