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The Ones They Took
Cora Somerville is being hunted.
That much isn't new; the government has been after witches like her for decades, and ever since they took Cora's mother and brother, she's determined to help her coven smuggle witches to safe havens.
Then after a botched rescue, she runs into him. Theo. An old friend who'd almost been more, but vanished without a trace. To her shock, he's not just back in Los Angeles—he's now a witch hunter, and he's been assigned to bring her entire operation down.
As the fate of the two intertwine, Theo can't bring himself to turn Cora in, and Cora doesn't want to admit she needs Theo's help. Most of all, neither wants to face all the things they left unsaid a decade ago...
But with the rest of the witch hunters closing in, working together and rekindling the past might be the only way to survive.
That much isn't new; the government has been after witches like her for decades, and ever since they took Cora's mother and brother, she's determined to help her coven smuggle witches to safe havens.
Then after a botched rescue, she runs into him. Theo. An old friend who'd almost been more, but vanished without a trace. To her shock, he's not just back in Los Angeles—he's now a witch hunter, and he's been assigned to bring her entire operation down.
As the fate of the two intertwine, Theo can't bring himself to turn Cora in, and Cora doesn't want to admit she needs Theo's help. Most of all, neither wants to face all the things they left unsaid a decade ago...
But with the rest of the witch hunters closing in, working together and rekindling the past might be the only way to survive.
346 pages, Paperback
Published September 26, 2023
4 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Sarah K. West
1 book5 followersI began my career as a copywriter in the ad industry, which is how I wound up on the Los Angeles Westside. I live with my husband and a sassy chihuahua/spaniel mix named Seymour, and spend a good chunk of my time ignoring the beautiful weather to play videogames.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 8, 2023
Asked my mom if it was lame to give my own book 5 stars and she said "No, you should be proud, but also maybe you used the f-word too much." Which is a fair criticism. This story does have a lot of f-bombs in it. Sorry mom.
September 29, 2023
This book is perfect for autumn 🍂 I read it under the blanket with hot chocolate and it was such a mood! If you are looking for a dark urban fantasy with witchy vibes, definitely check out this one!❤️
Witches are persecuted and live in fear … Cora has seen first hand what happens to witches that are discovered: they disappear. This was an action packed read from the very start! It’s told in multiple POV as we follow Cora as she helps other witches to hide, and at the same time we follow Theo, a hunter who can sense magic. 👀
Fate seems to play a terrible joke on these two, they were once best friends in childhood… and now, Theo must choose between his duty or his heart. I loooove the friends to enemies to lovers trope!! ❤️ It’s filled to the brim with betrayal, anger and regret… 👀 it’s a slow burn romance where the stakes are high throughout the entire story! Also I am a sucker for the cute adorable pet side character (like Niffler 🥹) and I want my very own sprite!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
Witches are persecuted and live in fear … Cora has seen first hand what happens to witches that are discovered: they disappear. This was an action packed read from the very start! It’s told in multiple POV as we follow Cora as she helps other witches to hide, and at the same time we follow Theo, a hunter who can sense magic. 👀
Fate seems to play a terrible joke on these two, they were once best friends in childhood… and now, Theo must choose between his duty or his heart. I loooove the friends to enemies to lovers trope!! ❤️ It’s filled to the brim with betrayal, anger and regret… 👀 it’s a slow burn romance where the stakes are high throughout the entire story! Also I am a sucker for the cute adorable pet side character (like Niffler 🥹) and I want my very own sprite!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review!
September 30, 2023
This book did NOT disappoint and completely delivered the atmospheric vibes I was looking for. I loved the witch x witch hunter & childhood friends to enemies to lovers romance 😍 it was a slow burn and the banter was DELIGHTFUL. In a society where witches are feared and hunted, our fierce FMC Cora helps other witches hide and evade capture. We also follow Theo’s POV, who happens to be Cora’s childhood bff turned witch hunter. He’s tasked with dismantling Cora’s entire operation…and naturally things get complicated when they cross paths again 👀
September 26, 2023
This was such an action-packed read, it was hard to put down at times. Cora is a strong, willful character that you couldn't help but root for. Admittedly, dystopian isn't my favorite genre, simply because I over did it in MS and HS on this genre, but omg it was fun and nostalgic in the best way. Cannot wait to read more from this author.
November 14, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book!!
This story had such an interesting concept, but I feel like parts of the world could've been explained some more. A breakdown of the powers or how exactly the witch community was exposed that lead to them being outcasted would've added that much more to the story, but I was still able to follow along pretty easily.
I enjoyed the plotline and had a fun time reading it. The characters were enjoyable, but the romance wasn't believable. I felt zero chemistry between the two of them. They barely even seemed like friends.
Overall, I think this would've been better as a duology or trilogy. The author would've had the chance to build up the romance and dive a little deeper into the story.
(If this review doesn't make sense, I'm sick right now and putting words together is a struggle lol.)
This story had such an interesting concept, but I feel like parts of the world could've been explained some more. A breakdown of the powers or how exactly the witch community was exposed that lead to them being outcasted would've added that much more to the story, but I was still able to follow along pretty easily.
I enjoyed the plotline and had a fun time reading it. The characters were enjoyable, but the romance wasn't believable. I felt zero chemistry between the two of them. They barely even seemed like friends.
Overall, I think this would've been better as a duology or trilogy. The author would've had the chance to build up the romance and dive a little deeper into the story.
(If this review doesn't make sense, I'm sick right now and putting words together is a struggle lol.)
October 31, 2023
I really wanted to like this book. I tried 2 different times to read it but DNF’d both times.
Full disclosure I only made it to 42% before calling it quits.
This books pacing is my main problem. It is SLOW. it doesn’t feel like the plot advanced at all during what I read. Cora is a great character and I think Theo is interesting and their motives were worth delving into deeper.
The concept of an urban fantasy version of LA where witches are in hiding and hunted was so intriguing. The execution was extremely lacking. I just found myself getting really bored and couldn’t keep interested.
