Title: Once A WitchAuthor: Carolyn MacCullough (site)
Published: September 14th, 2009 by Clarion
Pages: 292
Price: $8.99 Amazon $7.99 Book Depository
Series: Witch #1
Rating: 5/5
Source: Bought
Synopsis: Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.
Initial Thoughts: I liked the idea of a girl who belongs to a family of witches, but doesn't have any power of her own. This is a fresh take on the witch story (which there haven't been too many of lately anyway.)
Review: Carolyn MacCullough is now one of my favorite authors. I loved this book! Tamsin was a great character. I realized about five pages in that I was going to love reading about her. Her family is a bit crazy, but in a very realistic, not too over-the-top way. She's just a normal girl trying to escape a family that never really accepted her. Her love interest was perfect. I love the way they interact. Everything was fairly slow-paced in the romance department, no jumping in the sack immediately (which was nice). While some plot twists were a bit predictable, others blindsided me. The development with her sister was scary and seemingly hopeless. I don't want to give anything away, but it was a YIKES! kind of situation.
This book was fairly short, made shorter by the fast pace and engrossing story. I went through this one in one and a half days (fell asleep reading!). There are definitely situations left unresolved at the end, but overall I was satisfied with where the book ended. Could not wait to get the next one! (Thank god for NetGalley!)
Quick Review: This was a fantastic book with great characters and a fresh take on the YA Witch genre. I would recommend it to fans of YA supernatural.
