First book in a series. Age range is set for 12-18 years old. I wouldn’t want a 12 year old reading this (description of a sexual act, fairly gory death described, description of throw up that almost made me throw up). Some interesting concepts but also some plot holes. Story kinda fell flat for me.

I received this book free for an honest review from Netgalley.

I was so excited to be chosen to read this book as I love PC Cast’s books. I loved the promises of this book but I didn’t really care for the way the story unrolled. It didn’t quite suck me in. I wasn’t sure sometimes which twin’s perspective we were in. I feel like the magic was never really explained until the “issue” happened and then all of a sudden they do all this magic. It was kind of weird. There were no characters that I really loved. I was just okay.

Not sure who I would recommend this too as it has mature subjects but was a little slow for an adult haha.

No matter how hard I tried to get into this book, I just couldn’t. I don’t know if it just wasn’t the right time for it in my life or what but I tried to force my way through it and then just ended up burned out. I’ll probably pick it up eventually to see if I can get into then but for now it’s a dnf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is a wonderfully witchy YA that follows twins Hunter & Mercy Goode, descendants of Sarah Goode and protectors of the Gates to different underworlds. But after their mother becomes the first victim in a string of murders, the twins vow to avenge her and rein in the ancient, mythological monsters who have invaded their peaceful town. It is a unique twist on the different mythologies of magic and witchcraft, which are so very popular in the bookish community right now. The magic and monsters were definitely my favourite part of this novel, and what I felt was the best written part.

I'll always be a sucker for Salem and witchcraft, and I look forward to checking out what the next part of this series will look like.

I loved the witchy aspect of this book but the writing fell kind of flat for me. I was hoping to love this.

I won't be posting this review anywhere but here, because unfortunately, I don't have anything good to say (that's also why it has taken me this long to review this book). I absolutely *hate* writing negative reviews because I know authors work extremely hard on their books. But in the case of this novel, I really couldn't find anything I actually liked. The magic system was original but very weird. For a while, everything was going somewhat decently. But then there was a random sex scene just *there*. It was so out of place because the book read almost like a middle-grade novel. The only thing I can say I somewhat enjoyed is the fact that the family had a familiar. I really wish I'd liked this book, especially because it's about witches, and that's usually a fail-proof way for a book to get a minimum of 3 stars, but here that is not the case. I really I had enjoyed this book more.

I had really high hopes for this one and was looking forward to a good spooky read. It started out great but the characters became more childish by the minute and the dialogue between them was awkward. This novel wasn’t for me. Thank you for a free copy for review.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I wanted to read this since I loved the House of Night series by this set of authors. I read the blurb and witches, twins, and mythology. I am a little split on this book. I like the magic and the diverseness of the characters, but I felt the story was a little lacking. I know this is also the first in a series and it is just developing the world. But I was hoping for more since I know what the authors are capable of with their story telling.

Spells Trouble instantly made me think of the Disney Channel Original Movie, Twitches (ya know, twin witches saving the world and all), Men in Black and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. The concept was there with Hunter and Mercy being tasked to save the trees that also act as gateways to various Underworlds, but I felt like it wasn't fleshed out completely. Maybe that's because this is book one of the series..? I'm not sure, but it had potential.

I felt like the writing was at a middle-school level; however, there was a (unnecessary) detailed sex scene that would be appropriate for older YA readers. I say unnecessary because I felt like the Mercy/Kirk relationship story line was a side thought or a filler episode that wasn't needed. I didn't find it to strengthen the plot at all. An additional side story involved Emily, Mercy's best friend, and that one also threw me for a loop. Along with that, it was odd to me that Mercy and Hunter addressed their mom by her first name, but maybe that's a witch thing. Finally, the characters didn't seem like they were in high school based off their dialogue at times. It bothered me.

Overall, I'm giving Spells Trouble 3 leaves because, like I said, it had potential. It just wasn't my favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for this e-book.

As a fan of the House of Night series, I have to say that I was let down by this one. The story seemed flat in comparison, and left me wanting more. Perhaps it was my love for the other series that has skewed my view on this one, but it felt almost childish.

Spells Trouble, winner of the Book of the Month title on Cyn’s Workshop, brings to life twin sister witches as they struggle to save the gates of the underworld from crumbling.

Something Wicked This Way Comes
Spells Trouble follows Hunter and Mercy Goode, twin witches descendent of the founder of the town of Goodeville. They are witches; everyone knows they practice the craft. However, what no one seems to realize is that they are magical witches.

On the night of their sixteenth birthday, when both girls invoke their chosen gods, the Norse tree gate opens, killing their mother, sending their life into a tailspin.

Spells Trouble is a good story. There is terrific tension within the plot that builds up the rising tension between the characters. What is also interesting to see are the different mythologies that come to life. Each gate is represented by a tree that leads to a different Underworld. The Norse Tree, the Hindu Banyan Tree, the Japanese Cherry Blossom, the Greek Olive Tree, and the Egyptian Doum Palm are gates to their culture’s underworld. It is fantastic to see different mythologies brought to life, especially the tale of Polyphemus, the cyclops from The Odessey.

The take on Greek Mythology and how the authors weave that into Wiccan beliefs gives the story dimension. It also highlights the authors’ respect for Wiccan beliefs. Spells Trouble follows the rules of what it means to be a practicing Wiccan while also incorporating the fantastical, giving the story a nice edge.

Double, Double…
Spells Trouble has excellent pacing and story development, making this a quick read, but the characterization pulls everything together.

