The Book of Spells

Private #0.5

by Kate Brian

The year is 1915 when sixteen-year-old Eliza Williams arrives at the Billings School for Girls in Easton, Connecticut. Her parents expect her to learn the qualities of a graceful, dutiful wife. But Eliza and her housemates have a dangerous secret: They're witches. After finding a dusty, leather bound spell book, the Billings Girls form a secret coven. Bonded in sisterhood, they cast spells--cursing their headmistress with laryngitis, brewing potions to bolster their courage before dances, and conjuring beautiful dresses out of old rags. The girls taste freedom and power for the first time, but what starts out as innocent fun turns sinister when one of the spells has an unexpected-and deadly-consequence. Magic could bring Eliza everything she's ever wanted...but it could also destroy everything she holds dear.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Witches, Magic, Romance

302 pages, Hardcover

First published December 21, 2010

About the author

Kate Brian is the author of the SHADOWLANDS TRILOGY (SHADOWLANDS, HEREAFTER & ENDLESS), as well as the New York Times bestselling PRIVATE and PRIVILEGE series, and the wildly popular MEGAN MEADE'S GUIDE TO THE MCGOWAN BOYS. She also writes teen fiction under the name Kieran Scott.

Reviews

[Janelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would enjoy reading about Elizabeth and how the curse had originated, but I didn't. I really didn't.

I should note that I dislike period texts such as Sense & Sensibility, Pride & Prejudice and Jane Eyre, where women just roll around trying to find husbands or are schooled in how to be a lady. They bore me to tears. The Book of Spells is set roughly during this period, and as such it bored me to death. I think I have some sort of reflex where I instantly fall asleep as soon as I pick up one of these old school texts. I put the book down so many times and had to really force myself to pick it up again and finish it.

This book is 75% filler in my opinion, and I honestly think it'd be better as a short story. Hell, it could be one page of bullet points and the reader would get the idea. In fact, I'll do that now and hopefully save someone the pain of reading this book.

TL;DR
- A girl called Eliza goes to Billings School for Girls
- Apparently everybody likes her sister May the best
- She hates this Theresa Billings chick
- She's in love with Theresa Billings' fiancee
- The Billings girls discover spellbooks and start doing witchcraft
- One of them dies
- They enlist the help of the witchy maid to bring her back to life
- Something else comes back in her place
- They exorcise the demon, but it curses them
- The other girls are emo over the girl dying a second time, and Theresa, Eliza and said witchy maid bespell them to get over it
- The End!

Besides being bored, I took issue with a few other things in this book. In Ominous I got the impression that Eliza and co. were the same age as Reed and co., but they act like 14 yr olds in the Book of Spells. There's a real inconsistency between the girl Reed sees and reads about in Ominous, and the girl we see here. Eliza's journal plays such a big role in Ominous, yet we barely see her write in it! And despite the curse playing a big part in Ominous, in The Book of Spells it's basically an afterthought that nobody places stock in.

Also, although I love to hate Noelle's overconfidence and bitchiness, I just hated Theresa Billings. And I wanted to shake Eliza by the shoulders every time she pushed Harrison away. I hope that she saw sense after the events in this book and ran away with him, despite her new friendship with Theresa.

Although I never felt like OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK MUST KEEP READING, I admit it did pick up after Catherine White died. I thought Helen was a really interesting character, and I enjoyed learning about her time with the previous owners of the spellbooks. I'm also intrigued as to who originally owned the books, because Lucille and co. clearly stumbled upon them too. I'd like to know more about how the curse affected each girl throughout her life, and I'm hoping Eliza ran off with Harrison eventually. I also thought it was cute seeing the Coolidge and Whittaker ancestors, and how Gage Coolidge clearly inherited his sleaziness.

Overall: I'm biased due to my disdain for texts set in this period, but I don't recommend this book at all. The pacing is slow, it's full of filler, and it has nothing on the other Private books. The other Private books and have their flaws and fair share of filler, but I'd take that private school drama over this any day. It's mildly interesting to learn about Helen Jennings and the witches who came before, but not worth sitting through this drivel. The Book of Spells ultimately would've functioned better as a short story.

