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Bad Witches
In H. B. Akumiah’s lively and charming debut, three young women discover the unbelievable: they’re witches, and their new-found magic may be the key to saving the world …
The Witch Sphere is in turmoil. In the years since a stunning betrayal sent shockwaves through society, the Sphere was hit with a crisis: witches are giving birth to more typics (non-witches) and their numbers are diminishing. Nadia is determined to help but finds her efforts at the Witch Health Organization entangled with the political machinations of her powerful mother.
A public relations assistant, a teacher, and a former child star walk into a bar bathroom … On what happens to be all of their twenty-second birthday and, like many twentysomethings, become fast tipsy friends. But unlike most twentysomethings, their night of partying ends with an accidental act of magic. Suddenly, Maya, Gabbie, and Delali find themselves thrust into a world of spells and potions with only a mysterious mentor as a guide.
As the girls learn to harness their new power, Nadia starts to notice spikes in the magic baseline and suspects an unknown cadre of witches may be the key to solving the Typic Crisis. Can this unlikely coven come together and save the Sphere or are there darker forces at play? Either way these Bad Witches are going to find a way to have some fun.
The Witch Sphere is in turmoil. In the years since a stunning betrayal sent shockwaves through society, the Sphere was hit with a crisis: witches are giving birth to more typics (non-witches) and their numbers are diminishing. Nadia is determined to help but finds her efforts at the Witch Health Organization entangled with the political machinations of her powerful mother.
A public relations assistant, a teacher, and a former child star walk into a bar bathroom … On what happens to be all of their twenty-second birthday and, like many twentysomethings, become fast tipsy friends. But unlike most twentysomethings, their night of partying ends with an accidental act of magic. Suddenly, Maya, Gabbie, and Delali find themselves thrust into a world of spells and potions with only a mysterious mentor as a guide.
As the girls learn to harness their new power, Nadia starts to notice spikes in the magic baseline and suspects an unknown cadre of witches may be the key to solving the Typic Crisis. Can this unlikely coven come together and save the Sphere or are there darker forces at play? Either way these Bad Witches are going to find a way to have some fun.
448 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2024
50 people are currently reading
6057 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
July 17, 2024
This book was a breath of fresh air! It's a funny and easy read, perfect for all ages, even if you're not normally a fantasy fan, like me. The story itself is really engaging, with a great balance between the two worlds it explores.
I loved that it centered around three Black witches in their 20s – it felt like Gossip Girl flipped on its head. The magic system and the world-building were intriguing and the plot twist at the end was a genuine surprise.
While some reviewers felt the millennial references were a bit heavy-handed, I found them funny and relatable. Overall, this is a well-written story with a strong recommendation from me!
I loved that it centered around three Black witches in their 20s – it felt like Gossip Girl flipped on its head. The magic system and the world-building were intriguing and the plot twist at the end was a genuine surprise.
While some reviewers felt the millennial references were a bit heavy-handed, I found them funny and relatable. Overall, this is a well-written story with a strong recommendation from me!
November 6, 2024
Bad witches
- so relatable especially if you’re in your 20s just trying find yourself
- I felt so seen and like I too can be a witch
- The storyline with the magic and babies I found so interesting
- Gabbie is so me bringing snacks to the group and loving fall she’s so giddy like me love it
- I loved seeing the girls learning more about their magic and getting closer with each other, made me think of my friend group
- There were moments that felt long but apart from that a fun witchy story
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- so relatable especially if you’re in your 20s just trying find yourself
- I felt so seen and like I too can be a witch
- The storyline with the magic and babies I found so interesting
- Gabbie is so me bringing snacks to the group and loving fall she’s so giddy like me love it
- I loved seeing the girls learning more about their magic and getting closer with each other, made me think of my friend group
- There were moments that felt long but apart from that a fun witchy story
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 23, 2024
This was an easy listen. It was fun and I really liked how the women came together and tried to figure out their situation. I got a little lost in the sauce in some places but the narrator was great. I wish I had understood a little better some of the situations but it seemed like a great first for a series? Hopefully more to come. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review!
