Perfect for fans of Charmed.

Spells Trouble takes place in the town of Goodeville founded by Sarah Goode an accused Salem witch. For generations Sarah's direct descendants have been the guardians of the gates of the underworld's. Hunter and Mercy are twin witches who are going to be learning how to guard these portals when their mother is killed by a mythological creature trying to escape. As the sisters come together to solve a string of murders they are forced to learn how to cope with the loss of their mom but also the loss of their teacher.

This story had my attention at the mention of Salem witches but throw in some creepy trees and ancient mythology and I'm sold. Since this is the first book in a trilogy there is a heavy focus on setting up the location and magic system. I found Mercy to be a bit annoying and Hunter to be the far more likeable Goode sibling. I would however classify this book more on the YA/NA level because of a scene that as a bit more spicy than I was expecting. I'm interested to see where this series goes.

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed so much of it and other parts, not so much. Some parts just felt forced and not believable (mainly the teenage interactions). HOWEVER, the story itself was enthralling. I love a good magic story that also includes mythology. I haven’t read one like this in ages. Twin sister witches with a familiar that is a descendant from Bast. Gates to five mythology worlds that are on the brink of opening and causing mayhem. Murder, gods, magic, love, betrayal, friendship, grief, happiness, and so much more. It was a very solid read.

I feel like if you've ever read the Casts' other works, you're going to know exactly where this book is going. I really loved their House of Night series (I even have a quote tattoo from that series) and while it definitely had some issues I thought I'd read this new series because surely they've progressed since then. I'm not so sure about that. This book really did read like the first HoN book but with two MCs instead of one.

But let's talk non-comparison things, shall we? Firstly, 98% of this book reads like a lower age YA book. No difficult terms, regular life things, totally normal, a bit whimsy, could possibly even be MG. The other 2%? Explicit sex scene. It was so far out of left field. And y'all, I read adult romance novels, so I'm not against the sex part. And realistically, I know that 16 y/o's are having sex. I get it. But it didn't fit with the tone of this book at all. It was just like normal, normal, normal, graphically detailed sex scene, normal, normal, normal. And honestly what's worse is it didn't even fit with the character motivation. Like, There was no character progression to even make sense of why it happened other than as a plot device that just didn't take off.

The magic system is interesting, I did like that aspect of it. I like that it's all about intention and stating what you want. But ya know, rolling back into comparison things, it's similar to their HoN magic system in that it does deal a lot with Wiccan rituals. Which I mean, they're witches, I get it but it's just, two different worlds with pretty similar magic systems.

The plot meanders like nobody's business. As long as this book is, SOMETHING should have happened but it was just like, meh. I was bored. And there were no real plot twists or surprises. Zero.

Honestly, I may have judged this book harshly. If this had been someone's debut I probably would have rated it higher. But as long as these two women have been in the business? This felt lazy and just a recycled version of a story they've already told, repackaged into a new way to make money.

Sadly, I couldn't connect to this one and ended up dnf-ing it. Writing-wise I found the dialogue cringey at times and it read more middle-grade (at least the 25% I read) and I just wasn't really invested in the characters or story.

Great premise and writing, but I found that I couldn't get interested in it. I had high hopes but it sort of fell flat. This was my first book by this writing duo, but I will try another in the future.

I received an e-arc, but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you post reviews for everything you read, or only books that you liked/recommend?
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I tend to not like posting negative reviews, but in this case I feel like it is necessary. This book had a huge PR campaign, and oddly I received the physical ARC @wednesdaybooks , the ebook ARC @stmartinspress @netgalley , and the ALC @macmillan.audio for review. Because of all of these reading options I did something I almost never do and read the physical ARC along with the audiobook ALC at the same time. Due to reading it this way I was able to see revisions made from the earlier draft (the physical copy) to the final (the audiobook). Some revisions were for the good while others put the nail in the coffin of my opinion on this one.
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This book had so much promise! Witchy twins with ties back to Salem, coming into their magic in the wake of tragedy. Sadly the story didn’t deliver. Below is a list of grievances.
-I’m all for sex positive rep in YA when it fits the story and is done well. I’m this case it was gross (especially the conversations with the mother). Ultimately the unnecessary sex scene led to over the top slut shaming and overall just left a dark shadow over most of the story.
-The horrible homophobic rhetoric and interactions between characters throughout the book. Being Gay is portrayed as a character flaw and repeatedly used as a way to make one main character feel unlovable and an outsider. All of this blew up towards the conclusion of the book, where a revision was made from the earlier draft to make the sexual orientation of the one sister the scapegoat for everything that went wrong in the entire book. Disgusting.
-This is the start of a series and honestly I can’t see as way forward for this series that isn’t extremely problematic. This was a mix of bad editing and poor decisions on the part of the writers as far as character development and conflict.
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My experience with this book makes me wonder how many other books have differences like this that we never know about because we only read one format. Everything in my review is based on the final content in the ALC which I got email confirmation from the publisher is the final published copy.

