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Something Wicked
A breakup and a car accident are no way to start your seventeenth birthday.
For Theo Montgomery, that is exactly how it began. Her bad luck turns worse when she returns home from a school dance to find her house on fire--with her parents still inside.
Following their deaths, Theo is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. If a new home and a new school aren’t enough to deal with, Theo discovers her aunt has a secret: she is a witch. And so is Theo.
Theo must learn keep her magic in check, lest the Town’s notorious witch hunters discover that magic has returned to the world after more than three hundred years. But how can she navigate a new school, new magical powers and avoid the witch hunters, when she finds herself enjoying the company of one?
Trystan de Lancre is a dangerous witch hunter, but that doesn’t keep Theo from wanting to discover more about him. Harboring secrets of his own, Trystan isn’t the only perilous force in Salem. Something has returned to the village; something that the witches believed to have been dead and buried long ago.
Salem’s dark past rises to haunt Theo and the present-day witches, unraveling a shocking revelation: the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
For Theo Montgomery, that is exactly how it began. Her bad luck turns worse when she returns home from a school dance to find her house on fire--with her parents still inside.
Following their deaths, Theo is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. If a new home and a new school aren’t enough to deal with, Theo discovers her aunt has a secret: she is a witch. And so is Theo.
Theo must learn keep her magic in check, lest the Town’s notorious witch hunters discover that magic has returned to the world after more than three hundred years. But how can she navigate a new school, new magical powers and avoid the witch hunters, when she finds herself enjoying the company of one?
Trystan de Lancre is a dangerous witch hunter, but that doesn’t keep Theo from wanting to discover more about him. Harboring secrets of his own, Trystan isn’t the only perilous force in Salem. Something has returned to the village; something that the witches believed to have been dead and buried long ago.
Salem’s dark past rises to haunt Theo and the present-day witches, unraveling a shocking revelation: the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
430 pages, Paperback
First published November 26, 2019
4 people are currently reading
438 people want to read
About the author
Nicole M. Rubino
5 books113 followersNicole Rubino is a lover of fantasy, though she loves a steamy contemporary romance for good measure. Monstrous is her debut adult novel, and is the first of a three-book series. Morticia Addams is her role model, and you will often find Nicole belting out the tunes to any Stevie Nicks or Fleetwood Mac song (alas, not well). The mother of four young dragons (children), Nicole manages the beautiful chaos of her home by channeling it into her poor characters instead. Nicole lives in New York with her 100% Aries of a husband and said dragons.
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok: @nic_reads_and_writes
Follow me on Instagram & Tik Tok: @nic_reads_and_writes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 19, 2019
This was such a fun perfect book to read this Halloween month!
Rubino tells such a fun story that I throughly enjoyed. This had a nice fun Sabrina the Teenage witch (the old TV show with Melissa Joan Hart) feel mixed with a little Hocus Pocus.
Theo was such a loveable fun teen that I felt deeply for. The book opens with Theo’s life being torn apart and turned upside down. She finds herself suddenly living with her Aunt full of so many secrets, but who truly seems to love her and want the best for her.
I enjoyed the way that Rubino built up all the different relationships in this story and really created a true trust between them. The unraveling of all the mysteries was done in such a fun way and I had fun piecing all the clues together.
The book ending had me pulling out my hair though. I really need book 2 now!
Rubino is going great places so make sure so check her out. Something Wicked comes out at the end of the month. Just perfect for a great Halloween treat.
Rubino tells such a fun story that I throughly enjoyed. This had a nice fun Sabrina the Teenage witch (the old TV show with Melissa Joan Hart) feel mixed with a little Hocus Pocus.
Theo was such a loveable fun teen that I felt deeply for. The book opens with Theo’s life being torn apart and turned upside down. She finds herself suddenly living with her Aunt full of so many secrets, but who truly seems to love her and want the best for her.
I enjoyed the way that Rubino built up all the different relationships in this story and really created a true trust between them. The unraveling of all the mysteries was done in such a fun way and I had fun piecing all the clues together.
The book ending had me pulling out my hair though. I really need book 2 now!
Rubino is going great places so make sure so check her out. Something Wicked comes out at the end of the month. Just perfect for a great Halloween treat.
December 3, 2019
Love love loved the characters and atmosphere in this book! I want to run off to Salem right now and dive into witch lore. Something Wicked gave off wonderful witchy vibes reminiscent of Practical Magic, Hocus Pocus, American Horror Story...if you like any of those, you'll love this book. Theo is so relatable, and her evil ex is so deliciously hate-able. In fact, I think this is one of the places Something Wicked really shines: the antagonists are just as believable and engaging (in a 'burn them at the stake' kind of way) as the protagonists.
March 10, 2021
I absolutely loved this book, it was so witchy and fantastical and amazing. This would be a great book to read in the month of October but seeing as it was such a great book, I recommend reading it anytime of the year.
This book follows Theodora (but call her Theo) after her parents are killed in a house fire and she moves to Salem to live with her aunt that she didn't know existed. Reeling from her parent's death, recovering from a car accident, and trying to mend her broken heart, Theo starts at a new school and hopes to learn more about her aunt. Then strange things start happening to Theo and only her Aunt Elizabeth can help her understand her newfound powers.
I'm a sucker for books about witches, that has always been a guilty pleasure for me and a topic I love reading about. One thing I loved most about this book in particular was all of the references to the old Salem Witch Trials and the fact that the author actually names people from those days that existed during those times. Not many witchy books include the real names of the people that were accused of witch craft back in the late 1600s and I'm happy that this one did.
I loved the character of Theo the best and how she developed throughout the story. She went through so much between losing her parents, her boyfriend, and having to move to a new city but yet she stays humble and caring. Hazel and her together were one of my favorite best friend duos in books and those two together made me laugh multiple times.
Now let's talk about the romance, the forbidden romance, that was definitely steamy. Trystan and Theo together were like two old souls finding each other. The fact that they were kept apart killed me and I wanted more of those two.
One last small thing I really enjoyed was the small references to other books written throughout. That's another guilty pleasure of mine is when an author mentions certain books or characters in their books, like a book within a book, I love it.
I am now dying in anticipation for the next book in this series as this book left off on a total cliffhanger with someone's life barely floating, literally.
*Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the complimentary copy for my honest review*
This book follows Theodora (but call her Theo) after her parents are killed in a house fire and she moves to Salem to live with her aunt that she didn't know existed. Reeling from her parent's death, recovering from a car accident, and trying to mend her broken heart, Theo starts at a new school and hopes to learn more about her aunt. Then strange things start happening to Theo and only her Aunt Elizabeth can help her understand her newfound powers.
I'm a sucker for books about witches, that has always been a guilty pleasure for me and a topic I love reading about. One thing I loved most about this book in particular was all of the references to the old Salem Witch Trials and the fact that the author actually names people from those days that existed during those times. Not many witchy books include the real names of the people that were accused of witch craft back in the late 1600s and I'm happy that this one did.
I loved the character of Theo the best and how she developed throughout the story. She went through so much between losing her parents, her boyfriend, and having to move to a new city but yet she stays humble and caring. Hazel and her together were one of my favorite best friend duos in books and those two together made me laugh multiple times.
Now let's talk about the romance, the forbidden romance, that was definitely steamy. Trystan and Theo together were like two old souls finding each other. The fact that they were kept apart killed me and I wanted more of those two.
One last small thing I really enjoyed was the small references to other books written throughout. That's another guilty pleasure of mine is when an author mentions certain books or characters in their books, like a book within a book, I love it.
I am now dying in anticipation for the next book in this series as this book left off on a total cliffhanger with someone's life barely floating, literally.
