Spooky Lite, reviews by Sherry

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Ready to read for spooky season but not wanting to sleep with the lights on?  I’ve included a couple of reviews for cozy fantasies that are engaging and won’t keep you jumping at things that go bump in the night.

Thanks to @BerkleyPub and @PRHAudio for my #gifted book and audiobook.  #BerkleyPartner #Berkley #PRHAudioInfluencer

Rewitched
Lucy Jane Wood

382 pages
Ace Books
published September 17, 2024

Amazon | Goodreads

I had no idea cozy fantasy novels existed. I don’t read a lot of fantasy, but I could get behind this genre.

The main character is Belladonna Blackthorn. Is that not the perfect name for a witch? She works in a bookstore and rarely uses her magic. Well until the council calls her in for her thirtieth birthday and a review that she is using her magic responsibly and actually using it. Or they will revoke it. She ends up going through a series of tests to prove her worthiness as a witch.

Ultimately Bella must summon her courage to figure out who she is and what she is worth. I love stories about believing in yourself. And what adds to that is the cast of characters around her including a new romance. I don’t usually associate heartwarming with fantasy but that perfectly describes Bella’s self journey.

I would have liked a little more romance, but other than that this is the perfect fall read if you are looking for something not spooky. I can’t believe this the author’s debut novel. I can’t wait to read her next book. And hopefully it continues Bella’s story.

The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society
C. M. Waggoner

348 pages
Ace Books
published September 24, 2024

Amazon | Goodreads

A book about a librarian that’s an amateur sleuth. that describes herself as Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote. Oh yeah and she hunts demons. I’m in. I love that I’ve been able to read a bunch of unique books this fall. Including this one. And I’ve finally read a book where the main character has my name.

I’m not sure where to categorize this. It’s a little paranormal, a little cozy, a little fantasy and a whole lot of murder mystery.

I liked Sherry, who wouldn’t when she’s a mix of Miss Marple and Jessica Fletcher, and might I throw in a little Buffy. I liked the supporting characters including Lord Thomas Cromwell, that I first mistaken as a person. LOL and when he possessed and talking, beware.

This is a wild imaginative murder mystery that had no shortage of suspects and kept me guessing. A quirky alternative to the fall spooky reads.

It felt like this isn’t the first book in the series as I was reading and that threw me a little. It describes Sherry’s past cases almost like the author catching you up the in series past important issues. It was a weird moment for me at the beginning, but this is the first book in the series.

This was a fun inventive murder mystery that I hope becomes a sequel.

Cindy Pillar was a great choice as narrator. She sounded exactly as I thought Sherry should sound and flawlessly handles the antics that abound in this one.

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