Bondwitch

by Chelsey M. Ortega

Eighteen-year-old Annamaria Lyons has never left her small hometown of Harrison, Wyoming. She has lived with her aunt, Trinity, since her parents died when she was two years old. Trinity has been a wonderful guardian with one exception—she won’t allow Annamaria out of the house after sunset. That is, until the night of senior prom. Annamaria's long-lost sister arrives, bringing with her a world full of hidden family secrets and the supernatural.

Forced to flee her childhood home without a proper goodbye to her human life and first love, Annamaria immerses herself in the magical world. New friends and a new suitor challenge her original dreams for the future, and when she finds herself caught in the middle of a centuries-old conflict, Annamaria must decide to rise above it or give in to the darkness.

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2023

About the author

Chelsey M. Ortega is a teacher by day and award-winning author by night. History is her first love, and any story involving magic and romance, her second love. She especially loves witches and is still awaiting her acceptance letter to a well-known school. Chelsey received her Bachelor's in History Teaching from Brigham Young University. In addition to writing, Chelsey teaches high school U.S. History and ELD. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and two cats. Follow Chelsey at www.chelseymortega.com.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can see why vampire and werewolf stories resonate with teenagers. All those unruly hormones combined with school and parental issues up the angst factor for high schoolers in such a way that they might sometimes feel tempted by the denizens of the dark. After all, vampires can never age and werewolves can freely express their rage. Take Twilight and Buffy and add witches to the mix, and you’ll feel right at home in debut author Chelsey Ortega’s Bondwitch, book one of what is sure to be a series.
Anna Lyons is turning 18 and graduating, alongside her longtime boyfriend Cody. She might finally get to go to prom, if her guardian aunt will loosen the reins a bit. Typical high school stuff, until a relative she never knew she had arrives, and Anna’s world gets a whole lot darker. And more dangerous.
Sure to appeal to the YA paranormal audience, this book is a roller coaster of Anna’s emotional journey as she discovers who and what she is, and why certain feuding groups want very much to ‘own’ her. She has to learn who to trust, who to fear, and how to tell the difference. It’s not easy, and she’ll have to come into her own power in order to survive. Not to mention save those she cares about. A highly appropriate read for the Halloween season.

[Mickey Flagg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This coming of age story for Annamaria has a critical twist. She’s a witch whose heritage has been kept hidden from her until her senior year in high school. A whole new world opens for Annamaria that includes vampires, hybrids, and werewolves, not to mention the use of all her magical powers. As she navigates this intriguing world, she encounters two very different vampires. One wants to dominate her and bind her to him. To deny him means certain death. The other vampire, Anthony, shows her kindness and treats her with respect all the while giving the impression of loving her. As Annamaria negotiates her powers, she fully rejects being a bondwitch. With help from Mariana, her sister who is also a vampire, and Anthony, Annamaria escapes back to her hometown only to find more clues to the mystery that is her family. She not only finds her own voice, but also her backbone as a powerful young witch. Even at the end of the story, the reader is left to wonder what awaits Annamaria as she continues her journey into maturity as a woman and as a witch.

[Jo Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires, witches, werewolves, romance, mystery. What more could you want from a book?

Wonderfully spun into suspense and romance. Truly captivating and definitely recommend this book.

Leaves off with a cliffhanger. I cannot want to read the next book.

[Annie McEwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For teen readers who relish complicated collisions of our world and the one where witches, vampires, and werewolves reside, BONDWITCH is a treat! It's a long read, but not too long; lengthy enough to keep a reader entertained through summer recess or few weeks at the mountain house. Or even to carry around in a backpack and steal a chapter now and then, escaping into a landscape of danger, power, and possibilities. Anna/Annamaria is, at the outset, an almost stereotypically perfect teen. She's pretty but not vain, a good performer in school but not a nerd. Dance team, loyal friends, super nice boyfriend. Yes, her family situation's a little odd - she lives with her aunt, has never met her grandmom, and the rest of her family is totally absent. That's the reader's first clue that things in Harrison, her harmless small town, might be not what they seem. Harrison stays the same - on the surface. But with the arrival of Marianna, Anna's hitherto unknown sister, surface appearances begin to fall away. Before long, Anna/Annamaria is plunged into her inherited but untried magical abilities and must learn to master them. Along the way, she must also juggle "boarding school" in a vampire nest, new friends, new enemies, dodging law enforcement, managing her wolf familiar, deciding how she feels about vampires who compete for her affection (not to mention her blood), and dealing with the revelation that the boy who took her to Prom is a werewolf. BONDWITCH is a coming-of-age tale for readers who want to read about something different, something more toothy (no pun) than a year abroad. It's fun and full of teen angst and family secrets, along with predictable (and relatable) obsessions with clothing and should-we-or-not sexual experimentation. I can see this as a series, and hope that's where the author is taking it!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a bit to get into the book. The last 100 pages were amazing. Annamaria is a true heroine. If you like books with witches,vampires, and werewolves this is your book. So proud of my niece for writing this and getting published.

[`Ilikea Arakaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was enthralling and kept me wanting to read more. The plot was unique and didn't fall into the typical norm of Vampire and Witch lore and romance. Bondwitch is also an excellent book to dive into if you have been in a slump with reading. I am excited to read Book 2!

[Literary Titan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bondwitch by Chelsey Ortega is an exhilarating journey into the paranormal, sure to enthrall enthusiasts of witches, vampires, and werewolves. With its captivating tale, this novel commences with the seemingly ordinary Annamaria, a young girl being cared for by her aunt. A terrifying experience at her prom night sets the stage for her dramatic entry into a world filled with supernatural mysteries.