Thank you to Tiny Fox Press and Netgalley for the digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
Full disclosure I only made it to 42% before calling it quits.
This books pacing is my main problem. It is SLOW. it doesn’t feel like the plot advanced at all during what I read. Cora is a great character and I think Theo is interesting and their motives were worth delving into deeper.
The concept of an urban fantasy version of LA where witches are in hiding and hunted was so intriguing. The execution was extremely lacking. I just found myself getting really bored and couldn’t keep interested.
Thank you to Tiny Fox Press and Netgalley for the digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2023
Ahh this one was a fast paced can’t stop book. Tons of triggers because this is a dystopian world. But have I told you charmed is one of my fav shows ever? Even have a charmed tattoo. And this gave me all the charmed feels. Forbidden romance. Witch. Witch hunter. Enemies to lovers. Some spice. And so many feels. I def recommend for the October season and witchy reads
July 16, 2023
A huge thank you to Sarah K. West, Tiny Fox Press LLC, and NetGalley for an ARC of the Novel The One They Took.
This books was so much fun, I was enthralled the entire time! This story follows a modern day witch, Cora, living in a world of witch hunters who also struggles to navigate sobriety and a traumatic past. From the very first page, this story surprised me and dragged me willing into this intriguing world. I am not usually a fan of paranormal books set in modern times but this one blew that setting out of the park. This had a dystopian feel of Divergent and Hunger Games but in a paranormal setting.
I really liked the main character, Cora Somerville. She is a witch whose entire family has been put in witch prison. Following their abduction from the government, Cora went on a drug fueled bender until finally going to rehab and getting clean. Cora works with a group that smuggles witches into safe houses away from the governments witch prosecution division. Theo is a childhood friend of Cora's who left abruptly and now must navigate the world as a magic sensitive, witch hunter. When fate brings these two back together, sparks fly and both of them sacrifice their lives (and love) as they must risk everything to save Cora's family.
I loved the pacing of this book. It was fast enough that I wasn't bored but also built enough of the world and backstory to keep me interested. I loved the enemies to lovers/friends trope. The chemistry between Theo and Cora was very well written, I loved the banter between the two characters. Mrs. West also did a great job developing the side characters. They were unique, interesting characters with their own backstories and relationships.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the "found family" aspect. Cora has a twin brother and mother who are missing the entire first half of the novel and once you find out what happens you are totally rooting for a family reunion at the end. I would also love to see more Sebastian in the next novel, he was a favorite character of mine from his first introduction near the middle to end of the novel.
I loved this novel and I will 100% recommend it to my friends once it is published in November. I can't wait to see if the story continues in a sequel novel. Sarah K West hit it out of the park with this one!
This books was so much fun, I was enthralled the entire time! This story follows a modern day witch, Cora, living in a world of witch hunters who also struggles to navigate sobriety and a traumatic past. From the very first page, this story surprised me and dragged me willing into this intriguing world. I am not usually a fan of paranormal books set in modern times but this one blew that setting out of the park. This had a dystopian feel of Divergent and Hunger Games but in a paranormal setting.
I really liked the main character, Cora Somerville. She is a witch whose entire family has been put in witch prison. Following their abduction from the government, Cora went on a drug fueled bender until finally going to rehab and getting clean. Cora works with a group that smuggles witches into safe houses away from the governments witch prosecution division. Theo is a childhood friend of Cora's who left abruptly and now must navigate the world as a magic sensitive, witch hunter. When fate brings these two back together, sparks fly and both of them sacrifice their lives (and love) as they must risk everything to save Cora's family.
I loved the pacing of this book. It was fast enough that I wasn't bored but also built enough of the world and backstory to keep me interested. I loved the enemies to lovers/friends trope. The chemistry between Theo and Cora was very well written, I loved the banter between the two characters. Mrs. West also did a great job developing the side characters. They were unique, interesting characters with their own backstories and relationships.
One of my favorite parts of this book was the "found family" aspect. Cora has a twin brother and mother who are missing the entire first half of the novel and once you find out what happens you are totally rooting for a family reunion at the end. I would also love to see more Sebastian in the next novel, he was a favorite character of mine from his first introduction near the middle to end of the novel.
I loved this novel and I will 100% recommend it to my friends once it is published in November. I can't wait to see if the story continues in a sequel novel. Sarah K West hit it out of the park with this one!
July 13, 2023
ARC Review thanks to NetGalley.
This was a good read, many things going for it. Once again I found an urban fantasy story that I enjoyed, despite being a definite urban fantasy hater. Look at all these thoughts being disproved with each book I read.
World building is on point. The only thing I would have liked would have been a little more explanation and exploration into different types of magic. And seeing more magic performed… that would have been pretty fun to watch and imagine. But the world was succinct and clear and I felt like I understood the lore well enough to immerse myself.
At times during chapters we delve into more heads than I was comfortable with - each change in narrator was clear but it wasn’t always chapter-by-chapter so it was on occasion a little jarring. But for once I was thrilled to find a book that wasn’t told in the first person. I like a good third person narrative. Recently it’s been hard to come by so this was especially pleasing.
And then we come to all the good stuff. I could gush for a while - ultimately it comes down to caring about the story of our main characters. I picked up this book when I had the chance just to find out what happened next. And there was certainly enough drama and intrigue to keep me turning the pages. My emotional investment as a reader makes it breaks a book, and this certainly succeeded.
Well worth a looksee.
This was a good read, many things going for it. Once again I found an urban fantasy story that I enjoyed, despite being a definite urban fantasy hater. Look at all these thoughts being disproved with each book I read.
World building is on point. The only thing I would have liked would have been a little more explanation and exploration into different types of magic. And seeing more magic performed… that would have been pretty fun to watch and imagine. But the world was succinct and clear and I felt like I understood the lore well enough to immerse myself.
