“This was bigger than three scorned witches and their private scores to settle.”
After Blood Countess, a YA historical horror fantasy novel, Lana Harper makes her adult debut with Payback’s A Witch, a charming and sweet novel ideal for the upcoming spooky season!
Emmy Harlow, a young witch, comes back to her magical hometown, Thistle Grove, 10 years after she left with a broken heart to start a magicless life in Chicago. She’s back to play the role of the Arbiter in the witch tournament that takes place every 50 years between the four founding families of Thistle Grove to find out who will preside over all magical matters in the town. However, this year’s competition will look a little different. Emmy’s bestfriend Linden Thorn, and another girl from town, Talia Avramov, propose a plan to her to get back at their mutual ex, Gareth Blackmore. The competition takes place between Gareth, Talia, and Linden’s twin brother Rowan, and whilst being the Arbiter, Emmy must remain impartial, she agrees to help however best she can. In the meantime, Emmy and Talia are drawn to each other.
With relatable characters, a fun storyline, and some angsty romance, Payback’s A Witch will enchant you from the very first page. Even though the romance does play a big role in the story, it’s actually the witch tournament that becomes the center of this book, and the other subplots are just intertwined with it and help develop certain events in the story. The tournament itself spans over the course of a few days and it is actually so fun to read about.
The fantasy elements of the novel were actually very interesting. A magical town that hides its actual magic elements to tourists where its founding families each have a specific power? Sign us up. And even though the magic system was basic, that’s what made it shine—it’s straight to the point and easy to understand. And the story behind the founding families and the town itself was really well written as well and it’s cool that mythology was included in it (with mentions of figures like Morgane le Fay or Baba Yaga). There really is a lot to discover and a few well kept secrets to unravel as Emmy learns during her stay. The first half of the book sets up all this backstory and setting and it will keep you glued to the page! The descriptions are beautifully written, you can definitely feel the autumn and witch vibes of this town. As for the rest of the book, there are some minor criticisms, but they really do not make the book any less enjoyable. And this is only book one so it’s a really good start to a series!
In terms of the romance, it was refreshing to see that it avoids queer rom-com stereotypes, the relationship between Emmy and Talia feels very natural, with ups and downs and it also doesn’t feel too fast nor too slow. It really has a great development. There’s also quite a bit of angst but it’s well balanced with other tender moments and don’t we all love a bit of angst and slow burn!
There’s another type of romance as well in the book and it’s the love the witches have for their small hometown. Emmy however, had lost this spark, not feeling good enough in a town where she’s part of the apparently less powerful family. When she left, she lost all her powers (it happens if you leave Thistle Grove) but now that she’s returned, she begins to get them back and not only that but she also starts to find herself again and realise some harsh truths as well. A conversation Emmy has with her grandma is particularly touching.
All in all, when you close the book, you’ll want to live in the bewitching town that is Thistle Grove. But since it’s only the first of the series, it’s good to know that readers will have the chance to revisit this magical autumnal town and its lovable characters when book two is released! Charming, sweet, and magical, Payback’s A Witch is the perfect book to enjoy on a cosy autumn night.
Payback’s A Witch is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 5th, 2021.
Will you be picking up Payback’s A Witch? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina meets The L Word in this fresh, sizzling rom-com by Lana Harper.
Emmy Harlow is a witch but not a very powerful one—in part because she hasn’t been home to the magical town of Thistle Grove in years. Her self-imposed exile has a lot to do with a complicated family history and a desire to forge her own way in the world, and only the very tiniest bit to do with Gareth Blackmoore, heir to the most powerful magical family in town and casual breaker of hearts and destroyer of dreams.
But when a spellcasting tournament that her family serves as arbiters for approaches, it turns out the pull of tradition (or the truly impressive parental guilt trip that comes with it) is strong enough to bring Emmy back. She’s determined to do her familial duty; spend some quality time with her best friend, Linden Thorn; and get back to her real life in Chicago.
On her first night home, Emmy runs into Talia Avramov —an all-around badass adept in the darker magical arts— who is fresh off a bad breakup . . . with Gareth Blackmoore. Talia had let herself be charmed, only to discover that Gareth was also seeing Linden—unbeknownst to either of them. And now she and Linden want revenge. Only one question stands: Is Emmy in?
But most concerning of all: Why can’t she stop thinking about the terrifyingly competent, devastatingly gorgeous, wickedly charming Talia Avramov?
