Thank you so much to Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC

This is the first fantasy book I have read in a while and it did not disappoint!

Three friends, two of which dabble in the occult, stumble across a body and the aftermath sends them on a journey to find out who and what has brought this chaotic aftermath into their lives.

Putting this book down to do other things was so hard, I couldn’t wait to see who or what was involved. I loved the three friends so much and couldn’t wait to discover their fates.

It is more of a young adult book (no spice but a little romance) so fair warning to those who may steer clear of YA; although I feel like this is a book where that is overlookable.

I can’t wait to buy this book when it is released, it is definitely shelf worthy and if the author decides to bring more Massy, Nora and Elliot to the world, I hope to be first in line again.

(4.5/5 stars)
A Spell to Wake the Dead is a gorgeously eerie, magic-laced thriller that sinks its claws in early and never lets go. From the moment Mazzy and Nora discover a mutilated body under the moonlight, the story unfolds like a fever dream—equal parts murder mystery and atmospheric witch tale.

This book nails the blend of teenage curiosity, danger, and the seductive pull of the occult. Mazzy and Nora’s friendship feels raw and real, layered with the kind of emotional complexities that only deepen when the supernatural starts seeping into the real world. Their growing obsession with the mystery—and with the whispers of something darker at work—makes their descent both terrifying and fascinating to watch.

The Cape Cod setting is moody and haunting, the perfect backdrop for a story about ancient secrets and ghostly visions. The way St. James weaves together old spells, ghost lore, and generational silence gives the story a bone-deep chill. You’ll be second-guessing everyone and everything, right up until the final, jaw-dropping twist.

My only slight critique is that some of the magical mechanics could’ve used a little more grounding—but honestly, the dreamy, off-kilter atmosphere kind of works in the book’s favor. This is less about hard logic and more about vibes and dread, and it works.

If you love witchy thrillers with real stakes, toxic secrets, and just the right amount of supernatural horror, this one will absolutely cast a spell on you.

I appreciate the opportunity but unfortunately I will not be finishing this one. Nothing in particular is bad about this, I just don't think it was the story for me. The cover is stunning though!

This YA thriller fantasy follows Mazzy and Nora, two girls that are obsessed with witchcraft, and their friend Eliott. While attempting a spell one night, they discover a dead body. The three friends then go on a journey to find answers as the two girls feel a connection to the dead woman. The more digging they do, and the more spells they cast, the stranger things get.

I really tried to like this book, but I don't think it was for me! I knew going into it that they were in high school, but I didn't think I'd be bothered by it. I felt that these teens were way in over their heads getting involved in things they shouldn't have been getting involved in. I usually love witchy books, but I wasn't really hooked on this book! I did like the element of not knowing what would happen next on their journey to figure out the HoN, but I overall did not feel inclined to find out more about the mystery/plot.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an eARC in return for my honest review.

If you are looking for a fun, spooky, thrilling YA book, this one is for you! Witches, murder, suspense..A Spell to Wake the Dead has it all!

This kept me engaged and entertained, and definitely delivered on the creepy and unsettling element. But I still found myself very..... Confused??? By the ending. I feel like I still have questions. But was a quick, fast-paced read that keeps you guessing.

When I picked up this book, I was excited for big witchy vibes, and it absolutely delivers. Part murder mystery, part ghost haunting, and part uh oh, there’s a cult vibes going on throughout. It reminded me of Kirsten Miller’s The Change, but geared towards a YA audience.

If spooky witches and a Cape Cod murder mystery are your vibes, A Spell to Wake the Dead will be right up your alley.

Three friends, a moonlit beach, and a strange spell of unknown origin - what could possibly go wrong? When Mazzy and Nora bring along their friend to practice witchcraft under a full moon one night, they had no idea of the nightmare they would be unleashing on their small Cape Cod town - or the very real mystery the spell would uncover.

Part ghost story and part murder mystery, A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance is a delightfully spooky story with a fast-moving plot and endearing characters. I was hooked in the first few pages with the tense opening scene, and I devoured the book in just under a day. It's creepy enough to give even adult readers a distinct feeling of unease, and it would make a perfect read for October or a creepy-themed book club. Definitely check it out when it’s released!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for providing me with an ARC of this delightfully eerie book in exchange for an honest review.

A Spell to Wake the Dead is a dark, lyrical tale that mixes magic, grief, and romance in a beautifully eerie way. Nicole Lesperance builds a world full of secret spells, haunted woods, and forbidden love, all wrapped in a story that feels both timeless and fresh.