This book had so much potential but I was left disappointed. I really wanted to read about new witches finding themselves with new powers. But instead, I was left with more of the backstory of the witches. I know, I know. It's important to know the backstory to the plot of the series. We as readers need to know what's going on and why it is important to know. But it should not be in the whole book. Sorry, I wanted more focus on the new witches, not backstory.

I started the first chapter and I thought the one may not be a favorite, but the wow factor kicked and and it was nonstop from that point on. The ending left me wanting more! I can't wait to read more of Mercy and Hunter and their friends. P.C. Cast never disappoints! Merry Meet!

At this point, I’ve read many books by this author duo and I’ve usually associated them with being guilty pleasure reads. But this wasn’t it. I’m sad to say that ‘cause I was really looking forward to reading it. Since it's already out however, I was able to read the audiobook and I had a hard time getting into it. But once the story started picking up, it wasn’t too bad.

Despite this being YA, this read as more of a middle grade; with a lot of telling and not enough showing. And there were some moments that came off as cringey such as Kirk calling Mercy “his goddess” which *insert puke emoji here.* Plus, the dialogue felt unnatural between the characters.

Speaking of the characters, there was no distinct voice between Hunter and Mercy. They felt too similar to me; despite the fact there supposed to be twins. Plus, they were low-key dumb as fuck sometimes, like something would be so obvious and they wouldn’t get it (like what??). I had no issues with the other side characters—I thought they were all fine (besides Kirk, he was terrible). But I felt no real connection with any of them.

Despite all my dislikes, the ending intrigued me enough to want to read the second book in the future.

My favorite Mother/Daughter writing team has struck gold again!
Diverse cast -✔
Twin sister witches that kick butt - ✔
Mythology (Greek, Norse & Egyptian- Hindu & Japanese to come)-✔
History (They are Salem Witch Sara Goode's descendants)- ✔
Murder mystery - ✔
A cliffhanger ending that makes me want the next book in the series NOW - ✔

I would suggest this for High school and up because there is a sex scene that is described in some detail

I'm not a fan of this book, I couldn't even finish it. The girls lost their mom and one sister expects the other to be over it in a day. It was all cringy. Disappointed because the premise was so amazing.

This book fell flat for me. I really enjoyed the prologue but wish that was the majority of the book. This is supposed to be YA but then they add a very spicy scene in it. If you are going to do that label it New Adult. I wouldn't want my teenager to read it.

But overall the story was meh and I had high hopes for it.

Spells Trouble has a great premise, and I really liked the prologue. After that, things go a little astray. Don't get me wrong, the story does have its moments, but they're fewer and further between with each turn of a page. Now, here's where I'll say that I read the House of Night series by this author duo, and it Having read the House of Night series by this author duo, I expected to find teenage angst and drama, and this one certainly has its share of those. The problem is that these characters lacked the development to draw me in, to make me care about that angst. That wasn't helped by a story that was drawn out much too far with a lot of lags I came very close to skimming through.
I really did like the premise, and I'm always looking for an original storyline, but the characters are cookie-cutter versions of almost any group of teenagers in any teen drama you saw on television in the 90s. With the unrealistic dialogue, I kind of felt like I was back there watching an episode of Dawson's Creek A really long episode.
I'd like to think that the world created here still has potential, so I'll reserve a decision about following along with the series for now. As it stands, I feel like I read and listened to a story that didn't live up to its potential.

