Cover Image: Omens Bite

Omens Bite

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I was given this book by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

We are back with Mercy and Hunter as we return to Goodeville and their mission to save the five guardian trees to their respective underworlds. Hunter is on her mission to be independent. While Mercy stays playing the victim and savior simultaneously.

The story picks right up where we left the girls at the end of the last book. With some friends turned enemies.

I really enjoyed getting to explore the Egyptian underworld. Though I wish there was more depth to this exploration. Mercy spends a significant amount of time with the Egyptian guardian since she's been ousted from spending time with Hunter.

Hunter makes some questionable choices and breaks some significant Goode witch code of conduct while getting to know her new Goddess. A Goddess that seems like TROUBLE.

The book is fast paced and keeps you engaged. The plot is driven by each sisters entitlement and continuing to not speak to one another. The story leaves you in a tale spinning cliffhanger. With the ending sneaking up on you and big issues that are unresolved. New issues and concerns also come to light that will be a big concern for the next book. I'm hoping to learn more about this underworld and it's God's as I do not know as much about them.

Overall the book was good and I'm looking forward to reading more from this series. I would recommend others read it especially if you have an interest in mythology.

Was this review helpful?

@macmillan.audio #netgalleyarc
This is book 2 in the Salem sister series. Book 1 was spells trouble

Mercy and hunter mother has died and they are mourning her death. Someone has come through the gates and inhabiting another body but they find know who. A bunch of murders occur and they do not know who is behind it. The sisters are working separately due to an argument but they are both going though a lot. Can they save the town before something worse comes to town and the gates fall apart completely .

I was given this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

4 stars

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an arc of this book!

I wasn't aware that this book was the second in the series and binged Spells Trouble to read this ARC.

Mercy and Hunter come across as a bit spoiled to me which is odd given their upbringing and chosen deities. I know they are teenagers and a bit immature but I really couldn't get into it. I was so-so on Spells Trouble and this one was the same.

Aside from the characters, which is a personal opinion, this book does have a lot to offer. The idea of using different mythologies to interconnect this town of Goodeville was wonderful.

I thoroughly enjoyed the world-building as well as the introduction to the Egyptian land of the dead. I will read the final book because I hate DNF'ing and not finishing series because to me, the next chapter or the next book might make everything click and the whole series will be re-read and appreciated in a new light.

Was this review helpful?

I'm a huge fan of P.C Cast. I have been for many years. I've read several of her book series. She has a way of writing that just sucks you into her world. I love her use of vivid and extensive spiritual history. You can tell she does her homework ad it makes it so much more of an intense and encompassing reading experience. This being the second in the series, I clearly read and loved the first one. This one hadso much in it that I truly enjoyed. I went through this book so quickly and couldn't put it down. The only place I had difficulty was the winny nature of the twins. At times it felt over done and just too much. But all and all it was a wonderful experience and I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next one.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3 Stars!

I want to start by saying I loved these authors and their House of Night Series! Like absolutely adored it. I liked Spells Trouble alright. But one thing I have realized is these books aren’t for me. At times it was challenging to push through certain parts. Omens Bite picks up immediately after Spells Trouble. I was thrilled to receive this ARC and I’m still excited because these are some of my favorite authors!! However, I did struggle to finish this book. I felt like the characters and the story was going 100 different directions. I felt we seen very little character growth and more of a backslide. To be brutally honest, I do not see myself reading these ever again. These books are not for me. The authors are some of my favorites, I do feel however that these books were not up to par with House of Night and the Otherworld Series.

Was this review helpful?

"But power came at a price."

There are many life lessons in the darker, more serious follow up to Spells Trouble, book one of the Sisters of Salem trilogy. Starting right where the previous book ended, Omens Bite by consistent authors P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast, finds witchy teen twin sisters Mercy and Hunter at odds after their mother's death by a demon.

At first Mercy is trying to continue the family tradition of protecting the ancient trees that protect the Gates that are portals for other worlds and dangerous creatures. The trees are dying, Hunter has left to align with a powerful, and maybe, dangerous goddess, and their mom is still gone.

It becomes obvious that though there are intense spells, wild action scenes, and a persistent familiar cat, this story is about dealing with grief and how our anger, fear and sorrow over it can makes us run away from our feelings or lash out because of them.

When Mercy gets entangled with Khenti, the Guardian of the Underworld, both sisters must make tough decisions, maybe grow up a bit, and perhaps work together to save themselves and, possibly, the world.

