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The Witch's Key
With three-quarters of a million books sold, Sarra Cannon begins a new "witchy" tale with twists you'll love...After the tragic death of her parents, seventeen-year-old witch, Lenora “Lenny” Thorne, is sure life will never be good again. It’s bad enough when The Witch’s Council sends her to live with her ancient Great-Uncle Martin, a man she hardly knows, but they also expect her to attend the local human high school and pretend to be a normal person.
To her surprise, though, Martin is actually amazing, and her first day at Newcastle High is better than she could have imagined. Maybe there’s a future for her here, after all.
But when one of her new friends goes missing, Lenny is pulled into an investigation that even The Council won’t touch. She’s in way over her head, but the lives of five local teens are on the line. She refuses to just let them die.
With the help of a handsome and mysterious new ally named Kai, Lenny vows to find the girls and bring the demon who kidnapped them to justice. Will she save her friend in time, or will she be the demon’s next target?
Join more than a thousand readers who have already grown to love this fast-paced, young adult paranormal mystery through the author's Live YouTube readings!
To her surprise, though, Martin is actually amazing, and her first day at Newcastle High is better than she could have imagined. Maybe there’s a future for her here, after all.
But when one of her new friends goes missing, Lenny is pulled into an investigation that even The Council won’t touch. She’s in way over her head, but the lives of five local teens are on the line. She refuses to just let them die.
With the help of a handsome and mysterious new ally named Kai, Lenny vows to find the girls and bring the demon who kidnapped them to justice. Will she save her friend in time, or will she be the demon’s next target?
Join more than a thousand readers who have already grown to love this fast-paced, young adult paranormal mystery through the author's Live YouTube readings!
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2020
36 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
May 20, 2020
During her time in quarantine, author Sarra Cannon wrote a new story and shared it with other people stuck at home by doing live daily readings on her YouTube channel. We got to watch the story unfold from a planned novella into a full-length novel as the author’s ideas changed and expanded. It was so much fun to listen to the story being read in the author’s voice as she expressed each character’s actions just as she imagined them in her head. You can still view all of the recorded readings online for free, or if you want to enjoy this in ebook format, you can preorder it on stores like Amazon. The edited and revised ebook will be releasing in a few days on May 19.
This story was a little different than the typical teen witch stories that I’ve read before. First of all, Lenny’s powers work in a unique way: she has a magical key that unlocks her spell cabinet full of herbs and other ingredients she can use to cast spells. There is little that Lenny can do if she doesn’t have the right ingredients prepared and on hand when danger happens. So although she may know how to do several kinds of magic, sometimes she gets caught and has to scramble in an emergency.
Second, while many teen stories in general will have the young character or group of teens going off on their own to save the day (because the adults are dead, don’t care, evil, or otherwise not available), Lenny actually teams up with more experienced witches to help her save her friends. Her Uncle Martin is supportive from the beginning and later more adult characters arrive to join the effort. But this doesn’t make Lenny a secondary character or downplay her own involvement in the final struggle. It was refreshing to see how a young, inexperienced character could get help without sacrificing their agency.
I enjoyed the exciting story and fast-paced action, along with the unique world-building, and I’d love to read more in this world. I think the author might be planning to continue this as a series so I’m looking forward to more about Lenny and Kai.
If you like teen witch stories that take place in small towns and young protagonists who don’t mind letting adults share in the adventure, I highly recommend this book.
This story was a little different than the typical teen witch stories that I’ve read before. First of all, Lenny’s powers work in a unique way: she has a magical key that unlocks her spell cabinet full of herbs and other ingredients she can use to cast spells. There is little that Lenny can do if she doesn’t have the right ingredients prepared and on hand when danger happens. So although she may know how to do several kinds of magic, sometimes she gets caught and has to scramble in an emergency.
Second, while many teen stories in general will have the young character or group of teens going off on their own to save the day (because the adults are dead, don’t care, evil, or otherwise not available), Lenny actually teams up with more experienced witches to help her save her friends. Her Uncle Martin is supportive from the beginning and later more adult characters arrive to join the effort. But this doesn’t make Lenny a secondary character or downplay her own involvement in the final struggle. It was refreshing to see how a young, inexperienced character could get help without sacrificing their agency.
