A whimsical tale of original magic, abuse of power, a threat to the world as we know it, and an attempt to set things right. The story is centered around Aline Weir, a lonely girl who has more power than she realizes. Not loving this as much as The Orphan Witch or The Lost Witch. It was a bit convoluted with all the magical elements, their embodiments and the riddles. It did end happily and if you'd like a cozy witchy tale for the season, give this a try.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-arc.*

My new fav witchy paranormal romance from Paige Crutcher is full of found family and features Aline, a lonely, outcast witch who can see ghosts and has the unique ability to cross ley lines.

Perfect for fans of Erin Sterling or Lana Harper. This was also great on audio narrated by Caitlin Kelly and had fantastic Anne of Green Gables references, a spunky ghost, a curse and a romance worth cheering for!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy as well as a beautiful gifted physical copy in exchange for my honest review! This was definitely a standout #SpookySeason read!

A fantastical story of love, friendship and sacrifice. I truly enjoyed the journey that Paige took me on throughout this story. The lessons that were woven in along the way were "magical".

What Became of Magic is the second novel that I’ve read by Paige Crutcher. The cover of this story appealed to me the same way that her other novel The Lost Witch enticed me to read it. The two novels have the same style and look identical in many ways with some elements to make them unique. The story begins with the main character Aline Weir, a witch who can communicate with ghosts, at a young age and then goes into her as an adult in her 30s. Due to events when she was younger, she keeps her magic hidden. Other events lead her to the mysterious town of Matchstick where Aline discovers more mysteries of the world of magic.

As the story begins with giving the background of Aline before transitioning into the main story, this style will depend on the reader. While I generally prefer this background to be given in more of a flashback format, I was open to this style. The set-up of the chapters almost made the beginning seem like an extended prologue instead of integrated with the main story. I think it was clearly set-up like this, it may have read different. The other style used is more of the mysterious eluding style which reminded me of Wonderland where there are riddles and nothing seems straightforward. I am not sure if it was just me as I haven’t checked other reviews, but I reread multiple sections to try and get everything straight. I can understand the intent to use this style, but I can see many people DNF the novel because it isn’t for everyone.

The basic elements of this story, such as the magic system, the initial introduction of the character, and the attempt to be unique are well done. The details, however, are where the story needed a little more polish. The main character is clueless a lot more than I anticipated as she repeats that she does not understand something what seems like hundreds of times. There are many pieces of this story that kept me invested and many that made me want to put it down. I think if you prefer a simpler read, then this one is not quite for you; however, I think the foundation of this novel is great. Overall, this novel is not quite for me, but I still love the potential of the author and will try another one in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin’s Griffin, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin. I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

Genre: Fantasy, Literary Fantasy
Spice Level: Mostly fade-to-black
Representation: References to a being who is neither him or her—just exists in their state that suits

WHAT BECAME OF MAGIC is not going to be for everyone—it's what I call weird fantasy. And I mean that in the best of ways. It's more literary. The point is exploring an idea or theme more than characterization or plot.

*This book reads like a fairy tale for adults.*

Things to look for:

The reluctant chosen one
Imagery
Personification
The idea of cause and effect
Imagery
Discovery
What is the origin of magic?
Themes: love, acceptance, cooperation, destructive nature of power

This is also a book that will mean different things to different people.

I personally enjoyed it, but I'm dropping a star because I felt like it could have pushed the envelope more. If it's going to be weird, go all in.

Happy (weird) reading!

This book really could’ve benefited from a second draft. It tried so hard to be A Wrinkle in Time but just didn’t pull it off.

The idea was so incredibly interesting. The underestimated underdog on a magical quest to save the world. But the story was confusing as hell and ran at a breakneck speed. Almost nothing was explained, and when it was it was incomprehensible riddles. I get that the story was complex and it could’ve easily been bogged down with exposition and worldbuilding - but instead chose to do almost zero worldbuilding.

