Witch Way Librarian #6
In Angela Sanders’ sixth addition to her Witch Way Librarian series, The Witch is Back, readers travel to Wilfred, Oregon, to join local librarian Josie Way, who also just so happens to have a literal bit of magic with books. Coming from a long line of witches, Josie is blessed with some truly powerful magic that manifests itself through books. They whisper to her, based on either what the magic feels she needs, or in response to questions she poses to them. But she has to be careful: even without things like witch trials going on, it isn’t safe to just flaunt her powers about the small town. So when she does use her abilities it is often secretly, and primarily to help others. Not even her boyfriend and local sheriff, Sam, knows of her secret. At this point she has also used her powers to help solve several mysteries and murders about her otherwise quiet and peaceful town.
She has to practice her magic a lot as well, since she only recently came into her powers after years of having them suppressed through a spell from her well intending mother. Her mother actively denies her own magical abilities as much as possible, although she won’t ignore a warning that sneaks through her denial. When she shows up for a surprise visit, something seems a bit off. Worried and looking to distract her from whatever is troubling her, Josie takes her to visit the Aerie, a clifftop manor that belonged to the recently passed Reverend Clarence Duffy, who in his later years was a very reclusive man. However, the books inside warn Josie that something is amiss, and her mother gets bad vibes from the place so they leave it quickly. Ignoring magical warnings isn’t wise in any story. Shortly after, however, one of the Reverend’s sons turns up dead, and several cryptic and unsettling letters start to appear all over town, including one claiming to know Josie’s secret, but not specifically what that secret might be. Given that being a witch is really her only secret, she is understandably nervous. In a small town with a strong sense of community it’s more than a little upsetting to think one of their own is sending out such hurtful notes.
I really enjoyed Angela Sanders’ take on magic. The idea of books becoming sentient, and not only whispering secrets, but lending actual magical energy from what’s inside them to Josie was a delightful concept. After all, as readers we can all think of some book or books that are magical to us – Angela Sanders just turns that feeling into tangible magic. For longtime readers of A Witch Way Librarian series, The Witch is Back is a lovely addition. For first time readers, there is background for the characters and relationships so you won’t have to worry about being confused. I do think reading the previous books would help readers get to know Josie a bit better, and understand her journey with her magic a bit more fully. However, I enjoyed this as my first foray into the series and I look forward to seeing how Josie’s book magic evolves. – Carla Schantz