*Thank you so much to the author and NetGalley for the complimentary copy for my honest review*
December 31, 2019
Something Wicked
By Nicole Rubino
?/5
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book and DNF’d at about halfway through. From the length (too long) to the very obvious foreshadowing, I was absolutely bored. I was initially very excited about this book but at almost half way through, I decided to move on because my constantly increasing lack of interest in this title has made me not interested in reading at all. I cleaned my dishes rather than get back to reading it. It’s not wholly irredeemable. It has a very interesting premise. But the main characters were an amalgamation of standard ya tropes, with instalove and problematic relationship behavior (red flags everywhere) that made their relationship and the story dull and lifeless. The plot points are also in line with generic conventions from the tragic backstories to the ever more predictable “twists” that no one could miss because as I mentioned above, the “foreshadowing” was so completely NOT subtle. This book could do very well with a bunch of edits that take out the redundant, filler scenes and cutting out all the extra foreshadowing comments that would actually allow the foreshadowing to work. I think based on the first half of the book, it could be reduced by at least 50 pages but probably more like 25% of the overall work. The majority of the opening with the backstory for Theo could be removed in favor of the actual main story of the book which seems to be the Salem witch trials/instalove fest that isn’t introduced until about a quarter into the book. Basically it’s very rough and reads like a first attempt at ya from someone who is not going to push the generic boundaries. Conventions can be fun and work, but you shouldn’t have to work to want to read them.
By Nicole Rubino
?/5
Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book and DNF’d at about halfway through. From the length (too long) to the very obvious foreshadowing, I was absolutely bored. I was initially very excited about this book but at almost half way through, I decided to move on because my constantly increasing lack of interest in this title has made me not interested in reading at all. I cleaned my dishes rather than get back to reading it. It’s not wholly irredeemable. It has a very interesting premise. But the main characters were an amalgamation of standard ya tropes, with instalove and problematic relationship behavior (red flags everywhere) that made their relationship and the story dull and lifeless. The plot points are also in line with generic conventions from the tragic backstories to the ever more predictable “twists” that no one could miss because as I mentioned above, the “foreshadowing” was so completely NOT subtle. This book could do very well with a bunch of edits that take out the redundant, filler scenes and cutting out all the extra foreshadowing comments that would actually allow the foreshadowing to work. I think based on the first half of the book, it could be reduced by at least 50 pages but probably more like 25% of the overall work. The majority of the opening with the backstory for Theo could be removed in favor of the actual main story of the book which seems to be the Salem witch trials/instalove fest that isn’t introduced until about a quarter into the book. Basically it’s very rough and reads like a first attempt at ya from someone who is not going to push the generic boundaries. Conventions can be fun and work, but you shouldn’t have to work to want to read them.
May 29, 2020
This was absolutely brilliant
Something Wicked follows Theo who moves to Salem after the death of her parents. In Salem she discovers that she is a witch and learns about her heritage while falling in love with sexy broody witch hunter Trystan.
The books is pretty fast paced, it dives straight in to the swing of things and it’s action from the first page. Which is also what it takes to get hooked. I read this in 2 sittings but only because something came up and I couldn’t do it in one. It’s well written and very clearly well researched which is always a plus. I also loved the way magic was portrayed. It wasn’t some huge obstacle to overcome, but simply a matter of connecting with what was already inside you. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is I didn’t have to read the whole ‘she’s trying to learn and failing and then FINALLY succeeds right before the end’ trope. Instead she was told what she needed and she basically just did it. It was very refreshing.
Honestly the only thing stopping me from rating it 5 stars is that there are a few grammatical errors that are difficult to overlook.
This books ended on a cliffhanger and I’m sitting and waiting for book which I would be ALL OVER!
Something Wicked follows Theo who moves to Salem after the death of her parents. In Salem she discovers that she is a witch and learns about her heritage while falling in love with sexy broody witch hunter Trystan.
The books is pretty fast paced, it dives straight in to the swing of things and it’s action from the first page. Which is also what it takes to get hooked. I read this in 2 sittings but only because something came up and I couldn’t do it in one. It’s well written and very clearly well researched which is always a plus. I also loved the way magic was portrayed. It wasn’t some huge obstacle to overcome, but simply a matter of connecting with what was already inside you. I think one of the reasons I enjoyed this so much is I didn’t have to read the whole ‘she’s trying to learn and failing and then FINALLY succeeds right before the end’ trope. Instead she was told what she needed and she basically just did it. It was very refreshing.
Honestly the only thing stopping me from rating it 5 stars is that there are a few grammatical errors that are difficult to overlook.
This books ended on a cliffhanger and I’m sitting and waiting for book which I would be ALL OVER!
October 10, 2019
I received an advance ebook copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, netgalley!
Tl;dr this book was an enjoyable read, and if you were a Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan and/or like the magic system in Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series, I think itll interest you! Torn between 3.5-4 stars, maybe it's like a 3.75, but in the interest of whole numbers (for Goodreads), 4 it is!
Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was probably intended for a slightly younger YA audience - I think 16 or 18-year-old me would have liked it better, but the themes felt nostalgic and the magic system was fairly unique, so I did get pretty engrossed!
The reason I felt it was aimed at younger readers was because it seemed a little "teen angsty", with boy drama seeming to take a more important role than much larger family tragedy. I think if boys had played a slightly smaller role and self-discovery, family, and friendship a larger one, I would have enjoyed it even more!
The love did have the feel of insta-love, but there was also a feel of insta-hate with enemies. I think the first interactions with the Six could've been spread out over a couple of days, and the whole story could probably have happened over a slightly longer time period.
The overall theme and magic system were my favourite. The magic reminded me a bit of Tamora Pierce's, especially the Circle sagas, with the meditation and pulling from elements, but it also still felt unique and I hope to learn more about it! I'm also a sucker for a "Yer a wizard, Harry" or a Sabrina floating over her bed moment, so I loved the build-up to Theo learning she's a witch. I also love the inclusion of the Salem witch trials, and the mention of what it was like to be a woman then (though I think this was placed in a part that brushed it off a little).
The ending wasn't the most unpredictable, but there were a couple things that caught me and left me intrigued for the next book (I assume there is one)!
A couple finer points that may just be my personal opinion:
I find introductions where someone says "my name is x, but my nickname is y" kind of awkward.
"Theo shook her head affirmatively" - nodded? This and a couple other places I unfortunately didn't bookmark seemed just a bit awkward, but that's just editing!
Tl;dr this book was an enjoyable read, and if you were a Sabrina the Teenage Witch fan and/or like the magic system in Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic series, I think itll interest you! Torn between 3.5-4 stars, maybe it's like a 3.75, but in the interest of whole numbers (for Goodreads), 4 it is!
Overall, I enjoyed this book! It was probably intended for a slightly younger YA audience - I think 16 or 18-year-old me would have liked it better, but the themes felt nostalgic and the magic system was fairly unique, so I did get pretty engrossed!
The reason I felt it was aimed at younger readers was because it seemed a little "teen angsty", with boy drama seeming to take a more important role than much larger family tragedy. I think if boys had played a slightly smaller role and self-discovery, family, and friendship a larger one, I would have enjoyed it even more!
The love did have the feel of insta-love, but there was also a feel of insta-hate with enemies. I think the first interactions with the Six could've been spread out over a couple of days, and the whole story could probably have happened over a slightly longer time period.
The overall theme and magic system were my favourite. The magic reminded me a bit of Tamora Pierce's, especially the Circle sagas, with the meditation and pulling from elements, but it also still felt unique and I hope to learn more about it! I'm also a sucker for a "Yer a wizard, Harry" or a Sabrina floating over her bed moment, so I loved the build-up to Theo learning she's a witch. I also love the inclusion of the Salem witch trials, and the mention of what it was like to be a woman then (though I think this was placed in a part that brushed it off a little).
The ending wasn't the most unpredictable, but there were a couple things that caught me and left me intrigued for the next book (I assume there is one)!
A couple finer points that may just be my personal opinion:
I find introductions where someone says "my name is x, but my nickname is y" kind of awkward.
"Theo shook her head affirmatively" - nodded? This and a couple other places I unfortunately didn't bookmark seemed just a bit awkward, but that's just editing!
February 4, 2021
Blog
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
If you loved Hocus Pocus, Pratical Magic, and Sabrina The Teenage Witch you will love this book it really gave me the fall/halloween feel right from the very beginning
“Elementals are a group of witches who can control the elements of nature Earth, Air, Fire, and water. From the day an elemental is born, he or she has an affinity toward one element in particular, but elementals can develop the ability to control more then one element.”
I love how the witches have an element or in some cases elements like earth,air, fire and water and that they get there strength from said element. For some reason i kept getting the movie The Covenant vibes they are both pretty similar in a way.
“The three witches are representation of three vesica piscis, the lenses that formed the triquetra: The Protector, The Adversary, and The Confidante. The three witches appear in that order.
