Hmm. This one is going to be hard for me to rate. There were some parts of the book I would rate a solid 5 stars and then others I would rate a low 3. It felt like there was were just one or two more plot points.

Mental illness and neurodiversity that was actually a curse bargain, but wasn’t… but was?

Inability to say I love you that was real but also a curse but possibly not.

Alternate universe, alternate reality, magic, voids, evil - but also contemporary high school challenges, relationship drama and parental abuse.

I think because of how much I did like some parts of the book I’m going to give it a 4 but I’m really not clear on how I feel about the book.

This was a great story. I loved that it was set in 1999. The author did a great job with character development and world building. I struggled with the first person point of view as it felt too restrictive, but that's a usual gripe of mine. The writing was a little on the plain side, and there were parts that dragged on longer than needed (pacing issues) . I did get a Derek Milman vibe from this book (one of my favorite authors). Overall, a fun and unique story that held my attention. Thank you to NetGalley for offering this title in their catalog. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Nesbit is pleased to be accepted by a group of kids at his new high school. They are different from anyone he's known and even into witchery.

In fact, when they invite him to become one of their coven, he's surprised how well he fits in. There's (Andrea) Drea, and Brandy - a couple and completely open with it. There's Dove and her brother Bastion. They are polar opposites - Dove is a goth and likes to be bad, and Bastion is all round nice guy and high achiever. Bastion is also who Nesbit falls for.

They have been a couple for a while when the unthinkable happens and Bastion's body is found in a local graveyard. Not only are his face, fingers and other bits missing, it's in the same area where something terrible has happened before. The person who found Bastion is Bastion's nemesis - at least in his own mind.

Cameron has always seen Bastion as a rival, with all that he wanted. Popularity, good looks and the quarterback spot on the school football team. Nesbit and his friends are in shock and wonder whether Cameron could have anything to do with Bastion's death? They begin to look into their friend's murder, Nesbit now like a robot in his grief. Not only do the police not investigate, it seems Bastion's body and more has vanished.

Completely mystified with what's going on, they dig further into Bastion's disappearance, discovering a past murder and links between it all. Bastion had more power within their coven that he was letting on. Was he solely responsible for strange events in their lives?

The more they uncover, the more they realise that Bastion's strange ticks of not saying his own name, and starting every sentence with N, were not just psychological, but part of something else in control.

This entity is ancient, toying with the town's lives at will, and Nesbit's coven is in its way.


I love a good horror novel and Now, Conjurers is GOOD! Really good.

I enjoyed getting to know Nesbit, and his boyfriend's nemesis, Cameron. I loved the character called Dove who was kickass, and would do anything to get what she needed to solve her brother's murder. The dynamics between the coven / group of friends was mouthy and loyal and often funny as they gave as good as they got. The fact that they all have flaws made them even easier to like and understand.

Their grief and frustration over the loss of their friend drives their need to know more about why or who murdered him, taking them places even these teen witches can hardly comprehend.

The conclusion is grabbed-by-the-throat gripping, and reminded me of Stephen King's IT. Although, these kids are older, in love, dealing with new grief, past murders and running for their lives.

An excellent read and talking about it in the bookstore I work in, has people keen to preorder here in NZ already.

(Course language and sexual content makes it more appropriate for older teens)

Thanks to Net Galley and Harper Collins for the ARC of this novel

Had to put sunglasses on while riding the bus so people couldn’t see me cry. This book tells you every single thing that’s going to happen and it still absolutely BODIED me. Everything about it is so clever and creepy and fun and heartbreaking. It made me so aware of all the words that begin with N. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Nesbit and Bastion when the book literally starts with Bastion’s death, but I fell so head over heels for them, and I have literally been begging for a character like Cameron for what feels like years now. I’m so in love.

Well, this was just a good time all around.

Love the characters! There is a great dynamic between them all. This is found family at its YA finest! The story goes from interesting to downright insanely suspenseful in the blink of an eye. There were some elements in this book I wasn’t expecting, and was really pleased with the intensity.

