A review by hollyrebeccasmith
The Bewitching Hour by Ashley Poston

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Any Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan remembers the beloved witch Tara, taken from the audience far too soon. But what if fans could get more Tara content? What if, instead of dwelling on her murder, we got a peak into her life pre-Scooby Gang? 

Budding yet suppressed witch, Tara McClay, has just moved to the Vermont town of Hellborne which is proud of its witch-burning history. She has no plans on being a hero or even, really, on being a witch anymore. She just wants to lay low and get through the year without her father sending her off to a threatening boarding school.

Then, right in front of her, a classmate is killed in the library, but the death seems to be anything other than natural. She was even seen going into the library shortly before the death, starting rumors that, despite the fact that other boys died before she got to Hellborne, she might be the murderer. Worse, the other mysterious and intriguing (in a way Tara doesn't want to acknowledge) new girl, Daphne, saw Tara in the library. But, then again, Daphne had a crossbow so maybe Daphne is hiding her own secrets.

In order for Tara to find out who is behind these deaths before the murderer turns their sights on her she'll have to work together with unexpected allies. Can Tara deal with the danger to Hellborne, her family's repression, and her deepest feelings and insecurities and make it out alive? How much can she risk to do so?

While geared for Buffy fans, many readers will love this fast-paced fantasy mystery intertwined with a queer romance.