March 7, 2025
I lost interest in the book because it flipped between two different set of characters and I never got to really know Naida.
September 22, 2024
Listen. The plot of this was initially interesting in an early 2000s CW TV show kind of way. But then I got bored.
There's some things that kept getting in the way of my enjoyment:
1. There's two separate plots going on simultaneously. The one with the 3 girls getting their magic and figuring out how to use it, and the one with the babies having magic. I kept waiting for the two plotlines to meet and combine into a cohesive story, but they never do.
2. The brand-name dropping. Describing clothing is one thing--but it's Hermes this, and Dior that, and it's happening in every chapter, in every other paragraph. It started to feel like a luxury brand commercial. I don't mind if the brand dropping happens once in a while. And I don't care if it's somehow important to the plot. But y'all. It wasn't. I understand these women are living in a big city, and that one of them, at least, is/was an actress and another's in the fashion industry. I get they're wealthy as fuck. You don't need to keep telling me what brands they keep on them and around them. I don't need to know where they bought their couch's throw blanket from (this literally happened).
3. In this same vein, the description of the characters' hair. Black people, white people, doesn't matter. There's a strange fixation on the hair of these people. Afro this, box braids that, blow outs! dreads! micro-locs! It's like there's NO other way to describe someone than by announcing their race and then gifting them with a very particular, well-known hairstyle. It happens so frequently, and to EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. that's introduced (even if they're just side characters or background characters that show up for a sentence and then disappear never to be seen or heard from again and it's downright infuriating.
Is it really, truly important for me to know that some random ass man walking down the sidewalk is white with dreadlocks? No. No it is not. Dude never shows up again, has no dialogue, serves no purpose. I don't give a solitary FUCK what he looks like.
I'm aware this could very well be a me issue. But Jesus tapdancing Christ, it annoyed the hell out of me.
4. For a large portion of the center of this book, there is NOTHING happening. It's a lot of mostly meaningless interactions with the girls' coworkers or other random people that don't matter. Instead of focusing the plot of the witches learning stuff and mastering their craft, it's scattered and mixed in with crap that just feels like a desperate attempt to make the book longer. And the "mentoring" we get to see with Alba is lackluster at best. I needed more witchy stuff and less Paris Fashion Week.
5. We are reading about multiple black women living in New York. I expected to hear this represented in the audiobook. We occasionally got a vaguely British accent for one or two of the side characters, but that was it. I'm not saying that the narrator did a bad job, I think she read the text beautifully--but she does NOT sound at all like the characters she's supposed to be reading. I hate that this is an issue for me, but I can't help it. The narrator sounds like a white woman from somewhere like California. Again, she did a great job--I just don't think she was the right person for this one. I can't help but feel like representation is an issue here.
6. There's no real answers about why these 3 girls get their powers. We know nothing about their backgrounds, who their parents are, why the three of them, specifically, received their powers or how and when they did.
7. I did NOT appreciate the cheating trope.
8. I kept waiting for the 3 girls to become sisters of a sort. But they never REALLY did. Maya actively dislikes Gabbie for the majority of the story. She isn't a huge fan of Delali either. I wanted that found-family bonding vibe, and it just never manifested. The 3 were only loosely tethered together by this weird magic that happened whenever they were in the same place. But there wasn't ever any real emotional connection to go along with it. It made it difficult to care about what was happening with the girls (particularly Maya who came off as a snob and a bitch most the time).
9. Why was everything acronymized? MOT, MOW, MAM, WHO. It's even more annoying because we kept getting told what they mean. Yeah, thanks. I know MOT means Mother of typic. You've told me 112 times.
10. The book just ends. Just poof, no more pages. And there's nothing to indicate that this is the first in a series of books. But OBVIOUSLY this story isn't finished.
--
Meh, I dunno what I just read, but this was boring, kind of annoying, and not at all the witchy fall vibes I was hoping for.