North Coven—Nesbit, Dove, Drea, and Brandy are mourning the brutal death of Bastion. None but their small group knew he and Nesbit had been secretly dating, so Nesbit being unable to outwardly show pain is excruciating… especially considering the fight they had before Bastion died.

Very quickly, we learn of the true nature of North Coven, and they are in very real danger. An ancient mausoleum holds some answers, revealing to them the stakes in which allows them to use the magic they have discovered among them all. There is something evil, though. Attached to a key necklace, the answer lies in the balance. This red gloved monster takes pieces of people and the remaining four must use their magic, outwit this monster, and save the rest of the people they love.

My review cannot do this book any justice! It was fantastic from beginning to end. I absolutely adored the bond between these characters and the shenanigans they get up to while trying to achieve the seemingly unachievable.

Audio review: I thought the narrator was great! Their manner of speaking was clear and concise, perfect speed, and easy to listen to. I enjoyed this audiobook!

Book review:
I really enjoyed this story! It was clever, funny, emotional, and unique. I was hooked from the first few lines and it delivered all the way through to the end. The pacing was consistent, I was never bored!

The setting, backstory, and atmosphere were all there for me. I loved the friend group characters. Especially getting to know Bastion, it broke my heart knowing that he was already gone the more I learned of his story. The kids finding and exploring their powers was fun to read.

This is 4.5 stars rounded up, there was a little too much foreshadowing (telling, really) for me on things that I think I would have rather just found out when they were revealed.

I ended up having a really positive experience with this book. It follows a group of teens who are in a coven. Crazy magic stuff happens, there is tragedy, there is loss, but there's also friendship and triumph.

At the same time it manages to be quite hard hitting, with themes such as addiction and parental abuse. The stakes are high, and it's also action packed. In short, there's a lot going on, but I also really was able to connect to the main character and his relationship.

All in all, it's a really good paranormal, queer YA and id recommend giving it a go!

Oh my gosh!! This was fantastically thrilling and theatrically horrific!! From the gorgeous campy cover to the captivating story that kept me on the edge of my seat I am 100% a fan! Now, Conjurers is packed full of spine tingling magic, terrifying mysteries, unbreakable friendship and is an absolute emotional rollercoaster!! 10/10 recommend!!

✨ Magic
🔍 Mystery
🔮 Witchcraft
🩸 YA Horror
🖤 Found Family
💿 1990s
🏕️ Campy
🪦 Spooky Graveyard
🌪️ Twists & Turns
📼 Iconic References
📜 Cursed Bargains

Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch is one hell of a good time and I can’t wait to see if we get more adventures in this eerie world!

🗓️ Now, Conjurers hits shelves June 4, 2024!

Thank you so much TBR & Beyond Tours, Union Square & Co and Dreamscape Media for the gifted copies!

The synopsis sounded great; it felt like the Craft at rare moments, and I was intrigued to find out the monster...But this was NOT for me. The writing of the book did not fit what I thought the story would be like. It wasn't good!
And I hated it when it repeatedly said, 'Remember them, they'll be important for later'. I was like, you did not just say that. That threw off the voice of the story for me.

I can't figure out if the story flow and writing hindered my liking of the narrator or if I think the narrator wasn't a good fit for this book. Tad too fast, in my opinion, when reading, felt rushed.

♡𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
4 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•ya
•queer
•murder mystery
•Horror
•secret Witches
•dark fantasy
-
This book is deliciously secretly good! The secret witches that are actually witches and can do magic, and the secret boyfriend. This book took me on a ride for my life and held me in a chokehold and didn't let go until the very end. I was highly intrigued by this book.
I gave this book 4 🌟 because the timeline did jump a little and confused me.
The narrator did a good job bringing this story to life.
♡𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 June.4♡
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the (ALC)-Audiobook for my honest review.