I really enjoyed this book except for a couple spots. Overall, it’s well-written and the characters and settings very well done. So what didn’t I like? I’m getting tired of writers portraying foster parents and foster families as evil. There are good fosters out there. But…for the sake of this story, I understood why the author wrote what he did. Much as I hate to admit it, there are definitely people out there who would act exactly as Isis’s did. It’s hateful and ugly, but not outside the realm of possibility. But there are some amazing fosters out there too. I’d love to see some of them portrayed as such.

I think Isis was a good character. Yes, she could have been stronger… but for what she’d been through, her fear worked. And having Zack step up to help her (and they him) was perfect. Valeria is a fierce villain and her background shows where she comes from nicely.

I can almost believe in the set up of witches acting like magicians in order to hide what they are. Some of the magic acts I’ve seen could very well have been done by witches pretending to be magicians. Overall, a good story with lots of action, a little romance (clean and sweet), a good plot line and a satisfying ending.

Recommendation: Definitely recommended for those looking for a YA (older YA) with lots of action, vampires, witches, and more.

Disclaimer: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

This was an interesting concept. I liked reading it and finished the book because I wanted to know what would happen to the characters--so they were compelling. But the plot was a bit too predictable while at the same time super unrealistic. It felt more like "fan fiction" type writing quality than professionally polished.

I received a copy of the book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
An interesting idea with some good writing. The characters are unique and engaging.
However, at times it failed to deliver on its expectations.

This was an easy to read YA book. The writing style puts me more in the mind if it being for lower YA but some of the content was more on the graphic side. I get why they were there I just don’t know where to put the book in the YA realm.

The easiest way to explain this book is a group of Witches pretending to be Magicians pretending to be Witches.

I enjoyed reading this book it was a nice easy read for a Weekend. There is a mix of pov’s between the adults (Vampires) and the kids. I like how in this series the witch’s magic is tied to their emotions. This creates a lot of obstacles for a 15-year-old and you see the struggle she goes through.

This first book wraps up well. There are loose ends allowing more to come but there are no big cliff hangers. This alone is a plus for me since I do not like huge cliff hangers.

I am interested to see what the other books hold since this is the first book to a series and there is a lot of foreshadowing regarding Isis’s powers.

This is a decent young adult urban fantasy. It is well written but didn't stand out from other books in this genre.

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this up because I'm a fan of YA and it was set in my current city of residence. Overall it was just...meh. After opening with a rushed and spectacularly violent single chapter origin story the novel shifts forward 5 or 6 years to a star crossed romance between a teenage witch who pretend to be a magician and a teenage magician whose family show keeps getting out sold by their witchy competitors. This less than compelling romance is variously hindered and helped by the arrival of a centuries old witch who serves as the primary villain. I'd say it would do better as a stock fantasy-type novel, except the ages of the MCs place it fairly in the youth market where I suspect it will languor.