Page 1 • Oct 18, 2025

speakers

In "A Wreck of Witches," the term "speakers" refers to individuals who possess the ability to communicate with and understand the House, a sentient and mischievous entity that inhabits the protagonist's home. These speakers serve as intermediaries, facilitating interactions between the House and other characters. Their unique skill set is essential for navigating the House's unpredictable nature and ensuring the safety of those within its walls.
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The speakers' primary function is to interpret and convey the House's intentions, which are often enigmatic or cryptic. By bridging the communication gap, they help prevent misunderstandings and potential conflicts. Their presence underscores the theme of interconnectedness between humans and magical entities, highlighting the importance of empathy and understanding in relationships with the supernatural.

Page 1 • Oct 18, 2025

One Anti-Fatigue plant, two Calm plants.

Maybe a stressed mom with two hyper kids?

Page 1 • Oct 18, 2025

in Chapter 1

Page 30 • Oct 18, 2025

“They’re the rebels. I think Iris uses the terms ‘goblincore’ and ‘crotchety punks.’ They read a lot of mystery, thriller, horror, grimdark fantasy, things like that.”

Page 33 • Oct 18, 2025

This. This was why it was better to be self-sufficient. Because once you let someone in, they had the power to wound you, not only decades later, but without even being around. Their thorns stuck in your mind and pricked you when you least expected it.

Page 44 • Oct 18, 2025

His Animal Crossing character was in a bug-net-swatting war with another character. I squinted at the screen.

Page 52 • Oct 18, 2025

Pog

A Pog in the world of "A Wreck of Witches" refers to a small, round, colorful cardboard disc, originally part of a collectible game popular in the late twentieth century. These Pogs commonly feature images or designs, such as pop culture figures; in this case, several bear illustrations of characters from the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (examples include Lieutenant Commander Worf, Tasha Yar, William Riker, Jean-Luc Picard, and Guinan). The Pogs are kept in a plastic tube for storage and transportation.

Within this setting, Pogs possess unusual properties. When in the company of the protagonist, they gradually develop a degree of sentience, especially when exposed to human activities such as watching television. The owner describes them as "grumpy" when interrupted and as having preferences—most notably, the Tasha Yar Pog favors a particular TV show. Over time, the Pogs become increasingly intelligent and responsive, capable of understanding questions and expressing preferences, though their means of communication differ from standard speech.

These Pogs can interact in limited but significant ways with their environment, following instructions and performing simple surveillance tasks when asked. They display a form of agency by physically responding to yes-or-no questions, most commonly through spinning, flipping, or landing face up or face down after being tossed or spun. The more closely they are connected with their owner, the more developed their abilities become.
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Pogs serve as both familiar objects and magical tools within the protagonist's daily life. They provide comfort and companionship, acting as favorite collectibles, but are also functionally enchanted implements. The Pogs' primary role is to assist their owner with small tasks requiring observation and reporting, particularly when the protagonist needs to keep watch over a location in her absence. For example, a Pog depicting Lieutenant Commander Worf is placed on a windowsill and instructed to "keep an eye out," effectively function as a magical observer capable of relaying what it has "seen" through its owner’s system of flipping and spinning responses.

When questioned, the Pogs' movements offer answers; their behavior following a flip or spin determines a yes-or-no response, or provides more nuanced information, according to established signals set by their owner. This makes the Pogs a crucial investigative tool, especially during moments of uncertainty or danger, such as when determining who entered a house or whether a specific person was seen at a location. Their gradual increase in sentience and knowledge reflects both a magical bonding and a cultivated intelligence.

Through their magical characteristics, Pogs provide insight into the underlying rules of the setting’s magic system: mundane items can become animated and gain agency with sufficient exposure and intention. They also reinforce themes of resourcefulness, the interplay between the ordinary and the supernatural, and the importance of personal connection, as these simple objects become key allies and communicative conduits for the protagonist.

Page 60 • Oct 18, 2025

brown delivery truck

Page 88 • Oct 18, 2025

No one could agree on what to call people with innate magical abilities—witches, wizards, sorcerers, mages, magi, mancers, casters, you name it—but you could tell a lot about a person by which title they chose

Page 90 • Oct 18, 2025

“If luck is with you,” Cressida said, her hearing clearly excellent, “it would dissolve into ectoplasm. Simple. If not, well, you’d need to buy about fifteen gallons of lye and a few immersion heaters—very cheap, you probably have one in your kitchen already. What’s your bathtub made of?”

Page 155 • Oct 18, 2025

“Maisie? Oh yeah, the blue-haired chick? That you?”

“That’s me.” I liked her already—most people called me ‘the fat chick.’

Page 154 • Oct 19, 2025

in Chapter 20

Page 159 • Oct 19, 2025

changed into my PJs. After a quick sniff, I tossed my clothes over the clean-enough-to-be-worn-again rack.

Page 162 • Oct 19, 2025

Normally I worked some kind of glamour with my makeup—to look less tired, or happier than I felt—but

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“Oh my gosh, hold the phone, are these succulent enamel pins?” Ronnie scooped up a few pins, inspecting them with a wide grin. “Are they seriously the colors of different identities? They’re so cute! Ohh, look at this one, with the pink and purple and blue . . .”

Page 191 • Oct 19, 2025

in Chapter 26

Page 208 • Oct 19, 2025

“I feel I should ask what pronouns you use.”

Bellamy beamed. “I’m genderqueer, but she/they works great. You?”

“Oh, just he. And him.” Steve smiled hesitantly.

Page 212 • Oct 19, 2025

That’s quite the acid trip.” He pulled back, grinning as he looked around.

What—? Ah. The little powerhouse of a Third Eye plant was still in my hand. He saw me glance down at it.

“I don’t remember any of your plants doing anything that spectacular. Are you trying to capture a different segment of the market?” Barely contained mirth danced in his eyes.

Page 248 • Oct 19, 2025

in Chapter 35

Page 266 • Oct 19, 2025

The rain hammered down, but it was warm, and I almost regretted the rain shell. My options were to be soaked but comfortable, or hot and sweaty but slightly drier. I’d have to play it by ear.

Page 266 • Oct 20, 2025

in Chapter 37

Page 279 • Oct 20, 2025

“Girl, didn’t you think you should use waterproof mascara before flouncing around in a storm?”

Page 279 • Oct 20, 2025

“Well, if I were you, I’d switch over to waterproof every day, stat. With me as your friend, you’re probably going to end up in a lot more storms—the weather kind, and the emotional kind.” She smirked. “I’m kind of a disaster that way.”

Page 280 • Oct 20, 2025

“You know, cutting yourself off from everyone to prove that you’re strong, that you can do it alone . . . That hurts more than just you. What about the people who need you as a friend? What about the people who need help, but you aren’t there?”

Page 282 • Oct 20, 2025

“Everybody needs somebody—lots of somebodies,” Ronnie whispered into my shoulder. “Love, empathy, community—those don’t work with only one person. We need each other.” She pulled back and met my blurred gaze earnestly. “I need you.”

Page 282 • Oct 20, 2025

“And as much as it sucks, there’s no way to avoid getting hurt, but if you stick it out by yourself, it takes so much longer to heal from that hurt. Healing—that’s another one of those better-together things.” She squeezed my hands once more. “Gosh, I sound like a cheeseball.”

Page 284 • Oct 20, 2025

“Girl, you’d better believe I’ve had years of therapy. Now, let’s go find everybody else, yeah?”