THESE WITCHES DON’T BURN By Isabel Sterling

I received this book for free from Reviewer Purchase in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

These Witches Don't Burn by Isabel Sterling
Series: These Witches Don't Burn #1
Published by Razorbill on 5/28/19
Genres: Fantasy & Magic, LGBT, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Format: Ebook
Source: Reviewer Purchase
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Hannah's a witch, but not the kind you're thinking of. She's the real deal, an Elemental with the power to control fire, earth, water, and air. But even though she lives in Salem, Massachusetts, her magic is a secret she has to keep to herself. If she's ever caught using it in front of a Reg (read: non-witch), she could lose it. For good. So, Hannah spends most of her time avoiding her ex-girlfriend (and fellow Elemental Witch) Veronica, hanging out with her best friend, and working at the Fly by Night Cauldron selling candles and crystals to tourists, goths, and local Wiccans.

But dealing with her ex is the least of Hannah's concerns when a terrifying blood ritual interrupts the end-of-school-year bonfire. Evidence of dark magic begins to appear all over Salem, and Hannah's sure it's the work of a deadly Blood Witch. The issue is, her coven is less than convinced, forcing Hannah to team up with the last person she wants to see: Veronica.

While the pair attempt to smoke out the Blood Witch at a house party, Hannah meets Morgan, a cute new ballerina in town. But trying to date amid a supernatural crisis is easier said than done, and Hannah will have to test the limits of her power if she's going to save her coven and get the girl, especially when the attacks on Salem's witches become deadlier by the day.

Short and Sweet

Hannah lives in Salem, Massachusetts, but that’s normal the only thing that Hannah has to keep to herself is the fact that she’s an elemental witch. Hannah can’t let anyone that isn’t a witch know about her powers, so when a blood ritual occurs during the end of the year bonfire, Hannah knows there’s trouble especially when evidence of dark magic is appearing over town and someone starts attacking witches.

Characters

Hannah: Hannah is our main character. I liked Hannah most of the time but I feel like she put herself in dangerous situations most of the time. She usually didn’t wait for help she just jumped into action which would be great if there wasn’t a witch hunter after her and other witches. I did like how she tried to protect those around her and she had a strong sense of right and wrong.

Veronica: Veronica is Hannah’s ex, and conversations between the two are awkward, mainly because Veronica wants to give the relationship another try but Hannah is done. I felt bad for Veronica mainly because she seemed like she was on the witch hunter’s hit list.

Gemma: Gemma is Hannah’s best friend and she’s very supportive. Gemma encourages Hannah to take chances and do what she believes is right. I like that Gemma was around as Hannah’s support system and that their friendship didn’t change after everything that happened.

Morgan: Morgan is new in town and is one of the girls that dances with Gemma. I thought Morgan was great she was understanding and was also worried about things that were happening to Hannah. I thought Morgan’s secret was a good element to add in because it showed that people can be different than the stereotypes about them.

Romance

Hannah and Veronica: Hannah and Veronica are exes but they’re apart of the same coven, so thats awkward. Um what I learned about their past relationship was that Veronica usually made all of the choices and decided what they would do. Hannah said she was over Veronica but Veronica wanted to give their relationship another shot. I thought these two went back and forth a lot especially about their feelings for each other.

Hannah and Morgan: Morgan is new in town and is also a dancer and one of Gemma’s friends, which is how Morgan ends up meeting Hannah. There were a few sweet moments with Hannah and Morgan but they got interrupted by things happening around them more than once.

My Thoughts

~ I liked that the setting was in Salem, it really set the mood for the book considering that there were the Salem witch trials and now we have a witch hunter in town.

~ There’s a lot that happens in this book starting from the bonfire and then everyone in the coven finally realizing that a witch hunter is after them and no one is safe.

~ So there’s different kinds of witches: Elementals, Blood, and Casters. Hannah is an elemental and is able to control the elements though she’s better at controlling some more than others.

~ Hannah tries to solve the mystery with Veronica, Gemma, and a school friend Benson. I thought they did a good job of compiling clues. I wasn’t sure at first who could have been behind the attacks but I figured it out.

~ I felt bad for Hannah a lot of the attacks either happened to her or Veronica but Hannah seemed to lose a lot more.

Overall

I enjoyed this book and I liked the mystery. It ended with a cliffhanger and I’m excited to see what will happen next and what the witch hunters are planning and how the witches will prepare.