ravencantread 's review for:

The Bell Witches by Lindsey Kelk

2.5

mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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The Bell Witches

2.5 ⭐️ 

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. 

I really wanted to like this book. It had everything that I *should* have loved. Savannah is one of my favorite places to visit in the US (seriously, SO BEAUTIFUL!) and the witch element is right up my alley. Unfortunately, it was just poorly executed. 

Emily, our protagonist, is likable enough but ultimately lacks any personality outside of kinda being snarky. Shes not fierce, she’s not smart (she’s pretty dumb if I’m being honest) and she spends most of this book just letting people tell her what to do without asking for any more information. um HELLO BABE STAND UP. 

The relationship: okay so they’re literally children, so I can semi excuse the insta love part (still annoying) but we barely get to know either character, Wyn is just kinda…there? For like 2 scenes before he’s gone. And the “twist” of him being a (spoiler alert) “Were” wasn’t a twist at all. Saw it coming a mile away.

Speaking of twists, it’s so obvious from the jump that Catherine killed Emily’s father. SO OBVIOUS. Catherine is creepy the entire book. Also, what’s up with her weird random change of heart mid chapter after she’s been on an evil monologue the entire last chapter? I don’t get it. Felt weird. 

Side characters: Lydia was pretty cool, I actually really liked her. She was fun, she was kind, and she deserved better. Ashley was horrible but I understand why, what I DONT understand is why Emily was just like “yeah she’s a total bitch to me 24/7 but I’m not gonna advocate for myself” like babe I was 16 once too and if anyone spoke to me even remotely similar to how Ashley was I would have been throwing hands. WHAT ARE YOU DOING STAND UP! 

And now to my biggest gripe…why, dear god, why are we using the term “unalive” in actual dialogue said by actual characters?? Unalive is a way to get around social media algorithms and censors. And it would be one thing if it was the 16 year old saying it, WRONG (also yes, the 16 year old did say it as well) IT WAS THE 30 SOMETHING WHO SAID IT WHILE BEING DEAD SERIOUS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ACTUAL LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE. 

I don’t know, premise was cool, execution…not so much.