2021-11-15
Las Vegas witches face off against a diabolical and powerful being in this YA paranormal novel.
Isis Rivera is only 9 years old when she discovers incredible abilities like telekinesis. These powers so terrify her foster parents that they try exorcising her. But she’s also tapping into a “universal energy” that leads Sebastian Santell right to her. He’s a sympathetic witch who takes her to his coven, though he describes it as a family. By 15, Isis belongs to “The Witches of Vegas” along with Sebastian, two sister witches, and a 500-year-old vampire. They use supernatural skills to pull off seemingly impossible feats (disguised as illusions), making them the hottest act on the strip. They’ve practically wiped out the competition save for “The Amazing Herb Galloway Show.” Yet adept teen magician Zack Galloway and his Uncle Herb barely scrape by. So when a brash reporter named Victoria Hunter comes to them with her plan to expose The Witches of Vegas, the boy and his uncle reluctantly agree. She has a crazy notion that the performers are bona fide witches and a vampire, something young Isis might admit if Zack warms up to her. Once he gets close to selfless, softhearted Isis, Zack has second thoughts about the scheme. Unfortunately, it may be too late, as someone kidnaps Isis. Zack turns to Sebastian and his coven for help, but their new enemy—the mysterious and vengeance-minded Valeria—wields more power than they can imagine. To stand a chance of defeating her, they’ll need strength, determination, and even a few tricks up Zack’s sleeve.In this kinetic series opener, Rosendorf offers solid character development. Isis, for example, struggles to master her abilities and, as readers learn, may be capable of much more. But she’s also a girl who begins the novel without a family—an absence Sebastian’s coven fills. Sebastian adopts the role of her dad, and vampire Luther acts as Isis’ perpetually cranky, centuries-old grandfather. While the narrative runs full tilt, glimpses into characters’ pasts enrich the present-day setting. Most notably, Valeria’s history with a coven member, during which she suffered a particularly horrid experience, fuels her revenge. Her battles with Sebastian, Zack, and the others spark entertaining action scenes: “A chair rose out from the row and flew at Valeria. With a flick of her hand, she changed the chair’s trajectory so it slammed against the wall. She did the same with the second chair that hurdled her way. The third, she sent back at Sebastian, who dove to the floor, barely escaping its attack.” Notwithstanding all the extraordinary abilities on display, the story showcases players who display nonsupernatural talents as well. Vegas witch Selena Quinn, for example, has enough medical know-how to tend to someone’s broken arm. Zack is especially impressive, cleverly turning his brand of magic against Valeria and dropping the occasional one-liner in the face of danger. Sadly, not everyone makes it to the end, but with such an appealing cast, readers will surely follow the characters to the sequel.
A fast-paced, engaging, and unexpectedly heartfelt supernatural tale.
