After picking up B*Witch a year and a half ago, I was excited to read the second instalment in the series, Witch Rising. For a pun’s sake, your expectations should rise from book 1. In Witch Rising, you can tell that the authors have spent a lot of time in this setting, with these characters, which makes you come to care about them as well.

Witch Rising picks up from where B*Witch left off. Once again, we travel back to the fictional Sorrow Point. True to the town’s name, life is becoming increasingly bleak for our witch main characters. Antima—a dangerous anti-magic organisation—are constantly gaining new followers, and, in uncanny resemblance with real-life politics of the time—a modern witch hunt has already begun.

Greta and Div’s once rival covens, keep working together to investigate Penelope’s death and improve life for all witches in any way they can during this hard time. Binx’s decision to switch covens complicated matters, of course, and so does the love triangle that begins to form.

Book 2 of the series is a clear improvement compared to the first instalment, with action and mysteries throughout, rather than mostly in the last few chapters. The pacing, which, at times, was an issue in B*Witch, is much better. Moreover, knowing who the characters are and what is at stake for them makes thing much more interesting.

The writing style of Witch Rising is simple, easy to follow, and binge-worthy; you can finish the book in a very short time, as the chapters are just a few pages long and the alternations in viewpoints work well, painting vivid and diverse portraits.

The one thing that could be improved style-wise is that the writing occasionally felt a bit redundant. For example, the names of the characters’ pets, and even the names of their wands and their gardens were given each time said things were mentioned. While it’s good to remind the reader of such things once in a while, to make the setting more vivid, I think that names only, or objects only could work better most of the time, to give a fuller impression of seeing through the eyes of the characters, who wouldn’t need to rationalise or explain to themselves. In that case, an appendix at the beginning or the end of the novel would be helpful, so that readers would still be able to check elements they forgot.

Characterisation in Witch Rising is solid and enjoyable to read. It’s really fun to get to know so many witches from different backgrounds, with different sexualities and gender identities, some of them neurodiverse as well. My one complaint was the Witch Rising felt a bit short compared to the previous book, leaving you wish you had spent a little more time with each character. Since Ridley and Iris were some of the characters Book 1 focused on the most, I would like to have seen a fuller character arcs from them, particularly in the case of Ridley. Binx, on the other hand, really grew in this one, as circumstances forced her to question her choices and achieve character growth.

Despite the rivalry between the two covens, it is really refreshing that none of the two is truly evil; just different. Div, Aysha and Mira proved to be more layered than initially suspected, though it would be nice to see the latter two a bit more developed, so that they could stand on their own as much as the other characters. An interesting backstory seems to be implied about Div, the most developed character from that coven (if you don’t count Binx who joined recently) and that too could definitely be expanded in possible future instalments.

The ending was magical (pun intended) and appropriately upbeat for a YA book that is meant to affirm diverse identities and living as one’s true self, empowering young readers. The final events leading to the resolution did seem a little rushed, as, until a certain point, you are bound to think a third instalment will be necessary to get any sort of conclusion. In that sense, things worked out a bit too easily, to reach the satisfying ending, but who doesn’t need a little magic in 2021? The last chapters, easy as they are, will leave readers feeling wholesome.

That being said, some of the final scenes also seem to imply that Book 3 is a very real possibility. While the main conflict of Witch Rising is adequately resolved, there’s a character that still remains a mystery, while the seeds of new secrets are planted in the last chapters, and some romantic subplots have potential to be expanded. It’s hard to know the authors’ intentions about the future of the series before Book 2 officially hits our shelves, but after so many second instalments ending in painful cliff hangers, it’s good to have a second instalment that stands on its own, whether the series is becoming a trilogy or not.

Witch Rising while not perfect, is a fun fantasy book about coming out of dark times, about found family and learning to live as yourself—whatever that self might be. If you love (mostly) girl gangs, witchy aesthetics, and high school settings, this series is definitely for you.

Witch Rising is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore.

Will you be picking up Witch Rising? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Sorrow Point High’s witchiest have returned in this conclusion to the thrilling B*Witch duology—and this time, the danger is even closer to home. 

Two rival covens, led by frenemies Greta and Div, are investigating a radical anti-magic faction—the New Order—for the murder of a sister witch. In fact, Div and her coven mate Mira are pretend-dating a couple of New Order members to infiltrate it and bring it down for good. But when the president of the United States aligns himself with the dangerous group and local police ramp up their search for suspected witches, the covens must be more careful than ever.

Even outside of politics, complications abound as Iris and the new witch, Torrence, fight for Greta’s affections…and Ridley can’t get over her crush on a dead girl…and Binx’s own crush turns out to be harboring deadly secrets.