I like how the witch who has just come into there power(s) or who doesn’t know how to control there power they have to go through a trail in there own mind and where they are at in there own mind determines element they can control and that it shows who you can trust
Theo and Hazel’s friendship from the beginning was something (we all have that one friend that no matter what life throws at you will always be by your side)
“You dive I dive”
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review
If you loved Hocus Pocus, Pratical Magic, and Sabrina The Teenage Witch you will love this book it really gave me the fall/halloween feel right from the very beginning
“Elementals are a group of witches who can control the elements of nature Earth, Air, Fire, and water. From the day an elemental is born, he or she has an affinity toward one element in particular, but elementals can develop the ability to control more then one element.”
I love how the witches have an element or in some cases elements like earth,air, fire and water and that they get there strength from said element. For some reason i kept getting the movie The Covenant vibes they are both pretty similar in a way.
“The three witches are representation of three vesica piscis, the lenses that formed the triquetra: The Protector, The Adversary, and The Confidante. The three witches appear in that order.
I like how the witch who has just come into there power(s) or who doesn’t know how to control there power they have to go through a trail in there own mind and where they are at in there own mind determines element they can control and that it shows who you can trust
Theo and Hazel’s friendship from the beginning was something (we all have that one friend that no matter what life throws at you will always be by your side)
“You dive I dive”
The quotes above were taken from an ARC and are subject to change upon publication.
November 3, 2019
The story starts with Theo, who lives in Sleepy Hollow, breaking up with her boyfriend Tali, being in a car accident and losing her parents in a house fire ... Happy Seventeenth Birthday! At her parents funeral she finds out she has an aunt, Elizabeth, that she never knew about it and goes to live with her in Salem. She finds out that she's a witch and magic has returned to the world.
Theo tells the story of her getting to grips with her grief and her new powers helped by her mysterious aunt Elizabeth who is also a witch. She makes a new friend Hazel and a new love interest in the shape of Trystan de Lancre, who comes from a long line of witch hunters. Added to this there is a different spin to the Salem Witch Trials and also the wicked element ... which I'm not going to tell you about, you'll have to read the book .... wicked, I know haha!
This was a great read, you don't have to be a teenager you just have to like reading fantasy, which I do. The characters were all well written and yes parts of the storyline might be a bit predictable you know "instant love" but for me it's all part and parcel of a good read. To begin with I got a 'Beautiful Creatures' vibe to it but by the end of the book the story was definitely it's own. It left on a little cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to reading the second book to find out the outcome.
Thank you to Netgalley and Magnolia Press for the ARC.
Theo tells the story of her getting to grips with her grief and her new powers helped by her mysterious aunt Elizabeth who is also a witch. She makes a new friend Hazel and a new love interest in the shape of Trystan de Lancre, who comes from a long line of witch hunters. Added to this there is a different spin to the Salem Witch Trials and also the wicked element ... which I'm not going to tell you about, you'll have to read the book .... wicked, I know haha!
This was a great read, you don't have to be a teenager you just have to like reading fantasy, which I do. The characters were all well written and yes parts of the storyline might be a bit predictable you know "instant love" but for me it's all part and parcel of a good read. To begin with I got a 'Beautiful Creatures' vibe to it but by the end of the book the story was definitely it's own. It left on a little cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to reading the second book to find out the outcome.
Thank you to Netgalley and Magnolia Press for the ARC.
October 11, 2019
Something Wicked is an intriguing and fresh blend when it comes to witchcraft and the Salem Witch Trials. The main narrator is Theo who survived a car accident, had her house burned down with her parents inside, recently discovered she has a long lost aunt, and learned that she’s a witch. The other narrator is Trystan who is a witch hunter living with his cold and stoic father after his mother died of cancer when he was younger. The second Theo and Trystan lay eyes on each other, it’s love at first sight. And that would be the reason I lowered the rating. Trystan makes up Theo’s every thought despite Trystan being moody and a jerk to her. He literally grows angry at her over a rune reading, tells her off, and she leaves crying and upset. A few minutes later, Theo is wanting to run to him and apologize for absolutely nothing all in order for him to reenter her life. These two are apparently soulmates, but from Elizabeth’s definition, it does not describe the two. Trystan is too toxic and Theo is too naïve.
The secrets and twists were easy to spot and unfortunately, this ends on a minor cliffhanger with many questions unanswered. I already know what those twists are, but I will read the next installment because though the instant love and moody/broody male lead were cliché, at least the plot was appealing.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.
The secrets and twists were easy to spot and unfortunately, this ends on a minor cliffhanger with many questions unanswered. I already know what those twists are, but I will read the next installment because though the instant love and moody/broody male lead were cliché, at least the plot was appealing.
Thank you NetGalley for an ARC.
October 1, 2019
Happy October! What better way to ring in the spooky season than by reviewing Something Wicked. I don't read much YA, but I had a great time with this one.
A Shadowhunters meets Practical Magic YA adventure, Something Wicked is a delightful take on the question of what really happened at the Salem Witch Trials. Rubino effortlessly blends historical accounts with her fictitious world of modern witches and witch hunters. From angsty love triangles to a glam group of bullies with ancient ties to powerful ancestors, the MC and her friends face extraordinary trials with just the right amount of magical realism to make the story feel alive.
Rubino's characters are not lost in their world of magic and desire, however. They deal with loss and mourning, identity and transition, and the complex paths of familial relationships--important themes that are so necessary to see in this age group.
On a personal note, I appreciated the nods to Shakespeare and Stephen King (and the touches of French as a French minor), and finished this book in two sittings. A fun read for this month, Something Wicked is a great addition to the witchy world of YA lit.
A Shadowhunters meets Practical Magic YA adventure, Something Wicked is a delightful take on the question of what really happened at the Salem Witch Trials. Rubino effortlessly blends historical accounts with her fictitious world of modern witches and witch hunters. From angsty love triangles to a glam group of bullies with ancient ties to powerful ancestors, the MC and her friends face extraordinary trials with just the right amount of magical realism to make the story feel alive.
Rubino's characters are not lost in their world of magic and desire, however. They deal with loss and mourning, identity and transition, and the complex paths of familial relationships--important themes that are so necessary to see in this age group.
On a personal note, I appreciated the nods to Shakespeare and Stephen King (and the touches of French as a French minor), and finished this book in two sittings. A fun read for this month, Something Wicked is a great addition to the witchy world of YA lit.
September 29, 2019
Something wicked this way comes...
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Finished this great, witchy eARC today and fell under it's spell because of Nicole Rubino's beautiful writing and great characters.
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At first, I thought it would turn out as just another teen-girl-with-great-powers novel but the story started to get really entertaining, witty and even somewhat sensual as soon as Trystan der Lancre made his entrance - and in an old fashioned bookstore no less! 🖤
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Rubino clearly knows how to write teenage romance and intriguing characters. I also loved the witchy twist and that she captured the town of Salem in a way that makes you want to visit it and roam it's historically beautiful streets. The deep friendship between the two 'weird' girls of the school is also endearing and life goals.
.
Something Wicked ends in a way that makes it clear that book two will take on some of the mysteries left unsolved and one of the main characters' life on the brink of death.
Can't wait for the story to continue and learn more about everyone's past!
.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting my wish.
.
Finished this great, witchy eARC today and fell under it's spell because of Nicole Rubino's beautiful writing and great characters.
.
At first, I thought it would turn out as just another teen-girl-with-great-powers novel but the story started to get really entertaining, witty and even somewhat sensual as soon as Trystan der Lancre made his entrance - and in an old fashioned bookstore no less! 🖤
.
Rubino clearly knows how to write teenage romance and intriguing characters. I also loved the witchy twist and that she captured the town of Salem in a way that makes you want to visit it and roam it's historically beautiful streets. The deep friendship between the two 'weird' girls of the school is also endearing and life goals.
.
Something Wicked ends in a way that makes it clear that book two will take on some of the mysteries left unsolved and one of the main characters' life on the brink of death.
Can't wait for the story to continue and learn more about everyone's past!
.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for granting my wish.
