Wickedly Spirited

by Deborah Blake

Jazz, the powerfully magical teen first introduced in Wickedly Powerful, is now being trained as a Baba Yaga—and she’s determined to free the Broken Riders herself.

Jazz had a rough life before meeting her guardian, and she knows she’s lucky that Bella is training her to be a Baba Yaga. But the gifted young witch is frustrated by the slow pace of her lessons. Jazz knows she’s capable of even greater magic, and she wants nothing more than to find a spell that will give the Riders back the immortality they lost.

With the reluctant assistance of Bella’s dragon-turned-cat Koshka, Jazz travels to the Otherworld to get the necessary ingredients to perform the spell. A willful young witch, dangerous magic, and one powerful wish—what could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Magic, Witches, Novella, Romance

58 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2017

About the author

Deborah is the author of over a dozen non-fiction books on modern witchcraft and a tarot and oracle decks from Llewellyn. Her fiction includes the Baba Yaga series, The Broken Rider series, and the Veiled Magic series, and her cozy mysteries The Catskill Pet Rescue series (mostly from Berkley) as well as a few stand-alone novels.

Deborah lives in a 130 year old farmhouse in upstate NY with multiple cats. She believes in magic, laughter, chocolate, and wine. The order may change depending on the day.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the Baba Yaga series, then you are going to be thrilled with this short that gives us a little more insight into Jazz, the powerful apprentice to Baba Yaga, and the Riders. Jazz’s tenacity to help the devoted Riders is something that should not be missed. While the fallout from Jazz’s actions left me wanting more.

Blake masterfully weaves a tale that is limited in pages but full of magic-filled content.

I received this ARC copy of Wickedly Spirited from Berkley Publishing Group - InterMix. This is my honest and voluntary review. Wickedly Spirited is set for publication Sept. 19, 2017.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake
Baba Yaga series #3.5. Paranormal witch romance novella. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
Jazz (Wickely Powerful) is so happy to have a family now. To be accepted as a gifted witch and formally trained as a Baba Yaga is a dream come true after her rough start in life. Jazz decides she can help the Broken Riders and get back their immortality. She secretly travels to the Otherworld with Koshka and modifies a spell she’s found that she’s certain will work. If she can just get the ingredients.

Full of wit and humor, this inspired teen takes on a task the other Babas believe impossible. With her own beliefs and twists, results are sure to be unique.
I’ve read the first Dangerously series book and look forward to the rest.

🎧 Trio of novellas were narrated by Romy Nordlinger who performs all the Baba Yaga novels to-date by this author, as well as several hundred other ghost and mystery audiobooks. An experienced narrator that can bring a story to life.

Baba Yaga (Wickedly Dangerous, Wonderful, Powerful, Unraveled plus novellas Magical, Ever After, Spirited, and Wishful) and Broken Riders series (Dangerously Charming, Devine, Fierce, and novella Driven)

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

If like myself you are a fan of the Baba Yaga books by this author than no doubt you too are enamoured by her Riders. Well we first met orphan Jazz in Wickedly Powerful when the three Riders were tortured and changed irrevocably. Jazz saw the aftermath of what happened to these brave, magical warriors and is determined to help them get back that which is lost to them. She knows that she shouldn't sneak around behind Bella's back as Bella is oh so kind to her and even seems to accept that Jazz isn't perfect. Still Jazz can't resist trying and doesn't really understand why no one else seems to want to help. Well luckily Jazz has Koshka, a magical dragon posing as a cat to guide her although truth be told Jazz is a law unto herself!
This short story was a joy to read with its brave heroine who has been through so much herself and really doesn't want the Riders to suffer anymore. I loved seeing Bella again as the Baba Yagas are always such fun and yet so giving. There's very little of Sam in it but happily we do get a whole lot more of Koshka who is written as such a quirky character. Speaking of character Jazz is written in such a convincing way she felt real to me. Tenacious yes, still full of doubt that anyone could love her but this teenager is wily beyond imagination! Yes she has natural raw power, yes she is being trained so technically has knowledge but it's her way of swaying others to do her sneaky bidding that had me smiling. Does she succeed? Well with two Riders left to get their happy ending I'm definitely going to be reading Dangerously Devine when it releases . This was short but I was so engaged that its definitely a five from me.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Wickedly Spirited come out as a follow up novella to the Baba Yaga trilogy and also a nice tide-me-over while I await the next release in the spin-off Broken Riders series was a fantastic prospect.

