Magic. Witches. Curses. They Aren't Real. . . Right?
Izzy Beswick is a typical high school senior. Well, except for the incident with Sondra and the fact that Izzy doesn’t remember exactly what happened. Luckily, Izzy and her dad inherit a house from Izzy's Gran-gran in East Gate, Connecticut. The timing seems perfect. Plus, her childhood crush lives in East Gate, so how bad could it be?
Soon after moving, strange things happen, and Izzy learns of rumors surrounding her late relative. Nearly everyone in town believes Gran-gran was a cursed witch, including her new friends: Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo. Eager to find out more about these tales, the three girls insert themselves into Izzy's life, controlling her every move. To make matters worse, her crush is ghosting her. Does he simply not remember her, or does he believe the rumors?
After the girls discover a spellbook, they become mixed up with dangerous forces, proving Izzy is not only a witch, but a witch with a three-century old curse. Willingly, they perform a magical spell that comes with a heavy warning, hoping to undo the curse.
When the spell goes awry and enemies intervene, Izzy must save the people she cares about—including her crush—before it’s too late.
Jamie Lee Fry is the award-winning author of The Bloodline Curse, the first book in the Dark Magic Series. Her work spans multiple genres, including psychological thrillers, young adult fantasy, and festive sweet romance.
When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, Jamie enjoys hiking, stand-up paddleboarding, cross-country skiing, traveling, and consuming questionable amounts of coffee.
She currently resides in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, Jeremy, and their two furry companions, Zaria and Dexter.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow! What an impressive story with a quickly paced plot and intriguing characters. Although there is certainly room for improvement, this was a fun read and I can't wait for the next book. I haven't read any book based on the Salem Witch Trials, so this was definitely a very creative book and unlike anything I've ever read. Jamie Lee Fry was able to weave the fantasy, thriller, mystery, and a hint of horror together into a very engaging series.
However, this series wasn't very strong on the character development. I didn't feel much attachment to the characters, and there wasn't much going on with the character growth. But the book's plot made up for it!
This book was very strong in the plot aspects, with its quickly paced storyline, its crazy plot twists, and very creative concepts. Who would have thought of a "what if the witches survived the Salem Witch Trials" concept! Genius!
As for the writing, the novel was written in a very simplistic style but it complemented the story well since the main characters were literally teenagers.
In conclusion, this was a really fun and quick read! Those who enjoy learning about the Salem Witch Trials will especially love this book (though I'm not sure if it's historically accurate), and I am looking forward to the next book.
I love a good witchy novel. The first in the series, this gave me witchy clique vibes. Like in between Mean Girls and The Craft. It is YA so don’t go in expecting spicy scenes. But I really enjoyed the plot. I honestly never quite knew what was going to happen next, and I devoured this book to figure it out. I can’t wait to read the second in the series!
Izzy and her dad just moved cross country from Seattle to the home left to them by a relative in Connecticut. Leaving bad circumstances, they hope for the best. But pulling up to the house that was clearly the spooky one in their new small town , things are worst than they thought. But has Izzy helps restore Gran Gran’s house over the summer, some strange occurrences start happening. But these occurrences start escalating when she brings her new friends to the house. Izzy and her new friends set out to figure out what is happening together.
Thank you to Book Sirens for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
This was such a fun read, perfect for fans of Teen Wolf and Sabrina! While the pace started off quite slow, there were exciting twists and turns to keep me on my toes the whole way through. Sprinkle in a little teen angst, romance and banter and this is a great YA read. It does seem aimed at the lower end of YA so it might not be for everyone but as someone that doesn’t search for super adult books, I personally really enjoyed this! I look forward to the rest of the series!!!!
The Bloodline Curse is the perfect read for everyone who anyone who loves the paranormal genre. Even though it is marketed as YA fiction, that doesn't mean adults can't read it!
Izzy and her father have to move across the country after 'what happened with Sondra'. Izzy knows it wasn't her fault; everybody was lying about it, even though she can't quite remember what happened.
