Review: Toil & Trouble Edited by Tess Sharpe & Jessica Spotswood

Anthology

Format: ebook

Rating: 3 Stars

How I Got It: NetGalley

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Supernatural

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

History tells us women accused of witchcraft were often outsiders: educated, independent, unmarried, unwilling to fall in line with traditional societal expectations.

Bold. Powerful. Rebellious.

A bruja’s traditional love spell has unexpected results. A witch’s healing hands begin to take life instead of giving it when she ignores her attraction to a fellow witch. In a terrifying future, women are captured by a cabal of men crying witchcraft and the one true witch among them must fight to free them all. In a desolate past, three orphaned sisters prophesize for a murderous king. Somewhere in the present, a teen girl just wants to kiss a boy without causing a hurricane.

From good witches to bad witches, to witches who are a bit of both, this is an anthology of diverse witchy tales from a collection of diverse, feminist authors. The collective strength of women working together—magically or mundanely--has long frightened society, to the point that women’s rights are challenged, legislated against, and denied all over the world. Toil & Trouble delves deep into the truly diverse mythology of witchcraft from many cultures and feminist points of view, to create modern and unique tales of witchery that have yet to be explored. 

Review

***I received this book via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***

I was pretty excited about this collection. I have liked Jessica Spotswood's Cahill Witch Chronicles and there aren't a lot of witch books/stores out there. But I ended up rather disappointed.

Short stories are incredibly hard to write, in my opinion. It is a particular skill set which not all authors have. I have not read most of these authors longer works so I can't speak to their writing more broadly. 

A lot of the stories came across as pushing an agenda. I'm not offended by the content, but it is annoying to me when things feel forced. I think it's like when a major issue/event happens and then popular shows need to have a similar story line to "address" it. You can do a PSA without feeling like a PSA. 

There were a few stories I did enjoy reading. Jessica Spotswood's and "Death in the Saw Tooths"-sorry I can't remember the author's name-were both interesting. And they made me want to read more like a full length novel of those stories.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend this, but I don't want to just dismiss it. One of the things about an anthology is that it exposes you to a large amount of authors/stories. Most likely you'll find something you like and maybe you'll find a new favorite author.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

 

Series: Hex Hall Book #3
Format: Paperback
Pages: 327
Rating: 4 Stars
How I Got It: Purchased
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Witches
Publisher: Hyperion

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Hailed as “impossible to put down,” the Hex Hall series has both critics and teens cheering. With a winning combination of romance, action, magic and humor, this third volume will leave readers enchanted.

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies—the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that’s what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The Brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn’t as confident.

Sophie’s bound for one hell of a ride—can she get her powers back before it’s too late?

 
Review

I'm kind of sad to see this series and Sophie's story end. This was a little return to Sophie's crazy humor, but still had the seriousness of book two. The first book is my favorite, but it was definitely a solid series.

Getting to meet the Brannicks was nice. I guessed one of the reveals during the second book, but I still liked the execution. But it also caused more questions which have gone unanswered. Like Torin and his "prophecies". I want to know what's up with all of that. Maybe in the spin-off.

I'm still not a big fan of the love triangle. And Ms. Hawkins resolved it in one of my least favorite ways. But I do care about all three of them which is a good thing. I want them all to be happy.

A big surprise for me was Elodie. I really grew to like and care about her. She seemed more human in this one because she showed vulnerability. I wasn't expecting that at all, so good job Ms. Hawkins.

Overall, I really enjoyed this series. They are a quick read and Sophie is full of so much sass. I will definitely keep my eye on Rachel Hawkins and hope to read more of her books.

Thanks for reading!
Holly

Review: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall Book #2

Format: Paperback

Pages:  359

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch. That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (a.k.a. witches, shape-shifters, and faeries). But then she discovered the family secret, and the fact that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie's a demon, one of only two in the world-the other being her father. What's worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will either destroy her powers for good-or kill her.

But once Sophie arrives, she makes a shocking discovery. Her new housemates? They're demons too. Meaning, someone is raising demons in secret, with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they're using Archer to do it. But it's not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review

Holy crap, that was a cliffhanger ending. I liked the first book a little more, but I think that’s because things got a lot more serious in this. I was expecting more sarcasm and humor.

Sophie is still great. Even though I miss her biting comments, it’s nice to see her growing because of the seriousness of her situation. And she really cares about her friends and other people. The Jenna friendship was still there and that makes me happy.

I feel like there’s a love triangle happening. Generally, I’m opposed to them, but this one confuses me. Going into it I was completely on team Archer even though he’s a bad boy. But Cal is so nice and I don’t want to see him get hurt. Uhg…I don’t know what’s going to happen or how I’ll feel about it.

In this one we traveled to England and met some people on the Council. The whole world started to broaden. I really liked learning more about how Sophie’s magic works. And I feel like there was some groundwork laid out for the final book and what I’m assuming will be a big clash.

Good thing I already own the third books, because I want to know what happen next. I’m guessing there are still some big reveals coming. And I have some theories.

Thanks for reading!

Holly

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Series: The Cahill Witch Chronicles (Book 1)

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 330

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

                This book is hard to describe. It’s an alternate history historical witch book that reads like a contemporary.

                I think there’s a lack of world-building, but it doesn’t bother me. To some extent I wish I knew more about the past and the rest of the world, but I don’t need it.

                And I like the characters. Cate is likeable and a good narrator. She could be a little more trusting, but her society explains it. And the story mainly focuses on women-powerful women. Plus, there are tons of different relationships between these women.

                I’m completely invested in Cate’s story and am excited to continue the series. Ms. Spotswood weaves the romance with the magic storyline with Cate’s personal journey. I care equally about each of these story points and want to know where they’ll go next. 

~Thanks for reading!

Holly