Mathilda, SuperWitch: The Rise of the Dark Lord

Mathilda's Book of Shadows #2

by Kristen Ashley

Mathilda Honeycutt, SuperWitch, Prophesied Savior of The World, has survived the first battle of the Supernatural War.

But before she can take a breath, she’s deflecting spells from angry witches in her local Target, getting visits from the Federal Witches Agency, and even though she’s wearing the perfect outfit, her meeting with the US government doesn’t go too well.

What’s a girl to do when she’s got a war to plan, a world to save, and two gorgeous guys still in hot pursuit? She gets on with it, accessorizing perfectly along the way. Even if she’s deep in the dungeons of a vampire castle or visiting the faerie realm.

But Mathilda, her magical posse, and her hot guys are racing against the clock. The Dark Lord is rising, and they have to stop him.

Or the world as we know it will cease to exist.

Genres: Paranormal, Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Audiobook, Humor, Magic

Unknown Binding

First published March 9, 2020

About the author

Kristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).

Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.

Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).

Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.

And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.

Reviews

[Reading · Rating 1 out of 5]

Because nothing satisfies less than reading a sequel to a hot mess.

I need to be done with this author now. Each new release is an exercise in disappointment.

It seems my nostalgia for KA's former style/books has turned into a weird pity that is starting to resemble contempt.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 is just as good if not better than the first. I loved the way it is written. We get deep and personal parts of Mathilda’s life in journal form. But we also get her everyday life.

The love triangle thing works itself out and I approve of the outcome. The twists and turns this book gives us really made me enjoy it all the more.

Mathilda might not have wanted the position she was put into but she really knows what she is talking about. How people stop and listen to her even if they don’t agree with everything she says. She makes a great ally.

I am kind of sad there are only 2 books, I want more.

Loved the narration Susannah always give each character a unique voice and it brings the story that much more I just loved it.

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mathilda, SuperWitch and Mathilda, Superwitch Rise of the Dark Lord (Mathilda's Book of Shadows 1 & 2) by Kristen Ashley
Narrated by Susannah Jones
Fantasy/Paranormal/RomCom Duet.

As a huge Kristen Ashley fan, I always felt bad that I never read Mathilda’s Book of Shadows: Mathilda, SuperWitch, Book 1 . But the reviews were meh, and I knew it ended in a cliffhanger and after 10 years, there was still no sequel. Until this year! Kristen re-released the first Mathilda book with changes and re-recorded the audio with Susannah Jones. Plus, she finally released the long-awaited sequel, The Rise of the Dark Lord: Mathilda, SuperWitch, Book 2 . So I was excited to settle in with almost 22 hours of new Kristen Ashley goodness.



Since I didn’t read the old version, I’m not sure how much has changed. The “Book of Shadows” is a journal that witches keep, so the books are told in journal form at the beginnings of each entry, then as the scenes progress it is told normally. Because the journal entry parts are written in sort of a shorthand, (like “Woke up. Brushed teeth.”) I know a lot of people weren’t fans of that. Listening to the audio version, Susannah Jones had such great personality, it was easy to ignore these shortened sentences after I got used to them.

I do think that actually reading these books would have been a much different experience. I actually looked at the kindle version after listening to find my quotes, and felt like that journal format came across better in print. But again, the print version didn’t have Susannah Jones to make Mathilda come to life. So it's give and take.

"That’s when it really began. The Supernatural War. There hadn’t been one since recorded time."

Though Mathilda is about witches and faeries and all kinds of supernaturals, it still has a “this world” feel. Mathilda is a mash-up of all of Kristen Ashley’s heroines. She is in her 30s and just found out that not only is she a witch, but she is THE witch that is prophesied to save the world. But she’s a kind-of-ditsy nut who really needs to be my friend.

“I’m nuts. I’m kookier than kooky. I’m materialistic. I’m a klutz. I make stupid decisions. I have a big ass. I’m a designer-label whore.” I paused. “By the way, that shirt looks good on you.”
He kept staring at me.
I carried on, “I’ve no idea what I’m doing half the time. I know that high heels are going to ruin my back and my knees one day but I keep wearing them. I don’t limit my carbs. I don’t count calories. I don’t go past six weeks before getting my hair retouched. Ever. Some people take vows of chastity or poverty, I take vows of highlights. I once sold my plasma so I could afford to highlight my hair.”

It turns out that in her quest to save the world, Mathilda has two men by her side, one of which she is prophesied to marry, but we don’t know which. The men have been brought up knowing the prophesies and their possible fate, but it’s all new to Mathilda.



