WHAT BECAME OF MAGIC is a quest, not unlike THE WIZARD OF OZ; a baffled young woman sets out on a journey to rescue friends while finding her way (home or to greater understanding.). The first third of the book is great as readers meet the protagonist, an outcast in every place she goes, and someone unaware of her own power. She sets out to rescue friends and meets a whole cast of characters on her journey; at which point the story becomes murky and less engaging. There are too many side characters with detailed backstories that detract from the central quest. It was difficult to stay engaged with the book. Plus the word “magic” is overused in this book as a noun and a proper name to multiple beings. It became taxing to keep track of the varied references. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

What Became of Magic- Paige Crutcher

Star rating 2.5 (rounded to 3)

Thank you NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, St. Martin’s Press and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed The Lost Witch by this author, so when I saw that she had a new book I was really excited to read it.

The first half of the book had me captivated, reading about the MC’s early childhood life, finding out she could see and help ghosts was really exciting and interesting. As well as the plot around being othered in school and being seen as strange. I felt like this part of the book was very relatable and enjoyable to read. That being said when the book fast-forwarded 15 years, I felt like the book moved a little too fast and was really hard to keep up with. I found myself multiple times getting lost in the story and not fully knowing/understanding what was going on. I really liked the magical elements and the romantic side plot. Overall, I just feel like this book overwhelmed me with all the riddles and all the information dumping, but the ending summed everything up nicely.

I was intrigued by the premise of this book and I even enjoyed the first 30% when Aline was growing up. After the sisters left though, I felt like the book turned into a different book. I wanted to learn more about Aline in her society so when we were thrown into a new society completely, I was a little confused. I also found that Aline read and still acted a little juvenile. I had to keep reminding myself that she was a full-grown adult and not a 16-year-old. Had she been a 16-year-old, or if the book was YA, I would have enjoyed the book a little more. I just didn't fully understand or buy into the story. Another thing that might have helped would be if she went to Matchstick earlier. Also, I didn't get why we included the story about the woman who swerved off the road near Matchstick. I don't know, it was a compelling story and idea, it just did not quite hit for me.

2.25-2.5

I was so excited to get this book! It sounds absolutely epic...

The first third of the book was amazing. I was hooked on Aline and finding out about her gifts...

Then it bottomed out for me. The story got more and more ludicrous and complicated. Overly so. I am all for books with complex themes but this book was over the top in its execution. It started to get jumbled.

Too much going on for me.

I am glad I finished it though but honestly, it felt like it was trying too hard

I thought this book started off interesting. It kinda gets bogged down in the middle and I felt my attention start to wane. It got better towards the end. I’m not sure what the author’s target audience was but this felt like a Ya book to me.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

The pacing of this book was so strange and I ultimately DNF’d at 28%. The first two chapters about Aline’s middle school and high school days explain how she is bullied by girls at school and completely ignored by her parents at home. At a sleepover, she meets a girl named Dragon and discovers she can see and talk to ghosts. Dragon helps her learn that there are keys in the world that have to be found and returned to ghosts so that they can move on and that Aline is a shadow witch who can find these keys. Sounds super intriguing, right? Aline helps a couple ghosts find their keys, like a girl’s charm bracelet and a man’s watch. Then the book rushes into Aline meeting a guy, having sex with him, immediately finding out he has a girlfriend, and accidentally killing him…all of which happens at the end of chapter two. Then in chapter three, Aline meets three witches who own a bookstore and becomes insta-friends with them and then in chapter four Aline is suddenly 30 and starts this adventure in another world. Like what?

I really wish this book would have focused much more on Aline helping ghosts find their keys because that was really interesting. Instead, the plot felt really rushed and then riddles were introduced and I lost all interest.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Aline was a child she discovered she could see ghosts, and she soon became an outcast because of it. Using her powers she could help ghosts find their lost items and cross over. As she grew she found friendship with the three sisters who owned a bookstore and they helped her grow as a person and a witch. At the bookstore she finds a mysterious book named Mischief that enhances her powers. It tells of a fated love in the small town of Matchstick. Now 30 Aline runs the store when the sisters mysteriously disappear. A woman appears looking for them and invites Aline to help find them in a town called Matchstick.

