Spells, Strings, and Forgotten things is a sweet story with family lore, a lot of magic and small town vibes.
The book follows the story of three Lightcraft witches, the Petridi sisters, following the suspicious disappearance of their mother. The sisters run a tea and bookstore in Gold Springs and are in charge of protecting the great oak that protects their town, however in order to use their magic they have to sacrifice their memories, which is too great a cost for two of the sisters leaving only Calliope to practice.
When Lucien, the mysterious leader of a coven of Shadowcraft witches infamous for their pursuit of power, arrives in town Calliope accidentally binds herself to him after a spell goes awry. Lucien is dark and mysterious but he could also be sweet and is definitely book boyfriend material!.
The tenuous trust that Calliope and Lucien have build comes under threat when the magic containing the Dark Oak’s evil weakens and they struggle to break down generations of mistrust.
I loved watching Calliope grow throughout this book, she is feisty and a little bit quirky, and it was definitely a story of self discovery. Calliope is haunted by past trauma and her fear of losing them kept her from getting close to anyone, including her sisters. Seeing them strengthening their sisterly bonds while trying to follow their own independent paths was completely relatable.
This book has a whimsical Practical Magic meets Stars Hollow crossed with Pride and Prejudice vibe that I really loved. The magic system was quite unique, no waving your wand around while whispering some Latin incantation. In Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things a spell requires a memory. It makes you question what you’d be willing to forget in order to cast a spell; I’d happily erase any memory of times I’ve publicly embarrassed myself but memories of times spent with loved ones, there’s no chance I’d willingly give those up.
Another thing I enjoyed about Spells was the descriptive imagery and world building, which I could completely immerse myself in. From the crunch under foot while stumbling through the woods to the smell of freshly baked pastries and steaming hot brews – I felt like I was there!
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a cosy, easy read that was light on the fantasy but had just the right amount of tension in the romance.
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Publisher: Aria
Format: Ebook
ISBN: 9781035912216
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Here’s the synopsis
In the small town of Gold Springs, Calliope Petridi and her two sisters carefully guard the secret of their magic and the price they must pay to practice it: memories. Luckily, all Calliope wants to do is forget: the mother who left without a trace, the sisters from whom she feels increasingly distant, and most of all, the way the love of her life shattered her heart two years ago.
But when a mysterious evil awakens, the fragile thread that holds the sisters together breaks. As their magic slowly begins to fade, Calliope accidentally binds herself to the handsome leader of a rival coven infamous for their ruthless pursuit of power. Battling the sizzling chemistry with a man she can’t trust, Calliope must confront memories of her past, family secrets, and ancient magic in order to protect the town and all she loves. But will she have anything left of herself?
What Caz Read 