At times during chapters we delve into more heads than I was comfortable with - each change in narrator was clear but it wasn’t always chapter-by-chapter so it was on occasion a little jarring. But for once I was thrilled to find a book that wasn’t told in the first person. I like a good third person narrative. Recently it’s been hard to come by so this was especially pleasing.
And then we come to all the good stuff. I could gush for a while - ultimately it comes down to caring about the story of our main characters. I picked up this book when I had the chance just to find out what happened next. And there was certainly enough drama and intrigue to keep me turning the pages. My emotional investment as a reader makes it breaks a book, and this certainly succeeded.
Well worth a looksee.
December 20, 2023
I had the incredible privilege of diving into this book's enchanting world; let me tell you, it's an absolute gem deserving of the highest accolades! Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and the writer for allowing me to read this ARC.
The prose within these pages is a delightful symphony of wit, emotion, and sheer power that tugs at your heartstrings. We follow a contemporary witch, Cora, weaving through a landscape fraught with witch hunters while bravely confronting her sobriety journey and a haunting past. Her tale is one of resilience amidst adversity, as her entire family finds themselves locked away in a sinister witch prison. After a whirlwind of trials, including a drug-fueled escapade that led her to rehab, Cora joins a group dedicated to whisking persecuted witches away to safety, far from the clutches of the government's witch prosecution division.
Enter Theo, a childhood friend turned magic-sensitive witch hunter, whose reappearance sets off fireworks of passion and sacrifice. Their magnetic connection draws you in, and as their love story unfolds against impending danger, you're held captive by every poignant moment.
The characters are like fragments of a heart-rending symphony, each with tales of sorrow that immediately seize your empathy. As relationships blossom, you'll find yourself emotionally tethered, experiencing every heartache as if it were your own.
Beyond its captivating narrative, this book dives deep into weighty themes. It's as if the contemporary turmoil we witness today has been ingeniously woven into a tapestry of witches and witch hunters. The story acts as a mirror, reflecting our present societal dynamics and guiding us toward compassion and courage in the face of adversity.
The pacing is a true marvel, offering a rollercoaster ride that keeps boredom at bay while meticulously sculpting a world rich in detail and history. And oh, the delicious enemies-to-lovers/friends trope that sizzles between Theo and Cora! Their chemistry crackles across the pages, accompanied by banter that's as effervescent as champagne bubbles. Kudos to Mrs. West for crafting a captivating duo and a supporting cast equally brimming with uniqueness, intricate backstories, and compelling relationships.
Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in this literary treasure trove. It's a journey that will tug at your heart, broaden your perspectives, and leave you with an irresistible craving for more.
The prose within these pages is a delightful symphony of wit, emotion, and sheer power that tugs at your heartstrings. We follow a contemporary witch, Cora, weaving through a landscape fraught with witch hunters while bravely confronting her sobriety journey and a haunting past. Her tale is one of resilience amidst adversity, as her entire family finds themselves locked away in a sinister witch prison. After a whirlwind of trials, including a drug-fueled escapade that led her to rehab, Cora joins a group dedicated to whisking persecuted witches away to safety, far from the clutches of the government's witch prosecution division.
Enter Theo, a childhood friend turned magic-sensitive witch hunter, whose reappearance sets off fireworks of passion and sacrifice. Their magnetic connection draws you in, and as their love story unfolds against impending danger, you're held captive by every poignant moment.
The characters are like fragments of a heart-rending symphony, each with tales of sorrow that immediately seize your empathy. As relationships blossom, you'll find yourself emotionally tethered, experiencing every heartache as if it were your own.
Beyond its captivating narrative, this book dives deep into weighty themes. It's as if the contemporary turmoil we witness today has been ingeniously woven into a tapestry of witches and witch hunters. The story acts as a mirror, reflecting our present societal dynamics and guiding us toward compassion and courage in the face of adversity.
The pacing is a true marvel, offering a rollercoaster ride that keeps boredom at bay while meticulously sculpting a world rich in detail and history. And oh, the delicious enemies-to-lovers/friends trope that sizzles between Theo and Cora! Their chemistry crackles across the pages, accompanied by banter that's as effervescent as champagne bubbles. Kudos to Mrs. West for crafting a captivating duo and a supporting cast equally brimming with uniqueness, intricate backstories, and compelling relationships.
Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend immersing yourself in this literary treasure trove. It's a journey that will tug at your heart, broaden your perspectives, and leave you with an irresistible craving for more.
March 30, 2023
I have two words.. holy sh*t.
I had the absolute privilege of arc reading this book and when I say this book deserves an award I absolutely mean it.
The writing was perfect. Chefs kiss. It was witty and emotional and powerful and all the stuff that makes you feel things. The characters had their own tragic story that made you immediately invested. Then as relationships develop you become so emotionally attached you feel for every heartbreaking moment.
This book touches on heavy topics. It seemed like a reflection of todays political and civil unrest but represented by witches/witch hunting.
It’s a modern day world where magic is illegal. Our fmc is a witch and our mmc is a witch hunter.. we all know we’re this is going. And let me tell you, this book drags you through the most nerve wracking stressful emotional story. But it’s also funny and heart warming and it’s got some gooood tropes
- forbidden love
- friends to enemies to lovers
- banter
- one bed
You won’t regret reading this.
I had the absolute privilege of arc reading this book and when I say this book deserves an award I absolutely mean it.
The writing was perfect. Chefs kiss. It was witty and emotional and powerful and all the stuff that makes you feel things. The characters had their own tragic story that made you immediately invested. Then as relationships develop you become so emotionally attached you feel for every heartbreaking moment.
This book touches on heavy topics. It seemed like a reflection of todays political and civil unrest but represented by witches/witch hunting.
It’s a modern day world where magic is illegal. Our fmc is a witch and our mmc is a witch hunter.. we all know we’re this is going. And let me tell you, this book drags you through the most nerve wracking stressful emotional story. But it’s also funny and heart warming and it’s got some gooood tropes
- forbidden love
- friends to enemies to lovers
- banter
- one bed
You won’t regret reading this.
