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The Language of Spells #1
The Language of Spells
When you are ready, seek, and you shall find. It is your gift.
Gwen Harper left Pendleford thirteen years ago and hasn’t looked back. Until an inheritance throws her into the mystical world she thought she’d escaped. Confronted with her great-aunt’s legacy Gwen must finally face up to her past.
The magic she has long tried to suppress is back with a vengeance but gift or burden, for Gwen, it always spells trouble. She has to stay – she has nowhere else to go – but how can she find her place in the town that drove her out after branding her a witch…?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2013
990 people are currently reading
3325 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Painter
46 books867 followersSarah Painter is the author of the bestselling magical novel, The Language of Spells, and its follow-up, The Secrets of Ghosts.
She has written 'book club' fiction with atmospheric settings and historical elements (In The Light of What We See and Beneath The Water), and a 'wonderfully dark and twisty' supernatural thriller, The Lost Girls.
Sarah's latest venture is an exciting new urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations. Yes, she finds it hard to stick to one genre!
Before writing books, Sarah Painter worked as a freelance magazine journalist, blogger and editor, combining this 'career' with amateur child-wrangling (AKA motherhood).
Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her husband and children. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon, and is the proud owner of a writing shed.
She has written 'book club' fiction with atmospheric settings and historical elements (In The Light of What We See and Beneath The Water), and a 'wonderfully dark and twisty' supernatural thriller, The Lost Girls.
Sarah's latest venture is an exciting new urban fantasy series, Crow Investigations. Yes, she finds it hard to stick to one genre!
Before writing books, Sarah Painter worked as a freelance magazine journalist, blogger and editor, combining this 'career' with amateur child-wrangling (AKA motherhood).
Sarah lives in rural Scotland with her husband and children. She drinks too much tea, loves the work of Joss Whedon, and is the proud owner of a writing shed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 197 reviews
February 24, 2015
I have struggled with this review and have started and deleted it about a dozen times. I think this is because I don't know what to say about a book that I consider in the end to be a serviceable book, but not very memorable.
I love magical realism books and am always on the lookout for more authors that write in this genre. I adore Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and was quite happy to discover author Menna van Praag as well. I was hoping to add Ms. Painter to my list of go to authors who write in this genre, but was let down with the overall story-line and development of the characters in her book.
I gave this book three stars because I felt that the main character and other characters were not written well enough for me to really get a sense of them, there was a lack of details concerning the magic, the slow pace of the book, and the constant contradictions that came up while I was reading.
The main character Gwen at times dances between being a TSTL romance heroine and a strong woman who knows magic. I think that if we had seen more of her as being strong and not falling apart everytime her love interest Cam ignored her or her sister was mean to her, I could have liked the character more. I also think if we had been told the story and history of Gwen, the town of Pendleford, her family, and her relationship with Cam in a linear way it would have made for a faster read.
The other characters in the book are not written with enough detail for me to even pick them out of a line-up. Gwen's older sister Ruby is ashamed of Gwen's magic abilities and warns her off of telling her 14 year old daughter Katie.
We also have Gwen and Ruby's mother Gloria who we hear about in dribs and drabs, but I can't get much of a sense of at all.
Then we get to Gwen's love interest Cam who was constantly wishy-washy on Gwen until almost the end of the book (yeah a hum-drum romance, totally my not favorite thing to read).
There is also the mustache twirling villain that I was able to deduce within the first couple of pages. It would have made the final denouement more exciting if the reader and Gwen had not been clued into the fact that this person was all wrong. However, the readers will probably figure it out ages before Gwen does. And when Gwen figures it out and realizes what this person has done she passively keeps allowing things to keep happening to her (that's where the TSTL comes in).
Another issue I had while reading was that anything that deals with magic was pretty much glossed over or handwaved away. There was way too much tell and not enough show for me. I think having Gwen describe herbs, different spells she learned, the meaning of those spells, etc. would have been really great and added to the overall book. We get to a key scene at the end of the book and Gwen is supposedly repeating every anti-hex incantation that she ever learned and that she could feel all of the former (and in her mother's case, present) Harper women flowing through her. It could have been a really great moment with more details included, instead I was just left cold by the whole thing.
In addition to the above, the entire book was a slow read. And I don't mean like A Discovery of Witches slow read with intricate details on the origin of magic, spells, etc. This was a slow read in which it felt as if for every step forward we took in the story, we took two steps back. As I said earlier, if the story had been told linear I think it would have helped with this immensely. For example, it took almost halfway through the book before I figured out what incidents pushed Gwen to run away and leave Cam. I am not a fan of info dumps in books for the most part, but there needs to be a happy medium. I struggled to finish this book because it felt like things were just happening to Gwen and she was reacting to them.
Besides all this, there were also some inconsistencies on how Gwen and Cam were portrayed. For example, Gwen has rejected her magical ability when she was very young because of her mother's actions. However, she still uses this ability at 18 and then doesn't use it again for 13 years. We get no back-story that Gwen was trained at all. However, we have her knowing anti-hexes, and she can tell with a look when someone is under a hex (except when she doesn't) and how to prove it (apparently licking someone's skin). So my problem is how did she learn all of these spells and other things? Did Gwen look it up? Did she somehow do research? I just needed some more details included in the book that would have helped explain the contradiction I kept seeing.
I love magical realism books and am always on the lookout for more authors that write in this genre. I adore Alice Hoffman, Sarah Addison Allen, and was quite happy to discover author Menna van Praag as well. I was hoping to add Ms. Painter to my list of go to authors who write in this genre, but was let down with the overall story-line and development of the characters in her book.
I gave this book three stars because I felt that the main character and other characters were not written well enough for me to really get a sense of them, there was a lack of details concerning the magic, the slow pace of the book, and the constant contradictions that came up while I was reading.
The main character Gwen at times dances between being a TSTL romance heroine and a strong woman who knows magic. I think that if we had seen more of her as being strong and not falling apart everytime her love interest Cam ignored her or her sister was mean to her, I could have liked the character more. I also think if we had been told the story and history of Gwen, the town of Pendleford, her family, and her relationship with Cam in a linear way it would have made for a faster read.
The other characters in the book are not written with enough detail for me to even pick them out of a line-up. Gwen's older sister Ruby is ashamed of Gwen's magic abilities and warns her off of telling her 14 year old daughter Katie.
We also have Gwen and Ruby's mother Gloria who we hear about in dribs and drabs, but I can't get much of a sense of at all.
Then we get to Gwen's love interest Cam who was constantly wishy-washy on Gwen until almost the end of the book (yeah a hum-drum romance, totally my not favorite thing to read).
There is also the mustache twirling villain that I was able to deduce within the first couple of pages. It would have made the final denouement more exciting if the reader and Gwen had not been clued into the fact that this person was all wrong. However, the readers will probably figure it out ages before Gwen does. And when Gwen figures it out and realizes what this person has done she passively keeps allowing things to keep happening to her (that's where the TSTL comes in).
