A Journey to Savannah: Review of The Bell Witches (Savannah Red, #1) by Kelk
There’s something undeniably enchanting about a story set in the deep South, filled with charm, magic, and mystique. I was immediately drawn to The Bell Witches by Kelk not just for its bewitching title, but for the promise of an atmospheric journey through Savannah—a place I’d never visited but longed to experience. Thanks to an ARC from NetGalley, I embarked on this literary adventure, and while it had its mesmerizing moments, it left me with a mixed bag of thoughts.
First off, credit where it’s due: the atmosphere in this novel is truly captivating. Kelk paints an incredibly vivid picture of Savannah’s lush landscapes, adorned with Spanish moss—a plant I can now confidently say has entered my list of favorites. The weight of the humidity, the scents wafting through perfume gardens, and the charm of old Southern mansions practically transported me there. If you’re looking for a book that will whisk you away to a magical locale, this one certainly delivers on that front.
At the center of it all is Emily, a young girl grappling with the tragic loss of her father and the discovery that she’s inherited a witch’s lineage. This setup had all the makings of a compelling coming-of-age tale infused with magic. However, my enthusiasm took a dive due to the romance—oh, the romance.
The relationship between Emily and Wyn developed at lightning speed. Honestly, I’ve never encountered a case of insta-love that felt more abrupt. By their third date, they were professing undying love, despite hardly knowing each other! This overemphasis on romance detracted from Emily’s journey, making me crave the moments when Wyn wasn’t around. His character fell flat, serving primarily as a placeholder for Emily’s affections without any distinctive personality traits. In contrast, the friendship between Emily and her new best friend Lydia sparkled with authenticity, highlighting Kelk’s ability to craft engaging interactions—even if Lydia does fall into the clichéd ‘quirky best friend’ trope.
Emily’s family dynamics added another layer of richness to the narrative. Characters like Ashley, Emily’s aunt, with her endearing stress-baking tendencies, were strong highlights. However, the villain, Catherine, lacked the depth that could have made her truly menacing, leaving her downfall feeling somewhat underwhelming.
Yet, my biggest gripes centered around the writing style. The term "unalive" as a replacement for kill jarred me out of the story. Initially, I thought it was a quirky touch to modernize Lydia’s character, but when Ashley used it too, I was thrown off completely. Additionally, Kelk’s overuse of the word "but" as a sentence connector became increasingly grating. I’ve always been sensitive to sentence structure, and this recurrent style detracted from my enjoyment.
Lastly, the book’s myriad references to Taylor Swift felt more like a distraction than a nostalgic nod. While pop culture references can anchor a story in time, too many can date it, and one can’t help but wonder how future readers will perceive them.
In summary, while The Bell Witches has a lot of charm, compelling family dynamics, and a captivating setting, it falters in its romantic pacing and writing quirks. If you can overlook these pitfalls, the atmospheric journey Kelk provides may keep you enchanted. That said, I’d recommend this book to younger teens who enjoy light-hearted YA with a splash of magic but caution seasoned readers who might seek depth and sophistication in their narratives.
As for me, I walked away enjoying the tropical imagery of Savannah, but also with a lingering desire for a more richly crafted story.
[ad_2]
Discover more about The Bell Witches (Savannah Red, #1) on GoodReads >>