Ivy Asher, a renowned witch known for her dark powers and peculiar interests, has developed a notorious affinity for bones. This fascination has led her down a path of curiosity, experimentation, and ultimately, power. From an early age, Ivy displayed a keen interest in bones. Fascinated by their structure and mystique, she would spend hours scouring the woods near her home, diligently collecting and studying animal bones. As she grew older and her magical abilities developed, her interest in bones took on a different meaning. To Ivy, bones held immense power and symbolism.
When I’d read Sarah Hogle’s debut novel You Deserve Each Other, I fell hard and fast for her work. Her writing managed to both tickle my funny bone and track a good bucket full of tears down my cheeks. After reading the synopsis for Just Like Magic, I was intrigued by the nature and premise of the story that the book promised.
One drunk evening, she plays a Mariah Carey Christmas album and spills her drink on the vinyl record and she ends up playing All I Want for Christmas backward and conjures up a Christmas Spirit named Hall short for Holiday. Her books are told exclusively from the heroine s perspective, so the dynamics of each relationship reveal themselves slowly as the narrators learn more about their partners.
To Ivy, bones held immense power and symbolism. She believed that they were conduits for energy and possessed the ability to channel the ethereal forces that governed her magical practices. With this belief in mind, she began incorporating bones into her spells and rituals, utilizing their inherent power to amplify her own abilities.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ REVIEW: Just Like Magic by Sarah Hogle
When you’re fake dating the, ah, literal Holiday Spirit, things are bound to get complicated. This chaotic, charming, one-of-a-kind story is filled with holiday fun that put a smile on my face. I’ve been a huge fan of Hogle’s work since the start, and every book is an EXPERIENCE of its own. Just Like Magic is everything I could want in a holiday romance – it’s festive and heartwarming, with a slow-burning love story that was all kinds of adorable. Our hero is the ultimate cinnamon roll; I wasn’t kidding when I said that Hall is the literal spirit of the holidays, so he is the swooniest, most adorkable, Christmas sweater-wearing, sweetheart you can dream up. Watching him experience all of the simple pleasures of life was just as endearing as watching our heroine reconnect with her family and herself. It’s the perfect kind of romance for the holidays, with a zaney, quirky storyline that is sure to fill you with holiday cheer.
The story follows Bettie, a woman who let social media stardom get the best of her. While she was once an IG darling with sponsorship offers coming from all directions, she is now penniless and hiding from the spotlight. Feeling blue as the holidays approach, Bettie is startled when a cute, cheerful guy interrupts her sulking and claims to be the Holiday Spirit, aka Hall. He says that he’s been tasked with rekindling Bettie’s love of the holidays. So when Hall starts granting Bettie’s wishes – no matter how non-sensical or ridiculous – she soon realizes that he was serious. It’s not long before things start snowballing, and Bettie finds herself claiming Hall as her fake fiancé as they spend the days leading up to Christmas with her family. But Hall is all things good and light, so falling for him is easy… even if Bettie knows he’s set to disappear as soon as joy comes back to her life.
So, yeah. The plot is pretty ridiculous, lol. You’ll need to get behind that if you want to enjoy the ride, because this is high-octane fun with one whacky thing after the next. It’s FULL of holiday humor and quirkiness, with a story that kept me on my toes. It’s got the soft, swoony feel that Hogle is known for, with everything dialed up another notch. I thought that Hall was adorable, and he really complements Bettie well. As they both grew and progressed, the romance just got richer and sweeter. Exactly the kind of rom com that I want to curl up under a cozy blanket with on a winter night, and one that I’ll definitely revisit in the future. I do think that the actual relationship development in Hogle’s first two books was much stronger, but this more than makes up for it with the humor, heart, and holiday fun.
Ivy's affinity for bones did not stop at their use in spellcasting. She also began experimenting with the creation of bone talismans and artifacts, imbuing them with specific magical properties. Through meticulous research and a deep understanding of bone anatomy, she discovered that each bone held unique properties and energies. This knowledge allowed her to craft potent talismans that catered to various magical purposes. As Ivy's reputation as a bone witch spread, she attracted the attention of other practitioners seeking her knowledge and expertise. She embraced this role, sharing her insights and methods with those willing to learn. This exchange of knowledge only heightened her own understanding of the power of bones and contributed to her growing influence within the magical community. However, it is important to note that Ivy's affinity for bones is not rooted in solely macabre interests. For her, bones symbolize the cycle of life and death, representing the ever-present connection between the physical and spiritual realms. Through her work with bones, she seeks to tap into this mystical union and harness its power for her own magical purposes. In conclusion, the witch Ivy Asher and her affinity for bones reveal a complex and profound exploration of power and symbolism. They highlight her dedication to understanding the hidden forces that govern the world of magic and her unwavering pursuit of deepening her own abilities. Through her studies and experimentation, Ivy has become a prominent figure in the magical community, forever leaving her mark with her unique affinity for bones..
Reviews for "Exploring the Dark Side: Ivy Asher and her Bone Affinity"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "The Witch Ivy Asher and Her Affinity for Bones" to be a disappointment. While the premise was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect or empathize with them. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed, jumping from one scene to another without proper transitions. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and wanting more from this book.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - Honestly, I couldn't even finish reading "The Witch Ivy Asher and Her Affinity for Bones." The writing style was incredibly tedious and lacked any sort of flow. The constant use of clichés and predictable dialogue made the story unbearable. Furthermore, the main character, Ivy Asher, felt one-dimensional and uninteresting. It's safe to say that this book was a major letdown and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "The Witch Ivy Asher and Her Affinity for Bones" had a promising concept, but it ultimately failed to captivate me. The pacing was slow, and the world-building was lacking. I found the magical elements to be underdeveloped and poorly explained. The romance subplot felt forced and unrealistic, adding unnecessary distractions from the already weak plot. Overall, I was left underwhelmed and unimpressed with this book.