This was just okay. There are other books by this author that I prefer. I didn't care about the characters, magic, or world. It all felt flat for me.

✨ Magical!✨
Wow!! “What Became of Magic” is adventurous, magical, chaotic, stress inducing, romantic and wonderful! One of the most unique stories I’ve ever read!
The story follows Aline who from the time she was a child has always felt like an outsider. Her world is turned upside down when she meets an otherworldly spirit named Dragon, learns that she has a responsibility to help lost souls and is taken under the wing of three eccentric bookstore owners. Over the years she thought her life couldn’t get any more complicated - that is until she sets off on a quest to find a town that doesn’t exist, save her friends and find the man she’s only known in a storybook.

Super fun and cozy read that you can really get lost in! Pick up “What Became of Magic” by Paige Crutcher 9.26.2023!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I received an e-Arc from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review!

Big thanks to Rikka for sending me the e-arc!

Isn't the cover so pretty?

It gives all the feels with the previous books that Paige Crutcher has written!

Oh my gosh! Another amazing world that Paige Crutcher created! I was hooked on the story from the first page. I had a concept of how this story was going to go but I was so wrong. I was glad to be wrong because the story itself was magical. It was filled with such colorful, descriptive adventures of into new places along with battling magic and saving the world. That was epic!

I was entertained by the main character Aline who was a character who loved stories and yet she could see ghosts. She learned of things to help those ghosts with a help of Dragon who guided her in a way. At first I thought Dragon could be her spiritual guide? But it was a friendship between the two of them. I loved the name. I also had a inkling that Dragon may play more to the story somehow. Was I right? You have to go get the book.

Since Aline loved stories, she ends up finding peace at a bookstore run by three ladies. The three ladies play a part. I liked the relationship between the three ladies and Aline. They're pretty cool ladies.

(psst....Anne of Green Gable is mentioned in this story too...I did tiny scream inside of my head about this..Yes I am fan of Anne of Green Gables....)

There is so much is going on in this story that it's a fantasy...no wait it felt like a folklore/fantasy/magic type of feel. It's just awesome. With all the books that this author has written, this one has the same similar fun feel and weaves such a great vivid , mystical adventure. Even all the characters play a part in the story too. I had to pay attention to the characters as well to make sure they all were connected somehow. You'll see it when you pick up the book.

Then there's Magic...well he's mysterious and alluring. The connection between Aline and him is a hot one but one that is protective too. I did think Magic could be the bad guy....Was I right? I did grew to like him in the story as it went on. There's a story to him as well which ties with the overall picture. His story is unique too. I will say the ending caught me off guard with Magic. One word - "Cooking."

So who's the bad guy? Why is Aline involved? What will Magic do? How will Dragon help her best friend? What about those three ladies?

Well all your questions will be answered by picking this book up in September! If you are a fan of Paige Crutcher's previous books, you do not want to miss out on this one. I am so glad that I got to read it earlier for an honest review. It's such a fantasy magical adventure.

I think I enjoyed this book a little less than "The Lost Witch". The plot line was attention-grabbing and intriguing, and Aline Weir was a very likable character with whom I could easily resonate. The slow-burn romance blended in with the magical town theme quite fascinatingly, but I had a hard time getting into the story because most of the characters talked in riddles. I had to reread some parts over and over to gather the puzzle pieces that didn't make sense to me.

Maybe I didn't consume my daily caffeine intake, which could have helped me clear my mind to focus on the entire execution. I think I loved the journey of Aline Weir to find her place on earth by embracing her own powers, fulfilling her own destiny, and exploring her own potential more than the mystery she tries to solve in "Matchstick".

The story starts with the introduction of Aline at a young age who discovers she has the ability to talk with ghosts. Her gift turned into a curse and a source for the school bullies to outcast her. Even her own selfish parents acted like she didn't exist.

But luckily, she meets a young girl/ghost called Dragon, who helps her improve her skills by moving back and forth between different realms, finding the keys for ghosts to open the doors into different portals.

She also meets three eccentric sisters who give her a job in a bookstore where she feels more comfortable with herself, finding the people who love her back unconditionally even though they know her ugliest secret.

And one day, both Dragon and the three sisters won't return. Aline is 30 years old, feeling all alone and rejected after being abandoned by her only friends. The next day, she greets a mysterious visitor who requests her help, which also serves as a solution to finding her missing friends. She finds herself on a journey to the town resembling a view like a fairytale called Matchstick to meet a man she dreams of for years called Magic. But what if that man in her dreams is a more dangerous entity than she could ever imagine? What if by setting himself free, he may claim the power to gift it to the Supreme Witch? What if Aline and Magic's teaming up threatens the entire balance of the universe?

Overall, the book started really interestingly, but in the middle, I got a little lost in understanding the entire magical system. Thankfully, in the last third, the pace picked up, and the conclusion was satisfying. I'm rounding up 3.5 stars to 4 witchery, paranormal stars.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.

This one just kind of fell a little flat for me, honestly. I was expecting more flair and drama. I almost DNF’d.

What Became of Magic
by Paige Crutcher
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023

Aline Weir, a witch who can talk to ghosts, has kept her talents hidden ever since a disastrous middle school slumber party. Ever since, Aline has chosen to be invisible and use her powers in secret to help lost souls reunite with the keys to send them home. All the while, she finds solace in a bookstore and the three mysterious women who run it… until Aline discovers The Book of Mischief, and her powers are enhanced.

Living a solitary life until the age of thirty-four, Aline’s life takes an unexpected turn when the wrong (or perhaps right) person witnesses her using her powers and she is invited to a town that doesn’t exist on any map. Arriving in Matchstick, Aline learns of a lost magic that desperately needs to be found and only her unique powers can do it. But what she’s not told is that Magic is a person. One that is dangerous and seductive and has been waiting for a witch with a power like hers for centuries. Magic must free himself and claim the power to gift it to The Supreme Witch, a being more beguiling, powerful and dangerous than he.

I was initially drawn in by the cover of this book, it is beautiful.. Aline was interesting character, I found myself cheering her on at every turn of the page. I just really wish there was more because I didn’t want to put it down. If you love books of witches and spells with a love story thrown in, this won’t let you down..Overall,What Became of Magic is a cozy and entertaining magical story.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press & Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the opportunity to read What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher. Ms. Crutcher had done it again! Terrific story with a delightful protag, a fun cast of supporting characters and magic!