About the Book
Author: Kasi Blake
Title: Crushed
Series: The Witch Game, #1
Pages: 249
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Synopsis:
The Noah girls have beauty, powers, and brains.
They use all three to play their games.
They blow the dust,
the boys are crushed,
and no one is ever the same.
Each year the Noah girls play a secret game— Crushed. The rules are simple.
1. Use wisdom to pick your target. The boy can't be too weak or too strong-willed.
2. Blow the enchanted dust into your target's face to enchant (Crush) him.
3. Give verbal commands and assign them tasks to perform throughout the year. The more tasks completed, the stronger the witch's power grows.
4. At the end of the year, the witch with the most power wins cold, hard cash.
As if being a witch in high school isn't complicated enough, Kristen picks the wrong boy to Crush. Zack is tall, handsome, and a little scary. Her Crush spell isn't working on him like it has with the others. In fact, he is behaving the opposite of every other boy she's Crushed, hating her instead of adoring her. Something is definitely wrong. After someone attempts to kill her, Kristen realizes there is more at risk than a few hundred dollars. She may be betting with her life.
Title: Crushed
Series: The Witch Game, #1
Pages: 249
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Synopsis:
The Noah girls have beauty, powers, and brains.
They use all three to play their games.
They blow the dust,
the boys are crushed,
and no one is ever the same.
Each year the Noah girls play a secret game— Crushed. The rules are simple.
1. Use wisdom to pick your target. The boy can't be too weak or too strong-willed.
2. Blow the enchanted dust into your target's face to enchant (Crush) him.
3. Give verbal commands and assign them tasks to perform throughout the year. The more tasks completed, the stronger the witch's power grows.
4. At the end of the year, the witch with the most power wins cold, hard cash.
As if being a witch in high school isn't complicated enough, Kristen picks the wrong boy to Crush. Zack is tall, handsome, and a little scary. Her Crush spell isn't working on him like it has with the others. In fact, he is behaving the opposite of every other boy she's Crushed, hating her instead of adoring her. Something is definitely wrong. After someone attempts to kill her, Kristen realizes there is more at risk than a few hundred dollars. She may be betting with her life.
Excerpt
It’s a boy at school. I tried to use a love spell on him, and I don’t think it worked.”
Grandma Noah gasped. “I told you a million and one times not to mess with love spells. They are unpredictable and useless. You can’t make someone love you. I am in shock right now. Total shock.” Her hand went to her chest as if she was expecting a heart attack. “Why in the world would you feel the need to use a love spell? You’ve told me a hundred times that you like being unattached.”
“It’s kind of complicated.”
“There is no excuse to use a love spell, and I am still waiting to hear a credible explanation as to why you did it. You could have any boy you wanted with a simple smile.”
Kristen lowered her eyes, ashamed. “It’s part of a game.”
Grandma Noah threw her hands up in the air. “Oh, you girls! What in the world were you thinking?”
“Grandma, please, just tell me why it didn’t work. Are there people out there who are immune to our powers?”
The elderly woman nodded her gray head. “There are three types you don’t want to be messing with.”
Kristen leaned forward in her chair. “Who are they?”
“Vampires. You sure don’t want to go messing with one of them. They have dark souls, and half of them would love to convert a pretty girl like you.”
“I don’t think he’s a vampire. He goes to my school… during the day.”
“The second type is like us. The more powerful the witch or wizard, the less likely the spell is to work right. Take me, for instance. I am quite powerful in my own right. If someone used a love spell on me, it would have some effect but wouldn’t enchant me entirely.”
Kristen slowly shook her head. “I don’t think that’s it either. Nothing strange has ever happened around him.”
“The only other option is someone who has been enchanted already.” Grandma Noah shrugged her bony shoulders. “Perhaps another witch got to him first.”
Another witch?
Kristen didn’t think that was possible. She and her sisters would know if another witch was at the school… unless the witch in question was one of her sisters. Brittany had admitted to having a thing for Zach. She could have used the spell on him outside of the game, hoping to trap him into a romantic relationship.
That didn’t seem right either. Zach wasn’t panting after Brittany. He didn’t melt when she was around or follow her with those electric blue eyes. He didn’t even like her. If he was enchanted, it was by a witch unknown to them.
Guest Post
If you were to turn into a platypire for a day, what antics would you get up to?
First of all, had to look this one up because I’ve never heard of a platypire. Then, I had a good laugh while trying to figure out what in the world I would do if I turned into one. Wow. The sky is the limit, and that brings me to an interesting point. I’d be able to fly. So, I think I would fly to nearby fun spots and seem them from up high. Maybe I would track down a celebrity crush and bite them to change them into a platypire so I’d have someone to hang with. I’d probably also hunt down some people I don’t like and scare them, maybe dive at them and act like I want to get their hair.
