Wild and Wicked Things

In the post-magic-war era, Annie finds herself heading to Crow Island to settle her estranged father’s estate. Steeped in the history of witchcraft, the island is now the summer retreat of the elite, where the consequences of the prohibition of magic don’t seem to reach. Having settled into her quant cottage, she’s lured into the lavish and exotic parties hosted by her neighbor, the legendary crow witch. While on the island, Annie is reunited with a childhood friend, who has taken desperate and illegal measures to obtain the life she believes she’s owed. Events take a dramatic turn when a forced love spell weakens and an unpaid blood debt is called in full.

This book has a slow and, at times, convoluted storyline. The plot takes strong inspiration from The Great Gatsby and Practical Magic, with some scenes and dialogues seemingly pulled directly from the original texts. Several chapters are devoted to the backstory of the previous house owner, while others appear to be from someone’s grimoire; both plotlines come across as clunky and I question the value they add. The story could have benefited from significant editing to help maintain focus and pace.