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Words: Magic, selfish, silly-little-girls, tragedy, love.

When I first started this, I wasn't so sure about it. But by the end, I knew I'd loved it.

I haven't read any of the Private series itself, but I want to, especially if the writing's as immersing as this. Pity that not a single library in three whole counties near me have the first books. They have books 9-14 though :/ Is it worth reading, fellow readers?

Although the characters appeared to be 15/16 the writing was much younger. But it was refreshing to read a rather "clean" YA that still had intrigue and attraction and naughty-goings-on.

I'm a sucker for boarding school situations. Let's blame that on reading the The Twins at St Clare's and The Worst Witch books growing up. And this book did not disappoint on that front. It reminded me of all of those childhood reading memories, only a little more grown-up, and I probably loved this book all the more for it.

The characters weren't the most likeable I've read. They were pretty much all spoilt little rich girls who were bored and trying to have fun. But that didn't matter, because without that the book wouldn't have worked.

The ending was pretty spectacular, and the build up to it was wonderful. Although there are a few loose ends that I would have preferred were cleared up, I was generally entertained by the book and enjoyed it a lot.

I particularly like how this book can be read on its own. There's no pressure to read the rest of the Private series to better understand the world, and I think this book would likely be rather different anyway, being set almost 100 years in the past.

[Michaela Osiecki · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a practicing witch myself, I wanted to like this. I wasn't expecting anything on par with the actual occult practices of the Victorian/Edwardian era, but when the girls uncover the chest of "spell books" that highly resemble modern Wiccan practices, I was done.

I mean, a quick Google search can confirm that Wicca didn't even coalesce into an actual structured practice until the mid to late 1950's. And the Victorians thought making their own Ouija boards and talking to spirits was more fun anyways.

But all that aside, the characters were flat and boring - I couldn't relate to any of them at all. Besides Eliza and Theresa, everyone else just seemed like accessories getting caught in the cross-fire between two brats arguing over a boy. I thought Eliza didn't even care about boys - way to throw her personality and independence out the window in the first few chapters, huh?

Because I'm a part-time amateur fashion designer, the only thing I really enjoyed about this book was the descriptions given for the dresses worn by the girls.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe it left us with that ending! I mean what happened with her and Harrison!! How cruel! I did like this one a bit more than the present-day Privates, but there was still a Noelle in the story, which I hated. I much prefer Eliza to Reed, and the historical setting just really hooked me. Now to jump into Private #12, which I was going to read earlier but didn't realise I had to read this one first.

[A. E. S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pros: This is a "cute" story for YA readers who are fans of witchcraft. Definitely light, fast reading!

Cons: It's a bit too simple for me; I should have read this in my early teen years. There were times where I sighed in frustration or blushed in embarrassment at some of the characters' simple archetypes.

[Rainy Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is quite simple. Eleven girls met at a boarding school and created a coven and then something bad happened, then they dispersed. I kind of can expect the next plot which, didn't give much excitement as I hoped for. I feel bad for Theresa though. Although she's that mean girl in the group, she didn't deserve to be treated that way for two times. First George, and then Harrison. I mean like, really now? And Elizabeth should make her mind up already. First she wanted Harrison, and then she's not, and after that she wanted him again and in the end, dumped him for the second time. Wow, I can say that this Eliza really, really testing my patience throughout this book.

[Jimena Patiño]

DNF al 30% porque no me importa la trama es una excusa tonta para ampliar el arco y quizás alguna vez lo lea pero ya me enteré lo necesario por el libro 13 de Private

[Sydney LaForest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, when I decided to read this book I had very low expectations. I didn't even expect myself to finish it! See, I'm not a huge fan of books that are set in the past. They've just never really drawn me in, I guess. However, the intriguing cover and great synopsis filled with tantalizing witchcraft drew me in. OH THANK WHOEVER THAT IT DID!

