Great "witch" version of the babysitter’s club books! It has more modern references, of course. I like the fashion sense of the main character and her best friend too. Looking forward to more books in the series from this author!

(will post on Amazon and Goodreads once it it released.)

ughhhhh this just wasn't good. I was so excited for this because I really liked undead girl gang, but this was just not doing it for me!

I received a copy of The Babysitters Coven from Delacorte Press through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this book was charming and spoopy! I really liked Esme and Janis, Cassandra not so much but the way the book dealt with magic was super-cool!

This was such a fun read. It's got some fantastic characters and pop culture references, and the tone and feel is very Buffy, which, to me, is a high compliment and basically means that there's some real danger and action but also enough camp to keep it relatively light, despite the darker elements. I cannot wait to read the next one.

I started this book with no expectations. I like reading books with magic and I do have fond memories of reading the Babysitters Club series when I was a kid. Hoped that this would be a fun mashup of them, and it kinda was. It was definitively fun. Esme was great. I loved her and her relationship with her best friend Janis. The names for their quirky wardrobe choices were hilarious. I also enjoyed all the Buffy references when inteoducedto their Counsel/Watcher. The reveals of the magical babysitters and their purpose and the truth about Esme's and Cassandra's parents were a great reveal. Overall though I just didn't like Cassandra. She is pretty much a selfish little jerk for most of the time. She does have occasional redeeming moments, but I mostly just did not like her. And Dion, Cassandra's brother, well his characterization and actions just seemed totally out of synch. This was definitively setting up series to come and I am interested and intrigued enough to want to check out any upcoming entries. A good start to a series but i hope more babysitters are introduced and that Cassandra becomes more likable.

This was...a bizarre experience. The book established pretty early on that it pulls inspiration from 80s horror, but it's also trying to be current with references and the kind of text speak/slang the main characters use. But the characterization of some of the characters was stiff and oddly hyperbolic, which didn't feel in keeping with the 80s inspiration. It just felt awkward, and like I should be paying attention for some kind of twist later that never came.

Then there's the whole Buffy thing. So yes, obviously there's some analogies to be drawn there. But then the book brings it up, in text, blatantly. And beats the point into the ground. Then brings it up again later, just in case you didn't catch the first time. If the book were longer and there was more gap between those moments, I could forgive it more, but it was excessive regardless. If your readers can't figure it out, maybe don't include it or be content that it might fly over some heads. Or discuss it in an afterword. That's a great spot to talk about inspiration, as many authors have successfully done. Moments like the Buffy scenes are so ridiculous that it takes me out of the book and starts me wondering what the heck happened here in the writing and editing process.

The concept in general of this book was interesting and fun, but the follow-through was weak and disappointing. I'm willing to give Williams a chance since I believe this is her first book, and she's definitely got some fun concepts, but I'm not sure if there's a sequel to this book that I'll read it.

The Babysitter's Coven was an adorable ride that I enjoyed taking. While the storyline was a little slower than expected, it was very cute!

I'm on the fence about this one. 🤔
After finishing the book, I now know it's going to be part of a series. Originally, I had thought it would be a stand alone. Because of that, I really didn't like that there was not enough background information. As in, what makes someone a Sitter, how do they get into a coven, when/how/why is there a Synod that oversees everything, etc. There is way too little information. Also, completely dislike books that have "instinct" based combat/abilities. 🙄
The book had a good storyline, but it could have been better with a little more info and training. 🤷‍♀️

Worth A Look

This struck me as the perfect example of the sort of book you can love or just like, (probably not hate), depending on exactly what sort of mix you like in your characters, plot, writing style, and humor.

The setup is that Esme and her pal Janis have a babysitters club, but it's mostly just an excuse to hang out together as BFF's. When Esme starts to display witchy traits and powers, and a mysterious new girl suddenly wants to join the club, the whole Buffy the Vampire Slayer plot starts to roll into place.

I almost gave up on this twice, but I kept picking it back up because I liked Esme and Janis as characters, (sometimes), I liked the banter, (sometimes), and I liked some of the set pieces. And, I wanted to see where the whole shebang was headed and where it would end up.