Another issue I had while reading was that anything that deals with magic was pretty much glossed over or handwaved away. There was way too much tell and not enough show for me. I think having Gwen describe herbs, different spells she learned, the meaning of those spells, etc. would have been really great and added to the overall book. We get to a key scene at the end of the book and Gwen is supposedly repeating every anti-hex incantation that she ever learned and that she could feel all of the former (and in her mother's case, present) Harper women flowing through her. It could have been a really great moment with more details included, instead I was just left cold by the whole thing.
In addition to the above, the entire book was a slow read. And I don't mean like A Discovery of Witches slow read with intricate details on the origin of magic, spells, etc. This was a slow read in which it felt as if for every step forward we took in the story, we took two steps back. As I said earlier, if the story had been told linear I think it would have helped with this immensely. For example, it took almost halfway through the book before I figured out what incidents pushed Gwen to run away and leave Cam. I am not a fan of info dumps in books for the most part, but there needs to be a happy medium. I struggled to finish this book because it felt like things were just happening to Gwen and she was reacting to them.
Besides all this, there were also some inconsistencies on how Gwen and Cam were portrayed. For example, Gwen has rejected her magical ability when she was very young because of her mother's actions. However, she still uses this ability at 18 and then doesn't use it again for 13 years. We get no back-story that Gwen was trained at all. However, we have her knowing anti-hexes, and she can tell with a look when someone is under a hex (except when she doesn't) and how to prove it (apparently licking someone's skin). So my problem is how did she learn all of these spells and other things? Did Gwen look it up? Did she somehow do research? I just needed some more details included in the book that would have helped explain the contradiction I kept seeing.
June 11, 2013
The Language of Spells was a unique find that I am so happy I picked up! After inheriting a house from her great-aunt (who she hasn't had contact with for quite some time), Gwen Harper stirs up a bit of trouble in the small town due to Iris's reputation. But Gwen has her own past, especially with the gorgeous, hot-shot lawyer, Cameron Laing. Gwen tries to rekindle her relationship with her sister and niece, and finds herself in a spot of trouble when someone seems to have it out for her. This book was unlike anything I've ever read; women's fiction with a dash of magic that will sweep you under it's spell from page one.
July 9, 2021
It was actually just a few days ago when I finished Thornyhold by Mary Stewart, and then I came across The Language of Spells today quite by accident.
I’m shocked to see that so far no one has noted that TLS is a very close retelling, so to speak! of Mary Stewart’s Thornyhold, with some superficial changes of course. I’d rather have thought the writer herself would mention something?
I haven’t had time to read the whole book yet but I skimmed forward a bit and it seems Ms. Painter has departed slightly from the middle of the book onward and there are drastic differences as regarding the “Obstacle” issue. However the overall layout of the plot is very firmly based on Thornyhold.
I took time to read the book properly, and the premise is very firmly based on Thornyhold except for the many flourishes added in the hopes of fleshing out the story. Thornyhold was published around thirty years ago and it might seem prudish or sparse for lack of a better word, compared to a lot of books. It’s much shorter and quieter so to speak, but what Mary Stewart achieved in that book can’t be compared in terms of sheer dramatic effect. She was a master of her craft after all. She achieved the breathless finale even though her villain wasn’t quite as villainous as the one in TLS and what she contemplated to do was a hundred times less heinous as the murderous one here. I hated the heroine in this one I must say. She was written as this desperate, self pitying woman who wished to be kicked in the gut by the snobbish, snotty hero, who only at the last five percent of the story finally condescended to accept that the heroine deserved to be acknowledge by him (as what exactly remains to be seen!) and accepted to suffer to be seen in public with her. Needless to say I found the hero despicable as well and I feel that had the heroine’s powers not become as glaringly obvious as they did, he’d still be avoiding a relationship with her.
I’m shocked to see that so far no one has noted that TLS is a very close retelling, so to speak! of Mary Stewart’s Thornyhold, with some superficial changes of course. I’d rather have thought the writer herself would mention something?
I haven’t had time to read the whole book yet but I skimmed forward a bit and it seems Ms. Painter has departed slightly from the middle of the book onward and there are drastic differences as regarding the “Obstacle” issue. However the overall layout of the plot is very firmly based on Thornyhold.
I took time to read the book properly, and the premise is very firmly based on Thornyhold except for the many flourishes added in the hopes of fleshing out the story. Thornyhold was published around thirty years ago and it might seem prudish or sparse for lack of a better word, compared to a lot of books. It’s much shorter and quieter so to speak, but what Mary Stewart achieved in that book can’t be compared in terms of sheer dramatic effect. She was a master of her craft after all. She achieved the breathless finale even though her villain wasn’t quite as villainous as the one in TLS and what she contemplated to do was a hundred times less heinous as the murderous one here. I hated the heroine in this one I must say. She was written as this desperate, self pitying woman who wished to be kicked in the gut by the snobbish, snotty hero, who only at the last five percent of the story finally condescended to accept that the heroine deserved to be acknowledge by him (as what exactly remains to be seen!) and accepted to suffer to be seen in public with her. Needless to say I found the hero despicable as well and I feel that had the heroine’s powers not become as glaringly obvious as they did, he’d still be avoiding a relationship with her.
July 15, 2013
Best-selling 'Language of Spells' has it all, really - suspense, romance, magic, family politics and intrigue. Added to this Sarah Painter creates a likeable heroine in Gwen, and thanks to Sarah's flowing prose, 'Language of Spells' is a satisfying and engrossing read. I loved in particular the will they/won't they dynamic between Gwen and former flame Cam - always a finely balanced piece to pull off, and Sarah handles it beautifully. I really had intended to have an early night last night, but suddenly it was almost Witching Hour and I was 95% through on my Kindle, so just had to finish! A big well done to my fellow Carina UK author on a magical debut.
May 6, 2020
I thought this book would be more romantic, more about the acceptance of the main character about who and what she is and how the community she lives in would help her to accept that side of herself.
However, these things were addressed in a very superficial manner, the writing wasn't as fluid as I hoped for and the change of scenes was rather uneven, in my POV. I ended up thinking the story was very disjointed, the characters not as developed as I would have preferred so...
This was an OK read, but not special as I hoped it would be.
However, these things were addressed in a very superficial manner, the writing wasn't as fluid as I hoped for and the change of scenes was rather uneven, in my POV. I ended up thinking the story was very disjointed, the characters not as developed as I would have preferred so...
This was an OK read, but not special as I hoped it would be.
June 12, 2019
Loved it, a true guilty pleasure read, wish-fulfilling and heart-warming. I love the complex female characters, I love how they use their extra powers with a light hand, mainly to maintain more control and get more justice in their lives, which is what all women should have. Sweet and lovely writing, beautiful depiction of the intricate connection between sisters and between mothers and daughters. Moving on to the next book in the series.
August 3, 2025
This book just made my heart happy. it's sweet and entertaining, filled with great characters. Sarah Painter is one of my favorite writers - a true story weaver in the best sense.
October 2, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
I must admit I was intrigued by the title, and what the content could be when looking at this book, as I have an interest in the esoteric anyway. Never mind stories that contain even a hint of magic, so I was excited to get reading. Also, this is the author's début book - so obviously I'd never read her work before.
