The Book of Spells: A Private Prequel (utgåvan 2010)

I thought this was pretty good though I couldn't really understand how it was connected to the other books in the series but then again I have only read the other prequel. The way she brought different people together to have a common purpose was pretty good. Now it make me wonder what will occur in the future of Billings. ( )

Picked this up at the library. This is a very quick read. I think that I will be continuing with the series. Full review to come. ( )

I loved this.

I love books about magic and witches and evil and death. It was great. I love that it was set in a past where magic and mystery were more magical and mysterious then it is now. Being sent back to a simpler time where fun and adventure can be found so easily.

I grew attached to the characters and I was heart broken when death came to one of them. It felt like I was there with them. Struggling to keep an amazing secret. Fighting for love and friendship.

It was a pretty good book. Not what I was expecting. Glad I brought it home with me. ( )

As a young adult prequel, it wasn't a bad read. I enjoyed the quick read but it was nothing special in my opinion. I am however curious to see what sorts of drama this magic filled boarding school has in store for the rest of the series. ( )

The Book of Spells – A Private Prequel by Kate Brian, a New York Times bestselling author, is the prequel to the popular Private series.

Our story is set at the Billings School for Girls, where young ladies learn to behave properly with the intention of landing a suitable husband. The year is 1915. Free-thinking Eliza Williams is sent to Billings after the success of her older sister, May. Eliza makes new friends (despite being overshadowed by perfect May) and though she didn’t intend to, meets a potential husband. Then Eliza and her close friends discover several dusty books; books containing magic spells, that turn the girls into witches. Eliza and her friends have enormous amounts of fun trying out their new powers. Until, that is, disaster strikes and they are forced to make a terrible choice.

My teenage self would have LOVED this book, and probably the series. My adult self, however, finds the story and writing to be a little too juvenile. Though it was lots of fun to read, and I’m considering reading the entire series, the storyline is a little clichéd.
For ages 12-17 ( )