The Reluctant Witch (Santa Cruz Witch Academy, #1) by Kristen S. Walker

The Reluctant Witch (Santa Cruz Witch Academy, #1) Reviews

• 
  Seraphia

  The Reluctant Witch is the first book in Kristen Walker’s Santa Cruz Witch Academy series and while it has a bit of a slow start this is one YA book that I found hard to put down once it really gets in gear. Get ready to meet Brie, a teenage girl who is on her way to Santa Cruz Witch Academy. She’s not too keen on going to be honest, but her moms want her to go and to get on the path to becoming a witch. Brie is hesitant because of her family history, but she just has no idea what all is in store for her as she begins her journey and takes on new tasks.
  The Reluctant Witch by Kristen Walker is an upper YA novel that tells Brie’s story as she changes schools and begins a journey down a path that she initially didn’t want to take. Brie would prefer to go to art school, but with some convincing from her two moms she’s willing to give Santa Cruz Witch Academy a chance. This book starts out slow and takes a bit for me to really get into it. I find Brie interesting on some levels, and then I view her as a typical teenager.
  The story starts with a bit of background on Brie, her family and the changes that magic has undergone after the incident with her grandmother. This book is a spin-off from another series by Kristen Walker, but it’s not necessary to have read that series to understand what is going on. I will admit that the author has piqued my interest in the original series so I’ll be checking it out when I have the time.
  Brie just wants to keep her head down, get good grades, and stay out of trouble. She wants to make her own path at this new school, but it seems that she won’t even be able to do that. The author makes me curious as to how much pull Brie’s moms have at this school. Did they influence the path that she would take/be given with the school? Brie starts out doing well, and her best friend Damien is a huge bonus. He’s so much fun, but I honestly appreciate that he’s not over the top.
  I was really excited to read this book and start this series. The promised combination of witches, magic, mermaids and other magical creatures intrigued me. The storyline takes a bit to get going but once it gains traction it becomes really good. Brie meets a mermaid and her hopes for romance bloom after she figures out that her crush on her roommate is NOT going to be going anywhere fast.
  I have to admit …when Brie gets bratty because things aren’t going her way…I become disappointed in her. Her roommate is bad, but Brie takes things over the top more than once. I’m honestly surprised that her friends stick by her, but it just shows their true nature and that they genuinely care about her. She has a fit more than once when things don’t go her way or when she’s upset and it honestly makes her seem more juvenile than she is. I’m also disappointed when she lets her grades slip because she’s too busy mooning over Gabriella (the mermaid). She goes from having top grades to barely passing in a matter of weeks. The story has an interesting twist that you really won’t see coming, but it elevates the book and makes you want to read more. The ending…the ending has a bit of a gut-punch to it. I have to admit that I’m a bit disappointed in her reaction to it, but at the same time…it’s believable.
  I’m rating this book 4 out of 5 stars. The book had a slow start and didn’t engage me from the beginning, and Brie’s bad attitude caused me to not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped. There are a couple of good twists in this book, which helped pique my interest. For readers who are looking for an upper YA novel this book would be one to consider.
  
• 
  Debbie Eyre

  This is a fab urban fantasy read and a great start to this series.
  If you like teen witches, magical schools, and introverts who have to overcome their wish to be left alone, Then this is the book for you. Witches, mermaids, bully’s, secrets, heartbreak and suspense has left me waiting for the next book!
• 
  Kylie

  Brie doesn't want to be a witch. After her grandma almost destroyed her small town and her mom had to save it, Brie just wants to be invisible. She agrees to go to Santa Cruz Witch Academy where no one will know her family's crazy past. When Brie finds out that mermaids are planning to attack the school she needs to decide if being invisible is worth losing everything.
  
