We are presented with a trio of 17 year old women who believe in witches and witchcraft. The book is determined to set up the system of witchcraft before we get to deep into the story. It does that through the lives as lived already by these girls. That system is important to the way the book unfolds.
Our ladies are Zara Jones, Jude Wolf, and Ember Byrne. Zara wants to bring her murdered sister back to life. Jude tried to give herself magic power but did it wrong. Now she needs someone to help her fix it. Ember is a cursewriter, one who creates magic. When they meet, they discover each needs the other two.
There is a serial killer out killing women with magic and stealing their magics. They need to know why and who before they get added to the list of victims. There is an undercurrent I found of the thought women did not get their magics to have power over others, but to keep themselves safe. The witch hunters, like many oppressors, paint these women as fools who only think they are in any danger.
I found the author's worldbuilding interesting. Her system of magic is novel but valid, I think. I liked it. The book moved slowly during the set-up for the action, but once we had all the pieces in place, it moved swiftly.
I want to thank the publishers who gave me this book through the Publishers Weekly ARC contest. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Our ladies are Zara Jones, Jude Wolf, and Ember Byrne. Zara wants to bring her murdered sister back to life. Jude tried to give herself magic power but did it wrong. Now she needs someone to help her fix it. Ember is a cursewriter, one who creates magic. When they meet, they discover each needs the other two.
There is a serial killer out killing women with magic and stealing their magics. They need to know why and who before they get added to the list of victims. There is an undercurrent I found of the thought women did not get their magics to have power over others, but to keep themselves safe. The witch hunters, like many oppressors, paint these women as fools who only think they are in any danger.
I found the author's worldbuilding interesting. Her system of magic is novel but valid, I think. I liked it. The book moved slowly during the set-up for the action, but once we had all the pieces in place, it moved swiftly.
I want to thank the publishers who gave me this book through the Publishers Weekly ARC contest. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.