Plot
I wanted to like this book. After the prologue -which I loved!- I was hooked. It quickly went downhill. There was really just a modge podge of 'magick' and mythology with no real direction, so it comes off as bland and reaching just to progress the story. Then there is the rather gratuitous sex scene that comes off as cringe-worthy for a YA book. It read like a how-to, which I do not appreciate. Had this been an adult/erotica book, it totally would have made sense. In this context/age group, hard pass.

Characters
Okay, we get is. Mercy and Hunter are different. It was plenty obvious, but it felt like parts were written just to, once again, remind the reader how different they were. And their CONSTANT use of the word 'witchy' was so redundant that I rolled my eyes every time they used it.
Bast had the potential to be so awesome, you know, as a goddess, but she was kept as 'Xena,' which annoyed me to no end. Like, hey, this is supposed to be a goddess, like the kind you worship, and you keep referring to her as a character from a bad 90s show.
Kirk was horrible and a total douche, which really made him the most real character in the book. I loved to hate him because, as much as his jerk-ness was over done, he served as a cautionary tale for girls.

Disappointed.

Twin witches Hunter & Mercy are ushered into their roles as the new Gatekeeper’s of the underworlds on their 16th birthday, after a spell goes awry and their mother is murdered. This twins now must hunt down the murderer while keeping mythological monsters at bay. It is after all, their duty as the Goode’s, to protect the town.

I was so excited to receive an advanced e-copy of this book as I’ve been looking forward to it! I really wanted to love it. Books with witches are my favorite. Unfortunately this just didn’t do it for me.

The book starts out strong, with a flashback of the Goode ancestors. It then jumps right into things with the twins 16th birthday, spell work, and their mother’s murder. Not enough was established to the reader for me to connect and feel anything about this or the murders that follow. The twins, Mercy & Hunter, along with their friends- and cat- work together to find the murderer, and hopefully save the town, all in what feels like a matter of hours. Maybe it was days? It was unclear.

Besides the off feel of the pacing the book simply felt silly. I’m not sure how else to describe it, but it almost felt satirical. It was a very simple read, feeling more middle grade, but with YA/NA sexual situations and language, confusing me on who the target audience actually is. The MC’s constantly made odd choices that didn’t fit what had just happened adding to the off feeling.

Hunter & Mercy are also described as being polar opposites in almost all ways, yet while reading, their “voices” sounded exactly the same. I found myself having to double back quite a few times to see who was actually talking.

I did really like the friendships between Jax and Hunter, and Emily and Mercy. Jax especially was a refreshing character. It was nice to have a good guy in the book that was an awesome friend and not forced into some romantic role. The references to lore and mythology were cool too, though a lot of it was tossed in but not fully expanded on. There seemed to be a lot of set up for the next book.

This ultimately is a quick and easy read packed full of high school drama, lgbtq rep, and of course witchery. I just think maybe my expectations were too high.

*Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Spells Trouble in exchange for an honest review.

My favourite niche trend in YA right now is sapphic witch stories so when I heard that Spells Trouble follows 2 witches (one of whom is queer!) I was really excited but unfortunately, I was ultimately let down. This is neither author's first book which meant I was really surprised by how exposition-y this was. The first few chapters are a lot of heavy-handed dialogue where characters remind themselves of the plot, their relationships, and goals and while that phases out as the plot progresses, it sets up a very younger-middle-grade story telling style. Unfortunately, this book also includes swears, slurs, and sex scenes so it's definitely not good for that audience either. There are elements of goodness here, but it exists in this weird in-between of maturity that really doesn't lend itself to any solid audience.

Hunter and Mercy, twin witches born from Salem's Goode bloodline are charged with guarding gates that run along ley lines in Goodeville. They come into their true power on their 16th birthday, but it doesn't go as it should, ending in murder and mythical monsters being released into the human world.

Alright, well, I had high hopes for this novel, it was one of my most anticipated books of this year. I really was expecting more based on the House of Night series by the same author and the concept that this book seemed to be based from. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. The description of the book is definitely what pulled me in. A magical mystery surrounding the teen witches where there's murders where it throws the sisters into having to save the town and ultimately their world. Sounds good, right!?! .

Hunter, Mercy, and their best friends Jax and Emily, are alright characters but could definitely do with some more development. The book is told through both Hunter and Mercy's POV. The author introduces them as two polar opposites; however when reading the POV's, they are almost identical making it really hard to determine who’s POV it is. The girls' inner voices weren’t distinct enough to make it immediately obvious who was talking, which got confusing at some points, especially with no notice or heading that the perspective had changed. I guess the author was going for showing how connected the twins were through their "twin bond", but it made it difficult to follow along who's POV you were reading from.