  I really wanted to like this book. The plot sounded great, the characters sounded interesting and the world building was amazing. A modern day world with Fae, witches, mermaids and other magickin. I loved several of the characters and was interested to see how this story played out. However, the one thing that made this book not enjoyable for me was the main character Brie. I just couldn't like her no matter how hard I tried. I reminded myself that yes she was a 16-17 year old and they aren't always reasonable in their words or actions but she drove me insane. The whole point of the story was she really didn't want to be a witch, but then when she's put in these classes she's upset because they aren't learning magic right away just the basics. She goes off on a teacher because she doesn't like how the class planning is set up, she lashes out at her best friend because she messed up, and she lashes out at a girl who has done nothing but be nice to her. I honestly couldn't figure out why people wanted to be friends with her and I found it hilarious that she felt like her rich roommate was a spoiled brat when Brie acted worse then she did. Brie's attitude changes a bit in the ending and she somewhat redeems herself, but in all honesty her personality and attitude is what is going to keep me from continuing this series.
  
  I received a review copy from Hidden Gems in exchange for an honest review.
  
  
  
  
• 
  Kris

  Just a little beneficial disclaimer. This story takes place years after the events of the Fae of Calaveras trilogy by Kristen S. Walker and has many spoilers for that series and it’s overlapping characters. So while it is not necessary to read the other series first I do recommend it. I didn’t and I wish I had though I was able to follow along with this story just fine.
  This story is so hard to review without spoilers so sorry if I am too vague, its for your own good.
  I love Walker's world building skills. The world is like ours, only magic exists and everyone knows it. The way that magic and myth is weaved into the common world is cool in that it is and isn’t a big deal at the same time.
  Brie is the main character of the story and she is decided between wanting to be a witch and wanting to be a normal art student. My feeling about Brie want back and forth do to circumstances during the book but by the end I loved her and am really excited to see where her story is going next.
  The romance is strong and exciting but is not the main focus as there is a lot of time where Brie is just waiting until she can see Gabriella again.
  The school is cool and exciting even with the heavy restrictions on witches and the antiquated way they decide one’s magical focus.
  The magic system and social dynamics of the magical species is well thought out and fun. I am sure the Fae of Calaveras trilogy goes into even more depth with both aspects.
  I spent a good portion of the book a little disappointed and confused at the direction of the plot and some of the characters until one of my suspicions came to fruition and everything clicked with startling clarity and my love for the story grew.
  Full of magic and adventure this is the start of a series not to be missed.
• 
  Tamara

  Notorious family, forbidden love and flamboyant friends, what more could you ask for?
  
  This is an interesting take on how witches come into there magic. Brei has never wanted to be a witch because her family caused so much havoc. Her mom's are happy that they talking her into giving it a try for one year.
  
  So, what happens when she is assigned a different power then she wants? Well it starts with a pledge to the wrong fae and being given a secret mission before she can even learn any of her magic.
  
  How can she complete her mission with no teacher that can teach her to use the magic that will help her mission? She also has to decided what to do when she falls in love with the subject of her mission.
  
  This was fun to read. I loved how Brei wanted to fly under the radar but her best friend makes that hard when he likes to dress up in matching outfits for parties and cross-dresses on the first day of magic school.
• 
  Samantha

  We meet Brie, a sixteen year old girl, on her way to start her schooling at the Witch Academy in Santa Cruz. She doesn't want to become a witch like her mother and grandmother, and would rather pursue her art. Brie uncovers a plot involving her new school and the Merfolk.
  
  I enjoyed the read, the flamboyant Damian was a treat. Brie was a bit of a challenge. For the start, she was reluctant to become a witch, she wanted to do art, but we got very little of her doing her drawing and more of her being frustrated by how the academy was teaching the magic. She did the typical thing of pushing away her friends and is lax on her studies that her grades drop drastically.
  
  She did grow and mature as the story played out, she was learning from her mistakes and she is more powerful than she thinks. I enjoyed how they were placed with their magic and that the magic wasn't a given or being born into.
  
