What do you think?
Ville City Witches #1
Once Upon A Vale
- The Sequel: The Darkest Bloom is currently available.
- Practical Magic meets Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but in a magical realism setting with dark fantasy and Gothic elements.
Liana Vale comes from a line of powerful witches whispered about in fear. Her mother walked away from a dark coven to raise her. A known ritual among the witches, promised Liana, would be different: light, safe, good.
It lied.
After an elite academy rejects her, Liana and her kindred companion Brenda create the impossible: a magical plant lost to history. But when it’s stolen, the world around her suddenly reacts violently. A witch‑gang wants it. Mermaids rise from the deep to claim what they believe is theirs. And a dark lord begins hunting down the Vales, convinced her family holds a long‑buried power born from darkness.
As danger tightens around her, something inside Liana awakens—something she doesn’t want, something she can’t explain or control. Something that answers threats with teeth and shadow.
She wants to be good. But the darkness in her blood... well, it has other plans.
Once Upon A Vale is a legacy‑driven fantasy of forbidden creation, sisterhood, found family, witch‑gang enemies, sea‑born threats, and a soft second‑chance romance. A story of a girl born cursed—and the world that senses it before she does.
TROPES
- Dark inheritance
- Legacy curse
- Forbidden magic
- Impossible creation
- Stolen miracle
- Witch‑gang enemies
- Mermaids with prophecy
- Dark lord obsession (non‑romantic)
- Artifact‑bonding (McGuffin)
- Inner darkness/corruption arc
- Mother–daughter shadow conflict
- Sisterhood & found family
- Kindred magic
- Second‑chance romance
- Legacy vs destiny vs choice
--
please note that this book contains graphic depictions of violence and adult themes, as well as sensitive topics that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
--
Now, for my dearest readers:
A fair warning—many of my books are emotional journeys that may bring tears to your eyes. But fear not, my loves, for there will always be a glimmer of hope, a beacon of light that awaits you at the end of these dark and stormy paths...
- Practical Magic meets Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, but in a magical realism setting with dark fantasy and Gothic elements.
Liana Vale comes from a line of powerful witches whispered about in fear. Her mother walked away from a dark coven to raise her. A known ritual among the witches, promised Liana, would be different: light, safe, good.
It lied.
After an elite academy rejects her, Liana and her kindred companion Brenda create the impossible: a magical plant lost to history. But when it’s stolen, the world around her suddenly reacts violently. A witch‑gang wants it. Mermaids rise from the deep to claim what they believe is theirs. And a dark lord begins hunting down the Vales, convinced her family holds a long‑buried power born from darkness.
As danger tightens around her, something inside Liana awakens—something she doesn’t want, something she can’t explain or control. Something that answers threats with teeth and shadow.
She wants to be good. But the darkness in her blood... well, it has other plans.
Once Upon A Vale is a legacy‑driven fantasy of forbidden creation, sisterhood, found family, witch‑gang enemies, sea‑born threats, and a soft second‑chance romance. A story of a girl born cursed—and the world that senses it before she does.
TROPES
- Dark inheritance
- Legacy curse
- Forbidden magic
- Impossible creation
- Stolen miracle
- Witch‑gang enemies
- Mermaids with prophecy
- Dark lord obsession (non‑romantic)
- Artifact‑bonding (McGuffin)
- Inner darkness/corruption arc
- Mother–daughter shadow conflict
- Sisterhood & found family
- Kindred magic
- Second‑chance romance
- Legacy vs destiny vs choice
--
please note that this book contains graphic depictions of violence and adult themes, as well as sensitive topics that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised.
--
Now, for my dearest readers:
A fair warning—many of my books are emotional journeys that may bring tears to your eyes. But fear not, my loves, for there will always be a glimmer of hope, a beacon of light that awaits you at the end of these dark and stormy paths...
- GenresMagicWitchesDark Fantasy
485 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2024
About the author
J.A. Lucas
4 books18 followers☾ - Inspired by the works of renowned dark poets, J.A. Lucas began to write her own twisted tales. She hopes that her stories will resonate with those who, like her, thrive in the darkness, and appreciate worlds built upon diversity and otherworldly magic. When she's not writing, you can find her baking in a candlelit kitchen or singing randomly in the halls.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 26, 2024
So I had the luxury of being able to get a early copy of Once Upon a Vale, and I must say — I love this book. From its excellent storyline, to its outstanding world building, and amazing characters. The bonus - it also has excellent stakes. One example of the books amazing characters is how the author handles every individual character’s relationship. For example, the relationship between the two main characters Liana and Brenda are friend goals. I mean, you can truly see their sisterhood with all of their interactions and the world building is amazing. This book manages to pull off the existence of Witches,Werewolves,Mermaids,Fairies and Vampires perfectly in this dark but engaging story.
