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The Witches of Willow Cove #1
The Witches of Willow Cove
It’s not easy being a teenage witch. Seventh grader Abby Shepherd is just getting the hang of it when weird stuff starts happening all around her hometown of Willow Cove. Green slime bubbling to life in science class. Giant snakes slithering around the middle school gym. Her best friend suddenly keeping secrets and telling lies.
Things only begin to make sense when a stranger named Miss Winters reveals that Abby isn’t the only young witch in town—and that Willow Cove is home to a secret past that connects them all. Miss Winters, herself a witch, even offers to teach Abby and the others everything she knows about witchcraft.
But as Abby learns more about Miss Winters’ past, she begins to suspect her new mentor is keeping secrets of her own. Can Abby trust her, or does Miss Winters have something wicked planned for the young witches of Willow Cove?
Things only begin to make sense when a stranger named Miss Winters reveals that Abby isn’t the only young witch in town—and that Willow Cove is home to a secret past that connects them all. Miss Winters, herself a witch, even offers to teach Abby and the others everything she knows about witchcraft.
But as Abby learns more about Miss Winters’ past, she begins to suspect her new mentor is keeping secrets of her own. Can Abby trust her, or does Miss Winters have something wicked planned for the young witches of Willow Cove?
310 pages, Paperback
First published May 26, 2020
27 people are currently reading
5006 people want to read
About the author
Josh Roberts
3 books117 followersJosh Roberts is the author of THE WITCHES OF WILLOW COVE series and forthcoming VICTORIA DARE series. His debut novel received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, and was also a Massachusetts Book Awards Must-Read and a Kirkus Book of the Month.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
May 31, 2020
4/5 stars
Witches of Willow Cove is a magical middle-grade adventure, about six teenage girls who discover their powers of witchcraft on their thirteenth birthday.
What I loved:
- This book was quite the pageturner: once you get into the story, you want to see where the adventure takes you. 12-year old me would have loved this book for that.
- The friendships in the story started off a little iffy for me: there was some girl-girl-rivalry between friends that I wasn’t sure I would enjoy, but the author addresses all of this wonderfully and develops the friendships in a way that made me appreciate the individual characters even more.
- It’s often hard to find the appropriate level of “creepiness” in a middle-grade novel, especially since children round that age are very different in their ways of interpreting this. I felt like Willow Cove was a perfect mix of being atmospheric and slightly spooky, without terrifying readers to the point of nightmares. A perfect early-fall read in my opinion, even for kids who don’t enjoy scary stories.
- One of the best and most unexpected things about this story was how both the magical- and non-magical kids were viewed equally, and offered their chance in the spotlight. Often we see the chosen-characters taking over the story and having to save the world for the rest of us. Here there was a clear place for each individual character to shine and take control for themselves, no matter their powers. I think it’s a wonderful and important message for children to see you don’t need magic to be a hero in your own story.
What I didn’t love:
- I can’t help but feel the plot wasn’t too original, and although I enjoyed the story, I did feel like I had read it before many times. I felt like a lot of inspiration was taken from the Harry Potter series, Roald Dahl and even Victoria Schwabs middle-grade writing.
- Much of the magic and history of the town is explained by one character to another, rather than shown. Especially when it comes to something so vivid and interesting as magic, I feel this is a big missed opportunity. It really dragged the pacing down and hampered my enjoyment a bit at times.
Overall, I would definitely recommend Witches of Willow Cove to children ages 10 and up, or even any adult interested in middle-grade witchy stories. I’d wish this book was available in Dutch already, because I would love to give this to my nieces to read some time.
Witches of Willow Cove is a magical middle-grade adventure, about six teenage girls who discover their powers of witchcraft on their thirteenth birthday.
What I loved:
- This book was quite the pageturner: once you get into the story, you want to see where the adventure takes you. 12-year old me would have loved this book for that.
- The friendships in the story started off a little iffy for me: there was some girl-girl-rivalry between friends that I wasn’t sure I would enjoy, but the author addresses all of this wonderfully and develops the friendships in a way that made me appreciate the individual characters even more.
- It’s often hard to find the appropriate level of “creepiness” in a middle-grade novel, especially since children round that age are very different in their ways of interpreting this. I felt like Willow Cove was a perfect mix of being atmospheric and slightly spooky, without terrifying readers to the point of nightmares. A perfect early-fall read in my opinion, even for kids who don’t enjoy scary stories.
- One of the best and most unexpected things about this story was how both the magical- and non-magical kids were viewed equally, and offered their chance in the spotlight. Often we see the chosen-characters taking over the story and having to save the world for the rest of us. Here there was a clear place for each individual character to shine and take control for themselves, no matter their powers. I think it’s a wonderful and important message for children to see you don’t need magic to be a hero in your own story.
What I didn’t love:
- I can’t help but feel the plot wasn’t too original, and although I enjoyed the story, I did feel like I had read it before many times. I felt like a lot of inspiration was taken from the Harry Potter series, Roald Dahl and even Victoria Schwabs middle-grade writing.
- Much of the magic and history of the town is explained by one character to another, rather than shown. Especially when it comes to something so vivid and interesting as magic, I feel this is a big missed opportunity. It really dragged the pacing down and hampered my enjoyment a bit at times.
Overall, I would definitely recommend Witches of Willow Cove to children ages 10 and up, or even any adult interested in middle-grade witchy stories. I’d wish this book was available in Dutch already, because I would love to give this to my nieces to read some time.
June 19, 2020
Well, this was quite a fun middle grade read. Full of mystery, history, friendships, bullies, jealousy, rivalries and magic. As an adult I enjoyed it. The younger middle-grade me would have devoured it.
What the description doesn’t do justice to is the fact that this is an ensemble cast. While it is true that Abby Shepherd is the main character, it is also true that her best friend Robby – a nonmagical person – plays a significant role as well. But there are several others with large ‘screen time’ such as Amethyst, whose hair color matches her name, Zeus, Becca, and Piper to name a few. The strength of the book lies with these characters and the different avenues they take to learn the truth. Doing so helps the plotting of the story move forward, but the variety of characters also help provide a realistic town and school setting. After all, this is the age where kids start ‘noticing’ each other.
It all starts on the night certain girls turn 13. That’s when their magical abilities begin to manifest themselves. Some of the magic they experience seems to be person-specific and other types of magic is general to all. While our new magic users are becoming adjusted to this rather huge change two unrelated individuals mysteriously disappear. There is too much coincidence going on and some of our cast learns spells while others are researching the town’s history.
If there are any issues with the story it would be with how one of our main characters handled a disappearance of someone they knew. While the individual and their parent were upset it felt glossed over a bit to help ensure the main story line plot continued to move forward.
Toward the end, we get the hint that perhaps there are more sinister events coming their way, but that will be for a future book.
Rating: 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Owl Hollow Press for the reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
What the description doesn’t do justice to is the fact that this is an ensemble cast. While it is true that Abby Shepherd is the main character, it is also true that her best friend Robby – a nonmagical person – plays a significant role as well. But there are several others with large ‘screen time’ such as Amethyst, whose hair color matches her name, Zeus, Becca, and Piper to name a few. The strength of the book lies with these characters and the different avenues they take to learn the truth. Doing so helps the plotting of the story move forward, but the variety of characters also help provide a realistic town and school setting. After all, this is the age where kids start ‘noticing’ each other.
It all starts on the night certain girls turn 13. That’s when their magical abilities begin to manifest themselves. Some of the magic they experience seems to be person-specific and other types of magic is general to all. While our new magic users are becoming adjusted to this rather huge change two unrelated individuals mysteriously disappear. There is too much coincidence going on and some of our cast learns spells while others are researching the town’s history.
If there are any issues with the story it would be with how one of our main characters handled a disappearance of someone they knew. While the individual and their parent were upset it felt glossed over a bit to help ensure the main story line plot continued to move forward.
Toward the end, we get the hint that perhaps there are more sinister events coming their way, but that will be for a future book.
Rating: 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Owl Hollow Press for the reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.
