Sixteen-year-old Mia’s life is turned upside down when she uncovers her family secret—that she and her brother Dino are witches.
Seeking refuge in an ancient castle, the siblings begin down a path that will change their lives forever. Suddenly thrust into a world where handsome warriors command the power of nature and peoples thoughts and actions can be manipulated at will, Mia and Dino struggle to navigate their own allegiances and do what they know to be right, even when everything around them seems beyond their control.
I came upon this book when I joined in the sequel’s Facebook book release party. I had no idea what to expect with this series, but I won the second book and realized I should read the first before going for the second. I was glad that I bought this.
The story is pretty clear cut with two teens being sent on a summer trip to a magically hidden castle to learn their craft. Evil then ensues. Naturally, you’d think Harry Potter; especially since it’s set in the English countryside (at least I think it is). However, I did not feel like I was reading Harry Potter.
The two main characters are siblings: Dino and Mia. Both have different powers and have different storylines. You have the star crossed budding romance story of Mia’s and then you have Dino’s darker story. They merge together in the end in a rather humorous and dangerous situation.
I liked both storylines for different reasons. The verbal foreplay between Mia and Colt made me giggle. The dark side of magic intrigued me in Dino’s storyline. I don’t think either one is more important than the other and I liked that they were fairly balanced.
What I loved about this book are the characters. They are wacky. You have moments where the characters will say something and get into an argument instead of being sullen and ready for the fight. I liked that. It felt real and yet, comedic at the same time. I don’t have a favorite character, but Colt and Aunt Madeline are definitely at odds with each other.
This is definitely a book that centers on the characters, but that doesn’t mean the world isn’t interesting. There is so much more left to learn about the world Lepore is making, but I can’t wait to learn.
This is a fun fantasy read. It’s quick, magical, and humorous. A fun read in a rainy day or on a car ride.
Casia's Corner 