As with most of Kristen Ashley’s books, the men are sexy and alpha, and there is a lot of action. While Mathilda kicks ass, her men are right there to help out. I think it was a bit easier for me to get lost sometimes because it was long at 21 hours (for both books) and with one narrator it’s easier to zone out a bit, especially because this is early KA when her descriptions were very vivid. Aidan and Ash were the two heroes and OMG, I confused the hell out of them! Maybe it’s the two As, but honestly, that was my biggest issue with the book, not so much the journal entry format.

“Anyone shoot at you today?” Althea asked as I approached. “Not yet,” I answered. And she cackled. Crazy old coot. “The day is young,” she said. Great. Not something you want to hear from someone who sees the future.

The second book was a straight continuation of the first, and you would never notice that they are written like 11 years apart.

“Do you know what you’re doing?”
I gave my stock answer, “I never know what I’m doing.”

Likes:

•Despite it being a different format and fantasy/paranormal, The Mathilda books very much felt like Kristen Ashley.
•I loved Mathilda and want to be her friend, even when she got on my nerves.
•I love that she was older.
•As someone who grew up with I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched as my favorite shows, I loved the magic stuff.
•I was never quite sure who she would be with during the first book, which was fun, but it was nice that we found out early in the second book.
•It was fun and action-filled.
•So many different creatures! What a great imagination.
•Book two felt a little more like regular KA, but they were really pretty seamless.

Dislikes:

•There was a LOT going on and listening to it made it a little harder to follow.
•Aidan and Ash both being A names had me confusing them all the time. Again, the visual reminders you get when reading vs. listening didn’t help.
•The overuse of words like “Ack! (and “Ackity Ack Ack”), “Yikes”, “Gah”, and “Yay”.
•She was a little too immature for 34, going to her “Princess Fortress”, and even worse, she slut shamed herself.

The Narration:
Susannah Jones is synonymous with Kristen Ashley to me, and I love how she does a Kristen Ashley kooky character. Still, listening to one voice for 21 hours had me zoning out at times.

The Down & Dirty:
If you are a Kristen Ashley fan and have loved her fantasy books, give the Mathilda duet a try. If you liked Fast Lane, you will find Mathilda easy to follow and read because they’re told in a different way as well. I love that Kristen Ashley has told so many different types of stories, in so many different storytelling styles, and they all still have that Rock Chick/Kristen Ashley kooky, fun feel. Mathilda was no exception. I expected less based on things I had heard over the years, and I was very pleasantly surprised by this duet. Maybe it’s because she re-edited it, maybe because part two is finally out, but I enjoyed the Mathilda Book of Shadows duet very much and I’m glad I finally took the time to listen!

Rating: 4 Stars, 3.5 Flame, 4.5 Narration

Purchase Mathilda, SuperWitch (Mathilda's Book of Shadows 1) by Kristen Ashley
(affiliate links)

Purchase The Rise of the Dark Lord: Mathilda, SuperWitch, Book 2 by Kristen Ashley

See my Complete Guide to Kristen Ashley


Visit anasattic.com for daily sales, freebies, reviews and recommendations.

[Heidi Dover · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only meh, had to force myself to finish. Just did not like being in the female MC's head. Plus, ugh, so annoying. She's supposed ot be the end all, be all of super magic powers, but she did nothing. Brought all the supernatural beings together? I guess so, but mostly because she was so amazing and attractive to every male being. So, I guess forget her natural power and ability as long as she is attractive, desirable, and fashionable? Shallow much? Not really the moral, lesson, or feeling I wanted to be left with. Note to self: read Ilona Andrews for a great, capable, smart, strong, powerful, reasonable female leads.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a good job.

[Gaia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

Matty is so childish and soooo superficial at times that it's not even funny. Wich makes the character hard to stand, even if you love her.

[Selenity Jade (Coffee Addicts Book Reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook edit: While I LOVE this author, this series is not my favorite. Still, this was a fun listen!

I wasn't a fan of the journal storytelling, but I do love that Kristen Ashley is willing to branch out and do different things.

I wasn't a fan of the love triangle in the first book, but it seemed to resolve a bit quickly in the beginning of this one so it seemed like it was rushed to pick. (And the one who lost Mathilda got over it quite quickly. Hmm.) So that part wasn't good storytelling.

The plot was interesting. I loved Ash. Even Mathilda was great. But the journal story is just not my thing and the rapid change of plot points immediately at the beginning of the book made the 1st book pointless.

This is probably one series I won't reread. Except for one listen in audio.

