Challenge Corner discussion

Hannah's a witch, but not the kind you're thinking of. She's the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she's ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.

But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah's concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah's sure it's the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.

While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day.

25%
(view spoiler)[Ooh, this is really good so far. I wonder why the adult coven members don't believe there's a blood witch present? Or do they believe, and they're just lying to protect the teenagers? Great start. (hide spoiler)]

25%
(view spoiler)[I’m already enjoying this so much! I like the characters and how it’s a normal life setting where they go to highschool and have normal teenager problems but happen to be witches.

I’m thinking since the adults don’t believe there’s real danger...there definitely is lol (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

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I agree!!

40%
(view spoiler)[Oh boy, I knew she’d be in trouble for saving Benton! I can’t believe she put the whole fire out and not more about that was noticed. (hide spoiler)]

83%
(view spoiler)[I’m so addicted to this—and wow Morgan’s a blood witch?!?! I DID NOT see that one coming! I like how she explained more and we learn they’re not all just bad. (hide spoiler)]

95%
(view spoiler)[😮 I cannot believe they killed her dad off! 😢 That was so sad and I reallybthought Morgan’s blood magic was goingnto save him.

Also, i had for some reason kind of been suspecting Benton ever since the fire where Hannah saved him. He just seemed to be around and something felt off. Still, I can’t believe he’s THIS evil trying to burn Hannah and Veronica at the stake?!?! (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[This was a really good start to a series and I can’t wait to read the second book—I’m so glad it’s already out!!
I still can’t believe they killed of Hannah’s dad, that was so sad.
I’m interested to sre how things go in the next boom as the witches vs. hunters war heats up!! (hide spoiler)]

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So far, I'm really liking this book. It's super easy to read and I like the characters. It's got a vaguely Buffy-esque vibe. If Buffy the Vampire Slayer had been Willow the Witch instead (with Buffy as the BFF), I think it would have been a lot like this.

As for the plot, it's moving along... I just hope that Veronica doesn't ruin Hannnah's new relationship... unless her new potential girlfriend is evil. She seems nice enough, but you never know. (hide spoiler)]

I just got my copy from the library! Hoping to start tomorrow

75%
(view spoiler)[ The car accident? Holy crap. And Nolan is definitely creepy and evil. But he's been so obvious about it. Maybe he's working with someone? He just doesn't seem that smart. (hide spoiler)]


100%
(view spoiler)[Wow. This may be my favorite book of the year and I can't wait to get the next one. It's out of stock at my local Books-a-Million... so it's Amazon. Plus the Kindle novella, which I just bought. I really wish that Isabel Sterling had been writing for twenty years and had a huge back catalog I could buy.

As for the book, I wonder if there's some witchy symbolism in now having a Blood Witch. They have Elementals, Casters... though couldn't their Reg BFFs become Wiccans and learn that kind of magic? Can't wait for the next one. (hide spoiler)]

I agree with all your thoughts Deanie! And I can’t wait to get the second one either. I’m excited there’s a novella too, I’ll have to look for that. I sure hope she writes fast!!

At 96 pages, I don't think the novella deserves fully Buddy Read treatment, but some comments are good.

(view spoiler)[This is heartbreaking. Poor Hannah. Veronica really is a total bitch to her, choosing her new caster friends over her girlfriend. But I get her side, too... she wants to be grown up and cool, like they are... the pains of being 18... It's a really great novella... (hide spoiler)]

Non-spoiler spoiler: It really helps to read the novella first before reading the second book.




30%
(view spoiler)[So far, this book is every bit as good as the first one. In This Spell Can't Last it was hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys (except for Hannah). At first it seemed like the caster witches were defending themselves against the attacking blood witch, but then it seemed like the blood witch was the victim. And now they need her help? Very twisty. (hide spoiler)]

I swear I'm going to read book 1 this weekend!

Aly wrote: "I swear I'm going to read book 1 this weekend!"

LOL. Despite our best efforts, timing Buddy Reads is tricky. I'm almost always behind (unless I'm ahead). I'm interested in hearing what you think of the books regardless of when you read them.

Deanie wrote: "Aly wrote: "I swear I'm going to read book 1 this weekend!"

LOL. Despite our best efforts, timing Buddy Reads is tricky. I'm almost always behind (unless I'm ahead). I'm interested in hearing what..."

Same! I always keep my notifications on for BR I join, so I can keep seeing anyone's thoughts that read it!

I am still waiting on book 2 (impatiently)

Deanie wrote: "Non-spoiler spoiler: It really helps to read the novella first before reading the second book.




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That's good to know thanks! I'll try to get the novella for sure then.

50%
(view spoiler)[ Now they know what Hannah's been hiding. I hope her magic comes back. They're going to need her... because the Witch Hunters are just evil. Not just killing witches (who are almost all innocent people), but by stealing what makes them who they are... like they would be blinding or deafening non-magic people instead of killing them. (hide spoiler)]

75%
(view spoiler)[ Holy crap! The witch hunters can't win, can they? That would make for a really crappy sequel. Hopefully Hannah gets her magic back and kicks everyone's ass. (hide spoiler)]

100%
(view spoiler)[Not how I expected it to end, but still a really good book. I still love the characters, and I'm glad they were able to tell Gemma at the end. Taking her memories the first time was a crappy thing to do. I don't think this book was as good as the first one, but it was still a really great book. I'd read any sequels if the author wrote them. (hide spoiler)]

Okay I'm finally reading book 1!