The character design was interesting - some of them were interchangeable but honestly there were too many significant characters that we didn’t get enough time with. So when their character left or died, we didn’t sympathize with it.

Reads like the basic outline of a story. Requires an updated draft with more. Great story idea but better execution needed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Paige Crutcher, and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

In What Became of Magic, the author takes us the lifelong struggle for one lonely witch to find her purpose and place in the world. Along the way, we move into the realm of a malevolent witch. Of course, the lonely witch meets many others along her path that guide her and serve as helpful companions. It might sound a bit like some other stories you have read, but I found the world created by the author to be engaging. I suffered with the main character as she encounters many losses. I can’t say much more without having a spoiler alert. I enjoyed the book, and I recommend it if witches and magic are your thing. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Aline Weir is a witch who can talk to ghosts ever since middle school. Sadly she found out that she could talk to ghost at a slumber party after this happens Aline chooses to be invisible and starts using her powers in secret to help lost souls. I had loved the plot of the book and the cover was amazing but sadly that's all I liked. This book was confusing for me and I could not connect to any of the character's in this book. The author could have been more creative with character's name instead of using magic, day and night or dragon. In the beginning it was good and the rest I didn't understand and it felt like a bad trip. I would still recommend this to people you like this author or this type of book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for my eARC and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Well. I thought this was going to be a book about a witch who helps ghosts pass over. It was, until it wasn’t.
What Became if Magic turned into an entirely different story and I was very confused. I have enjoyed other books by Paige Crutcher but sadly this one wasn’t for me.

Witches and magic seem to be big this year and perhaps because I've read several novels lately with witches and magic, this one, well this one just didn't do it for me. I liked Aline who has hidden her powers since she was bullied in childhood but who found friendship with Dragon the ghost and the owners of the bookstore until they were gone. Her journey to Matchstick, where she's meant to meet and fall in love with Magic was where I got lost. This was light on worldbuilding and on the secondary characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I've liked Crutcher in the past and I'm sure others will enjoy this more than I did.

This book started off slowly and I really wasn't sure where we were going with Aline becoming the outcast in school, unseen by her own parents, and finding a bookstore that embraced who she was and made her felt seen. However, the story got there and we got to journey with Aline as she discovered who she was and found her self worth.

✨ Review ✨ What Became of Magic by Paige Crutcher; Narrated by Caitlin Kelly

Aline doesn't fit in as a child, but realizes she can see ghosts. With the ghosts guidance and three women who own a bookshop, she slowly culls her powers to help ghosts find the things they need to pass on. As she gets older, she's pulled to the mysterious world of Matchstick where she sets off on a quest to save Magic.

I found this a lot of fun to listen to and felt like a different take on witches and magic. It's hard to say much without giving away the story but it's a great way to ease your way on in to spooky season!

I enjoyed this book but it was really complicated to listen to in the audio format. It regularly switches POV from the main character to a constantly rotating POV of a side character without signaling it's switching POV...and while it's written in 3rd person, it was hard to juggle these switches. I also felt like I kept missing important details because of the audio.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fantasy, women's fiction
Pub Date: 26 Sep 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ witches and ghosts and magic
⭕️ magical mysteries
⭕️ quests

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

From the author of The Orphan Witch and The Lost Witch comes a new tale about a witch named Aline Weir, a book of magic and a beguiling and powerful creature whom she must free, even if it puts her life and soul at stake. The story follows Aline who from the time she was a child has always felt like an outsider. She has kept her talents hidden ever since a disastrous middle school slumber party where all the girls in the school ended up turning against her because of something that was done to them.

Her world is turned upside down when she meets an otherworldly spirit named Dragon and learns that she has a responsibility to help lost souls crossover. She is later under the wing of three eccentric bookstore owners (Chlo, Morai, Liset). The women pretty much become the family that Aline so desired growing up which gives her comfort knowing she can be herself and nobody will look at her differently. During her time at the bookstore, she not only finds a book called Mischief, but she starts dreaming of a man who makes her heart beat faster.

