WICKEDLY SPIRITED was a very short, but super fun novella that I really enjoyed. If you are a fan of both the Baba and the Riders series, this novella feels like a fun little bridge between the two series. Jazz is front in center this one as well as Koshka, and while their intentions are honorable the two probably shouldn't have been left unsupervised together due to the shenanigans they get up to. It was a really enjoyable read and I won't spoil things but the outcome felt very much of a set up for Jazz taking a MUCH bigger role in things, and I can't wait to see how it turns out.

All in all if you are a fan of these two series, this novella is a great edition that you won't want to miss.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Wickedly Spirited is a fun novella from Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga universe that tells the tale of apprentice Jazz, who first appeared in the third Baba Yaga book Wickedly Powerful, and her attempt to help the Riders. At about sixty pages in length, it is a quick read perfect for fans anxiously awaiting the release of Dangerously Devine, the second book focusing on the Baba’s companion protector Riders.

Once immortal, the Riders lost their powers at the hand of a rogue Baba Yaga and are struggling to acclimate to their new lives. Jazz, who witnessed firsthand the devastation inflicted on the three Riders, wants to fix them. As an apprentice, her knowledge and experience are limited, but her powers are strong. She is sure, with the confidence only a teenager can have, that she can take elements from various spells and come up with a cure, even though the other Babas, and even the queen of the otherworld, have failed. Thus begins the hunt for “ingredients” and ends with an unexpected result.

Since the novella is short, there is not a great deal of detail, and the plot is rather simple. It is, however, a treat to visit the characters. I recommend it for fans of the Baba Yaga and Rider series.

I read the blurb and it got my interesting going. I love a good ole' paranormal book.
I didn't realise when starting this book that it was part of a series, and I would definitely say you need to read this series in order. But it was a nice little novella which I would say goes with the series nicely. I haven't read the rest of the series, so I was really confused the whole way through but that was my fault.
But having said that I really enjoyed the book, I liked the characters and creatures in the book, the storyline was really interesting. I love the authors writing style, she pulls you into the story and makes you want to keep reading!
I need to read all of the series.

Love this series! Jazz is on her way to being a great Baba Yaga. I'm really looking forward to the last book in the Riders series as well. Great mythology-building, endearing characters.

I was supremely excited to read about Jazz's adventures with Bella and Koshka. After everything she has gone through to end up with a family like Bella and Sam, I was amazingly happy for her to have such a happy ending.
Not to give away anything you can't guess already, because hey, she is a teen and they typically do the same things, but her willfulness to prove herself without wanting or seeking out consultation is downright irritating. I mean, c'mon! Brand new into this magical world, please accept your limitations. No one is trying to exclude you from the good stuff so accept that some things can do more harm than good!
This series is still one of my favorites, but I was not too sure of this book. I am highly anticipating the release of the last Rider's book.

If you are a fan of the Baba Yaga series, then you are going to be thrilled with this short that gives us a little more insight into Jazz, the powerful apprentice to Baba Yaga, and the Riders. Jazz’s tenacity to help the devoted Riders is something that should not be missed. While the fallout from Jazz’s actions left me wanting more.

Blake masterfully weaves a tale that is limited in pages but full of magic-filled content.

I received this ARC copy of Wickedly Spirited from Berkley Publishing Group - InterMix. This is my honest and voluntary review. Wickedly Spirited is set for publication Sept. 19, 2017.

My Rating: 5 Stars
Written by: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga
Sequence in Series: 3.5
Print Length: 58 pages
Publisher: InterMix
Publication Date: September 19, 2017
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC

Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

7 likes

Seeing Wickedly Spirited come out as a follow up novella to the Baba Yaga trilogy and also a nice tide-me-over while I await the next release in the spin-off Broken Riders series was a fantastic prospect.
Review

Wickedly Spirited is a short novella-length piece that takes a minor character from the third Baba Yaga book, Wickedly Powerful, and gives her a little coming of age lesson adventure. This novella assumes the reader has read Wickedly Powerful (well, the first Broken Riders spin-off story, Dangerously Charming, too) so does not make a good standalone and it gives series spoilers so needs to be read in order.