May 26, 2020
The Witches of Willow Cove is my FAVORITE middle grade novel of the year! Filled with magic, daring, danger, and a *ton* of heart, this story will captivate readers and keep them cheering as Abby and her friends work to solve the mystery that's been haunting Willow Cove for centuries. It's the perfect spooky middle grade novel for kids who like reading about friendship and witchy mysteries. What I truly appreciate about this book is that there is a place for both magical and nonmagical kids to shine, It's not about being the "chosen one" (or part of the "chosen group"), it's about using the skills you have to help your friends and stand up for what's right. A must-read for magic lovers and definitely something I'll be purchasing for my library.
May 19, 2020
The Witches of Willow Cove was a journey of magic, friendship and mysterious disappearances. Roberts’ writing was reminiscent of J.K Rowlings in Harry Potter (BIG statement… but let me explain) in regards to building young adult characters that had a bravery, curiosity and maturity that defied their years (but was also believable).
While the cover and synopsis of this story seemed to hint at a darker theme, the sudden disappearance of characters throughout the book made me uncomfortable. It seemed as if integral members of the community had suddenly gone missing… and no one noticed. Usually the disappearance of a character in a small town is easily noticed and is followed up with a sense of panic. The lack of this had me uneasy as a reader. Roberts created a foreboding atmosphere without having to resort to dramatic means.
The main characters in this story, Abby and Robby (yes, the synopsis only states Abby as the MC but it felt like they were equally as important) had a youthful friendship that brought back a feeling of sentiment for me. Their ‘BFF’ label was an innocent sort that hadn’t been tested with conflict. This book’s exploration of their friendship amidst a sea of secrets and lies was fascinating to read. I enjoyed following their friendship as it cracked under pressure and then slowly built again to become something able to stand the test of time. Roberts expertly dealt with youth-like emotions in a way that was relatable for an adult reader. Oftentimes the emotional arc of an MG story can feel a bit angsty or become frustrating to follow but that wasn’t the case with The Witches of Willow Cove.
The only downside to this story was its predictability. There were aspects of the plot I predicted from a mile away and yet there remained a few events toward the end that had me smiling in surprise. As this is pitched for a younger audience it’s to be expected that some predictability is present.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
4.5 Stars
While the cover and synopsis of this story seemed to hint at a darker theme, the sudden disappearance of characters throughout the book made me uncomfortable. It seemed as if integral members of the community had suddenly gone missing… and no one noticed. Usually the disappearance of a character in a small town is easily noticed and is followed up with a sense of panic. The lack of this had me uneasy as a reader. Roberts created a foreboding atmosphere without having to resort to dramatic means.
The main characters in this story, Abby and Robby (yes, the synopsis only states Abby as the MC but it felt like they were equally as important) had a youthful friendship that brought back a feeling of sentiment for me. Their ‘BFF’ label was an innocent sort that hadn’t been tested with conflict. This book’s exploration of their friendship amidst a sea of secrets and lies was fascinating to read. I enjoyed following their friendship as it cracked under pressure and then slowly built again to become something able to stand the test of time. Roberts expertly dealt with youth-like emotions in a way that was relatable for an adult reader. Oftentimes the emotional arc of an MG story can feel a bit angsty or become frustrating to follow but that wasn’t the case with The Witches of Willow Cove.
The only downside to this story was its predictability. There were aspects of the plot I predicted from a mile away and yet there remained a few events toward the end that had me smiling in surprise. As this is pitched for a younger audience it’s to be expected that some predictability is present.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
4.5 Stars
June 5, 2020
4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a refreshing, extremely well developed fantasy story about witches. I didn't know what to expect when going in and honestly that made me love it even more. This is such a captivating and fascinating story and kept me gripped to the page.
Abby and Robby are best friends. On the night of Abby's 13th birthday, coincidentally Halloween, her and Robby decide to head up to Whispering Hill to explore what is said to be an old haunted asylum. In the face of danger that night, Abby discovers that she is a witch and can fly. Abby isn't the only witch in town but under the teaching of Miss Winters, her and her new witch friends start to discover a world of magic and more about her powers.
The world building in this was incredible and the intricate backstory and webbing of details makes for a wonderful experience while reading the book. It's been a while since I properly enjoyed a middle grade fantasy novel, but this just restored my faith in the genre.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a wonderful, fun, heartfelt, adventurous story about friendship and magic. Absolutely wonderful.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a refreshing, extremely well developed fantasy story about witches. I didn't know what to expect when going in and honestly that made me love it even more. This is such a captivating and fascinating story and kept me gripped to the page.
Abby and Robby are best friends. On the night of Abby's 13th birthday, coincidentally Halloween, her and Robby decide to head up to Whispering Hill to explore what is said to be an old haunted asylum. In the face of danger that night, Abby discovers that she is a witch and can fly. Abby isn't the only witch in town but under the teaching of Miss Winters, her and her new witch friends start to discover a world of magic and more about her powers.
The world building in this was incredible and the intricate backstory and webbing of details makes for a wonderful experience while reading the book. It's been a while since I properly enjoyed a middle grade fantasy novel, but this just restored my faith in the genre.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a wonderful, fun, heartfelt, adventurous story about friendship and magic. Absolutely wonderful.
August 5, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for the e-arc.
The witches of Willow Cove is a middle grade book that follows Abby and Robby. Abby discovers she is a witch. This is a story about six young, thirteen year old witches that are getting teached by Miss Winter. But is everything what it seems like?
This story would be a middle grade, but sometimes it did felt like it is for an older auditory. Not that it was disturbing, I liked it more because of that. It may seem like a simple story at first, but it is a little bit more complex though.
The characters were likeable, except for maybe three, and made the story really great.
I really love the writing style, Roberts write in such a good way! You really fly through the story which made it so enjoyable to read.
The setting made it so magical which I really love about this book!
I could not think about one negative thing, this is just an amazing book!
I really recommend this to fans of Harry Potter and The stormkeeper.
The witches of Willow Cove is a middle grade book that follows Abby and Robby. Abby discovers she is a witch. This is a story about six young, thirteen year old witches that are getting teached by Miss Winter. But is everything what it seems like?
This story would be a middle grade, but sometimes it did felt like it is for an older auditory. Not that it was disturbing, I liked it more because of that. It may seem like a simple story at first, but it is a little bit more complex though.
The characters were likeable, except for maybe three, and made the story really great.
I really love the writing style, Roberts write in such a good way! You really fly through the story which made it so enjoyable to read.
The setting made it so magical which I really love about this book!
I could not think about one negative thing, this is just an amazing book!
I really recommend this to fans of Harry Potter and The stormkeeper.
March 22, 2020
I just received an eARC of this book and I loved it! MG and YA alike will enjoy this mystery full of suspense, friendship, history, betrayal and magic. The flow of the story made it hard to put down! Definitely one to recommend to young readers who enjoy this subject matter and genre!
May 16, 2020
I received an eARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
I was searching through Netgalley one day and, I'll have to be honest, the cover grabbed me.
I enjoyed reading this story. I like how the author actually gave us 13 year olds that actually acted like 13 year olds. I think Middle Grade readers will really enjoy this. The plot was good, the characters were great and the story rolled along just right. Other than the week's missing between chapters, I can't complain about anything. I will definitely recommend this to everyone.
I was searching through Netgalley one day and, I'll have to be honest, the cover grabbed me.
I enjoyed reading this story. I like how the author actually gave us 13 year olds that actually acted like 13 year olds. I think Middle Grade readers will really enjoy this. The plot was good, the characters were great and the story rolled along just right. Other than the week's missing between chapters, I can't complain about anything. I will definitely recommend this to everyone.
May 17, 2020
This was a really fun, witchy middle grade book! Upon turning 13, Abby discovers that she has magical powers. When the strange Miss Winters shows up and wants to teach Abby and several of her friends magic, a chain of suspicious events begin to occur in the town. Meanwhile, Abby’s best friend Robby is trying to research what really happened to his mother, while drawing connections to the town’s mysterious history. Abby must work with her friends to uncover more about magic and friendship. Is Miss Winters truly trying to teach them magic or does she have other motives?
