Rewitched | Lucy Jane Wood
REVIEWED BY LINDA HILL
Having rather neglected her magical powers since her 15th birthday, Belladonna (Bella) Blackthorne is unprepared for the summons from her coven to prove her worthiness as a witch on her 30th birthday. Retaining her magic is not going to be easy.
Rewitched: book review & synopsis
Initially Rewitched feels rather like a young adult book as it is filled with magic, hats, cloaks, spells and witchy characters. Look beneath the immediate surface though, and there’s a wonderful metaphor for life. Themes of family, friendship and trust abound, but the main message is one that encourages self-belief.
Bella’s experiences lead her to realise that, with a little support from family and friends, she is the only one who can plot her path through life. She learns that taking a chance and making occasionally daunting decisions is not something to shy away from. As a result, Rewitched has a rather magical effect on the reader, giving them permission to live their own lives to the fullest.
Lucy Jane Wood’s writing is really evocative. Her descriptions create a highly visual picture with colour, movement and sound depicted so accurately that Rewitched feels immediate and entrancing. Direct speech is natural and frequently adds a touch of humour that lightens the darker aspects of the text to perfection.
Bella is a warm, engaging character who immediately appeals. She is riddled with self-doubt and yet competent and skilled so that she embodies traits so many of us have. She’s loyal and hardworking. There are moments in the story that had me cheering aloud for her. I loved her quick wit and the way she comes to terms with who she really is.
Sparks fly for Bella and Rune
The slow-burning romance between Bella and the rather enigmatic Rune is delightful. Literal sparks fly between them, but theirs is not a gratuitous addition to the narrative. Instead, through them, we see how relationships develop organically, how trust and understanding lead to greater depth of feeling and how romance is not always conventional.
The other characters are equally compelling. The depiction of Artorious is simultaneously heart-breaking and uplifting and whilst the story is Bella’s, he is pivotal in the action, showing how the truth isn’t always obvious.
And what action there is. There’s a fabulous balance between aspects the reader themselves might experience, like a difficult boss at work in Christopher, and the dramatic, magical world of Bella’s trials as she attempts to retain her powers. I found the finale made my pulse race!
Rewitched is a book that draws in the reader, captivates and entertains them. It’s beguiling, dramatic and has a touch of romance that feels just right. It is the perfect read for an autumn or winter evening.
Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood is out now (Macmillan, HB, £16.99) and available from Amazon.
Read more fiction reviews by Linda Hill including Small Bomb At Dimperley by Lissa Evans, The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers, Scandalous Women by Gill Paul, Island In The Sun by Katie Fforde, The Trap by Ava Glass and Look In The Mirror by Catherine Steadman.
