Petty Magic

Being the Memoirs and Confessions of Miss Evelyn Harbinger, Temptress and Troublemaker

By: Camille DeAngelis

Narrated by: Kelley Hazen

Length: 10 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Evelyn Harbinger sees nothing wrong with a one-night stand. At 149 years old, Eve may look like she bakes oatmeal cookies in the afternoon and dozes in her rocking chair in the evening, but once the gray hair and wrinkles are traded for jet-black tresses and porcelain skin, she can still turn heads as the beautiful girl she once was. Can't fault a girl for having a little fun, can you?

This is all fine and well until Eve meets Justin, who reminds her so much of a former lover that one night is no longer enough. Eve's coven has always turned a blind eye to her nighttime mischief, but this time they think she's gone too far-and they certainly don't hesitate to tell her so. Dodging the warnings of family and friends, Eve must also defend her sister, Helena, when another beldame accuses Helena of killing her own husband sixty years before.

As the evidence against Helena begins to pile up, Eve distracts herself by spending more and more nights-and days-romancing Justin as her former self. There are so many peculiar ways in which Justin is like Jonah, her partner behind enemy lines in World War II and the one true love of her life. Experts in espionage, Jonah and Eve advanced the allied cause at great personal sacrifice. Now Eve suspects that her Jonah has returned to her, and despite the disapproval of her coven and the knowledge that love with a mortal man can only end in sorrow, she can't give him up. But can she prove it's really him?

In this captivating tale of adventure and timeless romance, novelist Camille DeAngelis blends World War II heroics with witchcraft and wit, conjuring a fabulously rich world where beldames and mortal men dare to fall in love.

©2010 Camille DeAngelis (P)2013 Camille DeAngelis

what a story!

I loved, loved, loved this audiobook. This coven of witches are wonderfully witchy. The main character Evelyn is so powerful and charming and disarming. The story threads through history so there is an historical element that is quite captivating as Evelyn moves through time. The supernatural part of it is wild and fun and really quite original! I experienced every emotion listening to this - fear, concern, humor, sadness. There is section of such heartbreak. It is an epic story. Mystery, romance, occult and history. Everything you could ask for.

Fabulous well written story, very entertaining

Would you listen to Petty Magic again? Why?

Smart, funny and easy to listen to, I loved Petty Magic on Audible and would absolutely listen to it again or recommend it to anyone who asked.

What did you like best about this story?

DeAngelis treats a unique subject in a light-hearted, humorous, yet deeply touching way. Poignant descriptions and well worded prose bring you right there to every moving or funny moment of this book. I was laughing and crying out loud.

What about Kelley Hazen’s performance did you like?

Well narrated by Kelley Hanzen - she adds just the right touch of playful, emotional or dastardly underhanded tone when necessary - so entertaining.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I read this on a long road trip and the hours simple flew by!

Amazing author and amazing reader

If you could sum up Petty Magic in three words, what would they be?

Riveting, ingenius, fun

What other book might you compare Petty Magic to and why?

Nothing like it.

Which scene was your favorite?

Ambrosia cake and viewfinders that see the past.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Can't say because... spoiler alert, has to do with Helena.

Any additional comments?

Fantastically talented writer. Someone will make this into a movie and I wish it was me.

Kept me interested and intrigued

Would you listen to Petty Magic again? Why?

I think so. The story covers different eras and it would be interesting to listen for more details now that I know where the story ends and I'm not worried about what will happen.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Petty Magic?

I don't want to say too much and spoil the fun for someone who hasn't listened to it, so I will just say the scene in the cemetery was my favorite. The whole atmosphere was perfectly captured by the narrator's performance.

What about Kelley Hazen’s performance did you like?

Everything. I enjoy how she defines the characters so clearly. She also narrates with emotion and depth, and that draws you into the story.

Any additional comments?

I'm not one for stories about witches or fantasy, but I enjoyed this story very much. I found it inventive and creative and the narrator truly keeps you engaged. It's not just an empty silly story about witches, it's about family and women and their loves and losses.

An Awesome Tale

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the narrator and found it very entertaining. A very interesting and intriguing book. The main character is 149 years old, she's used magic to be a nurse, and a spy in both World Wars. She recounts her life after she meets a young man that looks like the love of her life. The tales of her past and the conflicts in her present life, keeps you listening and enjoying narrative. I was so involved in the story, I was shocked when it ended.

Incredible woman-driven story.

An amazingly entertaining ride through a modern witch's life. An a strong, sensual, witty colorful narration by Kelley Hazen. Her read on every single character was so concise and specific you could see the story. Not just hear it. Thank you Ms. DeAngelis. Thank you Ms. Hazen.

Good Story

Overall Petty Magic was a good story. I found it to be an interesting although slow read. I would have loved to learn more about the magical parts of the story. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story and characters to life.

Phenomenal book; do not miss this one!

Would you consider the audio edition of Petty Magic to be better than the print version?

Yes, Kelley Hazan is a wonderfully talented narrator and for me this is one of her strongest works.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Petty Magic?

I loved the lush detailed descriptions of every day things that had been altered by magic; food, settings, dolls. DeAngelis is great at describing intricate detail in a way that leaves you wanting more. I also really enjoyed how Petty Magic repeatedly transports you across time and space without ever leaving your home.

Which character – as performed by Kelley Hazen – was your favorite?

That's a tough one...the major characters were incredibly interesting, particularly the main character. I felt that her character development was so good that I actually knew her...she was a character I didn't want to say goodbye to at the end. I truly wish that Petty Magic was just one in a series of books as there's so much more that can be done with these characters and this concept. Kelley Hazan did a great job with the many quirky ancillary characters; a brilliant curmudgeon parrot, animated dolls with creaky wooden jaw joints, and so on. This book was so fun to listen to!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The relationship between the lead character and the love of her life...incredibly sweet. And the interplay between flashbacks to that relationship and present day revelation of her budding relationship with the young man suspected to be the great love's reincarnation. Totally cool and very sweet.

Any additional comments?

I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy this unique genre; fantasy/a bit of historical fiction/a bit of scifi/romance. I'd love to see this made into a multi-season TV show on HBO...something in the style of Allan Ball's True Blood. Honestly I didn't want to put this book down and was sad to see it end. Thank you so much Kelley Hazan and Camile DeAngelis for this complimentary copy of Petty Magic in exchange for my fair and unbiased review. I'm planning to read more of DeAngelis' books...cannot wait!

Witches

I did enjoy this listen as it was supernatural about witches mainly Evelyn. She relives her long life (140+yrs) thru many periods of time and was quirky. I did enjoy the historical and reincarnation aspect and some scenes were sad. Recommend to anyone who enjoys stories of witches and the cult. I was given this free review copy audiobook and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you

Entertaining Listen!

I so enjoy a book with underhanded characters. Camille DeAngelis wrote a book that pulled me in. I really enjoyed how it covered a large time span. I found some of the characters to be endearing while others were not. The title of the book was aptly named. The narration of this book was great! I loved how Kelley Hazen delivered the various emotions that were called for. She truly did an outstanding performance.