The writing was very accessible and I think many readers will be pulled into the mystery and magic of Willow Cove. I would recommend it for all readers 8 and up who are looking for a magical read about friendship and witches. While this is a middle grade book, I do think any older readers or parents who like stories about magic or witches will enjoy this. Harry Potter fans will appreciate the clever references to Harry Potter throughout. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author! Thank you to Josh Roberts, Owl Hollow Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The writing was very accessible and I think many readers will be pulled into the mystery and magic of Willow Cove. I would recommend it for all readers 8 and up who are looking for a magical read about friendship and witches. While this is a middle grade book, I do think any older readers or parents who like stories about magic or witches will enjoy this. Harry Potter fans will appreciate the clever references to Harry Potter throughout. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more books from this author! Thank you to Josh Roberts, Owl Hollow Press, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2020
Such a bewitching read!
Thank you to Netgalley and Josh Roberts for generously allowing me to read this book. It was an absolute pleasure.
This book is absolutely incredible! My spooky little heart is so happy that I stumbled upon it and I NEED MORE!
When Amethyst, the school recluse, accidentally attacks students in her science class with magical green slime and tells Abby they're both witches, things start to get WEIRD. And when Abby's substitute teacher, Miss Winters, also reveals herself to be one, things get even weirder.
Between learning how to control magic and learning how to be a teenager, Abby's life is full of twists and wisps that she must navigate with the help of her newly found coven and her oldest friends. But the more she learns about Miss Winters, the more Abby wonders if there's more to her than meets the eye.
Can Abby trust her, or does something wicked this way come?
I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. I love all things witch related so when I saw this book on Netgalley I requested it without even reading anything about it, and I'm so glad that I did.
I love YA books although I'm 28, and this one is perfectly written and would pull you in at any age. I could happily read this with my eleven year old sister or give it to my 46 year old Mum and would bet on both of them loving every minute of it. It's so easy to read. I didn't once find myself wanting to skip parts or rush through to the end; Quite the opposite actually, I desperately wanted it to last forever because I just wasn't ready to leave Willow Cove or my coven yet.
The characters are all so brilliantly written that I could picture them plain as day in my mind's eye and hear each of their voices as I read this enthralling story. I felt very drawn to Amethyst, having been a bit of an outcast myself at her age. (and probably still am) I could empathise with her so much and, don't tell the others, but she was definitely my favourite! I devoured this book in just a few hours and cannot wait to revisit Willow Cove.
If you love YA novels, have a spooky little soul like me or have any interest in Salem and all that comes with it, then this is the book for you. If none of those things appeal to you, read it anyway! You won't be sorry you did.
I'd highly recommend for any fans of Adriana Mather!
Thank you to Netgalley and Josh Roberts for generously allowing me to read this book. It was an absolute pleasure.
This book is absolutely incredible! My spooky little heart is so happy that I stumbled upon it and I NEED MORE!
When Amethyst, the school recluse, accidentally attacks students in her science class with magical green slime and tells Abby they're both witches, things start to get WEIRD. And when Abby's substitute teacher, Miss Winters, also reveals herself to be one, things get even weirder.
Between learning how to control magic and learning how to be a teenager, Abby's life is full of twists and wisps that she must navigate with the help of her newly found coven and her oldest friends. But the more she learns about Miss Winters, the more Abby wonders if there's more to her than meets the eye.
Can Abby trust her, or does something wicked this way come?
I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. I love all things witch related so when I saw this book on Netgalley I requested it without even reading anything about it, and I'm so glad that I did.
I love YA books although I'm 28, and this one is perfectly written and would pull you in at any age. I could happily read this with my eleven year old sister or give it to my 46 year old Mum and would bet on both of them loving every minute of it. It's so easy to read. I didn't once find myself wanting to skip parts or rush through to the end; Quite the opposite actually, I desperately wanted it to last forever because I just wasn't ready to leave Willow Cove or my coven yet.
The characters are all so brilliantly written that I could picture them plain as day in my mind's eye and hear each of their voices as I read this enthralling story. I felt very drawn to Amethyst, having been a bit of an outcast myself at her age. (and probably still am) I could empathise with her so much and, don't tell the others, but she was definitely my favourite! I devoured this book in just a few hours and cannot wait to revisit Willow Cove.
If you love YA novels, have a spooky little soul like me or have any interest in Salem and all that comes with it, then this is the book for you. If none of those things appeal to you, read it anyway! You won't be sorry you did.
I'd highly recommend for any fans of Adriana Mather!
April 10, 2020
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A big thank you to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for providing me an advanced reader’s copy of “The Witches of Willow Cove” by Josh Roberts.
This was such a fun story to read! It is the perfect middle grade novel (that can even pass off as YA) if you are in the mood to read a good Halloween like story about witches. All the characters are distinctive, funny and interesting in their own manner. Amethyst turned out to be my favorite character even though I didn’t like her in the beginning. The villain, Miss Winters is also very intriguing and you don’t really know what she has up her sleeve.
In fact, I loved everyone in the entire group, whether it be Abby or Amethyst or Piper. The author has also paced the story very well, where we are thrown into the action right from the first chapter. I also liked how he included the history of the Salem witch trials into the plot with his own twist.
However, there are some minor things which I felt could have been written better. While Daisy and Delphi were quirky and interesting with their Shakespearean qualities, I felt we did not see much of them. I would have liked to see more of Piper in the book as well because she was so interesting! Moreover, the book tended to focus mainly on Abby and Amethyst, along with Becca, Robby and Zeus. Also, while I enjoyed the story immensely, I really didn’t like the instant romance between Robby and Becca. It appeared out of nowhere, and it took me a while to get used to them. I’m not really a fan of insta love, and considering that this is more of a middle grade book, it was difficult picturing the two in that manner.
But apart from that, I absolutely loved reading this tale and would definitely recommend if you are in the mood for a spooky read.
July 13, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy.
Witches in a pre-teen setting, looked like fun to me. And it was! It even got darker than I expected it to be. I really liked it. Although the beginning felt a bit slow, after a while you can't stop reading! The only downside for me was the romance between Robby and Becca, as that felt unecessary to use in the story. I also still wonder why Abby has stronger powers than the others, which is mentioned multiple times, but never really explained
Witches in a pre-teen setting, looked like fun to me. And it was! It even got darker than I expected it to be. I really liked it. Although the beginning felt a bit slow, after a while you can't stop reading! The only downside for me was the romance between Robby and Becca, as that felt unecessary to use in the story. I also still wonder why Abby has stronger powers than the others, which is mentioned multiple times, but never really explained
May 24, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press for an ARC. This is a great MG story. It’s got witches and magic, which I love, and also deals with issues you see in contemporary MG like friendships and feeling like you don’t fit in. It’s also a really action-packed story too that never drags. I know a lot of you that read middle grade novels would enjoy this one.
April 7, 2020
Sometimes you find the right book at the right moment and it's just pure magic. That was my experience with The Witches of Willow Cove, a spooky supernatural mystery that straddles the line between middle grade and young adult. More than anything, it reminded me of my favorite bits from the first 3-4 Harry Potter books (without being too similar) and more recently of City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab. The perfect combination of magical adventure and spooky ghost story.
One of things I loved most about the book is that it has dual main characters, one a 13-year-old girl named Abby who discovers she's a witch, and the other her best friend, Robby, who's also 13 years old. Robby is an ordinary geeky boy with no powers at all other than loyalty, science smarts, and bravery. The chapters roughly alternate between Abby and Robby, with Abby getting the magical discovery and training scenes and a lot of suspenseful action, and Robby's scenes devoted largely to uncovering a historical mystery related to the witches, with a dash of first-love romance thrown in. About 2/3 of the way through the book, their stories reconnect and barrel toward an exciting conclusion.