So, Jazz, is sixteen, newly become a Baba Yaga witch apprentice to Bella, touched with teen arrogance, and a little wary that her new found home and family with Bella and Sam will be whisked away. She is determined to be the one who restores the immortality to the Riders and she has a big, gutsy plan to do it.

Jazz is depicted well as a survivor of the foster care system and of a harrowing adventure against a crazed witch. I appreciated that the author wrote her as a typical sixteen year old in her thinking (which led to me wanting to shake her for her thoughts at times). Jazz’s painful coming of age lesson here was an interesting side story and was a nice tweeny to help get me excited for Gregori’s story coming out soon. I’m curious to see how that surprising twist there at the end will play out for Jazz’s future.

This was a fun, quick reminder of what I enjoy about the author’s writing and the two connected series in the Baba Yaga-Broken Rider world. Magic and fae, romance and adventure for the paranormal romance lover that I can definitely recommend.

My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

*This review is scheduled to appear in my blog (www.rhiannonwriteson.wordpress.com) on September 19, 2017. Also, this review will be published on Amazon and Goodreads*

This book is marketed as a romance, but honestly it reads as more of a YA magical adventure, though I do realize Wickedly Spirited is part of a series, so I’m absolutely certain (after having read this story) the other pieces of the world Deborah Blake has built for her readers are more romantically involved. As a matter of fact, the next bit of story will be released in November 2017 (Titled Dangerously Divine). But, as is, this story can standalone and I would easily recommend it to my fifteen year old daughter.

The story revolves around sixteen year old Baba-Yaga (witch) in-training, Jazz, after having been adopted by her mentor. Behind her mentor’s back, Jazz tasks herself with restoring immortality to The Riders, companions of the Baba-Yagas. With the help of her mentor’s dragon-cat, Koshka, Jazz ventures into the Otherworld to gather ingredients to help her out.

There isn’t much to add because this is a very short read, one which I really enjoyed because sometimes I’m really too busy to get too involved in what I’m reading, regardless of how enjoyable it might be. Those of you who are busy during the day and have jobs and lives beyond the internet probably understand what I mean. The premise of the story is nice, the characters are all great, if not surreal (reminiscent of late nineties dramedies), and knowing there’s more coming in just a few months–rather than years, as with other book sequels–is a treat.

I can give my recommendation for this book without having to mull it over because it’s an easy YES. A person can read this story while they fold their laundry. Kindle gave it a bit over an hour and a half, so great to read while you’re in a waiting room or having morning coffee. I really am glad I stumbled upon this.

I am going to make sure to get a copy of Dangerously Divine as soon as it’s released because I really would like to know what happens to Jazz next. Without going into too much detail, Wickedly Spirited sort of leaves you wondering.

When I saw that we were going to get a look back into the Baba Yaga world after all the devastation that played out in Wickedly Powerful, I was really excited. I knew Jazz was just a Baba Yaga trainee, but I was hoping to see all the Baba Yagas and that would make the story more adult. I was kind of worried that this novella was going to pop in some YA. While I had that worry, my curiosity got the better of me and I had to know what Jazz was up to.

Wickedly Spirited tells the story of Jazz and her determination to return the Riders to their Immortal selves. She didn't even really know them, just saw the aftermath in Wickedly Powerful, but yet she had it in her head that she was going to rescue them from their fate. She also wanted to prove that she was more advanced than Bella was treating her. Basically we were all about a teenager trying to be an adult. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for!

I was definitely surprised at how short this novella was, but that expectation stemmed from my hope of more involvement by the other Baba Yagas. It was a little disappointing that it seemed to be more of a teenage rebellion story, but again that is based on what I was expecting. If you are interested to see what happens to our little Baba Yaga in training, then you definitely must read to see the outcome. I don't <em>think</em> that this could lead to future books, but was a little taste to satisfy missing the series.

