0 of 5 copies available
Wait time: About 8 weeks
0 of 5 copies available
Wait time: About 8 weeks
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark, precisely . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while either.
With her witchcraft under wraps and a toxic boss making her days miserable, Belle is struggling to keep her beloved Lunar Books afloat and just make it through the day. The last thing she has time for is perfecting her magic.
So when her thirtieth birthday brings a summons from her coven and a trial that tests her worthiness as a witch, Belle fears the worst. With only the month of October left to prove herself or risk losing her magic forever, Belle will need all the help she can get—from the women in her life, from an unlikely mentor figure and even from an infuriating coven watchman who’s sworn to protect her...
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
October 29, 2024 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9798217082445
- File size: 358372 KB
- Duration: 12:26:36
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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August 5, 2024
Wood’s cozy but underbaked debut finds witch Belladonna “Belle” Blackwood approaching her 30th birthday. Bookstore manager Belle’s quiet life among mortals has left her powers “not completely dormant” but “just a little sleepy,” which makes a summons back to her coven to prove herself worthy of keeping her magic particularly intimidating. If, after a designated mentorship period, she cannot pass the grimoire’s five tests, her days of witchery are over. With an infamous warlock as her mentor and a handsome watchman as her protector, Belle steadily works her way through all five challenges. Unfortunately, Wood gives Belle few characteristics outside of her spunkiness—which often comes off as combative arrogance—and the supporting cast is similarly underdeveloped. The plot doesn’t really ramp up until near the end, when the true villains, who have been working to ensure Belle’s failure, are revealed, adding some much-needed stakes. The gentle, witchy atmosphere appeals, but this doesn’t have much else going for it. Agent: Maddy Belton, Madeleine Milburn Literary. -
May 30, 2025
Wood pens a delightful witchy debut about living up to one's potential and discovering the importance of self-love and acceptance. Belladonna Blackthorn is a witch, though she hides her powers from everyone and lives a quiet life as a bookseller (despite her sexist and money-hungry new manager, who irritates her to no end). Belle only uses her magic for small things, like tidying up and making the store more appealing, but with her 30th birthday fast approaching, Belle is summoned by her coven and told she must undergo a trial to prove her worthiness as a witch. She is forced to ask for help and open up to those around her, including the annoying but hunky watchman sworn to protect her. Wood's novel is brilliantly narrated by British actor Evie Hargreaves, who infuses warmth and comfort into her performance. Hargreaves embodies Belle with a lively and self-assured tone that will have listeners rooting for her until the end. VERDICT A charming listen with a slow-burn romance, quirky and flawed characters, a little magic, and a cozy bookstore. Wood's promising debut will have listeners eager for more.--Erin Cataldi
Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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