The language is atmospheric and evocative. "Muddy footprints and crisscross bike tracks marked the way, while jack-o’-lanterns flickered along both sides of the path, filling the night with an eerie orange glow," Roberts writes at one point. "The moon had been full and bright when they’d left Robby’s, but now it was just a narrow orange slit, like a cat’s eye peering through the clouds," he writes later in the story. At other times, particularly in the snappy dialogue, it ranges from wryly humorous to laugh-out-loud funny. And then all of a sudden it's tense and suspenseful again, with cliffhanger chapter endings that occasionally made me gasp in surprise.
That brings me to another thing I loved: the breakneck pace of this book. I rushed through this in just over a day because I kept needing to know what happened next. So many twists and turns and shocking reveals and reversals. I quickly began to wonder if the woman we assume is the villain, Miss Winters, is actually a red herring. I thought I knew, then I thought I was wrong, then... well, I won't spoil it. What I will say is that it kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciated that the villain wasn't evil for the sake of being evil.
I loved the parallel tracks that Abby's and Robby's stories take as they both search for the truth about their town's history and Miss Winters's real motivations. As Abby forms an unlikely friendship with a prickly and sarcastic loner named Amethyst Jones, Robby falls head over heels for new-girl-in-town Becca Ruiz, and these new relationships develop against a backdrop of mystery and suspense. When Abby and Robby reunite in the second half of the book, I think their friendship is stronger than before.
I also really enjoyed the gentle romance between Robby and Becca because it's sweet and also such a healthy portrayal of a first-big-crush kind of relationship. The two characters come to feel like partners and friends, and there's very little manufactured drama between them. It's refreshing to see a healthy relationship like this portrayed in a story aimed at middle schoolers and younger teens.
Lastly, I fell hard for the entire cast of characters. This is definitely a plot-driven novel, but all the teenage witches in the coven were unique and well developed and often funny, too. I especially loved Amethyst and the twins, Daisy and Delphi, who were totally wacky and hilarious. All the non-magical characters were also well developed and interesting and believable, too. Zeus, the football player who becomes a third musketeer in Robby and Becca's storyline, broke my heart and then put it back together by the end. What amazed me was how in the final 1/3 of the book, every single character had a moment to shine in overcoming the villain, even the ordinary kids.
Speaking of the ending. This is a standalone book, meaning that everything that's set up at the beginning is resolved at the end. But then that epilogue! There are hints of a larger world and storyline to come and I am here for it if there's a sequel. PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL!!
One of things I loved most about the book is that it has dual main characters, one a 13-year-old girl named Abby who discovers she's a witch, and the other her best friend, Robby, who's also 13 years old. Robby is an ordinary geeky boy with no powers at all other than loyalty, science smarts, and bravery. The chapters roughly alternate between Abby and Robby, with Abby getting the magical discovery and training scenes and a lot of suspenseful action, and Robby's scenes devoted largely to uncovering a historical mystery related to the witches, with a dash of first-love romance thrown in. About 2/3 of the way through the book, their stories reconnect and barrel toward an exciting conclusion.
The language is atmospheric and evocative. "Muddy footprints and crisscross bike tracks marked the way, while jack-o’-lanterns flickered along both sides of the path, filling the night with an eerie orange glow," Roberts writes at one point. "The moon had been full and bright when they’d left Robby’s, but now it was just a narrow orange slit, like a cat’s eye peering through the clouds," he writes later in the story. At other times, particularly in the snappy dialogue, it ranges from wryly humorous to laugh-out-loud funny. And then all of a sudden it's tense and suspenseful again, with cliffhanger chapter endings that occasionally made me gasp in surprise.
That brings me to another thing I loved: the breakneck pace of this book. I rushed through this in just over a day because I kept needing to know what happened next. So many twists and turns and shocking reveals and reversals. I quickly began to wonder if the woman we assume is the villain, Miss Winters, is actually a red herring. I thought I knew, then I thought I was wrong, then... well, I won't spoil it. What I will say is that it kept me guessing until the very end. I appreciated that the villain wasn't evil for the sake of being evil.
I loved the parallel tracks that Abby's and Robby's stories take as they both search for the truth about their town's history and Miss Winters's real motivations. As Abby forms an unlikely friendship with a prickly and sarcastic loner named Amethyst Jones, Robby falls head over heels for new-girl-in-town Becca Ruiz, and these new relationships develop against a backdrop of mystery and suspense. When Abby and Robby reunite in the second half of the book, I think their friendship is stronger than before.
I also really enjoyed the gentle romance between Robby and Becca because it's sweet and also such a healthy portrayal of a first-big-crush kind of relationship. The two characters come to feel like partners and friends, and there's very little manufactured drama between them. It's refreshing to see a healthy relationship like this portrayed in a story aimed at middle schoolers and younger teens.
Lastly, I fell hard for the entire cast of characters. This is definitely a plot-driven novel, but all the teenage witches in the coven were unique and well developed and often funny, too. I especially loved Amethyst and the twins, Daisy and Delphi, who were totally wacky and hilarious. All the non-magical characters were also well developed and interesting and believable, too. Zeus, the football player who becomes a third musketeer in Robby and Becca's storyline, broke my heart and then put it back together by the end. What amazed me was how in the final 1/3 of the book, every single character had a moment to shine in overcoming the villain, even the ordinary kids.
Speaking of the ending. This is a standalone book, meaning that everything that's set up at the beginning is resolved at the end. But then that epilogue! There are hints of a larger world and storyline to come and I am here for it if there's a sequel. PLEASE LET THERE BE A SEQUEL!!
June 9, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC.
The middle-grade story called 'the witches of Willow Cove' reflects on the past. The Salem Witch Trials are part of the concept. When six thirteen-year-olds find out that they are witches, everything changes. Their new history teacher is there to help them out until they begin to notice something...
I LOVED this book. It's a middle-grade story but it read like a YA Fantasy. Overall, I'm not a fan of 'fairy tale witches' due to the fact that real witches don't fly brooms nor do they use wands and all. But the respectful way of portraying witches made this book totally different. I also liked the fact that the author actually included some real history in it.
The characters were all round and had a unique personality. I also liked the fact that the main characters are not the only heroes. The book teaches about friendship, love, and working together. It's a very strong message throughout the whole book. All characters benefit from it. Even when certain characters are villains, they still manage to work together.
Fantasy books need a strong setting and 'the witches of willow cove' absolutely has such a strong setting! The dark atmosphere was great and suited the story well. The caves and tombs felt so real.
This author has a nice writing style. It's a quick read, a fun way of telling a story and there is sarcasm + humor included.
Overall, I really liked this story. Nothing bothered me and I also don't think there is anything that can be done better.
The middle-grade story called 'the witches of Willow Cove' reflects on the past. The Salem Witch Trials are part of the concept. When six thirteen-year-olds find out that they are witches, everything changes. Their new history teacher is there to help them out until they begin to notice something...
I LOVED this book. It's a middle-grade story but it read like a YA Fantasy. Overall, I'm not a fan of 'fairy tale witches' due to the fact that real witches don't fly brooms nor do they use wands and all. But the respectful way of portraying witches made this book totally different. I also liked the fact that the author actually included some real history in it.
The characters were all round and had a unique personality. I also liked the fact that the main characters are not the only heroes. The book teaches about friendship, love, and working together. It's a very strong message throughout the whole book. All characters benefit from it. Even when certain characters are villains, they still manage to work together.
Fantasy books need a strong setting and 'the witches of willow cove' absolutely has such a strong setting! The dark atmosphere was great and suited the story well. The caves and tombs felt so real.
This author has a nice writing style. It's a quick read, a fun way of telling a story and there is sarcasm + humor included.
Overall, I really liked this story. Nothing bothered me and I also don't think there is anything that can be done better.
March 26, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this book.
I absolutely loved it. The characters were great and I enjoyed that boys were involved in it. Though I wish we could have seen a little bit more of Daisy and Delphi, they were quirky and fun but not as present as the others. Piper could also have used more space in the story. Other than that I feel like the book was well-balanced, well paced. I'll have to admit I was never bored ! It was filled with magic and friendship : a perfect middle grader novel.
