SmartGirl Editor Ruthie reviews:
Bewitching Season
A novel by Marissa Doyle

Persephone Leland is the kind of seventeen year old many SmartGirls can relate to: she's caring and bright, but she sometimes feels shy, especially around her special someone! There's one more thing about Persy, as she's called. She and her twin sister, Penelope, or Pen, are witches! It is 1837, the advent of Queen Victoria's reign in England. Miss Allardyce, friend and governess, a woman paid to live with the Leland family and educate their girls, has also schooled them in their hidden magical talents. Only their younger brother Charles knows about the girls, and they would like to keep it that way. Though they are only interested in using their powers for good, they also know that it wouldn't be easy to be a witch in Victorian England - not while they are heading to London for their coming out, anyway. Persy and Pen were actually born on the same day as Victoria, who is about to take the throne, or so everyone thinks. The Season is just beginning for all three young ladies; a time to step out, wear beautiful gowns, and find marriage matches. But, there's something nefarious in store for these new lords and ladies of the realm and they find themselves involved in ways beyond the magic of an enchanting ballroom.

Anyone who has enjoyed watching Enchanted (Walt Disney Pictures) or the Disney Channel's Twitches trilogy will enjoy reading this book. Even if you aren't a reader usually, this book will have enough excitement to keep you interested. Twins Persy and Pen are personable; they are girls you'd want to be friends with! Persy is trying to figure out how to talk to her special someone without going to pieces, and Pen is pretty excited about dresses and dancing. Their minds are not completely wrapped up in the festivities of the Season, though, because something dark seems to have happened to Miss Allardyce. She's suddenly disappeared! In a secret effort to find and rescue their beloved governess, Persy, Pen, and Charles uncover a magical plot to wrest control away from Princess Victoria. They must protect the royal family and Miss Allardyce without raising too many suspicions. Doing that and keeping it together in front of her crush is not easy, but Persy knows what she has to do.

This novel was entertaining. I thought that the love interests were fun. It's a will-they-or-won't-they story to get swept up by. However, romance isn't the only theme of the book and that kept it from getting stale. Magic the girls were perfecting added a neat twist on their adventure, and I liked that they weren't waiting for someone else to come do the saving. Their young brother Charles could be pesky at times, but the love between the siblings was genuine and whenever they put their heads together I thought that the action picked up. I also found myself relating to Persy's worries at times, like not knowing what to say to boys at a party; telling the tale from her point of view made the book more compelling because I was really hoping for her success. I rooted for Persy all the way! I was happy with the ending too. It seemed to wrap up the tale while opening up the possibility for future stories. I'd love to hear from Pen's perspective as she makes her way in the world of magic, romance, and adventure. I expect to see another episode soon!

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