Book Review: The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais

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Five elderly witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they've fallen far behind on their mortgage payments. Still, there's hope, since the imminent return of Ruby - one of the sisterhood who's been gone for thirty-three years - will surely be their salvation. But the mob is only the start of their troubles. One man is hell-bent on avenging his family for the theft of a legacy he claims was rightfully his. In an act of desperation, Queenie makes a bargain with an evil far more powerful than anything they've ever faced. Then things take a turn for the worse when Ruby's homecoming reveals a seemingly insurmountable obstacle instead of the solution to all their problems. The witches are determined to save their home and themselves, but their aging powers are no match for increasingly malicious threats. Thankfully, they get a bit of help from Persephone, a feisty TikToker eager to smash the patriarchy. As the deadline to save the manor approaches, fracture among the sisterhood are revealed, and long-held secrets are exposed, culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies. ~~~~ Not my usual genre of choice. I attended an author event where Bianca Marais read from this book. I was intrigued and had to get the book. She personally autographed it and we chatted a bit. What intrigued me? The humour. This story was quite funny. Yes, there was still magic, and evil, revenge, power dynamics, drama, sisterhood, secrets and love. A little something for everyone, I'd say. I have to give Bianca credit for an opening page listing the six witches, a vague description along with their specialties. For example: Ursula - Clairvoyant witch. Heavyset, bright blue eyes, gray-white pixie cut hairstyle. Timid, second guesses herself, keeps secrets. This added bit of information made it easier to picture the characters as well as reduce the confusion for the reader. This was a great read and I do not feel it needs to be saved for the Halloween season. If you can get your hands on this book, do it. You will enjoy it. You will love it. You will laugh and you will cry.