One of our recommended books is Woven From Clay by Jenny Birch

WOVEN FROM CLAY


In this fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy, a golem must master the magic that binds her together and finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious boy sent to ensure her demise.

Terra Slater might not know anything about her birth family or where she comes from, but that’s never stopped her, and she fully intends her senior year to be her best yet. Until the dark and mysterious Thorne Wilder—a magical bounty hunter—moves to town, bringing revelations that wreck all of her plans.

When Terra learns she is a golem, not born but crafted from mud and magic by a warlock,

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In this fresh and imaginative contemporary fantasy, a golem must master the magic that binds her together and finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious boy sent to ensure her demise.

Terra Slater might not know anything about her birth family or where she comes from, but that’s never stopped her, and she fully intends her senior year to be her best yet. Until the dark and mysterious Thorne Wilder—a magical bounty hunter—moves to town, bringing revelations that wreck all of her plans.

When Terra learns she is a golem, not born but crafted from mud and magic by a warlock, her world is upended. Worse, Cyrus Quill, the warlock who made her, is a fugitive, on the run from the witches who want to hold him accountable for his past crimes. But Quill’s sentence is death, which would unravel the threads of magic that hold Terra—and all of the other golems that he crafted—together.

Desperate to save herself and her friends, Terra strikes a deal with Thorne and his coven to preserve the warlock’s life and his magic. If she can prove her worth to the coven by mastering the magic within her, the golems will survive. If she can’t, they’ll perish along with Cyrus. As Thorne helps her to see and manipulate the tapestry of magic that surrounds them, their unexpected alliance evolves into something more and Terra comes to understand the depths of her magic, her humanity, and her love for the people most important to her.

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  • Wednesday Books
  • Paperback
  • August 2025
  • 368 Pages
  • 9781250365460

Buy the Book

$21.00

Bookshop.org

About Jenny Birch

Jenny Birch is a middle school teacher of English, French, and history, and serves as a youth theater director for students in grades 7-12. She lives in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and three children. Jenny holds a BA in French and an MEd in Instruction & Learning and as an adoptee herself, she is a passionate advocate for children, particularly those in the foster care and adoption communities. When she’s not in her classroom or on stage with her students, you can find her either dancing in the kitchen with her family or flexing her overactive imagination.

Praise

“Debut author Birch’s magic system of energy threads is fresh…The story follows familiar but entertaining beats, including a slow-burn romance and a magical conspiracy, while perfectionist Terra’s identity crisis and search for self-determination add emotional weight.” —Booklist

“Heartfelt and emotional. Through the fresh perspective of a high-schooler grappling with her newfound identity as a golem, Birch writes with tender care about what it means to be human.” —Vanessa Le, author of The Last Bloodcarver

“Jenny Birch’s debut is a delight—a fantasy that feels as real as the family at its heart. Filled with flesh-and-blood (and mud) characters, eye-popping enchantments, and the humble magic of home, the beautifully crafted, deeply felt world comes to life under the artist’s skilled hands.” —Joshua David Bellin, author of Survival Colony 9

“Jenny Birch’s poignant debut is a magical journey about identity, belonging, and figuring out who you truly are.” —Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace

“Charming, magical and swoonworthy—this golem-meets-witch debut was an utter delight!” –Kika Hatzopoulou, bestselling author of Threads That Bind