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A review by enchantressreads
These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Buckle up, because this is going to be a ride.
Hannah Walsh is a junior in high school and lives in Salem, Mass. She works at a witch shop called the Night Cauldron. She goes on dates, she does her homework. She's also a witch. A real one, with magical powers. She has the power to manipulate the elements, called an Elemental Witch.
Cool, right?
These Witches Don't Burn sounded, to me, like a really cool fantasy novel. I thought it would be high action, a little bit of teen drama, and hopefully a satisfying "good for her" ending. I was warned a little bit beforehand, but it was not that. It was teen drama with maybe a splash of witchy action. That is, if you understood what was going on in the first place.
There is a story that happened before the beginning of this novel that doesn't really get explained. It wouldn't matter, but it's essential for understanding the plot of this story. From what I understand, Isabel Sterling did publish a prequel novella, but I really couldn't be bothered to read it. The characters annoyed me, the plotline annoyed me, and everyone was entitled and rich. I don't think there was a single person of color in this book. It was queer, yeah, but at this point I really didn't care. If I had to hear Veronica be referred to as "my ex" one more time, I was going to scream.
Normally, most people would have DNFed this book, but I kept going. Regardless of it being poorly constructed with bland characters, it was entertaining. I wanted to see what happened next in this train wreck.
To end it all on a high note since I kind of destroyed this book: it wasn't badly written. The plot had some holes and looked like a first draft, but it wasn't the worst thing I've read. There were some really good scenes in the book, and the climax honestly threw me for a loop and I may have shed a tear. I probably won't be reading the rest of the series, but I'm not mad that I read this book. It may not have been for me, but some people may enjoy it more than I did.
Hannah Walsh is a junior in high school and lives in Salem, Mass. She works at a witch shop called the Night Cauldron. She goes on dates, she does her homework. She's also a witch. A real one, with magical powers. She has the power to manipulate the elements, called an Elemental Witch.
Cool, right?
These Witches Don't Burn sounded, to me, like a really cool fantasy novel. I thought it would be high action, a little bit of teen drama, and hopefully a satisfying "good for her" ending. I was warned a little bit beforehand, but it was not that. It was teen drama with maybe a splash of witchy action. That is, if you understood what was going on in the first place.
There is a story that happened before the beginning of this novel that doesn't really get explained. It wouldn't matter, but it's essential for understanding the plot of this story. From what I understand, Isabel Sterling did publish a prequel novella, but I really couldn't be bothered to read it. The characters annoyed me, the plotline annoyed me, and everyone was entitled and rich. I don't think there was a single person of color in this book. It was queer, yeah, but at this point I really didn't care. If I had to hear Veronica be referred to as "my ex" one more time, I was going to scream.
Normally, most people would have DNFed this book, but I kept going. Regardless of it being poorly constructed with bland characters, it was entertaining. I wanted to see what happened next in this train wreck.
To end it all on a high note since I kind of destroyed this book: it wasn't badly written. The plot had some holes and looked like a first draft, but it wasn't the worst thing I've read. There were some really good scenes in the book, and the climax honestly threw me for a loop and I may have shed a tear. I probably won't be reading the rest of the series, but I'm not mad that I read this book. It may not have been for me, but some people may enjoy it more than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Animal death
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
Brief Harry Potter mention.