From the very start I was pulled into the story - a hint of a dark past, an inheritance from Great Aunt Iris, and a small (cosy?) English village that our heroine goes back to after many years. A great time to read it I think - as the seasons are going from Autumn to Winter in the book as they are as I read it. Not to mention CAM. Yes, we'll come back to him...
Gwen Harper is from a family of women who most will refer to as witches. Growing up with a sister and a single-mum, life wasn't easy and they moved around a lot. Gloria, the girls' mum did not use her magic wisely - or at least for good - and when Gwen shows signs of having a gift for finding things, she uses it to full account making money from people who want to use it as a service - and this is from a child. Needless to say, Gwen and her mum are not particularly close as we come into the story - and neither is Gwen with her sister Ruby, who resents any talk of magic. Also introduced is her niece Katie, who will prove to hold a pivotal role in the story.
Talking of dark pasts, Gwen also left a past love back in Pendleford - Cam Laing, and boy is he gorgeous - even if he does come across initially as having a broom inserted! Cam has remained in the village to become a lawyer in the wake of his father's death, and is angry that Gwen left him without a proper explanation. I won't go into why Gwen left the village many years before as it will contain spoilers, but let's just say it ties into the magic that runs throughout the whole book.
Gwen won't be able to stay at her new house in Pendleford without confronting the past however. There are people who believe in her family's magic in a good way and in a bad way. This story is also about family and friends relationships, and their complications. She will need to make choices about her past and future and whether she is ready to leave her transient lifestyle behind and settle. The story also has a line of suspense running through it when Gwen has to deal with someone who is trying to scare her into leaving.
It is also such a fun book. The character of Gwen has such heart and courage - she is witty and strong - and far more than the girl that left the village. I think part of the reason I enjoyed the book so much is that we spend almost all of it entirely with her, and end up routing for the future that she desires. I really connected with her, and also laughed along with her. And who could not like Cat!
I really loved this book - and it is not often I say this, really. An amazing début, I was sucked in so much I could hardly put it down and finished it in about a day I think. I also couldn't stop talking about it! That is it's charm and the skill of the writer, you can't quite put your finger on what it is...
I hope to read more in the future by this author.
I must admit I was intrigued by the title, and what the content could be when looking at this book, as I have an interest in the esoteric anyway. Never mind stories that contain even a hint of magic, so I was excited to get reading. Also, this is the author's début book - so obviously I'd never read her work before.
From the very start I was pulled into the story - a hint of a dark past, an inheritance from Great Aunt Iris, and a small (cosy?) English village that our heroine goes back to after many years. A great time to read it I think - as the seasons are going from Autumn to Winter in the book as they are as I read it. Not to mention CAM. Yes, we'll come back to him...
Gwen Harper is from a family of women who most will refer to as witches. Growing up with a sister and a single-mum, life wasn't easy and they moved around a lot. Gloria, the girls' mum did not use her magic wisely - or at least for good - and when Gwen shows signs of having a gift for finding things, she uses it to full account making money from people who want to use it as a service - and this is from a child. Needless to say, Gwen and her mum are not particularly close as we come into the story - and neither is Gwen with her sister Ruby, who resents any talk of magic. Also introduced is her niece Katie, who will prove to hold a pivotal role in the story.
Talking of dark pasts, Gwen also left a past love back in Pendleford - Cam Laing, and boy is he gorgeous - even if he does come across initially as having a broom inserted! Cam has remained in the village to become a lawyer in the wake of his father's death, and is angry that Gwen left him without a proper explanation. I won't go into why Gwen left the village many years before as it will contain spoilers, but let's just say it ties into the magic that runs throughout the whole book.
Gwen won't be able to stay at her new house in Pendleford without confronting the past however. There are people who believe in her family's magic in a good way and in a bad way. This story is also about family and friends relationships, and their complications. She will need to make choices about her past and future and whether she is ready to leave her transient lifestyle behind and settle. The story also has a line of suspense running through it when Gwen has to deal with someone who is trying to scare her into leaving.
It is also such a fun book. The character of Gwen has such heart and courage - she is witty and strong - and far more than the girl that left the village. I think part of the reason I enjoyed the book so much is that we spend almost all of it entirely with her, and end up routing for the future that she desires. I really connected with her, and also laughed along with her. And who could not like Cat!
I really loved this book - and it is not often I say this, really. An amazing début, I was sucked in so much I could hardly put it down and finished it in about a day I think. I also couldn't stop talking about it! That is it's charm and the skill of the writer, you can't quite put your finger on what it is...
I hope to read more in the future by this author.
February 19, 2016
An enchanting book that is well written and has elements of magical realism, herbs, spells, mystery and romance.
Gwen, the main character, is likeable and before you realise it, you find yourself sucked into the village of Pendleford and the people who live there. This book is the definition of pure escapism.
If you enjoy books by Sarah Addison Allen, then I would guess this would be an enjoyable read. I really enjoy the magical realism genre and will be ensuring I keep an eye out for more books by Sarah Painter.
Gwen, the main character, is likeable and before you realise it, you find yourself sucked into the village of Pendleford and the people who live there. This book is the definition of pure escapism.
If you enjoy books by Sarah Addison Allen, then I would guess this would be an enjoyable read. I really enjoy the magical realism genre and will be ensuring I keep an eye out for more books by Sarah Painter.
March 4, 2025
Gwen Harper’s struggle with her magical abilities and the past she tried to leave behind. After years of estrangement, she returns to her hometown of Pendleford when she inherits her great-aunt’s house, forcing her to confront old wounds, family tensions, and a community that distrusts her because of her powers.
Gwen Harper’s relationships are complex and shaped by her past, her magical abilities, and the emotional wounds she carries. She has complicated relationship especially with her ex-boyfriend and her sister.
A lawyer called Cam was an ex-boyfriend Gwen. Their relationship starts off tense since Gwen dissapeared from the town of Pendleford 13 years ago. Cam is skeptical of Gwen’s magical abilities and shares the town’s general wariness toward her. However, as the story progresses, Cam proves to be kind and supportive, helping Gwen as she navigates the challenges of returning home. Their relationship develops slowly, moving from cautious trust to something deeper, though Gwen struggles with vulnerability due to her past experiences.
In this story, I love being with Katie, Gwen’s niece. She is 14 years old and one of the few people who immediately accepts her. Unlike the rest of the town, Katie is open to the idea of magic and is naturally curious about Gwen’s abilities. Their bond is sweet and genuine, with Gwen acting as a protective and caring figure for Katie. This relationship gives Gwen a sense of belonging and purpose, helping her reconnect with her family.
Gwen and her sister, Ruby have a strained, complicated relationship. Ruby resents Gwen for leaving home years ago. She distrusts Gwen’s magic, believing it causes more harm than good. Their interactions are filled with tension, with Ruby often being cold and distant. However, as the story unfolds when Katie was missing, they are forced to confront their past and begin the process of healing. After that, Ruby accept Gwen’s ability in magic of Finding.
Gwen Harper’s relationships are complex and shaped by her past, her magical abilities, and the emotional wounds she carries. She has complicated relationship especially with her ex-boyfriend and her sister.