If the covens wish to solve their friend’s murder and protect their kind, they’ll have to rise above their problems, big and small. But as they grow closer to the truth, one thing becomes certain—trust no witch.

The post Review: Witch Rising by Paige McKenzie & Nancy Ohlin appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Loveless by Alice Oseman
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

This wise, warm and witty story of identity and self-acceptance sees Alice Oseman on towering form as Georgia and her friends discover that true love isn’t limited to romance. 

B*WITCH by Paige McKenzie an d Nancy Ohlin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

With an inclusive cast of teen witches who leap off the page with style, attitude, and charm, B*Witch is a singable read perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Mean Girls alike.

The Girl in the White Van by April Henry
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A teen is snatched after her kung fu class and must figure out how to escape—and rescue another kidnapped prisoner—in this chilling YA mystery.

Ever Cursed by Corey Ann Haydu
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Damsel meets A Heart in a Body in the World in this incisive and lyrical feminist fairy tale about a princess determined to save her sisters from a curse, even if it means allying herself with the very witch who cast it.

This Is My America by Kim Johnson
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Dear Martin meets Just Mercy in this unflinching yet uplifting YA novel that explores the racist injustices in the American justice system.

10 Things I Hate About Pinky by Sandhya Menon
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The follow-up to When Dimple Met Rishi and There’s Something about Sweetie follows Pinky and Samir as they pretend to date—with disastrous and hilarious results.

Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy
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From Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, comes the first in a two-book origin story of Faith, a groundbreaking, plus-sized superhero from the Valiant Entertainment comics.

Unravel the Dusk (The Blood of Stars #2) by Elizabeth Lim
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Maia Tamarin proved her skill as a tailor when she wove the dresses of the sun, the moon, and the stars, but it will take more than a beautiful gown to hide the darkness rising up within her. . . . The stakes are higher than ever in this breathtaking sequel to Spin the Dawn, perfect for fans of Six of Crows.

Gimme Everything You Got by Iva-Marie Palmer
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A feminist, sex-positive, and hilarious rom-com about a girl in 1970s Chicago trying everything she can to score—on and off the soccer field.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
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A captivating and utterly original fairy tale about a girl cursed to be poisonous to the touch, and who discovers what power might lie in such a curse…

The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune
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Some people are extraordinary. Some are just extra. TJ Klune’s YA debut, The Extraordinaries, is a queer coming-of-age story about a fanboy with ADHD and the heroes he loves.

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In More Than Maybe, Erin Hahn’s swooniest book yet, Luke and Vada must decide how deep their feelings run and what it would mean to give love a try.

Will you be picking up any of these releases? Tell us in the comments below!

The post July 2020 Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Paige McKenzie, New York Times bestselling author and YouTuber in the successful haunted house story channel ‘The Haunting of Sunshine Girl’, and Nancy Ohlin, author, collaborator, and ghostwriter of numerous children’s and Young Adult books have teamed up to bring us an enchanting story about two rival covens threatened by what appears to be a contemporary witch-hunt. B*Witch explores issues of belonging, identity, and girls supporting one another.

We asked Paige and Nancy a few questions about their upcoming release, their co-writing experience and of course, witches.

For more information about the authors and their projects you can find Paige on Twitter , Instagram, Goodreads and, of course, YouTube and Nancy on  her own website, Twitter and Goodreads.

Hi, Paige and Nancy. Thanks for chatting with us! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves? 

PAIGE: I have always been a storyteller but I didn’t grow up dreaming of being an author, that came later. I had a passion for fashion even though the tiny town I grew up in was more known for Carharts and camo. I started a YouTube channel while still in high school and that journey took me all the way to a trilogy of books called The Haunting of Sunshine Girl. That is where I discovered my love for the literary world. This love has only continued to grow with B*Witch. These days you can usually find me in my art studio working on stuff to sell on my Etsy or conjuring new spells for our favorite coven.

NANCY: I was raised in Tokyo, Japan and then Akron, Ohio after my mom immigrated to the U.S. with my brother and me. I loved books and writing from an early age—in fourth grade after I moved to America, I binge-read Nancy Drews to help me with my English, and in sixth grade, I started writing secret love poems to random crushes because I was too shy to talk to them. I’ve written over a hundred books either on my own or as collaborations. I live in Ithaca, NY with my family, which includes three actual cats (Baxter, Tiger, and Kimchi) and many more imaginary/potential cats (because I may have a habit of surfing cat adoption websites a LOT).

Can you describe B*Witch in 5 words?

Rival covens solve a mystery!

What came first? The concept or the characters?

