Uses the f-bomb a lot, but that doesn't bother me. It was a really interesting context. Great for fall weather and lots of cozy atmosphere. Action-packed - would recommend!

WOW I really enjoyed this book. This is the first book by the author and her imagination and wordsmanship is fab. I was a bit confused at the beginning, but soon got into the story and was disappointed when I came to the end. I do hope she writes more about Cora, Seb and Theo - and of course Pip and Nyx.

Dystopian thriller tale with the US treating witches horribly while it would seem the rest of the world is more enlightened. Cora lost her mom and brother in a raid and hasn't seen or heard from them in years. Substance abuse failed to take the edge off her grief and anger, but using her healing skills carefully and surreptitiously as a nurse, gives her some measure of peace. She helps other witches by arranging, or transporting them to safe houses until they can be moved to Whitefall a hidden place where they can live in Peace.
When one such transport goes off the rails and Cora is captured, it could have been the end of everything, but it was Theo, her childhood friend and crush who nabbed her. He's fighting his own demons thanks to having been taken and forced to become a witch hunter when he was a teen. Not only do sparks rekindle, but he has growing doubts about what he's been doing. What follows is a mix of tense situations, growing attraction, some pretty awful things happening to witches, and an eventual everything coming to a head that's tense and thrilling. Definitely a strongly suggested read for lovers of dystopia and witches. Extra points for the pixies. ( )

The Ones They Took by Sarah K. West describes a world where witches have become targets of specially trained and equipped witch hunters who inject them with Crash, part sedative and part Recantanyl, a mysterious drug that leaves them unable to use their magic. Once captured, the witches are taken away and never returned, their fate forever unknown. Desperate to protect their own, the ones left behind have established cross-coven Runner networks to relocate suspected witches to nearby sanctuaries.

Cora Summerville, a healer witch who once worked as a trauma nurse, is one of the Runners helping move witches to safe houses until they can reach Whitehall, a sanctuary near Los Angeles. Cora is still traumatized after seeing her mother and her twin brother taken by witch hunters when she was a teenager. Cora is captured by a witch hunter who turns out to be Theodore Ryland, a boy who lived in the neighborhood where she grew up. Theo recognizes Cora and decides to let her go. Struggling to reconcile their conflicting roles in the drama unfolding around them, Cora and Theo begin working together. Once they find out what happened to the witches who were taken, they risk their lives to try and bring them back.

West has written a highly entertaining and emotionally engaging book that offers many moral lessons for today. She has successfully adapted the witch hunts from centuries ago to more modern times. Social media is seen as a highly effective tool for the ruling class, influencing public opinion against witches, and allowing vigilante citizens to assist in their capture once they have been identified. Her complex characters fit perfectly in this dystopia, including the ones that you want to see emerge victorious, and the ones that you want to see fail, justice served. She flawlessly brings together multiple storylines into an immensely satisfying conclusion. In her debut novel, West offers readers a courageous magical adventure from beginning to end. ( )

"The Ones They Took" by Sarah K. West is a gripping tale of magic, betrayal, and a past that refuses to stay buried. Cora Somerville's journey, hunted by the very government that took her family, unfolds with heart-pounding intensity.
West skillfully weaves a narrative where the lines between hunter and hunted blur, especially when Cora encounters Theo, an old friend turned witch hunter. The tension between them adds layers of complexity to the story, creating a captivating dynamic that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
The novel explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the weight of unsaid words as Cora and Theo are forced to confront their shared history. The reluctant alliance between them is both thrilling and emotionally charged, providing a nuanced exploration of trust in the face of adversity.
West's world-building is immersive, painting a vivid picture of a society where witches are hunted, and alliances are fragile. The urgency of Cora's mission to protect her coven adds a layer of suspense, and the looming threat of the witch hunters keeps the stakes high throughout.
"The Ones They Took" is a rollercoaster of emotions, with twists and turns that will keep readers hooked until the very end. West's storytelling prowess shines through in this tale of survival, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit. Brace yourself for a spellbinding journey into a world where magic and danger collide, and where the ties that bind are tested in the crucible of adversity.