Book Review: 'The Goodbye Witch' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is exactly the kind of witch you want as a best friend; she’s kind, loyal, and determined. So when Darcy’s best friend Starla Sullivan is stalked by her abusive ex-husband, Kyle, Darcy is immediately concerned. It seems Kyle escaped from jail and is invisible to all except Starla. As the incidents escalate, the stakes get higher, and Starla’s safety is in question. With help from her family, friends, and Police Chief boyfriend, Darcy navigates several twists and turns to protect her best friend and uncover the horrible secrets hidden within the Enchanted Village.

The Bottom Line: Book #4 in this series features all the characters I’ve come to adore, but very little of the family business, As You Wish. With a heavy emphasis on romance, a depressing subplot, and just a bit of magic, this book just didn’t shine for me as much as the previous ones. Still, recommended for fans of cozies featuring a touch of magic.

Details: The Goodbye Witch: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by Obsidian in 2014. 314 P. ISBN: 978-0-451-46587-0

Book Review: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy' by Heather Blake

✰✰✰✰ Darcy Merriweather is still learning her craft. Up until a year ago, she didn’t even know she was a Wishcrafter. Now she’s learning the ropes from her Aunt Ve and adjusting to life in the Enchanted Village. Life here is simply magical.

Working at As You Wish, a personal concierge service, keeps the family busy. When Floracrafter Harriette Harkette decides to hire them to plan her 80th birthday celebration, the whole town is buzzing. It seems that Harriette is the envy of the town with her new creation, the midnight black Witching Hour rose.

Darcy is hard at work. Unfortunately, when a delivery boy is found dead, his ghost quickly attaches to Darcy. She’s stuck with him until she can solve the mystery of his untimely death. In an odd twist Harriette's stunning new roses have perished as well. How is that possible?

With help from her new friends, her misbehaving dog, and the handsome Police Chief, Darcy is on the case. She’ll need to crack both mysteries or else she’s stuck with a ghost forever. You’ll be on the edge of your seat as you root for Darcy to solve the mysteries in time.

The Bottom Line: The Enchanted Village is always entertaining, and the third installment of this series is simply a magical treat. With just the right combination of magic, gardening, and romance, this cozy is the perfect weekend read. Highly recommended for fans of cozy mysteries with a splash of the supernatural.

Details: The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy: A Wishcraft Mystery by Heather Blake. Paperback published by An Obsidian Mystery in 2013. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-451-23969-3

Book Review: 'Amber and Clay' by Laura Amy Schlitz

✰✰✰✰½ Travel back in time to Ancient Greece through the poetry and prose of Newbery Medal Winner Laura Amy Schlitz. It was a time when people were restricted to the boundaries of class. A time when households owned slaves. Melisto was born into a noble family, but unloved by her mother; while Rhaskos was born to a slave woman, who loved him with all her heart. This girl and boy with nothing in common would someday forge a friendship that would free them both. This is their story told in their voices and in the voices of others like the Greek god Hermes and the philosopher Sokrates. This haunting tale of a wellborn girl and a slave boy illustrates power of friendship and love that knows no bounds.

The Bottom Line: Don't be dissuaded from picking up this book because of its page count; the mix of poetry, prose, and illustrations of archaeological exhibits makes for quick reading. The author deftly transforms the reader into the audience, and the story is like watching a play. Once I started reading, I was transfixed. Very highly recommended for young adults and adult interested in historical fiction, Greek mythology, and supernatural tales of friendship. 

Details: Amber and Clay written by Laura Amy Schlitz & illustrated by Julia Iredale. Advance reading copy published by Candlewick Press in 2021. 544 p. ISBN: 978-5362-0122-2 

[NOTE: I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers Program at LibraryThing. Some interior images were not final at the time this review was written.] 

Book Review: 'The Wonderling' written & illustrated by Mira Bartók

✰✰✰ The groundlings are part human, part animal creatures from a different time and place. Like many abandoned and orphaned groundlings, Number 13 was taken to Miss Carbunkle’s Home for Wayward & Misbegotten Children. Number 13 can’t remember a time when he wasn’t here. To make things worse, he doesn’t even have a real name.

One day Number 13 sees a tiny creature being bullied even worse than himself; he finally decides to do something about it. In a show of unusual courage, he saves the little ball of fluff and makes a real friend. The first of many new friends, this is just the beginning of an adventure for Number 13. The duo will be tested time and again as they uncover a diabolical plan and try to prevent it. In a race to save the sounds of music, Number 13 and his ragtag group of friends will have to rely on their instincts, bravery, and each other if there’s any hope of overcoming evil.

The Bottom Line: This long fantasy is reminiscent of a Dickensian world with a nod to King Arthur and the knights of the round table as well. Filled with symbolism, references to classic works of fiction, and delightful black and white illustrations, this adventurous tale of friendship and overcoming fear may appeal to advanced middle grade or YA readers.

Details: The Wonderling written & illustrated by Mira Bartók. Reprint edition published by Candlewick in 2019. 464 p. ISBN: 978-1-5362-0890-0 Note: I received a free advance reading copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.  

Book Review: 'Soul Surfer' by Bethany Hamilton

✰✰✰ Back in 2003, Bethany Hamilton was just like any other teenager. She enjoyed being with her friends and family and living the Hawaiian lifestyle. She was also a promising young surfer. Long before the tender age of 13, she set her sights on a professional surfing career. It looked like all the hard work and dedication was beginning to pay off as she won contest after contest. Then suddenly everything changed.

It was a morning like any other. Then, in the blink of an eye, a shark attacked Bethany. It was every surfer’s worst nightmare. After a harrowing trip to the hospital and lifesaving surgery, Bethany woke up to the grim reality that her life would never be the same. Through sheer grit and determination, she would fight to get back in the water and on the board. But it would take just a little bit more help to get her there. This uplifting story of one young woman’s faith and perseverance will inspire and motivate you to follow your dreams too.

The Bottom Line: This is a very quick read with a focus on faith and moving on. Bethany’s story will inspire you. Recommended for young adults and fans of faith-based stories.

Book Club Notes: It was refreshing to read a book from a teenager’s point of view. Although it is very short, there are some nuggets of wisdom in the book that stem from Bethany’s strong faith. To supplement the book, we watched an interview and a video of her wedding before talking about her life today. Our discussion focused on her positive outlook and faith. Additionally, many in the group had watched the Soul Surfer movie, which is actually quite good. 

Overall, on a scale of 1 – 5 (with 5 being the highest), we rated the book an average of 3 and the movie an average of 4. Recommended for young adult book groups. Note: If you watch the movie DVD, be sure to check out the documentary as well. For more information about the film and links to interviews, visit Chasing the Frog. For discussion questions, take a look at the study guide.   

Details: Soul Surfer: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board by Bethany Hamilton. Paperback published by Pocket Books in 2004. 222 p. ISBN: 978-1-4165-0346-0