Saturday 8 December 2012

Book Review - Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

Title: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft
Author: Jody Gehrman
Series: Audrey's Guides (Book 1)
Publisher: Magic Genie Books
Release Date: 9 July 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0615658445

 Synopsis
Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training.

When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.


My Review
I was sent an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I have fallen so far behind with my review books but I'm really making an effort to catch up. The only thing is that by the time I get round to reading them I can't even remember accepting them, let alone what they are about. (How bad is that!!! Should I even admit that here? Hope it doesn't put people off requesting) but as I say, I'm trying harder and catching up.
This book was great for the fact that it immediately draws you in. I didn't even have to look up the blurb or research the book, it just grabbed me and made me a part of it's word. 
Audrey is 17, she lives with her mum and 16 year old sister. Have you ever had one of those days when something just isn't right? Audrey gets a bad feeling whilst she is in school and it won't go away, when she gets home she discovers her mum is missing with no explanation. Then Sadie turns up claiming to be their cousin and that she has been sent to babysit them. But Audrey knows there is more too it. Then strange things start to happen to Audrey and she discovers that her mother is a very powerful witch, and she has inherited the powers. It's time to step up and fight back, but will she be able to master the magic before it's too late.

I really enjoyed this book, it has everything in it, magic, romance, mystery, fights, baking, and a creepy bad guy. Throughout the book Audrey makes 'notes' in her Guide book, anything from recipes for cakes and deserts to spells and potions, which gives us a great insight into her life.
Audrey herself is very likeable, she is determined to do what is right and to try to protect other people. She is very head-strong and likely to rush in first, think about it later, but I loved her passion.
Her sister is a bit of a brat, leader of a rock band just taking off, and 'beautiful' with it she still gets quite whiney and selfish in places, but I suppose when you consider the fact that she doesn't know anything about her mum's disappearance or the magic, you can forgive her some things.
Audrey's best friend Bridgit - throughout the book is very understanding and funny. She makes up her own words and expects people to know what she is talking about, I had fun trying to guess what it was before she told us.
Sadie herself was cool, a mixture of fun and relaxed and responsible adult. I liked her spirit and her determination to do what was right for the girls.
Then we have the love interest, Audrey meets Julian at a house party, he's trying to make it as a music manager and ends up signing her sister's band. Meaning they are around each other more often. But when Audrey and Julian are together strange things happen, the whole room seems to come alive. Is it love that's meant to be or something else more mysterious. I liked their connection though and the fact that the author hasn't gone down the 'insta-love' route, she builds up their relationship and lets it have its good and bad times.
The pace of this book is fast and flowing. I read it in a couple of hours and couldn't wait to know more. This is a planned series and i cannot wait to read book 2.
This is a book that will sweep you into the pages and immerse you into the world, and you won't want to leave!

My Rating
        
 

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