January 27, 2025
Once Upon A Vale is like a book dipped in darkness but in the sweetest way possible. We follow Liana Vale who’s the daughter of the most powerful witch in Ville City. The catch: her mother is a dark witch who retired from her coven to have her.
Through the novel, Liana battles with her demons by trying to live up to the expectation of her family. A well known lineage with powerful witches and warlocks. Usually a story follows two boys and a girl but in this one, it’s two girls and a guy.
Brenda is Liana’s kindred, and we get the sense that they’ve known each other since birth. Abe was a nice addition, who returns from an elite college to reconnect and help the girls as they are suddenly threatened by a witch gang.
The witch gang was a spooky bunch. Especially the leader, a power craving lunitic. But there’s a bigger MacGuffin here -and to not give away too much, you’ll just have to read the book.
The enchanting writing will keep you engaged for sure and the manor Liana lives in will keep you up at night.
Through the novel, Liana battles with her demons by trying to live up to the expectation of her family. A well known lineage with powerful witches and warlocks. Usually a story follows two boys and a girl but in this one, it’s two girls and a guy.
Brenda is Liana’s kindred, and we get the sense that they’ve known each other since birth. Abe was a nice addition, who returns from an elite college to reconnect and help the girls as they are suddenly threatened by a witch gang.
The witch gang was a spooky bunch. Especially the leader, a power craving lunitic. But there’s a bigger MacGuffin here -and to not give away too much, you’ll just have to read the book.
The enchanting writing will keep you engaged for sure and the manor Liana lives in will keep you up at night.
September 15, 2025
A hauntingly gothic tale that grips you from the first page and on. An absolute must-read.
Did Not Finish
August 13, 2024Thank you to the author for the gifted arc!
You might like this if you like these books:
🖤Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti
🖤Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
🖤The Coven by Harper L. Woods
Dnf 49%
The main reason I’m dnfing this is simply because the writing style and setting isn’t for me! It reads like Zodiac Academy, which wasn’t my cup of tea, but is very loved by many others! I didn’t realize this was a modern setting, which isn’t my favorite in fantasy books, but I could see a lot of people really enjoying this 🫶
I think the idea of this story is so cool! I love a spooky, witchy book and there were a lot of unique elements here. I loved learning about this world with the magical elements, creatures, and dark modern setting. It definitely gives Halloween vibes 🖤
I really enjoyed most of the characters as well! Brenda and Liana have such a sweet friendship 🫶 I didn’t love Abe and would’ve liked to see more depth in his character. Sylvie has a lot of depth and I enjoyed the flashback we got from her to help understand her better!
Again, modern dialogue and settings aren’t my favorite, so I was struggling to continue this book. It always seems to pull me from the story. I wish I loved these type of books as much as others!!
You might like this if you like these books:
🖤Zodiac Academy by Caroline Peckham and Suzanne Valenti
🖤Bewitched by Laura Thalassa
🖤The Coven by Harper L. Woods
Dnf 49%
The main reason I’m dnfing this is simply because the writing style and setting isn’t for me! It reads like Zodiac Academy, which wasn’t my cup of tea, but is very loved by many others! I didn’t realize this was a modern setting, which isn’t my favorite in fantasy books, but I could see a lot of people really enjoying this 🫶
I think the idea of this story is so cool! I love a spooky, witchy book and there were a lot of unique elements here. I loved learning about this world with the magical elements, creatures, and dark modern setting. It definitely gives Halloween vibes 🖤
I really enjoyed most of the characters as well! Brenda and Liana have such a sweet friendship 🫶 I didn’t love Abe and would’ve liked to see more depth in his character. Sylvie has a lot of depth and I enjoyed the flashback we got from her to help understand her better!
Again, modern dialogue and settings aren’t my favorite, so I was struggling to continue this book. It always seems to pull me from the story. I wish I loved these type of books as much as others!!
August 17, 2024
I usually only rate romantic novels or historical fiction but after seeing a few aesthetics of this book online, and getting a lovely email from the author to see if I was interested in reading a digital arc, I thought I’d give it a try. The book follows Liana Vale, who comes from a powerful line of witches who got into an elite school for witches and warlocks.
The novel starts with her audition to get into the school, however, after a brilliant performance to get in, she is met with animosity from one of the panelists. Liana reacts in a way that is surprising yet refreshing because you just don’t see it coming. From there, the book continues to deliver. Her best friend Brenda, a kindred spirit, was the light of the entire story. She was fun, her family owns a mysterious greenhouse with its own back story, and the relationship she has with Liana is admirable.