A lawyer called Cam was an ex-boyfriend Gwen. Their relationship starts off tense since Gwen dissapeared from the town of Pendleford 13 years ago. Cam is skeptical of Gwen’s magical abilities and shares the town’s general wariness toward her. However, as the story progresses, Cam proves to be kind and supportive, helping Gwen as she navigates the challenges of returning home. Their relationship develops slowly, moving from cautious trust to something deeper, though Gwen struggles with vulnerability due to her past experiences.
In this story, I love being with Katie, Gwen’s niece. She is 14 years old and one of the few people who immediately accepts her. Unlike the rest of the town, Katie is open to the idea of magic and is naturally curious about Gwen’s abilities. Their bond is sweet and genuine, with Gwen acting as a protective and caring figure for Katie. This relationship gives Gwen a sense of belonging and purpose, helping her reconnect with her family.
Gwen and her sister, Ruby have a strained, complicated relationship. Ruby resents Gwen for leaving home years ago. She distrusts Gwen’s magic, believing it causes more harm than good. Their interactions are filled with tension, with Ruby often being cold and distant. However, as the story unfolds when Katie was missing, they are forced to confront their past and begin the process of healing. After that, Ruby accept Gwen’s ability in magic of Finding.
December 13, 2019
Cam is an idiot but otherwise I loved this book. There's hereditary magic, an inherited house from a misunderstood and mysterious aunt, local politics, a malevolent neighbor, spellbooks, diaries a distant self-centered mother, a fraught sisterly relationship and a teenage girl making connections with her aunt.
The main character, Gwen, has led a nomadic life uprooting herself in her attempts to find a place she feels she fits in to. She's been subsisting on selling her crafts and under-priced items she finds in junk shops. When her aunt dies and leaves her a house, she's at a low with her business just about to go under and she has no money. Unfortunately her aunt has decreed that she cannot sell the house for 6 months so she's stuck in this place that holds lots of unpleasant memories for her and an ex boyfriend that she still loves. Plus her straight-laced, judgmental sister lives in nearby Bath and she wants to protect her image and her daughter from free-spirited, magic-laden Gwen.
This novel has a healthy dose of "You Are Enough" in it with Gwen trying to navigate her sister's judgment and fears, her own feelings of inadequacy and self-carelessness and the short-sightedness of others, including the ex-boyfriend who engages in some push/pull behaviors.
Recommended.
The main character, Gwen, has led a nomadic life uprooting herself in her attempts to find a place she feels she fits in to. She's been subsisting on selling her crafts and under-priced items she finds in junk shops. When her aunt dies and leaves her a house, she's at a low with her business just about to go under and she has no money. Unfortunately her aunt has decreed that she cannot sell the house for 6 months so she's stuck in this place that holds lots of unpleasant memories for her and an ex boyfriend that she still loves. Plus her straight-laced, judgmental sister lives in nearby Bath and she wants to protect her image and her daughter from free-spirited, magic-laden Gwen.
This novel has a healthy dose of "You Are Enough" in it with Gwen trying to navigate her sister's judgment and fears, her own feelings of inadequacy and self-carelessness and the short-sightedness of others, including the ex-boyfriend who engages in some push/pull behaviors.
Recommended.
January 22, 2020
I give this book 3 stars - I did like it - but I feel very conflicted about what I just read. I have never read anything by Sarah Painter; I downloaded The Language of Spells series, including the sequel and the prequel, because they were cheap on Kindle. I was hoping for similarity to Sarah Addison Allen, whose books I adore and reread, but was disappointed.
The story surrounds Gwen Harper, a 31-year-old woman returning home to Pendleford for the first time since she was 18 years old. She was raised unconventionally with her tarot card reading, fortune- giving mother, Gloria, and older sister, Ruby. They moved around a lot when the girls were young after being unceremoniously run out of towns or fleeing Gloria's critics and angry boyfriends. Gwen has returned to Pendleford now to claim the home of her Great Aunt Iris, who has passed away and mysteriously left Gwen her large home and all of its contents, despite the fact there is a load of bad history in Pendleford for Gwen, including previously being questioned by police for finding the body of a boy who jumped from the bridge committing suicide.
For what felt like an interminable amount of time with this novel it was as if I was dropped into the middle of a conversation and I wasn't privy to what had come before. I felt like I missed something, like, wait, was that the first chapter? Did I skip ahead inadvertently? Places were introduced without much backstory - admittedly, it took me awhile to figure out the story was taking place in England; thankfully my Austen familiarity saved me when Bath was mentioned. Now I know where I am!
The first name only of characters were introduced without them having been mentioned before. Their names were just sort of dropped into scenes and I'd go, who's that? Unfortunately, I picked out the villain in the story long before the character Gwen did and I was frustrated and amazed that for being a witch she couldn't sense the malevolence this character had for her.
There were inconsistencies in the story. Gwen was questioned by police for finding the body of the boy who committed suicide by jumping from the bridge in Pendleford, and yet, her then boyfriend and current love interest, Cam, seemed to be unaware of the case. He grew up in Pendleford too. How does he not remember the case of the boy who killed himself? This is a small town; he should remember this event occurred. Also, you'd think word would get around to Cam that the girl he's sleeping with is more than just odd, that her family is more than odd - ie. they're witches, dude! It was hard to believe that Gwen has to tell him 13 years later and he never seemed to catch a whiff of this before then.
Another inconsistency lies with the character Lily Thomas. Lily Thomas has repeated run-ins with Gwen and had previous contact with her Great Aunt Iris, dating back to when she was 12-years-old and first moved to town. Though Lily's current age isn't mentioned, I got the impression Lily Thomas is older than Gwen. My only evidence of this is that Lily had an elderly father who died under mysterious circumstances. In any case, Gwen left Pendleford when she was 18, and had lived there at least long enough to form a serious relationship with love interest Cam. Yet Lily Thomas has no knowledge of Gwen ever having lived in the town before until another side character reveals it in passing. She lived next to Iris Harper, it's likely she would have heard Iris had family in town, especially her niece Gloria who lived with Iris until she was a teenager, and Gloria's kids.
The familial relationships of characters confused me. Iris was Gwen's aunt, and yet in reminiscences Iris regrets not having been a better mother to Gloria. There was a mention of an Annie -who was that? Presumably Gloria's mother, Iris' sister? I'm guessing here, because the novel literally doesn't say, that Annie died and Gloria had no place to live but with her aunt Iris.
It seemed to me the magical aspects of the story were not fully fleshed out. Aspects that were magic were only vaguely described. What was with the dead rabbit on the porch? What's up with the cat? Clearly the cat is somewhat magical, but it was never fully outlined how. Personally, I kept feeling like the cat was the reincarnated ghost of her aunt Iris, but that was never clearly spelled out. In the least, I felt like the cat was a witch's familiar. What was up with the bedroom window always being open? Was the cat opening it? Why? The incident with the ceiling of the dining room opening up and falling down - it appeared to Gwen two hands opened up the hole. Who did that? Did Gwen do that? Did the house? Did the ghost of Iris save her? And Gwen says the bad feeling she'd had in the house, and in particular in the dining room, immediately dissipated after the incident with Lily. Why? And why was this bad feeling not further elucidated for the reader prior to this scene? I felt like it was never discussed prior to this moment.
