Synopsis:
Mariel Spark knows not to trust a demon, especially one that wants her soul, but what’s a witch to do when he won’t leave her side—and she kind of doesn’t want him to?
Mariel Spark is prophesied to be the most powerful witch seen in centuries of the famed Spark family, but to the displeasure of her mother, she prefers baking to brewing potions and gardening to casting hexes. When a spell to summon flour goes very wrong, Mariel finds herself staring down a demon—one she inadvertently summoned for a soul bargain.
Ozroth the Ruthless is a legend among demons. Powerful and merciless, he drives hard bargains to collect mortal souls. But his reputation has suffered ever since a bargain went awry—if he can strike a bargain with Mariel, he will earn back his deadly reputation. Ozroth can’t leave Mariel’s side until they complete a bargain, which she refuses to do (turns out some humans are attached to their souls).
But the witch is funny. And curvy. And disgustingly yet endearingly cheerful. Becoming awkward roommates quickly escalates when Mariel, terrified to confess the inadvertent summoning to her mother, blurts out that she’s dating Ozroth. As Ozroth and Mariel struggle with their opposing goals and maintaining a fake relationship, real attraction blooms between them. But Ozroth has a limited amount of time to strike the deal, and if Mariel gives up her soul, she’ll lose all her emotions—including love—which will only spell disaster for them both.
Did I disappear for months after my grand return only to comeback with a slapped together review?? Maybe
On a more serious note, I really need to get better at jotting down my notes for books I plan to review. I’m sitting here trying my hardest to remember things, when at the time I was like “DoN’T fOrGeT tO MenTioN ThiS WhEn yOu dO tHE rEviEW!!”
Anyywaaaaaaay, ON WITH THE REVIEW!!!!
What I Liked:
MAIN CHARACTER WIN
I can’t even begin to put into words how much I loved Mariel. My goodness. Here’s a gorl who loves plants so much that the plants love her back and pet her head when she’s sad, and as a lifelong tree lover, who was convinced that the trees were speaking to me every time the wind blew… you could say I was a little jelly WHAT’S IT LIKE TO LIVE MYYYY DREEAAAMMMM. But also, NOT JELLY cause I was living the dream through Mariel! Her Pov had me fully immersed that I was feeling that love through the book.
The dynamics with her family were equal parts entertaining (her mad wizard uncle was a vibeee) as well as heart-breaking. Reading about how much Mariel loved her plant magic and how much joy it brought her everyday to then cut to her family (specifically her mother) being disappointed in her and wanting her to just abandon it and do the same magic as them so that the family appears GREAT, was genuinely sad. I was upset for her, especially because I have the same conflict avoidance anxiety that Mariel does. I wanted to jump into the book and fight them FOR her.
The other characters were great too but not as great as my giiirrllll Marieeelllllll, I especially loved the strong bond between her and her two besties – I DOUBLE loved how all three of them were total opposites of each other. Mariel being quiet plant lover, Calladia (also a witch) being super athletic health nut, and Themmie (a pixie) who is a social media icon tbh. Despite their complete opposite personalities they had a beautiful dynamic together. And I love to see girls winning.
Oz, who is the demon was a goooooood love interest for Mariel. Here comes an all-powerful demon that is happy to do all the talking and let Mariel hide behind him when she loses her voice in front of her family. Having someone to lean on when you’re in a situation you don’t want to be in but you can’t escape is a GODSEND! Over all Oz was just a big teddy bear pretending he had razor claws and fangs, when really he just needs a hug and maybe some hobbies besides soul catching.
Setting
LOVE ME SOME SMALL MAGICAL TOWN AMBIANCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Everyone knows everyone and some of them are werewolves botanists. That’s the kind of cosy hometown vibes I dream of.
Also Mariel is actually living MY DREEAAMMM!
Little stone cottage. Garden with a greenhouse and all the plants love her. And there’s a forest RIGHT THERE TO RUN AROUND IN!!!! Which brings me to my next point!
THE PLOT
Now, I’ll try not to spoil to much but the best way to describe the plot without giving too much away, is that every time I was about to put the book down and go to sleep -because my eyes were giving up on me the traitors closing on me – I just kept turning the pages. Like a robot. No need to think about it, just keep flipping giirlll! Is that the sun coming up? I doesn’t matter! Keep reading!!!
The romance is the main focus of this book but there is also all the magic!!! BUT you could argue that magical powers aside it is the power of LOVE that gets these characters through the tough times.
I guess the magical powers helped too BUT GUYS!!! It was the love. The love for romantical purposes and the love for family, friends and their home!!!!
Honestly though, I think I was so gripped by it because the forest was getting sick with a magical plague and as a certified tree hugger I WAS STRESSED!
Overall
I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn’t say it was my favourite book in the history of ever, but it was exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was expecting it to be. I wanted a soft, cosy magical realism romance as a palate cleanser and this book left a lovely taste in my mouth! (swear I didn’t lick the pages ok… please believe me...)
Rating
A BEAUTIFUL SOLID 4 STAR READ RIGHT HERE FOLKS!!!
Have you read this book?? What did you think?? Do you folks jump into different genres as palate cleansers too??
Whimsical Woodland Wanderer 