Wickedly Spirited is a short novella-length piece that takes a minor character from the third Baba Yaga book, Wickedly Powerful, and gives her a little coming of age lesson adventure. This novella assumes the reader has read Wickedly Powerful (well, the first Broken Riders spin-off story, Dangerously Charming, too) so does not make a good standalone and it gives series spoilers so needs to be read in order.

So, Jazz, is sixteen, newly become a Baba Yaga witch apprentice to Bella, touched with teen arrogance, and a little wary that her new found home and family with Bella and Sam will be whisked away. She is determined to be the one who restores the immortality to the Riders and she has a big, gutsy plan to do it.

Jazz is depicted well as a survivor of the foster care system and of a harrowing adventure against a crazed witch. I appreciated that the author wrote her as a typical sixteen year old in her thinking (which led to me wanting to shake her for her thoughts at times). Jazz's painful coming of age lesson here was an interesting side story and was a nice tweeny to help get me excited for Gregori's story coming out soon. I'm curious to see how that surprising twist there at the end will play out for Jazz's future.

This was a fun, quick reminder of what I enjoy about the author's writing and the two connected series in the Baba Yaga-Broken Rider world. Magic and fae, romance and adventure for the paranormal romance lover that I can definitely recommend.

My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!
***I choose what I read and review based on what intrigues me!! Yes, I got a review copy of this book, but no one tells me what to think, feel, or write about any book! I bought my own e-copy as well as the rest of the series in paperback.

The cover is intriguing and magical! And guess what, it is what attracted my attention to the book!

This is my first time reading anything by Deborah Blake, and I definitely liked it! This is a novella in the Baba Yaga series, and I’m guessing this falls after book 3 due to its number. I read this book with no prior knowledge, and I’m guessing I would have loved this book more if I read the books in order. I think it would have made it more together than just this book. I believe it so much that I have ordered the series to read as well as the Riders books too.

I really like Jazz and her spirit. Kids will always pull at my heart especially Jazz’s story. I love that Bella has taken her in and made her part of her family. Jazz takes family serious, and she feels compelled to do something to help the Riders even though others have said it isn’t possible. Things happen, but I refuse to ruin the story for you. You must read it to find out.

I love this world that Deborah has created, and I want to visit and learn more about it, the Baba Yagas, magic, Otherworld, dragons, and the Riders. I love the emotions and attitudes that she writes into her characters. I can’t wait to read more!

I recommend to paranormal fans who love magic, witches, spell trouble, and dragon-cats!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice update about Jazz. I admit her intention is admirable -- and maybe the solution for the Riders needs to come from fresh perspective and out-of-the-box thinking that can come from young trainee like Jazz. And that speech of hers in the end is spot on.

BUT, at the same time, I don't have the same level of patience of Bella when dealing with a teenager :p

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com

A poignant and entertaining novella, Wickedly Spirited gave us Baba Yaga fans more insight into teenager Jazz’s powers and followed along as she tried to assist the noble Riders with her limited experience as a witch.

‘Bella had been right that sometimes magic couldn’t fix everything. But if you had enough magic and enough love to go with it, miracles might happen.’