Or, just thought of this, maybe I would become a famous platypire. I’d show up on Good Morning America, rescue a cat from a tree, do some interviews, and try to get in as many different movies and TV shows as an extra. I’d carry around one of my books in my claws so people could see it. Then, after I changed back into me, I would write a book on what it was like to be a platypire. :)
Or, just thought of this, maybe I would become a famous platypire. I’d show up on Good Morning America, rescue a cat from a tree, do some interviews, and try to get in as many different movies and TV shows as an extra. I’d carry around one of my books in my claws so people could see it. Then, after I changed back into me, I would write a book on what it was like to be a platypire. :)
Reviews
J. Hooligan
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There's a lot about this book that is interesting and kept me wanting to read more. The main character is a witch, a triplet, and there's a lot of paranormal stuff going on around her.
For the first half of the story, the characters were cliche and stereotypical. Kristin, the main character, wasn't very likable and was a bit two-dimensional and contradictory. Zach was definitely the character that kept me reading. Then there was the fight she was having with Brittney, I just couldn't buy in to it. She would act scared one second, angry another, but mostly ignored it and didn't do anything.
I do think the last half of the book was better than the first. I was able to understand the characters more and, although I still feel there was something missing, it did help pull everything together in the end.
There's a lot about this book that is interesting and kept me wanting to read more. The main character is a witch, a triplet, and there's a lot of paranormal stuff going on around her.
For the first half of the story, the characters were cliche and stereotypical. Kristin, the main character, wasn't very likable and was a bit two-dimensional and contradictory. Zach was definitely the character that kept me reading. Then there was the fight she was having with Brittney, I just couldn't buy in to it. She would act scared one second, angry another, but mostly ignored it and didn't do anything.
I do think the last half of the book was better than the first. I was able to understand the characters more and, although I still feel there was something missing, it did help pull everything together in the end.
Bob
I'm not entirely sure how to go about writing this review. There were things I liked and things I disliked, and the dislikes aren't easy for me to say as they would qualify as spoilers. And I don't do spoilers! The story was entertaining enough, and kept me wanting to keep reading. Especially Zack; he and his sister intrigued me.
The character development for some of the others characters seemed a bit abrupt, but it's all good, it's a work of fiction, after all. But the conversation Cyndi and Kristen had after a certain event threw me off. It was NOT something one would expect to be discussing after something traumatic. Then, the one thing that truly bothered me: The girl giving up the thing for the thing (sorry, best I can do without spoilers!). I don't like that. You don't give up something so important to your identity as a teenager for a teenage boy... Just my opinion, of course, please don't stone me for it.
Still, aside from those few gripes, I rather enjoyed this story and found it put together quite nicely.
Bob says: 3.5 Platypires
The character development for some of the others characters seemed a bit abrupt, but it's all good, it's a work of fiction, after all. But the conversation Cyndi and Kristen had after a certain event threw me off. It was NOT something one would expect to be discussing after something traumatic. Then, the one thing that truly bothered me: The girl giving up the thing for the thing (sorry, best I can do without spoilers!). I don't like that. You don't give up something so important to your identity as a teenager for a teenage boy... Just my opinion, of course, please don't stone me for it.
Still, aside from those few gripes, I rather enjoyed this story and found it put together quite nicely.
Bob says: 3.5 Platypires
Maribel
***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.***
I'll start by stating that the characters start out a little cliched at the beginning. You have your popular girl who rules the school and you have your typical bad boy who's secretly not horrible. Oh and they hate each other, or that's what they think. I'm glad to say that as the book progresses, their cliched personalities get left behind. They develop into their true characters, who have motives and things that influence their actions.
I felt at times, though, that Kristen was a bit bipolar. Her and Brittany both act that way, actually. One moment they could be putting up with each other, and the next they could both be swapping insults and threats. They were like this before the troubles in the book made it justifiable.
On the other hand, there were many aspects of this book that I truly did enjoy. At first I felt sorry for Morgan, then I grew suspicious, and then I knew her for the character that she truly was. Although I didn't like her character, I certainly admired how well she had everyone completely fooled. Zach was definitely one of my favorite characters because you can tell he cares for his sister and tries his best to protect her and take care of her. He has an intensity about him, especially at the beginning where you can almost feel how he feels, particularly his anger and disgust.
