Of Witches and Warlocks: The Trouble with Spells by Lacey Weatherford

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

Portia Mullins had always lived the life of a normal teenager, up until her sixteenth birthday. She is then informed by her grandma that she is actually a witch who is a descendant from a long line of witches and warlocks. After overcoming her disbelief she finds that being a member of the coven comes with one great perk in the form of the school's handsome bad boy, Vance Mangum. Vance and Portia have an immediate connection as a budding romance begins, only to be threatened by turbulent skies on the horizon as Vance's checkered past rears its ugly head to haunt them. Portia is forced to use her untried powers in defense of everything she loves in a desperate attempt to hold on to the one thing that really matters in her life.

Review:

When I first heard of the Of Witches and Warlocks series, I couldn't wait to read it because it contained one of my favorite subjects in paranormal YA, witches and warlocks. Luckily Of Witches and Warlocks: The Trouble with Spells provided to be a likable set-up to a new series I'll definitely be reading, but I will admit I did have several problems with it.

The first addition to this action packed series starts three days before Portia's birthday. Portia is your typical high school girl. She's crushing on her school's bad bay, she loves hanging out with her friends, and she can't wait until her sixteen birthday so that she can finally drive. Though, as it turns out there's more than meets the eye to the marking of her birthday. You see, she just found out she's a witch. No, not the one that rhymes with a b-work, the other kind, the one with magic. And as it turns out she's loving it, because not only is Vance, the swoon-worthy bad boy, a witch as well, but he's finally paying attention to her, plus it turns out Portia's a natural when it comes to spells. Though, not everything is as happy as it appears, as Portia is soon to learn...

Portia was a character that I found likable for most of the book, though that didn't stop me for wanting to shake her shoulders sometimes because of her rushed and sometimes idiotic decisions. Regardless, I thought Lacey did a great job of crafting her character into being three dimensional and someone relatable as well. I also enjoyed reading about Portia's relationship with Vance, but I felt that sometimes it was way too rushed for my liking. I mean, they never really got a chance to even know each other before they were "bonded" basically as soul mates. I just didn't see the connection, though maybe there relationship will become clearer in the next book?

The Trouble with Spells was also contained an action and romance packed plot, one that never ceased to make me eager to find out more as quickly as possible. Though, I felt that some of the book wasn't nearly as amazing as it would've been because of Lacey's occasional clunky writing that never really made the story jump of the page.

Regardless, The Trouble with Spells is still a book I did enjoy even with the slight annoyances on my end and one I will be suggesting. Also, the ending was a totally "wow!" moment that has left me eager to read the sequel.

Grade: C+

The Trouble with Spells is now out!

Source: Author. Thanks, Lacey!