A Dark and Secret Magic Review

Hello, all!

If you're looking for a witchy read to squeeze in before the end of this month, let it be A Dark and Secret Magic by Wallis Kinney.

Pub Date: 10-8-24
Adult - Fantasy

Hecate 'Kate' Goodwin has always been content with a small life. She lives in a cozy cottage on her family's property with her cat and spends her time foraging the forest for ingredients for tinctures she sells at her apothecary. But as the only hedge witch in her coven, Kate has responsibilities that her older sister needlessly reminds her of, one of which is the annual Halloween gathering. Not only is it a big day for witches, but it's also Kate's birthday, where she must make a decision that will change her life and magic forever.

As if Kate didn't have enough on her plate, Matthew Cypher--heir to a rival coven and Kate's unrequited crush--shows up at her door seeking sanctuary. Kate has been fooled by Matthew before and knows she should keep her guard up, but when Kate finds an old grimoire of her mother's shrouded in dark magic, Matthew is the only one she can turn to for help. As the pair dig deeper into the tome, Kate uncovers secrets that her mother kept regarding Kate's magic, making her question everything. It turns out there's a darker side to Kate's hedge magic that has been kept from her, and now she must learn to harness it before it's too late.

This book felt like it was written just for me. It had all the elements I love from a small New England town to witches to Halloween traditions. It felt cozy while still having darker moments. I liked Kate as a main character. I related to her desire to live a quiet life and admired how willing she was to put herself out there when the time came. She faces a lot of hard truths about her mother and her powers, and I liked watching her grow from everything. Her relationship with Matthew was cute. It didn't overpower the rest of the storyline, and I enjoyed seeing them work together. I could tell how the plot would play out, but it was still satisfying. While Kinney's writing was atmospheric, some of the dialogue didn't feel natural, but that was my only complaint. It would be a perfect read to curl up with on a chilly autumn night, and I can't wait to see what Kinney comes out with next.

Rating: 3.5/5