I enjoyed the exciting story and fast-paced action, along with the unique world-building, and I’d love to read more in this world. I think the author might be planning to continue this as a series so I’m looking forward to more about Lenny and Kai.
If you like teen witch stories that take place in small towns and young protagonists who don’t mind letting adults share in the adventure, I highly recommend this book.
June 23, 2022
Congratulations Sarra!!!
I just can't fathom giving this story 5 stars!! It needs infinity stars.
Sarra has an absolutely amazing, perfect and brilliant mind. This story is absolutely wicked. It's brighten my day and night. I'm so very happy that I was able to buy this as an ebook so I can go back and re-read it whenever I want!!
I mostly attended the live shows on YouTube and found the personal reading of this book and Sarra's voice soothing.
A huge thanks to Sarra's family, lil Evie, Andrew and Sarra's amazing husband George!!! I'm sure without these family members we wouldn't have had this story at all for a long time.
Also a huge thanks to Christabelle for her hard work and dedication helping Sarra out with all and any jobs that popped up during this time.
Once again, Congratulations Sarra on a perfect job done!!
Re-Read 20/06/2022
I just can't fathom giving this story 5 stars!! It needs infinity stars.
Sarra has an absolutely amazing, perfect and brilliant mind. This story is absolutely wicked. It's brighten my day and night. I'm so very happy that I was able to buy this as an ebook so I can go back and re-read it whenever I want!!
I mostly attended the live shows on YouTube and found the personal reading of this book and Sarra's voice soothing.
A huge thanks to Sarra's family, lil Evie, Andrew and Sarra's amazing husband George!!! I'm sure without these family members we wouldn't have had this story at all for a long time.
Also a huge thanks to Christabelle for her hard work and dedication helping Sarra out with all and any jobs that popped up during this time.
Once again, Congratulations Sarra on a perfect job done!!
Re-Read 20/06/2022
May 20, 2020
I loved this book. I loved all the characters especially, Lenny and Uncle Martin. It's full of exciting twists and tears at the heartstrings. If you enjoyed Sarra Cannon's Beautiful Demons series then I'm sure you will love this book to. Thank you Sarra for another very enjoyable read.
May 27, 2020
I’m not going to go into a lot of depth in this review because to be honest, this story was nothing special in my opinion. It was all a little too mediocre, and nothing from the world-building (or rather lack of it), to the magic system (soft doesn’t really cover it) to the characterization (which was rather weak and fell flat) was enough to remedy the situation.
It wasn’t anything new, the romance was very predictable and simple, and to be honest, it was forgettable.
By no means was it unreadable, it just didn’t do it for me.
It wasn’t anything new, the romance was very predictable and simple, and to be honest, it was forgettable.
By no means was it unreadable, it just didn’t do it for me.
June 7, 2020
absolutely LOVED IT!!! and I CANNOT wait for book two to release to find out what's going to happen next!! it's so thrilling and exciting! I couldn't stop reading! once you start the story grabs a hold of you and you feel as of you've entered this amazing new world that takes you on this thrill ride of an adventure! with every page you turn you don't know what's going to happen next!
I loved the characters! they're the best!! and so much fun! I look forward to learning more about them! the author did a fantastic job on this book! hands down the best book I've read this year!
I loved the characters! they're the best!! and so much fun! I look forward to learning more about them! the author did a fantastic job on this book! hands down the best book I've read this year!
May 20, 2020
What an amazing story.
A witty, impulsive and slightly naive heroine.
Mysterious, handsome love interest.
A Great Uncle keeping secrets that you just have to learn.
A unique magic system.
And a mystery that you just can't stop reading until you find out how it ends.
Sarra has come up with another wonderful witch story.
A witty, impulsive and slightly naive heroine.
Mysterious, handsome love interest.
A Great Uncle keeping secrets that you just have to learn.
A unique magic system.
And a mystery that you just can't stop reading until you find out how it ends.
Sarra has come up with another wonderful witch story.
February 5, 2021
After reading the first few sentences I was , once again, hooked with one of Sarra Cannon’s characters. She has definitely found her calling and I can’t wait to see what she comes up next.
October 25, 2024
This was my first Sarra Cannon book. I really enjoyed the writing style and the story itself. I can’t wait to read more of her books!
May 23, 2020
Love this community read experience on YouTube & the edits & updates in the written. Sarra Cannon is a favorite- highly recommend following her YouTube accounts (both)!!!!
