For a romantic mystery with magical elements, the book’s flame is disappointingly lackluster.
Keeping an identity secret, avoiding a manipulative ex, flirting with girls, dealing with threats to the coven—these are a few of the hassles of being a teen witch.
Hannah lives in Salem and works at a touristy witchcraft supply store, but few know she’s the real deal—an Elemental Witch who can manipulate fire, water, earth, and air. Her best friend, Gemma, certainly doesn’t, since she’s a Reg (Sterling’s version of Muggles). Her ex, Veronica, does, because she’s part of the same coven, although Hannah’s trying to avoid her during this summer before senior year. Her new crush definitely can’t find out—as if being 17 wasn’t hard enough. Meanwhile, someone’s dabbling in dark magic, and Hannah’s worried it’s a Blood Witch, who historically are the unpopular, manipulative ones of the bunch. Or it could be something worse—Witch Hunters. Among the white main cast, Hannah is a self-identified lesbian, and Sterling presents a realistic treatment of her other queer characters. Hannah also admirably stands her ground in leaving an unhealthy relationship. Unfortunately, the book includes a lot of telling instead of showing, with everyday magic and motivational backstory scenes. Additionally, there are some weaknesses in structure and in characters professing intense emotions that often don’t lift beyond the page.
For a romantic mystery with magical elements, the book’s flame is disappointingly lackluster. (Fiction. 14-18)Pub Date: May 28, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-451-48032-3
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 20, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart.
A surprise inheritance thrusts a small-town Nebraska teen into Manhattan’s elite society—and the orbit of a boy who’s determined to prove she doesn’t belong.
Julia Lowell’s life changes overnight when the 80-something man they know as Lou leaves his fortune to her family instead of his New York City relatives. Lou, who lived in a fishing cabin, was a regular customer of the Lowells’ small grocery store and became a family friend. To inherit, they must live in his Upper West Side home for at least six months, and Julia and her twin brother must attend Gardenwood Academy, a Gossip Girl–esque private school. Julia struggles to navigate her rude, privileged classmates—like Damion Rutledge. Unbeknownst to her, Lou—whose real name was Remington—was Damion’s beloved great-uncle. When a teacher assigns Damion to be Julia’s math tutor, he seizes the opportunity to search Uncle Remi’s house, which he believes is his by right, for evidence of the Lowells’ deceit. But as suspicion gives way to genuine feelings, Julia and Damion, who are cued white, question their assumptions about one another. Painter delivers her signature blend of banter, slow-burn chemistry, and emotionally grounded characters. Told in the leads’ alternating points of view, the familiar enemies-to-lovers setup is complicated by Damion’s secret and Julia’s past heartbreak. While the story follows a predictable path and resolution, the central relationship feels earned and heartfelt.
A classic rags-to-riches romantic comedy with irresistible chemistry and heart. (soundtrack) (Romance. 14-18)Pub Date: Sept. 29, 2026
ISBN: 9798347100217
Page Count: 416
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 3, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head.
The finely drawn characters capture readers’ attention in this debut.
Autumn and Phineas, nicknamed Finny, were born a week apart; their mothers are still best friends. Growing up, Autumn and Finny were like peas in a pod despite their differences: Autumn is “quirky and odd,” while Finny is “sweet and shy and everyone like[s] him.” But in eighth grade, Autumn and Finny stop being friends due to an unexpected kiss. They drift apart and find new friends, but their friendship keeps asserting itself at parties, shared holiday gatherings and random encounters. In the summer after graduation, Autumn and Finny reconnect and are finally ready to be more than friends. But on August 8, everything changes, and Autumn has to rely on all her strength to move on. Autumn’s coming-of-age is sensitively chronicled, with a wide range of experiences and events shaping her character. Even secondary characters are well-rounded, with their own histories and motivations.
There’s not much plot here, but readers will relish the opportunity to climb inside Autumn’s head. (Fiction. 14 & up)Pub Date: April 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4022-7782-5
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
SEEN & HEARD
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