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake
A Baba Yaga Novella
ISBN: 9780399586125
Urban Fantasy, Contemporary
Penguin Group USA
https://deborahblakeauthor.com/
Reviewed by Nikita


Jazz is the magically powerful teen that was first introduced in Wickedly Powerful; the third novel in Deborah Blake’s Baba Yaga series. After having received permission to train as a Baba Yaga, Jazz is still a teenager—everything takes too long, there are too many rules in her new life, though she loves it now, especially after all the years she was stuck in the foster care system and the time she spent living on her own in the forest.

After meeting the Riders at their lowest, Jazz vows to herself that she’ll do all in her power to restore their immortality, and hopefully heal what else was broken in them after their brutal treatment at the hands of Brenna, a retired Baba Yaga.

Jazz works hard to create a spell and collect all the ingredients she’ll need in secret because she’s sure Bella will stop her from doing what she must to help the Riders, and to be honest, show everyone that she really is worthy of the honor of being brought into their fold and taught the ways of magic.

I really enjoyed Wickedly Spirited; Jazz is a wonderful character, and her interaction and journey with Koshka was an interesting adventure that showed just how quick and caring Jazz is. Wickedly Spirited, is a nice installment of how life in the Baba Yaga world is moving on, while we await the next book in both the Baba Yaga and Broken Riders series’.

If like myself you are a fan of the Baba Yaga books by this author than no doubt you too are enamoured by her Riders. Well we first met orphan Jazz in Wickedly Powerful when the three Riders were tortured and changed irrevocably. Jazz saw the aftermath of what happened to these brave, magical warriors and is determined to help them get back that which is lost to them. She knows that she shouldn't sneak around behind Bella's back as Bella is oh so kind to her and even seems to accept that Jazz isn't perfect. Still Jazz can't resist trying and doesn't really understand why no one else seems to want to help. Well luckily Jazz has Koshka, a magical dragon posing as a cat to guide her although truth be told Jazz is a law unto herself!
This short story was a joy to read with its brave heroine who has been through so much herself and really doesn't want the Riders to suffer anymore. I loved seeing Bella again as the Baba Yagas are always such fun and yet so giving. There's very little of Sam in it but happily we do get a whole lot more of Koshka who is written as such a quirky character. Speaking of character Jazz is written in such a convincing way she felt real to me. Tenacious yes, still full of doubt that anyone could love her but this teenager is wily beyond imagination! Yes she has natural raw power, yes she is being trained so technically has knowledge but it's her way of swaying others to do her sneaky bidding that had me smiling. Does she succeed? Well with two Riders left to get their happy ending I'm definitely going to be reading Dangerously Devine when it releases . This was short but I was so engaged that its definitely a five from me.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake is a novella in her Baba Yaga series. Blake has another series, Broken Riders, that is a spinoff of her Baba Yaga series. Broken Riders are warrior men who protected the Baba Yaga witches, until a powerful crazed witch took away their immortality, emotionally breaking them.

In Wickedly Spirited, Jazz, a teenage Baba Yaga in training is determined to find a way to help return the Broken Riders to the way they were. Jazz lives with Bella, the Baba Yaga who is her mentor and training her. Bella knows that Jazz has a lot of magical power, but tries to hold her back until she learns everything there is to know about using potions and spells. Jazz is tired of being treated like a kid, which she is, and decides secretly to come up with her own potion.

This being a novella makes it difficult to tell too much more, as it would be major spoilers. What follows Is a fun storyline, where Jazz will visit the Otherworld, with Koshka, (a cat -really a dragon) to get what she needs to create this new potion. She is determined to do what she feels is right, even if all the Baba Yago witches have failed. Jazz is an overconfident teenager, who will not listen to warnings until she performs the spell she created, with an unexpected outcome, which will certainly teach her a lesson. Do you want to know what happens…..you need to read this cute quick story.

Deborah Blake gives us a fun fast read to lead the way to the next book in either Baba Yaga or Broken Riders series. I really did enjoy Wickedly Spirited, as it was a nice quick fun read.