Book of Shadows

By: Cate Tiernan

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 4 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Something is happening to Morgan that she doesn’t understand. She sees things, feels things in a new way. She can do things normal people can’t do. Powerful things. Magical things. And it scares her.

She never chose to learn witchcraft, but she’s starting to wonder if witchcraft is choosing her.

Morgan and her best friend, Bree, are introduced to Wicca when a gorgeous senior named Cal invites them to join his new coven. Morgan falls for Cal immediately—and discovers that she has strong, inexplicable powers.

©2001 17th Street Productions, an Alloy company, and Gabrielle Charbonnet (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“This delectably dark [novel], first in the Sweep series, brings a supernatural spin to classic teen issues—popularity, romance, alienation and the search for self…While Tiernan’s ingredients are familiar, she stirs the cauldron with engaging, even cinematic, prose and sharply individuates her characters. She introduces the Wiccan material with some depth as well as with a skillful degree of ambiguity; readers will not know immediately whether or not the series embraces Wicca.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Not Enough Plot or Character Development

I bought this on sale for $5.00. Good thing, because the books are very short-- not worth an entire credit.

The main protagonist is a high school girl and I usually don't mind that, but she is very boring. Not much personality, confidence or anything to say. The author spends too much time on the monotonous moments of high school. Maybe if I was a pre-teen, this would be exciting, but this type of YA lit doesn't translate to adults.

That said, I gave the second book a shot, hoping the series would pick up the pace. Unfortunately, it did not. Worse, all the books end on a cliffhanger. It's popular these days, but it's a cheap trick. I want a full novel in itself.

Also, the narrator is stiff. She sounds like she's reading the story for the first time. She does a great Irish accent in the second book, but it's not a great performance.

I didn't hate the series, but I certainly won't finish it.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Love and deception inside the witches circle🤓

First in this series of a Wiccan coming of age story. It's interesting, if teenagery and angsty. It restoked my interest in Wicca and I liked the story. I'll probably read the next one!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Great series for young and old...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. I have already. Great book about young people finding out there are different views on life. No reason to judge a book by its cover, because you will never know what you get.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Morgan, Bree and Robbie. Close child hood friends.

Which scene was your favorite?

Morgan finding out she is a very powerful witch.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Morgan, a super witch at 16, will she become a healer or a destroyer...

Any additional comments?

This is a great series. The only thing that stresses me is how long it took the series to become an ebook and the fact the whole series is not out yet.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Fun read!

Would you listen to Book of Shadows again? Why?

I'm glad I own the series. The evolution of Morgan along with the good verus bad struggle kept me listening.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

Great narrator. She made the author's words come to life.

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

Very much so. After listening to the first book, I bought the entire series.

Any additional comments?

Looking forward to book 6 in the series.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Beginning of a great discovery of magic

Would you consider the audio edition of Book of Shadows to be better than the print version?

This audio book was great. and in my option better than the print version. I like the drama and inflection that the narrator brings to it. Also allows me to listen while traveling.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I actually like Cal. He seemed like a cool guy and he was very good with the teaching the group about Wicca.

What about Julia Whelan’s performance did you like?

Julia was great. At first I thought her voice was a little teenager, but as the story went on it suited the book perfectly.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Wicca Series

Any additional comments?

Great book. I have already bought the next and can't wait to listen

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good read.......

Any additional comments?

Not my age group of reading material but a good young adult series. I actually enjoyed it so much I purchessed the second book. It was such an interesting book I decided to follow the series and so soon I will see what the next brings.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

a great story

I thought it was a great story, alot like twilight. But , a lot different to... if it was a real book, i would say it was a page turner!
i have already started on the 2nd and bought the 3rd, hope they get the whole series.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Fun Read/Good Narration

I liked the story and am anxious to listen to the rest of the series. There are 15 in the series but only 5 are on audible so far. The narrator did a great job.

3 of 5 people found this review helpful

A coming of age following a child. Informative

Becoming a witch as an adult, I find this book to be helpful and informative. As for the story, it has a lot of the tropes of a 'coming of age' story. I personally find them uninteresting, in my opinion. I really like how well the information is woven in. I am learning while enjoying the story. As little as I like these types of stories, I find myself enjoying this one very well.

well written YA novel

well informed author with a nice introduction to her series. I enjoyed meeting all of her characters.