Journey, Self-Discovery, and Sisterhood: Faizal Eidoo on Cherie Dimaline's VenCo

VenCo. Cherie Dimaline. Random House Canada. $35.00 CDN, 400 pp., ISBN 9780735277212

“People get it wrong. The magic’s not in the person. The magic is in the place. It just takes the right kind of person to pull it up.”

Cherie Dimaline has successfully woven together another story that blends the mundane reality we live in with fantasy and the supernatural that exists in plain sight. While her previous novel, Empire of Wild, took inspiration from the Métis stories of the rougarou, VenCo follows the rise of contemporary feminist witches as they embark on a scavenger hunt for survival in this patriarchal world.

Seven enchanted spoons are the keys to finding the seven women who will complete the Coven, but time is running out and an ancient enemy has resurfaced to stand in their way. After finding her key in the unlikeliest of places, Lucky St. James must leave her prosaic life behind and find the seventh and final witch before it’s too late.

Dimaline continues to be a storyteller that I admire, and there is no questioning the skillful way she forges words. Her writing is a breath of fresh air. It’s not only captivating and filled with a range of emotions, but it’s also engaging and accessible. The content of her work finds a graceful balance between being grounded in real human experiences and perspectives and embracing fantasy and mythology. There is a complexity in her characterization that makes the characters vulnerable and believable. The dynamic between Lucky and Stella, for example, is filled with love, but there is also a dissonance that naturally exists between a young person trying to find their way in life while struggling to care for a grandparent whose grip on reality may be withering away.

As for the villain of the story—an ancient witch hunter named Jay Christos—well, he’s sublime. I love a great villain, and Jay is just that. He is sexy, manipulative, and lives his life to the highest standards. Yes, he is a misogynist with a terrible temper, but one with charm and bravado. Jay Christos exists as a very real threat that could end the coven.

While Lucky and Stella’s relationship is a focal point and Jay’s presence a danger lurking in broad daylight, I do wish the lives of some of the other coven members were explored a bit more. Meena and Wendy’s relationship and feelings are strongly developed in the story, while the other coven members (Freya, Morticia, and Lettie) appear in a strictly supportive role. I really wanted to know how they found each other, what stakes were involved, and more importantly, what unique gifts or powers they possessed.

Speaking of which, you simply cannot have a coven of witches without a little magic. Yes, I know this isn’t Harry Potter where the magic is much more extravagant, but I feel as if Dimaline teased us with the little bit of magic she did show. There were definitely several characters with the power to traverse through dreams and explore visions, but overall the magical aspect of the journey felt somewhat lacking. I do hope for the possibility of sequels in this new world, but there are still a few questions that linger: what does VenCo do, what power does it have globally, and what power exactly do the covens possess?

Overall, the story of VenCo is one of journey, self-discovery, and sisterhood. It’s about dismantling the patriarchy and women uplifting one another not only with their individual innate powers, but also with those that grow in relationship to one another. Dimaline has established a foothold in a universe in which she could tell endless tales, and I look forward to seeing what comes next.

P.S. for anyone with a grandmother remotely like Stella, VenCo is #relatable.

Faizal Eidoo: Creativity is at the very core of my being, whether it is writing, drawing, painting, or designing. This creative passion led me to becoming a graduate of the Honours Bachelor of Creative Writing & Publishing program at Sheridan College. I truly appreciate the program for elevating my writing and for introducing me to the publishing industry. My writing primarily focuses on poetry and epic fantasy, and often embraces my South Asian heritage. I currently work in Employee Enablement at RBC, and I am also a content writer and published author of a poetry chapbook at Whispering Wick Chapbook Press.