September 26, 2023
“People with power sell that lie because they’re scared. They’re afraid of losing control. They’re afraid of being less.”
The Ones They Took was just one of those books that I wished I could just stay home all day and read. The writing is beautifully descriptive, perfectly paced and has seamless transitions between both characters and the past and present. Each character is complex, overcoming the roadblocks they face with the purpose of making the world they live in better.
This book does touch on some heavy topics as it brings you into a world where magic is illegal and the only way to stay safe is to stay hidden. It provides important insights on where we both have been and currently are as a society and is a guiding light to how people should act in the face of the situations therein.
I can’t wait to see more from Sarah K West in the future. Her writing is amazing and future potential is endless.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
The Ones They Took was just one of those books that I wished I could just stay home all day and read. The writing is beautifully descriptive, perfectly paced and has seamless transitions between both characters and the past and present. Each character is complex, overcoming the roadblocks they face with the purpose of making the world they live in better.
This book does touch on some heavy topics as it brings you into a world where magic is illegal and the only way to stay safe is to stay hidden. It provides important insights on where we both have been and currently are as a society and is a guiding light to how people should act in the face of the situations therein.
I can’t wait to see more from Sarah K West in the future. Her writing is amazing and future potential is endless.
ARC provided by NetGalley.
October 1, 2023
Spice: 1 pepper
Ever started reading a book and it takes you completely by surprise how perfect it is for you in that precise moment in time? That’s the feeling I have with The Ones They Took. The story is perfect for autumn because it’s set in this time of the year and you can feel it oozing through the pages, and it’s about witches living among us in a dystopian version of our world. These witches are being hunted by a government founded organization and put away in prison camps without any access to magic (or worse.) Our protagonists are Cora, a witch who has lost her mother and twin brother to the hunters when she was a teen, and now to fill the void of their absence she helps other witches evade hunters; and Theo, a hunter. The catch? Theo and Cora used to know each other. They were friends and neighbors, and with time something more might have bloomed, until Theo suddenly disappeared from Cora’s life, only to reappear years later. Things are decidedly complicated, but with Cora around, Theo is starting to have doubts he’d thought long since buried at the Academy, meanwhile Cora doesn’t know if she can trust the man Theo is now because of the boy she knew.
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, aside from magic, it’s CONFLICT. Within, without. There’s a lot of it, and it’s perfect. The tension is palpable, romantically but also story-wise. Witches are tired of being persecuted, human bigotry is being fed by a shady and corrupt government, tensions rise among allies. And Cora’s deep sense of loss for her family that haunts her to this day is so touching. There was a scene during Samhain where she senses the ghost of someone dear to her that had me in tears. And all the complicated emotions she felt afterwards? I could deeply resonate with that.
I loved the slow burn friends to enemies to lovers romance and the beautiful magic system that were woven into a plot that had a slower build-up and is filled with action at the same time, allowing us to really get into the story and know the characters but also keeping the stakes high for the main and secondary characters alike. I was especially fond of Pip, a sprite whose love for shiny things brings a touch of levity to this dark and atmospheric book. And yet, there is hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. You see it in the witches’ resilience and sense of community, in characters like Ezra, Quinn and Mindy that never stop fighting. In characters like Nell, Seb and others at The Beach. You see it in the improbable romance between Cora and Theo, whose love defies the odds and prejudices, and Cora’s eternal love for her twin brother Sebastian that makes her brave.
The last 100 pages or so of the book were intense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and filled with equal measures of dread and hope. It was very well done!
I truly enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it to lovers of witches and books with a great characters, high stakes and atmospheric vibe.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
Ever started reading a book and it takes you completely by surprise how perfect it is for you in that precise moment in time? That’s the feeling I have with The Ones They Took. The story is perfect for autumn because it’s set in this time of the year and you can feel it oozing through the pages, and it’s about witches living among us in a dystopian version of our world. These witches are being hunted by a government founded organization and put away in prison camps without any access to magic (or worse.) Our protagonists are Cora, a witch who has lost her mother and twin brother to the hunters when she was a teen, and now to fill the void of their absence she helps other witches evade hunters; and Theo, a hunter. The catch? Theo and Cora used to know each other. They were friends and neighbors, and with time something more might have bloomed, until Theo suddenly disappeared from Cora’s life, only to reappear years later. Things are decidedly complicated, but with Cora around, Theo is starting to have doubts he’d thought long since buried at the Academy, meanwhile Cora doesn’t know if she can trust the man Theo is now because of the boy she knew.
If I had to choose one word to describe this book, aside from magic, it’s CONFLICT. Within, without. There’s a lot of it, and it’s perfect. The tension is palpable, romantically but also story-wise. Witches are tired of being persecuted, human bigotry is being fed by a shady and corrupt government, tensions rise among allies. And Cora’s deep sense of loss for her family that haunts her to this day is so touching. There was a scene during Samhain where she senses the ghost of someone dear to her that had me in tears. And all the complicated emotions she felt afterwards? I could deeply resonate with that.
I loved the slow burn friends to enemies to lovers romance and the beautiful magic system that were woven into a plot that had a slower build-up and is filled with action at the same time, allowing us to really get into the story and know the characters but also keeping the stakes high for the main and secondary characters alike. I was especially fond of Pip, a sprite whose love for shiny things brings a touch of levity to this dark and atmospheric book. And yet, there is hope, a light at the end of the tunnel. You see it in the witches’ resilience and sense of community, in characters like Ezra, Quinn and Mindy that never stop fighting. In characters like Nell, Seb and others at The Beach. You see it in the improbable romance between Cora and Theo, whose love defies the odds and prejudices, and Cora’s eternal love for her twin brother Sebastian that makes her brave.
The last 100 pages or so of the book were intense. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and filled with equal measures of dread and hope. It was very well done!
I truly enjoyed this read and I highly recommend it to lovers of witches and books with a great characters, high stakes and atmospheric vibe.
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.
