An ideal Halloween read if you prefer cosy fantasy to Stephen King.
Feature image credit: Pan Macmillan Australia
Content creator Lucy Jane Wood’s witchy debut has come just in time for the spooky season. A cosy urban fantasy with serious “Harry Potter but for adults” vibes, Rewitched details the journey of Belladonna Blackthorn who works in a bookshop, hasn’t really got her life figured out at 30, and secretly comes from a long line of witches. When she finds out that her powers may be taken away from her by her coven, she teams up with disgraced warlock Artorius Day to find her magical mojo. Along the way, Belladonna learns some hard truths about her coven, her family, and her life up until now.
Despite the magical dangers lurking in the background, Wood creates a wholesome world that was a delight to escape to. While the witchcraft element is reminiscent of Harry Potter, the fact that Belle is simultaneously trying to live a normal life with all the pressures imposed upon regular adults means that this story also has Charmed and Practical Magic vibes.
The plot was well planned and maintained a steady pace, though there wasn’t much sense of urgency until the last quarter. When most fantasy lacks that compelling force, you might end up with a DNF (did not finish) situation. But even without that immediate need to know what happens next, I did feel drawn to continue reading, highlighting that the true wonder of this story is in the atmosphere. The characters fit into the world perfectly, from the charmingly magical Artorius, to villains hidden beneath layers of twists, to Belle’s roommate Ariadne who’s got no clue about any of it.
There were plenty of funny moments to balance out the thought-provoking scenes, which naturally emerged as the author explored the central message of learning to believe in yourself—and perhaps not judging your success by conventional milestones like marriage or children. Somehow, the world-building still felt fresh, even though witches have been done time and again. The familiarity was balanced out with new and interesting concepts, like the zodiac icons. But ultimately, the juxtaposition of the witchy world blending with our real one may be what kept this so intriguing for me.
To sum up, this is the book version of a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows on the side, and everything from the world-building to the cover is perfect for a Halloween read. If you’re a ‘90s kid who loves escaping to a whimsical world, this one’s for you.
Reviewed by Vanessa Elle
Instagram: @vanessaellewrites
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Pan Macmillan Australia
Released: September 2024
RRP: $34.99
