A Cast-Off Coven

Witchcraft Mysteries Series, Book 2

By: Juliet Blackwell

Narrated by: Xe Sands

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Students are spooked at the San Francisco School of Fine Arts, and Lily is called in to search for possible paranormal activity. In return she's been promised a trunkful of Victorian-era clothes recently discovered in a school storage closet.

But Lily finds something else: the body of a wealthy patron of the school. In between running the store and seeing her new boyfriend, Max - a "mythbuster" who is uncomfortable with her witchcraft - she uses her sleuthing skills to try to solve the murder. Soon Lily senses something from the school's vintage clothes, but it's not the smell of mothballs - it's the unmistakable aura of evil intent.

©2010 Juliet Blackwell (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Set in a vintage clothing store and starring a sensible and entertaining witch, this series will please paranormal fans." ( Romantic Times)

Loved Xe Sand's narration

A Cast-Off Coven is the second book in the Witchcraft Mysteries, and sees Lily back in the middle of a murder. Lily owns Aunt Cora's closet, and gets a call to look at some vintage clothes found in a closet at the San Francisco School of Fine Arts. What Lily finds is more than just vintage clothes: a murder of a wealthy man and a demon!

I listened to the first book in this series (Secondhand Spirits) in audio version and I really enjoyed the narration from Xe Sands (particularly of Oscar, the familiar) so I decided to listen to the second book on audio as well.

I liked that this book followed closely after the first, and told more of Max's back story. So the reader finds out what he has against magic, and also more of Aiden's story as well.

The mystery kept me on toes, constantly trying to guess who the murderer was. I loved the backdrop of the San Francisco School of Fine Arts with its bell tower ghost, as it set a very creepy scene, which suited the book perfectly. Of course the stand out character was the familiar, Oscar, who is a goblin that changes himself into a pot belly pig. Oh Oscar, you are wonderful!!

I'm really glad that there is lots more books in this series to enjoy, and I definitely will check out the audio versions, because I love Xe Sands narration.

Witchy Cozy Mystery

Really interesting cozy mystery that mixes a touch of paranormal into the mix. Great characters and stories that flow nicely. Some of the twists are predictable, but that does not take away from the entertainment value.

Lily is a natural witch and tries to keep her powers on the down low. That is not going so well for her since she settled in San Francisco. This book picks up where the last one left off, investigating ghosts at the Arts School. Things are, of course, not all that they seem and a murder happens. Lots going on my the mystery, it keeps a steady pace and never lulls.

This book gives us a touch more in Lily, Max and Aiden's back-stories, as well as introducing two new men into the mix. So many fellas to choose from! Of course, the romance is strictly closed bedroom door. Sigh, no smexy action here. This is totally to be expected as the book is more about the mystery than the love affair.

I have the audiobooks of this series, great deal on Audible. The narrator, Xe Sands, is fantastic. I love her style and her tone is perfect. She really has a way of making the story come alive, animated and dynamic read. Definitely adding her to my list of narrators to fangirl over!!

witchy mystery with awful voice

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This was my introduction to the series. I almost could not finish the story because of the voice. The narrator has adopted a choking, throaty, annoying voice that is extremely hard to listen to. After turning the story off because I could not stand the narrator's clogged up voice, I eventually returned to finish the story because I needed something to get me through organizing my classroom. Thankfully, as the story went on the plot overcame my discomfort with the narrator. I found myself wishing I could buy more of this series but am unwilling to listen this same narrator and unfortunately she seems to be on all of the books. Too bad.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

see above

Could you see A Cast-Off Coven being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Yes.

What’s next?

First it was ghosts, then it was demons, so what’s next? Again characterization was tremendous, that’s just Julie Blackwell. I’d like to see more of some characters. I adored Sailer, he’s totally cool. The quintessential “bad boy” who’s no more bad than a baby, and of course Luke. I know that Max may be the guy that I routed for when it came to a love match for Lily, but he’s not the best because of his cynicism towards magic/witchcraft/occult anything unexplainable basically. As for Xe Sands, again her whispery voice would be better for a different story, but it’s become more tolerable. I found that if you speed it up just a smidge it works well, but sometimes she’s still hard to hear.

haunted story

I liked this book even more than the first. The hauntings in the school were really creepy. I cheered for Lily to figure it out.

Getting Better All the Time

The author is beginning to flesh out the characters in the second book and I am thoroughly enjoying the read. This is paranormal with a twist and an honest look at Witchcraft today with a little more magic thrown in for good measure (as well as a little romance starting up). The characters have become much more endearing and I find I can't wait to get the next installment of this series.

The narrator really grows on you and I was pleased to see that she continues with the entire series so far. She does the voices just right for the story and makes the read much more enjoyable.

Fun and fast ++ A whimsical break from the tense

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The characters are well developed and the theme is a typical good guy bad guy story. But the humor makes this particular story different and a delight. I hated for the story to end.

Have you listened to any of Xe Sands’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first book of Xe Sands's.

Was A Cast-Off Coven worth the listening time?

I recommend this for a fun break away from a tense or riveting story.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for a change of pace, give this delightful story a try.

Good Listen

Story has a decent plot and thought not gripping and horribly detailed its entertaining. Read a lot of negative reviews on narrator, but cannot agree with them. I enjoy the narration, her voice fits each character well.

Another fun story

Where does A Cast-Off Coven rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I really find these books fun and enjoyable.

Would you recommend A Cast-Off Coven to your friends? Why or why not?

Sure would.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

I love Oscar, he is so totally lovable. He makes the books!

Another great story!

If you love paranormal stories with murder mysteries, witchiness, a little romance and humor, this series is for you. You will not be disappointed.