Review: Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Witch #1
292 Pages (With a sneak peak at Book Two)
Goodreads, Amazon, Author's Website

From Goodreads: Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all.


This book was a quick enjoyable read. Tamsin (interesting name, I like it) grew up being the only "Talent-less" member of her extended family. Growing up, people would look at her with pity or would avoid making eye contact so she left home as soon as she could by attending school in the city where she was required to live in the dorms. She tries to live a normal life with her best friend and roommate Agatha, but she goes home on the weekends and whenever she is off from school. She was relatable in the sense that she feels she has failed to live up to the expectations of family and to complete her already wonderful life, she has one of those perfect older sisters, you know the ones that are flawless in every sense of the word? Yeah, lucky her.


She is watching her grandmother's store when an NYU professor walks in looking for help finding a lost family heirloom. She knows she should be honest and tell him that she personally can't help him but she wants to show her family (and herself) that she can find things even without a Talent, it becomes a matter of pride for her. With the help of an old childhood friend Gabriel, she begins her search. Gabriel has moved back to the East coast and strikes up the friendship almost immediately. He is your average "heroine's friend/love interest", he is helpful and good looking, and he seems to have an infinite amount of patience and perseverance when she initially turns him down. 


As she searches she finds out more about herself and family, both in the present and in the past. The item she is looking for is nothing what she expected it to be and the friendly professor turns out to be something else entirely. Her family is now in danger and she is the only who can right the situation. I felt that the book at only 292 pages doesn't go into much depth and goes at a nice quick pace. Normally I wouldn't have appreciated the fast pace but it was a quick and enjoyable read that was still able to tell a story. I unfortunately didn't connect with any of the characters and I confused some of her family members as they weren't really involved much. I won't remember this story a few years from now, but it was interesting while it lasted.

I give this book 3 Stars!