The main character’s journey through loss, love, and the consequences of magic is emotional and captivating. It’s the kind of book that gives you cozy gothic vibes with just the right amount of heartbreak and hope.

Rating: 4/5
A haunting fairy tale for fans of atmospheric fantasy and stories that linger after the last page.

3.5 stars. A Spell to Wake the Dead was spookier than I imagined. The author nailed that atmospheric novel aspect. I could easily envision Cape Cod, the spells done, the bodies, etc. This would be a great spooky season read. I was a little jumpy reading alone at night, startling me each time the wind blew the tree branches outside. I don’t know enough about witchcraft to speak to how realistic the magic was, but I liked it regardless. The mystery was intriguing, each twist and turn adding more suspense.

Besides the supernatural spooky element, I will reiterate that this is a young adult novel. The language and relationships were written for a younger reader, so know that going in. I liked the relationship between the friends, although I would have liked to get to know the others a little better before the main mystery began.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group for an advanced copy to review.

The author did an excellent job of describing the area of Cape Cod--its wilderness and towns, weather, and beaches--without being too wordy. The plot was twisty enough to keep me guessing, and the main characters had both depth and interesting flaws.

Most of the remaining characters were a bit two-dimensional, but to be fair you didn't get enough time to know them. It was very focused on the main character and her friends.

I binged the heck out of this. So spooky and eerie. Like actually obsessed with Nicole's writing. She's descriptive in a way that doesn't feel annoying to read. 100% recommend if it sounds like a book you'd be into.

A Spell to Wake the Dead by Nicole Lesperance is the kind of book you want to curl up with on a chilly autumn night, wrapped in a blanket with a mug of something warm. It’s atmospheric, eerie in all the right ways, and brimming with gothic vibes that practically scream fall read. If you love witchy stories and a touch of the macabre, A Spell to Wake the Dead is the perfect addition to your fall TBR.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

Cape Cod teenage witches cast a spell that causes them to start finding dead bodies. A very twisty mystery as they try to discover why this is happening to them and how to make it stop. This is supposed to be a YA novel but I’m not gonna lie, I was freaked out the entire time as it was pretty spooky (and I read before bed with all the lights off).

The perfect read for a cool fall night - eerie, well-written and absolutely binge-worthy. This book captures readers from the first pages. This is a book that goes from childish exploration to a murder mystery and secret societies. Honestly written in a way that captures the audience and entrances the reader.

A Spell to Wake the Dead is about two witchy teens who discover a dead body during a night of magic on the beach and, consequently, get wrapped up in the workings of a mysterious cult.

As an adult reader, the story felt young, even for a YA read. It wasn’t really spooky until the midway point, and I didn’t see enough elements of horror to describe it in that way. Although not incredibly complex, it does have a mysterious tone that might resonate better with younger readers looking for a lighter thriller.

What I like about the story was how woman-centric it is and the way that it speaks to the power of sisterhood and female friendship. The characters weren’t my favorite, nor did I find them highly-developed, but their connections with each other were interesting and drove the story forward.

Lastly, the magic system lacked cohesion and coherence for me. It seemed to pull from many traditions, although that’s sort of addressed in the story. However, I did like the integration of the tarot and believe the story will be most powerful to people who come in with an understanding of the cards.

Overall, this wasn’t a bad read, and I think it will be even better for witchy teenage YA readers.

such an interesting and eerie book where a murder investigation meets witchy spooky vibes. i will say it was such a unique twist to a sometimes overdone trope and it was done so well! i was actually hooked reading this and finished the whole thing in pretty much one sitting. i could not put it down and there was nothing that could pry my eyes away from it.

thank you netgalley and penguin group for this arc in exchange for my honest review!!

For some reason I was expecting this to be an adult book, which is me being dumb - it's YA! I really liked the characters and it was all really believable - they TRIED to ask adults for help. The mystery was fascinating, the setting was well written - another banger from Nicole!

One of my most anticipated books of 2025 and happy to say it was wonderful!

Spooky atmosphere
Murder mystery
Divination
Witchcraft
And creepy whispering voices?!?!

A really good spooky time!

What could go wrong with using spells you find on the internet?
A lot.

From magical mystery to horror, this is book can be a lot.
I personally enjoyed the first part of the book, when it was still in the realm of mystery with the touches of magic. However about halfway through the book, it became very uncomfortable for me when it shifted into more horror and more with the supernatural.

For some this may be the perfect fall read with all of the magic and supernatural.