It was a bit of a chicken-and-egg process. In the beginning, we agreed that we wanted to write a book about witches. We then started coming up with the characters … or, we should say, they started showing up in our conversations, like uninvited guests who crash your party but who end up being awesome. Once we had our characters, the plot happened pretty organically. It was, like, OF COURSE Greta’s coven and Div’s coven are forced to solve a murder together. OF COURSE witches are in danger in the world of Sorrow Point.

In the past few years, teenage witches have often been used to explore issues of identity, feminism and agency in a socio-political climate that is tough for many women. Did this inform your own writing?

Yes, definitely … although again, that happened organically. Our concept was originally lighter and bubblier, but then the current socio-political climate began seeping into the story, and we found our witches dealing with bigotry and intolerance in multiple ways – not just against witches but against women, against the LGBTQ community, against communities of color, etc.

Your witch characters are beautifully diverse. Is it important to you that teen readers see themselves represented in your work?

Absolutely. We wanted to represent the real world in our writing. Also, our characters’ identities, orientations, backgrounds, etc. are an essential part of their stories.

Tell us a bit about your co-writing process. Did you meet and write together, or preferred to write separately and share afterwards? Did you split the point of view characters or just wrote what felt right?

Because we live on opposite coasts, we tended to write separately and share afterwards, and also talk a lot on Skype (with her dog and my various cats assisting). We didn’t split the POVs; we just wrote what felt right.

Which of your characters do you identify with the most?

NANCY: There is a little bit of me in all of them, I think. But if I had to single out one or two, I would have to say Binx and Iris. Like Binx, I’m Japanese American and the daughter of an immigrant, and I’ve had to deal with a lot of anti-Asian American prejudice throughout my life. And like Iris, I suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and when I’m nervous, I talk way too much.

PAIGE: The character I identify with the most changes on a daily basis but right now while we are all #safeathome, I am feeling the love for Greta. She enjoys spending her time alone in her garden, Bloomsbury and is content with only the company of her familiar. Really feeling that right now!

And a little crossover; how would you sort your characters in Hogwarts houses?

• Greta is a combination of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor because she loves harmony, she’s kind, she’s protective, and she wants to do good.
• Ridley is Ravenclaw because she’s super-smart.
• Iris is Ravenclaw plus Hufflepuff because she’s smart plus sweet.
• Binx is Slytherin because she’s into power and excellence.
• Div is Slytherin plus Gryffindor because she’s into power and excellence, plus she’s protective of her witches and also justice-minded.
• Aysha is Gryffindor and has some similarities with the prank-loving Fred and George Weasley.
• Mira is Gryffindor and has some similarities with Lavender Brown (and, to evoke another crossover, Cordelia in Buffy).

I loved the fact that each of your main characters practices her magic in a different style, according to her personality and interests! Have you thought what your own style would be? What about your familiars?

PAIGE: Love this question! My personal magic style (because I totally am a witch!) is as eclectic as my personality. Just like I am an outgoing introvert, I am a casual daily witch. It’s less of a practice and more of a lifestyle for me.

NANCY: My own style would be similar to Greta’s, I think. Even though I’m not the greatest gardener IRL, I love plants and herbs and flowers. When I was little, I used to take random dried herbs from the kitchen cupboard and random leaves from outside and boil them in a big pot to create “potions.” Also, like Greta, I have multiple cat familiars. I’m obsessed (understatement!) with my cats.

The ending of B*Witch is quite open, leaving room for speculation about the characters’ futures. Would you consider returning to Sorrow Point High for some more magic?

Funny you should mention that! We are hard at work on the B*witch sequel right now!

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

NANCY: At the moment, I’m reading and loving Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen and Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens, edited by Marieke Nijkamp.

PAIGE: I am very into graphic novels right now (low attention span!). Some of my favorites are Sheets by Brenna Thummler and The Lunch Witch by Deb Lucke. I also like The Encyclopedia of Early Earth by Isabel Greenberg. Highly recommend all!!

Will you be picking up B*Witch? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Paige McKenzie & Nancy Ohlin, Authors of ‘B*WITCH’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

What would you do if you received a book written by a witch who was killed in a late 1800s witch purge, and you found out that you could learn her craft, in a world that seeks to bring witch-hunts back, no less? B*Witch by Paige McKenzie and Nancy Ohlin aims to answer just that.

The year is 2016 and the new government is extremely suspicious of witches. The so-called law 6-129, which forbids witchcraft, has gradually relaxed over the years, but the prejudice has remained. Most teen witches practice secretly, but if they are found out, expulsion from school or being grounded is usually the worst they can expect… things are about to get bleaker though. With the government’s increased prejudice against witchcraft and an emerging hate group, called Antima (Anti-Magic), many young, self-taught witches practicing in secret, now have reason to believe their lives are in danger.

