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Saturday, October 23, 2010

Petty Magic by Camille DeAngelis

Perusing the New Release table at the bookstore, the red of this cover caught my eye.  Oh, thank you, whomever designed this cover!  Petty Magic by Camille DeAngelis is the perfect Halloween read.  Evelyn Harbinger is a 150 year old witch, living in the small town of Blackabbey with her sisters, nieces, and extended family.  Her sister, Helena, runs the family home as a B&B, complete with ghost.  Evelyn loves to use "petty magic" to turn herself back into her younger form, go out to bars, and pick up men for sex.  


One day, she sees Justin, who's Uncle owns a very curious and odd antiques shop, Fawkes and Ibis.  He looks just like Jonah, an American spy that Evelyn worked with, and fell in love with, during World War 2.  Can it be Jonah has been reincarnated?  


This story is very entertaining.  It's told in two parts; what's going on now, with Evelyn and Justin, and her crazy family, and Evelyn's story about working as a spy in World War 2.  Justin has no idea about Evelyn's true nature.  Can Evelyn keep up her disguise?  Will they find love together?


The characters are funny and quirky, and the world of white witchcraft is full of interesting customs, rules, and conventions.  This book worked it's magic on me--I couldn't put it down!


If you like the literary world of magical realism, this is perfect for you.  Like Alice Hoffman?  Like Sarah Addison?  You will love Camille DeAngelis.  I am eager to read whatever else she has written.  

5 comments :

  1. so its not scary? i don't like to be afraid at night... its sounds fun, but i don't wanna be spooked!

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  2. It's not scary at all; it's a love story, plus whimsical, eccentric old witches. Really a lot of fun! The only scary part are the Nazis in WW2.

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  3. I have a friend named Molly who enjoys books. She hosts a live chat on book reviews. Here is her blog.....Tell her Matty sent you.

    http://thebumblesblog.blogspot.com/

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  4. enoying it, thanks for the heads up!

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