Practical Witching

Belladonna U #3

by Tansy Rayner Roberts

Is there life after Belladonna U?

Holly, Sage and Juniper pursue their musical dreams. Viola, Jules and Ferd rebel against their family’s magical privilege. Does Hebe have to leave her friends behind to figure out who she really is?

The latest Fake Geek Girl album is about to drop, and nothing will ever be the same again…

This New Adult cozy paranormal collection includes three stories & novellas: Untitled Cryptid Album, The Year of Critical Rolls and Like Witches For Coffee.

Genres: Fantasy

252 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2023

About the author

Tansy Rayner Roberts is a fantasy and science fiction author who lives in southern Tasmania, somewhere between the tall mountain with snow on it, and the beach that points towards Antarctica.

Tansy has a PhD in Classics (with a special interest in poisonous Roman ladies), and an obsession with Musketeers.

You can hear Tansy talking about Doctor Who on the Verity! podcast. She also reads her own stories on the Sheep Might Fly podcast.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third volume of the Belladonna U series. This book continues the story where Holiday Brew left off. In Practical Witching most of the gang has graduated and the three interrelated stories are about them figuring out life after Uni. The first story “Untitled Cryptid Album” is told from Holly's POV and is mostly about getting the band back together. I loved the second and longest story “The Year of Rolls” in which every character gets a few chapters, but I especially liked the sections which were all told in text chat and dialogue while playing an RPG. The last story, “Fake Geek Girl vs. The Purple Couch of Serenity” is about when their band Fake Geek Girl finds success.
I really loved this book! Like the first one, very little happens in it- it’s mostly relationships and banter, but clever and funny and sweet and just great!

[Shaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three stories in here that follow the Belladonna U gang after graduation. I had read one of them before but they were all very cosy and enjoyable to read. My favourite was Like Witches For Coffee and I really enjoyed the song lyrics at the end too.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these stories, I love the characters. I find the format interesting and unusual.
I am left with a slight sense of dissatisfaction though - I never feel like we get to deepdive into anybody, and all of these people are worthy of really getting to know.
But since my complaint is that I wanted more because it was good, I hope that this review won't put anybody off. Consider it expectation management.