This short story takes place after Wickedly Powerful and Dangerously Charming but doesn’t give a lot of detail into what happened in those books (although it does include some spoilers) so it would probably be best to have read them first before diving into this novella. Having said that, fans of the series and its spinoff will have fun with Jazz and Koshka–Bella’s Chudo-Yudo–on their adventure, including a foray into the Otherworld. They were quite the duo, both snarky and a bit sneaky, but yet wanting to do something wonderful for the Riders. Read More

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

“You might even say their bark is as bad as their bite.”

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake is a fun little bridge-of-sorts between the author’s Baba Yaga series and her Riders’ series. It’s a quick, fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Jazz, a powerful magically-talented teen who was first introduced in Wickedly Powerful and who is apprenticing to Baba Yaga Bella, takes center stage as she covertly takes on the task of restoring immortality to the Riders - a task that other Baba Yagas consider impossible. Along the way, we learn much more about Jazz’s past, revisit the enchanting Otherworld and catch up with some previous favorite characters. There’s even a surprising twist at the end which will influence future books.

Here’s a delightful excerpt pulled from Jazz’s adventure in the Otherworld:
“My name is Koshka, and this Human person is Jazz. She is the protégé of the Baba Yaga Bella, and I am Bella’s Chudo-Yudo.”
“Oh,” said the Dwarf, and doffed his hat, briefly revealing a shiny bald spot before putting it back on again. “Why didn’t you say so?” He scowled. “I thought you were door-to-door salesmen.”
“Do you get a lot of that in the Otherworld?” Jazz asked, genuinely interested in the answer. Somehow she hadn’t imagined that would be a problem here.
Smythe shook his head. “Not yet. But I’ve heard all about them, and I expect they’ll turn up any day.”

I’m going to stop here so as not to spoil the story – just know that it’s not to be missed. I can’t wait to see what Jazz gets into next!

My full review is published at Reading Between the Wines Book Club. Please check it out there: http://www.readingbetweenthewinesbook...

[Maria Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wickedly funny! Another cool read by Deborah Blake. This author has a wicked sense of humor which is showcased in this story. I love how the Baba Yaga novels are connected with The Riders series. The characters really care about each other across the series--and that is Jazz's motivation in this book. This adventure features Jazz and Chudo-Yudo--the dragon cat! I wish I had a dragon cat that could advise me on magic spells and take me on adventures to the Otherworld. Especially if it included making centaurs cry with an onion. (Genius and hilarious!) The next best thing is reading about it!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like that Jazz's heart is in the right place, that she wants to help the Riders get back was what stolen from her. But like most teens she is a little impetus in her actions. I think had she asked Bella for help/advice they might have a better chance. While she paid a price for her spell, I think it was worth it for what she learned.

On a side note I loved how Jazz manipulated those in the Otherworld to get what she needed. It was the perfect mix of flattery and truth.

[Nikita Gordyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jazz is the magically powerful teen that was first introduced in Wickedly Powerful; the third novel in Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series. After having received permission to train as a Baba Yaga, Jazz is still a teenager—everything takes too long, there are too many rules in her new life, though she loves it now, especially after all the years she was stuck in the foster care system and the time she spent living on her own in the forest.

After meeting the Riders at their lowest, Jazz vows to herself that she’ll do all in her power to restore their immortality, and hopefully heal what else was broken in them after their brutal treatment at the hands of Brenna, a retired Baba Yaga.

Jazz works hard to create a spell and collect all the ingredients she’ll need in secret because she’s sure Bella will stop her from doing what she must to help the Riders, and to be honest, show everyone that she really is worthy of the honor of being brought into their fold and taught the ways of magic.

I really enjoyed Wickedly Spirited; Jazz is a wonderful character, and her interaction and journey with Koshka was an interesting adventure that showed just how quick and caring Jazz is. Wickedly Spirited, is a nice installment of how life in the Baba Yaga world is moving on, while we await the next book in both the Baba Yaga and Broken Riders series’.