There's some things that kept getting in the way of my enjoyment:
1. There's two separate plots going on simultaneously. The one with the 3 girls getting their magic and figuring out how to use it, and the one with the babies having magic. I kept waiting for the two plotlines to meet and combine into a cohesive story, but they never do.
2. The brand-name dropping. Describing clothing is one thing--but it's Hermes this, and Dior that, and it's happening in every chapter, in every other paragraph. It started to feel like a luxury brand commercial. I don't mind if the brand dropping happens once in a while. And I don't care if it's somehow important to the plot. But y'all. It wasn't. I understand these women are living in a big city, and that one of them, at least, is/was an actress and another's in the fashion industry. I get they're wealthy as fuck. You don't need to keep telling me what brands they keep on them and around them. I don't need to know where they bought their couch's throw blanket from (this literally happened).
3. In this same vein, the description of the characters' hair. Black people, white people, doesn't matter. There's a strange fixation on the hair of these people. Afro this, box braids that, blow outs! dreads! micro-locs! It's like there's NO other way to describe someone than by announcing their race and then gifting them with a very particular, well-known hairstyle. It happens so frequently, and to EVERY. SINGLE. CHARACTER. that's introduced (even if they're just side characters or background characters that show up for a sentence and then disappear never to be seen or heard from again and it's downright infuriating.
Is it really, truly important for me to know that some random ass man walking down the sidewalk is white with dreadlocks? No. No it is not. Dude never shows up again, has no dialogue, serves no purpose. I don't give a solitary FUCK what he looks like.
I'm aware this could very well be a me issue. But Jesus tapdancing Christ, it annoyed the hell out of me.
4. For a large portion of the center of this book, there is NOTHING happening. It's a lot of mostly meaningless interactions with the girls' coworkers or other random people that don't matter. Instead of focusing the plot of the witches learning stuff and mastering their craft, it's scattered and mixed in with crap that just feels like a desperate attempt to make the book longer. And the "mentoring" we get to see with Alba is lackluster at best. I needed more witchy stuff and less Paris Fashion Week.
5. We are reading about multiple black women living in New York. I expected to hear this represented in the audiobook. We occasionally got a vaguely British accent for one or two of the side characters, but that was it. I'm not saying that the narrator did a bad job, I think she read the text beautifully--but she does NOT sound at all like the characters she's supposed to be reading. I hate that this is an issue for me, but I can't help it. The narrator sounds like a white woman from somewhere like California. Again, she did a great job--I just don't think she was the right person for this one. I can't help but feel like representation is an issue here.
6. There's no real answers about why these 3 girls get their powers. We know nothing about their backgrounds, who their parents are, why the three of them, specifically, received their powers or how and when they did.
7. I did NOT appreciate the cheating trope.
8. I kept waiting for the 3 girls to become sisters of a sort. But they never REALLY did. Maya actively dislikes Gabbie for the majority of the story. She isn't a huge fan of Delali either. I wanted that found-family bonding vibe, and it just never manifested. The 3 were only loosely tethered together by this weird magic that happened whenever they were in the same place. But there wasn't ever any real emotional connection to go along with it. It made it difficult to care about what was happening with the girls (particularly Maya who came off as a snob and a bitch most the time).
9. Why was everything acronymized? MOT, MOW, MAM, WHO. It's even more annoying because we kept getting told what they mean. Yeah, thanks. I know MOT means Mother of typic. You've told me 112 times.
10. The book just ends. Just poof, no more pages. And there's nothing to indicate that this is the first in a series of books. But OBVIOUSLY this story isn't finished.
--
Meh, I dunno what I just read, but this was boring, kind of annoying, and not at all the witchy fall vibes I was hoping for.
November 11, 2024
This book had so much potential, but it just didn't work for me. The world building definitely had it's problems and the story was kind of all over the place. I also wasn't expecting it to end with a cliffhanger. If I'd known, I might have waited until book two and read them back to back.
