This second book is definitely my favorite! It is even more quirky and magical than the first, with a lot more action.

I love, love, love Audrey's journaling. She copies down anything and everything that she thinks is important and the titles she gives them are hilarious and often irreverant. Audrey is magical, but I love that it doesn't come easily to her. She has to work at it and I think that is a great message. Add to that the fact that, even in the magical community she has found, she exists a bit on the outer edge. She wasn't raised in the community and there are rules and lines that should be known and never crossed and she often straddles them.

There is a lot more darkness in this story, probably obvious from the title. There is more romance, too, but I like that it adds to the story, yet isn't the central focus.

My Recommendation: Even better than the first and I can't wait for the next! ( )

Audrey may have recently learned she’s a witch, but she’s also a very serious, sensible, scientific student, with an annoying little sister, and a note-book where she records all the things she needs to know, like “Sadie’s Super Secret-Binding Spell,” and other magical things. Little sister Meg doesn’t even know her mom and Audrey are magical, since her sole concerns are boyfriends and her band. But she’s going to find out.

Audrey’s Guide to Black Magic may be second in a series, but it stands alone perfectly, and starts by leaping straight into the magic of its tale. With a convincing first-person teen voice, believable relationships, and magical descriptions, the author evokes a Land of “whimsical charm, a deep balance between human inventiveness and nature,” and terrifying danger. It’s a wonderful shelter where magical power is treated as a natural resource, carefully reserved. But it’s under threat from terrors most of the witches don’t even believe in.

Audrey’s been told she has great powers, but learning to use them is hard and she can’t help feeling she doesn’t belong. There are lines not to be crossed, rules to be followed, and prohibitions against black magic and blood. But where does family end and enemy begin? Which loyalties will prove stronger? And is fate trying to help or hinder her?

Darkly scary and gorgeously lyrical in turns, Audrey’s Guide is a fast fun tale filled with excitement, thought-provoking moments, mysterious threats and hopes. Romantic elements are perfectly tied to the tale, never intrusive, always important to the plot, and nicely muted, making this a great teen read. And list-making Audrey, with her note-book by her side, is a wonderful heroine for our times.

Disclosure: I was given a free pre-release ecopy and I offer my honest review ( )