Read
December 8, 2019Where did I stop reading? 22% in
Why? The fact that it was set in Salem drew me in only to find out that they were just getting to Salem by the time I stopped reading. I really wanted to push through, but I couldn’t. There’s just a lot of VERY PECULIAR THINGS happening all the time that’s less foreshadowing and more hit by a dump truck-shadowing. Not subtle at all. The dialogue and interactions were all stilted and a lot of random things coming out of the woodwork and happening to the protagonist when we don’t know enough about her to care. It was just all around very mediocre to the point where I couldn’t set what I wasn’t liking aside to enjoy what could have been a fun story because there was just too much of it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Why? The fact that it was set in Salem drew me in only to find out that they were just getting to Salem by the time I stopped reading. I really wanted to push through, but I couldn’t. There’s just a lot of VERY PECULIAR THINGS happening all the time that’s less foreshadowing and more hit by a dump truck-shadowing. Not subtle at all. The dialogue and interactions were all stilted and a lot of random things coming out of the woodwork and happening to the protagonist when we don’t know enough about her to care. It was just all around very mediocre to the point where I couldn’t set what I wasn’t liking aside to enjoy what could have been a fun story because there was just too much of it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 2, 2019
A new witchcraft series that’s perfect for fans of Melissa de la Cruz’s Blue Bloods. Rich old families, secrets, steamy kisses, and bad boy ex boyfriends.
Theo thinks she’s a normal girl that’s just been dumped by her boyfriend, Tali, during a car accident. But after her parents are burned to death in a house fire, she realizes that there’s something sinister going on. An aunt whom she’s never heard of brings her to live in Salem, the home of the infamous witch trails. And where, old witch hunting families still reside.
Theo must discover the secrets of her own life and those around her before history repeats itself.
Theo thinks she’s a normal girl that’s just been dumped by her boyfriend, Tali, during a car accident. But after her parents are burned to death in a house fire, she realizes that there’s something sinister going on. An aunt whom she’s never heard of brings her to live in Salem, the home of the infamous witch trails. And where, old witch hunting families still reside.
Theo must discover the secrets of her own life and those around her before history repeats itself.
March 31, 2020
DISCLAIMER: I did not get this book from the author for exchange of a review. This is an honest review and my opinion only. I hope the prospective reader will read this review fully before making any prejudgments on the book. I will give the book my thoughts, good and bad. Also, this review contains opinions that are my own and not the author’s. My thoughts will be different from your thoughts and just know that before reading the book. Lower in the review, I will talk about disclaimers in the book as well that you should read before opening the book.
Our story begins with young Theo. It is her seventeenth birthday and she is ready to go. Suddenly, the rug is pulled out from underneath her. A car accident, a betrayal, and a fire took her whole life away from her. She is shipped off to her aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. Theo finds out her aunt is a witch and so is she. Now, she is thrown into an incredible world or witches and witch hunters. Also, a dangerous enemy is charging towards them. Who will come out on top? Will Theo have to team up with the person she is supposed to hate the most?
The summary of the book really brings you in, but I also think it is important to talk about the location the story takes place in. There are certain books that have places that are incredible for the story. In this case, the story taking place is Salem really does drive it. I have to say that it is the perfect place to set a story. I found myself entranced in the story much more because I love where it is. I think it also made the story that much more real. I felt immersed in the whole story and it did freak me out at some moments as well. It scared me in the wonderful way.
I always love a story with great character development. I found this story that all the characters grew. There were many twists and turns and I didn’t get lost. Although, I do feel like there are some moments where I felt like I was reading a book and there were moments that tended to go robotic. Some moments took me out of the story because the dialogue seemed to not be what someone would say. Other than that, I loved the characters in the story. I felt myself becoming attached to them. That is a big plus for me.
What is this book like? I think this book has a lot of pluses. I did like the setting. It was mysterious, but at times predictable. I did enjoy reading the book, but there are moments that made me pause a little. For example, I felt as if the plot twists were something that I saw coming from a mile away and it wasn’t surprising. I think that the reveal of the villain wasn’t something that made me gasp. It was revealed too early as well. I felt as if the rest of the book seemed too fade away and it seemed too long. The last few chapters made it seem like the book drags on. The pluses of the story are its uniqueness in some way. I feel like this book is different in a lot of ways than your average supernatural story about teens. This one presented the teenage years in a different way. I feel like it is book is more realistic when it comes to strictness of the guardian. Even though I feel some realism, parts of it seems to get muddy with the parts that take me out of the story completely.
I always like to add a disclaimer to the prospective reader. I have to say, I didn’t find anything in this book that I would find concerning in the matter of intimate scenes or language. There is some use of magic and supernatural moments that go hand in hand with the book. I do not think that anything is necessarily damaging to a younger reader.
My rating: This book I did enjoy, though there were moments I was not a huge fan of. It took me a little while to come up with a rating for this book. I felt like it was 3.25 stars out of 5. For the Goodreads review, I will put the rating at 3 stars. I think the author wrote a story that has so much potential. I just did not like being taken out of the story the way moments did. I also think that the character development was good, but not excellent. I want to be surprised at the end, and while there are questions that can be answered, I wasn’t surprised by the cliffhanger or the villain. The ending also was a little bit slow. I want to read the sequel and give it a chance. I think that there is an incredible chance that the sequel will be amazing. I look forward to seeing what this author has in store next.
I hope this review helps you in making your next book choice. Happy reading!
Nicole M. Rubino
Our story begins with young Theo. It is her seventeenth birthday and she is ready to go. Suddenly, the rug is pulled out from underneath her. A car accident, a betrayal, and a fire took her whole life away from her. She is shipped off to her aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. Theo finds out her aunt is a witch and so is she. Now, she is thrown into an incredible world or witches and witch hunters. Also, a dangerous enemy is charging towards them. Who will come out on top? Will Theo have to team up with the person she is supposed to hate the most?
The summary of the book really brings you in, but I also think it is important to talk about the location the story takes place in. There are certain books that have places that are incredible for the story. In this case, the story taking place is Salem really does drive it. I have to say that it is the perfect place to set a story. I found myself entranced in the story much more because I love where it is. I think it also made the story that much more real. I felt immersed in the whole story and it did freak me out at some moments as well. It scared me in the wonderful way.
I always love a story with great character development. I found this story that all the characters grew. There were many twists and turns and I didn’t get lost. Although, I do feel like there are some moments where I felt like I was reading a book and there were moments that tended to go robotic. Some moments took me out of the story because the dialogue seemed to not be what someone would say. Other than that, I loved the characters in the story. I felt myself becoming attached to them. That is a big plus for me.
What is this book like? I think this book has a lot of pluses. I did like the setting. It was mysterious, but at times predictable. I did enjoy reading the book, but there are moments that made me pause a little. For example, I felt as if the plot twists were something that I saw coming from a mile away and it wasn’t surprising. I think that the reveal of the villain wasn’t something that made me gasp. It was revealed too early as well. I felt as if the rest of the book seemed too fade away and it seemed too long. The last few chapters made it seem like the book drags on. The pluses of the story are its uniqueness in some way. I feel like this book is different in a lot of ways than your average supernatural story about teens. This one presented the teenage years in a different way. I feel like it is book is more realistic when it comes to strictness of the guardian. Even though I feel some realism, parts of it seems to get muddy with the parts that take me out of the story completely.
I always like to add a disclaimer to the prospective reader. I have to say, I didn’t find anything in this book that I would find concerning in the matter of intimate scenes or language. There is some use of magic and supernatural moments that go hand in hand with the book. I do not think that anything is necessarily damaging to a younger reader.
My rating: This book I did enjoy, though there were moments I was not a huge fan of. It took me a little while to come up with a rating for this book. I felt like it was 3.25 stars out of 5. For the Goodreads review, I will put the rating at 3 stars. I think the author wrote a story that has so much potential. I just did not like being taken out of the story the way moments did. I also think that the character development was good, but not excellent. I want to be surprised at the end, and while there are questions that can be answered, I wasn’t surprised by the cliffhanger or the villain. The ending also was a little bit slow. I want to read the sequel and give it a chance. I think that there is an incredible chance that the sequel will be amazing. I look forward to seeing what this author has in store next.
I hope this review helps you in making your next book choice. Happy reading!