I'm officially addicted to this book. Everything about it is just perfect to me! Each and every character had a distinct personality -- just because they are supposed to be proper ladies doesn't mean they are. None of the characters were bland. Even the most irritating ones had their strong points. And hey, you don't want to LOOOVE every single character. Sometimes you just need someone to hate! I just couldn't hate any of them though, even Tereasa, who grated on my nerves at points.
Another thing I adore is the writing style and pacing. Kate Brian really brings the 1915th world to life. Not one thing was bland, and I had clear, vivid images if the setting thanks to the perfect descriptions (everything was described, but it wasn't freaking long and dull)! The characters as well as the setting really popped and came to life. I've heard some things about how the pacing in this book is incredibly slow, but I couldn't disagree more. In my opinion the pacing was perfectly.. well, paced! This book was full of exciting moments ranging from small to heart pounding, but not every single moment was filled with intense moments, which makes me worship this book at the more. Some books try so hard not to be dull that the authors try to cram action packed scenes on every page, which is not a good thing because then there's no substance! Every word of every page was interesting, and it didn't have to be action packed to do so.
The way this book ties in the paranormal with 1915 life is outstanding! Nothing seems fake or forced in. This book has the perfect balance -- without the paranormal part you couldn't have the rest of this book, and vice versa. A lot of paranormal books seem over the top with no real content, but with The Book of Spells that's not the case. There is more to this novel then witchcraft, although that plays a big part in it.
Bottom line? I'M ADDICTED. I think I've found a new favorite book. I havn't even read the Private series, so you don't have to either if you're contemplating reading this book. I'd recommend it to anybody. I didn't think I'd like it, but look at me now~ <3

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be truthful, I was disappointed by this book. I think I knew in the back in the mind I would be, but I decided to buy it anyways since I had read all of the other Private novels, and Kate Brian is one of my favourite authors. But as I said, I was disappointed. The book was extremely cheesy. The spells were simple rhymes, which girls said holding hands in a circle. Nothing like “Harry Potter” where the spells are in different languages with actual meaning. I suppose it had a good plot line, though it was carried out poorly; every thing seemed mellow dramatic. I might be so critical to this book since I find it very similar to the “Gemma Doyle Trilogy” but Kate Brian is hardly as good as Libba Bray. I can’t say it was a waste of time though. It was good for light reading, but nothing that I was desperate to turn the page.

[Morgan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Holy Cow...I didn't think I'd ever get through this book. Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Kate Brian and the Private Series but this book was terrible. Maybe it's because I don't like the whole super natural thing, I don't know. I got bored in the middle and though I can see why the ''Billings House'' is like it is after this book, I just wish there had been a different twist, not the supernatural. Now I am wondering what Vanished will be like, is it going to turn supernatural too???

[Katt Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know the series that this book is part of, but I'm hoping that learning a little of the backstory now might might it easier to understand/read them as I go, seeing as how I somehow came into the possession of most of the books by Kate Brian.

Knowing this is a prequel, I understand the difficulties in writing this book after a portion of the series is out. It's hard to write prequels, to gather up everything you've hinted at previously and to turn into a good story.

That said, I found myself having a hard time liking most of the characters. I also found the whole 'love at first sight' thing to be...contrived. I kept waiting for that to have something deeper behind it, and it never came.

Of course, this is only a prequel so maybe I'm being overly harsh in my feelings regarding this book. I will be able to judge it better once I read the first book in the series I think. (I hope?)

As a note: Not for people who don't like books with heavy witchcraft in them. I was a little caught off guard about this aspect, but that's on me for not reading the back of the book before diving in.

[Mahima · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Spells
Kate Brian

1)I decided to read this book cause i really really really really enjoy reading fantasy books because their awesome!!!! Its like being totally absorbed in another world where i don't even have to think about anything including READING LOGS!The vivid details of the setting, charters,the atmosphere and the fashion of the 1915s made the book feel so surreal. It made me want to travel back in time and live the characters lives, it was like going on a secret adventure! This book completes the category of a book of 'a book with a main female character,i like this category because there are no restrictions to what i have to read.

