VERY solid YA Urban Fantasy. In the beginning it reminded me of [b:The Enchantment Emporium|8961945|The Enchantment Emporium|Tanya Huff|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1301885562s/8961945.jpg|5723305], but then developed it's own atmosphere. This is a simple story that I usually characterize as a snack because it was a super fast read--I read it in one sitting while at the park. Despite the fact that it was a fast read, it is also the kind of book that makes you want more and I could have used about 100 more pages.

I love the world and the characters and look forward to more from Carolyn MacCullough. ( )

Overall this book contained mild action and thrills, Tam has to go in search of an airloom for some guy that isnt who who says he is. upon giving him this airloom things go wrong and now she needs to fix it. A slow read and it lacked my interest, maybe the follow up Always a witch is better? i wont be finding out though. ( )

Once A Witch (Book 1), Always a Witch (Book 2)

Growing up in large family where everyone has a magic "Talent," Tamsin Greene is the only one who doesn't, until in her late teens she does! The onset causes a huge shift in her life along with the realization that she is pivotal to saving her family's very existence if she can only resolve a century-long feud with another powerful magic family.

At its core, this is a YA coming of age story with lots of life choices on the path to maturity. What makes this series work is the way the concepts of the various Talents are thoughtfully and consistently constructed. They are integral to the story, on the hand giving the characters agency while on the other hand providing real restrictions that limit possible action. Even the most novel "work arounds" in the book still stay within the given limits.

The series is light weight but fun. ( )

The books in this series are a solid 2.5; I'm pretty surprised by the high ratings, which is what attracted me to them. The book wasn't so poor that it deserved a 2, "didn't like" rating, nor so good that a 3 "I liked it" would be a good descriptor. It was a very quick read, and I like stories with witches, and I'm not unhappy I read it. But I don't expect I'll ever read it again.

The story is predictable from the start. I figured Alistair was either a villain or someone who had powers and was somehow leading the heroine on her hero's journey, whom she'd fall in love with at some point. I figured out pretty quickly that he was in fact the villain.

Few of the characters really had much personality. Everyone--including Tamsin, really--was pretty flat. Dad was barely in the story; bitchy older sister; wise grandma; worry-wart mother. Oh, and then lovesick, emotionally and mentally and physically abused sister.

Even the love story aspect of this book was disappointing. I didn't need her to write a sex scene, but there was no creation of an attraction between these two characters. We know that Gabriel's got a face (handy, that, but don't ask me what he looks like; I couldn't tell you anything besides he's a dude who I think is supposed to be tall and a couple years older than Tamsin), they used to be friends but haven't spoken in a decade, and Agatha said he's cute so he must be. The way the author wrote these characters, there's no reason for them to be anything but friends--and more like acquaintances at that, because she didn't even really build much of a friendship between the two of them besides they were friends, and now he's moved back so what the hell they should be again because they both happen to go to school in New York City. (And of all schools in and around NYC, Julliard? Maybe more believable if his Talent was something like perfect pitch and virtuosic ability with all instruments or something.

Comments:
- I like that these were called Talents. Not sure why; I just like words and this had a poetic feel.
-How did Alistair know about his family's legacy? Do they all twirl their mustaches and plot to somehow regain their Talents?
- I'm not sure I really understand why Gabriel can travel. So being able to find something means you can travel through time? I know the author tried to convince us of this by saying that he can find anything at any time, but this was a really weak explanation.
- I can't remember if they gave Agatha something so she'd forget what happened, because clearly Rowena remembers. But I'm not curious enough to go back and read more of it to find out. ( )

good book. interesting (hee hee!). like the whole witch-mythology. also, there's a kind of vampiric take on some of thee witched, which is incredibly awesome.
tamsin is an awesome character as well, but I think her romance could've been more... EPIC. it felt like their romance was kind of a background thing, and it was super anti-climatic.
but that's just me. it was still a good book. ( )