September 15, 2023
Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
If you were a witch and you knew the government was after witches, what would you do?
Would you just hide away from everyone and everything or would you fight for your fellow witches and do whatever was needed to protect them, even if that meant you could be caught too and taken to gods knows where?
When I read the synopsis of this book, I was like okay this sounds interesting let’s see how it goes but wow I was surprised at how the book was. I enjoyed the fast-paced, well-developed plot. The world building was great, I loved that the author used real places here in the US and that for once a book talked about the wonderful city I was born in in Redondo Beach. I loved the magic system and I think the main reason was because I loved all things witchy I already kind of knew about the magic that the author was talking about but also because she made it so believable. I even loved the sprites so much; I even wish that I had a friend like Pip. He was just so adorable and charming. The characters were great, and I loved that they both had some amazing character development.
Cora is the FMC and I enjoyed watching how she connected with her fellow witches and with the humans. I liked that she was strong but at the same time venerable, it made it easy to connect with her along with the fact that she had an addiction and had to overcome it but you still saw her when times got rough she did have a moment of weakness and I know a lot of people don’t know about addiction or understand it unless you have been there but seeing her go through that really made her more real for me because I understood her pain.
I liked Theo's character as well, the author did not shy away from the pain, and grief that he went through as well. I loved that he was strong but at the same time when it came to having his old friend Cora back, he couldn’t hide who he really was down inside, and who he really wanted to be. I thought the banter between these two was another layer that just added to how real the characters were. His development was done throughout the book because he had to change everything, he was drilled into his head to believe and to live in the world that he was drafted too.
I thought the ending was done well, wrapped up a lot but at the same time, I am hoping that there will be another book that will give me some more answers like, how are they handling being in the new city, how is the government handling the situation that Cora and Theo threw at them?
If you like found family, great plot, great characters, cute sprites, witches, action and a little romance you need to read this book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Tiny Fox Press for the opportunity to review this book.
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
If you were a witch and you knew the government was after witches, what would you do?
Would you just hide away from everyone and everything or would you fight for your fellow witches and do whatever was needed to protect them, even if that meant you could be caught too and taken to gods knows where?
When I read the synopsis of this book, I was like okay this sounds interesting let’s see how it goes but wow I was surprised at how the book was. I enjoyed the fast-paced, well-developed plot. The world building was great, I loved that the author used real places here in the US and that for once a book talked about the wonderful city I was born in in Redondo Beach. I loved the magic system and I think the main reason was because I loved all things witchy I already kind of knew about the magic that the author was talking about but also because she made it so believable. I even loved the sprites so much; I even wish that I had a friend like Pip. He was just so adorable and charming. The characters were great, and I loved that they both had some amazing character development.
Cora is the FMC and I enjoyed watching how she connected with her fellow witches and with the humans. I liked that she was strong but at the same time venerable, it made it easy to connect with her along with the fact that she had an addiction and had to overcome it but you still saw her when times got rough she did have a moment of weakness and I know a lot of people don’t know about addiction or understand it unless you have been there but seeing her go through that really made her more real for me because I understood her pain.
I liked Theo's character as well, the author did not shy away from the pain, and grief that he went through as well. I loved that he was strong but at the same time when it came to having his old friend Cora back, he couldn’t hide who he really was down inside, and who he really wanted to be. I thought the banter between these two was another layer that just added to how real the characters were. His development was done throughout the book because he had to change everything, he was drilled into his head to believe and to live in the world that he was drafted too.
I thought the ending was done well, wrapped up a lot but at the same time, I am hoping that there will be another book that will give me some more answers like, how are they handling being in the new city, how is the government handling the situation that Cora and Theo threw at them?
If you like found family, great plot, great characters, cute sprites, witches, action and a little romance you need to read this book.
I want to thank NetGalley and Tiny Fox Press for the opportunity to review this book.
September 27, 2023
Fully-realized, witchy dystopian! Would recommend to everyone!
In this urban fantasy, the country is swelling with riots (feel familiar?). Cora moves home to a suburb outside of Los Angeles as public outrage ignites over the world’s worst kept secret: witches are real. But people like her have been hunted for much longer than the government cares to admit. When she was only 16, her brother and mother were snatched by witch hunters and she spent the rest of her life hiding and drowning in grief. Hitting rock bottom, she joined the rebellion and has been smuggling runaway witches to their safe haven, Whitefall. But it all falls apart when one little girl gets caught by someone from Cora’s past.
I was blown away by this novel! You will be left dumbstruck by the amount of detail and craft that went into this. My romantasy girls will be swept off their feet by the begrudging bond that forms between Cora and Theo (by chapter 15! Scouts honor). Both have stormed through insurmountable trauma and are coping as best as they can. Standing on opposite sides of a war, they have little sympathy for each other. But the memories of who they used to be force them to reconsider their own prejudices.
I’m not a literary genius so I’ll just have to share examples this book reminded me of. Fans of Ember in the Ashes will love this book! It delivers a much more satisfying end. Cora is a realist and survivor, reminding me of Celaena in the first TOG. Theo’s emotional maturity and (eventual) tenderness reminded me of post-mountain Rhysand. And their personalities are made all the more visceral by the realistic and familiar world that grounds the story. You can doubt my over the top name-drops, but you’ll have to read it to fight me (haha!).
The pacing reminded me of Harry Potter, following the day-to-day life of Cora (a rebel witch) and Theo (a witch hunter). With each day you read about, their mysterious world grows a little bigger. No info dumping! Every bit of knowledge you gain is carefully crafted and weaved into the events as they happen. If you liked the scope of Fourth Wing, (from the parapet, to the challenges, then the dragons), you will love the adventure that unfolds here. It’s not just a witch hunt, or a second chance, or a rescue mission, it’s so many things tied into one. A leader in the coven shared that every time one used magic they were weaving themselves deeper into the fabric of the universe. I feel like this story weaves a thousand incredible threads into this wonderful urban fantasy.
