Book Review: Spells Trouble

 

 *I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Spells Trouble instantly made me think of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Twitches (ya know, twin witches saving the world and all), Men in Black and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.  The concept was there with Hunter and Mercy being tasked to save the trees that also act as gateways to various Underworlds, but I felt like it wasn't fleshed out completely.  Maybe that's because this is book one of the series..?  I'm not sure, but it had potential.

I felt like the writing was at a middle-school level; however, there was a (unnecessary) detailed sex scene that would be appropriate for older YA readers.  I say unnecessary because I felt like the Mercy/Kirk relationship story line was a side thought or a filler episode that wasn't needed.  I didn't find it to strengthen the plot at all.  An additional side story involved Emily, Mercy's best friend, and that one also threw me for a loop.  Along with that, it was odd to me that Mercy and Hunter addressed their mom by her first name, but maybe that's a witch thing.  Finally, the characters didn't seem like they were in high school based off their dialogue at times.  It bothered me.

Overall, I'm giving Spells Trouble 3 leaves because, like I said, it had potential.  It just wasn't my favorite.

Spells Trouble was published May 25, 2021.  It is available to purchase through major retailers, or my personal favorite book distributor, Bookshop.  Buy through Bookshop, support local bookstores!