Book: Witch Season by Julia Bianco
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 4/5
What a debut! The magic system offers a brilliantly fresh take on blood magic. Unlike most fantasy lore, it isn’t treated as something evil or taboo. Setting this in urban Los Angeles was incredibly fun, especially watching the characters navigate a modern society completely unaware that magic exists right under its nose.
The story follows an LA coven that takes in "unsettled" witches—those whose magic has suddenly awakened, leaving them confused and unable to control their powers. While the broader magical society views the unsettled as dangerous liabilities, the coven’s leader, Sylvia, and her right-hand woman, Katherine, make it their fierce mission to protect and guide these lost witches, having both been unsettled themselves.
Sylvia and Katherine are wonderfully complex characters. Katherine is deeply loyal to Sylvia and acts as the coven’s enforcer (think magical police). Meanwhile, Sylvia rules with compassion and a level head, earning the respect and devotion of everyone around her. But as the plot progresses, a web of dark secrets begins to unravel.
Silas is the other main character and a love interest. Hailing from the elite, high-ranking magical administration of the US, his arrival in LA completely shakes things up. I loved his perspective and the unique dynamic he brought to the story.
I opted for an immersive experience, pairing the digital copy with the audiobook, and it did not disappoint. The narration by Nora Sofyan is stellar. Her performance kept me completely hooked, and I flew through the entire book in under 24 hours.
As the first installment of a duology, Witch Season is a fantastic start, and I’ll definitely be picking up the sequel when it drops!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for the eARC and ALC. All thoughts are my own.