There was never really a realization on Gwen's part that the snake Lily Thomas was lying about being her aunt's house cleaner, lying about being owed money for past unpaid services on behalf of her aunt. Gwen reads Iris' journal which states very clearly that Iris believes Lily killed her father to get his house. Iris writes that she fears for her life, that she's writing this down as proof in case something should happen to her, that she's lying to Lily claiming she has proof Lily killed her own father, in an attempt to keep herself safe. Okay, you read that in your aunt's handwriting and you yourself are getting the impression from Lily that something isn't right, and yet you don't immediately take that to the police? How about telling officer friendly Harry? I would have immediately taken that to the police and then told them my experiences with this individual. That was mind boggling to me. Gwen seemed to read these very distressing passages in her aunt's journal and then just carried on with her life! Bizarre.
Overall, I felt like characters were half-developed and story lines were only partially created. This feels like the first draft of a novel that they went ahead and published anyway. I have the two other novels in this series, but suffice to say I'm not going to be in a rush to read them.
The story surrounds Gwen Harper, a 31-year-old woman returning home to Pendleford for the first time since she was 18 years old. She was raised unconventionally with her tarot card reading, fortune- giving mother, Gloria, and older sister, Ruby. They moved around a lot when the girls were young after being unceremoniously run out of towns or fleeing Gloria's critics and angry boyfriends. Gwen has returned to Pendleford now to claim the home of her Great Aunt Iris, who has passed away and mysteriously left Gwen her large home and all of its contents, despite the fact there is a load of bad history in Pendleford for Gwen, including previously being questioned by police for finding the body of a boy who jumped from the bridge committing suicide.
For what felt like an interminable amount of time with this novel it was as if I was dropped into the middle of a conversation and I wasn't privy to what had come before. I felt like I missed something, like, wait, was that the first chapter? Did I skip ahead inadvertently? Places were introduced without much backstory - admittedly, it took me awhile to figure out the story was taking place in England; thankfully my Austen familiarity saved me when Bath was mentioned. Now I know where I am!
The first name only of characters were introduced without them having been mentioned before. Their names were just sort of dropped into scenes and I'd go, who's that? Unfortunately, I picked out the villain in the story long before the character Gwen did and I was frustrated and amazed that for being a witch she couldn't sense the malevolence this character had for her.
There were inconsistencies in the story. Gwen was questioned by police for finding the body of the boy who committed suicide by jumping from the bridge in Pendleford, and yet, her then boyfriend and current love interest, Cam, seemed to be unaware of the case. He grew up in Pendleford too. How does he not remember the case of the boy who killed himself? This is a small town; he should remember this event occurred. Also, you'd think word would get around to Cam that the girl he's sleeping with is more than just odd, that her family is more than odd - ie. they're witches, dude! It was hard to believe that Gwen has to tell him 13 years later and he never seemed to catch a whiff of this before then.
Another inconsistency lies with the character Lily Thomas. Lily Thomas has repeated run-ins with Gwen and had previous contact with her Great Aunt Iris, dating back to when she was 12-years-old and first moved to town. Though Lily's current age isn't mentioned, I got the impression Lily Thomas is older than Gwen. My only evidence of this is that Lily had an elderly father who died under mysterious circumstances. In any case, Gwen left Pendleford when she was 18, and had lived there at least long enough to form a serious relationship with love interest Cam. Yet Lily Thomas has no knowledge of Gwen ever having lived in the town before until another side character reveals it in passing. She lived next to Iris Harper, it's likely she would have heard Iris had family in town, especially her niece Gloria who lived with Iris until she was a teenager, and Gloria's kids.
The familial relationships of characters confused me. Iris was Gwen's aunt, and yet in reminiscences Iris regrets not having been a better mother to Gloria. There was a mention of an Annie -who was that? Presumably Gloria's mother, Iris' sister? I'm guessing here, because the novel literally doesn't say, that Annie died and Gloria had no place to live but with her aunt Iris.
It seemed to me the magical aspects of the story were not fully fleshed out. Aspects that were magic were only vaguely described. What was with the dead rabbit on the porch? What's up with the cat? Clearly the cat is somewhat magical, but it was never fully outlined how. Personally, I kept feeling like the cat was the reincarnated ghost of her aunt Iris, but that was never clearly spelled out. In the least, I felt like the cat was a witch's familiar. What was up with the bedroom window always being open? Was the cat opening it? Why? The incident with the ceiling of the dining room opening up and falling down - it appeared to Gwen two hands opened up the hole. Who did that? Did Gwen do that? Did the house? Did the ghost of Iris save her? And Gwen says the bad feeling she'd had in the house, and in particular in the dining room, immediately dissipated after the incident with Lily. Why? And why was this bad feeling not further elucidated for the reader prior to this scene? I felt like it was never discussed prior to this moment.
There was never really a realization on Gwen's part that the snake Lily Thomas was lying about being her aunt's house cleaner, lying about being owed money for past unpaid services on behalf of her aunt. Gwen reads Iris' journal which states very clearly that Iris believes Lily killed her father to get his house. Iris writes that she fears for her life, that she's writing this down as proof in case something should happen to her, that she's lying to Lily claiming she has proof Lily killed her own father, in an attempt to keep herself safe. Okay, you read that in your aunt's handwriting and you yourself are getting the impression from Lily that something isn't right, and yet you don't immediately take that to the police? How about telling officer friendly Harry? I would have immediately taken that to the police and then told them my experiences with this individual. That was mind boggling to me. Gwen seemed to read these very distressing passages in her aunt's journal and then just carried on with her life! Bizarre.
Overall, I felt like characters were half-developed and story lines were only partially created. This feels like the first draft of a novel that they went ahead and published anyway. I have the two other novels in this series, but suffice to say I'm not going to be in a rush to read them.
October 22, 2019
I really loved the story in this one, and the main character, but what disappointed me was the romance. Honestly the romantic interest just didn't cut it for me, and every single time the main character obsessed over him it did nothing but irritate me... First of all none of his descriptions felt attractive, making it hard to understand the MC's lust for him, but the thing that bothered me most is that I really didn't feel like the way he treated her was forgivable. If anything I felt more interest for the romantic interest's best friend, his personality felt much more attractive.
I've loved every single book by this author so far though, and I've enjoyed her other romances in her other books much more, making me think that maybe as this was an earlier publication, I agree more with her romantic ideas later on in her more recent books :)
I've loved every single book by this author so far though, and I've enjoyed her other romances in her other books much more, making me think that maybe as this was an earlier publication, I agree more with her romantic ideas later on in her more recent books :)
June 18, 2017
Gwen Harper returns to her hometown after her great-aunt dies and she inherits her house, but her great-aunt had magical powers, and so does Gwen. Her magical powers, which she has for years tried to suppress, now return - the Finding as she calls it. She wants to sell the house, but she can't for a while, and she finds she has to stay in the house, forcing her to deal with an odd neighbour, a fractured relationship with her sister who resents magic, and an ex-boyfriend.