I thought I would like this book alot more than I did. I loved Aline. She resonated with me as a character as the outcast. Her struggle of trying to fit in, find love and family, and control her powers was painful and relatable (other than the magic lol). However the story seemed very convoluted to me. Everyone spoke in riddles and while I know it annoyed Aline it frustrated me. I had to reread parts as I thought I had missed something in the story. The romance was fated as well and it seemed rushed since they were ‘meant to be’ but I was glad that Aline got a happy ending.

Rating 3 stars
*I received a review copy from NetGalley for my voluntary and honest review

2 stars~

This book started out SO strong, and I’m so upset that didn’t continue through the rest of the book. I loved reading about Aline in middle school and through high school. If this story had just been about Aline helping ghosts find their way home I would’ve enjoyed it so much. Instead the plot just completely lost me.

The romance that happened in this was so insta-love it put me off so badly. And I felt like we never really got to know any of the side characters. I felt like I was also told a lot about how people felt about certain things or people but it was never shown.

If you don’t mind confusing plot lines you may like this book more than I did. I did like the ideas about leylines and a hidden magic village, and a witch that can see and talk to ghosts- and I wish the plot had just stuck to that.

Thank you to NeGalley and the publisher for the arc!

A whimsical tale of original magic, abuse of power, a threat to the world as we know it, and an attempt to set things right. The story is centered around Aline Weir, a lonely girl who has more power than she realizes. Not loving this as much as The Orphan Witch or The Lost Witch. It was a bit convoluted with all the magical elements, their embodiments and the riddles. It did end happily and if you'd like a cozy witchy tale for the season, give this a try.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-arc.*

My new fav witchy paranormal romance from Paige Crutcher is full of found family and features Aline, a lonely, outcast witch who can see ghosts and has the unique ability to cross ley lines.

Perfect for fans of Erin Sterling or Lana Harper. This was also great on audio narrated by Caitlin Kelly and had fantastic Anne of Green Gables references, a spunky ghost, a curse and a romance worth cheering for!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy as well as a beautiful gifted physical copy in exchange for my honest review! This was definitely a standout #SpookySeason read!

A fantastical story of love, friendship and sacrifice. I truly enjoyed the journey that Paige took me on throughout this story. The lessons that were woven in along the way were "magical".

What Became of Magic is the second novel that I’ve read by Paige Crutcher. The cover of this story appealed to me the same way that her other novel The Lost Witch enticed me to read it. The two novels have the same style and look identical in many ways with some elements to make them unique. The story begins with the main character Aline Weir, a witch who can communicate with ghosts, at a young age and then goes into her as an adult in her 30s. Due to events when she was younger, she keeps her magic hidden. Other events lead her to the mysterious town of Matchstick where Aline discovers more mysteries of the world of magic.

As the story begins with giving the background of Aline before transitioning into the main story, this style will depend on the reader. While I generally prefer this background to be given in more of a flashback format, I was open to this style. The set-up of the chapters almost made the beginning seem like an extended prologue instead of integrated with the main story. I think it was clearly set-up like this, it may have read different. The other style used is more of the mysterious eluding style which reminded me of Wonderland where there are riddles and nothing seems straightforward. I am not sure if it was just me as I haven’t checked other reviews, but I reread multiple sections to try and get everything straight. I can understand the intent to use this style, but I can see many people DNF the novel because it isn’t for everyone.