Nicole M. Rubino
November 26, 2019
Theodora/Theo had been dating her boyfriend Tali for two years and then he breaks up with her the night of her birthday. Theo said she knows it’s because she had never slept with him. Tali said it’s nothing to do with that. It wasn’t her it was him. Than they were shouting at each other . Theo heard the glass exploding and felt the stabbing of what felt like hundreds of sharp knives piercing her back and arms. The car spun out of control, the last thing she saw was his terrified eyes before her head slammed into the dashboard and everything went black. She had seen Tali for the first time on the first day of her freshman year of HS. There was a darkness around him, despite his golden looks. Than her uneasiness was pushed aside as he walked toward her. As he walked her to class Theo got the sense that he was the type of boy that got everything he wanted when he wanted it. His name was Talisin but he said she could call him Tali. When Theo came to she was in a hospital room quiet bruised from the accident. She also learned Tali had went home without checking on her. The next couple of days she watched but never got a call or text from him. She decided to go to the Harvest Moon dance at her school even though she hadn’t returned to school yet. James met her and walked into the auditorium with her, his hand still on her shoulder and mentioned Tali was there and then she saw tali kissing her “ best friend” Jess. than Tali noticed her and left Jess on the dance floor and headed for Theo. He asked james to pardon them. Tali said” I thought you were staying home.” Theo glared up surprised “What am I doing here?” “ I have a better question what are you doing making out with my best friend?” Then she added “ I guess that’s why you never called to see if I was still alive.” Tali said “ theo go home.” he whispered in her ear “Leave now.” Theo left and on returning home she found her house on fire and her parents were gone. Though no remains were found. Or no explanation for the fire. Jess came to Theo in the aftermath of the fire with wet bloodshot eyes, sobbing and twitching stating they would always be best friends and she would always be there for Theo . Theo accepted her apology, nut no longer felt any sense of affection towards Jess. Jess’s parents Margaret and Kevin offered Theo a place to stay while Theo figured out the logistics of her life. She had no family with the loss of her parents. At first Theo felt nothing at all. Than at her parents funeral Thep felt something again. There was a tightening in her chest, as if her heart was caught in a powerful grip. She felt like crying but tears wouldn’t come. Than Theo saw a very beautiful woman, with l along tawny mane that came to her waist. Her hair glowed underneath her black hat against ber black trench coat, Her face was as smooth as porcelain, free of any kind of aging even though Theo guessed her to be in her mid to late thirties. Her eyes stared straight at Theo. Theo felt like she had been struck by lightning. Theo felt like this woman was no stranger at all. Theo was introduced to the woman at the gathering after the funeral By Jess’s mom. Her name was Elizabeth Miller, she had come from Salem, Massachusetts and was Theo’s aunt. Elizabeth said she was Theo’s legal guardian but would not force her to live with her. She said to be careful of be careful of mirrors than walked out the last doors and disappeared. Elizabeth had left a gift for Theo- it was a bracelet with a slim black cord with a suspending silver pendant. The pendant had three interlocking almond shapes with a central circle. Theo decided to go to her aunt. Even knowing how disappointed Jesse’s parents were and even Jess. Theo had wanted to see Tali one last time even drove to his house but it seemed abandoned. Theo asked jess if she’d seen tali and she said not since the dance he hadn’t even been in school. Than Theo went to Salem and Eliabeth met her at the station. The next day Elizabeth took theo shopping. Theo wanted to go in a bookstore and her aunt said they’d meet at the car as she was going to the bank. Theo met Trystan.
I loved this book until the end. To me it was basically a cliffhanger and I hate them. I loved Trystan and Theo together and how they interacted. I loved the plot and pace. I loved the twists and turns of this book. I haven’t read about any witches in a while and falling for a witch hunter is definitely a different twist. But i did love it. This was a five star review until the end. I would have put this at a 4.25 if I could have. But I still loved the characters and i recommend this.
I loved this book until the end. To me it was basically a cliffhanger and I hate them. I loved Trystan and Theo together and how they interacted. I loved the plot and pace. I loved the twists and turns of this book. I haven’t read about any witches in a while and falling for a witch hunter is definitely a different twist. But i did love it. This was a five star review until the end. I would have put this at a 4.25 if I could have. But I still loved the characters and i recommend this.
Read
November 8, 2020 I would like to thank the author and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book which is the first in the series: "Something Wicked".
I was immediately attracted by the beautiful cover of this book where you can see the pretty Theo in profile with the same logo as on the book of shadows in the Charmed series.
It all begins when we learn that Theo, on his seventeenth birthday, broke up with his boyfriend and had a car accident. It's on this birthday that it all started when she came home from school dance to find her house on fire with her parents in it.
After that she moved to live with her aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. There she discovered that her aunt was a witch and so was she. She is going to have to learn to master her magic because witch hunters might start chasing or even killing them, because they think that since more than three hundred years of absence magic is no longer of this world. How is she going to deal with her new school, her new magic powers and this famous Trystan who is a witch hunter? As for Trystan, it's not the only problem in the city, there's something coming back that the witches thought had been well buried for a long time. The past of Salem is coming back to haunt Theo and the witches. And the true story of the Salem witch trial may be back in the news again.
I immediately hooked on the story that was so captivating, addictive, full of suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters. It makes me want to reread the book in paperback and the sequel afterwards.
I was immediately attracted by the beautiful cover of this book where you can see the pretty Theo in profile with the same logo as on the book of shadows in the Charmed series.
It all begins when we learn that Theo, on his seventeenth birthday, broke up with his boyfriend and had a car accident. It's on this birthday that it all started when she came home from school dance to find her house on fire with her parents in it.
After that she moved to live with her aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. There she discovered that her aunt was a witch and so was she. She is going to have to learn to master her magic because witch hunters might start chasing or even killing them, because they think that since more than three hundred years of absence magic is no longer of this world. How is she going to deal with her new school, her new magic powers and this famous Trystan who is a witch hunter? As for Trystan, it's not the only problem in the city, there's something coming back that the witches thought had been well buried for a long time. The past of Salem is coming back to haunt Theo and the witches. And the true story of the Salem witch trial may be back in the news again.
I immediately hooked on the story that was so captivating, addictive, full of suspense and twists and turns with very endearing characters. It makes me want to reread the book in paperback and the sequel afterwards.
January 26, 2020
I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the author.
The premise is full of intrigue and promise—witches and witch hunters situated in Salem. In ‘Something Wicked’ we follow Theo, a girl who seemingly received bad luck for her seventeenth birthday (bad break-up? Check. Car crash? Check.). After a series of unfortunate events and tragedy, Theo moves to Salem with her aunt.
I was immediately hooked on the premise. I liked the setting of modern-day Salem and the opening scene. I also love stories where someone discovers their powers and true origins. However, despite the that, I found the plot a bit mediocre and predictable at some points with an amalgamation of YA tropes. Furthermore, I felt the foreshadowing to be a little heavy-handed. Whilst there is plenty of drama and action, it was a quick and easy read.
Unfortunately, this book is riddled with common tropes I’m not so fond of (such as girl on girl hate, not like other girls™, etc.) and therefore affected my reading experience. This book wasn’t for me. I feel like this book would be suitable for younger teens, pre-teens, or people who don’t mind such tropes or are new to fantasy. If you’re looking for a quick and easy read and into witches and forbidden romance, this may be for you.
The premise is full of intrigue and promise—witches and witch hunters situated in Salem. In ‘Something Wicked’ we follow Theo, a girl who seemingly received bad luck for her seventeenth birthday (bad break-up? Check. Car crash? Check.). After a series of unfortunate events and tragedy, Theo moves to Salem with her aunt.
I was immediately hooked on the premise. I liked the setting of modern-day Salem and the opening scene. I also love stories where someone discovers their powers and true origins. However, despite the that, I found the plot a bit mediocre and predictable at some points with an amalgamation of YA tropes. Furthermore, I felt the foreshadowing to be a little heavy-handed. Whilst there is plenty of drama and action, it was a quick and easy read.
Unfortunately, this book is riddled with common tropes I’m not so fond of (such as girl on girl hate, not like other girls™, etc.) and therefore affected my reading experience. This book wasn’t for me. I feel like this book would be suitable for younger teens, pre-teens, or people who don’t mind such tropes or are new to fantasy. If you’re looking for a quick and easy read and into witches and forbidden romance, this may be for you.