Hunter and Mercy may be twins, but they also could not be more different. This works for building up their characterization. Hunter is the introvert, a Cosmic Witch, with a male deity as her chosen protector, Hunter also happens to be a lesbian. In their small town, she grew up bullied for her sexuality, both physically and emotionally. This makes her relatable to the reader. The authors did a fantastic job capturing her anxieties and pain to develop the story because they ground Hunter in the narrative. The reader sees her pain and sadness and understands her more than they could Mercy.

And there is Mercy. I did not like Mercy. She is the extrovert of twins, dating the quarterback, a Green Witch like many before her, with Freya as her chosen deity. Mercy is standoffish, and she does not know how to read people. She is dating the quarterback, thinking that he is just the sweetest despite everyone saying no; he is a jerk. And he is! Furthermore, when their mother dies guarding the Norse gate, she allows herself to drown in her guilt, insulting her sister for being the stronger of the two.

Mercy was just not likable. She tends to undermine and underestimate her sister, thinking and acting like she is better because she is a Green Witch like many before her and because she chose a Goddess and not a God.

The way she treats her sister is callous at times, and instead of trying to understand her sister, she continues to act better than her.

However, this works for their characterization, but this wedge rising between them gives the rising tension of the story more risk, seeing the direction the story is pulling these sisters.

Final Thoughts
Spells Trouble is an engaging read. Fast-paced and tension-driven, the story will leave the readers hungry for more.

In their new novel, Spells Trouble, the authors of the House of Night series we all love, introduce us to twin sisters, Hunter and Mercy Goode. When tragedy strikes, the sisters must draw on all the magic their mother taught them, and the magic gleaned from generations of witches before, to fight back an evil that threatens not only the sisters, but everything they know and love. Excellently written. I fell in love with Hunter, Mercy, and can’t wait for the next book.

I had a little trouble getting into the book at first but as soon as I did, I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed their house of night series and that is why I picked this book up. There were times the twins did get on my nerves but I feel like that was the point. I switched back and fourth from the audio and ebook which I loved. I really enjoyed the audio book as well and the narrator kept me focus. I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books for letting me read and review this book.

The ancestors of the witch of Goodeville are set with the task of gatekeepers. Gatekeepers keep the gates to different underworlds. Twin witches, Hunter and Mercy are left to avenge their mother's death after mythological creatures start escaping the underworlds. I was excited to read this book witchcraft and vengeance checks all the boxes to get me intrigued. I was left a little disappointed. The dialogue in this book was jarring and kept pulling me out of the story. The characters fell a little flat for me. The prologue was incredible and I loved hearing about the witch that Hunter and Mercy descended from. It was an interesting read and I did enjoy the witchcraft aspect. Thank you, NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

wild with magic, friendship, and family. spells trouble is a great witchy book. the sisters were really good main characters. putting gods and magic together made for a great magic system.

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 had trouble getting into this book, which surprised me because the idea of twin witches that have to protect the mortal realm by securing the gates to the underworlds should be right up my alley. Once I got about half way my interest increased, and I finished the remaining chapters rather quickly.

I did enjoy the book; the pacing was done well, and the plot is interesting. I think H and M are the problems for me, but not so much that I won't want to see where the story goes next. The mystery at the end has me intrigued.
This book will probably be great for those that like modern/urban fantasy YA.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the dARC of this work in exchange for my honest review.

Twin sisters Hunter and Mercy Goode are witches and they are now at the age where they will become Gatekeepers. Gatekeepers are the protectors of the Gate to the different underworlds which keep the monsters out. On their birthday they will perform the ritual to become the Gatekeepers but something goes terribly wrong and their mother dies in the process. Know they have to find out what happened at the Gates, protect the town from the evil that roams, and avenge their mother. Yet the sisters will find themselves drifting apart and this is when they most need to be together. Will they be able to stop what is going?

I have read the House of Night and loved that series but this one left a lot to be desired. I wasn't a fan. I wanted to love this book but felt something was missing. The story line has potential but it doesn't feel like a YA read except for the sex scene thrown in there it felt more middle grade. This book wasn't for me but I am sure some people loved it.

Wow did I love this story!!! Twin teens who are magical witches!?! Yes please!! This story is fast paced, easy to read and contains characters you can’t help but fall in love with! I loved the mixture of magic, witchcraft and friendship. I would definitely recommend this book and I can’t wait to see how this series progresses!

This was a really fun story. I loved the witchy aspects and the humor. It was also such an interesting concept, witches guarding gateways that were closed over with trees. I liked how the five different trees represented different parts of the world all growing without issue in central Illinois! Some parts were definitely a little cheesy, especially with Xena becoming a person and continuously using the word "kittens." I get it, she's a cat, but it was a little over the top. I also didn't really like the use of the word "dyke." It was featured so much in the book, especially in the scene by the football fields. I get that it was supposed to show that Hunter was being bullied, but it just seemed like it didn't need to be used that much. Also the grief representation seemed a little off, when teh twins lose their mom, I think that portrayal was fine, but then when Emily loses her Dad, and Mercy is trying to get her to come over, it's like she's completely over losing her mom and just wants to see Emily. I know that the spell they performed was supposed to help Mercy get over her grief, but it wasn't supposed to take it all away, it just seemed that in some of those scenes where she's trying to get Emily to come over that Mercy is being a little selfish. Overall, the book was really cheeky and I will probably still read the second one, especially after the ending has the twins fighting.