2)My favourite quote from this was "Even at the tender age of sixteen, Elizabeth Williams was the rare girl who knew her mind". I love this quote because it basically sums up the essence of the character. Eliza in short for Elizabeth, is from the start of the book,introduced as an mysterious character. She is portrayed as an insecure, and a character that found it hard to trust someone at the beginning of the book. As the book progress and she is sent to a boarding school, to learn how to be a 'proper' women, as this was set in the olden days, we see the change in her as she makes new friends and learns secrets she never should of. Eliza's always been confused by the social expectations formed by society. She felt pressured by her mother and everyone else that she had to be beautiful, intelligent, only read non-fiction knowledgeable books and get married to a decent, smart, rich, handsome man. She believed that when she got sent to boarding school, she would be able to be who she was, but unfortunately school didn't meeter expectations. Luckily Eliza finds that her roommate, Catherin White,is also feeling the same way, sick of trying to please everyone. i admire how Eliza is committed to make a difference in how society preserves a image of a woman, and while doing so Eliza finds a faster and stronger method, witchcraft. Through this experience we see how Eliza grows from a small seed into a plant, and helps abolish the false social expectations.

3) Something new i learn't from this book is not to believe everything you see, and whats on the inside matters more then the outside. Eliza always trusted everyone with everything and when everyone back fired every time, she promised her self not to trust anyone. Throughout the novel we see Eliza encounter with all types, she sees them be nice to her in front of everyone but say different things when shes gone. Eliza also believed the school would be a free will place, and people would respect her for who she was but when she had really arrived she experienced different. By her past experiences she sees become a very insecure person, but one person that helps her change is Catherin.
Also Catherin is a character that interested me because she shows the importance of accepting people for who they are.We see Catherin at the beginning of the novel as a person who wanted to please everybody,soon she realizes it is not possible and that she was just being used. Catherin decides to make a change and be who she is and not what others want her to be. This change benefits her in many aspects, she learns how to not judge people by what the look like and this change in her also encourages her friends. Her friendship is also tested many times and she comes to realize who her real friends really are.
I also found the setting very interesting because it shows how society back then expected women to be very feminine and to act,dress, speak etc, a certain way. I admire Catherin and Eliza for being strong to stand up for what the believe is right, and not what society expects. I am so glad that me and my friends live in a world today where each individual can do and be who they want!

[Kale · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in the early 20th century Book of Spells introduces Eliza Williams a modern thinking teen ahead of her time. She has more of a romantic view on education and what unladylike books she can read then the silly notion of finding a husband. As she enters the Billings School Eliza is excited for the freedom to learn whatever she wants without thought to decorum only to learn Billings is more of a finishing school for proper ladies than the cultivating institute of academic knowledge she craves. Still Eliza is determined not to have her spirit crushed like her sister, but nothings going according plan, plus there's a boy who she can't stop thinking about. Unfortunately he's taken. Soon Eliza and her new friends stumble upon a magical treasure. Everything seems fine and balanced for a while, but tragedy strikes and Eliza and her coven will cross a line that will have repercussions for generations.

I haven't read any of Brian's novels and thought this would be a great start, but Book of Spells is filled with typical characters and story lines. Eliza is the bright eyed forward thinking rebel, whose refreshing outspoken views on politics and literature charms the male lead. Theresa is the rich spoiled bad girl starving for attention competing for alpha status over Eliza, but who really just wants to be loved. And Catherine is the mediator and constant, she's the pure and good one who acts as a bridge not just for the characters but for the story. All these players are cookie cutter characters, we see repeated over and over again. Eliza has that Jo quality, but falls for a guy and goes back and forth on whether or not to be with him. She feels like she's becoming exactly what she was avoiding, the proper starter wife, instead of seeing that her beau likes who she is. She can have love and keep herself. Win Win. Not that it matters. All the characters become annoying and unlikable after a while, either for their personalities, predictability, or horrid choices.