So they pack up and move into the house her Gran-Gran left them. Izzy finds out she is a witch. Too bad she also has a bloodline curse on her tracing back to the 1600s.
Loved every minute of the book and would highly recommend!
5⭐️ The Bloodline Curse falls right into the single dad and teenage daughter in a small town trope. So much so I was surprised when the town they moved to wasn’t called Forks. The subtle Twilight vibes continued throughout the book, which I didn’t mind too much considering I’m not a great Twilight fan. I was disappointed that Izzy’s dad seemed to disappear from the plot as I was enjoying the relationship between dad and daughter. The overall plot was good and engaging, and the various strands came together really well. The only negative for me was the dialogue. All of the teens’ dialogues were sarcastic, blunt and rude; giving the impression that all of the teenage characters had a huge chip on their shoulder, which was at odds with the plot. I enjoyed this far more than I was expecting and will definitely read the other two books in the trilogy.
After reading The Pretty Ones, I knew I was going to love The Bloodline Curse. I love how the characters were all developed so well the further you kept getting into the book. This story reminds me of the movie Mean Girls mixed with The Craft. I loved how Fry would sprinkle creepy moments every now and then to keep you engaged. The whispering voice telling Izzy to run, the door in the attic with no key, the police cars when Izzy is walking to school looking for Megan who has gone missing, etc. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next. As the story progresses, I love how everything starts to unravel. Especially when it gets to the part where Izzy can break the curse (I legit said out loud "Watch it be Riley's family. You'll find out what I mean.) Then Callen talking to Izzy in his car and reveals his secret. The ending was insanely good but also upsetting because I need the next book in this series! At least I really hope it is.
I haven't read a YA book in a while much less a witchy/magical one. I've read everything by this author as she usually writes psychological thrillers but has moved into a new genre, which is such a brave thing to do!
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was light-hearted, not to serious but intriguing enough to keep me reading.
This is a YA book. Therefore, the characters are immature and slightly annoying (weren't we all as tennagers!) But I was quickly swept up in their world a eager to keeping reading.
A few twists. A hint of romance. Some witchy spells.
This is the start of a trilogy and I'm already looking forward continuing the journey. It has set it up perfectly for the next book.
I received a free copy of the book from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was such a fun read! Paranormal stories are very hit or miss for me, but I have always had a soft spot for the world of witches, especially if they relate to the Salem witch trials - which I was very excited to see mentioned within this story!
At first, going into the story, I was a little hesitant because it was a slow start and I could already see myself hating Izzy due to her reactions to moving and her hyper-awareness of her bad behavior while still continuing to act negatively towards her dad.
However, about a 1/3 of the way through the book, I didn't want to put it down! There was so much going on and so many questions to answers that I was right with Izzy and her friends to keep exploring what it meant to be a witch and the real truth about Izzy's family. Our group of girls definitely grew on me by the end, even Jessa - who I hope continues to have a place with the others despite everything. And not to mention Callen, who was such an intriguing character who I feel exposed a lot of secrets for us not to know an awful lot about him yet.
I enjoyed how this story had such lighthearted and normal moments while also addressing death and trauma, and even if I didn't agree with the decisions that were made or the secrets being kept between friends, the character development and story made me able to see why they were addressed in the way they were.
My main reason for not being able to rate this as 5-stars was due to the abundance of unnecessary f-bombs, particularly in the latter half of the novel. And also to the fact that we have Riley as the main love interest despite knowing practically nothing about him, not even about any of his time with Izzy as children. Instead, the romance felt very out of place and lacking chemistry. Considering the ending through, and the title of the second book, I do hope we get more of a focus on Riley.