I absolutely loved it. The characters were great and I enjoyed that boys were involved in it. Though I wish we could have seen a little bit more of Daisy and Delphi, they were quirky and fun but not as present as the others. Piper could also have used more space in the story. Other than that I feel like the book was well-balanced, well paced. I'll have to admit I was never bored ! It was filled with magic and friendship : a perfect middle grader novel.
April 3, 2020
Filled with mystery, magic, suspense, adventure, historical fiction, and a splash of science, The Witches of Willow Cove is an enchanting page-turner all kids will enjoy. The young tween characters are fun, likeable, and believable. From creeping up and down long winding staircases in a lighthouse tower to crawling through spooky underground caves, The Witches of Willow Cove has all the necessary elements of the best in children’s novels. Hang onto your wand and check it out!
March 23, 2020
Josh Roberts give us a book that has interesting characters and its own world. As a former middle school teacher, I would have gladly shared this book with my students. I love the creativity and fantasy elements, so infused in a story that works well.
April 5, 2020
4.5/5 stars
eARC WAS PROVIDED TO ME BY NETGALLEY FOR A FAIR AND HONEST REVIEW
As I was looking through Netgalley, searching for a new middle grade, I stumbled across The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts, and was immediately intrigued. How could you not be, when the first line of the description is “Six teenage witches. One mysterious stranger. A secret that could destroy them all.”
I was incredibly pleased with how much I enjoyed reading this book. I quite honestly did not want to put it down! It is about a whole group of thirteen year olds learning to navigate life, relationships, friendships, and of course a whole lot of weird magic and mysterious happenings!
Right off the bat I loved how Roberts truly gave us thirteen year olds that felt like thirteen year olds. They didn’t feel too young or too old for their age, which is unfortunately a common occurrence in YA and Middle grade fiction for me lately. And even more important I think is how little we are seeing of this age demographic in fiction now a days. We need more of this younger YA about the 11 to 14/15 year olds that are sorely lacking in a lot of the YA that has been aged up so much.
We start with Abby and Robby, who are both incredible characters, who are best friends and neighbours, and one night - the eve of Abby’s thirteenth birthday - they fall into the hands of a truly terrifying woman who makes them have to jump of a cliff to escape. But instead of falling into the water or onto some rocks, surprise, but Abby learns she can fly!! (Reminder, it’s halloween, they’re dressed up as a witch and wizard, fittingly. Abby has her broomstick of course!)
This sets off a chain of events which separates Robby and Abby as both make new relationships, start hiding things from one another, and have magic introduced into their lives. From the word go I was hooked - Roberts’ writing is incredibly polished, and he weaves a story like a complete pro.
One of the two main things that I loved most about the story was the friendship group. I loved how realistic and tenuous the relationships/friendships are, but also how foundational they all are (as many of our relationships are at that age). I will never say no to a group of friends that all band together to save the day in a book, especially when five of them are witches!
The second thing I loved about this story is how Roberts’ weaved history and magic into the narrative. As the kids find out about the history of Willow’s Hill and the five girls’ common ancestor, so does the magic ramp up in the story. With Robby, Zeus, and Becca on one side coming in with their research, and the five girls who are learning to perfect their magical abilities, this was an incredibly well crafted story right down to the very last historical detail.
I highly recommend you pick up this book when it is released!! It was so much fun and a super quick read.
eARC WAS PROVIDED TO ME BY NETGALLEY FOR A FAIR AND HONEST REVIEW
As I was looking through Netgalley, searching for a new middle grade, I stumbled across The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts, and was immediately intrigued. How could you not be, when the first line of the description is “Six teenage witches. One mysterious stranger. A secret that could destroy them all.”
I was incredibly pleased with how much I enjoyed reading this book. I quite honestly did not want to put it down! It is about a whole group of thirteen year olds learning to navigate life, relationships, friendships, and of course a whole lot of weird magic and mysterious happenings!
Right off the bat I loved how Roberts truly gave us thirteen year olds that felt like thirteen year olds. They didn’t feel too young or too old for their age, which is unfortunately a common occurrence in YA and Middle grade fiction for me lately. And even more important I think is how little we are seeing of this age demographic in fiction now a days. We need more of this younger YA about the 11 to 14/15 year olds that are sorely lacking in a lot of the YA that has been aged up so much.
We start with Abby and Robby, who are both incredible characters, who are best friends and neighbours, and one night - the eve of Abby’s thirteenth birthday - they fall into the hands of a truly terrifying woman who makes them have to jump of a cliff to escape. But instead of falling into the water or onto some rocks, surprise, but Abby learns she can fly!! (Reminder, it’s halloween, they’re dressed up as a witch and wizard, fittingly. Abby has her broomstick of course!)
This sets off a chain of events which separates Robby and Abby as both make new relationships, start hiding things from one another, and have magic introduced into their lives. From the word go I was hooked - Roberts’ writing is incredibly polished, and he weaves a story like a complete pro.
One of the two main things that I loved most about the story was the friendship group. I loved how realistic and tenuous the relationships/friendships are, but also how foundational they all are (as many of our relationships are at that age). I will never say no to a group of friends that all band together to save the day in a book, especially when five of them are witches!
The second thing I loved about this story is how Roberts’ weaved history and magic into the narrative. As the kids find out about the history of Willow’s Hill and the five girls’ common ancestor, so does the magic ramp up in the story. With Robby, Zeus, and Becca on one side coming in with their research, and the five girls who are learning to perfect their magical abilities, this was an incredibly well crafted story right down to the very last historical detail.
I highly recommend you pick up this book when it is released!! It was so much fun and a super quick read.
April 21, 2020
This book has it all – teen angst, romance, jealousy, betrayal, and witchcraft. The setting is a small Massachusetts town that dates back to the time of the Salem witch trials. Abby and Robby are best friends who live next door to each other. On Halloween night, which also happens to be Abby’s thirteenth birthday, the two of them decide to explore an abandoned mental hospital at the top of Whispering Hill. It’s there that Abby and Robby are caught up in unearthly experience. Later, Abby is hit with the reality that she and five other girls in her class are witches. Miss Winters, their substitute teacher and witch, becomes their mentor. Abby begins to spend time with the five girls and keeps secrets from Robby which causes a rift in their longtime friendship. Robby, his friend Zeus, and his girlfriend Becca know there is something mysterious going on. The three of them band together to unravel the truth about Miss Winters. In the end, it takes a clever plan devised by Robby, Becca, and Zeus with the combined efforts of Abby and the five young witches to destroy the evil resurrected in the town of Willow Cove. Josh Roberts weaves a spine-tingling tale of witches and witchcraft with plot twists and unexpected events that will keep readers spellbound from beginning to end.
April 16, 2020
The witches of Willow Cove is a fun, middle grade book about teen witches and haunting past. Up until 13th birthday Abby Shepherd thought she was a normal teenager but that all changed when she and her best friend, Robby sneaked into Whispering Hills, an abandoned place famous for ghosts haunting from the mental asylum. After their escapade goes weary, Abby learn something that stuns her. Abby is a witch and not only that, there are five of them along with her. Gradually they find out and with the arrival of Miss Winters, finally it felt like they have found someone who can teach them about witchcraft and magic.
Willow cove is a small town but it’s teeming with powerful secrets and a dark history. And now the past seems to be blurring with the present and something sinister is about to happen. Can Abby and the others truly trust Miss Winters? Why does Abby gets second thought about Miss Winters motives?
And what happens if Abby’s friends lives are in danger, will she be able to stop the wicked plans?
I loved this book. The author’s writing style was absolutely engaging. The narration was amazing because while we are following Abby’s story (present), the author also gives us glimpses of the past, its history and all. I never felt left out, all the characters including the villain were great.(my favorite was Zeus)
I also loved that this book kept a focus on friendship all while giving us a baffling mystery and a bewitching witches story.
Thank you netgalley, author and the publishers for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Willow cove is a small town but it’s teeming with powerful secrets and a dark history. And now the past seems to be blurring with the present and something sinister is about to happen. Can Abby and the others truly trust Miss Winters? Why does Abby gets second thought about Miss Winters motives?
