Thanks to NetGalley and Candlewick for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Release Date: March 13th, 2018
288 Pages
Synopsis: The Blackburn women are cursed. Ever since the extraordinary witch Rona Blackburn landed on Anathema Island centuries ago and was shunned by the eight “original” settlers, Blackburn witches have been doomed to carry out a brief whirlwind affair with a descendant of the Original Eight. The vengeful curse, however, had unintended side effects: it diluted the Blackburns’ supernatural powers. That’s perfectly all right with seventeen-year-old Nor Blackburn. All she wants is a quiet, unremarkable life—-her powers are blissfully unexceptional, her love life pretty much nonexistent. Nor hopes the curse has played itself out through enough generations that she’ll finally be spared the drama. But when a mysterious book comes out promising to cast any spell for the right price, Nor senses a dark storm headed straight for Anathema—-and straight for her.
I loved Leslye Walton’s glorious debut, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, so I’ve been looking forward to The Price Guide to the Occult for the last year. While I didn’t think it was quite as magical, I think it’s a solid sophomore book.
What I loved about the previous book was the author’s exquisite and lush style of writing and storytelling and that’s definitely on display here. The protagonist, Nor, is someone many readers will relate to with her mix of vulnerability and steely determination. A word of warning, though it’s handled with care and sensitivity, self-harm is part of her story, so this could be a trigger for some. It’s an understandable outcome to a trauma in her past, and it’s written very realistically.
Some of the secondary characters aren’t quite as well-rounded. I loved Nor’s gruff yet loving grandmother, and her quirky best friend Savvy. The others, though, I just got to know enough, to want more, especially Nor’s sweet love interest.
The setting of the rainy Pacific Northwest is the perfect backdrop in terms of atmosphere, and the mythology behind Nor’s family as well as the plot is well written, albeit a little slow at times. To be honest, I wasn’t thrilled with the ending and found it a little vague, but after reading the epilogue, I’m hopeful there may be a sequel.
Despite a few issues, I thoroughly enjoyed The Price Guide to the Occult and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that there will be a second book.
Beware Of The Reader said:
Beautiful review Kim! I’ve seen many praised her writing in the previous book
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Sophie. Her first book was so incredible, I think I would have been surprised if this had been as perfect.
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
This is completely off subject but just wanted to tell you Sophie that I can’t click on your page because WordPress has been crazy so just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you! Sorry Kim for using your post as a way to communicate.😯
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beetleypete said:
I remember how much you loved the first book. Although the subject matter is not my thing, I can appreciate that the writing is of a high standard.
Best wishes, Pete.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
As this is YA, I don’t think either book would be for you Pete, but her writing is so gorgeous, I’m hoping that someday she also tries her hand at adult fiction.😊
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fantasybooks411 said:
A gorgeous review, Kim. ^_^ Definitely adding this to my tbr list. I love anything relating to the occult. ^_^
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you so much Daccari! I’d love to know what you think when you read it.🤗
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noreadstoogreat said:
Great Review! I tagged you in the 3 Quotes, 3 Days tag 🙂 https://noreadstoogreat.wordpress.com/2018/03/19/3-quotes-3-days-tag/
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you for both.😊
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fragglerocking said:
Sounds good even if not quite as good as the first.
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vinnieh said:
I love anything supernaturally based, so this sounds right up my street.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
I know you don’t read YA Vinnie, but she’s a fantastic author.😊
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vinnieh said:
I’d be willing to read something like this. Lately my reading has dropped and I seriously need to get back into things.
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Jen said:
I hope you end up getting that sequel!! And thank you so much for the trigger warning….so many people appreciate them. I wish they would put stuff like that in the synopsis.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Jen. She actually addresses the subject quite movingly in her afterward, but I wish publishers would think to put them at the beginning.🤔
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
This sounds like an enjoyable read, Kim. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your review and I am crossing my fingers for you that there will be a sequel!❤📚😁
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thank you Book Sister. I think you’d like both of these.🤗
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Dani☆Touch My Spine Book Reviews☆ said:
You’re welcome and awesome sauce! I will have to definitely check them out.😁
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Yay!
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Raven @ Dreamy Addictions said:
Great Review, Kim! This sounds very interesting! I’m glad you enjoyed it, despite issues.
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Raven. I think you might enjoy both of these.🤗
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thebookwormdrinketh said:
Great review! It sounds like an interesting story and I love vivid writing styles! I find there are so many books that have really interesting secondary characters that I wish would be fleshed out more!
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks Nicole. You should definitely try this and her first book.😊
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lostartofreadingblog said:
Great review as always 🙂
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By Hook Or By Book ~ Book Reviews, News, & Other Stuff said:
Thanks!🤗
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Carrie said:
Lovely review Kim! I’ll have to make note of this one but maybe wait and see if it will go on since you think it needs another installment. 🙂
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Lashaan (Bookidote) said:
This sounds awesome and the cover is so addictive to look at! Nice review, Kim. Glad you enjoyed. 🙂
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