A Cast-Off Coven: A Witchcraft Mystery

This is the second book in the series that I have read, and I still have some mixed feelings about it. Specifically about the main character, Lily.First off, the bad (in my book):I know others have commented on many of the things that grate on me – I find the “my formal training left something to be desired” and wimpy actions/reactions one moment and “I thought I was the most powerful witch in California” hauteur the next annoying. The vacillation is irritating after two books of it.And the offhand disparaging of the Wiccans who she continues to go to for their power and help tends to turn me off. You don’t complain about your allies’ abilities or uncharitably consider them unknowledgeable when they are obviously helpful, and especially when you haven’t finished your own training by your own admission. The author has done them (and the Wiccan community) a disservice by representing them as ignorant. It’s her world, so she can portray any group in it as she pleases, I suppose. I just feel it reduced my reading enjoyment when I am used to the heroines in cozy mysteries being a notch above the prejudices and meanness of real humans.I hope to see some maturation of the character in future books.I am also struggling with the snowflake effect of all the gorgeous guys orbiting the main character: the tortured, torn unbeliever; the gorgeous and much more chill brother; the ethereally beautiful and powerful male witch; another tortured tough-guy who does believe and has his own abilities. It’s a little bit much at times and the smorgasbord reminds me more of a teenage girl-focused series than a cozy series.The good:I like the setting. I like the interesting situations. I like a lot of the support characters. It’s got some unique situational twists I have not seen in other books, and sometimes the main character is the heroine/problem solver I would like to see her be.Likely I will continue to read and try to ignore the things that sour my experience. The author has created a story that has made me curious enough to pick up the next in the series just to see what will happen in the future.

I really enjoyed  Secondhand Spirits: A Witchcraft Mystery , the first book in Juliet Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series featuring Lily Ivory. I found it well-plotted and well-written and was particularly impressed with its stellar characterizations. I was anxious to see if Blackwell could continue to impress me with book two.Happily, the answer is "yes". Not only did Blackwell not disappoint, she drew me deeper under her spell with A Cast-off Coven. I am declaring myself a fan.As the story begins (only a week after the events of Secondhand Spirits conclude), odd sounds, ghostly footsteps and doors opening and closing on their own have students from the San Francisco School of Fine Arts spooked and stopping into Lily's vintage clothing store in search of protective talismans. At her assistant Maya's request (and in exchange for some Victorian clothing recently found at the school), Lily agrees to check things out and attempt to calm the students' fears. Instead she finds a dead body and comes across evidence that has her wondering if someone at the school has summoned a demon.A Cast-off Coven is a solid mystery and a nicely creepy ghost story with moments I found somehow reminiscent (in feeling) of the old Julie Harris - Claire Bloom film "The Haunting" (which is #1 on my official list of "Movies That Scared the Heck Out of Me When I Was A Kid and Still Pretty Much Freak Me Out Even Though I Am Now All Grown Up"). The story is wonderfully paced and plotted, with touches of humor, strong friendships and possibilities of romance.Enhancing that plot is Blackwell's ability to take pieces of myth and legend that seem at least vaguely familiar and twist them just enough to make them seem new and - in most cases - more intriguing. Her depiction of Lily's craft has depth and a degree of detail that make it seem believably real and it comes across as an essential part of Lily rather than something she "practices". Simply put, the paranormal world of A Cast-off Coven really works for me. And Lily, while she knows a lot about this magical world, also knows that she has a lot to learn. This helps make Lily accessible to us and we are allowed to learn alongside her.Blackwell also does a terrific job of making San Francisco come alive. Her rich descriptions enable me to "see" the city and deepen my determination to visit it someday soon. Elements of the city's history - including the Great Earthquake of 1906 - have been woven into the story.However, as with Secondhand Spirits, it is the wonderful characters that really pulled me into A Cast-off Coven. I like these people. I admire many of them. And I am intrigued by all of them. These are smart, strong, complex and interesting characters with layered histories that Blackwell is revealing to us bit by bit. This slow reveal keeps me on my toes while reading because I never know when another fascinating little detail about someone will be made known to me and I don't want to miss anything. There is so much we have yet to learn about each and every one of them that I can only hope Blackwell has many, many more volumes in the series planned. But whether it's one book or ten, I am so there.I'm also going to give Blackwell's other stuff a try. I have ordered  If Walls Could Talk: A Haunted Home Renovation Mystery (Haunted Home Repair Mystery) , the first in her new series which is due to be released in December, 2010. And sitting in my TBR pile is  Feint of Art (Annie Kincaid Mysteries, No. 1) , the first in a three volume mystery series she co-wrote in 2006/2007 with her sister, Carolyn, and published under the name Hailey Lind.I highly recommend both Secondhand Spirits and A Cast-off Coven. Enjoy!

Lily Ivory is back in another great book from Juliet Blackwell. This time we are dealing with some weird stuff going on at the San Francisco School of Fine Arts. Poor Lily. That’s all I gotta say because that girl has to deal with Max’s jealously over some certain men that she sees throughout the book along with not wanting her to do anything with her “witchy” powers.All I gotta say is…BEWITCHED 2.0!! Haha okay I’m done. But seriously they just need to change their names and go back into time to when Bewitched was shot and their they go. But yeah Lily has to deal with a ghost, a demon, jealous boyfriend, and demon possessed people. This book was pretty good as it held my interest. Well that is until I got busy and so totally forgot about this book until yesterday. I am quite glad that I got to finish it and that I found Juliet Blackwell. Who I wish the utmost best of luck with all of her series’ that she is doing and that I can’t wait to see what else happens for Lily, Oscar, Aidan, Max, Bronwyn, and Maya. Those four are all going to be a whole lot busy while Lily stays in San Francisco.Anyways until next time enjoy this book review brought to you byBaroness’ Book Trove.To read more book reviews like this one please go to my book review blog site @ baronessbooktrove. Thanks so much! You won't regret it!!!

The second book from the Witchcraft Mystery series sees our hero Lily Ivory being called in to help rid the San Francisco School of Fine Arts from some spooky goings on, in return for which Lily is promised a trunkful of victorian clothing for her vintage clothing shop Aunt Cora's Closet. But spooky goings on soon turn to a murder mystery with something very evil lurking in an old school storage closet. Lily is helped by her friends; Bronwyn, an earth mother type and wiccan practioner; Maya, Lily's down to earth and rational shop assistant and student at the School of Fine Arts; Aidan, the powerful yet untrustworthy male witch; Sailor, a reluctant psychic with secrets to hide and of course Oscar the trusty yet mysterious familiar. There is also romance for Lily with Max, a reporter and skeptic, a bit of a Darren Stevens type. All in all a brilliant read, a paranormal mystery with a very human touch.

Everyone played their part. The demon touched everyone and they played their role it's up to Lily to save the day. I'm sad about max though he needs to be more of a man.

Enjoyable characters, local colour and a good pace although sometimes the personalities could be developed better...some a little one dimensional. Nonetheless have enjoyed reading these books. They have a good feel

This was a gift for someone who as the title suggests likes magic and mystery. This book has proved to be very well received and thoroughly enjoyed. The book is ideal for a teenager.

Read first of her titles in library then purchased the later ones. Delightful light read. Took on holiday - read on plane. Relaxing and easy way to get in the mood for holiday.