However, I had no issues with the narration of this audiobook. It was done very well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
However, I had no issues with the narration of this audiobook. It was done very well.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 20, 2024
Bad Witches
by H.B. Akumiah
Narrated by Imani Jade Powers
Published 8/20/24
Thank you so much partner @bibliolifestyle @blackstonepublishing @librofm for for the gifted copy and audiobook.
About the book 👇🏽
In H. B. Akumiah's lively and charming debut, three young women discover the unbelievable: they're witches, and their new-found magic may be the key to saving the world ...
✨ My thoughts:
Such a fun read and listen as we head into the ‘ber months! I really had a good time with both the physical book and the audiobook. Both versions are just so good and damn entertaining. The narrator chosen was absolutely perfect for the audiobook. I feel fortunate to have been able to experience both. This book is over 400 pages long but the story is engaging and light that I truly didn’t even notice. I enjoyed our three witch friends and the journey they had no idea they’d be experiencing and experiencing it together! I can honestly say I didn’t see either of the twists coming making them the icing on this delicious cake! I’m really hoping for a second book and I would love to see more into the Witch Sphere! Lucky for the world, Bad Witches hit shelves TODAY!!
P.S. The cover is absolutely MAGICAL ✨
Happy reading 📖 ✨
by H.B. Akumiah
Narrated by Imani Jade Powers
Published 8/20/24
Thank you so much partner @bibliolifestyle @blackstonepublishing @librofm for for the gifted copy and audiobook.
About the book 👇🏽
In H. B. Akumiah's lively and charming debut, three young women discover the unbelievable: they're witches, and their new-found magic may be the key to saving the world ...
✨ My thoughts:
Such a fun read and listen as we head into the ‘ber months! I really had a good time with both the physical book and the audiobook. Both versions are just so good and damn entertaining. The narrator chosen was absolutely perfect for the audiobook. I feel fortunate to have been able to experience both. This book is over 400 pages long but the story is engaging and light that I truly didn’t even notice. I enjoyed our three witch friends and the journey they had no idea they’d be experiencing and experiencing it together! I can honestly say I didn’t see either of the twists coming making them the icing on this delicious cake! I’m really hoping for a second book and I would love to see more into the Witch Sphere! Lucky for the world, Bad Witches hit shelves TODAY!!
P.S. The cover is absolutely MAGICAL ✨
Happy reading 📖 ✨
September 24, 2024
Special thanks to the author, @bibliolifestyle @blackstonepublishing for my gifted copy & @libro.fm for my ALC‼️
Twitches meets Charmed & The Craft where some of the main characters are Black witches. Bad Witches is a commendable debut with a fun, adventurous twist, and filled with loveable characters. The setting and world building was described so vividly it really enhanced the story. I also loved the spell casting and the statistical research data that showed how often typics (people without magic) and witches were born.
On the night of their twenty-second birthday Maya the Imitator, Gabbie the Influencer, and Delali the Mindreader randomly meet in a bar bathroom turning their night of partying into sparks of magic. Unsure of what’s happening they knew it wasn’t a coincidence they all began receiving notes from the witch counsel regarding improper use of magic they didn’t know they possessed.
But to help guide them down the right path they stumble upon or are rather stalked by soon to be mentor Alba. Her plan was to help the girls learn to harness their magic and once the final test was complete they’d be able to travel between realms. Soon they’ll learn not everyone can be trusted, their final test is really an execution, and together they are actually more powerful than they think.
I loved the idea of the Witch Sphere being referred to as the Witch Health Organization (WHO) that was so clever to me. I did feel there was too much world-building and not enough attention given to the plot. We learn more about their powers, the magic realm, and the current typic crisis than we do really getting to know the characters.
Overall, it was a good read I just wanted more from the story. It’s like once things got good and the chaos developed the book was ending. However, I did like the clever plot twist in the end kind of makes me wonder if there will be a book 2.