Everything else seemed to wrap up fairly nicely while still leaving plenty of unanswered questions to explore later in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free by BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Isobel or Izzy is moving from her home town of Seattle to the East Gate. The town is small and Izzy is getting over a recent event from her old school and her father inherited a house from his great grandmother. They both need a new start. Once they get to the house weird things begin to happen and Izzy doesn’t know what to do. As she starts attending the local high school she meets an old flame Riley, and some new friends Jessa, Thalia, and Margo. Izzy comes to find out that there is a rumor of her great grandmother being a witch. It turns out that Izzy is a witch herself and that her family has a deadly curse that kills whoever she falls in love with whoever she falls in love with. Will Izzy be able to control her new found powers and break the curse, or will she remained curse and never be with the one she loves.
This book was the perfect read to get me into the fall spirit! It was fast paced and really enjoyable! The setting of East Gate being a small town gave me such a cozy vibe and I could picture all the places in my head! I loved Izzy! She is relatable and I saw a lot of myself in her. Jessa, Thalia, and Margo were a great choice of friends and I loved Izzy and Margo’s relationship immensely! The book was a great pace in not a little fast for me, but I didn’t really mind it! The twist and the end had me going and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!! If you love The Craft and Practical Magic, you will love this book!!
You all know I love YA, especially a spooky YA! I was super excited when @author_jamieleefry asked me to be a part of her new YA Dark Magic Series!
This book gave me The Craft vibes mixed with a side of Mean Girls. There are some really funny LOL moments and the dialogue between the characters that feels so authentically “high school”. I just loved it! The pacing was super quick, the character development was spot on and I liked that this book had bits of mystery, suspense, a curse and fantasy to it. Izzy (our main character) is relatable and makes good choices even when faced with some pretty tough stuff.
The whole concept of witches surviving the Salem Witch Trials was fresh. I also love the concept of the family curse and witch hunters. It’s an exploration in friendship, fate and destiny. I am really looking forward to the second book in series.
Izzy's life changes the minute she returns to her grandmothers farm to live. She has to start over senior year with only remembering one family (Riley's) from her visits growing up and trying to make the most out of her last year. Unfortunately old family secrets come to head and her life will never be the same again. Fry has a great way of bringing two very distinct movie thoughts to life in this story. It has a little bit of the Mean Girls concept and The Craft. I instantly thought of The Craft when the girls became friends which was one of my go to during high school to watch. The character development was naturally real and the story unfolded beautifully. I am looking forward to the next book to this tale. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is for anyone who adores the paranormal genre. The book is marked as YA but still deals with very real and historically strong events, such as taking inspiration from the Salem's Witch Trials.
The writing is simple, clean, and compliments the overall tone of the book quite well. It offers a dynamic set of characters and immerses the reader in a fun world of self discovery and purpose.
Overall, a fantastic read for anyone looking for a quick and delightful read!
I absolutely love everything about this book! It’s a fast reading paranormal story of a girl and her dad who move across the country to the run down family home their Gran-Gran left behind. They go from large city to small charming town filled with lots of spooky vibes. It’s the perfect read for the fall time of the year!
Thank you to BookSirens for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a fast-paced witchy murder mystery book that I enjoyed! If you enjoy small town mysteries, combined with witch powers, in the hands of teenagers, then check this one out! I also loved the narrator for the audiobook. She brought the right level of creepiness!
Man I burned through this faster then a witch in Salem. Thanks to BookSirens for the ARC
Okay so I have lots of thoughts. The biggest being that the plot was fantastic. It’s a huge reason for the 4 stars. I was grabbed within the first page. It takes a bit to build, which I didn’t mind, but then around the 50% mark it just takes off. I couldn’t stop reading. In fact I had to give my baby her bottle using a pillow to help prop her so my other hand was free to turn pages. #priorities. I won’t rehash the plot here. I would say this is probably for ages 14+. There is a line between juvenile fiction and YA for this and it went back and forth. There are definitely some intense moments along with blood and gore so use your discretion when letting your younger readers read this.
