Synopsis: The only thing worse than being a witch is living with one.
Camellia’s adopted mother wants Cam to grow up to be just like her. Problem is, Mom’s a seriously wicked witch.
Cam’s used to stopping the witch’s crazy schemes for world domination. But when the witch summons a demon, he gets loose—and into Devon, the cute new boy at school.
Now Cam’s suddenly got bigger problems than passing Algebra. Her friends are getting zombiefied. Their dragon is tired of hiding in the RV garage. For being a shy boy-band boy, Devon is sure kissing a bunch of girls. And a phoenix hidden in the school is going to explode on the night of the Halloween Dance.
To stop the demon before he destroys Devon’s soul, Cam might have to try a spell of her own. But if she’s willing to work spells like the witch…will that mean she’s wicked too?
Review: I had a great time with Tina Connolly and her adult fantasy books and it’s true that when I saw that she was trying a new genre, which is more young adult, and featuring witches I couldn’t help but be intrigued again. It must be said that witches are always an intriguing theme and I was curious to see how the author would stage them here.
Camellia is a girl who lives with her witch “aunt”. But now, this woman is not really her aunt and our heroine is actually rather the stooge of the lady, constantly trying to find her the ingredients for her spells and assisting her when requested. Moreover, since Cam disappoints her for anything, she has the right to be punished by a sentence worthy of a true wicked witch. You can surely understand that in these conditions, the girl does not want to become like her aunt and instead focuses on her work at school and on her algebra test that she has just failed. But her life will change when the witch decides to summon a demon to find a phoenix and that the demon decides to take up residence in the body of Devon, the new cute boy from school. Therefore, Cam will have to try to find the solution to this problem and to save the young man she likes a lot. Alas, for that, it is possible that she needs to become a real witch too.
I enjoyed the story. It was cute to follow Cam and to understand what she suffered at home. We understand her mixed feelings towards her aunt and yet the author holds many surprises, especially at the end of the novel. Oh yes, because it was not really something I expected but it allows us to understand more some of the events. No I will not reveal the truth, but I thought it was really good found. But Cam is also a resourceful young girl who hopes to excel in school and everywhere ans she especially hopes to become a good person. Her story with Devon is pretty cute, she really cares for the boy and it’s true that the demon seems really good to possess the young man by making him comply with his decisions.
To conclude, it was a very nice little story that I enjoyed discovering. Just know that the novel is not very long in itself, but I had a nice time.
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I knew this book was going to be YA but I had no idea that it was going to feel so “young”. I probably wouldn’t have picked it up if I had known beforehand, but after reading it I have to admit it was quite fun. Very quirky and cute! Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to younger teen readers.
Melliane
that’s true, it’s really young.
blodeuedd
SO it has more of a MG feel?
Melliane
I think it’s between MG and YA
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
Oh I remember seeing this cover and thinking how cute it looked. Probably a little too young for me but one to remember for recs 😀
Melliane
yes it’s a really nice one
Tracy Terry
Loving the cover but this puts me in mind of another book I read pre-Pen and Paper (if only I could remember what it was called). Whilst not adverse to reading YA fiction it sounds like it could be too short a read for me. Perhaps more of a novella?
Melliane
oh no it’s not a novella it’s 200 pages
Brandi Breathes Books
Yay, glad to hear you enjoyed. I saw another positive review for this book not too long ago
Lola @ Hit or Miss Books
Yeah, exactly. I thought this was cute too. Nothing fancy or extraordinary but lovely and entertaining. Great review!!
Melliane
yes exactly
kimbacaffeinate
The cover is down right adorable, and I am glad you had fun reading about her adventures.
Melliane
thanks
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I haven’t read anything of hers just yet, but a copy of this beauty got lost in the mail. Hopefully it’ll find its way home soon, I really want to read it. Cute and light, perfect for my vacation.
Melliane
I hope so too for you
Paula M. @ Her Book Thoughts!
Yay! I’m so excited for this book. I’m glad you enjoyed it even though it was a short one 🙂 Great review!!
Melliane
sometimes it’s nice too
kindlemom1
This really was a fast and fun, and even quirky read!
Heidi
Review twins. I liked this well enough. It was cute, but definitely more of a middle grade.
Melliane
yes it’s the thing
Ramona
Such a cute cover! 🙂 I read a number of lovely reviews about this one, and I think it will make a great summer read for me too 🙂
Melliane
it’s nice and sweet
Melissa (Books and Things)
A second review that tells me this one is sweet. I do think I know the perfect persons for this one and I might have to read it first just to make sure… 😉 Brilly review!
Melliane
yes because who knows we need to try personally
Suzi Q, The Book Dame
It is good that this was at least an okay read for you. I think that it is very hard to be blown away after being a fan of something so different, but it is always worth a try to see what an author does with a different genre.
Melliane
yes it’s interesting, it’s just it’s a bit young
Kim @ BookSwoon
This sounds like my kind of fun & cute read – that cover and those leggings puts a smile on my face. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and I’m curious about that surprise you mentioned! 🙂
Melliane
yes really the end is well found
Melissa (My World...in words and pages)
I like the cover. It seems like a cute, fun read. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books
This does seem like a really cute read but the only thing is that it’s so short. 🙁 and can you belive I haven’t read anything about witches since Harry Potter?? Shocking but the truth. 😉
Melliane
really? you need to change that fact
Jennifer Bielman @ Bad Bird Reads
This sounds adorable and fun. Though it feels a bit young for me.
Melliane
maybe
Braine Talk Supe
Cute! I feel I’m too old to enjoy this though. Signs of ageing, not good! lol
Melliane
lol
Lorna
I read a lot of YA but since everyone is saying middle grade, I think it really is too young for me-but I enjoyed your review 🙂
Kirsty-Marie
I’ve been wanting to read this, but some of the reviews have put me off it, so glad that you seemed to enjoy it more! I love witch-y stories, there are so much you can do with them, so they’re always fun. 🙂
Carole Rae
Awwe sounds like a nice halloween book!
Joy // Joyousreads
I rarely read books about witches, so this book hardly showed up on my radar. I’m glad you generally enjoyed it, even though not quite the Tina Connolly you know from her adult offerings. 🙂