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
Twitches meets Charmed & The Craft where some of the main characters are Black witches. Bad Witches is a commendable debut with a fun, adventurous twist, and filled with loveable characters. The setting and world building was described so vividly it really enhanced the story. I also loved the spell casting and the statistical research data that showed how often typics (people without magic) and witches were born.
On the night of their twenty-second birthday Maya the Imitator, Gabbie the Influencer, and Delali the Mindreader randomly meet in a bar bathroom turning their night of partying into sparks of magic. Unsure of what’s happening they knew it wasn’t a coincidence they all began receiving notes from the witch counsel regarding improper use of magic they didn’t know they possessed.
But to help guide them down the right path they stumble upon or are rather stalked by soon to be mentor Alba. Her plan was to help the girls learn to harness their magic and once the final test was complete they’d be able to travel between realms. Soon they’ll learn not everyone can be trusted, their final test is really an execution, and together they are actually more powerful than they think.
I loved the idea of the Witch Sphere being referred to as the Witch Health Organization (WHO) that was so clever to me. I did feel there was too much world-building and not enough attention given to the plot. We learn more about their powers, the magic realm, and the current typic crisis than we do really getting to know the characters.
Overall, it was a good read I just wanted more from the story. It’s like once things got good and the chaos developed the book was ending. However, I did like the clever plot twist in the end kind of makes me wonder if there will be a book 2.
Rating: 3.75/5⭐️
October 28, 2024
Искам 2ра част сега!!!!!
September 25, 2024
4.75 round up! This hit all the vibes I needed it to hit! Also beyond excited that it’s a series!! The magic system was great the world building was great the relationship with the three girls was great!! This really hit all the spooky cozy witchy vibes I need it to hit!!!
August 4, 2024
Thanks to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for my early copy for review!
This book was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the friendships made by our three main girls!
The magic was very modern, which was cool to see, and the NYC locations were an added bonus on top.
I do wish we got to spend more time learning about the history of the witchy world with the Nadia character, but most of this story is really about following Maya, Gabbie, and Delali navigating their lives post-college and oops, they have magic powers now ( <-- still very fun by the way)!
Definitely go into this one expecting something light and "I'm a 22-year-old woman living in NYC" and you'll be ready for the ride haha.
Publication Date: August 20
This book was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the friendships made by our three main girls!
The magic was very modern, which was cool to see, and the NYC locations were an added bonus on top.
I do wish we got to spend more time learning about the history of the witchy world with the Nadia character, but most of this story is really about following Maya, Gabbie, and Delali navigating their lives post-college and oops, they have magic powers now ( <-- still very fun by the way)!
Definitely go into this one expecting something light and "I'm a 22-year-old woman living in NYC" and you'll be ready for the ride haha.
Publication Date: August 20
August 19, 2024
Thank you @bibliolifestyle , @blackstonepublishing , & @librofm for the advance copies!
This was such a fun/funny/cute/cozy witchy read. And I loooove my witchy reads! I loved the pictures the author painted, and her writing is excellent.
I love that the Black Community gets excellent representation of Black witches through this book! It was so refreshing!
I highly recommend this witchy read for the fall! Especially if you don't really vibe with scary, this is perfect to still get the seasonal vibes!
This was such a fun/funny/cute/cozy witchy read. And I loooove my witchy reads! I loved the pictures the author painted, and her writing is excellent.
I love that the Black Community gets excellent representation of Black witches through this book! It was so refreshing!
I highly recommend this witchy read for the fall! Especially if you don't really vibe with scary, this is perfect to still get the seasonal vibes!
September 20, 2024
not for me AT ALL
May 26, 2025
I really adored this book! A fun and interesting read about 3 young women figuring themselves out while also figuring out how to be a witch.
February 4, 2026
Overall 4.5🌟
Ok this was a whole lot of fun. These characters were funny and hilarious. And that ending 😱😱😱 I need the sequel expeditiously
Ok this was a whole lot of fun. These characters were funny and hilarious. And that ending 😱😱😱 I need the sequel expeditiously
August 6, 2024
If you grew up with a great appreciation of witches in Hollywood… (Sabrina The Teenage Witch, The Craft, Charmed… just to name a few) then you will love Bad Witches.
