Basics of Spellcraft

On the run from demons, Amy is hidden at the Ember Academy for Young Witches. Now to tell her what she is.

Amelia, aka Amy, has always been different. She suffers from ADHD and her brain processes information at a faster pace than other kids her age. She is trying a new medication, but the side effects are horrific headaches.

One night while out with her parents, cousin, and her Aunt Jessie, they are attacked by demons. Demons that say they want her! They slice her Mom's throat and curse her mother.

Now she is hiding away at an Academy for witches while her mother lies in a coma. Everyone is keeping secrets from her telling her that she will know that truth one day. Meanwhile, demons and who knows who else is trying to kill her.

Then she sees the girl she kissed at a party last summer. Her name is Natalie and by the way, she is a vampire. I should probably tell you about her friends....

I loved this book! The academy trope is a familiar one to me of late, but this one beats all and I will tell you why.

L.C. Mawson introduces a plethora of characters from almost every area of life in Basics of Spellcraft (Amazon, B082853L1Z, 2019) the first in her “Ember Academy for Young Witches” series. Amy has mental health issues and is just discovering and coming to terms with her sexuality. She is also having to grow up fast within her boundaries to handle new experiences.

The other characters deal with issues that range from transitioning to a girl, sexuality, race (and not just being Asian), autism, parental death, parental abandonment, and bullying. There are consequences that are permanent. Mawson does not take the easy way out of some situations.

Did I forget to mention action, romance, mystery, and magic? (laugh) Mawson gives us the full package in Basics. If this is the introduction to the Academy, then sign me up for more! ✶✶✶✶✶

I received an ARC of this book from Author L.C. Mawson and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.