The good parts turned, for me, on some of Esme's deadpan throwaways and Janis's often puckish sense of humor. The two had one of the easiest and most complementary friend relationships that I've found in quite a while. They're supposed to be seventeen, but this seemed much more tween than that. Esme has a great relationship with her Dad, and her insane, (SPOILER- or cursed?), Mom was a revelation. So that was refreshing. Scenes often project a bracing "attitude" that I admired. (In one scene the new girl, Cassandra, who is majorly cool and put together, walks into the school cafeteria, gets her crappy food, looks around at the socially complicated tables, shrugs, and dumps her tray in the trash and walks out. That's what I mean by attitude.)

This is a first book so there's a lot of exposition. I kid you not, the coach who explains being a sitter to Esme and Cassandra actually uses a Power Point presentation. This is a new one for middle grade fantasy, and I'm pretty sure the author included it ironically. Or maybe not. You can see why I'm conflicted here.

So, anyway, this had some fun bits, some huge plot holes, and generally upbeat energy. I mostly liked it, but that really did feel like a style and mood call.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

The Babysitters Coven is a ton of fun but I will say it read more like a middle grade than a YA. This isn't a bad thing but it did make it a little slower for me to read. The writing is witty and full of fun characters. I thought the story was on a little on the slow side, I think the next book will be more fun because there's less to set up in the story. I really loved all the Halloween references but I will say id didn't get and Buffy vibes. Well except for the few times they actually talked about Buffy.

Take The Babysitters Club, throw in a dash of magic and a heavy helping of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and you've got this book. Esme has been a babysitter forever but when she accidentally hurls a dodgeball at a bully in gym class and learns that she's not just a babysitter but a Sitter, tasked with protecting the world from the forces of evil, life gets a whole lot more complicated. And babysitting become a full-time job. Especially when she discovers that some kind of creepy demon is stalking the kids she babysits and up to some kind of mischief.

The first half of this book took a bit longer than I wanted it to to really get into the good stuff--the magic and the lore--but the second half really picked up. Overall, it's a fun, light ready about supernatural girl skicking supernatural butt. What's not to like?

Wow, I stan a girl like Esme. She's this powerful wich but also. she's normal. Esme still goes to school, still has those cringe moments every teenager has, and does know how to act around boys. I also love the fact that she loved clothes but still remains a badass. because girls can still do those " girly things " and still be badass. Same can be said to every girl in this book. They're all great role models for young girls.

The polt is also fun albeit compact. There's a great story here that blends modern life and fantasy well. there are mechanics of the fantasy elements of this story work and how they fit into the world. it just feels as though it all happens at once. making me really wish the book was longer

Fun! Unique! Absurdly funny!
The Babysitter’s Coven is anincredibly fun ride playing on the Babysitter’s Club with the major twist of modernism and magic.
🔮
Esme is a young girl who lives with her, has a semi-babysitting club with her friend, and visits her mom in the mental institution when she can. She’s pretty used to this. Then when Cassandra Heaven shows up, she starts noticing the weird stuff. Like, why do things move around her for no reason? And Cassandra wants to join the Babysitter’s Club? Too weird. So now she’s trying to figure out what’s going on and what Cassandra Heaven has to do with it.
🎱
This book really feels like a blast back to classics like Buffy, Heathers, The Craft, Halloween, and Babysitter’s Club. Like a fun mix of all of them. The aesthetics, the vibe, and the outfits! I really dug these, at the beginning I was struggling with the book, but when I started picture it playing out like the original Carrie movie, I found it’s true aesthetic.
🎱
This book is kinda awesome…not gonna lie. The main character Esme has a dry humor that I love and really seems to more or less like her life. It made her really relatable, I also babysat throughout high school, though not quite like her. I liked Cassandra and Dion too. I have to stan Mexican representation, always. I really loved Janis though, funny and exciting, I would have loved to be friends with her in high school!
🎱
The plot was great, though at times I wasn’t sure where it was going and it seemed kinda lost. It was cleared itself back up, the only thing I didn’t love was that it has a plot point, that makes sense, but it felt really abrupt and somewhat unoriginal. I forgive because it was doing its own take on classic stuff and had fun with it.
🎱
I really think that this movie benefits with an 70s/80s teenage horror, thriller, comedy vibe. Its not scary, but neither are 80s horror movies. I love this book for its fun style, wicked humor, and for its incidental blast from the past. I recommend you make sweet late 70s/80s/early 90s playlist to go with it!