Fair warning this one ends in a cliff hanger and I am fully invested in how it will all turn out in the final book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via # Netgalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Follow twins Mercy and Hunter as they each attempt to heal the trees guarding the gates on their own. Each twin is harassed and almost killed on their separate journeys but in the end, they both know what it is they have to do. This book was so exciting I couldn't put it down. It has action and romance, and ends in a cliffhanger dang it! Highly recommended.

Was this review helpful?

I have been reading P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast books for a long time. I was so excited to be asked to read the first book in the Sisters of Salem series, Spells Trouble. I really enjoyed it. So, imagine my excitement when I was also asked to read Book 2, Omens Bite! Thank you to P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast, St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for the invitation and for the gifted ARC. I have, once again, thoroughly enjoyed being in the town of Goodeville.

Hunter and Mercy have had a falling out. Hunter decides that leaving and striking out on her own is better than having to be the kind of witch her sister says she should be. Mercy says good riddance because she’s tired of Hunter ruining the way things ought to be.

Things get pretty interesting when the twins are no longer together. Hunter finds herself in a situation where she may be trusting the wrong person to help her save her town. Just when things seem like they can’t get too much worse, they do.

Mercy is trying to save the town too by relying on her own magic and doing things the way they’ve always been done. She, too, may be trusting the wrong person that says they only want to help. Neither twin can make things turn out the way they should and they can’t figure out why.

I love the family dynamics here. I like reading stories with family and/or sister drama. Most times the family members can’t get out of their own heads long enough to see what’s most important. The journeys they take to get back to each other aren’t always pretty but necessary. Almost always the situations they find themselves in are of their own making.

My favorite character is, once again, Xena. I just love this cat-person familiar. She has to be reminded to not behave as a cat when she is in human form. It is comical. She is loving and loyal to the Goode family. She reminds me of the connection I have with my own cats and dogs. They are more to me than just pets. They are family members, truly loved and adored. Xena has stepped in as the matriarch in the Goode household giving the twins a connection to the mother they lost.

This book feels a bit darker than the first. Something sinister is going on and you can feel it coming. At one point, I thought I had it figured out but so far, I’ve been wrong. So I have no idea what’s coming in Book 3. The ending starts something new and leaves all the other questions unanswered. And, I was still left with this feeling of impending doom. I am so anxious to see where it goes!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of urban fantasy, paranormal fiction, family drama, sister drama, sibling drama, witchy books, and gods and demi-gods.

Was this review helpful?

Omens Bite is the second part in the Sisters of Salem series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. Last year I've read Spells Trouble and I really enjoyed it. Due to the major cliffhanger in the end I really wanted to continue reading, and I was so happy when I got the digital ARC for Omens Bite. But will this part be just as good?

Hunter and Mercy Goode have seperated their ways now that their mother has died. But they both share their task as guardians of the trees. With the split between them, Mercy has to save the gates on her own, while Hunter is under the dangerous influence of a goddess. Little does Mercy know what dangers lurke behind the gates, and that her only change to be saved is Hunter. Can they restore their bond, and heal the gates?

Although this story was written by two authors, it doesn't feel like it at all. The story has a well-paced start and has a good connection to the first part. From the start the story and tension slowly builds up.

Omens Bite has a number of plot twists and knows different storylines. The plot twists just seemed to be coming, and it made that the story was full of mystery, magic, adventure and friendship.

This second part in this series is really good again, and this part also knows a big cliffhanger making me want to read part 3 as soon as possible. I can't wait for it to release!

Was this review helpful?

Omens Bite is the second book in the Sisters of Salem series and takes place right after the events in Spells Trouble.

Hunter and Mercy Goode are twins that couldn't be more opposite. They are witches that are direct descendants of the founder of their town. They need to save the town as more deaths happen.

Hunter and Mercy spend most of this book complaining about each other and how selfish they are. The middle dragged on for me and I just kind of wanted to speed everything along. I also hated the Kirk angle and how abusive his behavior was. There's a lot of lesbomisia and bullying that happens in this book as well and I didn't feel like it added to the story.

As far as narration goes, I thought that Cassandra Campbell sounded older than 16, but I found it easy to discern Hunter from Mercy and was able to speed up the audio to listen to this.

I did enjoy that Omens Bite was mysterious and ended on a cliffhanger. I enjoyed the premise and am curious to see where this series goes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I liked this book more then the first. I am still really interested in the setting and magic system of the gates. The characters are growing on me. Some of the dialogue still feels very awkward to me but I'm also getting more into the flow of the story and how the characters talk to each other so it was less jarring. The secondary characters are also becoming more interesting and I'm curious to see where their journey's are going as well. The plot was a little thin in this book it feels more like it's just leading into the next book, but it did do a good job of drawing my interest. I want to continue the series and really hope to see more character development and how things come together in the next book. The first in this series goes out well at my library and I expect this one to as well. Ordered and cant wait to put it out for our patrons!