This one was such a pleasant surprise it all felt nostalgic. Three girls happen to meet on their birthday in a bar bathroom becoming fast friends… Magic sparks and their lives have been changed.
With great transitions between each girl you get great perspective and background on each one. The world building/magic system was easy to follow and modern which is what I enjoy in a fantasy. “The Sphere” was painted in my head like “The Other Realm” from Sabrina and some of the fun magic shenanigans the girls got themselves into have me remembering my teenage self and how I wish in could zap a new outfit, or make something cheaper to buy.
A fun one to add to your Fall/Witch TBR!
Thank you Blackstone Publishing
Releases 8/20
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
This one was such a pleasant surprise it all felt nostalgic. Three girls happen to meet on their birthday in a bar bathroom becoming fast friends… Magic sparks and their lives have been changed.
With great transitions between each girl you get great perspective and background on each one. The world building/magic system was easy to follow and modern which is what I enjoy in a fantasy. “The Sphere” was painted in my head like “The Other Realm” from Sabrina and some of the fun magic shenanigans the girls got themselves into have me remembering my teenage self and how I wish in could zap a new outfit, or make something cheaper to buy.
A fun one to add to your Fall/Witch TBR!
Thank you Blackstone Publishing
Releases 8/20
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
August 19, 2024
This paranormal debut had a unique premise - a witchy world where fewer and fewer witches are being born but despite high expectations I just couldn't really get invested in this story. I did very much enjoy that the main female characters were all Black - something rare in this genre but i found myself not caring about either characters or the outcome of the story. Good on audio narrated by Imani Jade Powers but not my fav witchy read this year by any means. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
February 16, 2025
I was so charmed (pun intended) by this novel! I'm obsessed! Where is the buzz online, where is the TV adaptation, and where is the sequel?! This book deserves love and more. It's fluffy, fun, and entertaining while also maintaining a fairly sophisticated fantasy world build. It's been so long since I read a fantasy novel that seamlessly balances the real world with the magical world just beneath the surface. H.B. Akumiah takes the "power of three" concept and put an incredible spin on the cast of characters. The book opens up with a birthing crisis in the witch world, where more and more witches are giving birth to girls with non magical abilities (called typics) and who else is on the case but a scientist from the WHO (Witch Health Organization). I mean...anytime we have something remotely sciency I'm in. Cut to three adorable girls who stumbled into the same bar for their 22 birthday and discover that they all have magical abilities. It reminds me of the pure unfiltered joy I used to get watching a really good Disney channel movie (like not at all in a shady way, but in a childlike joy way) because they all have to save the world, and go to magic class, but also do normal stuff like pass their finals and flirt with their crushes and solve fashion crises like? What's not to love? In the author's own words she said "Any Black girl who consumed fantasy, sci-fi, or really anything fun in the 90s or aughts knows we were in a serious Black girl drought. Bad Witches felt like answering some essential questions from that era. Like:What if my favorite content hadn't been so white? What if Black people were in the source material and not just the fan fiction?" And all this with an NYC setting, so naturally I'm fully sold. Can't recommend this enough!!! Also really great on audiobook.
August 28, 2024
Thank you BiblioLifestyle and Blackstone Publishing for the #gifted finished copy and ALC to review and feature.
Oh wow. Oh WOW!! Okay, I’m going to admit that I absolutely picked this book because of the cover. Just look at the colors and how they shift—Scroll for the colors because I couldn’t pick just one—but this was absolutely a PERFECT witchy read.
