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itsabookthing2021's review
4.0
Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for this eARC
Black Magic starts as soon as you open the book. You're straight into the story and the action, the first chapter you meet the main character and by chapter two her mother is dead. It is so fast paced which I enjoy when reading.
Throughout the novel we meet new characters and discover they're all not who they propose to be. There's so many twists and turns. I really thought this was a page turner.
The world building was really good and as I say the pacing was excellent, it's definitely a good start to a series.
I really enjoyed it.
Black Magic starts as soon as you open the book. You're straight into the story and the action, the first chapter you meet the main character and by chapter two her mother is dead. It is so fast paced which I enjoy when reading.
Throughout the novel we meet new characters and discover they're all not who they propose to be. There's so many twists and turns. I really thought this was a page turner.
The world building was really good and as I say the pacing was excellent, it's definitely a good start to a series.
I really enjoyed it.
breathing_pages's review
4.0
Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op & Kassandra Cross for providing me with an ARC of this book.
This is a story of magic, darkness, lust, and romance.
PLOT: After witnessing a horrible murder at her home in London, Arcadia Black's life changes forever. She discovers that she is a witch, and she has to go back home to Valport Springs, a mysterious, forest town. It's there where she starts discovering the truth about who she really is, her legacy, and the curse that has been haunting the Black women for centuries. It is there that she also meets Ludo, a dark, mysterious man that may or may not bring many troubles into her life.
THOUGHTS: I like the neo-gothic surroundings, the mystery of the town, and the secrets. I like the secondary characters and what they can be in the next books. They haven't been unfolded yet, so we have still a lot to learn. The paranormal element, the darkness, the romance are some of the things I really enjoyed.
What I would like to see more is Arcadia's character. I think it felt a bit bland how she faces some things that are happening. I would like to see her more tortured about what happened in London; and more curious as well. She is just accepting mostly everything with not many questions asked, and it seems bizarre to me.
I wouldn't mind learning more about Ludo as well. It seems little information so far, but I expect this to happen in the next book.
I defintely enjoyed the book, and I will read the next one. I hope to see more character evolution.
This is a story of magic, darkness, lust, and romance.
PLOT: After witnessing a horrible murder at her home in London, Arcadia Black's life changes forever. She discovers that she is a witch, and she has to go back home to Valport Springs, a mysterious, forest town. It's there where she starts discovering the truth about who she really is, her legacy, and the curse that has been haunting the Black women for centuries. It is there that she also meets Ludo, a dark, mysterious man that may or may not bring many troubles into her life.
THOUGHTS: I like the neo-gothic surroundings, the mystery of the town, and the secrets. I like the secondary characters and what they can be in the next books. They haven't been unfolded yet, so we have still a lot to learn. The paranormal element, the darkness, the romance are some of the things I really enjoyed.
What I would like to see more is Arcadia's character. I think it felt a bit bland how she faces some things that are happening. I would like to see her more tortured about what happened in London; and more curious as well. She is just accepting mostly everything with not many questions asked, and it seems bizarre to me.
I wouldn't mind learning more about Ludo as well. It seems little information so far, but I expect this to happen in the next book.
I defintely enjoyed the book, and I will read the next one. I hope to see more character evolution.
bookishbai's review
5.0
I loved this book. The story was intriguing as hell. Aradia and Ludo's romance is intoxicating and sexy. I needed more of it! I wish that the romance would've been explored a tad bit more, but what we got was downright delightful.
This book focuses on Aradia, who discovered recently that she is a witch. We see her rediscovering her roots and her hometown. It was great to see this, and I feel like I got a better understanding of the world building from it. The ending seemed a little abrupt to me, but I am thankful for a lack of a cliffhanger. But even without a cliffhanger, I am so ready for the next book, which is wicked talent from Kassandra. I've got so many questions that I need answered (especially about the vibes I get from a not seemingly evil character. I started watching that character heavily towards the later scenes. I need to see if my suspicions are correct!)—disclaimer: I could be totally effing wrong though
This book focuses on Aradia, who discovered recently that she is a witch. We see her rediscovering her roots and her hometown. It was great to see this, and I feel like I got a better understanding of the world building from it. The ending seemed a little abrupt to me, but I am thankful for a lack of a cliffhanger. But even without a cliffhanger, I am so ready for the next book, which is wicked talent from Kassandra. I've got so many questions that I need answered (especially about the vibes I get from a not seemingly evil character. I started watching that character heavily towards the later scenes. I need to see if my suspicions are correct!)—disclaimer: I could be totally effing wrong though
thebookcoyote's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Sorry to say, this book was not for me. I almost DNF'ed about halfway through, but I stayed on until the end just to see if it got any better. It didn't.
The good things about this book:
1. The cat familiars. They're cute and I like the mythology of them.
2. There are a lot of different kinds of supernaturals, and I find that interesting.
3. The basic idea of a witch who has forgotten her past and identity is an interesting premise to start with.
My issues with this book:
1. The main character. She acts more like a spoiled teenager than an adult. I really couldn't relate to her at all and found myself just banging my head against the wall as she made more stupid mistakes.
2. The main character literally kills an innocent man at the beginning and it's nothing other than a footnote. Nothing comes from it, and she definitely doesn't seem that upset about it.
3. Sequoias on the East Coast. Yes, I know they're special magic sequoias, but still.
4. Ludo. I hated every scene he was in, and I don't think he's a good guy or someone who should be a love interest. He literally kidnaps her the first time they meet and yet she still things having a love affair with him is a good idea.
This book might appeal to some, but sadly I am not one of them.
Sorry to say, this book was not for me. I almost DNF'ed about halfway through, but I stayed on until the end just to see if it got any better. It didn't.
The good things about this book:
1. The cat familiars. They're cute and I like the mythology of them.
2. There are a lot of different kinds of supernaturals, and I find that interesting.
3. The basic idea of a witch who has forgotten her past and identity is an interesting premise to start with.
My issues with this book:
1. The main character. She acts more like a spoiled teenager than an adult. I really couldn't relate to her at all and found myself just banging my head against the wall as she made more stupid mistakes.
2. The main character literally kills an innocent man at the beginning and it's nothing other than a footnote. Nothing comes from it, and she definitely doesn't seem that upset about it.
3. Sequoias on the East Coast. Yes, I know they're special magic sequoias, but still.
4. Ludo. I hated every scene he was in, and I don't think he's a good guy or someone who should be a love interest. He literally kidnaps her the first time they meet and yet she still things having a love affair with him is a good idea.
This book might appeal to some, but sadly I am not one of them.
strawberrysara's review
3.0
I mean I don't know if I would read it again but the imagery and writing was pretty good, however the book just kept going on and on and on and I had to keep pushing myself to finish it. The idea of it seemed overdone with little to none of a new twist but I guess I liked it?
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