With all of this the one part that was really hanging me up was the writing and this would get more of a 3.5 star rating. Many parts in the story would be flowing and moving at an exciting pace, and then I’d get hit with a juvenile description or quote of what a character was saying. For instance sometimes things were dumbed down when Izzy would narrate, or when she would obsessively describe what someone was wearing. Other times it felt like a character was saying something exactly the way they were in order to tell the audience something that we the audience might not be smart enough to figure out otherwise (we are definitely smart enough). When that would happen it immediately would snap me out of the book because it felt fake and forced. Sort of like when an actor is not delivering a line right and the audience feels awkward because you immediately no longer see the character but instead see an actor delivering lines. So maybe that can be tightened up?
Any way excited to see what happens in the next book!!!
The Bloodline Curse is the first book in the Dark Magic series and the first book by Jamie Lee Fry that I have read. I know one thing for sure it will not be the last book by Jamie that I read or at least I hope not as I can’t wait to dive into the next book The Hunter’s Curse.
When I read the summary for The Bloodline Curse I didn’t know what I was going to find once I started reading but one thing I did know was that I had to read it as it was about the Salem Witch Trials. I try my best to read any books I can get my hands on about the Salem Witch Trials. Ok, back to what I found in the book once I began was not what I was expecting but it was so much more.
The Bloodline Curse is filled with mystery and suspense that kept me glued to my seat not able to turn the pages as fast as I would have liked. There were many twists and turns that kept me wanting to know what was on the next page. The twists all made it worth it along with the suspense that kept me in turmoil as I raced to the next page to see what would happen next.
Izzy Beswick is just your normal teenage girl waiting for the day she graduates and leaves high school behind. There were a lot of rumors going around about Izzy at her high school. She was bullied a lot by a lot of people. Then one day something awful happened. Izzy didn’t do it but no one believed her. Izzy couldn’t remember what happened exactly but she knew she didn’t do whatever they said she did.
After all the trouble Izzy and her dad move to her Gran-grans home she left them when she passed. Izzy wanted to get away from everything that had happened but she didn’t want to move to a new place either as she was afraid that all the kids at the new place would treat her badly as well.
But that was not the case Izzy made friends with three girls Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo right away. Strange things start to happen in Izzy’s new house. Her new friends are acting kind of strange as well. Like pushing themselves on Izzy by inviting themselves for an overnight stay at her house.
Izzy’s new friends are trying to take over her life and control every aspect of it. Are these girls just pushy or are they up to something? I wasn’t so sure myself if that was just their way or if they had something more sinister up their selves. I questioned their every move. I wanted to know more about these girls and what they were up to. I was very surprised when I finally found out what they were doing and why.
I highly recommend The Bloodline Curse to anyone who likes reading about witches but especially the Salem witches. Grab a copy of The Bloodline Curse today to find out more about Izzy and her family!
"The Bloodline Curse: Dark Magic Series: Book 1" is an enchanting and suspenseful young adult fantasy novel that delves into the world of magic, curses, and the power of destiny. In this captivating debut, the author introduces readers to Izzy Beswick, a high school senior whose life takes a dramatic turn when she discovers her true heritage.
The story begins with Izzy's mysterious incident involving Sondra, leaving her with gaps in her memory. The inheritance of her Gran-gran's house in East Gate, Connecticut, seems like a fresh start for Izzy, especially with her childhood crush residing there. However, as she settles into her new home, strange occurrences and rumors surrounding her late relative draw her into a world she never imagined.
The author skillfully weaves a tale of secrets, friendship, and self-discovery. Izzy's newfound friends, Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo, add depth to the story as they explore the mysteries surrounding Gran-gran's past. The dynamics among the characters are well-developed, and their unwavering support for Izzy creates a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
The exploration of magic and witchcraft is a highlight of the book. As Izzy uncovers her true identity and the existence of a centuries-old curse, readers are drawn into a world filled with spells and dangerous forces. The tension rises as the girls perform a risky spell, and the consequences become increasingly dire.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, blending moments of everyday teenage life with intense supernatural encounters. The author's descriptive prose creates a vivid atmosphere, immersing readers in the enchanting town of East Gate and its mystical secrets.
