Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft (YA Paranormal Romance) [Kindle Edition]

Jody Gehrman (Author)

Book Description

From the award-winning author of Babe in Boyland comes a Young Adult paranormal romance about witchcraft, black magic, and the pleasures of paranormal chocolate...

Falling in love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer--it's all in a day's work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. When her mother goes missing and her mysterious "cousin" shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something's gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it's up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother's secret past.

Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is more than just a novel; it's a book of spells, a collection of easy recipes, a charming coming-of-age tale, an enchanting romance, and an action-packed adventure. As Audrey overcomes her insecurities and learns to protect herself against the wicked black magic of her nemesis, she grows into a heroine we can root for--a witch who knows that true power comes from deep within.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This novel was brilliant! It kept my attention, had me laughing...I was thoroughly invested in the sparkling dialogue between Audrey, her friends, and her love interest. I can't wait for the sequel to release." ~Ivy Book Bindings 

"Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is a laugh out loud type novel. I would recommend this novel to fans of the YA supernatural, readers who enjoy humor, and people who want a novel that is full of mystery, secrets, action and romance."
~Chapter by Chapter Reviews

"Since Audrey has a talent for preparing delicious mouth watering desserts, there's also some recipes thrown in that readers may want to try. This is certainly a light and amusing story filled with so many likable characters that I had a hard time putting it down."~Primrose Musings

"Audrey is a believable protagonist...Snarky. Intelligent. Fierce. Funny." ~Unsociable Rabbit's Rants and Reviews

"If you like a fun read involving witches and sort-of zombies, with well rounded characters and a horrific high school enemy, then pick this one up for sure." ~I Am Alive Book Blog

"Overall this one is a must read, must obtain for your high school library. Everything you need to know is in the first sentence of the synopsis: Love + Baking + Fighting = super fun read!" ~Reviews of Young Adult Literature

From the Author

I've always been fascinated by witchcraft. Even as a kid, I sensed a palpable power running through the natural world. Witches have an ability to interact with that power, which is pretty amazing. Living in Northern California, I've been lucky enough to meet people who practice witchcraft, so it isn't that foreign to me. I decided I'd like to try writing about it. I wanted to explore what I knew about real witches but also create a world where their power could be even more mind-blowing. That's part of why I set it in my hometown, Healdsburg; I loved the idea of adding paranormal elements to a place I know so well. I hope you enjoy this spooky tale, and that you'll join Audrey on her future adventures.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 498 KB
• Print Length: 295 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 061565844X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Magic Genie Books; 1 edition (June 29, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008G7L6TS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #184,412 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Audrey has me under her spell! September 5, 2012

By Chapter Chicks

Format:Paperback

When I was asked to review Gehrman's latest title, I was absolutely thrilled. I loved her other Y.A. novel, Babe in Boyland, and figured I would be in for another hilarious ride. I was surprised to find that this novel took a more serious tone, although it did have its humorous moments, but was just as good nonetheless. This really helped me see Jody Gehrman as a more rounded writer and I really appreciate her work.

I am someone who really loves books about witchcraft. I think because it has to do with a very real part of our history, which means it is the most believable mythical being (the YA version, not Wiccans which is a real religion) and means I can hope one day I'll encounter it without feeling so childish. However, this book didn't have as much of it as I would have liked. The witchcraft seemed easy, and I felt like it could have taken a deeper more complicated tone.

The book itself was light, with its serious hues. Which I really enjoyed and is what a lot of people enjoy reading in the summer. It really worked with Audrey's attitude and vulnerablility. The plot started off as simple and became more intricate and complicated as the story went on; while keeping the light fun tone that made it easy to read. What I loved most was the end. So many times in books I feel so confused at the main climax. The author gets so excited, and has so much to say and so much going on at once, that it doesn't come across well. I understood every second of the climax in this book and didn't feel confused at all. I think this will really help when I read the sequel.

All in all, definitely check this book out and see if it is for you, and while I doubt it will be for everyone, it will definitely be for most.

First Line:
"That first Friday in September, barely a week into my junior year, I knew Mom had gone missing."

You'll Like This Book If:
You like light books; You like books about witchcraft; You like books that have a little mystery; You like easy romances without love triangles; You like books with a little humor

[...]

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Start to a Magical Series! September 8, 2012

By Stephanie Ward

Format:Paperback

'Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft' is a fun and exciting book that follows the main character, Audrey Oliver, as she deals with teenage life and with being a witch-in-training. Among her daily activities include school, crushing on a cute boy, learning spells, and trying to fight evil.

The first book in a series, this novel is full of excitement and tons of magical energy. The story's heroine, Audrey, is a perfect example of a modern day teenage girl - only with the added benefit of being a young witch on top of everything else. Audrey has to deal with normal teen angst along with normal problems like boys, school, friends, and family; but being a witch brings its own issues. Audrey is a very likeable character and I was able to easily identify with her and root for her throughout the book. The story was very fast paced with lots of magic and adventure - which made it a page turner that I couldn't put down. The narrative had a great flow and was written really well - both of which are needed to make a great book. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel and I will definitely be reading the next installment in the series.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely start to a new witchy series! September 14, 2012

By Book of Secrets VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

I'm not a YA reader, but when I saw this book pop up around the blogosphere, I was intrigued. The blurb sounded good (I love witchy books) and the cover is gorgeous! I'm glad I took a chance on Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft, because I really enjoyed it.

Audrey was a great character. It's been a few years since I was 17, but I found myself realting to Audrey easily. She's a bit socially awkward, would rather study chemistry or bake a cake than party, and she's fiercely protective of her friends and family. Audrey's trouble begins when her mother goes missing and a "cousin" named Sadie shows up at her door. Sadie claims she was sent to watch over Audrey and her younger sister Meg while her mom takes care of a family emergency, but Audrey's not buying it.

When Audrey causes some unexplained events to happen, Sadie decides to let her in on a little family secret: She's a witch, just like her missing mom, and the family emergency is magical in nature. When Audrey learns that her mom's mission is defeating a dangerous necromancer, she insists that Sadie teaches her Witchcraft 101 so she can help.

I liked both the story and characters in this book. It was funny at times and dark in places too. The pacing was steady throughout, though it got pretty suspenseful at the end. I think I would have liked more build up of the villain earlier in the book, because we don't learn much about his plans until the last quarter of the book or so.

There's also a budding sweet romance between Audrey and a hot college-age guy named Julian. It's clear that Audrey and Julian have a special connection, but we don't know what it is - yet. This is the first book in the Audrey's Guide series, and I'm excited to see what happens next!

(A few yummy recipes and witchy spells are included in the story. Fun!)

More About the Author

Jody Gehrman is a pagan at heart. She is a native of Northern California, where real witches thrive, and she has had the pleasure of knowing a few. She is also the author of seven novels and numerous award-winning plays. Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft is her most recent Young Adult novel. Her other Young Adult novels include Babe in Boyland, Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty, and Triple Shot Bettys in Love, (Penguin's Dial Books). Babe in Boyland has recently been optioned by the Disney Channel and won the International Reading Association's Teen Choice Award. Her adult novels are Notes from the Backseat, Tart, and Summer in the Land of Skin (Red Dress Ink). Her plays have been produced in Ashland, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and L.A. She and her partner David Wolf won the New Generation Playwrights Award for their one-act, Jake Savage, Jungle P.I. She is a professor of English at Mendocino College, where she can be found grading papers when she's not experimenting with !
spells.