The Book of Spells by Kate Brian Review

The Book of Spells by Kate Brian

Private #0.5

Published by Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Summary: The year is 1915 when sixteen-year-old Eliza Williams arrives at the Billings School for Girls in Easton, Connecticut. Her parents expect her to learn the qualities of a graceful, dutiful wife. But Eliza and her housemates have a dangerous secret: They're witches. After finding a dusty, leather bound spell book, the Billings Girls form a secret coven. Bonded in sisterhood, they cast spells--cursing their headmistress with laryngitis, brewing potions to bolster their courage before dances, and conjuring beautiful dress out of old rags. The girls taste freedom and power for the first time, but what starts out as innocent fun turn sinister when one of the spells has an unexpected-and deadly - consequence. Magic could bring Eliza everything she's ever wanted... but it could also destroy everything she holds dear.

Review:

Kate Brian isn't one of my most favorite authors. Past books that I read from her would always leave me somewhat unsatisfied. The Book of Spells definitely changed my mind about Kate Brian. I loved every single thing about this book, from the plot, the setting, the climax, to the characters.

The vivid detailing of the behavior, setting, and fashion of 1915 mad this book so realistic and surreal. I had a sudden wish to travel back in time, if possible, to live like how they used to. Surely, it would've been beautiful.

I had a like hate relationship with Eliza. Although she was raised under a strict household; forbidden to act anything other than ladylike, robbed of the books she most enjoyed, the classics and books that men would enjoy, Eliza never tried to change who she was. Her adventurous and spontaneous side never failed to show when Eliza and her friends went on many "field trips" together. Along with her leadership skills, Eliza can be very stubborn. So stubborn it was frustrating.

After the last sentence of this book, I thought, 'this can't be the end, I don't want it to end' because of how fond I grew of this book. The Book of Spells was perfectly written, perfectly wicked, perfectly magical and perfectly mysterious. Among the many books I've read that involved witchcraft this was probably the best.

Rating: 5/5

Cover: 6/10

First Sentence: Even at the tender age of sixteen, Elizabeth Williams was the rare girl who knew her mind.

What the Author's Up To: Goodreads/Website/Facebook/Twitter/Myspace

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys by Kate Brian REVIEW

SOURCE: LIBRARY

The plot is interesting. About a girl that has to live with 7 boys because her parents was shipped to South Korea, and so, she has to learn to bond with these 7 boys.

Megan's character is fun, and caring, and she is determined. Very determined. She's always trying her best to find something that will help her be closer to these boys, but sometimes, you might be annoyed with her determination... if that makes sense. Her bonding, with Evan especially, causes the most trouble. But she doesn't realize, that when Evan has a girlfriend, that sometimes she needs to back off. She finds love with one of the brothers, but in the end, it just leads to heartbreak because they aren't supposed to be together. The story is filled with plenty of drama. Love, hurt, and sadness. The ending was resolved kind of quickly, but overall, it was an ending that would have to do.

At some points, the writing was repetitive. And sometimes, the writing would be a little.... childish? There were some parts where she would repeat what she wrote. That was probably the main flaw of it.

Overall, Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys is a fun read. It's not the type of novel that would leave an impact, but while you're reading it, you'll definitely enjoy it. Kind of like a on -the-beach type read.

RATING: 3/5

Cover: 4/10

FIRST LINE: (prologue) "Megan, we need to talk"

Character(s) I liked: Miller, Aimee, Finn

Character(s) I disliked: Hailey, Doug

SUMMARY: from Goodreads

Boys. 7 of them, to be exact.

Megan is used to moving from place to place -- it's typical for an army brat. But she drew the line at South Korea. She insists on staying in the States to finish her last two years of high school. So her parents made arrangements for Megan to live with their friends, the McGowans... and the McGowans' 7 sons.

Turns out, living with 7 boys might as well be a foreign country! The boys are messy. They are cliquey (who knew?). And worst of all, two of the oldest boys are H-O-T. (A problem considering they are supposed to be Megan's "brothers.") Megan is definitely in enemy territory. She needs to win over the boys' hearts without totally crushing her own.

And when Megan starts falling for one of them, sibling rivalry takes on a whole new meaning...

What is a girl to do?