“The Ones They Took” is genuine gold and will appeal to both readers looking for escape and those who look for magic in the day to day.
In this urban fantasy, the country is swelling with riots (feel familiar?). Cora moves home to a suburb outside of Los Angeles as public outrage ignites over the world’s worst kept secret: witches are real. But people like her have been hunted for much longer than the government cares to admit. When she was only 16, her brother and mother were snatched by witch hunters and she spent the rest of her life hiding and drowning in grief. Hitting rock bottom, she joined the rebellion and has been smuggling runaway witches to their safe haven, Whitefall. But it all falls apart when one little girl gets caught by someone from Cora’s past.
I was blown away by this novel! You will be left dumbstruck by the amount of detail and craft that went into this. My romantasy girls will be swept off their feet by the begrudging bond that forms between Cora and Theo (by chapter 15! Scouts honor). Both have stormed through insurmountable trauma and are coping as best as they can. Standing on opposite sides of a war, they have little sympathy for each other. But the memories of who they used to be force them to reconsider their own prejudices.
I’m not a literary genius so I’ll just have to share examples this book reminded me of. Fans of Ember in the Ashes will love this book! It delivers a much more satisfying end. Cora is a realist and survivor, reminding me of Celaena in the first TOG. Theo’s emotional maturity and (eventual) tenderness reminded me of post-mountain Rhysand. And their personalities are made all the more visceral by the realistic and familiar world that grounds the story. You can doubt my over the top name-drops, but you’ll have to read it to fight me (haha!).
The pacing reminded me of Harry Potter, following the day-to-day life of Cora (a rebel witch) and Theo (a witch hunter). With each day you read about, their mysterious world grows a little bigger. No info dumping! Every bit of knowledge you gain is carefully crafted and weaved into the events as they happen. If you liked the scope of Fourth Wing, (from the parapet, to the challenges, then the dragons), you will love the adventure that unfolds here. It’s not just a witch hunt, or a second chance, or a rescue mission, it’s so many things tied into one. A leader in the coven shared that every time one used magic they were weaving themselves deeper into the fabric of the universe. I feel like this story weaves a thousand incredible threads into this wonderful urban fantasy.
“The Ones They Took” is genuine gold and will appeal to both readers looking for escape and those who look for magic in the day to day.
September 19, 2023
4,5 stars for this very strong debute! I’m so thankful for getting the chance to read an ARC thanks to Netgalley in exchange for my honest review, of this urban adult fantasy that left me wanting more! It had a perfect ending which I loved but I am hoping so hard that this is the start of a series!
This book releases on the 26th of this month and I really enjoyed reading it.
We follow Cora, a modern day witch who is also a nurse and a runner (someone who takes witches to safe houses). She’s so courageous but we get to see the mental tole everything takes on her too. And yes things go wrong, actions have consequences and people really feel things and support eachother. Which makes this book feel pretty real (but never too heavy).
I love how I got to witness many different kinds of magic and them being used in different ways. That was beyond fascinating! Some of the places this book took me too!
We also follow Theo, a witch hunter who used to be a friend of Cora (maybe a little more ;)) and was ripped out of Cora’s life at a young age to be recruited because he can sense magic.
There’s a great friends to enemies to lovers trope going on but it never overshadows the story. A rollercoaster of a story with a mission impossible and an epic end battle.
Some more things I loved was how Cora named her car, the two super cute sprite companions who played a critical role in the story, which I wasn’t expecting! And that there’s this utopian safe place for witches and last but not least. the description of Alta Ghislaine being so similar to Edna from The Incredibles that I pictured Ghislaine as her the rest of the story!
I’m taking a half star because the book didn’t start well for me. I don’t like it when there are huge emotions and memories shared between characters right at the beginning of a book because it makes me want to feel things and understand but I just can’t because I didn’t get the chance to get to know them yet. And.. how two character’s family relations were described. I had to read that four times cause it was so unnecessarily elaborate and utterly confusing. Also the name of a certain government website feeling inappropriately dumb. But don’t let these small negative points keep you from reading this gem!
This book releases on the 26th of this month and I really enjoyed reading it.
We follow Cora, a modern day witch who is also a nurse and a runner (someone who takes witches to safe houses). She’s so courageous but we get to see the mental tole everything takes on her too. And yes things go wrong, actions have consequences and people really feel things and support eachother. Which makes this book feel pretty real (but never too heavy).
I love how I got to witness many different kinds of magic and them being used in different ways. That was beyond fascinating! Some of the places this book took me too!
We also follow Theo, a witch hunter who used to be a friend of Cora (maybe a little more ;)) and was ripped out of Cora’s life at a young age to be recruited because he can sense magic.
There’s a great friends to enemies to lovers trope going on but it never overshadows the story. A rollercoaster of a story with a mission impossible and an epic end battle.
Some more things I loved was how Cora named her car, the two super cute sprite companions who played a critical role in the story, which I wasn’t expecting! And that there’s this utopian safe place for witches and last but not least. the description of Alta Ghislaine being so similar to Edna from The Incredibles that I pictured Ghislaine as her the rest of the story!
I’m taking a half star because the book didn’t start well for me. I don’t like it when there are huge emotions and memories shared between characters right at the beginning of a book because it makes me want to feel things and understand but I just can’t because I didn’t get the chance to get to know them yet. And.. how two character’s family relations were described. I had to read that four times cause it was so unnecessarily elaborate and utterly confusing. Also the name of a certain government website feeling inappropriately dumb. But don’t let these small negative points keep you from reading this gem!
July 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! The story was interesting from the beginning. The dialogue was overall well done and believable. I REALLY loved that information was woven so well into the book instead of lengthy info dumps. The info drops that were there didn't feel tedious and fit into the storyline well.
Cora is a great female main character! I loved watching her relationships evolve. I LOVED Pip. He was such a refreshing nonhuman character. I thought the romance subplot was believable and well written. I enjoyed Theo's character growth. I love how the author handled addiction, grief, and trauma recovery.