  Overall it was a good read.
• 
  Chantelle

  Ehhh I'll explain I promise
  
  I wasn't a fan of this book. The writing felt really sloppy and immature, the story really wasn't that interesting or engaging, I found myself literally dozing off as I read it. It's a short read though that felt very YA and had some decent rep for the LGBTQ community plus I'll give props for how things ended with the love interest. I really didn't see that coming and honestly felt very real with how some real relationships work out. That's really the only reason I'm giving it a 3 star instead of 1. If it wasn't for the representation and ending I wouldn't have been so generous. I do feel like this could be a decent YA novel though.
• 
  Margarita Rose

  Brie is in the midst of teenage angst. She's wants things a certain way and has a tendency to blame others because they are not that way. She's starts out very immature and selfish but starts maturing and growing into her own. Mermaids are up to no good and Brie finds out but whom would she tell and would anyone believe her. This is a good starting book with more to come.. Received ARC copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
• 
  Marie Fraser

  I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and the story and characters were well developed. I liked the individual characters personalities and there relationship dynamics. The story was action packed and full of suspense, intrigue and emotion. I look forward to future books in this series. I’d highly recommend this book.
  
  I received an arc for a voluntary review.
• 
  Doris Stillings

  Witches and Mermaids
  
  A story about a girl who attends a Witch school to learn how to use magic. She loves the ocean and surfing. One weekend while out on the water she spots a mermaid. They get to know each other and Brie the witch falls for the mermaid. However, things do not work out well. Please read this bitter sweet story with twists to it.
• 
  Rebel

  Brie's personality and attitude is what is going to keep me from continuing this series. She was written like a spoiled brat or a millennial who thinks they are owed everything and shouldn't have to bust their butts to get it themselves. Reminded me too much of how kids act nowadays.
• 
  Larry

  The writing was tight and easy to follow as well as the plot. The main characters were very likeable and the story was fun to read. I can easily recommend this story as long as you have no problem with genders and orientation being more than two choices.
• 
  Leslee

  Was a good book. Started off a little slow but got progressively better the further into the book. Loved Damien. He was my favorite character from the book.
• 
  Malischa Nijenhuis

  i so loved this book.
  Easy read, great worldbuilding!
• 
  Dee Cross

  I didn’t like it but I think it’s just not for me. I did only get 50% way through and decided to dip out. Good writing from the author and good story line for those who like fantasy
• 
  Virginia

  I really enjoyed reading The Reluctant Witch, and I'd highly recommend checking it out!
• 
  Shroomgirl

  Pretty fun if you don't take it too seriously
• 
  Billie

  A young witch who just wants to be invisible. A beautiful mermaid who doesn’t belong. A secret relationship that threatens the entire academy.
  Brie only agreed to try the witch academy to make her mother happy. She assumed she would learn Water magic. But when the students were assigned to their Elemental classes, she ended up in Earth. The list of reasons for her to leave the school keeps growing—her roommate is a bully, she doesn’t understand her classes, and everyone judges her for her infamous family name.
  Then a beautiful mermaid named Gabriella catches her eye at the beach. Merfolk aren’t allowed in Santa Cruz because they’re dangerous killers, but Gabriella is friendly and kind. She agrees to show Water magic to Brie as long as she keeps their meetings a secret.
  Brie lies to everyone about Gabriella, even when her Fae mentor asks her to investigate merfolk. But when the secret relationship strains her friendships, tanks her grades, and threatens her position at the academy, Brie learns that love comes at a high price.
  She must choose between her first love and her magical school—or lose everything.
  
  This is a brilliant read.
  Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
  Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
  Great suspense and action with wonderful world building that adds so much to the story.
  Can't wait to read more of these.
  Recommend reading.
  
  I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
• 
  Heather Quarnstrom

  I really liked that Brie was such a down to earth girl that just wanted to be left alone. I also loved the fact that she was a lesbian was never blown to huge proportions like many books. I can't think of many books that have done this, and done this well. I loved the inclusiveness of her genderbending pansexual best friend as well. There have been more and more books that have been trying to do this, but not as well as this one.
  
  The story itself is fantastic. It grips you and holds you tight. I sat down and read it in a day because I just couldn't stop.
  
  The world and magical hierarchy was well thought out. The story was fantastic. There were so many twists and turns. I loved it so much that I already preordered the next book. I can't wait until it comes out.
  
  If you like magic, best friends, romance, the fae and more this book is for you.