I was sold on the title and cover alone and this book did not disappoint.

Magic and quirky witty characters that were actually relatable made this such a fun read.

I would say this gave me more MG than YA feels but still a good story. The Buffy/Babysitter Club feels were strong and made me a little nostalgic. I’ll be honest that is exactly why I like this book so much.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

This was a ridiculously fun ride and I adore every minute of it. Those who loved the Babysitter's Club will love the homage and those who are new to it, will get an absolute kick out of this inventive and fun approach.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Netgally for review purposes.

This ones hard for me because while there were things I liked, there was also a lot that I didn't. Some things just felt forced or iffy.

OKAY here we go. First off, the cover is everything. It's arguably the best cover I've ever seen and I'm fully obsessed. I believe it's by an artist named Rik Lee and she knocked this shit out of the ballpark. When the book started I thought I was liking it but then I was like, actually I feel influenced to like it just because of how amazing the cover is. If this book had any other cover I would not enjoy it as much but that says a lot more about me than anything else 🤷

The characters were good. They were fleshed out and felt real enough for me. I did feel like Janis was painted to be disliked more than anything in the beginning, having our first interactions with her being a girl who can't keep a job she yelled out a customer’s "Peach Perfection order as a “white girl special with an extra entitlement boost.”" that was super cringey for me. I'm still cringing. But that being said Janis proved herself as being an amazing character, the set up to her was just not gr8.

The fashion described in this book was another positive though! I loved loved loved all the random outfit inspirations the girls had.

Buut then another negative was all the pop culture references. It beats you over the head with them. I loved Goblin King, but then we also have buffy, the craft, cher horowitz, mean girls, Voldemort, and more I can't think of right now. It got to the point where this felt more like a fanfiction than a separate piece of work.

The magic was cool, but the whole 'sitter' thing was hard to take serious.

So I don't know, it was good, I didn't love it, but hey that fucking cover tho 👌

Huge thanks for netgalley for giving me an early copy of this!

Before even reading, the initial description “adventures in babysitting meets Buffy the vampire slayer” was right up my alley! In the first couple chapters I immediately connected with Esme and her quirks, and she honestly felt like a REAL teenager. Not a book teenager who’s clearly overwritten and has a unrealistic dialogue. At some point though my love for this character started to dwindle: she became a little judgmental with other characters like “the jocks” and cheerleaders (although the cheerleaders were pretty crappy) and I just wasn’t expecting that turn. Not to mention when the love interest entered she became VERY self deprecating and kept going on and on about how attractive he is and how she isn’t good enough. It was pretty bad.

Despite that I was still able to push through but at one point it seemed very obvious that the author was trying very hard to distinguish this book from Buffy. Just throwing in plot points that were incredibly silly to differentiate the two. Overall it was a fun read but for the most part, it was just ok. I probably won’t continue with this series unfortunately.

3 stars for me.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars

This is going to sound paradoxical, but I think my biggest issues with this book were also the things that made it stand out the most. I could see why certain choices were made, but some things didn't pay off until the end.

The author uses a lot of teen language, like late 2010's slang, which can always date a book, and kind of turned it into a "How do you do, fellow kids?" Steve Buschemi thing at some points. Also seemed like she was going for a Buffy Speak thing which worked with the genre, a clear parody of the show. It is a parody, and it isn't 100% like Buffy, but there were a few things that just felt like a copy and paste of the show, and pointing out the similarities does not mean you are parodying them. The world building of the book, dangerously similar to Buffy, also came fairly late in the book, and was still vague by the ending. This, I think, was intentional, as it was really Esme and Cass finding their powers, and I assume they will explore the world of the Sitters, the Negative, its rule and leadership, etc., in the next books.