"The Bloodline Curse" is an engaging and thrilling start to the Dark Magic series. With its relatable protagonist, intriguing plot twists, and the exploration of friendship and destiny, this book will captivate young adult readers who crave a mix of mystery, romance, and the supernatural. Fans of magic, curses, and coming-of-age stories will eagerly anticipate the next installment in Izzy's journey.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Many thanks to author Jamie Lee Fry and BookSirens for giving me this opportunity to read this book, providing an E ARC for free. This was my first arc, and I was so excited to read it. "The Bloodline Curse" is my first fantasy read and it proved to be an enthralling plot I could not put down. It defies easy categorization into a single genre, primarily blending fantasy and thriller elements with a touch of horror.
The plot centers around Izzy, who moves to the inherited house in East Gate from the big bad city Seattle with her dad, in her senior year of high school aiming to escape her troubled past. The house, inherited by her great-grandma, is linked to the challenging experiences Izzy had to endure. The narrative takes on a somewhat romantic tone with scenes involving Riley, Izzy’s childhood, and everlasting crush. But honestly, I hoped for more of page time with Izzy and Riley, being a bit into romance reading. When Izzy finally gets into the truth about her lineage With the revelations she uncovered alongside her new friends Jessa, Margo, and Tahlia, they all, in the midst of their journey, also discovered their own lineages, turning East Gate into another Salem, including Callen, who claims to be Izzy’s kind. The plot leaves questions unanswered which is why I'm really eager to read the book 2, "The Hunter's Curse."
In this fast-paced plot, I love where the author describes the setting of East Gate, making it easy for readers to picture. The mention of the Salem Witch Trials, something new to me, adds an interesting touch as well.
In conclusion, "The Bloodline Curse" was really intriguing, with an unpredictable plot. This book is definitely worth the hours spent reading it. I am so eager to read the next book to unravel the secrets ahead.
I highly recommend this to anyone into fantasy and dark magic who hasn’t read this yet. Available in Kindle and paperback versions.
Thank you, Jamie Lee Fry, for this fantastic writing.
I love the concept of The Bloodline Curse by Jamie Lee Fry. It was very well written and thought out. I love how in this book by Jamie Lee Fry we get to walk the path with Izzy as she discovers that she is a witch and everything that comes with it. Isobel (Izzy) Beswick is your typical high school senior except for the incident with Sondra and the fact that Izzy doesn’t remember exactly what happened. Luckily for Izzy that her dad inherit a house from Izzy's Gran-gran in East Gate, Connecticut five years earlier. Soon after Izzy moves to East Gate strange things starts to happen, and once school starts Izzy learns some rumors surrounding her Gran-gran. If it’s not for her new friends Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo she wouldn’t know that almost everyone in town believes that her Gran-gran was a cursed witch who escaped the Salem witch trials. Izzy doesn’t believe the rumors until she, Jessa, Tahlia, and Margo finds her Gran-gran spellbook. Once the spellbook is discovered there is no hiding it Izzy is witch but is she really ready for everything that’s comes with being a witch? I guess that you will have to read The Bloodline Curse to find out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“The Bloodline Curse” is a very funny, witchy coming-of-age book by Jamie Lee Fry.
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Plot: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Characters: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Suspense: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
An “easy ride” book, that reads very quickly and is relatively small so I loved that I had something that wasn’t 600 pages again :D
The book follows the story of Izzy, a bloodline witch who has no idea that she is one. She has to figure out things herself with the help of some new friends in her new town after she moves there with her dad to her Gran Gran’s house. When love comes into the mix everything gets even more complicated as if it wasn’t enough to be a cursed witch in the last year of high school!
I loved the inner conversations she had with herself, those thoughts were so funny but also so real. It was a speedy read and the plot is flowing in harmony: no second thoughts or deeper meanings, just a nice read to pass your time.
I would definitely recommend it to all lovers of witchy teenagers.