Was this review helpful?

*thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Omen’s Bite is the second book in the Sisters of Salem series. This book is a fun and magical read. It wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read but it wasn’t the worst. It has such an interesting concept and I do look forward to continuing the series. This is a really quick read.

Was this review helpful?

This is book 2 from the series Sister of Salem. It’s an engaging YA fantasy sequel. A wonderful witchy read, with magic rituals and spells, fusing sisters, god, other realms and more. It’s emotionally charged. There’s so much happening that you better have your coffee or tea ready to go because there’s no way you will stop reading it.

Was this review helpful?

Okay, slightly better than the first book but I'm still a little meh about this series as a whole.

The book picks up right where the first one left off, which is nice to just dive in but the twins character development could still use some work. The bond they had is strained and it's painfully obvious as you read this book and you have one twin still mourning the loss of their mom and the other turning to dark magic and being in service to a new god now.

BUT there is a turn around point. Yes, the middle to the end finally gave me that sucked in feeling that I've been waiting for from these ladies.

Do you want to shake sense into these girls? Heck yes. They are put to the test, situations are hard as teens and they can do it. Kirk becomes more of a jerk than in the first book, Xena is still just as fun to read about.

Overall I am much happier with this book than the first, which hopefully restores my faith and that the next book will blow my socks off!

Was this review helpful?

ahhhh!! I loved this one so much! I can't wait for the world to get a chance at this book. The magical elements and the storyline definitely had me hooked. I had no idea this was a part of a series, I have to go back and read book 1 for sure. The sisters were definitely different although so alike. Their personalities were defining and intriguing.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

Omens Bite is apparently the second book in the “Sisters Of Salem” series. I should have paid more attention when I requested it because you should definitely read the first one as this one ends exactly where the other book left off. It follows twin sisters Mercy and Hunter, and when it starts, they are having a funeral for their mother. They also seem to both hate each other.

The plot was interesting enough once I got into it, but the dialogue was hard to read. The way the characters spoke didn't fit their age or the time period. It was odd--not bad, but odd.

I also was not a huge fan of the many romances this title had to offer. I tend to avoid YA books that lean heavy on the romance, and this one certainly does so. It's not bad, I simply had a hard time buying into these couples.

On a positive note, the pacing was great! The plot is really what made this story work, and I always appreciate a well-paced read. The magic system was also interesting after I wrapped my head around it.

Was this review helpful?

Omens Bite is the second book in the Sisters of Salem series by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast. This young adult paranormal fantasy is full of mystery and intrigue: a well-written, fast-paced read with twists and turns around every corner. I was pulled in from the beginning and could not put this one down. I look forward to reading more in the Sisters of Salem series.

Was this review helpful?

3.25 ⭐️

In Book 2 of the Sisters of Salem series, Hunter and Mercy are still reeling from the death of their mother. As the new protectors of the Gates, it is up to them to heal the trees that help protect the gates, but they won’t be able to do it if they can’t heal their relationship with each other first. Driven apart by anger and grief; Mercy and Hunter are presented with the ultimate test of their bond.

I enjoyed this book much more than book 1. While still filled with over the top cringey teenage dialogue & rushed teen romances, it still felt like a much stronger book.
Mercy and Hunter constantly come across as spoiled, but they’re 16 so it’s expected. I also finally feel like they’re two separate and distinct characters. That was great to see.

The main plot felt a bit bland and lacking at times (Hunter and Mercy not talking, and still trying to heal the trees, and Hunter trusting the wrong people), but I really enjoyed the new storyline brought in towards the end of the book with Mercy and Khenti in Duat. I’ll read the next installment just to find out what happens there!

*Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is the second in the Sisters of Salem Series. I liked this book much more than the first, Spells Trouble where we meet Mercy and Hunter Goode, twin witches and descendants of the founder of Goodeville. They have become the Gatekeepers, protectors of the five gates to the different underworlds. After losing their Mother in book one, the twins have gone their separate ways, unable to get along with each other. The problem is that something is making the trees at the five gates sick and each twin is trying to come up with a magic spell to heal them.

I enjoyed this book so much better than the first and felt that I got to know Mercy and Hunter much better. This book really isn’t a standalone. I feel I would have been very confused if I hadn’t read book one.

I received thiis ebook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I was super excited for this sequel, due to the ending of the first book.

However I felt a little let down by this one. It started super slow and it was very hard for me to stay interested in the story.

I am glad to know what happens, but slightly disappointed in the overall story.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book. This is my voluntary honest review.

Was this review helpful?