Love a story that’s filled with magic! Quite the hot scenes - very steamy! Looking forward to the next in the series.

I kind of fell under this this book’s spell when I read the synopsis. Witches, shifters, demons, magic, it’s all there and a genre that I rather enjoy. But I the spell wasn’t enough to really keep me enthralled for long.

First off, I feel l Ike the story could have been more of a stand alone in that it had a start and a finish. Instead this is more like installments and while I was left wanting more, I also feel a little let down at the end of the book.

Then there was the “Little Girl” pet name that creeped me out a little. She’s an adult, but this makes it sound a little predatory and yet condescending at the same time.

This could be a fabulous series, if the author makes some tweaks and finds her groove. I’ll check out the next book or so and hope some changes are made. But it certainly has the foundation to evolve and become one of my must reads!

This is easily one of my favorite reads of this year. Black Magic by Kassandra Cross really blew any expectations I had out of the water. The writing was fluid and eloquent, the imagery was thought out and encompassing without being overwhelming, and the character building was just enough while also being built upon as the story progressed. I immensely enjoyed that you thought you knew what you were getting when you pick up the story, and by the end you're questioning everything you thought you knew about this book and reading storylines in general.

Alright ... and the chemistry between Aradia and Ludo... I mean I am still fanning my face over all of their interactions. The build up was perfect, it Kept you wanting more without waiting way too entirely long but then still left you wanting more more more. I am so excited to see how their chemistry and relationship unfolds in book 2. These characters have passion by the truckloads and I am here for it.

The only thing I did not like about this book was how quickly it was over. I need book 2 yesterday and cannot wait to dive deeper into the magic system and bloodline witch ancestry, the relationship with the witches and other supernaturals, and learn how Ari comes to grips with her power. Read this book - it was just so good.

This was an enjoyable read. it took me a while to get used to the writing style but once I did I really go into the plot which was engaging with well developed characters. I liked the level of magic in the book and I liked the romance element too. I look forward to reading more.

Nope, not for me . I love witches, Ok with smut, but the "little girl" repetition was way too much for me ...also the WHILST is like every other page in the beginning and it is super distracting. I think there were good bones here, a mysterious magical family, a cool setting in the woods, a darker love interest , shape shifters. Had all the key elements of a fun paranormal novel only it just didn't hit its mark.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this exciting new book

witches, demons, magic and death

its all in this book and will hook you in, its an exciting new series that will grab your attention and keep you reading until you have finished it and then you will go looking to see when the next book is out in this series

I could have liked this.. but it was not for me. I love the concept and a secret powerful witch. It seemed each little chunk of the book didn't connect and there wasn't any character consistency. I think this occurred due to the books length.

This was an interesting story that had me intrigued. There are so many secrets and I can’t wait until they are all exposed. The intense connection between Ludo & Aradia is addicting. I love anytime they are together. I need the next book ASAP. This was my first book that I gave read from Kassandra and it won’t be the last.

Aradia Black is coming home. She doesn’t remember Valport, but it is where she spent much of her childhood before she was taken away. After being whisked across the ocean and hidden for her own safety, the time has come for her to return and face her demons. Her entire family is cursed and she met a mystery man Ludo.

Lots of magic, witches, curses, shifters, Devil in this story. An interesting paranormal romance. I like Aradia's aunt especially. She's fun... :) Looking foward to see what will happen in this series...

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

A great storyline about Aradia Black that pulls you in and makes you want to know more. She is just discovering that she has been a witch whose parents were killed. She had been whisked away to live with a guardian and away from where she grew up to keep her safe. Ludovico Cabot is the type of guy that women fantasize about. Tall, dark, handsome, and a bad boy from hell! According to the prophecy, Ari will either kill Ludovico or he will kill her. Will this come true? Or will the sexual desire that they both feel for each other change the outcome?



I’m not sure if I'm rooting for her to throw caution to the wind and root for her to bang his brains out more or encourage her to forgo the hot sex because evil is lurking. Ah, who am I kidding? We all want her to go for it. Spicy scenes in this book are not over the top. From 1 to Laurell K Hamilton, I would rate this book as a 1. You can read this in public and not blush.