25% (view spoiler)[ Evan is suspicious but I don't think he's the bloodwitch. I think Hannah is wrong to immediately dismiss her new coworker.
And Veronica is bleh (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

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Yes, why wouldn't they look into it?

Keri wrote: "
25%
I’m already enjoying this so much! I like the characters and how it’s a normal life setting where they go to highschool and have normal teenager pr..."

Haha no kidding! Adults never see trouble

Aly wrote: Haha no kidding! Adults never see trouble.

I think that's a necessary trope of any book/movie/TV show that centers on teenagers. Because if the adults had a clue, then the story would become all about them.

Deanie wrote: "Aly wrote: Haha no kidding! Adults never see trouble.

I think that's a necessary trope of any book/movie/TV show that centers on teenagers. Because if the adults had a clue, then the story would b..."

That is so true

50% (view spoiler)[ Ugh I don't like Veronica. She tried to get back with Hannah again and then spins the story to make herself seem like a victim when Hannah rejects her.
I'm wondering about Cal as the witch, or possibly the detective? They're both new in town (hide spoiler)]

Keri wrote: "

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83%
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Reply to 40% (view spoiler)[ No kidding! And they don't really have evidence for Hannah to be guilty of setting it I don't think (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

50%

So far, I'm really liking this book. It's super easy to read and I like the characters. It's got a vaguely Buffy-esque vibe. If Buffy the Vampire..."

Yes! Totally agree about Buffy and Willow!

63% (view spoiler)[ oh no, I think the hunter may be her friend Benton.. He had a mysterious bruise and didn't want his tarot read. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ Her dad died?! How awful, poor Hannah. Morgan tried to help him but it didn't work.
I think it's Benton, maybe he previously went by Riley and dated Morgan? (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

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100%
Wow. This may be my favorite book of the year and I can't wait to get the next one. It's out of stock at my local Books..."

Reply to 75% (view spoiler)[ Yeah Nolan has done some bad things but I think he's being manipulated by someone else. (hide spoiler)]

Keri wrote: "

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83%
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Reply to 83% (view spoiler)[ Yeah me too! Hannah made it seem like all blood witches are bad so it's good to know that isn't true (hide spoiler)]

Keri wrote: "
Finished (view spoiler)[This was a really good start to a series and I can’t wait to read the second book—I’m so glad it’s already out!!
I still can’t believe they ki..." (hide spoiler)]

I know! (view spoiler)[ I'm so sad her dad died. I keep wanting it to be fake :( (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

75%
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100%
Wow. This may be my favorite book of the year and I can't wait to get the next one. It's out of stock at my local Books..."

I liked it a lot too and I'm excited to read the novella and then book 2!

Finished (view spoiler)[ Interesting that Cal and the detective are both working for the council. It seems like there are witches everywhere! I'm glad they caught Benton, but devastated that they killed Hannah's dad. (hide spoiler)] Great read!

30% (view spoiler)[ How awful that witches are losing their magic. I'm not surprised that Alice doesn't want to help Hannah after she played a part in kidnapping her. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "Non-spoiler spoiler: It really helps to read the novella first before reading the second book.




30%
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Dang I really should have read the novella. Maybe I'll read it tonight.

51% (view spoiler)[ I hope Hannah does go to therapy, I think it would help her a lot. And these hunters are so awful, the fact that Riley was willing to slit Morgan's throat makes me sick ugh. (hide spoiler)]

Deanie wrote: "

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Yes! So so terrible

Deanie wrote: "

75%
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100%
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75% (view spoiler)[ I know! I hate seeing them escape and kidnap people and take away magic. Please let the tables turn soon! (hide spoiler)]

80% (view spoiler)[ I'm kind of happy to see Benton redeemed a little bit. I really hope they can give the witches back their magic, otherwise that really sucks. And I wonder who is betraying them? (hide spoiler)]

finished (view spoiler)[ I'm bummed that they couldn't restore magic to the witches that lost it. I get why Archer wanted his memories wiped, it would hurt to constantly know what you lost.

This was a bit slower and not as fun as the first book, but still fun to listen to (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1-7 (view spoiler)[ Ohhh, I'm really loving it. I alrealy love characters and I am excited for Hannah and Veronica working together. Maybe they can work out whatever is broken between them. I can see they boh love each other.
Hm. Evan looks weird, but I don't thin he is involved. Maybe he just want to revenge Noah (I think thats his name) for what he did at the bonfire?
I do believe blood witch is in Salem, and I bet it's the same from their past. Hannah's parents hiding something, I bet.
Can new guy that suddenly showed up working at the store be somehow involved? Maybe not... (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 8-10 (view spoiler)[ wow, that was so isky going back into the fire, but.. she had to. I bet there was a blood witch watching her, I just can't figure out who it is. I bet is someone so close to her. Hm. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 13 (view spoiler)[ Hunters? really??? Can it be Noah? Savannah? That detective guy? Who? (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 16 (view spoiler)[ I don't think it's that detective... hm. That would be too easy. But how she will explain how she pulled both of them from the car... But, can it be Veronica? (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ Can it be Benton? He was werid. Why he was afraid of the reading? (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 23 (view spoiler)[Shit. Shit. Shit. That wasn't suppose to happen.
Why I keep thinking that Morgan doin blood magic didin't help? (hide spoiler)]
Finished and all I can say i want second book asap. That was amazing.

I FINALLY GOT BOOK TWO FROM THE HOLD LIST!!!!
SO EXCITED!!!

Hooray!