Showing posts with label witch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label witch. Show all posts

Book Review: A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon 
by Sarah Hawley is a contemporary paranormal romance. Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to? Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain. Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can't leave Mariel's side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls). But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she's dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she'll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon is a wonderful series starter, and I loved the worldbuilding and character creations here. The town, Mariel's family, and the oddities of their part of the world were very well written and grabbed my attention.  I could empathize with Mariel, even if she sometimes frustrated me. Her family dynamic is one that I think many people can related to, although likely not to the same scale, and I loved her friendships. Ozroth had his own issues from the past and confusion to deal with, and I liked the dynamic between the two. I have to admit that I did find the final resolution to be a bit easy, but I cannot think of a better or more complete resolution so I cannot really complain. And honestly, I am very much looking forward to the next couple's drama based on the teaser at the end of this book.

A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon is a fun ride for those that enjoy a witchy romance.  

Early Book Review: Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

Bait and Witch 
by Angela M. Sanders is currently scheduled for release on December 29 2020. 
Librarian Josie Way moved to small-town Oregon to lay low. Instead, thanks to newfound magic abilities—and a killer on the loose. She’s leapt out of the frying pan and into a cauldron of trouble. Josie Way loved working among the Library of Congress’s leather-scented stacks—until she uncovered corruption and made herself a target. As Wilfred, Oregon’s new librarian, Josie can stay undercover until the case goes to court. But life in this little town isn’t as subdued as she expected. The library, housed in a a Victorian mansion, is slated to be bulldozed. Still digesting the news that her safe haven is about to become scrap lumber, Josie discovers a body in the woods. Almost as shocking, Josie learns that she’s descended from a long line of witches—and her powers have suddenly sprung to life. With help from a spoiled alley cat who just may be her familiar, Josie’s thumbing through a catalog of suspects, hoping she can conjure a way to save her library—and her life.

Bait and Witch is a mystery with a good balance of character building and showing the relationship and history of the small town it all happens in. Josie is on the run after doing the right thing and acting as a whistleblower, but when she arrives in town she discovers things are far from as simple in this little town as she had hoped.  A murder and the possible destruction of her new library are in play, along with a tight lipped circle of co-workers and locals. I liked the way the complicated history of the town ad some of its inhabitants is revealed, and the way Josie comes to better understand herself. I like that her friendships were just as important as the mystery, and that while there are hints towards future romantic aspects they did not become the focus of the story at all. The mystery aspect was well done, with plenty of twists and turns. While I was rather expecting one of the twists the journey and the way it was revealed was engaging and kept me turning pages well past my bed time. I enjoyed the ride and look forward to the series continuing and fully plan on following it as it does.

Bait and Witch is a good cozy mystery and I hope the series continues on. 

Early Book Review: Snapdragon by Kat Leyh

Snapdragon by Kat Leyh is a magical realist graphic novel about a young girl who befriends her town’s witch and discovers the strange magic within herself. It is currently scheduled for release on February 4 2020. 

Snap's town had a witch. At least, that’s how the rumor goes. But in reality, Jacks is just a crocks-wearing, internet-savvy old lady who sells roadkill skeletons online—after doing a little ritual to put their spirits to rest. It’s creepy, sure, but Snap thinks it’s kind of cool, too. They make a deal: Jacks will teach Snap how to take care of the baby opossums that Snap rescued, and Snap will help Jacks with her work. But as Snap starts to get to know Jacks, she realizes that Jacks may in fact have real magic—and a connection with Snap’s family’s past.

Snapdragon was so much more than I expected. When I first started reading I thought I was going to get a typical story about a young adult dealing with fitting in and finding friends, with a dose of not judging a book by its cover. That is all there along with so much more. Snapdragon is trying to find her place in a new school and makes a friend that is struggling to find their place just as much as she is. Being yourself and standing up for yourself and others is fully in play here and very well done. I was worried that the town witch story line was going to by typical, but I should have known better. Jacks is different, no question about that. I loved watching Jacks and Snap forge a connection and each get more out of the friendship than they expected.  I really enjoyed how frank and openly the LGBT aspects of the story were handled- it was refreshing. I loved the art style, and think that the colors and motion on each page added a great deal to the feel of the story. I just really enjoyed this read and already have a few young readers that I would like to recommend it to.

Snapdragon is a great graphic novel for middle grade and older readers. I love the way a variety of subjects were covered and blended together. It is a wonderful read.