I will be reading the next book to find out what happens next!

Thank you so much to The Next Step for sharing an advanced copy of Black Magic by Kassandra Cross with me.

This is exactly as it says on the tin!

When Aradia Black learns her true heritage she is forced to leave her home and find solitude in Valport Springs. She begins to learn why exactly she needs to be protected.

However, things take a turn when she meets handsome devil, Ludovico Cabot. Their scenes together are seriously spicy! And their tension is palpable.

It's a short and quick read, that lovers of Laura Thalassa will certainly enjoy. I do wish it was a bit longer so we could explore Ari's relationship with Marian and what exactly is going on. I also wish we had more Ludo scenes because I had to fan myself every time he came on the page.

Trust me! He's a saucy one!

This was such a fun, quick read, cannot wait for book two!

Four stars!

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Kassandra Cross for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

''Hell is empty because the Devil is already here.
He’s here in Valport Springs… and he wants me.''

When 19 year old witch Aradia Black witnesses aftermath of a horrible murder at her London home, she is forced to go back to Valport Springs - the secluded forest town where she spent much of her youth. Valport isn’t like any other town - it's filled with magic, sin and lust. And it also happens to be home to some of the most powerful witches in America. There she will rediscover who she is., what curse is upon her family and what fate has in store for her.
And there she finds herself in the clutches of Lucifer, one of the most elusive and powerful men she has ever met.

Actual rating : 2.85 ⭐'s

Dark Paranormal Romance - check
Witches - check
Shifters - check
Curse - check
Devil - check

It should have been at least 3.5 star rating from the description and knowing myself that I enjoy these types of books. So why such a rating? I will be honest - this book was tough one to rate and even harder to explain how I feel about it.

I'll start with the positive side. Once I finished reading, I could see that it had an interesting plot idea and we could have learned more about history of the curse, covens and Valport in general. Because it was little bit told, but not enough. I liked her aunt and her man-candy :) Also I did like Ludo - I wanted to learn more about him. Or at least get a chapter from his POV.

Now to the not so positive side. I disliked how main protagonist Aradia was written. Without spoilers: in first 2 % of the book, she 'does something horrible to a man at the airport.. And her somewhat casual inner thoughts angered me. It is later revealed why she did that, but there was no remorse. I don't know how to explain it. Even after horrific events at her London home, the thing she so casually did in her anger at the airport; there was no human level sorrow what I felt from her. No matter what happened to you, you should at least feel some shock and guilt. Once you read first chapters, you get what I'm talking about. And after event at airport, she continues like nothing happened.
Then after short time in Valport she already meets mysterious Ludovico Cabot. For me she radiated dumbstruck lust and no backbone. At already 33% she mentions that she wants to please him and make him proud. I thought that maybe he's controlling her in some level or she experiences his lure and temptation and it will wear off. But no. She was just like that in her core.
Up until 50% not a lot of happens - except her meeting Ludo and her ignoring her aunt's warning. And then for a period of time that felt like an eternity, she was trying to find a club. I will not comment on grand finale, but I will say this - I did not expect to read word jewel, while describing (you will find out what it was).

Overall - I am bit sad about this. There was a potential, but unfortunately the story failed to keep my interest. The story had a chaotic pacing and it felt like I missed some major parts of information about important parts of the book. Like characters and plot. I hope other readers will have better reading experience than me. But thank you author for this and good luck with second book! :)

Black Magic by Kassandra Cross.
The Witches of Valport Springs Book One.
The women of my family are cursed.
It’s in our blood.Welcome to Valport Springs, a quiet forest town full of secrets.Witches hide and thrive, the Devil resides in the darkness, Victorian houses spring from sacred ground, shaded by pines and under the magic of the full moon.Aradia Black is coming home. She doesn’t remember Valport, but it is where she spent much of her childhood before she was taken away. After being whisked across the ocean and hidden under another name for her own safety, the time has come for her to return and face her demons. Hell is empty because the Devil is already here.He’s here in Valport Springs… and he wants me.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Great story and characters. I liked Aradia. Ludovico I wasn't sure how I felt about him. I wasn't sure if I liked Marion. I'm looking forward to the next book. 5*.