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5.0
A fun cozy with witches
A Spell to Die For is the third installment in the Sonoma Witches series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, I urge you to read them in order.
Well crafted, layered characters, even the supporting cast
The main character, Alma Belrose is a witch with an incurable inability to kill demons. She has been honorably discharged from the Protectorate and although she’s no longer an agent (the official name of a demon-hunter witch) the Protectorate often enlists her help solving murders. They don’t ask nicely, not that she would agree if they did, they leverage her to do the work for them.
I love how Gretchen Galway has developed Alma’s character gradually over the course of three books and I look forward to seeing the character developed further in the series. Some of Alma’s mysteries are unknown even to herself. Having been raised by a single father with questionable morals, an infamous thief who refused to talk about her dead mother, Alma discovers her true nature bit by bit.
A Spell to Die for reveals more about Alma’s past, her strained relationship with her father, and the mystery surrounding her mother.
The supporting characters are endearing and their story blends well with Alma’s story arc. I love both Birdie and Seth. Birdie didn’t know she was a witch until the previous book, Hex at a House Party and now, Alma teaches her how to control her power and do magic. At this point, her magic is still weak but Birdie is getting better.
Seth is another of my favorite characters. He’s a changeling, and according to the Protectorate he should die but Alma’s inability to kill prevented his demise. He is now Alma’s neighbor and friend. She worries about him often and even goes to great length to hide his existence and keep him alive.
Another awesome side character is Willy, the gnome living in the redwood tree in front of Alma’s house. He is always polite and well-mannered but more powerful than anyone realizes, including Alma. He is fond of her and protects her by threatening anyone who tries to harm her. Alma offers him treats and springwater (with magical properties).
We don’t know much about his magic powers but it’s hinted that witches fear him. When two Protectorate agents come to her house acting aggressively he sets them in their place instantly.
That was an unexpected show of force but very satisfying to read.
Read the full review with reference to the other books one the series here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/a-spell-to-die-for-by-gretchen-galway-book-review
A Spell to Die For is the third installment in the Sonoma Witches series and although it can be read as a stand-alone, I urge you to read them in order.
Well crafted, layered characters, even the supporting cast
The main character, Alma Belrose is a witch with an incurable inability to kill demons. She has been honorably discharged from the Protectorate and although she’s no longer an agent (the official name of a demon-hunter witch) the Protectorate often enlists her help solving murders. They don’t ask nicely, not that she would agree if they did, they leverage her to do the work for them.
I love how Gretchen Galway has developed Alma’s character gradually over the course of three books and I look forward to seeing the character developed further in the series. Some of Alma’s mysteries are unknown even to herself. Having been raised by a single father with questionable morals, an infamous thief who refused to talk about her dead mother, Alma discovers her true nature bit by bit.
A Spell to Die for reveals more about Alma’s past, her strained relationship with her father, and the mystery surrounding her mother.
The supporting characters are endearing and their story blends well with Alma’s story arc. I love both Birdie and Seth. Birdie didn’t know she was a witch until the previous book, Hex at a House Party and now, Alma teaches her how to control her power and do magic. At this point, her magic is still weak but Birdie is getting better.
Seth is another of my favorite characters. He’s a changeling, and according to the Protectorate he should die but Alma’s inability to kill prevented his demise. He is now Alma’s neighbor and friend. She worries about him often and even goes to great length to hide his existence and keep him alive.
He shrugged.
“You’re doing that thing you do again.”
His nonchalance annoyed me. “Keeping you alive?”
“Suffering in a future that may never come.”
Another awesome side character is Willy, the gnome living in the redwood tree in front of Alma’s house. He is always polite and well-mannered but more powerful than anyone realizes, including Alma. He is fond of her and protects her by threatening anyone who tries to harm her. Alma offers him treats and springwater (with magical properties).
We don’t know much about his magic powers but it’s hinted that witches fear him. When two Protectorate agents come to her house acting aggressively he sets them in their place instantly.
That was an unexpected show of force but very satisfying to read.
Read the full review with reference to the other books one the series here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-reviews/a-spell-to-die-for-by-gretchen-galway-book-review
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