Life is very complicated at the moment for Hannah. Not only is she trying to get over a painful breakup with her ex-best friend and girlfriend Veronica, a nice but deluded guy at school seems to have a crush on her, not to mention she is a witch.

Hannah lives in Salem Massachusetts, working in a wiccan supply shop and tourist trap called The Fly by Night Cauldron. As witchdom is hereditary, Hannah’s parents are also witches, and her grandmother is the leader of their local coven. There are three types of witches – Elementals like Hannah who can control the elements of earth, air and fire. Casters who mix and cast spells, and Blood witches who can control people with a drop of their victim’s blood.

A school graduation party makes things even worse. A scream during the party reveals signs of a blood ritual, spiking fears of a Blood Witch in Salem. Hannah is particularly spooked by this as she’s recently had a run in with a blood witch in New York. This trip also sparked the break-up between her and Veronica.

As more and more symbols of dark magic reveal themselves around Salem, Hannah is forced to do the unthinkable – use her magic around Regs (non-magical folk). Even using it to save Reg lives is against coven rules, and use of her powers is threatened. Magic is like breathing to Hannah and any loss of it is painful, but the coven aren’t convinced there may be a Blood Witch in Salem, and they condemn her use of magic.

When Hannah is sliced with glass slivers, Veronica attacked and devastating fires flare, danger is everywhere and the coven must reassess the events. All the while, Hannah is suspicious of almost everyone. Is the Bloodwitch the new detective in town, a popular guy/jerk at school, or a Fly by Night Cauldron customer?

The more she tries to unravel the mystery, the more danger crosses her path, nearly taking her life and those of her friends. Another coven meeting reveals the truth – the horror of the witch trials of 1692 is back and every witch she knows is at risk.

Magic, mystery and mayhem mixed with a recent and painful breakup, make this an interesting blend of YA romance, history and fantasy. Relationships old and new are infused with witchcraft, heartbreak and promising new possibilities. There are close friendships and unexpected twists as the character’s fear and rising tension brings this story to a heart-pumping climax. Will Salem’s history repeat itself?

There is another in this series (This Coven won’t Break) as Hannah promises revenge for all that she has lost.

Author – Isabel Sterling

Age – 14+

(Penguin Aust, 2020, Series, Witches, Spells, Salem, LGBTQ+, School, Family, Fear, Magic, Fantasy, History, Witchcraft, Relationships, Romance, Mystery, Grief, Car accident, Rituals)