October 27, 2020
Rating Clarification: 2.75 Stars
A young witch, a strange boy, and a mystery of missing girls.
A younger me would’ve loved this book. It’s got magic, romance, crime-solving, and paranormal creatures. In fact, I think YA Paranormal is making a comeback! Which I think is great.
While a younger me would’ve loved The Witch’s Key, adult me just wanted more. And that’s okay.
I love Sarra Cannon as a person, and her YouTube channel is such a great source of information for writers, planners, and the like. Her channel really is amazing. I wanted to support her by buying her new book, and I’m so glad I did, even if the book itself just didn’t really pique my interest like I hoped.
The story itself was told well, and I think Sarra is a great writer. It hit all the points and flowed smoothly, but I think the age range itself just wasn’t for me. I think I’ve moved past YA Paranormal, to be honest, and while I’m kind of sad about it (goodbye to an era of my life I adored!) it’s okay.
This isn’t a bad book by no means, and I think a younger me would’ve absolutely loved it! I recommend this for YA Paranormal fans and teens who love Witchy feels and sleuthing around with mysterious boys.
A young witch, a strange boy, and a mystery of missing girls.
A younger me would’ve loved this book. It’s got magic, romance, crime-solving, and paranormal creatures. In fact, I think YA Paranormal is making a comeback! Which I think is great.
While a younger me would’ve loved The Witch’s Key, adult me just wanted more. And that’s okay.
I love Sarra Cannon as a person, and her YouTube channel is such a great source of information for writers, planners, and the like. Her channel really is amazing. I wanted to support her by buying her new book, and I’m so glad I did, even if the book itself just didn’t really pique my interest like I hoped.
The story itself was told well, and I think Sarra is a great writer. It hit all the points and flowed smoothly, but I think the age range itself just wasn’t for me. I think I’ve moved past YA Paranormal, to be honest, and while I’m kind of sad about it (goodbye to an era of my life I adored!) it’s okay.
This isn’t a bad book by no means, and I think a younger me would’ve absolutely loved it! I recommend this for YA Paranormal fans and teens who love Witchy feels and sleuthing around with mysterious boys.
April 4, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! After slogging through the last book I read, this one was a breath of fresh air (in spite of the stench of the demon!). Lenny (Lenora), a newly orphaned witch, is sent to live with her ancient great-uncle Martin in his huge, old, spooky house and, to add to her horror, she is being forced to attend regular high school, with normal teenagers! Her growth--in her relations with others, in her powers, and in her control of her emotions and reactions--is accelerated as girls go missing and she feels the need to DO something. She also experiences her first crush on a mysterious boy who seems to feel the need to protect her, without her knowing why. It's a roller coaster of a story and I really enjoyed the ride (and the characters).
I'm an older adult who truly enjoys reading clean YA fantasy and this one definitely fits that description. I highly recommend it.
I'm an older adult who truly enjoys reading clean YA fantasy and this one definitely fits that description. I highly recommend it.
February 5, 2024
I received a copy of this book from the Action Fantasy Book Club.
I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down. It’s fair to say that I have found an author whose work I have really enjoyed reading and look forward to reading more.
Having to start a new High School in your final year must be tough enough but when you have to do it because you have just lost your parents is unimaginable. This is what has happened to the main character, Lenora also known as Lenny. Added to all that she is sent to live with her Great Uncle who she hardly knows and I can’t begin to imagine how awkward I would feel.
The characters are well written and places and actions well described so that I could really picture what was happening.
This is book one and I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Bring on book two.
I loved this book and I couldn’t put it down. It’s fair to say that I have found an author whose work I have really enjoyed reading and look forward to reading more.
Having to start a new High School in your final year must be tough enough but when you have to do it because you have just lost your parents is unimaginable. This is what has happened to the main character, Lenora also known as Lenny. Added to all that she is sent to live with her Great Uncle who she hardly knows and I can’t begin to imagine how awkward I would feel.
The characters are well written and places and actions well described so that I could really picture what was happening.
This is book one and I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Bring on book two.
June 17, 2020
Wowzer, this book was so good! I have to confess that although I do have this ebook on my KOBO, I've only listened to the author, Sarra Cannon, read the rough draft of this book on her YouTube channel. I very much enjoyed listening to her read her story.
