Living in a quiet suburban neighborhood, I never expected to have a witch as a neighbor. It all began when I moved into my new house on Elm Street. The house itself was charming, with a white picket fence and a picturesque garden. Little did I know, the woman living next door would add a touch of magic to my life. At first, I had no idea my neighbor was a witch. Mrs.
How did she react? She looks a bit sheepish. 'I was very naughty, actually. I made some lightning.'
Drawings of eyes were burnt in the wood, and a dead bird was on my porch mat, it s eyes were missing along with its feet, and there were maggots all around it. She told how she had invited the girls round - by which she meant the other members of her coven - for some night time cavorting around the stone circle.
Mrs. Jenkins, as I soon discovered, had a garden filled with the most peculiar plants. There were herbs I had never seen before, with names that rolled off the tongue like spells.
Wild Is the Witch
When eighteen-year-old witch Iris Gray accidentally enacts a curse that could have dire consequences, she must team up with a boy who hates witches to make sure her magic isn't unleashed on the world.
Iris Gray knows witches aren't welcome in most towns. When she was forced to leave her last home, she left behind a father who was no longer willing to start over. And while the Witches' Council was lenient in their punishment, Iris knows they're keeping tabs on her. Now settled in Washington, Iris never lets anyone see who she really is; instead, she vents her frustrations by writing curses she never intends to cast. Otherwise, she spends her days at the wildlife refuge which would be the perfect job if not for Pike Alder, the witch-hating aspiring ornithologist who interns with them.
Iris concocts the perfect curse for Pike: one that will turn him into a witch. But just as she's about to dispel it, a bird swoops down and steals the curse before flying away. If the bird dies, the curse will be unleashed―and the bird is a powerful amplifier, and unleashing the curse would turn not just Pike, but everyone in the region, into a witch.
New witches have no idea how to control their magic and the consequences would be dire. And the Witches' Council does not look kindly on multiple offenses; if they found out, Iris could be stripped of her magic for good. Iris begs Pike to help her track the bird, and they set out on a trek through the Pacific Northwest looking for a single bird that could destroy everything.
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Genres FantasyYoung AdultWitchesRomanceParanormalFictionMagic
Suky herself has never cared much about what the neighbours think. 'We don't really know any of them, to be honest, but I don't see why they would be bothered about our stone circle. We don't mind if they want to put a barbecue in their garden.'
As curious as I was, I never ventured too close to her garden, fearing I might accidentally cast a spell on myself. It wasn't until a few months after moving in that I finally bumped into Mrs. Jenkins. We shared a friendly smile as we exchanged pleasantries, but there was a mysterious glint in her eyes that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but be drawn to her, curious about the secrets that lay behind her seemingly innocent facade. As time went on, I started to notice peculiar things happening around Mrs. Jenkins' house. On particularly windy days, I would see brooms and cauldrons being carried away by gusts of wind, only to return moments later as if they had a mind of their own. Mysterious creatures would scuttle across her lawn in the dead of night, their eyes glowing an eerie shade of green. It was as if her house was alive with magic. Curiosity got the better of me, and one day, I mustered up the courage to knock on Mrs. Jenkins' door. To my surprise, she welcomed me in without hesitation. Her home was unlike anything I had ever seen before. There were potions bubbling on the stove, spell books stacked high on every surface, and shelves filled with curious objects that seemed to have a life of their own. It was a magical wonderland hidden within an ordinary suburban house. Mrs. Jenkins revealed her true identity as a witch, and my mind was filled with wonder. She shared stories of her magical adventures, of encountering mythical creatures and casting powerful spells. Her house was a haven for all things extraordinary, a place where imagination and reality collided in the most enchanting way. From that day forward, Mrs. Jenkins became my closest friend and mentor. She taught me the ways of witchcraft, introducing me to potions and charms that had been passed down through generations. We spent hours concocting spells and discussing the wonders of the magical world. My once ordinary life had suddenly become anything but. Having a witch living beside me has brought a touch of magic into my otherwise ordinary suburban existence. Mrs. Jenkins has shown me that beneath the surface of the mundane, there is a world brimming with enchantment and possibility. I am grateful to have her as my neighbor and friend, for she has opened my eyes to a whole new realm of wonder..
Reviews for "The Witch Next Door: Embracing the Mysterious and Magical"
1. Jane - 1 star
"The Witch Who Lives Beside Me was a total disappointment for me. The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect or care about any of them. Additionally, the pacing was slow, and I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left until the end. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written fantasy read."
2. Mark - 2 stars
"I wanted to like The Witch Who Lives Beside Me, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was mediocre, with clunky dialogue and awkward descriptions. The world-building was weak, leaving me with questions about the magical system and the overall setting. The romance subplot felt forced and without chemistry. There were glimpses of potential in the story, but they were overshadowed by a lackluster execution. I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested in continuing with the series."
3. Emily - 2.5 stars
"While The Witch Who Lives Beside Me had an interesting concept, the execution didn't live up to its potential. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of tedious exposition and action-packed scenes that felt rushed. The main character lacked development, and her decisions often seemed illogical and frustrating. The plot twists were predictable, and I was left wanting more complexity and depth in the overall narrative. Overall, this book had moments of promise but ultimately failed to grip me."