I had a bit of difficulty getting into this book which surprised me since I am a HUGE mega fan of the mother daughter trio after reading their House of Night series when I was a teenager.

I LOVED the prologue and I honestly thought the witch hunt scene would continue but was a bit disappointed when the first chapter fell flat after such an awesome prologue. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity to read this book early and to Wednesday Books sending me a DRC.

Quick notes:
- the cover is gorgeous —floral designs are likely to catch the eye! I really found it appeal,I got.
- the premise is fascinating and I love this continued theme of exploring mother/daughter and sibling relationships

Things I Liked:
The Prologue is exceptional; I could have read an entire book based solely on the prologue. Sarah Goode and all her adventures post-escape would have been stellar!

As a fan of the HoN series, I did have reasonably high expectations for this new series and it did in fact let me down a bit. What I am hoping is that since this is the first book in a new series, the duo is just taking a little longer with the exposition and that the groundwork for future novels has been laid here.

I loved the House of Night books when they came out so I was very much looking forward to reading a new series by P.C. and Kristin Cast.. This one fell a little short to me but is no way a bad book. I’m hoping that the authors were just starting the series off slowly to get readers immersed in a new world. The premise was one I had high hopes for. The story moved along fine with a few weird bits thrown in that didn’t seem to add to the storyline. Maybe they were just there to set up future events. Since I did like the HON series, I will give the second book in the Sisters of Salem a chance before making up my mind.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Spells Trouble by PC Cast and Kristin Cast was the first book in the series. Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. I have been wanting to read a PC Cast book for awhile and even have a few paperbacks in my room waiting for me to start. When I got the ARC book from Netgalley, it was the perfect excuse to finally read one. I really enjoyed the story of the twin sisters and their struggles, not only with normal teenage problems, but also witchy ones. This was a fun, exciting book and I can't wait till the next one comes out.

After reading and LOVING the House of Night Series I was thrilled to see that this powerful mother-daughter duo was back with another supernatural series. So of course I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of this book to devour.

The book begins with Sarah Goode, accused of being a witch, and locked in a cell with her young daughter. Fast forward to the present time and we are introduced to twin sisters Hunter and Mercy Goode, whom are descendants of Sarah Goode.

Several great characters, a great plot, and an enjoyable read.

A great novel that I highly recommend.

This cover! I am in love with it! Flora and Fauna on a book cover is always attractive to me. This cover makes me think of being in the forest in springtime when all the plants and trees are waking up from a long, cold winter. New life. New beginnings. Opportunities.

I also love books about witches. Not the dreary tales but the stories that focus on positivity, creation, remediation and love. Oh, and revenge. I do love a good witchy revenge story where the bad guy/girl gets what they’ve got coming to them.

So imagine my surprise when this beautifully covered book, by a well-know author I might add, was a total flop for me! The prologue was fantastic. I was immediately drawn into the story and was so delighted to have finally been able to have time to read this book. But then came Chapter 1, present day. The MC’s, twin high school girls, were just so grey. They barely had any character and what they did have was the teenage snarkiness. No thanks- I have tons of that at home! Some big emotional trauma happens at the beginning of the book and they are tasked with saving their town, maybe even the world and then next day they are back at school like ho-hum, it’s a Wednesday.

Utterly unbelievable. I know, it’s fantasy and they are witches so it’s already unbelievable. But you know what I mean. I wasn’t feeling. I wasn’t sucked into the story. I kept reading hoping it would get better. It did not. I doubt I will be picking up book 2.

I did not love this as much as I expected to, and that makes me sad. A long, long, long time ago... when Marked came out, I loved it. I devoured the entire series. So I figured that this book was also sure to be a hit. I jumped for literal joy when I got approved for the ARC of this and then.... I was so disappointed.

This book had so much potential! Twin witches coming into their power, 5 gates to mythological underworlds, a tragic death, then more mysterious deaths, and magical cats. This was supposed to be a no-brainer 5 star. Maybe, I have just outgrown this writing style, or maybe I just hyped it up way to much in my head but some things were just unneeded or unnecessary. Like the sex scene that didn't progress the plot at all, and was cringe worthy. Honestly, I've blocked out a lot of my reading experience of this from my brain, and reliving it has made me change my rating from 3 stars to 2 stars.