These Witches Don't Burn

March 15, 2019
Keeping an identity secret, avoiding a manipulative ex, flirting with girls, dealing with threats to the coven--these are a few of the hassles of being a teen witch.Hannah lives in Salem and works at a touristy witchcraft supply store, but few know she's the real deal--an Elemental Witch who can manipulate fire, water, earth, and air. Her best friend, Gemma, certainly doesn't, since she's a Reg (Sterling's version of Muggles). Her ex, Veronica, does, because she's part of the same coven, although Hannah's trying to avoid her during this summer before senior year. Her new crush definitely can't find out--as if being 17 wasn't hard enough. Meanwhile, someone's dabbling in dark magic, and Hannah's worried it's a Blood Witch, who historically are the unpopular, manipulative ones of the bunch. Or it could be something worse--Witch Hunters. Among the white main cast, Hannah is a self-identified lesbian, and Sterling presents a realistic treatment of her other queer characters. Hannah also admirably stands her ground in leaving an unhealthy relationship. Unfortunately, the book includes a lot of telling instead of showing, with everyday magic and motivational backstory scenes. Additionally, there are some weaknesses in structure and in characters professing intense emotions that often don't lift beyond the page.For a romantic mystery with magical elements, the book's flame is disappointingly lackluster. (Fiction. 14-18)

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June 10, 2019
Hannah, a teen member of a secret coven of witches in modern-day Salem, Mass., is trying to move past her feelings about her ex-girlfriend, fellow Elemental Witch Veronica, when a bloody ritual sacrifice is discovered in their town. Worried that the ritual is a warning from a revenge-fueled Blood Witch, Hannah sets out to find the foe before the danger escalates. Propelled by suspenseful paranormal drama, Sterling’s debut also touches on deeper subject matter in its thoughtful depiction of the manipulative, potentially abusive relationship between Hannah and Veronica. Veronica is “the girl who pulled me out of the closet so fast and so completely my head was still spinning weeks later,” according to Hannah, who describes their first kiss as “life-changing” and “identity-altering.” Hannah’s inability to tell her human friends of her heritage and the recent threats for fear of being stripped of her powers intensifies the situation. Sterling doesn’t shy away from profanity or details of physical relationships in her authentic portrayal of adolescence as viewed through a contemporary teen witch’s experience. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kathleen Rushall, Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

July 12, 2019

Gr 9 Up-Hannah is a young elemental witch living in Salem, MA, with her coven. After having an encounter with a Blood Witch while on a trip to New York, she keeps the secret from her coven as they try to live a life of secrecy and blend in, until evil forces arrive to disrupt the peace and threaten the existence of the elementals. Hannah must revisit old foes and protect the ones she loves even if that means losing herself. This book includes representation of characters along the LGBTQ+ spectrum. The magic system is developed through mythology and creates an original formula for the characters. Shocking plot twists and a mystery will hold readers' attention without giving away too much. There are moments at the beginning where the pacing is tedious, but it establishes a foundation for the story. There is a heavy focus on the romance between two characters that overshadows part of the story; however, it shows the affairs of teenagers and the vulnerability of the human side of the witches. This is a quick read; the writing isn't complex but is dynamic in its own way. VERDICT Great for fans of Supernatural and the story of the Salem witch trials. -Ericka Greer, Ouachita Parish Public Library, Monroe, LA

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2019
Grades 8-11 Everyone in Salem has heard about witches, but Hannah knows they're real?like the rest of her family, she is one. An Elemental Witch, she can manipulate the world around her, although she has to keep her powers a secret from any nonwitches, like most of her friends. Her girlfriend, Veronica, was an Elemental, too, so that had been great up until Veronica broke her heart. When Hannah stumbles across a dark magical ritual at a party, she's convinced that there's a Blood Witch in town. Blood Witches have a bad reputation, and normally they're pretty solitary, but she and Veronica recently crossed one, and now Hannah's worried that she's here for revenge. But fending her off without getting in trouble with her coven means working with Veronica, which is the last thing Hannah wants to do, especially since there's a cute new girl in town. Sterling's debut in an enjoyable read that, while frequently charming, isn't afraid to go dark or challenge stereotypes. A contemporary mystery with a magical twist.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)