And what happens if Abby’s friends lives are in danger, will she be able to stop the wicked plans?
I loved this book. The author’s writing style was absolutely engaging. The narration was amazing because while we are following Abby’s story (present), the author also gives us glimpses of the past, its history and all. I never felt left out, all the characters including the villain were great.(my favorite was Zeus)
I also loved that this book kept a focus on friendship all while giving us a baffling mystery and a bewitching witches story.
Thank you netgalley, author and the publishers for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 14, 2020
My 12 year old daughter and I read this together, and when I say "read" I should really say "fled" - because we couldn't put it down. The Witches of Willow Cove keeps you guessing - unexplained disappearances, mysterious teachers, volumes of rare old books in the town library, underground tunnels, and one-by-one, on their 13th birthdays, six "special" girls who are bound together on a mission- whether they like it (or each other) or not. All of it - a trail of tasty breadcrumbs author Josh Roberts lays out - leading the reader to a deliciously satisfactory ending. I'm dating myself, but if you loved the 1985 movie "The Goonies"- then you'll love this book. A pack of teens - all with their own quirks - on a quest to save their town, which no adult has been able to do. Highly Recommend!
August 8, 2020
Perfect for fans of Hocus Pocus, this dark and mystical story contains just the right mix of ingredients needed for a fantastically-spooky witches’ brew…erm, I mean…for a fantastic middle-grade novel 😉
Set in a small town in Massachusetts – Willow Cove – the book begins on Halloween, setting the scene perfectly for things to come. We meet the main protagonists, Abby and Robby, as they are about to set off ‘trick or treating’. On their way, when they bump into Zeus (who is wearing a costume that completely contradicts his name!) and mention that they are actually headed for ‘Whispering Hill’, you just know that trouble (f)lies ahead…
The reader doesn’t have to wait long to find out what form that trouble takes, as the action kicks off early in the book, towards the end of the first chapter. I was completely hooked in by the time I had read the beginning of chapter two, and things only served to get better from there on in.
With new girl Becca arriving at their school, and the purple-haired Amethyst revealing the secret she shares with Abby, the two main characters begin to go their separate ways whilst the reader follows their two paths. This was cleverly-handled by Josh Roberts. Reading along with Robby and Abby as they learned about the mysterious ‘Miss Winters’, and sharing their different experiences with them, added to the suspense, until the two paths intertwined towards the end to reach a nail-biting yet satisfying conclusion.
Add into the cauldron flourishing friendships, first crushes, a great balance of likeable (and deliberately despicable) characters who all play their own important part in the book, and cute – yet unusual – animal ‘familiars’ and you have the perfect potion!
The Witches of Willow Cove makes the reader laugh, smile, gasp, cry, wince and hold their breath. I would recommend it to older middle-grade readers (11+) and young adults due to the romantic references and some sensitive content. I think the author has definitely left room for a sequel, and I would be first in line to read it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Set in a small town in Massachusetts – Willow Cove – the book begins on Halloween, setting the scene perfectly for things to come. We meet the main protagonists, Abby and Robby, as they are about to set off ‘trick or treating’. On their way, when they bump into Zeus (who is wearing a costume that completely contradicts his name!) and mention that they are actually headed for ‘Whispering Hill’, you just know that trouble (f)lies ahead…
The reader doesn’t have to wait long to find out what form that trouble takes, as the action kicks off early in the book, towards the end of the first chapter. I was completely hooked in by the time I had read the beginning of chapter two, and things only served to get better from there on in.
With new girl Becca arriving at their school, and the purple-haired Amethyst revealing the secret she shares with Abby, the two main characters begin to go their separate ways whilst the reader follows their two paths. This was cleverly-handled by Josh Roberts. Reading along with Robby and Abby as they learned about the mysterious ‘Miss Winters’, and sharing their different experiences with them, added to the suspense, until the two paths intertwined towards the end to reach a nail-biting yet satisfying conclusion.
Add into the cauldron flourishing friendships, first crushes, a great balance of likeable (and deliberately despicable) characters who all play their own important part in the book, and cute – yet unusual – animal ‘familiars’ and you have the perfect potion!
The Witches of Willow Cove makes the reader laugh, smile, gasp, cry, wince and hold their breath. I would recommend it to older middle-grade readers (11+) and young adults due to the romantic references and some sensitive content. I think the author has definitely left room for a sequel, and I would be first in line to read it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2020
Josh Roberts’ novel The Witches of Willow Cove is an entertaining and cleverly crafted middle-grade novel with a range of appealing characters.
Abby Shepherd and Robby O’Reilly have just turned thirteen, and are wrestling with ordinary dilemmas (friendships, bullies, and romantic feelings) as well as less usual ones (a centuries-old mystery connected to the Massachusetts witch trials and Abby’s discovery that she’s actually a witch). Abby and Robby are surrounded by a cast of minor characters—both friends and enemies—who are likewise sharply drawn.
The novel compellingly captures the moment when two very different worlds intersect. Modern-day Willow Cove is a believably-drawn small town on Massachusetts’ North Shore, and its landmarks and geography are colorful and vivid. But Roberts also neatly gives us glimpses of a very different Massachusetts—back in the 1690’s, the time of the Salem witch trials.
Both Abby and Robby are memorable characters. We’re immediately drawn into Abby’s quest as she struggles first to understand and develop her new powers, and then to untangle the mysterious threats associated with her new abilities. Robby, meanwhile, is equally engaging as he deals with Abby’s increasing distance from him, his attraction to new-girl-in-town Becca, and his discovery of clues suggesting that the supernatural happenings may be linked to the death of his mother many years earlier.
This is a captivating and well-written debut novel!
Abby Shepherd and Robby O’Reilly have just turned thirteen, and are wrestling with ordinary dilemmas (friendships, bullies, and romantic feelings) as well as less usual ones (a centuries-old mystery connected to the Massachusetts witch trials and Abby’s discovery that she’s actually a witch). Abby and Robby are surrounded by a cast of minor characters—both friends and enemies—who are likewise sharply drawn.
The novel compellingly captures the moment when two very different worlds intersect. Modern-day Willow Cove is a believably-drawn small town on Massachusetts’ North Shore, and its landmarks and geography are colorful and vivid. But Roberts also neatly gives us glimpses of a very different Massachusetts—back in the 1690’s, the time of the Salem witch trials.
Both Abby and Robby are memorable characters. We’re immediately drawn into Abby’s quest as she struggles first to understand and develop her new powers, and then to untangle the mysterious threats associated with her new abilities. Robby, meanwhile, is equally engaging as he deals with Abby’s increasing distance from him, his attraction to new-girl-in-town Becca, and his discovery of clues suggesting that the supernatural happenings may be linked to the death of his mother many years earlier.
This is a captivating and well-written debut novel!
January 1, 2025
This is a wonderful story about friendship, coming of age and it's full of mystery, adventure, magic and just enough spooky for our young readers! The characters are one of my favorite parts. I have truly enjoyed getting to know each and every one of them! This is definitely a book you read in one sitting! It's very hard to put down once you get going!
SERIES REVIEW
The Page Ladies Book Club shared these books with all of our classrooms, reading groups and more and everyone loved it! These books have reminded us why we truly enjoy reading with children and I can’t thank Josh Roberts enough for sharing these absolutely wonderful stories with us!
SERIES REVIEW
The Page Ladies Book Club shared these books with all of our classrooms, reading groups and more and everyone loved it! These books have reminded us why we truly enjoy reading with children and I can’t thank Josh Roberts enough for sharing these absolutely wonderful stories with us!
March 30, 2020
Thank you, NetGalley and Owl Hollow Press, for the advanced readers copy of THE WITCHES OF WILLOW COVER by Josh Roberts.
Talk about one wild ride of an adventure! With an engaging ensemble of characters, laugh out-loud humor, thrills and chills galore, and loads of relatable young teen angst, this story will make readers wish they had supernatural powers of their own. Fans of Harry Potter have a new series to fall head-over-broomstick in love with.
