Hexed by Michelle Krys

Summary: A cheerleader at a Fairfield High in a position of popularity, Indigo’s life takes a turn when someone steals an important book from her mother’s occult store, ‘The Black Cat.’ Turns out the recessive genes for being a witch run in Indigo’s family, but until her 200th full moon, Indigo won’t know if she has inherited the powers herself. The stolen book is The Witch Hunter’s Bible, and if it falls into the wrong hands many witches will die. Thrust into the action of a war between witches and sorcerers with a high personal cost, Indigo finds herself under the tutelage of Bishop, an eighteen year-old Warlock who is determined to help her develop her powers. As the secret magical world starts to unfurl for Indigo, she realises all is not as it seems and forms a plan to reclaim the book.

Number of Pages: 369

Age Range: 15-17

Review: The first book in a new series, Hexed by Michelle Krys develops a strong main character in Indigo. I loved her feisty spirit, her sense of independence, and her spunky voice as she navigates the magical world after being convinced her occult-believing mother was crazy. Indigo adjusts remarkably well to her new life, shedding her cheerleader persona and friends without much difficulty as she realises they weren’t genuine anyway. And, in truth, her best friend having sex with her boyfriend aided the transition a great deal.

Instead, Indigo finds a true friend in Paige who is loyal to her from the start. Bishop enters the scene as a mentor with a past and replacement love interest, although Devon really isn’t hard to beat in the romance department. They are both also great characters, and it looks like Krys has set up the second book to be about Paige after she is kidnapped because of her association with Indigo.

The world of witches and sorcerers is complicated, but I liked how Krys had several twists and turns in plot that she handled without making me feel overwhelmed as a reader. There is an over-arching story going on with the battle between the Family and the Priory, and my interest is piqued enough that I want to read where things go. I wish it had been a little lighter on the romance and attraction part because at times I felt Indigo was easily distracted by Bishop’s smell, tattoos, and overall handsomeness, and she was smarter than that, but I still thought she had chops.

Hexed is an action-packed read and I am looking forward to Krys’ sequel.

Memorable Quotes:

“‘Jerk? I know. So listen, you have to take me somewhere private if I’m going to tell you anything.’

‘Absolutely not.’ Sorry, buddy, but I’ve seen that episode of Oprah. ‘Never let them take you to a second location.’ is, like, Rule #1 of foiling predators.” – Conversation between Bishop and Indigo from Hexed by Michelle Krys, pages 97-98

“They speak to each other in the way that only longtime friends do, and I have to wonder how long they’ve been doing this – conspiring to get me well. Something sparks inside me. I hadn’t thought it was possible, but a tiny hole has chipped away at the ice block, and sliver of light streams inside.” – Indigo from Hexed by Michelle Krys, page 220

“Once it’s up, I’m happy to discover it’s easy to move the desk where I want it simply by willing it there with my eyes. It takes everything in me not to grin like an idiot as I float the desk over the wood floor, over the bearskin rug, and drop it inches from Bishop’s bare feet, so that he has to jump back lest his toes be squashed.

I did it. My heart swells up like I didn’t think was possible anymore. ‘Oh my God,’ I say. ‘I’m a freaking witch.'” – Indigo from Hexed by Michelle Krys, page 262

“I must say, it’s hard to find a rhythm when you’re worried about a sorcerer killing you at any moment, but I try, because the whole point is that I appear to be casual, that I don’t look like I’m trying to lure the Priory out so we can reclaim the Bible and kill them.” – Indigo from Hexed by Michelle Krys, page 315

Hexed by Michelle Krys is published by Delacorte Press, (2014).