The basic elements of this story, such as the magic system, the initial introduction of the character, and the attempt to be unique are well done. The details, however, are where the story needed a little more polish. The main character is clueless a lot more than I anticipated as she repeats that she does not understand something what seems like hundreds of times. There are many pieces of this story that kept me invested and many that made me want to put it down. I think if you prefer a simpler read, then this one is not quite for you; however, I think the foundation of this novel is great. Overall, this novel is not quite for me, but I still love the potential of the author and will try another one in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin. I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fantasy
Spice Level: Mostly fade-to-black
Representation: References to a being who is neither him or her—just exists in their state that suits

WHAT BECAME OF MAGIC is not going to be for everyone—it's what I call weird fantasy. And I mean that in the best of ways. It's more literary. The point is exploring an idea or theme more than characterization or plot.

*This book reads like a fairy tale for adults.*

Things to look for:

The reluctant chosen one
Imagery
Personification
The idea of cause and effect
Imagery
Discovery
What is the origin of magic?
Themes: love, acceptance, cooperation, destructive nature of power

This is also a book that will mean different things to different people.

I personally enjoyed it, but I'm dropping a star because I felt like it could have pushed the envelope more. If it's going to be weird, go all in.

Happy (weird) reading!

This book really could’ve benefited from a second draft. It tried so hard to be A Wrinkle in Time but just didn’t pull it off.

The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.

The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.

Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In What Became of Magic, the author takes us the lifelong struggle for one lonely witch to find her purpose and place in the world. Along the way, we move into the realm of a malevolent witch. Of course, the lonely witch meets many others along her path that guide her and serve as helpful companions. It might sound a bit like some other stories you have read, but I found the world created by the author to be engaging. I suffered with the main character as she encounters many losses. I can’t say much more without having a spoiler alert. I enjoyed the book, and I recommend it if witches and magic are your thing. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Aline Weir is a witch who can talk to ghosts ever since middle school. Sadly she found out that she could talk to ghost at a slumber party after this happens Aline chooses to be invisible and starts using her powers in secret to help lost souls. I had loved the plot of the book and the cover was amazing but sadly that's all I liked. This book was confusing for me and I could not connect to any of the character's in this book. The author could have been more creative with character's name instead of using magic, day and night or dragon. In the beginning it was good and the rest I didn't understand and it felt like a bad trip. I would still recommend this to people you like this author or this type of book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for my eARC and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well. I thought this was going to be a book about a witch who helps ghosts pass over. It was, until it wasn’t.
What Became if Magic turned into an entirely different story and I was very confused. I have enjoyed other books by Paige Crutcher but sadly this one wasn’t for me.

Witches and magic seem to be big this year and perhaps because I've read several novels lately with witches and magic, this one, well this one just didn't do it for me. I liked Aline who has hidden her powers since she was bullied in childhood but who found friendship with Dragon the ghost and the owners of the bookstore until they were gone. Her journey to Matchstick, where she's meant to meet and fall in love with Magic was where I got lost. This was light on worldbuilding and on the secondary characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I've liked Crutcher in the past and I'm sure others will enjoy this more than I did.

This book started off slowly and I really wasn't sure where we were going with Aline becoming the outcast in school, unseen by her own parents, and finding a bookstore that embraced who she was and made her felt seen. However, the story got there and we got to journey with Aline as she discovered who she was and found her self worth.

✨ Review ✨ What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher; Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Aline doesn't fit in as a child, but realizes she can see ghosts. With the ghosts guidance and three women who own a bookshop, she slowly culls her powers to help ghosts find the things they need to pass on. As she gets older, she's pulled to the mysterious world of Matchstick where she sets off on a quest to save Magic.

I found this a lot of fun to listen to and felt like a different take on witches and magic. It's hard to say much without giving away the story but it's a great way to ease your way on in to spooky season!

I enjoyed this book but it was really complicated to listen to in the audio format. It regularly switches POV from the main character to a constantly rotating POV of a side character without signaling it's switching POV...and while it's written in 3rd person, it was hard to juggle these switches. I also felt like I kept missing important details because of the audio.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fantasy, women's fiction
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ witches and ghosts and magic
⭕️ magical mysteries
⭕️ quests

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!