In many ways this story revisits familiar themes, but it's told well. The writing is good, and the characters are engaging, and I was keen to keep reading.
Tension is raised by the actions of the increasingly unpredictable neighbour, and also the relationship with Gwen's ex, and her hometown.
If you want overt magic, spells and fantasy, you'll be disappointed, as this is far more subtle, seeking to integrate magic into everyday life. I liked this subtlety, it made magic more believable - if that makes sense.
This is the start to a series and the sequel is also out, The Secret of Ghosts, but told from Gwen's niece's perspective - or so I understand. Highly recommended.
In many ways this story revisits familiar themes, but it's told well. The writing is good, and the characters are engaging, and I was keen to keep reading.
Tension is raised by the actions of the increasingly unpredictable neighbour, and also the relationship with Gwen's ex, and her hometown.
If you want overt magic, spells and fantasy, you'll be disappointed, as this is far more subtle, seeking to integrate magic into everyday life. I liked this subtlety, it made magic more believable - if that makes sense.
This is the start to a series and the sequel is also out, The Secret of Ghosts, but told from Gwen's niece's perspective - or so I understand. Highly recommended.
August 28, 2020
Reading this alongside The Sparrow Sisters was a great idea.
January 17, 2022
Story was ok but audiobook narrator wasn’t great. I might having enjoyed this more as a book…
February 2, 2025
Nice to read, not amazing, but nice.
September 3, 2025
Meh. I absolutely love Sarah Painter’s Crow Investigations and Unholy Island series and reading this earlier novel shows me how much she’s matured as a writer over the last decade. This book was uneven, with some good parts and some parts that I had to just skim past because of the bland writing or disjointed plot lines. The end was relatively satisfying, so I’m glad I stuck it out, but this isn’t the author’s best work. I may or may not try the 2014 sequel. Would not recommend this series, but would definitely recommend her later works.
August 18, 2021
I tried really hard to like this book but, although I read it most of the way through, I couldn't finish it.
TLDR; It's bad chick lit with the name of some herbs and the occasional magical thing happening in it. Take the herbs, "The Finding", "magic salve" and spellbook out and it's just bad chick lit.
If I had to hear about how fucking incredible Cam was for another second I was going to burn the damn book. This is only ONE of the reasons I ended it where I did (the moment Lily just happened to get killed off by some plaster falling from a ceiling because the house is MaGiCaL. Give me a break), the other being another miracle happening to save the MC, because everything just works out perfectly for her with no repercussions whatsoever.
This book is one non-event after another that is almost instantly resolved just because. Being sued? Worked itself out. Annoying future Mother-in-Law? Magically not annoying anymore (without actual magic and just a very weak threat). Niece almost dies? It's fine, drop of blood from the enemy that just magically had some shit fall on her head in a house. Then there is the cliche of MaGiC hAs CoNsEqUeNcEs, which is mentioned near the start of the book, however it seems the author forgot this important plot point because there are no consequences whatsoever, for anyone.
The only reason I gave this any stars is because it was easy reading. It was so lazily written when it came to the magic realism element that the "magic" in the book might as well not have existed in the first place. The author should have just taken the magic out and sold it as what it is (chick lit) but it probably wouldn't have sold at all without it's comparison to Practical Magic.
Don't waste your time.
TLDR; It's bad chick lit with the name of some herbs and the occasional magical thing happening in it. Take the herbs, "The Finding", "magic salve" and spellbook out and it's just bad chick lit.
If I had to hear about how fucking incredible Cam was for another second I was going to burn the damn book. This is only ONE of the reasons I ended it where I did (the moment Lily just happened to get killed off by some plaster falling from a ceiling because the house is MaGiCaL. Give me a break), the other being another miracle happening to save the MC, because everything just works out perfectly for her with no repercussions whatsoever.
This book is one non-event after another that is almost instantly resolved just because. Being sued? Worked itself out. Annoying future Mother-in-Law? Magically not annoying anymore (without actual magic and just a very weak threat). Niece almost dies? It's fine, drop of blood from the enemy that just magically had some shit fall on her head in a house. Then there is the cliche of MaGiC hAs CoNsEqUeNcEs, which is mentioned near the start of the book, however it seems the author forgot this important plot point because there are no consequences whatsoever, for anyone.
The only reason I gave this any stars is because it was easy reading. It was so lazily written when it came to the magic realism element that the "magic" in the book might as well not have existed in the first place. The author should have just taken the magic out and sold it as what it is (chick lit) but it probably wouldn't have sold at all without it's comparison to Practical Magic.
Don't waste your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2017
I was very excited to start listening to this audiobook when I read the description. It definitely kept me entertained. When the book first started, I thought it was taking place in the past. I wouldn't have minded a historical romance, but I quickly found out it takes place in the current century. Gwen is an eccentric artist, who inherited a house from a great aunt she barely knew. Luckily the reader gets to know Great Aunt Iris through some journals she has left behind. Gwen; Katie (her niece); Cam (her old fame); were the main characters of this book. I would've liked a little more backstory of theses characters. I was felt with wanting more of a connection. I also was left wondering about some of the lesser characters, especially her mother, Gloria. I still really enjoyed the story, and will probably pick up more of Sarah Painter's books. This was a nice, light read.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast. This is an unbiased review.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher courtesy of Audiobook Blast. This is an unbiased review.
March 23, 2016
Simply put, The Language of Spells was a lot of fun! I became interested in Sarah Painter's work when I saw her books on the same lists as Alice Hoffman's and Sarah Addison Allen's. In fact, this book had a lot of the same vibes as Practical Magic, but didn't quite have the same beautiful, lyrical style as a Hoffman book (well, Practical Magic didn't really either, if I'm being honest).
I just really love the idea of magic existing in the real world and I think that's why I adore books like this. I'm a spiritual person who is full of superstitions, hunches, and the capability to believe almost anything. I'm not saying I believe in witches or psychics, but it's fun to entertain the possibility, and that's what this book does. It may have been overly predictable at times, but it was a pleasurable reading experience, which was my goal when picking this up.
☆☆☆☆
I just really love the idea of magic existing in the real world and I think that's why I adore books like this. I'm a spiritual person who is full of superstitions, hunches, and the capability to believe almost anything. I'm not saying I believe in witches or psychics, but it's fun to entertain the possibility, and that's what this book does. It may have been overly predictable at times, but it was a pleasurable reading experience, which was my goal when picking this up.
☆☆☆☆
January 23, 2015
A small town setting, a bit of mystery, a dash of romance with a final sparkling of magic. This is the recipe for this novel. It's up to you if they are interesting to read about.
Personally I found the setting boring (the town had no personality), the mystery non-existent, the romance WTF, and the magic irritating as I'm a fantasy-kind of girl. I need it (world-building) dense as the best cup of chocolate.
I read it, I spent some time leisurely, but this is the most I can say. Didn't particularly enjoy, and didn't particularly like the characters.
