e-Audio, 13:09:04
Narrated by: Imani Jade Powers
Release Date: August 20, 2024
Published by: Blackstone Publishing
Read from: September 11-16, 2024
Stand-alone (??? I’m not saying it BETTER be a series, but IT BETTER BE A SERIES lol)
Source: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-audio from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning:
For Readers Interested In: Witches, Magic, Adventurous, Fantasy, Adult, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black)In H. B. Akumiah’s lively and charming debut, three young women discover the unbelievable: they’re witches, and their new-found magic may be the key to saving the world …
The Witch Sphere is in turmoil. In the years since a stunning betrayal sent shockwaves through society, the Sphere was hit with a crisis: witches are giving birth to more typics (non-witches) and their numbers are diminishing. Nadia is determined to help but finds her efforts at the Witch Health Organization entangled with the political machinations of her powerful mother.
A public relations assistant, a teacher, and a former child star walk into a bar bathroom … On what happens to be all of their twenty-second birthday and, like many twentysomethings, become fast tipsy friends. But unlike most twentysomethings, their night of partying ends with an accidental act of magic. Suddenly, Maya, Gabbie, and Delali find themselves thrust into a world of spells and potions with only a mysterious mentor as a guide.
As the girls learn to harness their new power, Nadia starts to notice spikes in the magic baseline and suspects an unknown cadre of witches may be the key to solving the Typic Crisis. Can this unlikely coven come together and save the Sphere or are there darker forces at play? Either way these Bad Witches are going to find a way to have some fun.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I always have a hard time with witchy books and fantasy, but once I found out the author was Black and so were the characters, I didn’t waste any time requesting this. And I’m actually glad I did. It wasn’t as witchy as I was expecting and I think that light heartedness was what made it to me.
Ok so yes this was fantasy, but it was fantasy light. Which was good for me because I think it would have turned me off if it was anything else. The magic they use is for things that I would use it for lol And I really liked that they showed them doing the spells too. I enjoyed seeing the magic. I do wish there was more, but eh it was ok.
The reason I think we miss out on some of the magic is because we’re too busy getting all these POVs and what they’re doing. I’m not usually someone who complains about POVs, but in this case, there was like four of them and it made the book feel drawn out. And I hated that as soon as I felt like I was getting to know the character, it was on to the next one. But it wasn’t terrible. They all had different personalities and it was easy to keep their voices apart.
One thing I did like tho was the ending. I literally stopped in my tracks when things started going down. As soon as I got down to the last few minutes of this book I couldn’t stop listening. It was such a surprise that I was not expecting. I can honestly say this one caught my off guard. I told people about this book because of the ending alone lol
I wanted more from the fantasy side tho. The magic was on point, but because it was Magical Realism and they didn’t actually know how to use their powers yet, it was mostly filled with them doing spells on accident or learning. I found this to be charming and endearing. And I wish we got to see more of the Sphere. We get one look at the ending, but I wanted way more than that little glimpse. Also, I found it so weird that they were so powerful but they barely knew how to use their specific powers? It seemed like they were using them on accident. Hopefully there’s more on them using their powers anf their powers together in the next one. IF there’s going to be a next one.
This was a very interesting read. I don’t think I would have picked this up if I hadn’t known it was by a Black author lol Although it was long and a bit confusing, it was still very fun. I need some more people to read this so we can talk about it. I need to know which of the girl’s powers you’d want lol
Overall, I give this
Rounded Up on Goodreads