[Rhiannon Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is marketed as a romance, but honestly it reads as more of a YA magical adventure, though I do realize Wickedly Spirited is part of a series, so I’m absolutely certain (after having read this story) the other pieces of the world Deborah Blake has built for her readers are more romantically involved. As a matter of fact, the next bit of story will be released in November 2017 (Titled Dangerously Divine). But, as is, this story can standalone and I would easily recommend it to my fifteen year old daughter.

The story revolves around sixteen year old Baba-Yaga (witch) in-training, Jazz, after having been adopted by her mentor. Behind her mentor’s back, Jazz tasks herself with restoring immortality to The Riders, companions of the Baba-Yagas. With the help of her mentor’s dragon-cat, Koshka, Jazz ventures into the Otherworld to gather ingredients to help her out.

There isn’t much to add because this is a very short read, one which I really enjoyed because sometimes I’m really too busy to get too involved in what I’m reading, regardless of how enjoyable it might be. Those of you who are busy during the day and have jobs and lives beyond the internet probably understand what I mean. The premise of the story is nice, the characters are all great, if not surreal (reminiscent of late nineties dramedies), and knowing there’s more coming in just a few months–rather than years, as with other book sequels–is a treat.

I can give my recommendation for this book without having to mull it over because it’s an easy YES. A person can read this story while they fold their laundry. Kindle gave it a bit over an hour and a half, so great to read while you’re in a waiting room or having morning coffee. I really am glad I stumbled upon this.

I am going to make sure to get a copy of Dangerously Divine as soon as it’s released because I really would like to know what happens to Jazz next. Without going into too much detail, Wickedly Spirited sort of leaves you wondering.

[Barb Lie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake is a novella in her Baba Yaga series. Blake has another series, Broken Riders, that is a spinoff of her Baba Yaga series. Broken Riders are warrior men who protected the Baba Yaga witches, until a powerful crazed witch took away their immortality, emotionally breaking them.

In Wickedly Spirited, Jazz, a teenage Baba Yaga in training is determined to find a way to help return the Broken Riders to the way they were. Jazz lives with Bella, the Baba Yaga who is her mentor and training her. Bella knows that Jazz has a lot of magical power, but tries to hold her back until she learns everything there is to know about using potions and spells. Jazz is tired of being treated like a kid, which she is, and decides secretly to come up with her own potion.

This being a novella makes it difficult to tell too much more, as it would be major spoilers. What follows Is a fun storyline, where Jazz will visit the Otherworld, with Koshka, (a cat -really a dragon) to get what she needs to create this new potion. She is determined to do what she feels is right, even if all the Baba Yago witches have failed. Jazz is an overconfident teenager, who will not listen to warnings until she performs the spell she created, with an unexpected outcome, which will certainly teach her a lesson. Do you want to know what happens…..you need to read this cute quick story.

Deborah Blake gives us a fun fast read to lead the way to the next book in either Baba Yaga or Broken Riders series. I really did enjoy Wickedly Spirited, as it was a nice quick fun read.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://openbooksociety.com/article/wi...


Wickedly Spirited
Baba Yaga, Book# 3.5
By Deborah Blake
ASIN #B06XJJ1WVW
author Website: https://deborahblakeauthor.com/
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Review:

Wickedly Spirited is a fun novella from Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga universe that tells the tale of apprentice Jazz, who first appeared in the third Baba Yaga book Wickedly Powerful, and her attempt to help the Riders. At about sixty pages in length, it is a quick read perfect for fans anxiously awaiting the release of Dangerously Devine, the second book focusing on the Baba’s companion protector Riders.

Once immortal, the Riders lost their powers at the hand of a rogue Baba Yaga and are struggling to acclimate to their new lives. Jazz, who witnessed firsthand the devastation inflicted on the three Riders, wants to fix them. As an apprentice, her knowledge and experience are limited, but her powers are strong. She is sure, with the confidence only a teenager can have, that she can take elements from various spells and come up with a cure, even though the other Babas, and even the queen of the otherworld, have failed. Thus begins the hunt for “ingredients” and ends with an unexpected result.

