In this sequel to Slow Poison, sisters Anna, Enzo and Charlie return, still trying to understand their powers and what exactly they are supposed to be doing. They know it’s crucial but they just want to live normal lives. But that won’t happen because Halloween is approaching and so is a stranger who will change everything. In a market flooded with stories about witches, this is an intelligent and engaging series

'Slow Poison' is the second book in the popular 'Witch Ways Series' by Helen Slavin, and the sequel to 'Crooked Daylight'. Having read her crime novel 'The Stopping Place' and enjoying the writing style, I thought this sounded rather intriguing and nabbed a copy after reading the first book. It's nigh on impossible to find original stories/writers these days, but this is one of those rare occasions. I have to mention the cover art too - I love it, it's very purdy!

We were introduced to the Way sisters in book one, and here they continue to captivate their audience. There is a certain something about them that is vivid and wonderfully portrayed. Anna, Charlie and Emz are finding it difficult to adapt to their newfound magical powers. They are lost, with no idea of what they are supposed to do with said powers. They have inherited their grandmother Hettie Way's responsibility as Gatekeepers of Havoc Wood, but are struggling to come to terms with it. They know how important they are in the grand scheme of things but really want to live simple, normal lives. Unfortunately, this is not likely to happen, and the quicker they understand the magic the better. Halloween is just around the corner, as is a mysterious stranger named Alith who will change everything.

There are so many books and series out there cashing in on the publics newfound affection for witches, but Slavin's series is one that is engaging and interesting in equal measure. This was the perfect time to release such a book, as in the UK it has just turned to Autumn. I think it would have had a lesser affect on me had it been released in the summer months. I always associate witches with Autumn or Winter, so this works very well here. It reminded me a lot of a fairytale, and certainly Mrs Fyfe was pulled straight out of stories of old. Unfortunately, there were some issues with the prose. At the beginning the story is painfully slow and repetitive, but it does pick up as we progress. I also felt some of the dialogue was stilted. That being said, I was intrigued enough to keep going, and the parts about magic and ritual stoked my interest even more. There is something special about this series, I just hope in the next book the issues with the writing are smoothed over.

Many thanks to Agora Books for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. My apologies for mistakenly thinking i'd downloaded it and only realising I hadn't when I saw it had been archived. As I feel I had committed to providing a review when I requested the book, I bought a copy in order to provide a review.

This book is very slow and repetitive at the beginning but when it starts going it's very good.
I loved the characters and the setting. The plot was engaging and entertaining.
A very engaging paranormal series that makes me feel curious about the next instalments.
Recommended!
Many thanks to Agora Books and Netgalley for this ARC