Book Review: Book of Shadows by Cate Tiernan

BOOK OF SHADOWS by Cate Tiernan
Series: Sweep, #1
Publication Date: March 22nd 2007 by Puffin
Rating: StarStarStar

Summary: Morgan and her best friend, Bree, are introduced to Wicca when a gorgeous senior named Cal invites them to join his new coven. Morgan falls for Cal immediately— and discovers that she has strong, inexplicable powers.

This book is focuses on a lot of the development because it is the first book of the series. Morgan, a junior at Widow’s Vale High, meets the new senior Cal. She is instantly riveted by him, but she isn’t the only one. She finds out that he is Wiccan, a witch, and begins to learn more about Wicca, magic, and herself. Nothing really exciting happens in terms of plot (is there a plot?), but the book is alluring because the reader learns so much about the world of Wicca. I was assured that the plot picks up later on in the series so I guess I will just have to wait to read where the story takes me.

Unfortunately, BOOK OF SHADOWS just isn’t about magick. In addition to discovering this new world of Wicca, Morgan goes through the stereotypical drama of high school: problems with boys, best friends, and parents.While the magick in this book is very alluring, the teenage drama was not. In particular, Bree was immensely irritating. She came off as shallow and selfish – not my kind of character. The drama just seemed very forced and cliche and it did not work out for me.

BOOK OF SHADOWS has its romantic element to it, but I honestly felt no chemistry between Morgan and Cal. I probably felt this way because there is hint that Cal has ulterior motives for getting to know Morgan better. What that is, I don’t know yet but it doesn’t sound good. It also makes me wonder: is Morgan truly in love with Cal or is it some magick element that makes him so attractive to all the girls? (Or is he really just that much of a chick magnet?)

Quick, easy, and fun read. The premise for the series sounds interesting so I’ll definitely keep reading.

6 Comments

  1. I came here all ready to read and comment on your review and then I was BLOWN AWAY by your new design! I loved the old one, but this one looks great too! I love the book on the top with the pretty light behind it.

    Ok, so back to business. I have this series on my TBR so I’m glad to hear you say you liked it. I’ve heard it skips ahead in time over the series, so at least the annoying high school stuff won’t be there the whole time.

  2. Hey there, new follower here!

    Seeing your post made me absolutely nostalgic! I picked up this series a few years ago, and although I didn’t finish it for whatever reason (I probably couldn’t find all of the books), I remember enjoying it pretty well – especially the later installments.

  3. One… I FREAKIN LOVE YOUR NEW DESIGN!

    And two, I love the Sweep series! I got to book 10 before I had to take a break though lol. But really, love the series.

  4. I’ve never heard of this book, either. I’m a bit curious about it, though. I’ll have to pick it up sometime and see what I think! :)

    Btw… Freaking. Love. Your. Quote. Box. That’s soo pretty!

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