LJ Book Bingo Reading Community - Buddy Read - It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

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stellar_raven
[dwbookbingo]

18 September 2017 @ 07:37 pm

Buddy Read - It Takes a Witch by Heather Blake

Start Date: September 2017

Participants:

keli,

justjo2u

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Synopsis: Darcy Merriweather and her sister, Harper, hail from a long line of witches who have the power to grant wishes using spells. They've come to Enchanted Village in Salem, Massachusetts, to join the family business, but they soon find themselves knee deep in murder...

Until three weeks ago, Darcy and Harper were working dead-end jobs and trying to put their troubles behind them. Then their aunt Velma delivered a bombshell: They're actually Wishcrafters - witches with the power to grant wishes with a mere spell. Wanting a fresh start, they head to their aunt's magic-themed tourist town to master their newfound skills.

But their magic fails them when a wannabe witch turns up dead - strangled with Aunt Ve's scarf - and Ve's sweetheart, Sylar, is found looming over the body. Ve is standing by her man, but Darcy overheard Skylar wish that the victim would disappear - forever. With Harper distracted by her handsome new crush, Darcy is determined to sleuth her way to the truth. But it'll take more than a wish to unravel this mystery.... [source]

Note: This post is for discussion of the book, so please be advised that there may be spoilers in the comments. As a reminder, LJ's spoiler code will work in comments and while it is not required to use when commenting, it is something that can be utilized to hide spoilers. (relevant LJ FAQ)

Tags: buddy reads

9 comments | Leave a comment

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keli on September 19th, 2017 12:41 am (UTC)

Wonderful thanks so much for putting this up for us! It's such a cute book. I'm really enjoying it.

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justjo2u on September 19th, 2017 01:00 pm (UTC)

I'm enjoying it too. I'm only a short way in, but already love it.

I love the idea of a town where the residents all have different magical 'crafts' and utilise it as a tourist trap! I love though that they still have to abide by certain rules. It's not just a free for all. The blending of this into 'real life'/non-magical stuff, like siblings who are trouble at school or messy divorces is cleverly done too. These people do have normal lives aside from the magical.

There is a lovely passage in chapter 3, I don't know if you've got that far Kel. I'll share it here:

~~~~~~

I looked ahead, taken away by the beauty and charm before me. The village square was aglow in fairy lights and sparkling lanterns hanging from tree branches. Gaslights cast circles of light onto the stone sidewalks and threw shadows along the connected storefronts and individual shops that lined the main square.

Awnings shaded large plate-glass shop windows, and ivy trailed from flower boxes bursting with bold-hued annuals. A few tourists remained, walking hand in hand along the sidewalk, window-shopping—most of the shops closed at nine on weeknights. Windows glowed in the apartments above the storefronts, and specks of lights twinkled from the streetlamps along the lanes of the neighborhoods beyond the square.

Neighborhoods where magic lived.

~~~~~~

It's so simply written and yet so visual. I love it.

And the bit in chapter one where Darcy has to be the Tooth Fairy and the little girl wakes up screaming "Stranger Danger!" I nearly wet myself laughing.

I'm on chapter 5 next. I'm trying to read one or two chapters a night.

Edited 2017-09-19 10:32 pm (UTC)

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keli on September 28th, 2017 03:32 pm (UTC)

I loved that passage too. I want to visit there or even live there. It sounds so cosy and charming! I haven't been able to read in the last week but I plan to get back to it really soon. I have no choice because it's due back to the library soon. I am on chapter 21 now and the mystery is getting more intriguing now. I have my suspicions on who the elder is but no idea on who the killer is!

That was a funny bit too! What on earth did they think the little girl was going to do?! LOL

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justjo2u on September 28th, 2017 04:06 pm (UTC)

It does sound like a lovely place. And never a dull moment! I think I'm on chapter 16 or 17. I didn't bookmark last night as I dozed off with my tablet in my hand so put it down and went to sleep. But yeah, I'm getting my suspicions who the elder is but I'm still not sure about the killer. Something is telling me it's not Sylar even though he's been arrested and I think the author wants us to sort of lean that way.

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stellar_raven on September 23rd, 2017 10:56 pm (UTC)

No problem!

I remember really liking it when I read it, too. I don't know why I didn't continue with the series.

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keli on September 28th, 2017 03:32 pm (UTC)

So many books, so little time!! :)

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stellar_raven on September 29th, 2017 03:10 am (UTC)

Exactly!

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justjo2u on October 5th, 2017 05:55 pm (UTC)

Story of my life! And yet this year I seem to be making time!

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justjo2u on October 5th, 2017 03:05 pm (UTC)

Finally caught up with this. I sort of need to use spoilers tags but I'll just try and be vague.

I'm glad Dennis had a personality transplant and things were sorted out with his family. (Laurel Grace's family)

I didn't work out who the murderer was so that was a complete surprise when I found out. I think I maybe paid more attention to some characters than others and there were a LOT of characters.

I had my suspicions about who the Elder is but now I'm not sure.

I am glad things worked out with Darcy and Nick. I saw that coming... that Mimi is a wishcrafter, but I didn't realise she was also the pickpocket, (however unwittingly).

And Missy.... I knew she had to be a familiar, but I cried when I realised who she actually was.

All in all a lovely book and I shall be definitely getting the next one.

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