Once A Witch - Book Review (repost)

Once a Witch (Witch #1)
by Carolyn MacCullough

What is it about:
Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family.

But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.

What did I think of it:
I totally bought this book for the pretty cover. Luckily it turned out the cover isn't the only good thing about this book.

This is a great story.

I liked Tamsin from the start. Being the only one without magic she's the black sheep of the family. Mocked by her sister and cousins, she's happiest when away from her family among 'normal' people. I could really understand how she felt, and when someone mistakes her for her sister, I didn't even want to slap her for not telling the truth. Instead I wanted her to succeed and to show her family what she can do.

I loved Tamsin's roommate Agatha, who's a cool and quirky character. I was sad she only had a very small role in the book. Luckily Tamsin got help from another character I really loved: Gabriel.

Gabriel is the son of a family friend, and has a Talent, but he's not judging and mocking Tamsin for not being Talented. He sees Tamsin for who she is and not for what she can or can't do. He joins Tamsin on her search and together they get into lots of trouble.

I really enjoyed this story. It's fun, full of action and suspense, and has a sweet romance. The ending, although leaving you with a cliffhanger, is satisfying enough that you don't feel cheated. That being said: I immediately ordered the next book, because I want more.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and very enjoyable Paranormal YA read.

Always A Witch - Book Review

Always a Witch (Witch #2)
by Carolyn MacCullough

What is it about:
Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

What did I think of it:
I very much enjoyed the first book in this duology, so I got my trotters on Always A Witch as soon as I could.

And it doesn't disappoint.

It's a fast paced story, that I read in an afternoon.

I was sad to discover that Agatha, Tamsin's friend, was written almost completely out of the story, but glad when I discovered that at least Gabriel still had a considerable part to play.

Tamsin travels back in time and we're introduced to a lot of new characters in this book. Some were very flat, but the action and suspense were good enough that I didn't mind too much. There were a few things that didn't seem to fit in my opinion (happens a lot in time travel stories), but they weren't big enough to really bug me.

Overall this is a fast and very enjoyable read and a great conclusion to this duology. I will most certainly reread these two book, and find out what other things MacCullough has written.

Why should you read it:
It's a very entertaining Paranormal YA with time travelling

Once A Witch - Book Review

Once a Witch (Witch #1)
by Carolyn MacCullough

What is it about:
Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family.

But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.

What did I think of it:
I totally bought this book for the pretty cover. Luckily it turned out the cover isn't the only good thing about this book.

This is a great story.

I liked Tamsin from the start. Being the only one without magic she's the black sheep of the family. Mocked by her sister and cousins, she's happiest when away from her family among 'normal' people. I could really understand how she felt, and when someone mistakes her for her sister, I didn't even want to slap her for not telling the truth. Instead I wanted her to succeed and to show her family what she can do.

I loved Tamsin's roommate Agatha, who's a cool and quirky character. I was sad she only had a very small role in the book. Luckily Tamsin got help from another character I really loved: Gabriel.

Gabriel is the son of a family friend, and has a Talent, but he's not judging and mocking Tamsin for not being Talented. He sees Tamsin for who she is and not for what she can or can't do. He joins Tamsin on her search and together they get into lots of trouble.

I really enjoyed this story. It's fun, full of action and suspense, and has a sweet romance. The ending, although leaving you with a cliffhanger, is satisfying enough that you don't feel cheated. That being said: I immediately ordered the next book, because I want more.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun and very enjoyable Paranormal YA read.