March 2, 2020
I cannot believe this is Nicole Rubino’s first book because Rubino knocks it out of the park in Something Wicked (9781711028552, 2019) the first book in the “Something Wicked” series.
It has a love quadragle - is that even a word? (laugh) It has bad guys upon bad guys and it all makes sense for them to be bad guys. Then Rubino puts them all in the best place to practice witchcraft: Salem, Massachusetts. I have been there and it made me want to twitch a wand or twinkle my nose.
Wicked has heartache, friendship, betrayal, fight scenes, magic, and family. Rubino takes care with her characters to not make them a one-sided caricature. Some mysteries, we figure out right away because of course we have read these tropes before. Others I did not see coming which was fun and I will be honest the ones I saw coming were fun too.
Theo kind of reminds me of Sabrina from Netflix’s version of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and I love that show. There is not anything I do not like about this book or series so far other than I cannot find when the next book is due out! (laugh)
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
It has a love quadragle - is that even a word? (laugh) It has bad guys upon bad guys and it all makes sense for them to be bad guys. Then Rubino puts them all in the best place to practice witchcraft: Salem, Massachusetts. I have been there and it made me want to twitch a wand or twinkle my nose.
Wicked has heartache, friendship, betrayal, fight scenes, magic, and family. Rubino takes care with her characters to not make them a one-sided caricature. Some mysteries, we figure out right away because of course we have read these tropes before. Others I did not see coming which was fun and I will be honest the ones I saw coming were fun too.
Theo kind of reminds me of Sabrina from Netflix’s version of Sabrina, The Teenage Witch and I love that show. There is not anything I do not like about this book or series so far other than I cannot find when the next book is due out! (laugh)
I received an ARC of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
November 20, 2019
Something Wicked is an interesting take on witches and witch hunters. One day Theo Montgomery is an ordinary teenager dealing with all the usual high school issues. Then, she experiences a breakup with her boyfriend, a car wreck and ultimately an even greater loss. All of these events lead her to move to Salem to live with her mysterious aunt that she never knew.
Throughout the entire story, Theo is trying to understand the events that have happened around her. She feels that she's being targeted but isn't sure who is doing it. The world building in the book was clever. I found the description of elemental witches to be interesting. In addition, the author's twist on what happened in the Salem witch trials also pulled in my attention.
Even though the book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, it was still a satisfying ending ...for now. I look forward to reading more about this world.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Ms. Rubino for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Throughout the entire story, Theo is trying to understand the events that have happened around her. She feels that she's being targeted but isn't sure who is doing it. The world building in the book was clever. I found the description of elemental witches to be interesting. In addition, the author's twist on what happened in the Salem witch trials also pulled in my attention.
Even though the book left off on a bit of a cliffhanger, it was still a satisfying ending ...for now. I look forward to reading more about this world.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Ms. Rubino for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 2, 2019
I received this as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me access.
Whoa. This book was magic. See what I did there? It's like a mash up of both the Sabrina TV shows but with one aunt and a twist to the Salem Witch Trials.
We follow Theo as she deals with a massive tragedy, the loss of her parents, but not all is what it seems. She later finds out that she is a WITCH and has caused things to happen. Did she cause her parents death? You'll definitely have to read it to find out. The answer may shock you.
Theo isn't the only one we follow. We also follow Trystan de Lancre, who we find out is a witch hunter and much more. So naturally there is an instant connection between Theo and Trystan. It's almost Bella Swan meets Edward Cullen instant. Almost.
Not only do we get twists from all the characters, the story made it seem like her aunt is hiding something, and I must know what happens next! Is she THE Elizabeth? I don't know!
I'll be waiting eagerly for the next book to find out.
Whoa. This book was magic. See what I did there? It's like a mash up of both the Sabrina TV shows but with one aunt and a twist to the Salem Witch Trials.
We follow Theo as she deals with a massive tragedy, the loss of her parents, but not all is what it seems. She later finds out that she is a WITCH and has caused things to happen. Did she cause her parents death? You'll definitely have to read it to find out. The answer may shock you.
Theo isn't the only one we follow. We also follow Trystan de Lancre, who we find out is a witch hunter and much more. So naturally there is an instant connection between Theo and Trystan. It's almost Bella Swan meets Edward Cullen instant. Almost.
Not only do we get twists from all the characters, the story made it seem like her aunt is hiding something, and I must know what happens next! Is she THE Elizabeth? I don't know!
I'll be waiting eagerly for the next book to find out.
November 29, 2019
Thank you Netgalley and Nicole Rubino for the chance to read Something wicked. Theo was living an ordinary teenage life when she breaks up with her boyfriend after a car accident. Then her life is turned upside down, when a fire kills hers parents and she moves to Salem to live with her aunt. What else could happen to her....it turns out she is a witch. This was a pretty good YA read. The plot was good and fast paced, it was predictable but enjoyable. One surprise though was something from my childhood; something my siblings and I used to play all the time ... “light as a feather, stiff as a board” was really a witching teaching game! Call me stunned! Looking forward to how the story continues....
August 11, 2020
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book received through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A very enjoyable read! A new series about witchcraft with a main character dealing with heartbreak, loss and a startling discovery about herself. Add in some mystery, a fair bit of forbidden romance and a few interesting characters.
A very enjoyable read! A new series about witchcraft with a main character dealing with heartbreak, loss and a startling discovery about herself. Add in some mystery, a fair bit of forbidden romance and a few interesting characters.
May 15, 2020
This was a decent read and I will read the sequel. However, the ending was a little strange. I feel like it just suddenly ended. It didn't feel like a good cliffhanger. It just stopped. I really enjoyed Trystan as a character though, and Grace made me just as angry as she was probably intended to.
January 5, 2020
DNFing at 35%
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.
I was really excited about this one, as I love reading about witches in both fiction and non fiction. It's been a while since ibwas really excited about a witch based fiction books so when I saw this on netgalley I couldn't wait to read it! Unfortunately I don't think this book is for me.
It started with a series of dramatic events, predictable teen drama that I saw coming a mile off, and an 'I'm not like the other girls' vibe that rubbed me the wrong way, but I know it's really common in YA, so I ignored it and carried on. I'm not in my teens anymore, so there's a lot I let slide in YA as I'm aware that i'm not the target audience. The main character seems to constantly try to prove that she's better and more interesting than every other girl around her, including a whole 'I read Poe' section. This unfortunately carried on, with the 'pretty girls are all horrible cheerleaders' getting a bit too much, and I hate girl vs girl constant competition for male affection, but that's not what really put me off the book.
The whole plot is a series of continuously more and more dramatic events which barely seem to register on Theo's radar. Her parents die, and a lot of horrible things happen to her but she's just totally fine and flirting with a guy within a week of her parents dying in a fire?! She's suddenly got this insanely powerful magic, and is going to learn to control it really easily? Everyone lives in a perfect house, everything is branded, and that's always mentioned. The magic system is also really not what I was expecting. Considering the book is set in Salem I was expecting it to be influenced by real witchcraft, or at least to seem a bit less causing thunderstorms and ominous fires which is what it feels like so far. There's a lot of stuff which seems like foreshadowing but is a bit more 'this is going to happen' than subtle hints and from that I can tell the book is heading in a direction I'm not a fan of.
Also everyone keeps referring to other people with their entire name, even in their own heads or to their children, which was just really distracting to read, and kept pulling me out of the story completely. A lot of the language and descriptive elements in this book read in a really jarring manner, and broke the immersion completely. I get it was trying to put in exposition or but it felt clunky and info dumpy.
This is being given 2 stars as I didn't finish it and maybe it got better? I guess if you knew nothing about magic, witchcraft or maybe if you're in your early teens, this book could be really good, and enjoyable. But I didn't like how much it pitted Theo against almost every female character, it made me really uncomfortable because I would love to see better representation of female interaction. You don't have to hate girls in order to be quirky, cool or get the guy. This review sounds meaner than I wanted to, but it contained a lot of tropes I feel strongly about, and that make me sad. This book will definitely have it's audience and people who will love it, but sadly that isn't me.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an arc of this book.
I was really excited about this one, as I love reading about witches in both fiction and non fiction. It's been a while since ibwas really excited about a witch based fiction books so when I saw this on netgalley I couldn't wait to read it! Unfortunately I don't think this book is for me.
