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WHAT THE SPELL? by Brittany Geragotelis

WHAT THE SPELL?

From the Life's a Witch series, volume 1

by Brittany Geragotelis

Pub Date: Jan. 29th, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-6815-3
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

A little magic might have elevated this book's shallow, unrealistic characters and clichéd plot, which originated with the author’s Wattpad project, Life’s a Witch.

Brooklyn feels like she's invisible; her only friend is her guidance counselor, Ms. Zia. But all that changes on her 16th birthday, when her parents finally unbind her magical powers. The inevitable makeover from bland to beautiful ensues. Then she works to gain the attention of the Elite, her school's most popular clique and the group that Brooklyn is desperate to join. Best of all, her crush, Asher, turns out to be a witch, too. Contrary to her parents' wishes, Brooklyn naturally goes on a magic spree, using her newfound matchmaking ability to match herself with Asher and to meet the challenges the Elite put to her. This all ends predictably: Brooklyn gets blackmailed by the Elite, random students are hurt, and Brooklyn learns some valuable lessons. Brooklyn is a manipulative, self-absorbed twit, which at least differentiates her from the interchangeable supporting characters. The story's attempts at twists fall flat, failing to create tension.

Readers will need a memory spell to remember this after they're finished. (Paranormal chick lit. 14 & up)