The other part I really loved was the mystery behind Brittany's actions and what Morgan's story and motives are. There is a huge tangle of lies in this book that get unraveled one by one as the book progresses. It all developed at a steady rate and had a satisfying ending. Crushed get 4/5 Platypires!
I'll start by stating that the characters start out a little cliched at the beginning. You have your popular girl who rules the school and you have your typical bad boy who's secretly not horrible. Oh and they hate each other, or that's what they think. I'm glad to say that as the book progresses, their cliched personalities get left behind. They develop into their true characters, who have motives and things that influence their actions.
I felt at times, though, that Kristen was a bit bipolar. Her and Brittany both act that way, actually. One moment they could be putting up with each other, and the next they could both be swapping insults and threats. They were like this before the troubles in the book made it justifiable.
On the other hand, there were many aspects of this book that I truly did enjoy. At first I felt sorry for Morgan, then I grew suspicious, and then I knew her for the character that she truly was. Although I didn't like her character, I certainly admired how well she had everyone completely fooled. Zach was definitely one of my favorite characters because you can tell he cares for his sister and tries his best to protect her and take care of her. He has an intensity about him, especially at the beginning where you can almost feel how he feels, particularly his anger and disgust.
The other part I really loved was the mystery behind Brittany's actions and what Morgan's story and motives are. There is a huge tangle of lies in this book that get unraveled one by one as the book progresses. It all developed at a steady rate and had a satisfying ending. Crushed get 4/5 Platypires!
Sara
What do you get when you mix teen witches, quite a bit of high school drama, and sibling rivalry? You'd probably end up with something like Crushed. The main characters in this book are three sisters who are witches: Brittany and Cyndi who are identical and more or less dress alike, and Kristen. Of the three, the most prominent sister is Kristen, a senior at Titan High School. The book really focuses on her and her relationship with Zach.
On a dare, Kristen “crushes”, or enchants him into a relationship. There are subtle hints that things didn't go as expected, but in time, they find that they are truly falling for each other. I don't think Kristen was as well developed as she could have been, but Zach, in contrast, was someone I wanted to know more about. I think it was him, along with Grandma Noah, that were among the most interesting characters in the book.
One thing that definitely stood out was how crazy Brittany seemed to be. I've heard of competition between siblings, but the farther in I read, the more intense it got between her and Kristen. Cyndi, on the other hand, seemed to be the most level-headed sibling out of the three.
I can also say that I thought this book was well written and flowed quite easily for a YA book. Overall, I'd give it a 4/5 platypire rating.
On a dare, Kristen “crushes”, or enchants him into a relationship. There are subtle hints that things didn't go as expected, but in time, they find that they are truly falling for each other. I don't think Kristen was as well developed as she could have been, but Zach, in contrast, was someone I wanted to know more about. I think it was him, along with Grandma Noah, that were among the most interesting characters in the book.
One thing that definitely stood out was how crazy Brittany seemed to be. I've heard of competition between siblings, but the farther in I read, the more intense it got between her and Kristen. Cyndi, on the other hand, seemed to be the most level-headed sibling out of the three.
I can also say that I thought this book was well written and flowed quite easily for a YA book. Overall, I'd give it a 4/5 platypire rating.
Keagan Rae
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I could not put this down. I'm such a sucker for witches and I was not disappointed with this book. The character development is amazing and I love how all the sisters have such strong and different personalities.
Zach is my new book boyfriend. So sorry to the last one. I don't even remember your name.
I'm torn between disappointment and excitement that the next book won't follow Kristen and her sisters. I'd love to see more of the girls, but the end was perfect for a standalone story. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
5/5 Platypires
I could not put this down. I'm such a sucker for witches and I was not disappointed with this book. The character development is amazing and I love how all the sisters have such strong and different personalities.
Zach is my new book boyfriend. So sorry to the last one. I don't even remember your name.
I'm torn between disappointment and excitement that the next book won't follow Kristen and her sisters. I'd love to see more of the girls, but the end was perfect for a standalone story. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store!
5/5 Platypires
About the Author
Born and raised in California, I fell in love with writing while reading The Outsiders. Then I fell in love with Stephen King's writing style. I enjoy reading many types of books, but YA Paranormal is my favorite. I used to write for Harlequin under a different name. So that's my background. Exciting, no?
I have seven books out now: Vampires Rule, Werewolves Rule,Shifters Rule, Crushed, Witch Hunt, Bait, and my only adult novel, a romantic suspense called Pandora's Box.
I have seven books out now: Vampires Rule, Werewolves Rule,Shifters Rule, Crushed, Witch Hunt, Bait, and my only adult novel, a romantic suspense called Pandora's Box.
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