I never thought I liked Paranormal Fantasy Books, but let me tell you, I was immediately hooked to this story right from the start. I've even gone and bought five more ebooks from this author! Five stars all the way. I really liked the characters and they were very relatable. The writing was spot on, even in her rough draft. The atmosphere was amazing and the intrigue in this story was outstanding. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the final copy of the ebook soon. Way to go, Sarra!
I never thought I liked Paranormal Fantasy Books, but let me tell you, I was immediately hooked to this story right from the start. I've even gone and bought five more ebooks from this author! Five stars all the way. I really liked the characters and they were very relatable. The writing was spot on, even in her rough draft. The atmosphere was amazing and the intrigue in this story was outstanding. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the final copy of the ebook soon. Way to go, Sarra!
August 5, 2020
The book has a lot of surprises in store and it is quite decent. If i began listing the pros and cons of the book than i would say:
CONS- the writing was bad
-the protagonist was too reckless and never seemed to learn from her mistakes.(its
not even realistic anymore)
-though it's quite clear that it was supposed to have romance it was barely there.
PROS-the plot and twists were good
-it had it's fair share of mysteries (good ones)
-the fight scenes were fairly good
AND may i just point out that i would love to have a spell that made my hair not so unruly
CONS- the writing was bad
-the protagonist was too reckless and never seemed to learn from her mistakes.(its
not even realistic anymore)
-though it's quite clear that it was supposed to have romance it was barely there.
PROS-the plot and twists were good
-it had it's fair share of mysteries (good ones)
-the fight scenes were fairly good
AND may i just point out that i would love to have a spell that made my hair not so unruly
January 12, 2021
This first book in The Witch's Key series is a magical YA fantasy story of a young witch determined to help in a paranormal rescue, and battle the dark forces around her before she's quite skilled enough to hold her own.
I don't often read YA novels anymore, but I sure love great books about witches. So, now I'm thrilled to continue reading every single witchy book by author Sarra Cannon!
The Witch's Key is suspenseful, emotional and of course has Sarra's exciting signature cliff hangers.
I loved every minute of reading this book, while gasping and chewing my fingernails the whole way.
Bring on the next books in the Witch's Key series!
I don't often read YA novels anymore, but I sure love great books about witches. So, now I'm thrilled to continue reading every single witchy book by author Sarra Cannon!
The Witch's Key is suspenseful, emotional and of course has Sarra's exciting signature cliff hangers.
I loved every minute of reading this book, while gasping and chewing my fingernails the whole way.
Bring on the next books in the Witch's Key series!
May 22, 2020
This story started out as live reading on YouTube. I'm not the audio type so I read the raw draft version on her website. I don't know how much has changed in the official book but for the manuscript I must say there are way worse fully edited and published books out there!
Sarra Cannon's writing is very engaging, has likable characters and a good pace. As the nature of this story was to be a quick write, lots of things happen quickly/insta (friendship & love). But there is a lot of potential and I'm glad to hear the author plans on writing more in this universe.
Sarra Cannon's writing is very engaging, has likable characters and a good pace. As the nature of this story was to be a quick write, lots of things happen quickly/insta (friendship & love). But there is a lot of potential and I'm glad to hear the author plans on writing more in this universe.
December 7, 2020
I like the key magic method, it's very different than pointing your finger and making something happen. I did think the relationship between Lenny and Kai moved a little fast, but they had me smiling most of the time. The twist and turns in the story were perfect. I didn't expect some of that to happen. I didn't have any problems with the character's. I would have to say my favorite character would have to be Uncle Martin. His knowledge could teach a lot, I just wonder how old he really is! All in all I really enjoyed and liked this book. Can't wait for the second one next year.
January 28, 2021
this is just the cutest and amazing YA magical story with a touch of romance in it as well.
It is well plotted, fast paced, and, wow, Sarra Cannon does love her cliffhangers.
I read this book through the youtube installments where the author read each chapter over a couple of weeks when we globally were all in lockdown.
It was and is best entertainment ever. So kind and exciting and heroine, that I am sure will grow quite a bit in the next book, that most likely will come out this year, in 2021.
It is well plotted, fast paced, and, wow, Sarra Cannon does love her cliffhangers.
