Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Grimoire Grammar Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis Narrator: Megan Tusing
Published by Tantor Audio on October 14, 2025
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Length: 10 hours, 41 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
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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 to 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 . . .
What wouldn’t you do for your kid, especially if that child is “special”. I don’t mean they need a little help with reading or have to carry an EpiPen everywhere they go, I mean they turn furry unexpectedly when stressed or excited and raw meat is their new favorite treat or choice. Add to that the parental guilt that it is all your fault your child is now a werewolf and you would probably do exactly what Vivian and Daniel did. Pick up your entire life and move to a town with a school for special children in hopes that you can give your daughter the special types of learning she needs.
It is the first day of school and Vivian is desperate to fit in and make a good impression. If she can make the right mom friends at this school she can help her daughter fit in. Desperate to atone for what she thinks is her fault, Vivian is going to do anything needed to make sure her daughter succeeds in this school. So she will practice doing magic herself, figure out where to get the unusual ingredients needed for general supplies, buy a five year old the required ritual dagger, make mom friends and join The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association.
I liked the premise of this story, two non-magical parents just trying to get their five year old , Aria, through the first year or school. Which would be hard enough but then they find out Aria also has to pass some trials or else they will not be able to continue on in the school. Add the pressure of all of this onto a marriage with a few communication issues and shake, at some point it is bound to explode.
Some of this was difficult to read, because I really felt for Vivian as she tried to do right by Aria but had so many feelings of doubts and internalized the troubles Aria was having fitting in. Her daughter is at the center of some wild speculation as there is a town prophecy that appears to be coming true and if so, Aria is considered the bad seed or harbinger of doom which really cuts down on play dates.
The world building was interesting as well. How would a grammar school for mages, fae, vampires and shifters be different than your normal school and what would those functions look like? I thought the author did a great job of exploring that and making it a bit funning in the school missives sent out and the group chat for the Parent Teacher Association. Like what is an acceptable sacrifice to bring for Sowen and how are you coming on the comprehensive family history for your child.
If you have/had kids in school and you remember “helping” them with their last minute projects and trying to navigate some of the social politics at school I think parts of this will resonate with you. It is more about that and finding a new set of friends in a new town, then the actual magic school. But I liked that the journey Vivian took had plenty of bumps along the way and questions about is she doing right by her child. Because most parents know you spend a lot of time trying to assess if you are screwing up your kid for life or helping them with their journey in it.
The prophecy portion and the mystery behind it was something I caught onto fairly early but it was still interesting to see how the author had it all play out. The resolution was actually more fun than I thought it was going to be and I liked seeing Vivian’s growth through the entire book while dealing with it.
Vivian just had to make a good impression. In a town where she was by definition an outsider, in a culture she couldn’t hope to join, with nothing less than her daughter’s entire future riding on her success.Â
Narration:
Megan Tusing is a new to me narrator. I think she captured Vivian’s struggles so well and made her voice so vulnerable as she struggles with her marriage and her daughter. All of the voices in the book were distinct and that was a feat as there ended up being quite a few characters at various ages between parents and kids. I was able to listen at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
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Vivian’s doubts and need to please did get a little frustrating, but I liked that she finally stood up for herself and her daughter at the end. I did like Rozakis’ previous novel Dreadful a lot more than this one.
Yeah…but it seemed pretty real. Sometimes you get something stuck in your head and so everything you hear is through that lens. Vivian fell into that trap and we saw how it impacted her life, self worth and marriage. Just so painful to read sometimes.
I will have to try Dreadful though as it seems like a fun read too.
Ooooo! I like the sounds of this one.
Super cool concept for sure and if you’ve ever been involved with school politics for your kids some things are really going to resonate.
Sounds like a really unique plot! I love the cover too. Great review!
Interesting world and the plot was very a bit different. It was pretty relatable to have a kid just trying to fit in and not knowing how to help.