Aline’s life takes an unexpected turn when the wrong (or perhaps right) person witnesses her using her powers and she is invited to a town that doesn’t exist on any map. Arriving in Matchstick, Aline learns of a lost magic that desperately needs to be found and only her unique powers can do it. But what she’s not told is that Magic is a person. To make matters worse, there is a witch who is not only dangerous but seductive and has been waiting for a witch with a power like hers for centuries.

*Thoughts* So, my thoughts are all over the place when it comes to reviewing this book. The plot got really confusing and convoluted. I felt all sorts of emotions for Aline in the beginning. She meets an unusual ghost, Dragon, who fills in the blanks on why Aline can see and talk to ghosts. She teachers her about the keys that she needs to find. Her parents are horrible. They are totally unaware of what happened to her, including being cast out at middle school.

You have to ask yourself where did Aline get her abilities, and why that person chose to ignore their powers. Aline wasn't given much heads up before she ended up in Matchstick. She couldn't understand why she was look at with so much hope. Her only true friend was Dragon, and yes, while the Fates took her in, they didn't really prepare her for what would happen to people like Magic she meets and falls in love with. In the end, this was a story that you likely would enjoy if you were stoned.

My, oh my. I don’t have the words, which is an awful place to be when you’re supposed to be reviewing a book.

This book is and isn’t.

I empathized with Aline so much. My heart broke for her with each loss. And even though her life would have been entirely different if she never traveled to Matchstick, it was the path she needed to take at the exact time she needed to be there.

This book is magical and meandering. It’s love, lines of connection, and all the ways things are and aren’t. It often reads like a fever dream, and that is where the beauty of this book lies. It’s vivid and wild, peaceful, yet fraught with danger. Have patience, accept the story will follow multiple lines, and let it take you where it will.

I’m going to need more from this world. And even though Crutcher’s books are standalones (yay!), I don’t want to let this world, the lines, the people, and the magic go.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s for sending this my way.

I have read other books by Paige Crutcher and was just as enamored with "What Became of Magic" when I read it on NetGalley. Aline is a lonely girl when she met the ghost, Dragon. But then she discovers her power to find the keys that can help ghosts. And she finds more friends in the 3 women who own a local bookstore. But there is more in store for Aline than she ever thought, when she needs to save Magic. This story has love, magic, suspense and friendship.

Aline is different, the town knows this, her classmates won't let her forget it and her parents well they couldn't care less. Somehow, she made it through. Aline is a witch, one who can talk to ghosts and find lost things. When a friend goes missing, she goes on a quest to find her and put magic back to rights.

I can only describe What Became of Magic as haunting, not because it was spooky, but that it will stay with you in the back of your mind for days. It is beautifully written in a manner that is easy to comprehend, without losing charm, or being over simplified. Gripping and alluring What Became of Magic could easily be a one sitting read.

I received an arc of this and am leaving this review of my own volition.

After a disastrous middle school party, Aline Weir hid her ability to talk to ghosts. She uses her power in secret to help ghosts move on, enjoying her time in a bookstore with the three mysterious women who run it. When Aline discovers the Book of Mischief, her powers are enhanced and she's again observed using her power. This time, she's invited to Matchstick, a town that doesn't exist on any map. Within this town, magic is lost and needs to be found. However, she’s not told that Magic is a dangerous person waiting for a witch with a power like hers for centuries.

I felt for Aline from the start, as she was the odd girl that no one in her small town liked. It didn't help that she could see and talk to ghosts, as well as find trinkets allowing them to move on. Her own parents didn't care what happened to her or how she felt, which made me want to reach through the pages to give her a hug and invite her home. I guessed the identity of the three sisters running the bookshop based on their names and my knowledge of mythology, as well as their habit of knitting. All of this is pretty much the prologue to Aline's invitation to Matchstick; everyone insists on being vague and mysterious, not telling Aline anything outright. It's as annoying to a reader as it is for Aline, but she's determined to find her ghost and the sisters, who had become her family. Saving magic and Magic are incidental at first, and later takes on more and more importance.

