Series: Witches Steeped in Gold #1
Author: Ciannon Smart
Publisher: HarperTeen
Released: April 20, 2021
Received: Own (OwlCrate)
Warnings: Abuse, imprisonment, mind control, oppression

Oh my god, I am absolutely in love with my OwlCrate copy of Witches Steeped in Gold. I’m so happy I held out for this beauty! Now I get to sit down and read Ciannon Smart’s work. Witches Steeped in Gold is the first novel in a series of the same name, and I could not be more excited.

This novel is a Jamaican-inspired fantasy, and as you might have already guessed, it features many witches. A lot of amazing witches, with common enemies, challenges, and battles all over the place.

Iraya and Jazmyne couldn’t be more different from one another if they tried. One spent her life in prison, while the other is the Queen’s daughter. They should be enemies. They should be trying to kill each other. But instead, they’re going to focus on the enemy they both share.

“Trouble doesn’t give signs like rain, so we must always be ready for it.”

Witches Steeped in Gold is one of those novels that will transport you to a world of magic – and all of the changes it brings with it. That transportation feels more literal than usual, thanks to the descriptive nature of Ciannon Smart’s writing.

Overall, I really did enjoy this read. I had a little trouble getting into it at first – it took me about 60ish pages to really get into the different narrators and their stories. Iraya and Jazmyne are so different, and yet they face a common enemy. There’s a certain level of irony there, don’t you think?

It was borderline overwhelming how much information and detail was worked into Witches Steeped in Gold. Admittedly, while I enjoyed much of this narration, it impacted the pacing of the tale. There were times where it felt slow and heavy. Again, all of that is fine, in my mind, as long as there is a payoff in the end. Trust me, my friends, there absolutely is a payoff.

While I didn’t find myself head-over-heels about the romantic subplot, I did find myself liking the characters involved. So I guess that balances out? I’m not really sure what else to say on that subject, truth be told.

I’m really curious to see where the next book in this series is going to go, and thus I’m going to be keeping an eager eye open for any announcements on the matter. Wish me luck!