When Iris, a secret witch who lives with Sensory Processing Disorder and frequent panic attacks, moves to small town Sorrow Point, she hopes to be free of the witch-hate she witnessed in New York.  Little does she know that her new high school, is home to not one, but two secret covens, and, most horrifyingly, to several Antima members. When witches from both covens start receiving threatening messages with anti-witchcraft content, yet strangely charmed that implies a witch’s hand in their distribution, coven leader Greta and her friends, Ridley and Binx, must solve the mystery. This also may mean working with Greta’s once coven mate and now rival, Div, who follows a darker branch of witchcraft and leads a coven of her own.

Despite their common enemy, cooperating isn’t always easy: the covens have conflicting interests as both seek to recruit the gifted Iris and another new student and suspected witch, Penelope. Even within Greta’s generally benevolent coven, signs of discord increase as the stakes get higher: Greta, whose magic is as traditional and ethical as possible, often finds herself at odds with the more mischievous Binx. The latter is a cyber-witch who prefers to practise magic through technology, creating her own apps and being active in an online videogame called ‘Witchworld’, where she has befriended a rare male witch. When Binx trusts her new friend a bit too readily and comes to believe that a more aggressive approach is needed to fight the Antima, Greta feels her friend’s actions might expose the coven. But as the threats against the witches become more and more frequent and terrifying, the girls must work together if they want to solve the mystery on time and survive.

B*Witch is a very readable, with short chapters that don’t tire the reader. A lot of chapter titles are intertextual references, which is a nice touch. At the beginning of each chapter we get a passage from The Good Book of Magic and Mentalism by Callixta Crowe, the 1800s witch whose book the girls use to learn their craft. These passages nicely foreshadow each chapter’s content without revealing too much, as the authors do a good job at maintaining suspense until the last few chapters. The ending did feel a little abrupt, with a new plot point being introduced without much foreshadowing, but the plot twist was still an interesting one I had not seen coming, and the openness of the ending leaves room for more to be written about these very endearing witches.

Although the figure of the teen witch has been used a lot in the past few years, both as an aesthetic and as a political statement, Paige McKenzie and Nancy Ohlin offer us a fresh take on contemporary magic. Each of the main characters interprets Callixta’s book differently. From Greta’s traditional, sustainable magic and trust in feminist deities, to Binx’s use of mobile apps and even Pokemon cards, the reader is immersed in a fun, playful microcosm. We are constantly reminded, however, that the magical safe space Greta, Binx and Ridley have created for themselves is fragile, threatened by both external forces and their own families, even their own coven. Knowing what is at stake, makes it easy to care about them.

The book is very diverse, with the witches coming from many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, and from all across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, as well as a main character struggling with her mental health, an issued addressed with honesty throughout the novel. All these different identities are part of the characters, but they aren’t all we get know about them: each has her own quirks, preferences and compelling backstory. Some characters, such as Mira and Aisha from Div’s coven, as well as Penelope, could have been a little more developed, but, in general, the authors manage to convey who each character is, and most importantly, what she wants. Since we get to know a bit about each witch’s home life and personal struggles, the ending could have dwelt a little more on the ways their experiences throughout B*Witch might influence their future decisions about their problems, but, once again, the openness leaves room for readers to draw their own conclusions. Fighting for their right to be themselves and practice their magic in love and peace, definitely teaches Iris, Greta, Binx and Ridley a lot about themselves – and each other.

B*Witch is an inclusive, fun, and suspenseful book that teenage witch fans will enjoy, and many of them might identify with at least one main character. All in all, this is a story about identity, belonging, loss, and girls supporting one another. A very interesting collaboration with a lot of potential, that left me hoping we haven’t seen the last of the two covens.

B*Witch is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers as of July 7th 2020.

Will you be picking up B*Witch? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

A lone witch has powers. A coven has a multitude more.

New girl and secret witchl Iris just wants to get through her first day of school without a panic attack. The last thing she expects is to be taken in by a coven of three witches-soft-spoken Greta, thoughtful and musical Ridley, and fiery and spirited Binx. They may be the first witches Iris has met IRL, but their coven is not alone in their small northwestern town.

The Triad is the other coven at their school. When the Triad’s not using spells to punish their exes or break up happy couples for fun, they practice dark magic. The two covens have a rivalry stretching all the way back to junior high.

When tragedy strikes and one of their own is murdered, the rival covens must band together to find out who is responsible before it’s too late. Someone’s anti-witch ideology has turned deadly . . . and one of them is next.

With an inclusive cast of teen witches who leap off the page with style, attitude, and charm, B*Witch is a singable read perfect for fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Mean Girls alike.

The post Review: B*Witch by Paige McKenzie and Nancy Ohlin appeared first on The Nerd Daily.