Talk about one wild ride of an adventure! With an engaging ensemble of characters, laugh out-loud humor, thrills and chills galore, and loads of relatable young teen angst, this story will make readers wish they had supernatural powers of their own. Fans of Harry Potter have a new series to fall head-over-broomstick in love with.
May 14, 2020
The Witches of Willow Cove is an eerie, suspenseful middle grade novel that explores complex questions of family and identity. It follows six very different teenage girls who discover that they are witches and that their powers are tied to a secret in the town’s history. The setting is delightfully spooky: a New England town close to Salem (home, of course, to the infamous witch trials) that features weeping hemlock trees, mist and fog that are constantly rolling in from the sea, mysterious caves, and a haunted mental institution. A thrilling and satisfying standalone work that nevertheless leaves the story wide open for a sequel, this book is an assured debut from author Josh Roberts.
The diverse characters display the complexity of identity that kids grapple with as they grow older, both in terms of their demographic makeup and the painful schism that often occurs around middle school, when kids split off into cliques and/or become pigeonholed by other people’s perceptions of them. Protagonist Abby Shepherd discovers on her thirteenth birthday that she is a witch (and that she is not the only witch in town), but she is not defined by that alone. As Abby’s new witchcraft mentor Miss Winters tells her, you are more than just one thing. But society often wants to put you in an easily defined box, making it hard to bring the disparate threads of your existence together into one whole person. My favorite example of this is Zeus, the star football player who chafes under his coach’s expectations and suffers from crushing loneliness. He desperately wants to be one of the Three Musketeers again with Abby and her best friend Robby, but lately he’s been on the outside looking in, a feeling that most people who survived middle school will surely remember.
Though Abby and Robby are best friends, they spend most of the book estranged as they deal with changes in their lives due to adolescence and the extraordinary circumstances of discovering a coven in their hometown. The book alternates between Abby and Robby’s points of view, creating a push-pull dynamic that really ratchets up the suspense. Before the reader has a chance to get exasperated with the genre trope of never discussing the weird supernatural happenings with anyone who could help you, though, new girl in town (and Robby’s girlfriend) Becca becomes the MVP with this line: “What we really need to do is put all our heads together and compare notes.” It’s a sly and satisfying way to bring the entire Scooby Gang together, and I pumped my fist when I read it.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was its emphasis on the value of platonic friendships. The adults in their lives expect Abby, Robby, and Becca to be some kind of angsty teenage love triangle, but the kids maturely shut that down. There is no pettiness or rivalry between Abby and Becca, and both Abby and Robby make it clear that they love each other very much as “just friends.” Later in the book, though, Robby’s dad makes a profound point that there’s no such thing as “just friends”—friendship is such a deep, important part of life that to minimize it with the word “just” is to miss the point of being a friend.
Another element of the story that really resonated with me was its respect for magic, portraying it as a natural phenomenon that can peacefully coexist with science. The book suggests that the potential for magic is always all around us; you just have to be perceptive and open to believing in it. As Miss Winters says, “Magic is the act of knitting the ordinary threads of the natural world into something extraordinary.” She even uses knitting terminology (casting on and casting off) to discuss spellcasting, which particularly spoke to me as a knitter. This crafty imagery is evocative and exciting, and it’s a thrill to watch Abby and her friends explore their abilities after they discover that they are witches.
Though Miss Winters is positioned as the villain from the opening pages, there is a great deal of nuance to her character. She teaches the new witches all about their powers and takes a decidedly feminist approach to their historical studies, telling Abby that the haunted mental institution she calls home was never really about helping people with mental illnesses:
"They used to lock up women like us in this place. Maybe you didn’t know that. They called it a mental hospital, but prison is a far better word. They caged people here, mostly women…It’s what this town has always done with unusual women, no different than hanging them from trees, strapping them to posts, crushing them, stoning them, burning them—always trying to put an end to their unusualness. Or worse, to cure them of it."
Miss Winters is a complex, ambiguous villain who blurs the lines between good and evil and shows what grief and prejudice can do to a person. The Witches of Willow Cove refuses to give easy answers to its readers, allowing its rich characters to depict the complexity of life in all its joys and sorrows. I’m very hopeful for a sequel, because this novel is a fun, thrilling read that will leave you wanting to spend a lot more time in the magical world of Willow Cove.
The diverse characters display the complexity of identity that kids grapple with as they grow older, both in terms of their demographic makeup and the painful schism that often occurs around middle school, when kids split off into cliques and/or become pigeonholed by other people’s perceptions of them. Protagonist Abby Shepherd discovers on her thirteenth birthday that she is a witch (and that she is not the only witch in town), but she is not defined by that alone. As Abby’s new witchcraft mentor Miss Winters tells her, you are more than just one thing. But society often wants to put you in an easily defined box, making it hard to bring the disparate threads of your existence together into one whole person. My favorite example of this is Zeus, the star football player who chafes under his coach’s expectations and suffers from crushing loneliness. He desperately wants to be one of the Three Musketeers again with Abby and her best friend Robby, but lately he’s been on the outside looking in, a feeling that most people who survived middle school will surely remember.
Though Abby and Robby are best friends, they spend most of the book estranged as they deal with changes in their lives due to adolescence and the extraordinary circumstances of discovering a coven in their hometown. The book alternates between Abby and Robby’s points of view, creating a push-pull dynamic that really ratchets up the suspense. Before the reader has a chance to get exasperated with the genre trope of never discussing the weird supernatural happenings with anyone who could help you, though, new girl in town (and Robby’s girlfriend) Becca becomes the MVP with this line: “What we really need to do is put all our heads together and compare notes.” It’s a sly and satisfying way to bring the entire Scooby Gang together, and I pumped my fist when I read it.
One of the things I appreciated most about the book was its emphasis on the value of platonic friendships. The adults in their lives expect Abby, Robby, and Becca to be some kind of angsty teenage love triangle, but the kids maturely shut that down. There is no pettiness or rivalry between Abby and Becca, and both Abby and Robby make it clear that they love each other very much as “just friends.” Later in the book, though, Robby’s dad makes a profound point that there’s no such thing as “just friends”—friendship is such a deep, important part of life that to minimize it with the word “just” is to miss the point of being a friend.
Another element of the story that really resonated with me was its respect for magic, portraying it as a natural phenomenon that can peacefully coexist with science. The book suggests that the potential for magic is always all around us; you just have to be perceptive and open to believing in it. As Miss Winters says, “Magic is the act of knitting the ordinary threads of the natural world into something extraordinary.” She even uses knitting terminology (casting on and casting off) to discuss spellcasting, which particularly spoke to me as a knitter. This crafty imagery is evocative and exciting, and it’s a thrill to watch Abby and her friends explore their abilities after they discover that they are witches.
Though Miss Winters is positioned as the villain from the opening pages, there is a great deal of nuance to her character. She teaches the new witches all about their powers and takes a decidedly feminist approach to their historical studies, telling Abby that the haunted mental institution she calls home was never really about helping people with mental illnesses:
"They used to lock up women like us in this place. Maybe you didn’t know that. They called it a mental hospital, but prison is a far better word. They caged people here, mostly women…It’s what this town has always done with unusual women, no different than hanging them from trees, strapping them to posts, crushing them, stoning them, burning them—always trying to put an end to their unusualness. Or worse, to cure them of it."
Miss Winters is a complex, ambiguous villain who blurs the lines between good and evil and shows what grief and prejudice can do to a person. The Witches of Willow Cove refuses to give easy answers to its readers, allowing its rich characters to depict the complexity of life in all its joys and sorrows. I’m very hopeful for a sequel, because this novel is a fun, thrilling read that will leave you wanting to spend a lot more time in the magical world of Willow Cove.
May 28, 2020
Boy, do I love a good witchy tale.
When I saw this book's name and cover, I knew I would love this story. While this YA book focuses on a group of 13 year old girls new to their powers and their non-magical friends, the sinister elements surrounding Miss Winters will leave you wondering if she is a good witch or a bad (i.e. misunderstood) witch.
