When I first saw this book, the description grabbed my attention. I enjoyed it at first but felt like something was missing. I didn’t get the gripping edge feeling I love in a book and felt it just dipped which made it hard to finish.

I was initially very intrigued by this book and I liked the premise of the main character using a cat with a key around it's neck to find an appropriate suitor and the men who chase and hound the cat to steal the key to be unsuccessful and the one to take their time, spend time with the cat and ear the cats trust to be given the key freely. However I struggled with the pacing and writing style in the book and how the plot seems to jump from one place to another, I struggled to take in or finish the story.

This book had potential, but unfortunately it just fell flat. I felt it was descriptive in all the wrong areas, and didn't describe enough where it counts and would be beneficial. Unfortunately the writing style was not my favourite

There's potential, an intriguing story and a good world building but I felt something was of and didn't worked for me.
Not my cup of tea
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Overall this is a great book. I found it engaging for the most part but for me, some sections just fell flat of what I was expecting. Overall, this is a good book for a teen or someone who likes novels that follow the show don't tell rule.

Shay Casper does a great job in writing this book, it had everything that I hoped for in the description. It worked overall in the young adult novel with characters that matched. I loved the use of magic and hope there is more in this world.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

the cover was what drew me in and i had high hopes for this book, it just felt a little flat for me... i wanted more to happen

but for someone just getting into this genre this would be a good slow start

This was a very compelling read with a lot of layered characters. It explores intersectionality within a magical world, as well as the hard standing prejudices those in power can have. I'm looking forward to another book by this author. I'm not sure if the editing team did its due diligence though, as there were a lot of words that were split up interestingly throughout the book ex: "he said involuntarily..." and "as- sassainfalls". This was a little distracting.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book’s description taken from NetGalley:

The world as we knew it no longer exists. Former enemies must come together to confront an imminent darkness that threatens to destroy everything in its path.

The ban on magic has placed all those with the gift in peril, including those who only seek to help others. Harper Grim, a gifted healer in the city of Westfall in Idrudelia, must conceal her abilities to protect her people. But when an evil force emerges in the East, the king declares all magic to be wicked, including Harper’s efforts to save her country.

Shay Casper’s The Witch delves into the challenges of living in secrecy while holding onto hope for a better future for all those whom Harper holds dear.
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I believe that this book would be a good starter paranormal/fantasy novel for teens. While there was a lot of show don’t tell, I think the plot on its own was fun/interesting enough to keep a YA reader satisfied and wanting more. 3/5 stars

The Witch by Shay Casper;

To start with I thought the front cover looked very intriguing and was excited to read it but unfortunately I was left disappointed, the story idea was okay but I was always waiting for something else to happen.

A couple of other things that could do with being looked at is the change in perspective because it can be very confusing, also there was to much showing and not enough telling, giving the whole thing a feeling of being rushed,

Don't want to say to much because I don't want to ruin it for anyone else,

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book.

I really enjoyed this book and recom to fans of the paranormal, especially witches.

Harper and Juniper are my favorite characters although all of the characters and intriguing.

I love the world Casper has created and the plot line. At a some pointbi became a bit perplexed with the characters decisions, but the plot line followed through and it all added to the story.

I recommend.