The storyline and love triangle aren't much better. You know when she meets the boy there's going to be a hitch and exactly who that person is. Or that no matter what they do with magic that it's going to have a price. I thought it would be OK, but then the ending was also unsatisfying. Unfortunately all these scenes reminded me of better books and similar characters and after all the predictability there's no real resolve at the end. No feel good conclusion. No payoff. And no indication of a sequel to answer any lingering questions.

[Paula Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing and I think that any true fan of Kate Brian's series Private will appreciate it just as much as I did :). When I first read that there was to be a prequel to the Private series , I was intrigued as I have grwon up reading the whole series and enjoying it. I would love to see this set of books made into a tv series as it's similar to Gossip Girl but in my personal opinion , I couldn't get that into the Gossip Girl books, though thats not to say I havent read them, just that if anyone was to ask me whether Im Team Gossip Girl or Team Private, I would go with Team Private.
In the Book of Spells we are transported back in time to the year 1915 , back to Easton Academy for Ladies - an academy where on the surface they teach you how to become a proper young lady and how to fit into the society's stereotypical role of a woman. However under the surface, is all that Easton Academy stuff we love to read about in the "Private Series" from Fashion, Boys, Adventures and Fun. When a group of girls led by Theresa Billings and Eliza Williams ,find an old treasure map while digging in the garden as part of their punishment, none of them realised the thrill, the excitement , danger and eventually death that finding the treasure would do to them.
Upon discovering the treasure, the girls realise that it is in fact "A Book of Spells " and the girls start to flip through the magical book. Upon discovering that they need Eleven girls to form a coven in order for the book to work , the seven of them set out to recruit much-needed girls by Invites only. To make sure that they are not caught, they call the group "The Billings Sisters Literary Group" thus creating the origins of the sisterhood of the sorority known as "Billings House" and why there are only eleven spaces allocated to girls each year at any one time.
The Book of Spells , also contains the first chapter excerpt of the 13th Book in the Private Series "Omninous" where we discover OMG Noelle Lange and Reed Brennan are in fact half-sisters and read as Grandmother Lange passes to Reed the Book of Spells as we discover Reed and Eliza are almost identical as are Noelle and Theresa in personalities.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an utterly frustrating book! Brian can write well and has a lot of good ideas, but she rarely completes any of the things she introduces. I was ready to pitch this through the window when I was done.

In this story we follow Eliza off to finishing school. It's 1910, and Eliza's from a wealthy family. Her older sister, May, came back from this school vastly altered but we never get to see why. May's been home all summer and hasn't bothered to tell her sister just why she's turned into a doormat. She begins to explain to Eliza just what is wrong with the school but then has to leave. (frustrating)

So Eliza heads off to school, excited about getting away from her mother and moving to a place that has a library. She seems fun and spunky ... but that's kind of it. Upon arriving she immediately falls in love with Harrison, a wealthy boy from the school next door, at first sight. Eliza claimed she didn't want to be like her sister May, all boy crazy, and here she is, instantly crazy about a boy. And the library? She never goes there. (aggravating)

So Eliza and her friends find a book of spells (it wasn't in the library), become witches, are warned about consequences which remain elusive till Eliza's roommate takes a dive into a ravine during a sudden storm. (Yeah, cause that plot point's never been used before). They raise the dead, Catherine isn't Catherine anymore but a demon who tries to kill Eliza. Interestingly, Eliza has an entire conversation with her while being strangled and having her head banged against the floor.