Unfortunately, the pacing made it less of an enjoyable read when coupled with the switching POV without notice. The quantity of events after their birthday mishap, the speed it unfolds at, the emotional choices for the characters, and a lot of "telling" not "showing" description language made the timeline and events disorientating. Overall, it wasn’t a bad book, but it was just an average book. I'll probably end up getting the second book just because the concept of the novel has so much potential and I'm just gonna hope that the readability gets better.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book to review.

I had really high expectations for this book as I am a huge fan of the House of Night books by the same authors, and sadly I don’t feel that this necessarily lived up to those expectations. I really liked the concept of this book, but I found myself struggling a lot with the POV’s because the authors would flip between them without a heading to let you know it was coming, and the characters voices weren’t always distinct enough to make it immediately obvious who was talking, which got confusing at some points. I also sometimes found the dialogue to be a little awkward and the characters motivations and reactions to different things weren’t always clear.

Storywise, the book is okay. I liked the concept of twin witches going out to right the wrongs in the world and avenge a tragedy that had befallen them. Hunter and Macy aren’t bad characters and I would definitely check out the sequel, I just again fall back on the point that although the author introduces them as two polar opposites, their dialogues and thoughts are almost identical making it really hard to determine who’s POV it is, and also, Macy’s blind adoration for her blithering boyfriend really does have some throwbacks to Zoey and Heath from house of night, he’s even a quarterback.

Overall, yeah. It wasn’t a bad book by any means, but it was just an alright book. I’ll definitely pick up the second one cause I’m interested to see what happens but I don’t think this book has the re-readability that house of night did.

I think that ultimately, this writing duo is not for me. I enjoyed the premise of the story but found the pacing and overall structure to be a little off for me personally. There was nothing wrong with the book, but I found myself having to continually remind myself to pick the book back up to continue it - I didn't necessarily feel drawn in and connected to the story.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The story definitely pulled me in and I looked forward to reading it at the end of the day. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the series and wishing I could jump in now! I will definitely have to investigate both of these authors other works so it looks like that should keep me busy for awhile!

There was a lot going on and a lot of emotions in this book. I loved the fact that one of the characters is gay but no one close to her thinks anything of it. She had been bullied for it in the past which does get mentioned but I think that, unfortunately, that is pretty common right now in our society so she is a character that a lot of folks can relate to. I also love that there is a male best friend of a female with no romantic/sexual connotations, just super supportive of his best friend. I love the mix of witchcraft, magic, and mythology - those are all things I enjoy and I loved having them altogether.

I will add the ending did seem a bit rushed but maybe it was on purpose to make it feel fast paced. Hoping the next book isn't too far in the future!

Thank you for my copy of Spells Trouble. I enjoyed this magical story and can't wait to see what's in store for this series.

The premise of Spells Trouble ticks a lot of boxes for me: it's a magical mystery (!) about twin witches (!!) who must team up to save their town, which was founded by Salem witch Sarah Goode (!!!). Hunter and Mercy were born into a long line of witches charged with guarding the magical gates in Goodeville from other worldly intrusions. On their sixteenth birthday, just as they are ready to come into the height of their magical power, a tragedy occurs that forces them to use their magic in ways they never expected in order to defend Goodeville from an unknown evil.

The teens in Spells Trouble—Hunter, Mercy, and their long-time best friends Jax and Em—are delightful, and I found myself rooting for them even when the action of the book let me down. These kids love each other in a way that feels too rare in books for and about young adults. Through grief, relationship drama, and magical mishaps, they are consistently and proudly supportive of one another. Jax, in particular, has my whole heart...more kind straight boys who care about their friendships and aren't romantic leads, please!

Unfortunately, the pacing of the book made it less of an enjoyable read than it otherwise could have been. A lot happens in the few days after that initial tragedy, and the speed at which the action unfolded, combined with too much descriptive language and some odd emotional choices, made me feel disoriented, like I couldn't remember quite how much time had passed or what I was supposed to care about. This is very clearly the first book of a series, and while I love a cliff-hanger as much as anyone, by the end of the novel the sheer number of loose ends was making me feel raggedy.

Unfortunately this book was as flat as old soda. It read like a middle grade book (or a corny, silly, satirical movie) and then *bam* you get hit with a sex scene that doesn't help the progression of the plot at all. There were a lot of uneccessery details. The dialogue was bland and tedious. The writing style was boring and subpar. I definitely expected better from such experienced authors. I'm giving 2 stars instead of 1 due to the originality of the idea; it had potential but needed to be developed and written better.

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twin witches, direct descendants of the founder of their town of Goodeville. As their ancestors have done before them, it is now time for the twins to learn what it means to be Gatekeepers

This was simply amazing. And I was thrilled to have gotten approved for this erc.
I loved everything about this book. The beginning the plot the ending..... It was great!
I absolutely loved the characters here and the writing style fabulous!

Thanks NetGalley Publisher and Author for this advanced readers copy.

Witches + murder + mythical creatures? Yes, please!