It may be great for a long journey where you really need something light to keep you company.
Personally I found the setting boring (the town had no personality), the mystery non-existent, the romance WTF, and the magic irritating as I'm a fantasy-kind of girl. I need it (world-building) dense as the best cup of chocolate.
I read it, I spent some time leisurely, but this is the most I can say. Didn't particularly enjoy, and didn't particularly like the characters.
It may be great for a long journey where you really need something light to keep you company.
July 3, 2013
I thought this was a gorgeous, compelling debut novel filled with wonderfully believable characters and a delicious touch of magic. It has the perfect mixture of humour, romance, mystery and intrigue making it a wholly enjoyable and hugely entertaining page-turner.
November 16, 2014
This is an absolutely stunning debut novel. What a lovely story!! I love books with a magical element. I devoured this book in one sitting, it was so addictive. Great characters, great plot, an overall enchanting read.
March 26, 2020
Did not finish--two orphaned sisters, a magical aunt, an inherited house, a lost love from youth, a wild mother.......Alice Hoffman did it better. Sarah Addison Allen did it less better. The story just felt like a trope and I couldn't invest myself beyond the first chapter.
January 28, 2017
Did not finish at 35%. The story didn't seem to be moving and I lost interest. I tried to pick it back up but was unsuccessful. Moving on.
October 10, 2020
Terrible cover but enjoyable and easy holiday read.
January 7, 2021
Overview:
Blurb: Gwen Harper has a (literal) magical knack for finding things. She returns to Pendleford after many years away in the wake of her great aunt Iris’ death having inherited a house from said deceased relative. But not all welcome her back with open arms, and that includes her ex, Cameron. Magic and mystery and a little bit of mischief are all in the cards.
Tags and Trigger Warnings:
Blood, Bullying, Child Abuse, Death, Drug Use (Illicit), Elder Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Food, Infidelity, Magic, Magical Realism, Metaphysical Fiction, Murder, Poor Coping Mechanisms, Pregnancy, Romance, Suicide, Supernatural Fiction, Theft, Underage Drinking, Underage Drug Use, Violence, Violent Imagery, Women’s Fiction, Women’s Psychological Fiction
Body Count: 3, but one starts off dead.
Overall review:
Thoughts:
I started reading The Language of Spells in late December. It was an interesting introduction to a new universe where magic is, but isn’t the wand waving, Harry Potter style magic. The magic in this universe of the Harper family is softer, more hearth and home. Some of the characters were a little wooden. And the chemistry between the main character Gwen and her once boyfriend Cam didn’t exactly seem healthy. I don’t know what it says when my favorite characters were the barman Bob and the cat named Cat. That being said, I did end up reading the whole book. It was a fairly enjoyable story, on the whole. A bit saccharine, at times. But I enjoyed the magic in the ordinary sort of feel. And once I got through the first few chapters, iIt was a story I devoured on my lunch breaks to get through it more. The mysterious happenings came across a bit… formulaic? You can figure out fairly early on who the villain is and their motives. Yes, formulaic but fun enough to be a decent reprieve from the current COVID-choked reality. The most well-written character was Katie, the teenager. She seemed the most genuinely fleshed out character in the whole story, though part of a secondary plot.The deceased Great Aunt Iris is also a well done character in this story, though her voice is only conveyed through journal entries. I might read the next book in the series, The Secrets of Ghosts, but it would be a re-read and I’m not sure I want to just yet.
Was it engaging?
Room for improvement
Favorite Character:
The cat named Cat. If I had to pick a human, Katie.
Least Favorite Character:
Lily.
Rating out of five: 3.0 out of 5
To Read or Not To Read (Again):
Not To Read Again: Happily Donated for Someone Else to Read
The Technical Specs:
Series
Series Name: The Language of Spells
Book Number: 1 of 2.5
Genre
Technical Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction, Women’s Psychological Fiction
Theo Genre: Chick Lit, Fluff/Twee, Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction
Page count: 386
POV: limited 3rd
Publication information:
Publisher: HQ Digital
Language: English
ASIN: B00CWL2C2E
Representation, Morality, and Sexism in Media Tests:
Bechdel–Wallace Test: Pass
In order to pass, two female characters must talk about something other than a male character.
Deggan’s Rule Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must me at least two non-white human characters in the main cast in a story not primarily focused on race.
DuVernay Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must be fully actualized characters of color.
Ellen Willis Test: Pass
In order to pass, two related characters would still need to work to carry the story if their genders happened to be reversed.
Mako Mori Test: Pass
In order to pass, there must be a female character that gets her own arc.
Mary Sue/Gary Stu Test: Half-Pass
In order to pass, the main character must not be completely flawless and persecuted by other characters needlessly.
Sexy Lamp Test: Pass
In order to pass, the plot must not fall apart if the female character was replaced by a sexy-looking lamp.
Post-It Note Caveat:
Would the character be able to be replaced by a Sexy Lamp with a sticky note on it for information conveyance? Nope
Tauriel Test: Pass
In order to pass, there must be at least one woman in the story who is competent in her chosen occupation and not immediately shown up by a newcomer male character.
Also, if a female character has or develops a love interest during the story, either implied or explicitly stated, she must not suddenly abandon her job and/or chosen path to support or pursue said love interest.
Vito Russo Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must be a character on the LGBTQIAP+ spectrum spectrum who is a character beyond their orientation. Furthermore, they must actually affect the plot and be something something beyond a caricature or punchline.
What does LGBTQIAP+ stand for? It stands for: Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual/Bi-romantic/Bi-gender, Transgender, Queer/Genderqueer, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, Pansexual/Panromantic+.
Blurb: Gwen Harper has a (literal) magical knack for finding things. She returns to Pendleford after many years away in the wake of her great aunt Iris’ death having inherited a house from said deceased relative. But not all welcome her back with open arms, and that includes her ex, Cameron. Magic and mystery and a little bit of mischief are all in the cards.
Tags and Trigger Warnings:
Blood, Bullying, Child Abuse, Death, Drug Use (Illicit), Elder Abuse, Emotional Abuse, Food, Infidelity, Magic, Magical Realism, Metaphysical Fiction, Murder, Poor Coping Mechanisms, Pregnancy, Romance, Suicide, Supernatural Fiction, Theft, Underage Drinking, Underage Drug Use, Violence, Violent Imagery, Women’s Fiction, Women’s Psychological Fiction
Body Count: 3, but one starts off dead.
Overall review:
Thoughts:
I started reading The Language of Spells in late December. It was an interesting introduction to a new universe where magic is, but isn’t the wand waving, Harry Potter style magic. The magic in this universe of the Harper family is softer, more hearth and home. Some of the characters were a little wooden. And the chemistry between the main character Gwen and her once boyfriend Cam didn’t exactly seem healthy. I don’t know what it says when my favorite characters were the barman Bob and the cat named Cat. That being said, I did end up reading the whole book. It was a fairly enjoyable story, on the whole. A bit saccharine, at times. But I enjoyed the magic in the ordinary sort of feel. And once I got through the first few chapters, iIt was a story I devoured on my lunch breaks to get through it more. The mysterious happenings came across a bit… formulaic? You can figure out fairly early on who the villain is and their motives. Yes, formulaic but fun enough to be a decent reprieve from the current COVID-choked reality. The most well-written character was Katie, the teenager. She seemed the most genuinely fleshed out character in the whole story, though part of a secondary plot.The deceased Great Aunt Iris is also a well done character in this story, though her voice is only conveyed through journal entries. I might read the next book in the series, The Secrets of Ghosts, but it would be a re-read and I’m not sure I want to just yet.
