The Price Guide to the Occult is a dark fabulistic tale about a girl whose family comes from a long line of witches who settled on the island, and the burden of her legacy. Rona has been living with her grandmother since her mom left her after nearly killing her for ritualistic sacrifice, trying to have a normal life but still scarred from her childhood as is evident by her propensity for self-harm. But her life is disrupted when her mother seems to be making a homecoming, with a new book that capitalizes on the family magic, promising great spells for an adoring audience.

The magic system of this book is slightly unique in that every witch has one particular sort of magic and practicing outside that is considered black magic; the Blackburns have also been cursed to have miserable love lives, and entwined in the curse are another founding family of the island. Rona's life has been impacted by her mother's ambition since childhood, when her mother tried to use her blood for black magic so that she could trap the guy she loved in a spell that would keep him compliant. Rona, determined to be the opposite of everything her mother was, is fearful of any powers she may have, and wants to live a normal life. She starts from a place of fear with regards to her mother, to ending up facing her down in a magical battle.

While the book overall is enchanting with the whimsical atmosphere it sets up, as well as the menacing threat of a dark magic invasion, it does feel at times like it keeps things from the reader or assumes the reader already knows something. The curse is never properly clarified, and Rona's magic powers are never clearly explained either, which makes for a confusing ending that you just have to take it as it is. Another thing is the post-climax: it sets up the story for another book, but since that is not a sure thing as of now, it just makes this book feel incomplete.

In all, an interesting urban witchy fantasy.

This is an interesting and unique book. I really loved the characters, but found some parts of the story too slow to keep my interest. This resulted in it being put down and read in parts over a longish period of time. I can see the appeal for some, but it wasn't my favourite read. The relationships between certain characters was not what I expected.

I really liked the beginning—the prologue had a sort of “fairy tale” touch, introducing as it did the “legend” of Rona Blackburn and what happened with the first settlers of Anathema Island. However, while I kept liking the setting of a small island, fairly isolated from the world and losing itself in the fog as the danger approaches, I had more trouble with the story after that. I think I can chalk that to the following points:

- Nor makes such efforts to remain inconspicuous and not be noticed that she’s not a very interesting character in general. We know that she likes running, and that she’s had trouble with self-harm, but the latter was more brushed upon in a way that didn’t make it seem so bad, which in itself is… bad, I guess. She’s mostly passive, doesn’t speak of her fears with other characters, even when she knows something is coming. By the time she woke up, I had lost interest in her. And no other characters jumped to the forefront either. Except for Judd. Judd was cool.

- The villain was just a villain. We’re told that what she did, she did for love, but it’s fairly obvious that she was never really in love and just wanted something she couldn’t have. There’s also no explanation as to how she came upon her powers: the means are known, not the cause. Same with Nor’s ability: is it because she’s the ninth daughter? Does the curse change after a while?

- The romance. How can I put this… Maybe it’s high time to stop putting romantic love in YA just because it’s YA and romance is a trope of YA and everyone expects it, but 99% of the time it’s not handled well? The love interest and the romantic subplot were bland at best, and the -second- love interest just came out of the blue as insta-love, and yet Nor is all about “I’m dangerous so I should put an end to it”, which in the end amounts to much ado about nothing. It’s not like it was essential to the plot, really.

- The writing itself was nothing exceptional. Often a character’s name would be used as sentence subject several times within the same paragraph, when it was obvious this very character was the subject all along. So it felt repetitive.

Conclusion: A very good start for me, that went downhill quickly after that. 1.5 stars.

CW: including self harm (repeated mentions/thoughts), gore/blood, child abuse, child abandonment , PTSD

For fans of Practical Magic, Leslye Walton's The Price Guide to the Occult weaves a tale of family magic, a curse, and the dark depths that some will go to in order to get what they desire.

Atmospheric and full of eerie magical repercussions, Nor is the eighth generation of Blackburn daughters, latest in a long line of women gifted/cursed by their ancestor with magic. Since Rona, each daughter has only had one Burden (read: ability/gift). Now, though?

Things are changing. Nor's mother's wicked influence in the form of The Price Guide to the Occult is reaching Anathema Island from across the world and Nor's ability might not be as singular as she's lead everyone to believe.

To begin with, there were a lot of times that I found it difficult to read because there weren't any trigger warnings in the book. Nor has a history of self harm and there is quite a lot of time spent with her mental state, talking about her scars and her desire to use sharp objects around her. I have to say, without warning, these scenes made me more than a little uncomfortable.

Aside from those moments, however, learning about the history of the island and Rona Blackburn was an interesting part of the book: how Rona came to form her first homestead, the tragic betrayal of the eight families that she aided, the curse that formed from that betrayal, etc. The closeness of the Blackburn family to one another was its own kind of richness, such Nor's grandmother and her partner Apothia to Nor.

Characterization outside of the Blackburns, with the exception of a minimal cast, was somewhat lackluster. There were some, such as Nor's friend Savvy who got some depth and page time, plus the Coldwaters and Reed, but other than that, even the named characters felt like there was not much life to them.

Speaking of the Coldwaters (Gage in particular) and Reed, the "love triangle" aspect of the book fell incredibly flat for me. I didn't see any real spark between Nor and either of the two presented choices, though she was pushed together with Reed for the sake of the story and then Gage was there for the other point of the triangle. It felt like having any romantic interest(s) at all detracted from the story because, as I said, with no spark and flat character development, it didn't add anything and bogged things down storytelling wise.

One of my favorite things in the book were the lighter moments when Nor's power to talk to animals was able to shine through, particularly when it was obvious that humans so plainly got their pets wrong.

She pointed at the wolfhound lying at the bottom of the stairs. “You do know that Steve’s not his name, right?” Pike patted the dog’s large head .“ Of course it is. We gave it to him.”“What is it then ?” Charlie asked anyway. “Burn,” Nor said simply. “Burn?” Pike repeated. “Yes, Burn . He’s over a hundred years old, and you all seriously thought his name was Steve?”

These would remind me of Doctor Who a little bit (A Town Called Mercy - "he's called Susan") and added some much needed levity to the book, considering how much tension there was, what with Fern's overhanging cloud and Nor's constant stress and tension.

The plot development was alright, though the epilogue, which detailed the after effects of Fern Blackburn's actions and the repercussions of the events on Anathema Island, had me more interested than anything that happened in the previous chapters. That seems a bit awkward in the long run, that the epilogue has a more interesting premise. I'm not sure that there is going to be any kind of follow up, so who knows if this is going to amount to anything or not.

I think it's possible for this book to be enjoyed, but readers really need to be aware of the Content Warnings before doing so.

I really enjoyed this one! It was definitely on the younger side of young adult but it was still a great read.

This book was great. I absolutely adore Leslye Walton's writing style. The story was great and I was just completely caught up in the magic of it all. I didn't love it quite as much as The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender, but I adore this author's work and I will definitely be here for any of her future books.

This book was okay, but it was kind of a let-down. The characters seemed really one sided and flat to me. The whole things seemed just really rushed and was overall disappointing.

I decided to try this book out as I read some great reviews of Walton's previous books. I also am now a Pacific Northwesterner and knew I would like a book set on this side of the coast. I really enjoyed the family aspect of this story. The generational family approach of this reminded me a lot of Alice Hoffman, which of course, is a great comparison to be able to make. Think Practical Magic like family connections. I also found the setting to be pivotal. I think it set up the story well for the isolation and waiting of the whole situatin. I don't know if I found all of the character relationships believable, but I did think the the main character and her mother drove the story well enough to keep the reader engaged. I think my biggest issue was suspense vs time lapse of the story. We're waiting as readers for the most of the story for Nor's mother to make her move. The way the suspense is set up, you feel as if at any time Fern will descend. Yet, as Walton moves the story along, you realize that quite a bit of time lapses between when the first threat is issued to when Fern FINALLY shows up. It honestly takes what could have been a masterfully suspenseful tale and cheapens it greatly. Oh, it took her over half a year to show up and actually have her final showdown? Wow, scary. Not really. Too much time. It's unfortunate, because I really enjoyed many aspects of this story beyond this. Ah, well.

I loved this book! The full review will be posted soon at kaitgoodwin.com/books! Thank you very much for this wonderful opportunity to connect books to their readers!

Published in the Spring, “The Price Gyide to the Occult” is an engaging YA fantasy titled filled with magic and murder as well as the often complex relationship between mother and daughter. As a result of a curse, each generation of daughters in the Blackburn family only one dominant power as opposed to a full range of magical abilities. The current generation introduces us to Fern and Nor, a conflicted mother and daughter duo of witches. Nor yearns for a simple life understanding the magic of animals and plants and hopes to avoid her ancestors ancient curse. Her mother has different ideas.

As a first time reader of author Leslye Walton, I must admit it took me a little longer than I hoped to fall into the magical world of main character Nor Blackburn. However once the story dips into darkness, the narrative details becam more intoxicating and really throws readers right into the story of Fern’s madness and conflict with her daughter. Fans of all things witchy will love the exploration of blood magic, curses, and history of familial witchcraft.

Note of warning: there are some graphic scenes of death, self harm, torture, and non-consensual relations.

I was so freaking excited about The Price Guide to the Occult. After all, I am literally a LESLYE WALTON MEGAFAN. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is probably my favorite book written in the past century. I adore her unique writing style, and no book uses magical realism as beautifully and strangely (get it?) as Ava Lavender does.

But The Price Guide to the Occult is similar to Ava Lavender and NOTHING like Ava Lavender all at once. It's MUCH creepier, for one thing. It's also missing some of the magic Ava had (at least, in my opinion). It's still an great read, but it didn't consume me quite as deeply. That being said, I had high expectations going in (see my above obsession with Ava Lavender) so I doubt any book but an Ava sequel would have lived up to my dreams completely.

Now, that's not to say that I didn't like it. It was still a very soild 4.5 star read. Definitely worth picking up. Nor, for one, is a fantastic protagonist. She's got this super creepy (like mass murderer creepy) mom who abadoned her when she was a child (which was probably the best thing her mom ever did for her daughter ever in her whole life). Her family history is fascinating (and reminded me a lot of Ava Lavender as it was also a multi-generational story of women who were unique and odd and interesting). Her ancestress, Rona, was absolutely amazing. I had so much fun reading her story.

Back to Nor - I really thought she was such a delight. She's got super cool powers, she's level-headed, and her love story is adorkable. Her family (except her crazy-butt mom) is awesome as well.

Nor's Mom is seriously terrifying. There are no lengths she will not go to in order to get what she wants, and she was literally one of the most horrifying villains I've ever encounterd in a YA novel. Like, I was having nightmares just imagining she was real. I am impressed by how psycho she was.

The ending was extremely satisfying - and it will surprise you.

If you like strong female protagonists, magical realism, and creepy villains you are going to LOVE The Price Guide to the Occult. Now let's just hope we don't have to wait quite so long for another book from Leslye!

I absolutely adored this book and finished it in one sitting. Following Nor Blackburn the youngest in a long line of cursed witchey Blackburn women.

Top marks to the setting, this strange and creepy isolated community. I really enjoyed the magical and mystical vibes (and bonus points for Nor as she can speak to animals, isn't that everyone's biggest wish?)
As I became more entranced with this book and fell deeper into the story it became darker and more twisted as it progressed; involving evil plant tattoos, cursed books, brainwashing, fighting statues, talking animals, horrible parents and mass flooding, what more could you possibly want?

This book was a perfect blend of Practical Magic ( one of my all time faves) and The Wicked Deep


Trigger warnings for child abuse and self-harm

Musings:

A special sort of magic lives inside Leslye’s books. The Price Guide to the Occult is no exception. It is lyrical, beautiful, and brutal. The subtleties of Leslye’s writing blows me away. Any lover of witches and oddly beautiful writing should pick this book up.

What I Loved:

The Idea. I want to go inside Leslye’s brain just to see where these really unique ideas come from? A book around a magical Price Guide? Where does that come from?

The detail. Leslye is brilliant at creating atmosphere. She uses everything at her disposal to create this lush gem of a story that evokes unease. It’s the little things that you might not even notice but subconsciously while reading that just make the book that much more interesting. I just love how this is written!

It is on par with reality. If someone came out and started granting everyone’s wishes for a price and could prove their legitimacy the world would scramble to get in on the offer. The utter chaos and following that Nor’s mother causes and creates is very accurate and believable.

The magic. I love the varied abilities and how they are used. I love it when a novel is unique with how it creates abilities. Plus my favorite ability, knowing the thoughts of animals, has always been interesting to me.

The story nuance. I really loved that even though there was a main story. The story was layered with subplots that were just as interesting as the main plot. A lot of times sub-plot isn’t done well and I was happy to see how wonderfully it is done in The Price Guide.

Final thoughts:

Both Leslye’s novels could be described as strange and wonderful. The Price Guide to the Occult on its own is layered, rich, and undeniably magical. I loved every single moment of reading it!

Price Guide to the Occult is, I suspect, not really my sort of book. I just couldn't get into it in terms of the plot (but why was this happening and so slowly?), the protagonist (flat), or setting (oh, it's magical realism on an island...it's green and foggy oh help me not another) but I did like the writing so I finished the book.

TW: Self Harm, blood

I was utterly captivated by this unique tale of witches. I am definitely in a witchy mood lately. First of all, the finished copy is utterly gorgeous. I love the red stained edges. It fits the theme of the book and I love that the book was named after the book inside that starts the downward spiral.

Nor was a stunning character with a very familiar struggle, even if it had facets of a strange world we have never been subjected too. I felt myself pulling for her the whole time and I wanted her to succeed so badly. She was headstrong, even though she doubted herself, although stubborn. The side characters were fleshed out wonderfully and each one brought something vital to the story along with uncovering bits of Nor we wouldn't see without them.

The setting was creepy and perfect. It was the smallest of small towns and helped make the witches living their all for hundreds of years more believable. I loved the idea that their powers were Burdens, each a part of what Rona Blackburn used to be.

The villain was completely believable too. Fern was a formidable foe and I was gearing up for the big battle.

The ending, however, was really strange and disappointing. There was really no big battle and I feel like the conflict was resolved way too quickly. I was definitely disappointed to sat the least. After all Nor learns about herself, her powers, and her family, I was shocked and mad that she decided never to see Reed again. She was clearly immune to the love curse so why did she set him free? Surely she could see after all that occurred she wasn't just a bringer of pain? The epilogue was even more confusing and dissatisfying. There's a league against witches now? They just let two known witches, relatives of the witch who terrorized the whole world, go? There was a lot thrown at us too and it didn't feel well thought out.

Overall, I really liked the message of this book. It centered around someone who struggles with self- harm learning that it does not make her weak, but rather stronger because she has overcome so much. I was fully prepared to give it 4 stars until the disappointing ending.

I didn't really enjoy this book. I didb't connect with the characters or the story and I found myself skimming to be finished.

In this book we follow Nor Blackburn as she faces problems and past trauma that should never have happened. The Blackburn witches are cursed to have their love story end in three days and there have been no exceptions. Nor's mother left her when she was just a child, so she was raised by her grandmother, Judd, who is a healer. After Rona Blackburn, the first Blackburn, no one has been able to cast spells.

Nor, our main character, is reasonably well developed. She's sweet, likeable and wants nothing more than to not draw attention to herself which I found refreshing in a main character in YA. That is not to say this was a flawed book, but that this set the stage for greatness and I would have adored a prolonged performance, to fully engage with the myriad of innovative notions and intriguing characters I felt denied the chance to fully explore.

3.5 stars. Had some very beautiful writing, unique atmosphere, and I loved where it took place (the Pacific Northwest). It had a lot of things I enjoyed, but some of the plot just didn't work for me. Still think a lot of people will like it though! Also, trigger warning for self harm.

I really enjoyed what I had read so far, but then came upon a review where there was a trigger warning for self harm. I decided to pause it for now, since I am not in the right mindset right now and wont be able to read about that. Will definetly finish this in the future, and recommend what I have read so far

I took time to give this book another chance and I found a actually really enjoyed it. I am not usually a fan of this style of writing but I did find myself interested to the point of finishing the story. The world building in this book was probably my favorite part because I love when an author can make you feel like you are inside the book. The ending was really good and I did not see some of the events coming.