I really enjoyed the first book in the Eva Evergreen series but the sequel lacked the same charm. It was far more generic and action based, without the lovely character and world building of the first.

I really enjoyed venturing back to Rivelle Realm in this follow-up to Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch. The book begins with Eva and her mother sharing key information about the Cullings and then takes off swiftly from there. What unfolds is a dark adventure into worlds unknown.

Overall this was a satisfying read with plenty of heart and determination, but it lacked a bit of the charm and much of the coziness we got from the first book. I don't know that they should be directly compared, though, because they explore different issues. I also thought this book moved along quickly and some of the events at the end wrapped up neatly but without a lot of explanation as to how.

In any event, I hope there's a third Eva book in the works! Please note that readers should not skip book #1 as that sets up the world building and context for this book.

An adventurous and high-stakes follow up to book one! Eva faces dark and worrisome problems here as they discover the culprit behind the Cullings, who turns out to be a terrifying and hard witch to catch. Eva is such a plucky and lovely heroine, always putting others first and working tirelessly at any job she's given. I do feel bad for her having to work so much (THE BABY IS LIKE 12), and I did wonder what the adults were actually doing. But no one can save the world like Eva Evergreen can 😪👌🏻I did miss the soft and chaotic magic of book one, as the adventure here is more serious with the risk of people Eva loves being hurt. It was fast-paced and punchy, with plenty of clues for Eva to solve and loveable friends to support her (let's not forget her super cute firefox, Ember!!)

I interviewed Julie Abe about this book on Lit CelebrAsian: https://litcelebrasian.wordpress.com/2021/08/03/julie-abe-eva-evergreen-interview/

I've been looking forward to this sequel ever since the ending of Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch! And I loved every moment of it! Eva is passionate, loyal, and loving. Immediately beginning with action, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch is a story about doing the right thing. About making difficult decisions and sacrifices for the community and the people we love. Continuing threads from the first, Abe has only introduced more intrigue and magical creatures!

“It may seem impossible, but I’ll show them I am an impossible possibility.”

I really think this series is so fun! I wish I had had these when I was growing up. Not that I don’t like them now, but I would have appreciated Eva Evergreen as a kid. Would definitely recommend to young readers.

Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch starts off close to where the first finished. Eva and her friends have discovered the truth about the Culling, but that truth leads to devastating events. It is now up to Eva to prove herself and solve the mystery once and for all.

Julie Abe has a way of bringing the reader into the story. The world and character building are really phenomenal. I think that Abe is able to connect to the reader and allow them to become a part of the story, without it being overwhelming. For a younger reader, I think they will appreciate the style and amount of detail that is given by the Abe.

I said this in my Semi-Magical Witch review, but I really love Eva. She’s someone who girls can look up to and relate to in some way or another. Eva may not have the most magical ability, but she is brave, creative, and determined. She does not let her “pinch of magic” go to waste.

Really enjoyed the sequel. It was a bit darker than the first, but I enjoyed that. This releases August 3rd, so if you haven’t read Eva Evergreen Semi-Magical Witch yet, would recommend doing so, to be ready for The Cursed Witch.

Abe's writing style is descriptive and easy for readers to imagine the setting where this story takes place. There is a good balance of suspense and adventure. Readers will find the characters relatable as most people would find in their own communities. The positive and upbeat attitudes among most of the characters makes this a story worth diving into for any upper elementary and middle grade reader.

Even though this was #2 in the series and I hadn't read the first one, I still didn't feel out of place or lost. It was a cute story and the characters definitely had their own voices.

Early last year, I had the privilege of reading Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch, a story about a witch who, with only a pinch of magic, endeavours to follows her dreams (and her mother’s footsteps) of becoming a witch of her own right. Eva Evergreen, Semi-Magical Witch was delightful, wholesome, and just so much spectacular fun that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And then, you have the sequel, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch, which surprised me in more ways than one and elevated the story to new thrilling, dangerous, yet hopeful heights.

Taking place immediately after the events of Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch – and I recommend reading the two back to back! – Evalithimus "Eva" Evergreen, alongside her trusty flamefox companion, Ember, is thrust into a race against the clock of saving towns across the realm from the violent storms, known as the Culling. When an accident and tragedy strikes, Eva must find her courage and use her creativity to uncover the truth behind the Culling – or there may not be a realm to save.

Without spoiling what happens in the first book, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch takes on a darker and more serious tone compared to its predecessor. Whilst the first book took us to the enchanting and peaceful coastal town of Auteri, where Eva had to grapple with her pinch of magic and help the town (all while making forever-friends), Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch takes once again takes us on an adventure, but one with a tone of greater and more perilous urgency. The mounting dangers and implications of the Culling begin to take their toll on the realm and the wizards and witches trying to protect it, and I was intrigued by where the story would go – and I was not disappointed.

The sequel is certainly more thrilling than the first – there’s more dangerous and malicious magic afoot, and there are also some wonderfully creepy (but not too creepy for young readers!) parts of the story that were exciting. Similarly to the first book, the magic in this is absolutely enchanting – I loved the rhymes and whimsy, and the magic in this book will ignite your imagination – but in this book, we see how magic can have a dangerous and powerful potential too. In my interview with Julie last year, she talked about how the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami shaped Eva’s story. I felt those influences; felt the grief, the loss, and the feelings of hopelessness against such a destructive force. Knowing this and understanding the context of what Eva is up against and does her best to fight, I felt connected to Eva’s spirit and desire to protect and help others in a time of unprecedented loss.

What pulls me into Eva Evergreen’s stories is just how empowering and wonderful they feel. Eva is a likeable character, and even more so in this book where she perseveres and confronts very real and tough challenges that, even as an adult, I felt worried for her. Importantly, Eva isn’t exactly a ‘powerful’ witch in the conventional sense within the world. Rather, Eva is a young witch who makes plenty of mistakes but ultimately endeavours to do the right and next best thing. I love that young readers will have Eva, this wonderful character, who is not perfect but is doing her best to navigate a world that feels much bigger than she is. I also loved that the narrative and storytelling acknowledges that the challenges Eva faces in the story – and in extension, the challenges we may face in life – will be hard, but we can accomplish anything with determination and the will to do good and help others.

At the heart of this book, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch is about how far you would go to save the person that you love and how even the smallest and youngest of people can do good. The story explores parent/guardian-child relationships more, and we also get to see more of Grand Master Nelalithimus Evergreen (whom I endearingly love to call Mama Evergreen) and the mother-daughter relationship with Eva. Davy and Charlotte, Eva’s best friends that she made in Auteri, make a return, and I loved the unconditional love and friendship between the three of them, and the mysteries of their parents’ disappearances are resolved in this book. Ultimately, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch is a story about love and the things we would do for the ones we love.

A wonderful sequel and conclusion to the Eva Evergreen series, Eva Evergreen and the Cursed Witch is an imaginative, thrilling, and empowering story about the importance of spirit and love. Eva Evergreen is a series that I will, without a shadow of a doubt, return to one day if ever I need a pick me up or to remind myself that hope exists and is persistent. I loved this book, loved the series, and will miss going on adventures with Eva and Ember.