The Witches of Cambridge

As the protagonist of the novel, Ava Abbot is a dynamic and round character whose journey from a repressed girl to a powerful witch forms the narrative’s central arc. Raised in the isolation of Genesis, Maine, by her strict, conservative grandparents, whom she believes to be her parents, Ava internalizes a deep sense of shame regarding her innate magical abilities. Her upbringing is defined by rules designed to suppress her identity, creating a longing to escape and discover who she truly is. This journey of self-discovery accelerates when she arrives at Radcliffe and is initiated into the Lilith Society, a community that validates the very traits she was taught to hide. Initially naive and eager to fit in, Ava’s character develops through her relationships, particularly with her best friend, Lauren Bell, and her love interest, Jamie Mather. Her connection with Lauren, forged on their first night when they save each other’s lives, establishes the theme of The Power of Sisterhood, showing that female bonds provide a form of mutual salvation. Ava’s innate kindness and empathy stand in contrast to Lauren’s initial cynicism, but as the story progresses, Ava develops a fierce protective instinct and a willingness to defy authority, as seen when she confronts both Professor Sharpe and Paul Mather.