This book gave me Charmed, 5th Wave, and When the Wind Blows vibes. I loved the magic system, and the hopeful ending. Overall, this was a good read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Charmed, spice, dystopia, and/or romantasy.
Content warning: death, kidnapping, assault, full rainbow of cuss words, spice, addiction recovery, gruesome injury
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts contained in this review are my own.
Cora is a great female main character! I loved watching her relationships evolve. I LOVED Pip. He was such a refreshing nonhuman character. I thought the romance subplot was believable and well written. I enjoyed Theo's character growth. I love how the author handled addiction, grief, and trauma recovery.
This book gave me Charmed, 5th Wave, and When the Wind Blows vibes. I loved the magic system, and the hopeful ending. Overall, this was a good read, and I would recommend it to anyone who loves Charmed, spice, dystopia, and/or romantasy.
Content warning: death, kidnapping, assault, full rainbow of cuss words, spice, addiction recovery, gruesome injury
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts contained in this review are my own.
December 29, 2023
Dystopian thriller tale with the US treating witches horribly while it would seem the rest of the world is more enlightened. Cora lost her mom and brother in a raid and hasn't seen or heard from them in years. Substance abuse failed to take the edge off her grief and anger, but using her healing skills carefully and surreptitiously as a nurse, gives her some measure of peace. She helps other witches by arranging, or transporting them to safe houses until they can be moved to Whitefall a hidden place where they can live in Peace.
When one such transport goes off the rails and Cora is captured, it could have been the end of everything, but it was Theo, her childhood friend and crush who nabbed her. He's fighting his own demons thanks to having been taken and forced to become a witch hunter when he was a teen. Not only do sparks rekindle, but he has growing doubts about what he's been doing. What follows is a mix of tense situations, growing attraction, some pretty awful things happening to witches, and an eventual everything coming to a head that's tense and thrilling. Definitely a strongly suggested read for lovers of dystopia and witches. Extra points for the pixies.
When one such transport goes off the rails and Cora is captured, it could have been the end of everything, but it was Theo, her childhood friend and crush who nabbed her. He's fighting his own demons thanks to having been taken and forced to become a witch hunter when he was a teen. Not only do sparks rekindle, but he has growing doubts about what he's been doing. What follows is a mix of tense situations, growing attraction, some pretty awful things happening to witches, and an eventual everything coming to a head that's tense and thrilling. Definitely a strongly suggested read for lovers of dystopia and witches. Extra points for the pixies.
July 14, 2023
Thank you to netgalley for the ARC of this book.
This book surprised me, I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book but it isn't what I got. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it within 24 hours. I think it is very character driven and I enjoyed seeing both Cora's and Theo's characters develop.
I think the premise of this book is believable and could very well happen today if witches with powers were a thing. People fear what they don't know and so they lash out.
This book perfectly represented this fear and what happens when society lets it get the better of them and lets their humanity ebb away.
I think Sarah K West has built a brilliant world and I hope she decides to write a prequel. It would be interesting to see how the events that are deemed normal by society in this book came to be as well as an explanation of all the different types of magic.
This book surprised me, I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book but it isn't what I got. This is not necessarily a bad thing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it within 24 hours. I think it is very character driven and I enjoyed seeing both Cora's and Theo's characters develop.
I think the premise of this book is believable and could very well happen today if witches with powers were a thing. People fear what they don't know and so they lash out.
This book perfectly represented this fear and what happens when society lets it get the better of them and lets their humanity ebb away.
I think Sarah K West has built a brilliant world and I hope she decides to write a prequel. It would be interesting to see how the events that are deemed normal by society in this book came to be as well as an explanation of all the different types of magic.
August 12, 2023
I hate to say it, but this was almost a DNF for me because of the beginning–which would have been a shame considering how much I enjoyed this book. However, what it lacked in the beginning, the rest of the book made up for with action and romance and a good story altogether. I was interested in each character from Cora, the main character and witch, to even the ones less dwelt on like the altas. The ending was chaotic with all the fighting from this way and that, but it was still fairly easy to follow, which can sometimes be hard to keep up with when reading similar scenes in other books. I do wish there was more emphasis on the magic and times where it was used in general. While I had my suspicions, I still wasn’t sure how the author would choose to end the book. I’m glad it ended how it did–not rushed, not too cliche, just an ending that “made sense” with everything overall.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
August 15, 2023
Cora is a nurse, a witch, and someone who smuggles fellow witches to safety from the government agency determined to hunt them down and imprison them. Years ago, this agency took her mother and twin brother. When one rescue attempt goes wrong, she runs into childhood friend Theo who disappeared around age 16 and is now a witch hunter. The two reconnect, old feelings resurface and they realize that as difficult as it might be, they must work together to save Cora’s family and others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It drew me in from the first few pages and kept me engaged throughout. The characters were well developed and interesting and the trauma and psychological impacts they faced from their experiences were well explained. The storyline kept me wanting to read and offered some twists and surprises. This was a very satisfying read and I would recommend it to everyone interested in this genre.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for my review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It drew me in from the first few pages and kept me engaged throughout. The characters were well developed and interesting and the trauma and psychological impacts they faced from their experiences were well explained. The storyline kept me wanting to read and offered some twists and surprises. This was a very satisfying read and I would recommend it to everyone interested in this genre.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for my review.
September 28, 2023
It took me a while to get into this book but once I did, I enjoyed it. The protagonist, Cora, is a tough nut to crack, and her love interest, Theo, even tougher, but Cora’s network of friends and family is pretty great, and Theo totally comes around. The magic system in this book is very interesting, especially since unlike many magic books, this one is set in the real world, a very recognizable LA/OC. At times the book reminded me a little bit of The Handmaid’s Tale, just hearing about how paranoia, riots, and secret police had gradually taken root, leading to the state of affairs we found Cora in at the start of the book - people being imprisoned suddenly and indefinitely, a network of safe houses for witches, and hunters armed to the teeth reporting to the higher ups and taking people in on tips from neighbors, coworkers, whoever. Cora and her friends take it upon themselves to fight back!