I wanted to love this book. I sounded just creepy and campy enough to be right up my alley. Although there were definitely aspects of it that I enjoyed, however, I came close to DNFing pretty early on. I am glad I stuck through because the writing got a little bit better, as did the story, as I continued reading.

I'll start with some of the issues I had with the book, so I can end on the more positive aspects.

The first thing that really annoyed me was the text-speak. Regardless of age or how often teens are texting, people don't actually say LOL or AF or any number of other abbreviations that were scattered throughout the book. That's perfectly fine for texting, but no one actually uses these acronyms when they are speaking. I'm not sure if the author meant for the reader to interpret them as actions or the full words, but I found myself getting annoyed each time a character actually said something along the lines of "I'm mad AF" or "That made me LOL"... It really just sounded like someone trying to be cool and failing badly.

Also, after finishing the book I had to go back and re-read the description to remind myself the age of the characters. The MC in this book is 17 years old, but in my mind she was around 14 or 15 in the book, tops, because she seemed to be written much much younger. The way she spoke and acted and her thought process were all much younger than her stated age.

Lastly, this book was much too heavy on the name dropping. Yes, I understand that the MC and her friend were very into fashion. However, if this book is to have a wide YA appeal, the designer name dropping might need to be toned down quite a bit. In general, a lot of things seemed inconsistent. It seemed that the characters were being written young and also text speak was included in a misguided attempt to gain appeal with younger audiences, while at the same time the amount of name dropping and label dropping are likely to alienate a lot of readers.

There were a few things I did like about this book though. In general, the story was cute and quirky. Very much Babysitters Club meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Although when I say that, I literally mean it is VERY MUCH LIKE THOSE series. As in, the two series were merged and there really doesn't seem to be much original content here. Okay, but I'm being positive here so let's try this again.

It was entertaining. After the first several chapters, the text speak and the name dropping subsided a bit and I was able to better enjoy the story. It's cute, it's campy, and I am glad I finished the book. Also, despite her extreme awkwardness (that was possibly played up a little too much IMO), I liked the MC. And, the cover is absolutely amazing and that's what made me want to read the book in the first place. Did you see that cover? LOVE IT! The pacing of the book was also really good. This was a fast and fun read.

At times this book read like MG, at times it read like YA, and certain aspects of it were relevant to neither category. I've also gone into most of the issues I had. There are a few others (relating to relationships, parents, and magic system) that I won't go into because I'm not here to write a novel about the novel. But, basically, I had some trouble rating the book in general. It was just cute enough to be enjoyable. So I settled on a high 2.5... 2.75 maybe? And I'm rounding up to a 3 because I don't have the option of half stars (can that please be a thing?).

I guess, if you like campy horror, and you don't take the writing too seriously, and you just ignore all the name dropping and text speak... you will probably enjoy this book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC! I am always down for a novel with a Chosen One, witches, or anything set around Halloween, and this book gave me all three! It had heavy Buffy the Vampire Slayer Vibes with The Craft undertones, yet made a lore all its own that was so original and fun!

We follow Kate, a babysitter. She and her friend Janis comprise the Babysitter’s Club, so named after the popular book series. There were more to the group, but as the other girls grew up and found high school interests, they drifted apart. Kate and Janis are the only two left, until Cassandra Heaven moves to their school. She pushes her way into the club and into Kate’s life, and we soon learn that the two have supernatural powers that neither one can explain.

They set out on a mission to find the reason for their powers and to solve the mystery of their parents: Kate’s mom is in an asylum, and both Cassandra’s mom and dad are dead. It doesn’t take too much snooping for them to trace Cassandra’s mom’s spells and odd occurrences back to an unlikely ally who reveals themselves to be the Giles to their Buffy. They show the two their responsibilities as Sitters, and just in time. There is an evil force at work that they must stop, and before innocents are lost.

I loved the magic usage in this, and how spells were easily cast with items you might have around the house! It felt so much more accessible rather than tracking down a Black Market seller of toad’s livers or the back tooth from a mastodon. The lore was also so inviting, with the inclusion of why the Babysitter trope is so important in horror movies. The Halloween setting gave it that spooky and unpredictable vibe, and let me wanting the smell of fake blood in the air! I can’t wait to see what awaits us in the sequel!