Expect 👉🏼 Witches (but they don’t know it), multiple worlds, political upheaval, magical training, predestined friendships
Three seemingly human girls meet on their twenty second birthday. They don’t have much in common except a magical event that they may or may not have imagined. But these strange things keeps happening. And when an older witch offers to train them, it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The beginning of this book has quite a few character’s POVs. But it doesn’t become clear fairly quickly who everyone is. And though the narrator does not specify whose POV she is narrating, it’s not difficult to decipher. I flew through the audio and I’m really hoping there is a book two in the works 👀😅
4.5/5
Oh wow. Oh WOW!! Okay, I’m going to admit that I absolutely picked this book because of the cover. Just look at the colors and how they shift—Scroll for the colors because I couldn’t pick just one—but this was absolutely a PERFECT witchy read.
Expect 👉🏼 Witches (but they don’t know it), multiple worlds, political upheaval, magical training, predestined friendships
Three seemingly human girls meet on their twenty second birthday. They don’t have much in common except a magical event that they may or may not have imagined. But these strange things keeps happening. And when an older witch offers to train them, it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.
The beginning of this book has quite a few character’s POVs. But it doesn’t become clear fairly quickly who everyone is. And though the narrator does not specify whose POV she is narrating, it’s not difficult to decipher. I flew through the audio and I’m really hoping there is a book two in the works 👀😅
4.5/5
September 12, 2024
Charmed 2024
I did the audiobook and it was a good listen. The narrator did a great job with all the different characters, and it is a lot. I would describe this read as a 2024 black Charmed with friends. They are 3 completely different personalities that normally wouldn't work together but with this experience it does. Love this twist at the end with Alba. One caution is the book world building is a lot so you have to pay attention. My only gripe is there is continuation that is not directly displayed. I'll plan on reading the next installation because I'm invested.
I did the audiobook and it was a good listen. The narrator did a great job with all the different characters, and it is a lot. I would describe this read as a 2024 black Charmed with friends. They are 3 completely different personalities that normally wouldn't work together but with this experience it does. Love this twist at the end with Alba. One caution is the book world building is a lot so you have to pay attention. My only gripe is there is continuation that is not directly displayed. I'll plan on reading the next installation because I'm invested.
September 12, 2024
I am a new fan of magic/sci-fi, so I still feel like I am finding exactly what I like. I felt like this book would be fun for those into YA books. I found the premise of the story very fun, but I was left really wanting more. I felt like the characters were very likeable, but could have used more inner conflict or just conflict in general. Also, I would have loved to hear more about the history of the witches. I feel like other parts of the story could have been shortened to develop those parts.
Thank you Blackstone & Net Galley for an ARC!
Thank you Blackstone & Net Galley for an ARC!
October 19, 2024
It's Maya, Delali, and Gabbie's 22nd birthday, and they all find themselves at The Bar. In the bathroom and previously strangers, they become fast friends with each other and spend the rest of the night together.
In the Witch Sphere, witches have been giving birth to typics (non-witches) ever since The Crisis. None of the witches seem even close to figuring out how to fix the problem. And there are some strange magical disturbances happening in NYC. Is there a connection?
Okay, first, what the HELL with that ending?! Is there a book 2 or what?!
Now that I got that out of the way...
This was such a fun and refreshing witchy read! After all the spooky stuff I've been reading, this was a nice change of pace.
I loved the premise of girls meeting and becoming friends in a bathroom while tipsy at a bar, because haven't we all? And then they find out they have ✨ magic ✨?! So fun!
The blend of magic and reality was well done. I loved the New York setting and, like the girls, would love to visit the Witch Sphere. I also loved all of the nail polish names! 💅🏼
This was over 400 pages, but it kept me entertained the whole time. I will say I had wanted more of a resolution at the end, but I'm okay with it if this winds up being part of a series.
In the Witch Sphere, witches have been giving birth to typics (non-witches) ever since The Crisis. None of the witches seem even close to figuring out how to fix the problem. And there are some strange magical disturbances happening in NYC. Is there a connection?
Okay, first, what the HELL with that ending?! Is there a book 2 or what?!
Now that I got that out of the way...
This was such a fun and refreshing witchy read! After all the spooky stuff I've been reading, this was a nice change of pace.
I loved the premise of girls meeting and becoming friends in a bathroom while tipsy at a bar, because haven't we all? And then they find out they have ✨ magic ✨?! So fun!
