Review of Shadow Witch (Witches of Hollow Cove, #1) by J.L. Richardson
There’s something captivating about diving into a new fantasy series, especially when it promises witches, demons, and a cozy town setting. When I stumbled across Shadow Witch, the first book in the Witches of Hollow Cove series by J.L. Richardson, I thought I’d found the perfect guilty pleasure to seamlessly fill the gaps between the weighty All Souls trilogy. Unfortunately, what I found was a frustrating experience that left me longing for substance amid a flurry of clunky dialogue and underdeveloped characters.
Our protagonist, Tessa, is a fiery 29-year-old witch who should possess the depth of experience and maturity that comes with almost three decades of life. However, the writing style often feels as if it’s aimed at a much younger audience. Tessa’s hotheadedness isn’t endearing; it’s grating, especially when she lashes out at Marcus over a throwaway comment about her mother—a relationship that’s supposed to be complicated but comes across as bewildering given Tessa’s reaction. Their enemy-to-lovers arc feels forced, primarily rooted in her unprovoked hostility towards him.
Beyond Tessa’s character, the world-building is disappointingly shallow. Tessa’s aunts are part of a protective Merlin group, yet their contributions to the plot feel minimal—merely observing blood splatters and mumbling about demons. Without a clear sense of what magic truly means in this universe, I often found myself confused. Tessa’s journey into witchcraft is anything but smooth—she stumbles through spells, referencing a witch’s handbook in the heat of battle like a frantic student cramming for a final. The training she supposedly received is largely absent, leaving readers to question Tessa’s sudden readiness for life-and-death situations.
Dialogue throughout the book is another sore spot. Tessa’s quips and repetitiveness wear thin quickly; there’s a notable cringe factor when she refers to a demon as a "snake-bear," a name that becomes more irritating than imaginative. Too often, the narrative beats us over the head with reminders of Ronin’s vampire speed, making it feel as though the author is concerned we won’t remember basic character traits. Overall, the lack of depth in the characters—especially when compared to Ronin, whose backstory is underdeveloped—was frustrating.
As for the climax with the sorceress, I found myself rolling my eyes more than once. The resolution comes off as absurd; Tessa’s supposed epiphany about what "burns wood" felt more like a slapstick moment than an empowering revelation. I was left wondering how we got there in the first place.
Ultimately, Shadow Witch felt like a missed opportunity. It had all the elements to create a captivating story: witches, demons, and a town steeped in mystery. Instead, we are served a hollow tale that leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative depth and character development. I certainly won’t be continuing this series, nor will I seek out more works by J.L. Richardson.
This book might appeal to readers looking for a light and mindless read, but for those who crave rich character arcs, solid world-building, and nuanced storytelling, I would recommend exploring other titles. For me, the reading experience was a lesson in the importance of substance over style—a reflection I won’t soon forget.
[ad_2]
Discover more about Shadow Witch (Witches of Hollow Cove, #1) on GoodReads >>