This book was excellent from start to finish. I did learn that there is a difference between the word riffle and rifle. I had to look it up, because the author kept using riffle and it bothered me. I always thought it was rifle. Ends up, you use the word rifle when it is involved in a crime (think of the rifle as a gun to remember to use this term when a crime is involved). All other times, use riffle.
Beyond that little word lesson, I found myself wrapping my mind around how we always remember the big events, like in the Salem Witch Trials. We remember the event, but we never ask what happened before that and why it led up to the witch trials. We don't even ask what happened immediately after in the years that followed to the families or the town.
Back then, Salem wasn't just a town. It was an entire area, filled with farms and such. That's just the background information you will learn from this book.
I really can see this book turning into a film or a TV movie, because kids love witchy stories. After all, the number one film I reach for every Halloween is Hocus Pocus. This book is nice and clean just like Hocus Pocus.
The ending was surprising. I didn't even expect it to turn out that way, but I am glad that it did. It teaches a very valuable lesson to all.
All in all, I recommend this book for those who love witchy stories, YA lovers and middle grade readers. Such a good book. I was entertained from start to finish.
Maybe Disney could option this???
When I saw this book's name and cover, I knew I would love this story. While this YA book focuses on a group of 13 year old girls new to their powers and their non-magical friends, the sinister elements surrounding Miss Winters will leave you wondering if she is a good witch or a bad (i.e. misunderstood) witch.
This book was excellent from start to finish. I did learn that there is a difference between the word riffle and rifle. I had to look it up, because the author kept using riffle and it bothered me. I always thought it was rifle. Ends up, you use the word rifle when it is involved in a crime (think of the rifle as a gun to remember to use this term when a crime is involved). All other times, use riffle.
Beyond that little word lesson, I found myself wrapping my mind around how we always remember the big events, like in the Salem Witch Trials. We remember the event, but we never ask what happened before that and why it led up to the witch trials. We don't even ask what happened immediately after in the years that followed to the families or the town.
Back then, Salem wasn't just a town. It was an entire area, filled with farms and such. That's just the background information you will learn from this book.
I really can see this book turning into a film or a TV movie, because kids love witchy stories. After all, the number one film I reach for every Halloween is Hocus Pocus. This book is nice and clean just like Hocus Pocus.
The ending was surprising. I didn't even expect it to turn out that way, but I am glad that it did. It teaches a very valuable lesson to all.
All in all, I recommend this book for those who love witchy stories, YA lovers and middle grade readers. Such a good book. I was entertained from start to finish.
Maybe Disney could option this???
May 19, 2020
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.
The Witches of Willow Cove, is absolutely captivating from start to finish, Had I not been interrupted by my daughter numerous times I would have completed this in one day. I did not want to put it down at all.
Willow Cove is a place where witches exist and unexplainable things are happening to them. We are immediately thrown into the story and the pace never lets up. The story starts out by following Abby and Robby, but the cast of characters slowly grows from there, and while the cast is large it never feels overwhelming. We know who are main characters are and who the supporting characters are, but everyone gets just enough spotlight that you grow to love them all.
I loved Robby, when he was introduced I was afraid he would slowly fade to the background of the story but Roberts made sure that did not happen. While the story does focus on the witches and their power, he made sure that the non magical kids got their share of spotlight and were proven to be needed just as much as their magical friends. It made the storytelling balanced and more enjoyable to follow along.
All while navigating the magic and witchcraft of their world these kids are thrust into, they are also battling everyday life and the struggles of growing up and seeing best friends fight and struggle to communicate in this changing environment was gratifying. When peoples worlds change at alarming rates it does put strain on relationships, so the realness put into that made the story that much richer in context.
The only aspect of the story that did bother me some was the "instant" relationship of Robby and Becca. It was so quick and spontaneous that it didn't fit the flow of the rest of the context. Everyone else was gradually learning their powers, or gradually learning information about the witches, that their instant relationship was odd. I can understand and believe instant attraction to one another, but it would have felt more believable if they gradually worked their way towards a relationship.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a magical, and spooky coming of age tale that I think both boys and girls will love and enjoy! Ill be adding this to my shelf once its released!
The Witches of Willow Cove, is absolutely captivating from start to finish, Had I not been interrupted by my daughter numerous times I would have completed this in one day. I did not want to put it down at all.
Willow Cove is a place where witches exist and unexplainable things are happening to them. We are immediately thrown into the story and the pace never lets up. The story starts out by following Abby and Robby, but the cast of characters slowly grows from there, and while the cast is large it never feels overwhelming. We know who are main characters are and who the supporting characters are, but everyone gets just enough spotlight that you grow to love them all.
I loved Robby, when he was introduced I was afraid he would slowly fade to the background of the story but Roberts made sure that did not happen. While the story does focus on the witches and their power, he made sure that the non magical kids got their share of spotlight and were proven to be needed just as much as their magical friends. It made the storytelling balanced and more enjoyable to follow along.
All while navigating the magic and witchcraft of their world these kids are thrust into, they are also battling everyday life and the struggles of growing up and seeing best friends fight and struggle to communicate in this changing environment was gratifying. When peoples worlds change at alarming rates it does put strain on relationships, so the realness put into that made the story that much richer in context.
The only aspect of the story that did bother me some was the "instant" relationship of Robby and Becca. It was so quick and spontaneous that it didn't fit the flow of the rest of the context. Everyone else was gradually learning their powers, or gradually learning information about the witches, that their instant relationship was odd. I can understand and believe instant attraction to one another, but it would have felt more believable if they gradually worked their way towards a relationship.
The Witches of Willow Cove is a magical, and spooky coming of age tale that I think both boys and girls will love and enjoy! Ill be adding this to my shelf once its released!
May 6, 2020
The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts is a fantastic middle grade adventure. It follows the story of friends Abby and Robby who have been friends since childhood and are still close as they enter their teenage years, though that is not without complications as they navigate crushes and first kisses. The biggest complication however is that Abby is a witch. a startling revelation to both of them, but one that excites and intrigues them. When reclusive orphan Amethyst starts to exhibit magical powers too, along with several other girls in Abby's grade it seems like something strange is happening in their small town. When a mysterious new substitute teacher, Miss Winters, arrives and starts teaching the girls to use their powers in secret, Abby struggles with the guilt of keeping it from Robby, but he has worries of his own, his step mother has disappeared and he is worried about Abby and trying to keep her secret from new girl, and crush Becca. When he learns about the history of the town and the six young women who were killed as witches centuries ago, he begins to wonder if Miss Winters is more than she seems and sets out to investigate.
I really liked the dual narratives in this book, both Robby and Abby are great well developed characters, and I liked the message that just because you don't have magical powers, it does not mean you have nothing to offer. Both of their stories contribute to the overall story equally , and when they combine it makes for a very satisfying conclusion that requires both groups of children to work together. The secondary characters are also a lot of fun, particularly Amethyst, who is probably the one we get to know best in this book. I loved the small town setting, and the wonderfully descriptive writing which added greatly to the atmosphere without slowing down the pace. Speaking about pace, the book moves swiftly and the mystery is revealed in a way designed to keep the reader engaged. I believe this is a stand alone book but I definitely see potential for more adventures for this coven of young witches, and I hope that the author chooses to revisit Willow Cove.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I really liked the dual narratives in this book, both Robby and Abby are great well developed characters, and I liked the message that just because you don't have magical powers, it does not mean you have nothing to offer. Both of their stories contribute to the overall story equally , and when they combine it makes for a very satisfying conclusion that requires both groups of children to work together. The secondary characters are also a lot of fun, particularly Amethyst, who is probably the one we get to know best in this book. I loved the small town setting, and the wonderfully descriptive writing which added greatly to the atmosphere without slowing down the pace. Speaking about pace, the book moves swiftly and the mystery is revealed in a way designed to keep the reader engaged. I believe this is a stand alone book but I definitely see potential for more adventures for this coven of young witches, and I hope that the author chooses to revisit Willow Cove.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
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