The blend of magic and reality was well done. I loved the New York setting and, like the girls, would love to visit the Witch Sphere. I also loved all of the nail polish names! 💅🏼
This was over 400 pages, but it kept me entertained the whole time. I will say I had wanted more of a resolution at the end, but I'm okay with it if this winds up being part of a series.
October 29, 2024
Can we take a moment to appreciate how stunning this cover is?
I’m all about fierce, rebellious witches, and this one felt so refreshingly fun! Tipsy girls bonding in a bathroom? Absolutely relatable!
This witty tale of sisterhood was a bit lengthy for my taste, but I loved how Akumiah skillfully sprinkled in magic, effortlessly blending fantasy with reality.
I’m less critical of seasonal reads as long as they fulfill their purpose—letting me escape into an enjoyable, seasonal fantasy! And this one did just that!
Do I sense a sequel brewing? 😉
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads
I’m all about fierce, rebellious witches, and this one felt so refreshingly fun! Tipsy girls bonding in a bathroom? Absolutely relatable!
This witty tale of sisterhood was a bit lengthy for my taste, but I loved how Akumiah skillfully sprinkled in magic, effortlessly blending fantasy with reality.
I’m less critical of seasonal reads as long as they fulfill their purpose—letting me escape into an enjoyable, seasonal fantasy! And this one did just that!
Do I sense a sequel brewing? 😉
3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads
April 17, 2025
I listened to the audiobook. Excellent narration!
Well-written with excellent characters, the book fell short (or maybe long) in one way. The back story is mind-numbingly looong. I get that it helps understand and put into context what brought the girls to this point. However, the girls' love lives could've been cut in half, as could Delali's acting occurrences. I nearly gave up at 18% and then again at 64% of this 13+ hours book.
All that said, the fact I gave 4 stars should tell you it's not all bad. The story is intriguing and captivating. The ending actually left me wanting more. Just more succinctly written.
Well-written with excellent characters, the book fell short (or maybe long) in one way. The back story is mind-numbingly looong. I get that it helps understand and put into context what brought the girls to this point. However, the girls' love lives could've been cut in half, as could Delali's acting occurrences. I nearly gave up at 18% and then again at 64% of this 13+ hours book.
All that said, the fact I gave 4 stars should tell you it's not all bad. The story is intriguing and captivating. The ending actually left me wanting more. Just more succinctly written.
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August 3, 2024This book started in such an interesting way. The initial characters were great and I looked forward to getting to know Nadia. However, the book shifted away from Nadia and focused on three other characters that read more YA than grown up.
In a lot of ways, it felt close to Juno Dawson book and that didn’t work for me either.
This book will work for some people in a big way but it just fell flat for me. .
In a lot of ways, it felt close to Juno Dawson book and that didn’t work for me either.
This book will work for some people in a big way but it just fell flat for me. .
October 26, 2024
I absolutely love this book. The world building, the themes of friendship and finding community are beautiful. The witches are the best, they are well written and I can totally see them as some of my friends.
I was devastated at the end. Can't wait to read more!
I was devastated at the end. Can't wait to read more!
November 30, 2024
I wanted to love this book, but I think I am officially just too old to connect with characters in their 20s. It does hit that insecurity of trying to find yourself, but I just felt like it was a bit too slow for me. It just didn't hit the same as I think it would have if I was younger.
3 stars
3 stars
January 2, 2025
This book was so much better than I expected it to be. It was that feelgood witchy book you didn't know you needed. I am so happy this is a series because that ending!!!!
I am here for where this story is going to take us.
I am here for where this story is going to take us.
October 19, 2025
Why aren't more people talking about this book? It's a light, fun, feel-good urban fantasy about three young Black women who learn they have magic powers... what more could you ask for? The ending was pretty rushed, but that actually didn't bother me much. I really loved Delali and Gabbie (Maya a little less) and I'd be thrilled if we got another book about them!
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