In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
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I know this is slightly different than my old format, but wowie I didn't think reading 100 books was going to take so much out of me. The 100 book challenge is far from completion, so I'll be shifting gears!
I really enjoy writing about the stories I read without feeling pressured by a challenge, so hopefully I will keep up the pace with these posts again. So much has changed in my life lately, but I'll leave all of those updates for the vlog. ;)
Let's chat about In the Company of Witches!
Firstly, I found this book sometime last year while watching some of my favorite youtubers. It was labelled as a cozy witchy read that focuses on a murder of an annoying old woman the town had a love/hate relationship with. And honestly, it's a perfect description.
The overall tone of the story is lighthearted and cozy in a Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic kind of way. The main events happen in the Bed and Breakfast ran by the Warren Witches: Brynn (our MC), her aunt Nora, Izzy and uncle Gideon. The B&B is always described by the soft glow created by the many burning candles in the main living areas. The kitchen witch, and Aunt of our protag, Izzy is the softer of the family. She holds everyone together with the love (and magic) she places in every meal. Nora is a garden witch and has a knack for creating beautiful comforting atmospheres. All of the women together run the best (& I think only) bed and breakfast in town.
What I like about the book
I love Nora and Izzy as characters. They bounce off of each other in a way real sisters do. I don't know for sure if the author was inspired by Practical Magic, but I just picture the two sisters from that story pretty much throughout the entire read. I love how simple the story is, it's fairly easy to follow along with Brynn and her thought process as she unravels the mystery before her.
The pacing for the story is okay, kinda fast then slow then fast again. I haven't read many mysteries yet, so it's partially difficult to gauge how the pacing should be in this one.
Worth the read?
MOST DEF.
I fell in love with the characters so easily, and it's pretty simple to follow. It keeps you guessing throughout the whole story and really made me cry at the end. I love seeing how families navigate scary situations when they decide to come together and make good decisions. Very lovely and comforting read!
Have you read In the Company of Witches?
yes and I loved it
yes and I didn't love it
not yet!