Witchtown

May 1, 2017
Modern witches have relationship problems, too. After the Second Inquisition, the U.S. government instituted a National Witch Registry and established witch-only communities known as Havens. The most prominent one, established by a powerful billionaire witch, was Witchtown. When Macie O'Sullivan and her manipulative mother, Aubra, arrive there after a string of robberies in other Havens, the white 16-year-old herbalist hopes that this will be their last con job and that they will finally settle down. In her breezy yet solid first-person narration, Macie knows she should case the town for targets and keep her head low so no one discovers that she's a magicless Void and takes a branding iron to her. Yet she can't help befriending Talya, a fellow misfit and a psychic who sees people's secrets, and crushing on Kellen, who has secrets of his own. (Both are white.) Light tension and mystery ensue (with a few clever red herrings) when religious zealots threaten the Haven and Macie, Talya, and Kellen plot to end Aubra's cons once and for all. But could their plan reveal the truth about Macie in the process? Maybe the truth is not what it's always seemed. This uncomplicated, romantic story will charm reluctant readers who want a little magic but not all the tedious rituals. (map) (Fantasy. 12-16)

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April 1, 2017
Gr 7 Up-To Macie, witches do not mean spells and wands. Witches mean money. Macie and her mom, Aubra, make their living fleecing Havens, government-created communities where witches are allowed to practice and maintain their culture. However, 16-year-old Macie is starting to experience moral doubts about their lifestyle, and when the pair arrive at Witchtown, Aubra assures Macie this will be their final con. As Aubra integrates herself into the town, Macie makes friends with the teenage witches and hesitantly begins a relationship with cute boy Kellen, all the while attempting to conceal that she is a Void, an individual with no magical ability. The story is an appealing combination of the paranormal and romance genres, sure to please older -Harry Potter- fans. However, plot inconsistencies detract from the book. The dramatic impact of the reveal of Kellen's true identity is lessened, as this subplot is only marginally developed. Additionally, Oakes never satisfactorily explains why Voids are such loathsome individuals who are branded and exiled. But overall, this is a creative approach to the witch and wizard genre, and teens will most likely not be deterred by these issues. VERDICT An engaging tale with enjoyable characters. Give to romance fans or those who like their witch books on the lighter side.-Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor School District, Lancaster, PA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 1, 2017
Grades 8-11 After the second inquisition, Natural and Learned witches find safety in havens. Macie O'Sullivan jets from one haven to another with her Natural witch mother, pulling off cons and then erasing the memories of those they left behind. When the opportunity comes to pull off their biggest con at the biggest haven, Witchtown, Macie begins having doubts, which are compounded when she learns that Witchtown is harboring powerful secrets. This genre-blenderthink Ocean's 11 meets Charmedis an enjoyable coming-of-age tale sure to be a hit with readers who like their romance or mystery with a hint of the paranormal. Its story is clever and engaging, even if some of the plotlines, such as Macie's lack of powers and her romance with the town golden boy, are a bit of a trope. Readers will be willing to overlook these flaws, though, due to the story's charm and eccentric cast of characters. This book stands well on its own, and while it wraps up a bit too easily, Oakes leaves room for more bewitching forays.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
In an alternate America, witches have been forced into private "havens." Macie and her mother are magical grifters, always pursuing the next haul in a new haven--until lonely Macie insists their con in utopian Witchtown be their last. With the help of friends, a love interest, and a pyromaniacal poltergeist, Macie escapes her mother's deeper-than-expected deceit. A satisfying paranormal drama with real-world issues.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)