September 5, 2023
3.5/5🌟
0.5🌶️
Release date: September 26th 🎉
This is a solid showing for a debut novel! The writing immersed me into Cora and Theo's dystopian world and I did not want to leave by the end.
✅ Urban fantasy
✅ Forbidden love (witch x witch hunter)
✅ Friends to enemies to lovers
✅ Dual POV
➕
- The characters feel richly developed and authentic. Both main characters have their demons and flaws, but they are strong for the people that depend on them.
- Pip, the sprite, is just adorable. He stole the show.
- As with dystopian novels, this one deals with trauma, grief, addiction, systematic oppression.
➖
- Slow start.
- The magic system/world building was done well for the most part, but I had a few questions as I was reading that took me out of the story.
*Thanks to @skwestwrites, Tiny Fox Press and Library Thing for providing me with an eARC.
0.5🌶️
Release date: September 26th 🎉
This is a solid showing for a debut novel! The writing immersed me into Cora and Theo's dystopian world and I did not want to leave by the end.
✅ Urban fantasy
✅ Forbidden love (witch x witch hunter)
✅ Friends to enemies to lovers
✅ Dual POV
➕
- The characters feel richly developed and authentic. Both main characters have their demons and flaws, but they are strong for the people that depend on them.
- Pip, the sprite, is just adorable. He stole the show.
- As with dystopian novels, this one deals with trauma, grief, addiction, systematic oppression.
➖
- Slow start.
- The magic system/world building was done well for the most part, but I had a few questions as I was reading that took me out of the story.
*Thanks to @skwestwrites, Tiny Fox Press and Library Thing for providing me with an eARC.
October 3, 2023
The Ones They Took is an action-packed read I wished I could stay home all day and read. The writing makes the book hard to put down and is beautifully descriptive with seamless transitions between characters and past and present. The characters are complex, and you can't help but root for Cora. This book does touch on some heavy topics, but it is a dystopian world. I did love the dynamic between the characters, including an enemies-to-lovers troupe. The book was a slow burn but in the best way. I am also a huge fan of the dual POV throughout the book.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 14, 2023
Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Something just didn't vibe with me fully, the concept was fine but for me it just wasn't magical enough. And I don't mean in the whimsical sense, there just wasn't enough focus on the magic for me to be fully sold. There wasn't enough tension even with the darker topics, it felt a little too.. easy and slightly predictable for me unfortunately, especially with so much focus given to Cora and Theo's relationship throughout the book.
So yeah.. sorry to say that my feelings for this book are simply pretty neutral.
Full review: https://mediashadowreads.wordpress.co...
So yeah.. sorry to say that my feelings for this book are simply pretty neutral.
Full review: https://mediashadowreads.wordpress.co...
January 28, 2024
This book has some of my favorite tropes and I was so excited to read this. It did not disappoint!
This was a nice read! the story was fast-paced and I liked the atmosphere and world-building.
The writing is beautiful and easy to follow. I also loved how she described the characters, the slow-burn romance, the tension and the magic system!!!!
I recommend this book if you love witches, found family, magic, action, and complex characters.
Tropes:
- friends to enemies to lovers
- witch x witch hunter
- urban fantasy
- banter/ tension
Thank you for this arc, opinions are my own!
This was a nice read! the story was fast-paced and I liked the atmosphere and world-building.
The writing is beautiful and easy to follow. I also loved how she described the characters, the slow-burn romance, the tension and the magic system!!!!
I recommend this book if you love witches, found family, magic, action, and complex characters.
Tropes:
- friends to enemies to lovers
- witch x witch hunter
- urban fantasy
- banter/ tension
Thank you for this arc, opinions are my own!
dnf
July 26, 2023Unfortunately I DNF at the 25% mark. Which isn't like me with having received an advanced copy. I just wasn't connecting with the book and kept waiting for more magic to happen. It seemed like a super slow start and I just didn't see myself getting through it as quickly as I normally do. The book description sounded fantastic and the cover is wonderful... I guess I just wasn't really getting what I expected.
Thank you NetGalley and Tiny Fox press for the eARC so that I may share my honest feedback.
Thank you NetGalley and Tiny Fox press for the eARC so that I may share my honest feedback.
August 23, 2023
I really enjoyed this story. A unique magic world- the normal world as we know it just add magic and witches. I cared about the characters a lot and enjoyed all of their development. They were all interesting and complex. The magic was easy to understand. I appreciated the explanation of how other countries treat witches compared the US. I felt like this story had so much- familial relationships, friendships, romance, internal struggle, political unrest. All while being wonderfully written and easy to read and follow.
September 1, 2023
Thank you so much NetGalley and Tiny Fox Press for allowing me the privilege of reading The Ones They Took. I was absorbed in this book from the very beginning! The characters were all endearing, faults and all. I grew rather fond of Pip 🥰. I’ve been waiting for a world to fall into for years and I’ve finally done it with this book. I will absolutely be exploring more titles by this author. Her writing style is impressive. Descriptive, not too formal. Great storytelling and a solid, well-developed plot.
August 6, 2023
4.25 ⭐
Thanks for the ARC opportunity for netgalley, the author and the publisher.
I really loved this story for how well the world building was given, not in one big chunks but in easily processable way, little by little. I loved it started right off without much of a lead up.
The characters were likable, the Cora was a great FMC.
Addiction, trauma, grief were all handled so beautifully by the author.
I absolutely recommend this to all romantasy/dystopia lovers.
Thanks for the ARC opportunity for netgalley, the author and the publisher.
I really loved this story for how well the world building was given, not in one big chunks but in easily processable way, little by little. I loved it started right off without much of a lead up.
The characters were likable, the Cora was a great FMC.
Addiction, trauma, grief were all handled so beautifully by the author.
I absolutely recommend this to all romantasy/dystopia lovers.
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