Spells Trouble is a fast paced and thrilling ride of epic proportions that centers around witchy twins Hunter and Mercy as they seek revenge for their mother's murder while learning to handle their new roles as Gatekeepers. Little do they know they have bitten off more than they can chew, and the sisters are faced with trials that not only test their strength as a duo but as individuals... Oh, and they may or may not have to save the world now.

This book was wild and I loved it so much

Such a wonderfully magical book! Loved Spells Trouble by PC and Kristin Cast. Mercy and Hunter were some great protagonists. Anything to do with witches is always so much fun, especially for a YA read. LOVED this book, and cannot wait for the next in the series!

My favorite creators of House of Night series are back with a mind bending installment, an epic twin witch sisterhood saga, a wild, thrilling, action packed ride!

Fast pacing, gripping with detailed, layered characterization! I loved Hunter and Mercy so much! Polar opposite sisters! Energetic, rebellious, straightforward, badass Mercy, introvert, emotional, queer, secret romance novel writer Hunter are so different from each other but their opposite traits never affect their deep bound, devotion and friendship! They truly love each other! They respect each other! They complete each other! They are such a great, unique, loyal team!

The story starts the era during Salem witch trials. We’re quickly introduced to Sarah Goode who is targeted as a witch, captured in a cell waiting for her execution but she finds her way to escape from the prison accompanied by her little daughter.

After whirlwind, exciting prologue, the story moves forward to the present time to introduce us the direct descendants of Sarah Goode: Twin sisters Hunter and Mercy Goode prepare themselves for their sixteenth birthday which also means their initiation ceremony!

The childhood era of their lives are over. They will be tasked with their new missions just like their gatekeeper descendants have been doing for centuries to protect the gates of underworlds.

Of course their task needs a compelling and definitely demanding learning process which will be more challenging than they expected. And from the beginning your spin gets tingled during your read because you just directly feel the darkness watch each step the girls take. The darkness becomes their shadow and you may sense it at the each chapter.

Something truly unexpected change both of the girls’ life and like falling dominoes, the incident sets so many other terrifying events into motion which forced twins to make grim decisions, changing their life paths.

But tests they have to pass will force them to test their loyalties to each other, too. They are struggling with grief and burning with fury to avenge. Will they team up to fight against the struggles or will they separate to fight their own battles?

Read and see! It’s fabulous, heart pounding, extremely riveting start to a new installment which deserved my entire five blazing, for the love of divine sisterhood and fantasy world stars!

So many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press / Wednesday Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts. I loved it so much!

Spells Trouble by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast is an excellent fantasy/mystical packed full of action, magic, epic adventures, wonderfully developed and complex main characters, and the perfect book to begin (what I am sure will be an awesome) a new series: Sisters of Salem.

This is the first book that I have read from this duo, and I have to say that it has made me an instant fan. It is labeled as a YA novel, however I am shamefully not near a YA and I absolutely loved this narrative and the wild ride I was able to tag along into. This book has it all and kept me desperately turning pages to find out what happens next.

I was sucked in after reading the prologue focusing on Sarah Goode, one of the women that was targeted as a witch during the infamous Salem Witch trials. The main characters, twins Mercy and Hunter Goode, are her direct descendants. They are now gifted with the job and tasks that have been set in upon the generations of family before them: gatekeepers for underworlds. Their task is much and as any newly appointed individual, there is a learning period. The authors create a wonderful aura and ethereal, mystical, and mythical feeling. A darkness is also present, lending a serious feeling to the book and upping the ante on the seriousness and importance of their task and the potential consequences that can ensue if they fall short of their appointed jobs. I love Hunter and Mercy. They are both fiery, strong, and possess more bravery then they even realize.

After a devastating event happens to the twins, events are set in motion, spiraling quickly, and the twins are forced to take matters into their own hands. Trials and obstacles will test each individually and also as a collective unit. Will they be able to save themselves, the world, avenge their loss, and stay together as a team throughout their journey? Well you will need to read the excellent novel as I did to find out.

So excellent and goodness, I now cannot wait to see where this series goes. A+ 5/5 stars enthusiastically. Hands down one of the best fantasy reads I have had the privilege to experience in a long time. I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books/St. Martin's Press for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR, Instagram, and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Instagram, Amazon, and B&N accounts upon publication on 5/25/21.

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press - Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have been waiting for another new potential series from P.C. and Kristin Cast. They killed it with the House of Night series and have done amazing solo series and I have been patiently waiting for a release of them two together and Spells Trouble was worth the wait. One thing I loved about their books is that they attract the reader to fall in love with the main protagonist and it was no different with Hunter and Mercy (love the names). Every chapter was a surprise and with the job as the gatekeeper of the different worlds in protecting each realm of nightmares and myths coming to surface and changing the face of time. I was glued from page to page and did not want to stop reading and when I read a book like that it makes me super excited. I know our teen book club will love this too and I can't wait to hear their thoughts on it.

We will consider adding this title to our YA collection at the library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.