Of Witches and Warlocks: The Trouble with Spells - Lacey Weatherford

Of Witches and Warlocks: The Trouble with Spells is the first book in the series and debut novel by Lacey Weatherford and it is 205 pages long.

Plot

When Portia Mullins reaches her sixteenth birthday, her whole life changes. Up until that day she had led the life of an extremely normal and quite boring teenager but then she finds out that she is a witch. Not just any old witch though, one that comes from a long line of quite powerful witches and warlocks which includes her father and grandmother.

Being a witch is far from being as bad as Portia imagined though, especially when she realises that the hottest and most mysterious guy in school, Vance Magnum is a member of her coven. No one really knows anything about him apart from the numerous rumours that surround him but Vance doesn’t waste any time in showing Portia some attention. The pair have an instant and deep connection and their romance develops extremely quickly. Portia realises that Vance’s background was hidden for a reason but now it has reared its ugly head and threatens everything good about her new found amazing life.

What I thought
There aren’t that many books that I would consider ‘comfort reads’. A book has to have quite a big impact on me for me to feel like reading it at least a few times a year. Of Witches and Warlocks instantly went to the top of my ‘comfort reads’ list. I know that I am going to get withdrawals from not having read this book in a while so it is going to be one of the very few that I take away with me to University.

For some reason, I usually have problems with female main characters. I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s because I always prefer the guys in books (that sounds like the most reasonable explanation). Or maybe jealousy might be a better explanation. Portia Mullins changed most of my thoughts about heroines. Once you look past her being a witch, she really is just a normal teenager which makes her really easy to relate to. I loved the fact that she had the same hang ups that I had at her age but they weren’t overdone. If you have read any of my previous reviews, you will know how much I hate whiney girls. Portia isn’t like this at all and a huge part of why I liked her so much. The fact that she is a witch doesn’t ever go to her head. Lacey kept Portia grounded throughout the whole book and always kept her true to herself.

Vance Magnum. *fans self*. There has been quite a lot of hype surrounding Vance and some of my blogger friends who have read this book warned me about how amazing he was. I was a little worried that he wouldn’t live up to my expectations but he actually surpassed them. No wonder he is the reason why Portia lives. Vance is the high school bad boy surrounded by mystery and the leather jacket and impressive motorbike don’t do anything to help change this image that everyone has of him. The thing about Vance is that he is no where close to being who everyone thinks he is. He is so passionate and caring when it comes to Portia and would do anything for her, whenever she wanted it. He really wears his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid of what anybody else thinks. He loves Portia with all of his being and that is all there is to it. I want a Vance Magnum for myself but without some magic man dough, I have no chance. *sigh*

Portia and Vance’s relationship seriously gives many other literary couples a run for their money. Edward and Bella have nothing on these two. The chemistry between the two is so believable that you will almost feel as though you are there with them at times. Their love for one another is so pure and beautiful that it was a truly wonderful thing to read about. It was so refreshing to read a love story where the feelings involved were unconditional and both characters strived to become better people because of their relationship. There were a couple of times where I felt like things were moving too fast but the reasons behind these parts are explained in enough detail to make them necessary to the story. Portia and Vance’s relationship got more and more interesting as each chapter went on and I couldn’t tear myself away from their story.

Although the book is quite short, there is a lot packed into it. Much more than I would have ever expected. Normally, I would have wanted a book this length to be longer but not with this one. Lacey managed to put everything in that I wanted to know, expand on it and make it believable in such a short space of time. I loved the fact that Portia isn’t thrown into the deep end immediately when it comes to her magic. Although there are some things that she has to get to grips with quite fast, no one pushes her to learn as much as she can, as quick as she can. Everyone understands that each witch or warlock is different and that they all develop their magic at different rates. The magic aspects of the book were also really interesting. Lacey has fused together newer ideas of magic with older ones, inventing an exciting community where anything is possible.

Inside Of Witches and Warlocks is a world so fabulously built along a perfect timeline that it flows seamlessly from beginning to end. Of course, there were things left unanswered but knowing that there would be three more books in the series this only added to the intensity and building tension. Not everything can be covered in one book and Lacey has left herself with plenty more to work from that shows promise for an amazing series. I couldn’t wait to find out what was in store for Portia and Vance.

Quite frankly, I think Lacey Weatherford is a genius. I received both book 1 and 2 together and finished them on the same day. Once I had started reading, I couldn’t put these books down. I have to warn you just how addictive they (and Vance) are so if you get them, make sure you set aside enough time to read in one sitting. I know you wont want to stop once you start. If romance, passion (without being unsuitable for younger readers) and excitement is what you’re after, this is the book for you!

Find out more about this amazing series at the Official Of Witches and Warlocks website