[Trish R. Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

** before going further, please note that I might have hint some spoilers so be forewarned **

I don't bloody care if others think this book is hot mess, I enjoyed the heck out of this hot mess! Do I think KA's writing was all over the place? Yes but, do remember this was written as a Mathilda's journal and she's one hot mess and kooky with a liberal dose of ditzy. So, KA's writing style was totally on point with Mathilda's character.

Mathilda is annoying, that I will concede and there were times where I want to wring her neck but I adore her at the same time. She also rose to the occasion and kick ass, plus the last showdown of her and the Dark Lord was entertaining, I gobbled every sentence. Also, Ash ... oh my Ash is just wonderful *dreamy swoony sigh* He is certainly on my top KA's Book Boyfriend List.

Book 2 wraps up Mathilda's story but I see so many potential for KA to continue writing and expanding this universe. I do hope KA will pick up on Mathilda's future Spellbounds but focusing more on the Spellbounds with Mathilda and Ash being in the background. Also I think there's a hint about Fane and love potions ...... *big grin*

The thing is if we ever do get any spinoff, I sure hope it wont take KA another 10 years to write them.

[Lauren at Live Read and Breathe Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Quirky Stars!

Source: Kindle
Genre: Paranormal/Supernatural Romance
Part 2 of 2

My Mathilda, SuperWitch: The Rise of the Dark Lord Review . . .

This book begins a month later from the Book of Shadows, but the way the books are set up with each chapter being a month in her journal it makes sense.

She still hasn't made a choice between the men and now her issue with the other world has grown, which makes the end the world a possibility if they don't fix it.

As the story unfolds you realize there are many chess pieces in this mystery that she has to play, and with each piece we find out more information from either a character or how it pertains to the suspense.

I was immensely happy while reading this and watching Mathilda find her way. She's kick ass in her own quirky way and I loved whom she ends up with. I love that she's super stubborn yet rational when needs to be.

The suspense was great and I adored every part of this fun story.

[Karen Ditsch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just really disliked everything about this book. The heroine was annoying and there was way more talking about her being powerful than anything showing it. For the first ten percent of the book I felt like I was reading a live action role-playing handbook that explains all of the complicated rules of this world.

[Pboswell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I knew this wasn't going to be my cup of tea. But it's the quarantine and I'm desperate to read.

[Tee Cee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a continuation of "Book of Shadows" so almost everything applies. Mathilda, the main character and narrator, is immature and one of those who are in awe as to how funny and entertaining they are when they recount a tale. Again (still?) the narrative is fun and intriguing enough for one to restrain one's self from smacking Mathilda and moving on with the story. The audiobook reader (Susannah Jones) is absolutely brilliant throughout. Bottom line, this is not a Harry Potter level book for appeal but, I believe, worth the time and effort for an enjoyable read.

I noticed the ratings are a little higher for this book than for Book 1. I thought this volume was a bit better as well but I am forced to wonder if that's because we readers got used to the annoying things so they faded into the background as a dull noise (like adjusting to an accent or iambic pentameter).

[Sami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Mathilda has found out which of the men she was destined to be with, but not without drama of course. She is on a mission of self discovery as a witch and how to listen to those she is trying to align with (witches, vampires, faeries, etc) and take their opinions and feelings into account without just deciding for everyone what she wants is the only option. And of course there's the facts that while uniting everyone she obviously has to look fabulous 😊.

In the end Agatha Darling seals her own fate when the creature she created turns on her, she should have listened to Mathilda when they had their sit down at the Ritz.

The battle for their lives isn't without a few loses and some bumps and bruises but what else would you expect when the fate of the world is on the line.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute and funny book. It is written in diary entry form which took me a little bit to get used to again. Mathilda, though she is the chosen one, may be the ditziest heroine, IMO, KA has written. Not to say I didn't like her bcs I did. She was just sillier than her other heroines. I dug both Ash and Aidan. I don't know if I liked who Mathilda ended up with. I liked him but I kinda liked the other guy better. There were some things that I didn't remember so I probably should have done a quick skim of the first book before I read this one. But, I still really enjoyed this book.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was a good sequel to the series. I'm bummed that there aren't any further books planned with Mathilda and Ash and the gang, but they saved the world so I guess that's that.

For a book that was written so long after the first one, it went seamlessly with the first. We left off where the first book ended. Mathilda and gang meet with a lot more the supernatural this go around & it was fun to explore some different supernatural creatures. There still isn't much world building, but we do meet some new interesting characters.

Overall a fun, light read that one would expect from KA. Lots of sexy alpha maleness and a heroine that loves her food and her clothes.

[Melinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying that I am a huge Kristen Ashley fan. And this book doesn't change that fact. But by the time I was halfway through the book I was barely even skimming. I just didn't care.
The scenes about the punishment of fairies is what brought it from 3 stars to 2 stars. I might have told people that the book was worth a try, but those scenes were incredibly disturbing. And well written. Which made them even more disturbing. And the rest of the book didn't make it worth that level of discomfort.

[♏Vanessa♏ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Halloween read even if not spooky at all. We get not only witches, but a bunch of other magical paranormal beings, some of which form s@x cults 😳🥵😍 Matilda behaves, often, a bit juvenile but, that with all the banter and the preposterous dialogues make this book very funny. We also get some steam, FINALLY. But, in my opinion, it was a reverse harem missed opportunity here 😜
Susannah Jones narration was outstanding, as always she interprets the characters so well, we get immersed in the story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

A cross between Rock Chicks and the Three series. Matilda is the chosen one who prophecies say will unite the normals and the supernaturals and save that world. Like the Rock chicks she isn’t afraid to speak her mind, or to jump in and save her loved ones, all of this with a keen fashion sense! This is a fun read that makes you want to read more about all of the characters in it.

[Julie Oser · Rating 4 out of 5]

KA = awesome

First of all, it’s KA, so it’s a must read. Secondly, I have been waiting for many years now, to find out the fate of this trio. Have to admit, I was a little surprised and somewhat disappointed when that was resolved so quickly. However, the disappointment I felt didn’t last long. This book felt more like a typical Kristen Ashley book than the 1st. Fun read!

[Debra A. Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World is Safe

Sassy, flighty, funny, Mathilda her zany crew of family,continue to take on a deranged witch Agatha who is trying to gain all power by turning Bligh into the Dark Lord. With trying to strategize for war to save the world, opening a boutique, figuring which guy she is really in love with and writing a cookbook, flying all over the world, you are very entertained

[Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am SO glad I decided to read this one. It made me change my mind about Matty and it is awesome!!! I found that all the chit chat I didn't like was almost absent in this one so cool, AND most importantly she ends up with Ash pretty early on the book so you can see them evolve as a couple and not get mad because she is with both men as I tend to do. So it's really good, the drama and how it all comes out. It's a good one.

[Gskm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mathilda, Ash & Aiden

Mathilda Is as zany as ever and must decide between Ash or Aiden. Lots of drama and excitement, twists and plot turns. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. The style of writing took some getting use to but the story made up for it. I loved Matilda. Ash is my favorite Alpha in the book! No cliffhanger

[Anne Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this series and really, really hope there is more to come , there are so many more deliciously sexy characters to explore , especially Fane and some dark fae ( swooon ) . It was sexy and funny and full of drama ,action , magic and just all round bad assery . Pleeeeease write more .

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I had to reread book 1 first to remind myself of all the details so when I started this book I was really intrigued. It was a seem less transition into this book. It’s full of drama great satire and levity. I loved meeting all the new characters and different supernatural characters. I’m really hoping Ms Ashley Erie’s a spin-off sometime in the future. Awesome book

[Mommy of Three · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...I should start by saying Kristen Ashley is one of my favorite writer EVER. But I’m a bit bummed with this book...because it has soooooo many good potentials...the pace was sooo fast....I need detaaiilllss 😭.

But all in all...do I love the book? It’s Kristen Ashley, so....d’uh! Matty is so funny and her consorte (yup.... that was the word used in this book 😂) is freakin HAWT (self fan).

[Kimberly Mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read almost all of Kristen Ashley's books.

This series is the only one that almosted grated. I don't know if I had read it instead of listening to the audio books that would have made a difference, but it had a little too much of a Valley Girl vibe for my liking. Now if that is your thing, you will utterly love it.

[Juli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually like KA’s heroines a lot. Even if they start out annoying, she redeems them. I kept hoping that would happen here but I never got to the point that I liked Mathilda. She was just too childish, self-involved and shallow. No character development. This book still gets 3 stars because it was pretty funny.

[Dar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, one of the questions was settled without much fanfare, but its’ conclusion wasn’t a shock really. There was lots of fun, lots of heat, lots of mystery, and lots of suspense, as we waited for the big bad to materialize. While that was going on, we got to know vampires, fairies, and humans, and shenanigans galore!

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was worth the wait!

I enjoyed this book. I was saddened to hear of the destruction of a favorite venue of mine. I loved the resolution to this story and am now looking forward to Mack’s book and Fanes book!

[S. Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

You really have to read this carefully as you might get lost in the story I got confused a bit through this.
Took me a while to get into the story but once I did it was a good read.