Awful. Just awful. I'm embarrassed I finished reading this book.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it ok so there's this girl her name is Eliza and she is sent to a private school here she meets new friends like Alice and gets a new BFF her name is catherine. then there's this really mean girl who basically owns the school cause her family founded it her names Theresa and shes a real b****! ugh! so on the first day Eliza wants to prove to everyone that she's not her sister May who also came to this school and was basically perfect little princess sitting on a thrown so she sneeks out with the other girls to their brother school to meet the boys (oh btw this schools an all-girls school)here she meets Harrison the dashing and best of all BLUE EYED guy that she falls in love with and he's all "i've never seen preetier eyes" and shes all "I can say the same thing about you" and i'm all 'AWWWW!!!" anywhoo theres just one problem...... HE'S ENGAGED!!! to......................................................................................................................................................................................................
THERESA!! EWWIE!! Eliza is so heartbroken she really thought they had something but eventually she ffinds somethinng that distracts her A MAP!!! ooolala! so Eliza, Theresa, catherine, and alice which leads them into the church where they find a heavy glimmering treasure chest! When they open it they find a.............. OOPS! looks like you'll have to read to find out more but believe me you won't regret it!

FIVE STARS I LOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEDDDDD IT! <3

[Marnie (Enchanted Bibliophile) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judge a book by it's cover.
I chose this book because of it's cover, not knowing what the story was about or how the author was. And truthfully I was pleasantly surprised. It was a quick fun read, with a story line that bound me like a "spell" was cast when I opened this book.

It takes you on a journey of friendships lost, found and doomed every after.
Through the eyes of Elizabeth (Eliza) Williams we meet new friends, fall in love and discover that no matter how well we meant some things, there is a fine line that never should be crossed.

Eliza, feel that she lost her dear sister May to the Billings School for girls and now it's her turn to go. To please her mother and become a lady, get married and be the perfect thing she never want to be. She's in love with books and adventure, so why in the world would she ever need a man?
In spite of losing her sister, Eliza sees going to Billings as her ticket to freedom and maybe adventure. Never dreading of what she would find.

Her room mate Catherine White and Catherine's best friend Theresa Billings - how's father is the owner of Billings - embark on a epic adventure into the world of witch craft. Soon learning that fun can go horribly wrong and no matter how much you try to fix things, sometimes it must just stay the way it is.

This was an enjoyable book, and I will defiantly try more of Kate Brian's books!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Book of Spells (A Private Novel)
By: Kate Brian

Personally, I loved this book. I think it that it was very well written. I have not read any of the other Private novels so I can’t compare this to any of Brian’s other works. As a stand alone novel, The Book of Spells, is exceptional. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA novels like the Gemma Doyle Trilogy, or Clockwork Angel. In The Book of Spells, Kate Brian manages to bring protagonist Eliza Williams to life. Eliza is a very real character, faced with very real problems. She is sent to boarding school by her mother to become a lady and to secure a husband. Eliza has other plans, she cannot wait to get to school to be free of her mother’s overbearing nature and constant reminders that she does not live up to her older sister , the older, stunning, gorgeous, perfect May. Even without the element of the supernatural, this could have been a great read. The magic and mystery surrounding Eliza and some of her classmates just adds to an already fully realised plot.

[Lia Marcoux · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eliza's not like ordinary girls. She knows love's not a contest, and she's won first prize! Eliza's not like ordinary girls. She prefers books to boys, and when a boy validates this, she knows she's made the right choice! Eliza's not like ordinary girls. She can fall in love with a stranger at thirty paces without exchanging a word! Eliza's not like ordinary girls. She'd never dilly-dally with another girl's fiancé, unless that girl was rude to her, and then she definitely would, immediately! Eliza's not like ordinary girls. She's a manatee! No, wait, a witch! I meant witch.

I like boarding schools, I like witchcraft, but this was a misfire. I guess I was hoping for a book about intense female friendship resulting in a coven of witches, who use their unearthly powers to damn the man whenever they can and bust out of the roles society prescribed for them. Instead, they use bad poetry to excel at those roles. Kind of a bummer.

[Elisa]

*SPOILERS*
I was a bit stand offish about reading this book when I realized Kate Brian was going to introduce witchcraft into the series this late. My friend and I actually discussed if we wanted to keep reading the series if it was going to turn into another one of those teen girls find out they're sister witches series. We decided to give it a shot and I was plesantly surprised that it didnt turn out that way. If Kate Brian felt the need to introduce witchcraft into the series then this was deffinitly the way to do it. The girls arent witches by birth or by birth right. Its a choice they make to become witches. Again I didnt really like the idea of introducing witchcraft but I feel this was the way to do it.