I found this story a little more convoluted than her other novels, and I didn't really like Magic very much. It's as much about grief as it is about finding yourself and your purpose, using magic as a means of determining an identity. Aline has her work cut out for her, but she does have far more help than she thought she did. I think that says something about the rest of us, too. We're never as alone as we think we are.

The beginning of the book really hooked me with Aline leading a lonesome life based on her being "difference" from everyone else. My heart went out to her at the solitary existence she led for years, but as she comes into her powers, she proves to be an extraordinary person. For much of the book, I felt as lost as Aline, which could be the author's intention to keep you steadily identifying with her protagonist. The povs flip in interesting ways that I found very unexpectedly, but each one adds unique insight to the story as a whole. Puzzle pieces fall together beautifully towards the end of the book. I would have preferred a certain famous literary device not be employed to "fix" anything, BUT the way that it is used works believably for the world created here.

Do add this and her previous two witchy books to your fall reading, if you can squeeze them in. They all require a little stretch of the magic imagination, but they are so worth it. Also, I advise other readers to check out the acknowledgements section at the end of this book. The last few paragraphs caused me to tear up, and I always love a message to readers.

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for a chance to read an early copy of this book!

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

In this book you get to follow a witch named Aline. She can talk to ghosts, and she has the ability to help them find what they’re missing, and what is not allowing them to pass to the next life. She is okay with the fact that her only friend is a ghost named Dragon, as well as the 3 owners of her favorite bookstore. She has come to accept the fact that other people do not understand her or even want to understand her enough to become friends.

I thought this book was cute and different. I loved that the characters in this book are what really made it amazing. You get Aline who is strong but doesn’t see herself as that, she is a fighter for the ones that she loves and is just a fresh breath of air. You will meet Dragon, who is Aline's only true friend through everything in her life, she really is the world's best friend and is always there telling Aline that she can do it and even warning her of the wrong steps she might take in life. You will see the three fates and how they were there helping Aline through all her teen years and throughout her early adult life. Then you meet Magic in Matchstick town, and everything starts to change. You will meet new characters as Magic and Aline try their best to break the curse that another witch has cast upon them to get as much magic as she can.

This was a fast-paced book with a lot of meaning behind it. For me, I took from the book that no matter your past the choices you have made you must come to terms with it and accept it, in order to move on and see something better out there in life. I know a lot of people will take the meaning of the book differently and that is okay because we all take what we need from the books and help ourselves out. It is a slow burn romance, and is appropriate for 16+ age.

I cannot wait to see what else Paige Crutcher will give us next to read.
I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.

I was really intrigued by the premise of this book - a witch who can talk to ghosts and helps them reunite with the keys to send them home? Sound interesting! However, this book really ends up being more about Aline learning more about magic and being pulled into an evil witch's scheming and trying to find a way to...save the world? I guess?

I'm going to be honest, I read this whole book and still don't really understand what happened. The plot got really confusing and convoluted (once we got to the actual plot) and there were so many characters that I really couldn't keep track of most of them. At one point towards the end a new character is added and I truly could not tell you that character's name and I finished the book less than an hour ago.

The romance was also...weird? Aline falls in love with...Magic. No, I'm not joking. Magic both is a man and is...magic. He is also occasionally referred to as "Magic the first" because there are ...multiple magics? and then the evil witch....murders those magics? Honestly this is the best I have for the plot - I hope to god that other people understand it better than I did. I can read a high fantasy novel that I understand more than I understood whatever happened here.

The vibes of this book were definitely witchy and fall - if that's your vibe for the season, you may like this! I enjoyed using this book to get into the fall season. The plot unfortunately didn't work for me. I thought the writing was good, if a bit flowery at times.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.