My special thanks to Book Sirens, and the author for my early copy. All opinions are mine and sincere.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Like Mean Girls? Like The Craft? Then this is the book for you!
Izzy Beswick has a troubled past. One that makes her father decide it's time to move. So they pack up and head to his grandmother's home, one she left to him. Izzy isn't too thrilled about this. She feels she's being blamed for something she didn't do. She knows only one person in this town, and all summer long she hoped to see him but never did.
Also, people in the town keep giving her funny looks.
Then school starts. She meets some friends who tell her she gets the looks because her grandmother was a witch. And her family has been cursed.
Izzy starts learning about her legacy, the curse, and trying to figure out who she can trust and who she cannot.
Book Sirens eARC. Izzy Beswick and her dad have been at loose ends since Mom died of cancer. Although it's senior year they make the decision to move to Connecticut when her Dad inherits his grandmother's house. Izzy has always considered her family ordinary and sees herself as a typical teenager so is stunned to learn that her gran was considered a witch. When she is drawn to the attic one night and discovers her gran's spell book and diary she faces that she is far from ordinary. Gran believed that the bloodline was cursed and Izzy and her new friends perform a ritual to remove the curse. The results are frightening and not what they expected. I have long had a weakness for "witchy" books and this YA thriller was entertaining. Izzy is a well developed, realistic character and I enjoyed following her adventure. I believe this is the first in a projected series. The plot starts out at a slow pace but the creepy vibes steadily increase the suspense. A solid quick read.
This was a surprise find! Many thanks to the Author Jamie Lee and to Book Sirens for sending me a gifted copy to read and to review. This book definitely has The Craft vibes and new Sabrina The Teenage Witch vibes - I love seeing a group of friends come together to experience magic and their true magical selves. I love the story, the history and how involved we get as outsiders into Izzy’s life and discovery. And don’t get me started on the house! Why do I love old witches houses! They are amazing! I am continuing with the series now by starting the second book, I cannot wait to see what happens next. I absolutely love the characters, especially Callen and I wonder what mischief they all get up to now.
3 1/2 Stars Due to an incident that Izzy can't quite remember completely, she and her father have to pull up stakes and return to his childhood home. Everything changes and senior year isn't looking promising. Izzy must try and fit in at least until the end of the year. It's not going to be easy when she discovers what the town really thinks about her family and her legacy. This was an interesting read. It started a bit slow for me but picked up pretty quickly. As this is book #1 in the series, I think things are only going to get better as the characters fill out and mature and their destinies are laid open and become clear. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Holy cow I was not expecting this book at all!!! The action just kept going and the twists and turns were so unexpected. Izzy was a total shock. Hopefully Thalia is witch but Tim was not what I expected at all. Tim turned out to be so crazy let’s hope Riley finds a way out. Jessa will be soooo mad we’ll see if she can control it and Margo I just hurt for her. Hopefully Isobel can train Izzy and Callen and his family will be trustworthy. Can’t wait to start the next book. ARC copy with voluntary review.
I loved this book! It was very easy to follow from beginning to end, but still very mysterious and suspenseful. I think this would be a good read for all ages 14+. I love how this book has multiple stories wrapped up into one giant web of witchcraft! I really felt the characters come to life while reading this and I couldn’t read it fast enough! This is the third novel I have read by this author and I can’t wait for more!!
YA witch mystery with The craft vibe. Fastpaced book with some nice character devolment and world building. I would like some more intro into the girls’ background. It came with a plot that twisted and turned. Just as I think I have figured it out, the plot twisted again. It is a first in a series and I can’t wait to read book 2.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"I’m aware of things most people can’t imagine—let alone see—because for some unknown reason, I’m special. I can’t fight against my wrinkled reality as it keeps taunting me and forcing me to see through the cracks. I don’t know how else to explain it. I should be afraid, but fear isn’t the emotion rushing through my fibers; it’s curiosity with a hint of annoyance." - Izzy
A refreshing YA tale involving a young woman who discovers dark secrets... About her family and herself...