Bittersweet in the Hollow - Kate Pearsall

 

Free Choice

Last, but not least. I love that there has been a recent obsession with "Appalachian Horror," and this book fits right in. Since this was the last book that we had to read, I was hoping this one would blow me away, but I think it's plot is a little weak and takes too long to build. I do love the idea of a modern witch story. It's something that I've been really looking for since the rise of Harry Potter, but everything feels too edgy or is just a story about witches and it takes place in modern day. I think this book does a good job of landing in the middle, kind of like the movie Hocus Pocus. I also love the use of their "powers." It's such a weird idea that the protagonist can "taste what others are feeling." Just that as an idea is weird enough to keep me interested. I just feel that the author was trying to include too much in the novel and it really bogged down the plot. 

I think this holds a lot of relevancy among YA readers. It feels like the popularity of Harry Potter is finally starting to die off. And while I don't think this is a direct replacement, I like seeing YA magical fantasy that is more recent. Plus, I know a lot of students that are always interesting in series, and after reading the first one, many people are interested in checking out the sequel (me included). I also am a big fan of how this novel is set in a "local" area and I think can be interesting to read books that are set in a familiar area. 



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