[Jill - Reader in the Rue Morgue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was really fun and bright. It did get a little dark and scary at the end, but it was really great the way the author ended it. The main character, Eliza, was a really smart character! I loved her! Even Theresa was growing on me throughout the book, even though she did whine a lot about Harrison. The sad part of the book was when Catherine died, but it was good when they finally solved the problem with the books and locket because of what Catherine tried to do with Eliza. But overall this book was fun and such a great read! I really recommend this one to everyone who loves witches and dark magic!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This Y&A novel is very interesting. It follows three girls, Eliza, Theresa, and Catherine who find a few trinkets, among other things, that lead them on what appears to be a fascinating journey. At the Billings school for girls, they create a coven and invite others to join. At first things are exciting and fun, then slowly darkness inches in. Then the worst thing happens. The girls wonder if they can fix it... Things get even creepier. This tale cleverly reveals life lessons, with one of them being: there is a price for everything, including magic.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminds me of why I liked the private series to begin with. I love the fact that it takes place almost 100 years ago. A great YA boarding school book with a supernatural twist. It was a quick read. The ending was not a total cliffhanger, but did leave me wondering if she is going to write a sequel to this prequel!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Once I saw the cover, I knew I wanted it! I loved it so much that I finished it in one sitting when I was on vacation! Right that moment, I knew I wanted to read the Private series! AMAZING!

[Ritika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I personally really enjoyed this book, in part due to the nostalgic feelings I associate with this series. This is however the only one I've decided to reread and I'm glad I made that decision because is still kind of a dramatic, Gossip girl-esque series in terms of how the girls behave and how to the story flows but with witchcraft added in. So it's a fun, quick read and something I enjoyed in the past but I'm not sure how I'd feel about it now and I don't want to run my memories of the series.
But if a drama filled witchy ya series is what you're looking for, it's definitely a fun read in a seemingly long series, but the books itself are pretty short.

[Courtney Niederer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Book of Spells was a quick YA book about a group of girls at an all-girls school who discover a few old books in the basement of the chapel. These books just happen to contain a book of spells. The girls form a group, a coven, and they start casting spells around campus. There are conflicts and friendships and a little flirting with those from the all-boys school nearby. It gets a little intense towards the end when some of the spells start to go awry. This was a fun read! 4 stars!

Challenges:
Category 31 - a prequel
ABC challenge - letter K
Goodreads - 10/110
TBR 2021 - 4/12

[Mira de la curiosithèque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un livre Young adult très sympa à lire : un pensionnat, des livres de sorcellerie et une époque où pour s’accomplir, un jeune femme doit se marier ; de quoi parler d’amitiés et d’amour, mais aussi des limites à fixer à ses désirs.
Rien de révolutionnaire, mais les pages se tournent toutes seules. Les puristes préféreront sans doute approfondir le sujet des sorcières en lisant la saga de Déborah Harkness ou les livres d’Anne Rice. Moi, j’ai apprécié cette lecture légère et prenante.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. There is one thing that is puzzling to me. This is supposed to be a prequel to The Private series; however it doesn't have anything to do with what is going on in the series. Hope that makes sense. I am reading the third book of the series right now and I have yet to see anything that relates to this book.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This reminded me a lot of Libba Bray’s Gemma Doyle trilogy, but was not as well flushed out. I liked the story, but I wished there was MORE. What happened with Harrison??? Did Theresa and Eliza stay friends? The romance was instalove-y and I didn’t have much sense of him as a character. Interesting backstory about the Billings Girls, but I enjoy the main series more.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pretty good read. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what would happen. I found that the book ended a little abruptly though.

I also didn't like Eliza's indecisive attitude toward Harrison. I felt bad for him. First she wants him, then she feels guilty, and back again. Like make up your mind, girl!