Was it engaging?
Room for improvement
Favorite Character:
The cat named Cat. If I had to pick a human, Katie.
Least Favorite Character:
Lily.
Rating out of five: 3.0 out of 5
To Read or Not To Read (Again):
Not To Read Again: Happily Donated for Someone Else to Read
The Technical Specs:
Series
Series Name: The Language of Spells
Book Number: 1 of 2.5
Genre
Technical Genre: Metaphysical Fiction, Metaphysical & Visionary Fiction, Women’s Psychological Fiction
Theo Genre: Chick Lit, Fluff/Twee, Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction
Page count: 386
POV: limited 3rd
Publication information:
Publisher: HQ Digital
Language: English
ASIN: B00CWL2C2E
Representation, Morality, and Sexism in Media Tests:
Bechdel–Wallace Test: Pass
In order to pass, two female characters must talk about something other than a male character.
Deggan’s Rule Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must me at least two non-white human characters in the main cast in a story not primarily focused on race.
DuVernay Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must be fully actualized characters of color.
Ellen Willis Test: Pass
In order to pass, two related characters would still need to work to carry the story if their genders happened to be reversed.
Mako Mori Test: Pass
In order to pass, there must be a female character that gets her own arc.
Mary Sue/Gary Stu Test: Half-Pass
In order to pass, the main character must not be completely flawless and persecuted by other characters needlessly.
Sexy Lamp Test: Pass
In order to pass, the plot must not fall apart if the female character was replaced by a sexy-looking lamp.
Post-It Note Caveat:
Would the character be able to be replaced by a Sexy Lamp with a sticky note on it for information conveyance? Nope
Tauriel Test: Pass
In order to pass, there must be at least one woman in the story who is competent in her chosen occupation and not immediately shown up by a newcomer male character.
Also, if a female character has or develops a love interest during the story, either implied or explicitly stated, she must not suddenly abandon her job and/or chosen path to support or pursue said love interest.
Vito Russo Test: Fail
In order to pass, there must be a character on the LGBTQIAP+ spectrum spectrum who is a character beyond their orientation. Furthermore, they must actually affect the plot and be something something beyond a caricature or punchline.
What does LGBTQIAP+ stand for? It stands for: Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual/Bi-romantic/Bi-gender, Transgender, Queer/Genderqueer, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, Pansexual/Panromantic+.
March 18, 2025
The Language of Spells by Sarah Painter is a beautifully written contemporary fantasy that blends magic, mystery, and family drama in a way that feels both enchanting and heartfelt. The story follows Gwen Harper, a reluctant witch who returns to her hometown of Pendleford after inheriting her great-aunt’s cottage. As she navigates old family tensions, a hidden magical mystery, and the challenges of embracing her true self, Gwen finds herself drawn into a deeper spellbinding secret that could change everything.
The author does an excellent job of creating a cozy yet slightly eerie atmosphere, making Pendleford feel like a place filled with history, whispers of magic, and hidden secrets. The novel's biggest strength is its emotional depth—especially the complex relationship between Gwen and her estranged sister, Mari. Their dynamic feels real, with all the grudges, misunderstandings, and reluctant love that come with sibling bonds. Gwen’s journey of self-acceptance is relatable, and her slow-burn romance with Cam adds a touch of warmth without overshadowing the main plot.
While the story is engaging, the pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some plot points feel predictable. Gwen’s resistance to her magic, though understandable, can be frustrating in parts. However, the rich world-building and compelling character relationships make up for these minor drawbacks.
Overall, The Language of Spells is a delightful read for those who enjoy contemporary fantasy with a touch of mystery. If you’re looking for a magical story with depth, charm, and a hint of romance, this book is well worth your time.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
The author does an excellent job of creating a cozy yet slightly eerie atmosphere, making Pendleford feel like a place filled with history, whispers of magic, and hidden secrets. The novel's biggest strength is its emotional depth—especially the complex relationship between Gwen and her estranged sister, Mari. Their dynamic feels real, with all the grudges, misunderstandings, and reluctant love that come with sibling bonds. Gwen’s journey of self-acceptance is relatable, and her slow-burn romance with Cam adds a touch of warmth without overshadowing the main plot.
While the story is engaging, the pacing can be a bit slow at times, and some plot points feel predictable. Gwen’s resistance to her magic, though understandable, can be frustrating in parts. However, the rich world-building and compelling character relationships make up for these minor drawbacks.
Overall, The Language of Spells is a delightful read for those who enjoy contemporary fantasy with a touch of mystery. If you’re looking for a magical story with depth, charm, and a hint of romance, this book is well worth your time.
Thank you Times Reads for sending me a copy in exchange for honest review.
August 15, 2020
Really enjoyed this one, so much so that after the free sample chapter I actually paid for it! It's not perfect - why do so many of these heroines suddenly inherit a house at the start of the book?! So, a fairly standard magical realism/romance plot - young woman hiding a secret and refusing to use her magical powers, inherits a house from a witchy relative, and then has to make peace with her past while using her magic to deal with a threat/uncover the truth. Throw in a love interest and restoring peace from a family feud, and there you have it.
There weren't any real surprises, the reader can guess early on who the villain is, and it seemed fairly obvious what the threat to be resolved was going to be. I felt also that Gwen's back story wasn't filled in adequately, we maybe could have done with some more detailed flashbacks. The romance blew a bit too hot and cold. And yet, despite these problems I still enjoyed the read. The setting is a part of the world I'm familiar with, around Bath (a mix of real places and fictional Pendleford) - although surely the characters are close enough to Glastonbury to have brought them there, the magical capital of the UK?
If you're a fan of books like Practical Magic, there's probably enough here to hold your interest, although very few writers can come close to Alice Hoffman so it's always going to be "Practical Magic Lite" - this review is a little lukewarm, but I genuinely enjoyed the book, it held my attention enough to not mind its faults!
There weren't any real surprises, the reader can guess early on who the villain is, and it seemed fairly obvious what the threat to be resolved was going to be. I felt also that Gwen's back story wasn't filled in adequately, we maybe could have done with some more detailed flashbacks. The romance blew a bit too hot and cold. And yet, despite these problems I still enjoyed the read. The setting is a part of the world I'm familiar with, around Bath (a mix of real places and fictional Pendleford) - although surely the characters are close enough to Glastonbury to have brought them there, the magical capital of the UK?
If you're a fan of books like Practical Magic, there's probably enough here to hold your interest, although very few writers can come close to Alice Hoffman so it's always going to be "Practical Magic Lite" - this review is a little lukewarm, but I genuinely enjoyed the book, it held my attention enough to not mind its faults!
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