Title: Blackheath
Series: Blackheath #1
Author: Gabriella Lepore
Genre: YA, urban fantasy, paranormal
Publication date: December 2015
Published by: Of Tomes Publishing
Source: For review from Xpresso Book Tours
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Synopsis:
Seventeen-year-old Maggie Ellmes is dogged by a case of chronic bad luck. She figures that’s just her lot in life—that is, until the psychic at Blackheath’s annual carnival reveals that Maggie’s problems are caused by more than just ordinary misfortune; she’s actually been cursed.
Desperate to shake the hex, Maggie has no choice but to seek out the help of Joel Tomlins, a rebellious classmate who’s descended from Blackheath’s most powerful line of witches. After breaking all of his coven’s conventions to help her, Joel discovers that the curse isn’t as bad as Maggie fears. In fact, it’s much, much worse.
I love witchy, magical books, so this was right up my alley. And Blackheath--words cannot describe how much I loved this book!
It's Halloween, which means the carnival is in town! One day, while Maggie is at the carnival with her BFF Isla, Isla decides she wants to get her fortune told, so she drags Maggie along with her. Much the Maggie's surprise, the fortune teller reveals to Maggie that she is cursed! What?! Naturally, Maggie turns to the only witch in town she knows: Joel Tomlins. Well, not the only witch. You see, Joel and his family are notoriously known in town to be witches, not that they've ever displayed their powers in public, but it's pretty much a known fact among the townspeople. So, Maggie turns to her classmate for help, and after much (hilarious) harassment from Maggie, Joel gives in and decides to help her. However, it is more than he bargained for--both the curse and his sort-of-relationship with Maggie.
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| Sure was... |
So, I obviously loved the witchy magical aspect of it. Witches are my favorite supernatural creature, but more than that, I loved the mythos in this book. How they used their magic and, you know, the rules. Another thing I loved was the fact that the male main character was actually the one who was the witch! I don't know about you guys, but most of the witchy/magical books I read, the female main character is typically always the one who is the witch with a non-witch love interest. So I very much enjoyed the reversal here and found it very refreshing.
One important aspect of the book was all the complex relationships between the characters, which I quite loved (anyone keeping score of how many times I've used the word 'love' so far? ;) hehehe). For example, the complicated relationship between Joel and his brother Evan and his dad. Or the endearing relationship between Joel and his younger brothers, particularly Pip! And of course, the sort-of friends-but-not-really/childhood-friends-but-only-during-summer-break relationship Joel and Maggie had going on. Yeah, it was a bit complicated, but I loved watching their relationships develop and bloom into something more.
The one thing I do have to say, though, is that the bad guy seemed kind of obvious from the start (to me), so when he was revealed I wasn't all that surprised. There was also one more twist that did not surprise me, since I had guessed its outcome much earlier in the book. Surprisingly enough, this didn't even bother me as it usually would. I don't know why, I guess I just enjoyed this book that much! ;) Now, at the very, very end, there were a couple of twists I did not see coming AT ALL! How can you leave us with that ending?! I need the next book, like, yesterday!
Anyway, crazy plot twists aside, Blackheath was beyond enjoyable, very well written with a sweet romance and suspense that gave me a bit of anxiety (that climax!) It had a very fun and sassy female main character, and a rebellious but sweet (and magical!) male love interest! It was just perfect! I've read many witchy/magical books, and I can honestly say that Blackheath is definitely in my top 5 (at least!) Where has this book been all my life?! There's going to be more, right? RIGHT? I can't wait! :D
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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 link to your review or comment below! :)
Awesome review, Liliana! Witch books are also my fav kind of paranormal! So this sounds right up my alley. And I love that it has non-romatic relationships, too. So many books now focus only on romance! Glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteThe cover is so pretty and mysterious! It sounds interesting that the male is the witch. I may need to check this one out soon.
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