Review: Stirring Up Trouble by Juli Alexander

Title: Stirring Up Trouble

Series: Stirring Up Trouble Trilogy #1

Short story in this same world: Camp Cauldron

Author: Juli Alexander

Genre: YA, paranormal romance

Publication date: Jan. 2012

Published by: Juli Alexander

Source: The author via Netgalley (Thank you!)

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Synopsis:

Zoe Miller is a 15-year-old witch with a talent for potions. She's working hard to find a substitute for toad slime. Since fat-free margarine has been found to be a substitute for dead man's toe, she's hopeful that she'll find one.

Then there's all the so-called normal stuff. Like high school, her annoyingly selfish "friend" Anya, and her crush on Anya's ex-boyfriend Jake.

Now, Zoe's dad is dating Jake's mom, and things are getting more and more complicated. If only Zoe could brew a potion or two and set everything straight. Zoe can't. If she brews a self-serving potion, bad things will happen to her appearance. Like a crooked nose, giant wart, green skin, rotting teeth--the whole ugly witch stereotype.

Zoe's tired of fate interfering so cruelly in her life. Can you really blame her for putting her potions to not-so-good use and stirring up trouble?

My rating: ★★★★★
This book... I just loved it SO much! There are so many great things about it that I just need to tell you!!

What initially caught my attention about this book was the witchy magical stuff (duh), but there was also something else that caught my attention: the stepsiblings/stepsiblings-to-be forbidden love! I don't know what it is about this, but I just LOVE it!

And then there's the little detail of Zeus (as in the Greek god!!!) giving them their witchy powers... I was so pleasantly surprised! There are two things that I absolutely love in a book: Greek mythology and witches, and this one just happened to have both! *squeals*

There was one thing that reminded me of Charmed (I LOVE that show!)... the rule that they cannot use their powers for personal gain, or else. Just like in Charmed, the consequences were just too funny! I mean, warts? *snorts* And then there are the Halloween Hiccups when they're powers go haywire on this day... Also funny :) It was a fantastic Halloween read! So if you are looking for something in the Halloween spirit, this is the book for you!

Anyway, I really love a book that can make me laugh, and this one was just a really fun read!

I really liked Zoe and Jake... Oh, that pair of mischievous teenagers. It all started when they wanted to make they're parents miserable... "Will you go to the fall dance with me and then make out with me until we scare the hell out of our parents?" --Jake to Zoe. LOL

I also really liked Zoe's mom... Sometimes she acted like such a teenager herself, and it was hilarious!

Anya, on the other hand, I disliked very much. She was very narcissistic and I honestly did not know why Zoe kept on being friends with her. She really annoyed me. Zoe's other friend Milo, though, I really liked, and not only because he's apparently super gorgeous ;) I'd really like to see more of him. Oh! And the fact that while Zoe is very good with spells, while Milo is potion inclined I thought was very cool and unique. I really liked that every individual witch is good in either one or the other... I've never read anything like this before!

Stirring Up Trouble had a fantastic story with amazing characters, a splash of romance, and a whole lot of magical goodness that will keep you laughing for hours! This is definitely a MUST-read, especially during this Halloween season!

Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a comment! :)