I read this book through the youtube installments where the author read each chapter over a couple of weeks when we globally were all in lockdown.
It was and is best entertainment ever. So kind and exciting and heroine, that I am sure will grow quite a bit in the next book, that most likely will come out this year, in 2021.
February 28, 2024
The reader will absolutely fall into this story, but not quite as quickly and completely as Lenny (Lenora). She is pulled in with more speed than can be imagined. Impulsive - surely, determined - beyond the shadow of a doubt, committed - you know it; these are just some of the drivers that lead her to search for her friends and the truth behind their disappearance.
She's a witch and she knows it, always has. Now it's time to accelerate her learning and become a part of the team needing to take this demon down.
She's a witch and she knows it, always has. Now it's time to accelerate her learning and become a part of the team needing to take this demon down.
June 28, 2021
This is the first book in a new series by Sarra cannon. This book follows a witch named Lenora, whose parents died just before the start of the book. She lives with her uncle Martin and she finds out that some girls have died in her new town of Newcastle. So when she sees another supernatural being in their school, she teams up with him and tries to solve the case. I liked this book, the twist was enjoyable. As always, Sara's writing is amazing
February 1, 2022
It's the first book of what we expect to be a trilogy.
It relates the adventures of Lenny, Lenora, a young witch in a new town where she needs to face and solve the misterious desapearance of her friends.
it's an amazing and entertaining YA book that I really enjoyed. The author, Sarra Canon wrote it during the cuarantine in 2020 an was reading it live on her youtube channel. This made all of her fans able to go and enjoy some time with her on the screen.
Highly recomended
It relates the adventures of Lenny, Lenora, a young witch in a new town where she needs to face and solve the misterious desapearance of her friends.
it's an amazing and entertaining YA book that I really enjoyed. The author, Sarra Canon wrote it during the cuarantine in 2020 an was reading it live on her youtube channel. This made all of her fans able to go and enjoy some time with her on the screen.
Highly recomended
October 19, 2022
I’ve been a long time fan of Sarra as an authortuber and writing teacher, but this is the first time my TBR list has given me a chance to read one of her novels. I was not disappointed. The Witch’s Key is a fun easy YA urban fantasy. It has all the tropes you want and keeps you intrigued. I will be reading all Sara’s books as time allows. She is a good person whom has been through some stuff. That empathy shows on the page.
May 16, 2023
Listened to the author read this from 3 years ago. So good. The cliff hangers were UGH!!!!! Can't wait to get a paper copy.
The book follows Lynnie as she starts at a new school after watching her parents' untimely deaths. As her friends begin to disappear, she discovers exactly who she is and what she is meant to do.
The book follows Lynnie as she starts at a new school after watching her parents' untimely deaths. As her friends begin to disappear, she discovers exactly who she is and what she is meant to do.
May 22, 2020
I've watched Sarra's live videos where she read this story and I've loved it so much that I bought the ebook and now I'm re-reading it as if it's the first time I've heard about Lenny's story! Love it!
May 24, 2020
Brilliant!!
Love this concept of live readings online then publishing the book.
Amazing storyline, Kai & Lenny’s story is full of emotions, ups and downs!
Loved every chapter.
Cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Recommend to all
Love this concept of live readings online then publishing the book.
Amazing storyline, Kai & Lenny’s story is full of emotions, ups and downs!
Loved every chapter.
Cannot wait to read the next book in this series.
Recommend to all
May 27, 2020
I listened to the author read the rough draft of this book on her YouTube channel as she wrote it. I purchased it when it was revised, edited, & published. It was great before, but the changes she made have deepened the characters & story. I really enjoyed reading it.
June 30, 2020
Really liked this book. I followed on YouTube and listened chapter by chapter as Sarra Cannon wrote and than read the book. Really enjoyed reading the edited copy with all the slight nuance changes.
October 24, 2021
Fun, witchy story, just what I was looking for. Smart and fast-paced. Really appreciate how the story and character are grounded in what it could feel like to be a witch in a witch family. Strong female protagonist.
June 2, 2020
Amazingly interesting, and inspirational. I've had a wonderful time reading this book.
Perfect! I want more! <3
Perfect! I want more! <3
June 25, 2020
This book is so much fun to read! The characters are magical, the plot is full of excitement. The author spent time reading it live each week while she was drafting her story <3
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews