In the town of Goodeville, the Gatekeepers have long held the forces of darkness at bay. Safeguarding mysterious ancient portals, these Gatekeepers protect their town, and life itself, from malevolent beings that lurk on the other side of the Gates, waiting for any opportunity to make their way through and mete out destruction. Hunter and Mercy Goode are up-and-coming Gatekeepers who have a destiny to carry on in their ancestors' footsteps. That's easier said than done when a breach at the Gates unleashes death upon their town, and their mother is mutilated by the denizens from beyond. Mercy and Hunter have no time to waste, for their town, and their very lives, are bound by what happens at the Gates.

The trouble begins right away when this magical story begins, as another Goode, Sarah, escapes from Salem! That part really hooked my interest, and this being a magical story with sisters at its core made it even better. The magic system is a bit vague, but the abilities are flashy, useful, and powerful, so I had fun with it all the same. Hunter and Mercy go through a lot of loss, so it's great to see that they have support from their familiar, Xena, and their friends in town. The story constrains itself somewhat by crafting dialogue and situations toward young adults, and then including a sex scene that was somewhat graphic for a YA novel. This may not bother all readers, but it's definitely not PG, and it might seem childish in other places, which creates a conflict in its targeted tone.

I listened to the audiobook version while enjoying the story, and the audiobook was mostly excellent. Some parts with Mercy and Hunter felt a bit over-acted, and others felt somewhat whiny, but I felt that was more the narrator's interpretation than the dialogue itself. This story is the first in the Sisters of Salem series, so I imagine that some of the unresolved story threads will be tied up in the forthcoming sequel, Omens Bite. There were a few hiccups along the way for me, but this story Spells Trouble, and I'm invested in whatever happens next for Hunter and Mercy. Recommended for readers who love a magical story with sisters who are down to fight the darkness that surrounds them, who enjoy interesting magical systems, and who believe that destiny can provide purpose without defining who you are.

3.5 ⭐

this was a wonderful start to the Sisters of Salem series, I enjoy the way the authors write together. The story is really well done and kept me invested.

I have loved these two authors since the House of Night series, so was really excited to see them back in a totally new witchy world. This book holds all the tropes that paranormal YA/NA fiction. It was entertaining but also ... felt repetitive and "done". Nothing fresh or exciting was added. It was written a bit juvenile, but then holds some more mature themes. So that was confusing too. Still, a quick read, some fun moments and good characters. The execution could have been better though.

I was so excited to read another story by P.C. Cast (I love the House of Night series). I have to say I was not super thrilled with the story though. I'm not sure if it was the pacing, or honestly what part of the story fell a bit flat for me, but I wasn't in love with it like I was expecting to be. The main characters were alright and the story seemed to move along OK, it just didn't grab me like I expected. I would probably read a second story in the series just to see what happens next, however, this story was just OK for me. I feel bad saying that because I do really love the author, however, I'm hoping that maybe the next book will be better and really draw me in to the story.

I’ve hummed and hawed about what to rate this book and have settled on 3.4 stars. There is something about it that just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It might be that the characters are slightly over-dramatic high-schoolers, or it could be that there was a lot of internal thoughts and monologue and less dialogue (I always prefer more dialogue personally), but something lacked a bit of extra pizazz that I like in a great book.

It took me a bit to get into the switching POVs between the sister twins and sometimes the writing caught me off guard because it felt more like the other sisters thoughts, but I liked having both POVs as the two sisters are very different.

I think I would have really loved and soaked up this book when I was in high school and some of the sexual subject matter and bullying brought me right back to high school and how mean kids can be! Side note - don’t think I would recommend this for a 12 year old though?! Maybe more like 14 or 16.

I like the premise of the story and the characters, so despite my rating of the book being good but not great, I probably would continue with the series as I tend to like other books by the authors as well. Thanks #NetGalley and the publishers (Wednesdays Books) for the gifted copy to read - all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Initial Thoughts/Expectations:

I got so excited when I saw this book announced. I love PC and Kristin Cast’s previous YA series, The House of Night, and I had no doubt I’d love this, too. I’ve been on more of a “witch kick” than a “vampire kick” lately, so I just knew this would be right up my ally.

What I Loved:

I really enjoyed the bond between the twin sisters, and them with their mother. They had almost a “hippy family” vibe, which was fun. I also loved how much joy they each had in their abilities. It wasn’t a burden, it wasn’t a chore, it wasn’t something they showed off or took advantage of. It was a gift they were grateful for.

While they weren’t 100% for-sure-for-sure about it, the girls’ best friends were included in their “circle of knowledge” about their magic, and that made for such a fantastic start to the story. When things inevitably take a horrible turn, the friends knowing about the magic definitely comes into play.

Hunter and Mercy Goode have been raised knowing their family history, and a basic idea of what their role as “gatekeepers” will be. I love that history, and that we learn about it through the prologue and flashbacks, and the wording of the ritual at the start of the book - all in a way that doesn’t feel like an info-dump. The introduction of the other realms linked by the gates in each of the Goodeville trees was very cool, too. I’m excited to see more about those places in future books.

And Xena made me smile. 😊

What I Didn’t Love:

I was really surprised at the way the girls behaved in the days following the events of their birthday ritual. Things go horribly wrong, and while everyone grieves differently, and while they had a LOT of things fall on their shoulders, their reactions just felt off to me.

Mercy’s relationship with her boyfriend was another thing that felt off to me. It got progressively worse, through the story (I was willing to give him a chance at the start), and not just on his part. Both of them were making choices (and that scene… yes, THAT one… ugh) that just made me cringe.

Another aspect I didn’t love was something that put a bit of a wedge between the sisters. Mercy’s feelings about Hunter’s choice of god/goddess seemed to have a basis in possible truth at the beginning. Eventually, though, I thought that the authors were going to have Mercy reimagine the focus of the prophecy to point to Kirk (her treating him like a “god”, and him calling her his “goddess”). But alas, that didn’t happen. I can understand her having the ideas she does about it, but her attack on Hunter about it was harsh. And I absolutely hated it when Hunter made the decision she did in response. Especially since I don’t believe that it’s the correct interpretation of the prophecy.

They murder/mystery part of the story has some parts that were really interesting, but other parts that I really didn’t care for. I wish we had learned more about the other realms that the trees guarded. I was glad that we learned more about the “bad guy”, but I didn’t love being made to feel sympathy for them, then told to not see them as sympathetic. That whole thing felt a bit disjointed.

Final Thoughts/Recommendations:

It took me a lot longer to get into “YA Reading Mode” than I thought it would. After reading so much adult content lately, the language and actions of YA characters was jarring. Eventually, I settled in, but it was a smooth transition for me. I really enjoyed previous books from these authors, so I’m hoping, hoping, hoping that now that the groundwork has been laid, the next book in the series grabs me. I love the premise for the story, and with a few kinks worked out, I think I’m really going to enjoy all of the characters. I just hope that the next story grooves with me better. I’m definitely interested in the story, and want to see what happens next.

I enjoyed this one. I thought it was a good book with a really interesting premise.

I was in it for all the witchy vibes and I enjoyed getting to know Mercy and Hunter. I thought that the magic system in the book was very cool and I enjoyed learning more about it,

I think with this book the biggest problem is the first chapter and the set up for Goodeville. I wanted to read the story of their ancestor and what happened after the witch trials, and in some ways I feel like that amazing first chapter set the rest of the book up to not be as overwhelmingly good.

I look forward to the next book and building in the series. I think this is a great witchy, fall read.

So thankful fir the chance to read and review this eaglet. All thoughts are my own.

Well, this was disappointing. I really should have DNF-ed this book when I knew I wasn't going to like it, but it had witchy magic (which I love!), so I had to give it a chance. And it was complete torture.

The way the characters were talking to one another was weird and unnatural. I hated it. Also, a lot of the things they were saying were really cringy. And there were so many scenes that could have been cut out easily. Just boring conversation that added nothing to the story. Mercy was also really annoying. What a disappointing read this was.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so looking forward to the witch vibes this book was promising, especially because the cover is so beautiful.. Unfortunately the writing and story just did not live up to the hope! There are so many amazing witch books coming out at the moment, unfortunately in comparison this one just falls flat.

A fun read about witches. The prologue was actually my favourite part and I'd love more of that story! The characters feel younger than their age minus the sex, it's not terrible but something that could be better in up coming books. Overall I like their House of Night series a bit better but I still plan on continuing the series and I'm curious for more.

Interesting story - I struggled to get through it, but I think that was more me and my mood, because I am very much a mood reader. There was a nice dynamic between the two sisters and it seems like the start of a good series. If you like witchy teen angst stories, you will probably like this one. I may have to go back and try reading it again at a later date.

I think I may have outgrown P.C Cast and Kristin Cast as authors/storytellers. Their books, specifically the House of Night series, were some of teenage me's favorites. However, their writing style hasn't evolved to me. This book read juvenile and was very simplistic which for young teens who want easy reading this would be for them and theres nothing bad about that. I didn't like the characters nor the story really. It was often confusing, drawn out, repetitive, and I found myself skimming a lot of sections. The dialogue read like cringey high school kids in the worst way. I don't see myself reading further books by these authors other than my OG fave House of Night.

I really wanted to get into this and I really tried -- the opening chapter was so captivating! But as the story line's switched I found myself uninterested in the present time characters. I called it quits at about 20% which is earlier than I normally do... but I just couldn't pick it up again.

I hope to give this title another try, maybe I'll be in a better headspace when I do!

If reading a YA book about teen witches when you're 30 is wrong I don't want to be right! Don't get me wrong Spells Trouble had a few cons but it was still a fun fall time read.

Hunter and Mercy are teen witches leaving in the small town of Goodeville like many generations of women in their family had before them. They are tasked with guarding five important gates that lead to other worlds - including their monsters and demons. When they suffer a devastating family loss they are thrown into the thick of their magic and need to figure out a way to save their town and still navigate normal teen drama a sixteen year old may face.

I liked that a story about witches took place in the midwest versus on the New England, like many tend to do. The girls' powers were interesting and I tend to enjoy fantasy stories that take place in a mortal world more than other worlds that require the author to explain everything.

Parts of the story did start to drag and some of the teen drama was slightly cringey for me but overall it was a decent autumn read for me. TBD on if I'll read number two!

content warnings: death of a parent, some violence, murder, for YA there is also a fairly steamy scene

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love this book. Love these authors! This first book in a new series is excellent from the start. Completely different from the House of Night series but equally well written with well developed characters and intriguing storylines.

On the whole I enjoyed the book- though not as much as their "House of night" series, but parts of it seemed hard to get through and other parts I couldn't put down. It does seem a bit too mature for a 12-15 year old to read.

Sadly, this wasn't a winner for me. The dialogue between the characters was so incredibly cingry and I couldn't take it for long. I like the premise and the idea, but the characters killed it for me.

Spells Trouble is like two separate, very different books all rolled into one. One of those books was right up my street, and the other had me pulling my hair out in anger and frustration. The story itself. It has some very interesting elements, and I can't really call it derivative because the worldbuilding is somewhat unique and quite fascinating. The story seems to meander and take detours at times, and the pacing definitely suffers for the sheer amount of story and backstory introduced, as well as the author's propensity to take us through mundane character actions. Yet there are times when it suddenly seems to zip right along and leave the reader trying to absorb all of the information and the implications for what's happening. Overall, I liked it but wasn't a favorite.
Full review to come on my YouTube channel.

Book was… blah.. Not exactly what I expected out of these two authors, but not terrible. There were definitely parts that I felt where things dragged quite a bit. The characters fell super flat… there was no distinction between them (and yes I know theyre twins but.. ya’ll this was rough). I felt like I was watching something on Nick Jr .,. The writing just wasnt great. I was really looking forward to this one because like most girls, i freaking love witches. But it just did not do it for me. I won’t be reading book 2.

I’ve read PC Cast novels before and compared to them, I felt this was lacking a bit in their usual magic and wonder. I really didn’t like how Hunter was able to take away Mag’s grief with a spell - there’s no magic pill for that in real life and going through grief is so important for a person. Having that missing when Hunter and their friends really should have just supported her through it really stole a vital piece of the lessons here. Seeing as the target audience is for individuals already going through hormonal turmoil, having the grief process here is really important for readers to understand so they can help themselves or others who are going through it. Again, if there’s no magic pill in real life for something as important as this, it should have been a part of the plot better.