Throughout the book, there are many great characters that are introduced and what I loved about them is the banter dialogue between them and the love they showed for one another. This isn’t your average fantasy novel with talking animals or back-in-the-day dialogue and settings. It’s a fresh new take on witches. It has witchcraft magic that blends extraordinarily in a unique world with dark magic and cute magic shops.
The boys were all charming, I found myself riveted by them. Although I loved the main two, Liana and Brenda, my favorite, however, was the fairy named Norielle and Liana’s mother Sylvie, a dark witch who retired from that world to raise Liana. We don’t get much stories like those or tropes. I also loved her aunt and hope that we get to see more of her in book two.
The villains were an interesting bunch. The way they were introduced was nicely done and spooky. But there’s something bigger afoot.
Usually, readers leave out the author but I have to say that J.A. Lucas has a way of telling a story that is really engaging and poetic. I loved the way the story flowed and how I turned from page to page eager to read more. I loved visiting the different realms. The phenomenal worldbuilding. The voodoo queen and her lovely family in the bayou. The mysterious girl who appeared throughout some of the pages. The haunted forest. Liana’s haunted manor. All extraordinary.
The ending was brilliantly done, unexpected, and told in a way that was raw with emotions that I personally felt through my bones. I would say this is a fall/Halloween type of book that really gets you in the spirit. Thank you J.A. once again.
The novel starts with her audition to get into the school, however, after a brilliant performance to get in, she is met with animosity from one of the panelists. Liana reacts in a way that is surprising yet refreshing because you just don’t see it coming. From there, the book continues to deliver. Her best friend Brenda, a kindred spirit, was the light of the entire story. She was fun, her family owns a mysterious greenhouse with its own back story, and the relationship she has with Liana is admirable.
Throughout the book, there are many great characters that are introduced and what I loved about them is the banter dialogue between them and the love they showed for one another. This isn’t your average fantasy novel with talking animals or back-in-the-day dialogue and settings. It’s a fresh new take on witches. It has witchcraft magic that blends extraordinarily in a unique world with dark magic and cute magic shops.
The boys were all charming, I found myself riveted by them. Although I loved the main two, Liana and Brenda, my favorite, however, was the fairy named Norielle and Liana’s mother Sylvie, a dark witch who retired from that world to raise Liana. We don’t get much stories like those or tropes. I also loved her aunt and hope that we get to see more of her in book two.
The villains were an interesting bunch. The way they were introduced was nicely done and spooky. But there’s something bigger afoot.
Usually, readers leave out the author but I have to say that J.A. Lucas has a way of telling a story that is really engaging and poetic. I loved the way the story flowed and how I turned from page to page eager to read more. I loved visiting the different realms. The phenomenal worldbuilding. The voodoo queen and her lovely family in the bayou. The mysterious girl who appeared throughout some of the pages. The haunted forest. Liana’s haunted manor. All extraordinary.
The ending was brilliantly done, unexpected, and told in a way that was raw with emotions that I personally felt through my bones. I would say this is a fall/Halloween type of book that really gets you in the spirit. Thank you J.A. once again.
August 3, 2025
❤︎Fans of the modern feel found in Hex Hall and Coven will love and enjoy this one︎❤︎
Wow, wow, wow!!!!! Once Upon A Vale was an atmospheric delight for those who love witches, gothic lore, and diversity in their novels. It was also a dark, delicious treat that was highly engaging. The main characters are the witches that you root for, Liana and Brenda, who refer to themselves as kindreds. The girls are an adventurous pair, powerful, with extraordinary magic (and different from one another), but also governed by a few powerful influences around them.
We are introduced to many characters throughout the book. Abe is Liana's ex, who comes back into town with all the charms and information on a dark lord who's after the Vales. By the way, this dark lord runs a dangerous, ancient coven that is part wolf. Their leader, Mila, is charming and ruthless. Fabian, can we get married already?
Liana and Brenda, on the other hand, have a strong bond with a voodoo coven from a bayou, preferably Bobbie (Bob for short, Hunter, reads poetry to Brenda❤︎) and Yolanda (Huntress beauty - lgbtq baddie). Every time those characters show up, along with their sister queen, Ava (Loved her), the world just continues to grow and becomes even more intriguing. We learn how they've helped each other in the past and how they've built on that experience to what they have for one another today.
The first chapter starts out richly dark, with all the elements a Gothic dreamer would ask for, and the book ends in a way that is thought-provoking, tearful, and hopeful. The enchanting manor is haunted, and there is a faerie garden in the back with actual Fae. My heart baby, Norielle! She was so funny.
There is a big reveal at the end that blew my mind, but it made so much sense. We also get bits of foreshadowing throughout the novel, so look out for those.
