With Midwinter just around the corner, Mark’s Nanna decides that it is time he learnt more about his family heritage. Learning witchcraft shouldn’t be too difficult, right?Balancing school, magic, and the distractions of the gorgeous new guy, should make this a very interesting winter.
This is a short story and a quick read. The beginning was mostly about the everyday highschool life of Mark and his friends. The characters were all strong, and I liked them immediately. (My favorite was Nanna, the witch.)
When the author asked me to read one of her books she said it had her odd sense of humor. Mine must be odd too then, because I liked it!
Once Mark starts magic lessons, the book picks up. The author did a good job of making the magic feel real. I liked the mystery of Damien, the new guy at school. There’s also a cute little romance. (The main character is gay.)
Minor Negatives:
This book is set in England, and some of the British slang I hadn’t heard before. It still made sense though. (Mostly.)
This felt like book one of a series, not a standalone. (No cliffhanger, but the story is obviously not over yet.) Where is the next one?
Will I read another book by this author? Yes. I enjoyed the author’s voice and by the end of the second chapter I’d decided to try her novel.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s a nice slow-going story that has a rather an action packed ending. We are introduced to Mark and his friends Sarah and Harry. They live in a small town where everybody knows each other, including Mark’s Nana is a witch. Everything was going smoothly until the new guy shows up.
As Mark begins his training as a witch, unforeseen circumstances brings him closer to Damian but something is off about him. There is an upcoming Winter Solstice fest at there house, but will it be a happy ending?
It’s about witchcraft, magic, friendship, romance and it also have gay elements in it, but I like it.
It is a quite enjoyable short story with some action at the end. The characters are still in developing mode as we slowly get to know them. Nothing thrilling stood out, but still it engaged me to know what happens next.
This first book and series is a fun read but each book ends in a cliff hanger / continuation, with no true end. So my reviews for the 4 books that I’ve read so far are going to be similar. The books aren’t very long, but this first one is the shortest. It has great characters and an interesting plot. In this first book I like Damian the best though the main character, Mark, is a close second. They are gay so if that bothers you, you might not like this story. This book is well written and an easy read. No graphic sexual content and no violence. I recommend for teens and up. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sweet and enjoyable. Well written characters who show love, loyalty and bravery. The author sets up a wonderful YA environment and delightful introduction to the series, which I plan to enjoy.
Mark lives in Yorkshire, in the UK. His Nana is a known witch, and is keen to start teaching him all she knows. Mark is one of two openly gay students in his school, and when a new guy arrives who happens to be insanely hot – Mark thinks things might be looking up. When Damien starts at his school, he soon realises how important it is to learn the family magic. Mark tries to help Damien overthrow the demon which wants to possess him.
The author really managed to get the feel of Mark and Damien realistic and manged to convey it to the reader with ease and vivid imagery. Both the characters and the world that they inhabit feel realistic and interesting to the reader. She has managed to create a world that is new and unique but yet feels like it has been their all along and leaves the reader with a comfortable familiar feeling of it. Love the relationship of the two main characters as well as the twists and turns of it and the plot. Definitely had surprises in store for the reader. As soon as I finished this book I bought the second!!