It started with a series of dramatic events, predictable teen drama that I saw coming a mile off, and an 'I'm not like the other girls' vibe that rubbed me the wrong way, but I know it's really common in YA, so I ignored it and carried on. I'm not in my teens anymore, so there's a lot I let slide in YA as I'm aware that i'm not the target audience. The main character seems to constantly try to prove that she's better and more interesting than every other girl around her, including a whole 'I read Poe' section. This unfortunately carried on, with the 'pretty girls are all horrible cheerleaders' getting a bit too much, and I hate girl vs girl constant competition for male affection, but that's not what really put me off the book.
The whole plot is a series of continuously more and more dramatic events which barely seem to register on Theo's radar. Her parents die, and a lot of horrible things happen to her but she's just totally fine and flirting with a guy within a week of her parents dying in a fire?! She's suddenly got this insanely powerful magic, and is going to learn to control it really easily? Everyone lives in a perfect house, everything is branded, and that's always mentioned. The magic system is also really not what I was expecting. Considering the book is set in Salem I was expecting it to be influenced by real witchcraft, or at least to seem a bit less causing thunderstorms and ominous fires which is what it feels like so far. There's a lot of stuff which seems like foreshadowing but is a bit more 'this is going to happen' than subtle hints and from that I can tell the book is heading in a direction I'm not a fan of.
Also everyone keeps referring to other people with their entire name, even in their own heads or to their children, which was just really distracting to read, and kept pulling me out of the story completely. A lot of the language and descriptive elements in this book read in a really jarring manner, and broke the immersion completely. I get it was trying to put in exposition or but it felt clunky and info dumpy.
This is being given 2 stars as I didn't finish it and maybe it got better? I guess if you knew nothing about magic, witchcraft or maybe if you're in your early teens, this book could be really good, and enjoyable. But I didn't like how much it pitted Theo against almost every female character, it made me really uncomfortable because I would love to see better representation of female interaction. You don't have to hate girls in order to be quirky, cool or get the guy. This review sounds meaner than I wanted to, but it contained a lot of tropes I feel strongly about, and that make me sad. This book will definitely have it's audience and people who will love it, but sadly that isn't me.
October 14, 2019
**Review will be posted on my blog on October 16, 2019**
**3.5 Stars**
Thank you to Magnolia Press and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
Something Wicked is about a teenage girl named Theo who has strange things happening to her all the time. First, the accident with her ex-boyfriend, then her parents dying all of a sudden and things happens when she gets angry like windows slam shut. 👀 An aunt she never knew she had offers her a home with her in Salem, Massachusetts and that’s when Theo realizes she’s a witch.
Salem is also home to witch hunters, one being the very handsome, Trystan. It’s a forbidden insta-romance between them since witch hunters and witches getting together is a pretty bad idea. But they can’t fight the attraction happening between them! 🤷🏻♀️
What I enjoyed most about the story was learning about the history of the witches. Most of the book is about Theo learning about her powers. Apparently she’s a rare, powerful Elemental witch, and she easily learns how to use her powers…which is convenient. I thought it came way too easy for her. It is a young adult book so Theo had some teenage angst about finding out the truth about her family and dealing with boy problems.
The character I enjoyed the most is Theo’s aunt Elizabeth because she’s so smart, independent and powerful. She looks out for Elizabeth and helps her grow into being witch.
Trystan’s perspective gave us insight into the witch hunters but I think more of his story will be revealed in the sequel. I thought the history of witch hunters was interesting. Now Trystan is a bit older than Theo who is still in high school. Trystan is a college boy.
A lot of the action is at the end of the book where we get some witch vs. witch fighting. I did lose some interest around the middle of the book because I didn’t quite believe or trust Trystan’s feelings for Theo especially after some truths are revealed, but they seemed to work it out for the most part. Overall it’s a quick read about Salem witches, and witch hunters, infused with a little forbidden love. If you want a witchy read for October, this will definitely hit the spot!
**3.5 Stars**
Thank you to Magnolia Press and NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this eARC.
Something Wicked is about a teenage girl named Theo who has strange things happening to her all the time. First, the accident with her ex-boyfriend, then her parents dying all of a sudden and things happens when she gets angry like windows slam shut. 👀 An aunt she never knew she had offers her a home with her in Salem, Massachusetts and that’s when Theo realizes she’s a witch.
Salem is also home to witch hunters, one being the very handsome, Trystan. It’s a forbidden insta-romance between them since witch hunters and witches getting together is a pretty bad idea. But they can’t fight the attraction happening between them! 🤷🏻♀️
What I enjoyed most about the story was learning about the history of the witches. Most of the book is about Theo learning about her powers. Apparently she’s a rare, powerful Elemental witch, and she easily learns how to use her powers…which is convenient. I thought it came way too easy for her. It is a young adult book so Theo had some teenage angst about finding out the truth about her family and dealing with boy problems.
The character I enjoyed the most is Theo’s aunt Elizabeth because she’s so smart, independent and powerful. She looks out for Elizabeth and helps her grow into being witch.
Trystan’s perspective gave us insight into the witch hunters but I think more of his story will be revealed in the sequel. I thought the history of witch hunters was interesting. Now Trystan is a bit older than Theo who is still in high school. Trystan is a college boy.
A lot of the action is at the end of the book where we get some witch vs. witch fighting. I did lose some interest around the middle of the book because I didn’t quite believe or trust Trystan’s feelings for Theo especially after some truths are revealed, but they seemed to work it out for the most part. Overall it’s a quick read about Salem witches, and witch hunters, infused with a little forbidden love. If you want a witchy read for October, this will definitely hit the spot!
November 26, 2019
A breakup and a car accident are no way to start your seventeenth birthday.
For Theo Montgomery, that is exactly how it began. Her bad luck turns worse when she returns home from a school dance to find her house on fire--with her parents still inside. Following their deaths, Theo is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. If a new home and a new school aren't enough to deal with, Theo discovers her aunt has a secret: she is a witch. And so is Theo.
Theo must learn to keep her magic in check, lest the village's notorious witch hunters discover that magic has returned to the world after more than three hundred years. But how can she navigate a new school, new magical powers, and avoid the witch hunters, when she finds herself enjoying the company of one?
Trystan de Lancre is a dangerous witch hunter, but that doesn't keep Theo from wanting to discover more about him. Harboring secrets of his own, Trystan isn't the only perilous force in Salem. Something has returned to the village; something the witches believed to have been dead and buried long ago.
Salem's dark past rises to haunt Theo and the present-day witches, unraveling a shocking revelation: the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I loved this book. I finished it in a day. It gave me all the Serpent and Dove vibes but with the time period set in modern day. I really like Rubino’s writing style and was immediately pulled into the story. She does a great job at world building. I want to visit Salem even more now!
Yes it has its clichés, but I mean honestly, what book doesn’t? I enjoyed it very much and is every bit of YA as you can get. I keep catching myself thinking about Theo and Trystan and I am so looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the copy in exchange for the honest review.
To the people who are complaining in their reviews about unanswered questions and unresolved issues... Have you never read a series before? Why would the author tie everything up if there are more books to come? Food for thought on that.
For Theo Montgomery, that is exactly how it began. Her bad luck turns worse when she returns home from a school dance to find her house on fire--with her parents still inside. Following their deaths, Theo is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Salem, Massachusetts. If a new home and a new school aren't enough to deal with, Theo discovers her aunt has a secret: she is a witch. And so is Theo.
Theo must learn to keep her magic in check, lest the village's notorious witch hunters discover that magic has returned to the world after more than three hundred years. But how can she navigate a new school, new magical powers, and avoid the witch hunters, when she finds herself enjoying the company of one?
Trystan de Lancre is a dangerous witch hunter, but that doesn't keep Theo from wanting to discover more about him. Harboring secrets of his own, Trystan isn't the only perilous force in Salem. Something has returned to the village; something the witches believed to have been dead and buried long ago.
Salem's dark past rises to haunt Theo and the present-day witches, unraveling a shocking revelation: the real cause of the Salem Witch Trials.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
I loved this book. I finished it in a day. It gave me all the Serpent and Dove vibes but with the time period set in modern day. I really like Rubino’s writing style and was immediately pulled into the story. She does a great job at world building. I want to visit Salem even more now!
