First Frost

I adored Garden Spells and so was curious find out what the Waverlys had been up to since then. Sadly, this one didn't quite hit all the same/right notes that its predecessor did. I liked the family isn't just blood, sometimes it's found theme and that Claire, always the level headed one was questioning her place with her loved ones, with her life, with everything. My problem was the way Claire's questioning was instigated - Russell and his grey shyster suit and gone in the blink of an eye abilities felt weak and wispy. Like there wasn't anything there but smoke, the non-magical kind. On top of that, Sydney's desperate for another child story felt predictable and repetitive. Haven't made up my mind where Bay and her story is concerned. I liked her magical OCD but the whole note to Josh and then sitting on the school steps every. day. felt, well, a little bit creepy.

Still I there wasn't anything to make me put the book down and walk away for good. I enjoyed the writing and as always Evanelle is a fantastic character (love Fred too).