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samantha_randolph's Reviews (1.59k)
Deceiving the Witch Next Door is about a Southern witch named Storie who returns to the town that mocked her 8 years ago. Now, she is ready to be on her own and open up her own bookstore and cafe. Or at least, she thinks she is. When a little-too-familiar man named Reid comes into the picture, she may not be prepared for anything ahead.
There were things about this book I liked, but more that I didn't. I like the fantasy elements it gave with Storie being a witch, and some of the secondary characters were nice. However, I found the plot predicable, and I wasn't a fan of Storie or Reid as characters. I thought Reid was a man who didn't treat women as equals, and I'm not a fan of that in male characters. Likewise, I thought Storie didn't have the gumption to stand up for herself and not let herself be treated that way. She wasn't a whiny character or anything, she just didn't have a backbone when it came to Reid.
That being said, combined with the setting of the book and other little things, I didn't enjoy it too much, BUT I can see other people liking it. It wasn't poorly written or terrible by any means, I think most of what I didn't like about it was a personal reader taste thing. If you enjoy Southern stories with a strong romance and a little fantasy twist, I would still say give it a try. It didn't work for me, but I do think it has an audience.
There were things about this book I liked, but more that I didn't. I like the fantasy elements it gave with Storie being a witch, and some of the secondary characters were nice. However, I found the plot predicable, and I wasn't a fan of Storie or Reid as characters. I thought Reid was a man who didn't treat women as equals, and I'm not a fan of that in male characters. Likewise, I thought Storie didn't have the gumption to stand up for herself and not let herself be treated that way. She wasn't a whiny character or anything, she just didn't have a backbone when it came to Reid.
That being said, combined with the setting of the book and other little things, I didn't enjoy it too much, BUT I can see other people liking it. It wasn't poorly written or terrible by any means, I think most of what I didn't like about it was a personal reader taste thing. If you enjoy Southern stories with a strong romance and a little fantasy twist, I would still say give it a try. It didn't work for me, but I do think it has an audience.
Short(er) review:
I absolutely adored Rebel Mechanics. The voice is so strong throughout the story, and there is a perfect amount of details and descriptions to imagine the characters, machinery, and setting. Verity is a wonderful protagonist, a perfect balance of someone who has had to mature quickly due to her circumstances but is still a teenager. I especially love her steadfast determination to find the truth and real justice. She is no one's puppet.
The action held me the entire time. You're never sure who is completely trustworthy, and it seems like everyone is hiding something. I love the alternate history premise, mixed with a magical flair, and I found the story very engrossing.
I highly recommend this one! I was a little hesitant when I first picked it up because I've gotten a little exhausted of revolution/rebellion stories, but Shanna Swendson captures the reader's attention right from the start with a fresh and original story line. 5 stars!
I absolutely adored Rebel Mechanics. The voice is so strong throughout the story, and there is a perfect amount of details and descriptions to imagine the characters, machinery, and setting. Verity is a wonderful protagonist, a perfect balance of someone who has had to mature quickly due to her circumstances but is still a teenager. I especially love her steadfast determination to find the truth and real justice. She is no one's puppet.
The action held me the entire time. You're never sure who is completely trustworthy, and it seems like everyone is hiding something. I love the alternate history premise, mixed with a magical flair, and I found the story very engrossing.
I highly recommend this one! I was a little hesitant when I first picked it up because I've gotten a little exhausted of revolution/rebellion stories, but Shanna Swendson captures the reader's attention right from the start with a fresh and original story line. 5 stars!
