Audiobook review: Big Witch Energy by Molly Harper
Big Witch Energy continues the story of magic and three new witches on Starfall Point, a small island off the coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula. Although the book continues the series-arching plot surrounding Shadow House, the story focuses on long-time island resident, Caroline, one of the three new witches. Caroline’s family is cursed and cannot leave the island for more than a day or they die, so instead of heading to college, Caroline said goodbye to her high school love, Ben, and stayed to work at the family’s bar. Nearly 20 years later, Ben returns to the island, moving his kids and himself back into his childhood home.
Ben and Caroline’s romance is sweet; neither quite getting over their romance despite the time and separation. However, there is some baggage from when they were younger, and the couple needs to work through it. Ben’s kids love Caroline and embrace the magic and quirkiness of Shadow House. It’s all pretty easy and fun. And while both kids come across a bit too mature for their age, it’s a bit off-putting when Josh, the younger of the two, gives his dad spot-on relationship advice.
I enjoy the expanding mythology of magic surrounding Shadow House, although there are still way more questions than answers. I like how the magic is bringing this found family closer together. It is good that Ben finds out about the ghosts and magic early on, especially since his kids seem to possess some abilities. I like that Edison (first book) now has a “mundane bro” to chat with about the magic.
Narration: The story is shared via the alternating third person POVs of Caroline and Ben. Hamilton voices Ben’s POVs. His voice is pleasantly deep and fitting for the large doctor. He adjusts for gender with some success, as his voice is pretty deep. His accented voices are very successful. Ronconi brings her usual, upbeat enthusiasm to the role of Caroline. She also adjusts appropriately for gender, accent, and age. Both narrators don’t make a huge distinction between characters of the same gender, and at times during dialogue I could get confused as to who was speaking.
I found myself engaged in the story and romance of Big Witch Energy and enjoy the quaint island setting. The story is not over, and with how this one ends, I worry for Alice, the group’s third and final member.
My Ratings
Story: B+
Narration: B
Jen
About the Book:
The lost love that’s always haunted her is about to make an unexpected return….
Caroline Wilton has no time for romance. She’s too busy running her family’s bar to even think about dating. She’s also one of Starfall Point’s resident witches, responsible for keeping the local ghost population in check.
But even the most magical of witches can use a shoulder to lean on, which is what happens when Ben Hoult, the handsome doctor she never quite got over, walks back into her life. Ben is a single dad now, and as he and Caroline reconnect, they discover that they both have a knack for helping and protecting the people near and dear to them.
Soon they’re working together to unravel a centuries-old murder, and Caroline has to face the wrath of angry ghosts…and the uncertainty of opening her heart back up to love. She’s not sure which one is worse. All she knows is that keeping her heart safe will take every ounce of magic she’s got.
Author: Molly Harper
Narrators: Amanda Ronconi, Teddy Hamilton
Series: Starfall Point #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Audiobook Release Date: October 19, 2023
Publisher: Audible
Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
Source: Free with Audible Membership
Audio Speed: 1.35x
