Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Always a Witch (Witch, #2)

By Carolyn MacCullough

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011

288 pages, Kindle Edition (eARC)

Date Finished: 10/10/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Some Action, Fantasy, Romance, Coming of Age

Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I was born on the night of Samhain."
~Last Line: "Looking back at her, I smile, close my eye in her trademark wink, and say, 'ah.' "

Review: The second installment in the Witch series was absolutely amazing! I definitely think it was better than Once a Witch, which baffles me because I loved the series debut as well! If you stull haven't read this series, I encourage you to! They're fun reads, and, once you get sucked into the plot, the pages will fly by quickly. :)

The main character, Tamsin, did a little time-traveling in Once a Witch, but in Always she goes all out. Gabriel wasn't too happy that he was purposely left out of the loop, but I haven't figured out if it would be for the better or worse that he showed up. A little of both I suppose.

Anyway, I loved this plot. The first few pages pulled me right in, and I was reluctant to do anything besides read this book. Tamsin was always in the middle of something, as if going back in time before her family was in Hedgerow wasn't enough trouble already. But I must say, the things she got herself into were very interesting!

The characters were even better as well. I'm not sure who was better, Gabriel or Tamsin. They're probably tied. Tamsin wants to handle things on her own, but Gabriel is the caring boyfriend that won't let her. Rowena was still a selfish bleep but would you expect?

Overall, this book was ahmazing. The last chapter or so was really great. Tamsin finally made that giant decision that her grandmother foretold. I'm astonished at the choice she made, but proud of her for it. I hope Carolyn MacCullough delivers another book in this series soon! :D

Plot Rating: 5
Character Rating: 4.5
Cover Rating: 4
GoodReads Rating: 5

Overall rating:
and five-eighths :)

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Once a Witch

By Carolyn MacCullough

Publisher: Clarion Books, 2009

292 pages, Library Book (hardcover)

Date Finished: 22/6/2011

Genres: Young Adult, Coming of Age, Romance, Fantasy, Some Action

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.
~from goodreads.com~

~First Line: "I was born on the night of Samhain, when the barrier between the worlds is whisper then and when magic, old magi, sings its heady and sweet song to anyone who cares to hear it."
~Last Line: "Just then a log bursts and hundreds of sparks fly upward, then blaze like shooting stars across the night sky."

Review: This book was absolutely ahmazing! I am super-anxious to get my hands on the sequel, Always a Witch. Carolyn MacCullough is a marvelous author for sure.

The main character, Tamsin Greene, was, at birth, told that she would be a brilliant witch. But nothing happened. She never got her powers and she's seventeen. The outcast of the family. Her sister Rowena, on the otherhand? The family favorite.

Anyway, I loved the plot for Once a Witch. I had never read about witches like Tamsin's family. And the enemy family. Well, that wasn't necessarily new, but I like the magical twist that MacCullough brought to it. Tamsin have to save her oh-so-talented sister in the end was pretty great, too :).

The characters; wow, the characters. I loved the charries in this novel. I'm not really sure which charrie was my favorite, though. I'm thinking it was Tamsin. She was just a "lost" witch trying to fit in with, of all people, her family. As a teen, I could totally relate to that part (the fitting in, not the family); it made me feel kind of bad for her in a way.

All in all, this book was awesome! I can't ait to get my hands on Always a Witch. Sadly, our libraries don't have it. Looks like I need a trip to the Kindle Store! :D

Plot Rating: 5
Character Rating: 4.5
Cover Rating: 4


Overall Rating: 4.5
and a half :)