Since the novella is short, there is not a great deal of detail, and the plot is rather simple. It is, however, a treat to visit the characters. I recommend it for fans of the Baba Yaga and Rider series.

[Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jazz was a fun introduction in Wickedly Powerful. She’s sassy, powerful and full of energy. The fact that there is a novella available that features her was kind of a welcome surprise. Although, it really wasn’t what I expected, and sadly, I read it before Dangerously Charming, which was kind of a mistake – after all, the acts in this take place after Mikhail Day’s story and it kind of had some spoilers.

Teenagers never do what they’re told – or at least, I know that I rarely did. If I was given an order, I needed to understand why, otherwise I’d merely take it as a suggestion. Which is kind of like Jazz. She is told not to play with higher powers again and again. But, because she doesn’t understand why Bella says these things, she’s a little more fluid in her adherence to the rulings. Which is why you can see that she’s going to get into trouble from a mile off. The trouble that she finds herself in is completely unexpected though. Actually, I was quite taken back by the results of her rebellion and I can’t wait to see how this factors into the greater series…

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jazz desperately wants to help the Riders regain their stolen immortality, but as a trainee Baba Yaga, she would never be taken seriously...unless a certain Chudo-Yudo lends a hand. This short story gave some insight into the character of Jazz, the orphan teenager that was adopted by Bella and Sam. I loved her interactions with the magical creatures and found her reasons for this quest to be very endearing.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jazz is an impatient teenager that is struggling with the aftermath of being in the foster care system. She worries about being good enough to have the happiness that she has been given. They are all struggling with the plight of the Riders – none more than Jazz. She is desperate to help them – so desperate she makes a life changing decision. Great novella and I looking forward to watching Jazz grow into her powers.

[E.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warning: This book does NOT have a happy-ever-after ending. I found the ending depressing. It takes place after our heroines get their HEA but before the Riders do.
It focuses on Jazz, one of the young Baba Yagas in training and her quest to try to help the Riders regain their former lives.
It's not a bad story but I read romances for happy endings and this definitely did not have that.

[Eva S. Gholami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wickedly Spirited

This is a great addition to the Baba Yaga saga. It ties the Baba Yaga and the Riders world together very well.
I really enjoyed the story of Jazz and building of the ties between our world and the otherworld

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting segue into the Broken Riders series. I really like the characters and that there will be more books, even if the new series focuses on what were fairly minor, but extraordinary, characters. Keep on writing, Deborah!

[William A. King Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read the series is whimsical

A very enjoyable book I started with Wickedly Powerful and the shorter tale follows along the same characters more importantly Bells and her new student ...

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short novella features Jazz, who is a typical teenager with strong magic. And, like any typical teenager, she thinks she can accomplish something no other adult has yet been able to do. This was a fun read and it's always enjoyable to meet up with the Baba Yagas again.

[Daniele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A treat for fans of Deborah Blake's Baba Yaga and Rider series. It is quite short at 60 pages.

I received a copy of this title from the publisher.

[Lois Alston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it

It ended too soon. Sometimes you think you can do more than you can but it comes back to bite you in the end.

[Gowri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know it’s wishful thinking and all but I just got caught up with Jazz’s thinking and thought that her spell would really work. Instead there is an unexpected twist.
4.5 stars

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fantastic story with Jazz wanting to help the Riders, and yeah, things do not go as planned! I hope she gets a full length novel and is able to fall in love! Maybe with the 3rd brother?

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh... Predictable, relatively dull, had nothing at all to add to the series. Is clearly just meant to set us up for a future book featuring Jazz.

Actually 2.5 stars.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice short read. I'm always glad to have a novella that continues the lives of the characters I enjoy in this series. Great job!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I enjoyed the story, I liked the other books in the series even more and wish there was just a little more to it.

[Mischa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really, really, really, really, REALLY don't care about Jazz.