Ostracism

The novel explores the way in which ostracism can impact individuals and create a sense of isolation, depression, or even anger. Historically, the figure of the witch is a solitary one, except of course when the witch belongs to a coven. Through the connection of a coven, a witch’s power is elevated and she is no longer a figure ostracized from the rest of the world. El struggles throughout the novel to decide whether or not she wants to be inside a coven or continue to exist on the fringes of the more powerful collective societies.

El is ostracized from her peers because of an innate unpleasantness that radiates off her and keeps people from wanting to be around her, and this affects her self-esteem and her mental health. Aadhya describes El’s general vibe as follows: “You feel like it’s going to rain...