laprofedelengua's review
3.0
Although this book was part of a series I read it as an independent book. You can do it and you understand the story but in the end there are many question without answer: What did it happen between Eliza and Harrinson? Are they and their future childrens cursed?
It is very easy read but it has some flaws in the plot: the story of Hellen is incomplete and I have a love-hate relationship with the character of Theresa until the end...
It is very easy read but it has some flaws in the plot: the story of Hellen is incomplete and I have a love-hate relationship with the character of Theresa until the end...
serenitymoon's review
4.0
It wasn't on par with the rest of the Private series. Especially considering how predictable the storyline is, even a little cliche. I was mildly excited by the prospect of the romantic complications, but then of course the main character was given an easy way out as a way to not feel guilty about cheating. That was... not very cool. Also, much like Private, the main character really grates on my nerves. And there's too much parallel between Eliza & Theresa and Reed & Noelle. They were pretty much past versions of themselves. I'm really not sure anymore adding this witchcraft plot all of a sudden near the end is a very good idea. It changed the tone of the plot drastically and I think unnecessarily. Still was a quite enjoyable read, though.
readerintheruemorgue's review
4.0
I thought this book was really fun and bright. It did get a little dark and scary at the end, but it was really great the way the author ended it. The main character, Eliza, was a really smart character! I loved her! Even Theresa was growing on me throughout the book, even though she did whine a lot about Harrison. The sad part of the book was when Catherine died, but it was good when they finally solved the problem with the books and locket because of what Catherine tried to do with Eliza. But overall this book was fun and such a great read! I really recommend this one to everyone who loves witches and dark magic!
talknerdybookblog's review
3.0
OMG!! So cute but so sad. The romance in this book was amazing ... and the magic aspect was awesome!
Eliza is so excited to finally leave her family and go to Billings School For Girls in Easton (Boarding School), her mom wants her to go find a husband, just like May did, her older sister, but what Eliza's has other plans. When Eliza arrives to her new home she instantly falls in love with the school and a certain someone. One day Eliza and her friends find a map that leads them to what the girls think could be a burried treasure, but in fact it is much more. Eliza and her friends soon create a coven in which all 11 girls are witches. But what starts out as innocent magic leads to so much more when the girls release a magic that could have a series consequence. Eliza learns about love, friends and following her heart. Will she be able to solve the big challenge that faces her when the coven releases a dark magic?
Eliza is so excited to finally leave her family and go to Billings School For Girls in Easton (Boarding School), her mom wants her to go find a husband, just like May did, her older sister, but what Eliza's has other plans. When Eliza arrives to her new home she instantly falls in love with the school and a certain someone. One day Eliza and her friends find a map that leads them to what the girls think could be a burried treasure, but in fact it is much more. Eliza and her friends soon create a coven in which all 11 girls are witches. But what starts out as innocent magic leads to so much more when the girls release a magic that could have a series consequence. Eliza learns about love, friends and following her heart. Will she be able to solve the big challenge that faces her when the coven releases a dark magic?
photogfrog's review
2.0
This was just insane and did not help me AT ALL with wanting to finish this series.
thatreadhead's review
4.0
I can't believe it left us with that ending! I mean what happened with her and Harrison!! How cruel! I did like this one a bit more than the present-day Privates, but there was still a Noelle in the story, which I hated. I much prefer Eliza to Reed, and the historical setting just really hooked me. Now to jump into Private #12, which I was going to read earlier but didn't realise I had to read this one first.
merrybelletrist's review
3.0
Reading this book was kind of bittersweet. It's the last of the Private books that I haven't read yet. Having read the other books, I had heard about the Billings Literary Society. I was really excited to learn more about them. When I started reading the books I kind of got deja vu. From reading the Private novels, I know that
I initially thought Theresa was more like Noelle in the first few Private books, but it turns out she's an ancestor of Paige and Dylan. I think the books said something about that. My memory is vague. Of course I knew that Catherine was a great-great-great aunt of Ariana. I didn't get the killer vibes from Catherine.
Catherine ends up dying and the coven tries to bring her back to life. They do the spell and they do. I have to say it was anti-climatic. The creature just tried to choke Eliza. Is that all? Maybe it was my impression in reading the Private novels, but I expected some worse or more gruesome. Apparently the creature looked and sounded just like Catherine, but obviously it wasn't her.
All in all though I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read.
Spoiler
Reed and Noelle are descendents of Eliza. But Eliza's introduction to the school seemed just like Reed's.I initially thought Theresa was more like Noelle in the first few Private books, but it turns out she's an ancestor of Paige and Dylan. I think the books said something about that. My memory is vague. Of course I knew that Catherine was a great-great-great aunt of Ariana. I didn't get the killer vibes from Catherine.
Catherine ends up dying and the coven tries to bring her back to life. They do the spell and they do. I have to say it was anti-climatic. The creature just tried to choke Eliza. Is that all? Maybe it was my impression in reading the Private novels, but I expected some worse or more gruesome. Apparently the creature looked and sounded just like Catherine, but obviously it wasn't her.
All in all though I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read.
megelzbth's review
3.0
The Book of Spells is a prequel to Brian's Private series and is helpful to be read before starting the 12th book, Ominous, although as a stand alone it's equally as enjoyable.
I wasn't against the whole witchcraft element that was being introduced - it made me enjoy the series that much further. Reading about Eliza's world was a nice break from the air-heads to be quite honest and it was refreshing to read about some Billings history.
Re Private:
Boy I wish I had a Goodreads account when I read the Private series. It had me incredibly hooked, I was reading 2-3 of these a day - easily. Such a guilty pleasure reading about murder and mystery within the halls of private boarding school. There's nothing mind blowing about the writing - or really the characters- but the story and the twists it takes was juicier than anything I've read.
I wasn't against the whole witchcraft element that was being introduced - it made me enjoy the series that much further. Reading about Eliza's world was a nice break from the air-heads to be quite honest and it was refreshing to read about some Billings history.
Re Private:
Boy I wish I had a Goodreads account when I read the Private series. It had me incredibly hooked, I was reading 2-3 of these a day - easily. Such a guilty pleasure reading about murder and mystery within the halls of private boarding school. There's nothing mind blowing about the writing - or really the characters- but the story and the twists it takes was juicier than anything I've read.
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