Witchy Woman - The Eagles

Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft
Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft, Book 1

Author: Jody Gehrman
Pages: 294
Publisher: Magic Genie Books
Source: Jody Gehrman

Description from Goodreads:
Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past.

First Sentence: "That first Friday in September, barely a week into my junior year, I knew Mom had gone missing."

Review:
I'd heard good things about Gehrman's Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty, so, when I had the option to review her newest title, I jumped on it. I certainly don't regret that choice, as this was a sweet, funny read, despite the rather horrendous cover.

Something about this book and the humor in it really takes me back. This reminds me of 'classic YA,' as in the few YA books I read back when I was closer to teenage years or actually in them. I'm not really sure why, and I don't think I can quantify it. Some part of that, though, is that it's such a simple witch story, and there's a lightness to it that's not found in most of the paranormals coming out these days.

Audrey is a quirky, cute MC, if not one that particularly stands out of the crowd. She has jealous issues, desperately wishing she were as cool or alluring as her younger sister. Though not popular, she has a best friend, Bridget, who she constantly defends from popular Dallas. Audrey's favorite activities are chemistry, like her late father, and baking, like her mother. There are even some recipes, some tongue-in-cheek, throughout the book for those who like making food (unlike me, who just likes eating it).

The drama of the book begins with Audrey's feeling that her mom is in trouble. Well, with that and some weird things that have been happening around her all day. When she gets home from school, she and her sister find their mother not there and an older girl, Sadie, shows up claiming to be their cousin and temporary guardian while their mom helps with a family problem. Oh yeah, and it turns out Audrey's a witch; I bet you never saw that coming what with the title and everything.

What paranormal YA would be complete without some romance? Our love interest is Julian, who is a couple of years older than Audrey. They meet at a house party, thrown by younger sister Meg as soon as she discovers the house is momless. He wants to be a manager and immediately signs Audrey's sister's band, Cherry. Audrey suspects he likes Meg, so, of course, miscommunications ensue.

We are told how palpable Julian's connection with Audrey is, how it crackles and pops, but not made to feel it. They rarely seem to have any chemistry at all, aside from the physical witchy stuff that he inspires from Audrey. Their conversations are stilted and awkward, without any sort of natural flow. There's a weird (and unnecessary) plot line where Sadie actually removes Audrey's memories of Julian, just to slow down the course of their romance. It was awkward. The romance was definitely the big detractor for me, because I just really didn't see any reason for them to be attracted to one another, especially since Julian seems to have no interests besides the music industry. Julian is boring.

If you're looking for a light paranormal with recipes and witchery, Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft could be a fun choice. Also, if you watch for it or follow moon cycles, you can get it for free, since they're giving away e-copies on Dark of the Moon every month!

Rating: 3/5

Favorite Quote: "‘The right song can change everything.’"

"Raven hair and ruby lips
Sparks fly from her finger tips
Echoed voices in the night
She's a restless spirit on an endless flight
Wooo hooo witchy woman, see how
High she flies"