Seriously Wicked by Tina Connolly

Title: Seriously Wicked
Author: Tina Connolly
Genre: Young Adult, Urban Fantasy
Series: N/A

Hardcover, 208 pages
Publication: May 5, 2015 by Tor Teen

Source: I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

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The only thing worse than being a witch is living with one.

Camellia’s adopted mother wants Cam to grow up to be just like her. Problem is, Mom’s a seriously wicked witch.

Cam’s used to stopping the witch’s crazy schemes for world domination. But when the witch summons a demon, he gets loose—and into Devon, the cute new boy at school.

Now Cam’s suddenly got bigger problems than passing Algebra. Her friends are getting zombiefied. Their dragon is tired of hiding in the RV garage. For being a shy boy-band boy, Devon is sure kissing a bunch of girls. And a phoenix hidden in the school is going to explode on the night of the Halloween Dance.

To stop the demon before he destroys Devon’s soul, Cam might have to try a spell of her own. But if she’s willing to work spells like the witch...will that mean she’s wicked too?

Tina Connolly is best known for her adult fantasy series, Ironside about faeries. But now she has branched out into the young adult genre with witches in Seriously Wicked. Seriously Wicked was a cute, fun, light read. The writing seems to be on the lighter side of YA, I’d say even borderline MG but I think people of all ages will like it. I’m definitely not the intended audiences (MG/YA) but I still enjoyed it!

Seriously Wicked is narrated by 15-year-old Camellia ‘Cam’ who’s living with her witchy aunt but isn't a witch herself. Poor Cam is constantly bossed around like a personal assistant for her aunt; forced to run crazy errands to find ingredients such as goat blood, pig’s ear, and hopes & dreams all because her aunt refuses to leave the house. And whenever Cam doesn't complete her tasks or chores, she is punished in the strangest ways like getting turned in a salesperson or locked in a giant pumpkin...but then again maybe not that strange since her aunt is eccentric. What’s even more troubling is when Cam finds out all the ingredients she’s been collecting is for a spell to summon a demon to help her aunt take over the world!

For most of the book Cam kept referring to her aunt as ‘The Witch’, she rarely called her by her name…or even the word 'aunt'. I never understood why, and I don't think that part was ever explained. I thought that was pretty weird (I still do as I type this review). Then there were the tasks/chores and punishment. I felt so bad for Cam but never once did she complain! So, much props to her because I wouldn't have had the same restraints as she did! Overall, Cam was a likable heroine. She was very mature for her age, and other times she acted like the 15-year-old she should be…trying to study for Algebra 2, handling the mean girls at school and crushing on the new boy. It was refreshing to see that while there is drama around Cam, she herself was drama-free.What I also liked about Cam was that she showed everyone and her aunt that she didn't need to have powers to stop a demon or her aunt from taking over the world. What I got from reading Seriously Wicked is that, with a little studying, hard work and faith…you can accomplish anything. Which I think is really good-important message to young kids.

The book started a bit slow and dragged in some parts but it eventually picked up midway where everything started coming together. All the questions I had since the beginning (not 'The Witch  reference lol) were finally answered and it made so much sense! And the twists! Omg, the twists…I did not expect that ending. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Connolly’s new book. It shows that she can write in any genre, for any audience and no matter what we’ll still get a wonderfully written book. Seriously Wicked was a fun and quick read, if you’re looking for some light reading or brain candy, I’d suggest picking up this book.