Yes it has its clichés, but I mean honestly, what book doesn’t? I enjoyed it very much and is every bit of YA as you can get. I keep catching myself thinking about Theo and Trystan and I am so looking forward to the next book!
Thank you to netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the copy in exchange for the honest review.
To the people who are complaining in their reviews about unanswered questions and unresolved issues... Have you never read a series before? Why would the author tie everything up if there are more books to come? Food for thought on that.
October 6, 2019
I was kindly provided with a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review~
Could there be a more perfect way to begin the month of October than with a spooky tale of witches in Salem?!
Something Wicked is an excellent debut novel and there were so many things I enjoyed! The story follows the protagonist Theo who, after being hit with the tragedy of her parents death, relocates to Salem to live with her peculiar aunt Elizabeth. Everything was so witchy and spooky and really got me in the Halloween spirit and wanting to visit Salem myself.
I loved the magic in this book, I'm sure it's hard trying to put a new spin on the whole elemental magic deal but I think Rubino really made it her own in this one!
I really enjoyed Theo's character and found her reactions to be very authentic. I absolutely loved her friendship with Hazel and her growing relationship with her aunt. The women in this book were real and inspiring which made me feel a bit better about disliking Trystan's character a bit. I just found him to be on the verge of sexist at some points and didn't particular like him. His attitude just felt a big like a regression back to the dark bad boy who doesn't want you but is also super drawn to you. Not that there's anything wrong with this, just not something I find myself enjoying as much anymore I guess.
The writing was very nice and easy to follow but I did feel like some things were spelt out to readers a little too much which became repetitive. Sometimes it's better to let us draw the connections ourselves. Some elements of the plot were a little predictable but this didn't detract from the enjoyment I found in reading!
Overall a fun read and perfect for the Halloween season! 4/5 stars.
Song that vibes with this book: The One That Got Away by The Civil Wars
Favourite Quote: "We wear different clothes, we speak different tones, but the same demons are all still here."
Could there be a more perfect way to begin the month of October than with a spooky tale of witches in Salem?!
Something Wicked is an excellent debut novel and there were so many things I enjoyed! The story follows the protagonist Theo who, after being hit with the tragedy of her parents death, relocates to Salem to live with her peculiar aunt Elizabeth. Everything was so witchy and spooky and really got me in the Halloween spirit and wanting to visit Salem myself.
I loved the magic in this book, I'm sure it's hard trying to put a new spin on the whole elemental magic deal but I think Rubino really made it her own in this one!
I really enjoyed Theo's character and found her reactions to be very authentic. I absolutely loved her friendship with Hazel and her growing relationship with her aunt. The women in this book were real and inspiring which made me feel a bit better about disliking Trystan's character a bit. I just found him to be on the verge of sexist at some points and didn't particular like him. His attitude just felt a big like a regression back to the dark bad boy who doesn't want you but is also super drawn to you. Not that there's anything wrong with this, just not something I find myself enjoying as much anymore I guess.
The writing was very nice and easy to follow but I did feel like some things were spelt out to readers a little too much which became repetitive. Sometimes it's better to let us draw the connections ourselves. Some elements of the plot were a little predictable but this didn't detract from the enjoyment I found in reading!
Overall a fun read and perfect for the Halloween season! 4/5 stars.
Song that vibes with this book: The One That Got Away by The Civil Wars
Favourite Quote: "We wear different clothes, we speak different tones, but the same demons are all still here."
October 13, 2019
I received and e-arc from Netgalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This book only gets two stars from me because I felt as though everything from plot to characters to the magic was so cliche. I mean, the story start d in an interesting enough way, what with the being a car crash and everything but the twist of Theo becoming an orphan and then moving to Salem of all places is a bit far fetched. I also did not like how as soon as Theo moved she didn’t spare a thought for her family. Or sure she gets angry when she discovers the identity of the person who set the fire but other than that she is too focused on enjoying her new friendship and flirtation to think of e everything that she had lost.
Also, I know that this book is intended to be part of a series or trilogy or whatever, but I felt as though the plot ended on a very awkward note. You would have thought that all the major delegations would have been brought up at the end of book one so that they could be processed in book two. Up there were so many threads left dangling. And for what? Anyone with any deductive reasoning skills would have figured out the true identities of a few of the characters a lot sooner.
So yeah, bottom line is that while this is a quick and easy young adult read, it doesn’t have the depth of characterization or plot that I was hoping for. Two stars out of five... maybe even one and a half out of five.
This book only gets two stars from me because I felt as though everything from plot to characters to the magic was so cliche. I mean, the story start d in an interesting enough way, what with the being a car crash and everything but the twist of Theo becoming an orphan and then moving to Salem of all places is a bit far fetched. I also did not like how as soon as Theo moved she didn’t spare a thought for her family. Or sure she gets angry when she discovers the identity of the person who set the fire but other than that she is too focused on enjoying her new friendship and flirtation to think of e everything that she had lost.
Also, I know that this book is intended to be part of a series or trilogy or whatever, but I felt as though the plot ended on a very awkward note. You would have thought that all the major delegations would have been brought up at the end of book one so that they could be processed in book two. Up there were so many threads left dangling. And for what? Anyone with any deductive reasoning skills would have figured out the true identities of a few of the characters a lot sooner.
So yeah, bottom line is that while this is a quick and easy young adult read, it doesn’t have the depth of characterization or plot that I was hoping for. Two stars out of five... maybe even one and a half out of five.
January 12, 2020
🧙🏼♀️ BOOK REVIEW 🧙🏼♀️ Thank you to Netgalley Xpresso Books & Nicole M Rubino for my ecopy of Something Wicked for an honest review.
Oh how I love a good witchcraft story!!! Full of magic, friendship, teenage heartache and loss, it’s a really engaging novel. I really like Theo (MC) and you fall for her character really quickly. The bad guys are BAD but the good guys are better. So many secrets and parts of the storyline left hanging at the end of this first book.
I liked the writing, I loved the detail and the characters but I wasn’t crazy about the changing POVs mid chapter. It’s a fun read and I’ll definitely be picking up the follow on book. Great for an October read for sure! If you want a solid Sabrina meets practical magic storyline for Halloween this is it!
Oh how I love a good witchcraft story!!! Full of magic, friendship, teenage heartache and loss, it’s a really engaging novel. I really like Theo (MC) and you fall for her character really quickly. The bad guys are BAD but the good guys are better. So many secrets and parts of the storyline left hanging at the end of this first book.
I liked the writing, I loved the detail and the characters but I wasn’t crazy about the changing POVs mid chapter. It’s a fun read and I’ll definitely be picking up the follow on book. Great for an October read for sure! If you want a solid Sabrina meets practical magic storyline for Halloween this is it!
October 23, 2019
Something Wicked follows the story of Theo who has lost her parents in a fire, been dumped by her boyfriend and found out that she has a long, lost aunt who has invited her to live with her in Salem, Massachusetts; her life has been turned upside down in such a short period of time and to top it off she finds out that she is a witch which would explain the strange incidences that seem to happen when she is emotional.
I enjoyed Theo's growing friendship with Hazel and her relationship with her quirky aunt. There is also a budding forbidden relationship between Theo and witch hunter Trystan der Lancre; it was insta-love but it was enjoyable none the less and I am looking forward to seeing it progress in the sequel.
I enjoyed the mystery, magic, characters and the authors writing style; it kept me engaged from the very beginning; my biggest gripe though was Theo seemed a bit too accepting of her new life and came into her abilities too easily, I would have preferred a little bit of build-up,
Nicole M. Rubino was able to bring an unique spin on the Salem Witch Trials, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the elemental magic and the historical information about Salem.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Something Wicked.
I enjoyed Theo's growing friendship with Hazel and her relationship with her quirky aunt. There is also a budding forbidden relationship between Theo and witch hunter Trystan der Lancre; it was insta-love but it was enjoyable none the less and I am looking forward to seeing it progress in the sequel.
I enjoyed the mystery, magic, characters and the authors writing style; it kept me engaged from the very beginning; my biggest gripe though was Theo seemed a bit too accepting of her new life and came into her abilities too easily, I would have preferred a little bit of build-up,
Nicole M. Rubino was able to bring an unique spin on the Salem Witch Trials, I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the elemental magic and the historical information about Salem.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review Something Wicked.
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