Suddenly, Annamaria finds herself navigating a realm where she learns of her witch lineage and where vampires and werewolves are far from mere figments of imagination. In an effort to safeguard her from looming peril, she is relocated to her sister's abode in a vampire coven. Compelled by a determination to defend herself, she delves into her newfound magical abilities. However, when circumstances spiral out of control, she faces choices fraught with consequences more dire than she could have ever foreseen.

The plot is artfully crafted, intertwining various threads into a cohesive and thrilling narrative. The characterization is strong and consistent, with each figure standing out, particularly the young protagonist, Annamaria. Unlike some youthful characters who may fall into imprudent decisions to instigate conflict, Annamaria's choices reflect maturity and mindfulness.

Ortega adheres to traditional lore within the paranormal genre yet does so in a way that does not detract from the story's originality or render it insipid. One of the novel's strengths lies in how the imminent danger is meticulously and continually conveyed, heightening the stakes at each turn.

While I enjoyed the story, I felt that there are instances where the author tends to "tell" rather than "show," recounting events in a straightforward manner without delving into specific details. This approach occasionally produces a somewhat monotonous texture, particularly during the action sequences. I think a more varied sentence structure could have made these parts more dynamic.

Bondwitch is a highly enjoyable read that will resonate with those drawn to paranormal stories, romance, vivid characters, and imaginative world-building. Ortega's novel stands as a commendable addition to the genre.

[Terry Segan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annamaria is a typical teenager enjoying her senior year of high school—or so she thought. With an overly cautious aunt for a guardian, the teen finally gets permission to go out after dark and attend the senior prom. When the end of the evening comes, the end of life as she knows it follows. Her aunt discloses that the two of them are witches with a long family history, and Annamaria finds herself caught up in a world of magic, vampires, and werewolves.

The author lures the reader into a story of teenage love, then quickly hurdles you into a whirlwind tale of magic and mystical beings. The transformation of Annamaria from an innocent girl into a powerful witch gives a new twist to coming-of-age. The variety of characters, both good and bad, blur the lines of who can and cannot be trusted.

Surprising twists and confessions get played out until the very end. The book has a very satisfying conclusion while leaving a few crumbs that could be picked up in another installment. I can’t wait to read more about Annamaria and her continuing journey!

[W.B.J. Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anna, a senior in high school, discovers that not only is she a witch, but the sister she didn't know she had was also a witch until she became a vampire. As she's getting used to these revelations, she is attacked and has to flee family and friends. In a place she's been told is a trusted refuge, she comes into her power. As she learns the nuances of the relationship between vampires and witches she also learns the nuances of a blossoming romance. Unfortunately there are some who want to use her and are prepared to rob her of her free will if necessary to secure her services. She must learn to defend herself from known and potential enemies before those that tried to take her freedom find her.
A masterful coming of age romance set in a paranormal setting that lovers of paranormal stories will enjoy.

[Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like others, I’ve managed to snag an early copy.

I’ll admit I’ve struggled with this review - this really isn’t a genre I read much. I’m not a big fan of vamps and wolves and witches. When I go in for urban fantasy I frankly go for bounty hunters and detectives, not prom queens.

But I certainly enjoyed it. Especially the bits where the supernatural stuff was just tangential. The interactions between Anne and her family and friends were particularly delightful. I also appreciate how the exposition was handled: no dense chapters with nothing but made up history, instead the world building was done in a way that also built up the characters.

I’m certainly going to recommend this to my daughter

[Alyxandram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything was perfect for Annamaria. She finally got to go to the Prom with her boyfriend, Cody, of several years. Childhood best friends. Even though Anna lost her parents young, her Aunt Trinity was pretty great. They’d build a cozy life in the small Wyoming town. Until after senior prom...
Anna is forced to flee and leave her beloved aunt and is completely immersed in the paranormal world of witches, vampires, and werewolves.
LOVED how the author even created collector cards to go with the book. Made you feel like you were a part of the world too. It was a little hard to follow all the characters and events in a few places, just needs a tiny bit of polish imo. But the creativity and the story do make up for it. Great read and I really hope there’s more!!

[Kat Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

For any new author, imagining a plot can be monumental. Putting it in a crisp, understandable story arc is difficult. Keeping the length to a reasonable limit is close to impossible. Author Ortega persevered in creating something that shows a young woman’s journey to finding her true self, and her true heritage. It is a story of family responsibility and devotion, how we triumph and how we sometimes fail.

Based on a scale of 1-5, Bondwitch merits a 4.

Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews

[Kimberly Baer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teenage girl’s life takes a melodramatic turn when she learns that she comes from a family of witches—and is, in fact, one herself. Witches, vampires, werewolves, and magic abound in this compelling contemporary fantasy tale. I enjoyed hanging out with Annamaria as she honed her powers and faced threats from unexpected places. The action ramps up in the last quarter of the book, leading to an exciting and satisfying conclusion. All in all, an entertaining read!

[Jennifer Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A teenager discovers that she's a witch, her sister is a vampire, and there are werewolves and and magic all around. Forced to leave her ordinary life and mortal boyfriend behind, she's thrown into a whirlwind of magic as she learns to harness her power.

A great coming of age YA novel filled with paranormal thrills, magic, and romance!

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lucked out getting a copy before publication... So glad I did. The story & all the characters kept me flipping the pages (sometimes when I should have been going to bed)... If you enjoy magical worlds, definitely check this one out... Can't wait for book 2....

[`Ilikea Arakaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was enthralling and kept me wanting to read more. The plot was unique and didn't fall into the typical norm of Vampire and Witch lore and romance. Bondwitch is also an excellent book to dive into if you have been in a slump with reading. I am excited to read Book 2!

[Roni Capell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very interesting, a great fantasy story with vampires, werewolves, and witches. I loved the story, and the characters were great.