Review ONCE A WITCH by Carolyn MacCullough

ONCE A WITCH
by Carolyn MacCullough
Published September 14th 2009 by Clarion Books
Hardcover, 292 pages

Placement in the Pile: Reaching New Heights

Summary:
Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

Review:
This book was really, really fun. I read it very quickly, and thought the writing was lyrical yet accessible. There really were some beautiful phrases, yet it remained true to the teenage character.

I really felt for Tamsin and the loneliness she felt amongst her own family. Gabriel is definitely drool worthy and the romance in the book is an added bonus to an already enjoyable read.

I almost gave it my highest ranking, but two things bothered me a little. Tamsin has a tendency to smoke cigarettes when she is stressed out and there was occasion when I was so caught up in the speed of reading the book that I had to go back and re-read stuff when the action was intense.

Magic, mystery, rivalries and romance. Once a Witch is a great book that leaves you satiated and longing for more at the same time. I for one hope there is a sequel coming!

*Materials Source: I got this book from the library.