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craftyhilary's review
3.0
Sort of a cross between Gilmore Girls and Eureka. Predictable, but cute. It started very slowly, picked up speed and became fairly entertaining, then fell apart for me toward the end. Some of the characters were very well-drawn, but others (like Gunnar) started out that way and then got dropped, presumably to move the plot along. The switching point of view, between our heroine and the object of her affection, was a little jarring, but I could have dealt with it if he had been a little less wishy-washy.
I really liked the town and the idea for the book, but I think the execution left something to be desired.
I really liked the town and the idea for the book, but I think the execution left something to be desired.
jennutley's review
3.0
Another book from the voting table at the library. Loved the cover and the premise. And it was fun--a heroine lives in a New England village inhabited by witches and fairies and werewolves waiting for her own magic to kick in. But then, it becomes a romance novel. Her powers kick in as soon as she falls in love with the detective visiting to solve the mystery. Not enough magic. Not enough about the supporting characters. Just a quick diversion.
rivercat0338's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
prpltrtl946's review
5.0
Magic, laughter, and knitting!
I love the town, the “people” and their quirks, and the romance! The mystery and intrigue keep things interesting, but I really enjoyed all the knitspeak!
I love the town, the “people” and their quirks, and the romance! The mystery and intrigue keep things interesting, but I really enjoyed all the knitspeak!
isalaur's review
4.0
Cute book, fascinating universe created here. I want to move to Sugar Maple Vermont! Chloe is an interesting character. We don’t learn a lot about Luke here but he’s certainly admirable, especially as the crisis events unfold.
I only wish I was a knitter to fully appreciate all the knitting references. If you are a knitter you’ll enjoy the book even more but it’s just as fun if you’re not.
The secondary characters are fun and I am looking forward to book two.
I only wish I was a knitter to fully appreciate all the knitting references. If you are a knitter you’ll enjoy the book even more but it’s just as fun if you’re not.
The secondary characters are fun and I am looking forward to book two.
averagegal's review
2.0
Despite the fact that I am a knitter, the knitting component wasn't my favorite part. The name-dropping of various yarn brands and knitting terms didn't feel organic; it was as if the author was trying to earn her "knit cred" by giving a few shout-outs to other knitters. Other than that, "Casting Spells" was a quick enjoyable read. I'll probably read the next book in the series, but I don't feel as compelled to rush out and get it like I have with other series.
anastaciaknits's review
5.0
I saw a review of this book on another blog - sorry, original blogger, I didn't save the post - and since I'm an obsessive knitter & obsessed with vampires, witches, fairies, and the like, I immediately requested the book from interlibrary loan.
You'll saw my huge library pile I got last week, this book was in it. Well, it was the first one to be picked up from the stack (even though I was reading 3 other books at one time), and I absolutely laughed out loud - literally made my cat cross eyed with me - from the very first page. Obviously Bretton was sincere in her desire to make a GOOD knitting fiction book; it's been done before, but usually the knitting references are done in passing, and it's obvious the writer has no real connection to knitting (an exception is The Shop on Blossom Street, by Debbie Macomber). The addition of paranormal elements made me just giddy. There's a bit of romance, which I'm not a huge fan of, but the book is so well written, I felt myself rooting for the relationship between Chloe & Luke all the same.
You'll saw my huge library pile I got last week, this book was in it. Well, it was the first one to be picked up from the stack (even though I was reading 3 other books at one time), and I absolutely laughed out loud - literally made my cat cross eyed with me - from the very first page. Obviously Bretton was sincere in her desire to make a GOOD knitting fiction book; it's been done before, but usually the knitting references are done in passing, and it's obvious the writer has no real connection to knitting (an exception is The Shop on Blossom Street, by Debbie Macomber). The addition of paranormal elements made me just giddy. There's a bit of romance, which I'm not a huge fan of, but the book is so well written, I felt myself rooting for the relationship between Chloe & Luke all the same.
cjanette's review
4.0
"The thing about working a basic sock was the way it freed your mind to roam." (page 172). Okay, so that line alone made me love this book. Because it is sooooo true. Sure, some of the more action-y scenes were hard to follow, but reading a book that was obviously written with knitters in mind made me so happy :) The story was pretty cute, too!
maggiec's review
2.0
I don't have much to say about this book, besides that I was really disapointed, I was expecting something really different from what it turned out to be. So I think I won't be reading the next book of the series. It wasn't bad, but definitely not a good read for me.
wendysimon's review
4.0
This book takes place in the town of Sugar Maple, Vermont, which unbeknownst to the tourists, has a population of vampires (running the funeral home), fairies (running the inn and restaurant), and Chloe Hobbs, a half human and half sorceress who runs the Sticks and Strings knitting shop. The town has a remarkable record of no crime, in fact it does not even have a police department. This is because of a protective spell that Chloe's ancestors have put into place that protects the twon and its inhabitants from people knowing the truth about them. When a murder takes place in the town, Chloe is put on the spot because the spell will only continue to work as long as a woman from Chloe's lines stays in Sugar Maple and she has not met Mr. Right yet in order to have a daughter. In fact, Chloe's powers have not even appeared yet. That all changes when Luke Mackenzie, the police officer sent to investigate the murder walks into her store and her life. Meanwhile Chloe faces challenges from all around as Isadora, the parent of Chloe's best friend, and one of the Fae, threatens to challenge Chloe for the leadership of the twon and the Book of Spells, left by Chloe's ancestors.
This was a hard book to put down. I loved the characters, especially Chloe, who seemed like your typical girl down on her luck in the romance department.
This was a hard book to put down. I loved the characters, especially Chloe, who seemed like your typical girl down on her luck in the romance department.