In all, think of this book as a dark reverence of magic with some fantasy, horror elements, and mystery. It's a world builder too, so expect this book to engross you in its worldbuilding and beautiful writing. I kept thinking to myself how this should be a movie or at least a TV show. It kept giving me Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as compared to, and I can totally see Practical Magic (sister vibes). If you love Halloween and fall, that would be the perfect time to read this one.
MVP of the book: motherf^ckin Sylvie Vale. Gave Dark Mother through and through. My black heart was broken at the end. Still in tears.
Some tropes I picked up on:
- Sisterhood
- Magical artifact
- Found family
- McGuffin
- Loyalty
- A curse
- Red herring
- Prophecy
- Dark magic haunts the main protagonist
- Magical creatures
- A magic system with rules
- Victorian gothic feel flashbacks
❤︎I cannot wait for book 2, which the author confirmed comes out this fall❤︎
Wow, wow, wow!!!!! Once Upon A Vale was an atmospheric delight for those who love witches, gothic lore, and diversity in their novels. It was also a dark, delicious treat that was highly engaging. The main characters are the witches that you root for, Liana and Brenda, who refer to themselves as kindreds. The girls are an adventurous pair, powerful, with extraordinary magic (and different from one another), but also governed by a few powerful influences around them.
We are introduced to many characters throughout the book. Abe is Liana's ex, who comes back into town with all the charms and information on a dark lord who's after the Vales. By the way, this dark lord runs a dangerous, ancient coven that is part wolf. Their leader, Mila, is charming and ruthless. Fabian, can we get married already?
Liana and Brenda, on the other hand, have a strong bond with a voodoo coven from a bayou, preferably Bobbie (Bob for short, Hunter, reads poetry to Brenda❤︎) and Yolanda (Huntress beauty - lgbtq baddie). Every time those characters show up, along with their sister queen, Ava (Loved her), the world just continues to grow and becomes even more intriguing. We learn how they've helped each other in the past and how they've built on that experience to what they have for one another today.
The first chapter starts out richly dark, with all the elements a Gothic dreamer would ask for, and the book ends in a way that is thought-provoking, tearful, and hopeful. The enchanting manor is haunted, and there is a faerie garden in the back with actual Fae. My heart baby, Norielle! She was so funny.
There is a big reveal at the end that blew my mind, but it made so much sense. We also get bits of foreshadowing throughout the novel, so look out for those.
In all, think of this book as a dark reverence of magic with some fantasy, horror elements, and mystery. It's a world builder too, so expect this book to engross you in its worldbuilding and beautiful writing. I kept thinking to myself how this should be a movie or at least a TV show. It kept giving me Chilling Adventures of Sabrina as compared to, and I can totally see Practical Magic (sister vibes). If you love Halloween and fall, that would be the perfect time to read this one.
MVP of the book: motherf^ckin Sylvie Vale. Gave Dark Mother through and through. My black heart was broken at the end. Still in tears.
Some tropes I picked up on:
- Sisterhood
- Magical artifact
- Found family
- McGuffin
- Loyalty
- A curse
- Red herring
- Prophecy
- Dark magic haunts the main protagonist
- Magical creatures
- A magic system with rules
- Victorian gothic feel flashbacks
❤︎I cannot wait for book 2, which the author confirmed comes out this fall❤︎
November 14, 2025
This book moves extremely fast. Unbelievably fast a whole fight scene could be done within a page or a paragraph or even less. It got confusing when things would jump around too quickly, and dialogue wasn’t clearly stated about who was saying what.
Overall, the world was really cool and I did enjoy the characters. But the quickness of the book and jumping around because of the quickness made me like it less and made it become hard to follow.
Overall, the world was really cool and I did enjoy the characters. But the quickness of the book and jumping around because of the quickness made me like it less and made it become hard to follow.
Want to Read
October 14, 2024This sounds rich, 50/50 if I like it
July 27, 2024
we brought back their heads. 💋
review:
not enough words can express how much i love this book. so to sum up this lush, gothic beauty of a book: dark ancient magic, dripping candles, haunted corridors, misty forests, charming boys, and sisterhood girlies.
did i mention, witches, vampires, fairies, mermaids, and wolves are all in this book — and done right?! definitely put this one on your upcoming reads for the fall. you won’t be disappointed. *patiently waits for book 2.
review:
not enough words can express how much i love this book. so to sum up this lush, gothic beauty of a book: dark ancient magic, dripping candles, haunted corridors, misty forests, charming boys, and sisterhood girlies.
did i mention, witches, vampires, fairies, mermaids, and wolves are all in this book — and done right?! definitely put this one on your upcoming reads for the fall. you won’t be disappointed. *patiently waits for book 2.
December 29, 2025
* Edit* I've finally added all the tropes I can think of <3
Why not rate my own book? If I’m not my biggest fan who will be :)
Why not rate my own book? If I’m not my biggest fan who will be :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews