A Spell for Saints and Sinners Review

A Spell for Saints and Sinners is a bit divisive on the bookish internet. I loved Gothictown by the same author, so I had to check this one out. I thought it was a vibe and honestly it could be one of my favorites of the year. Let’s get into my review.

Synopsis

In front of an elegantly shabby townhouse on a Savannah side street sits a hand-painted sign: Miss Edie, Psychic. Ingrid White inherited the house and business from her beloved grandmother, a local celebrity in town. But unless Ingrid can find a way to pay for crushing property taxes and mounting repairs, she’s going to lose them both.    

Ingrid has faith in the homespun witchcraft Edie passed down to her, yet hope and clients are dwindling. . . . Until Sailor Loeffler’s bachelorette party changes everything. Sailor is local royalty—part of the vast “Savannah Sauce” empire, beautiful and wealthy beyond imagining—and Ingrid’s reading is so accurate that she becomes the bride-to-be’s confidante. To keep that access and all the privileges it brings, Ingrid relies more and more on hexes and dark spells—using the baneful magic Edie always warned her against.

As Ingrid works even riskier spells, she is drawn further into the Loefflers’ inner circle and the obstacles in her path melt away. But is it witchcraft or other, more earthbound forces?  Ingrid can feel the lines blurring even as her powers seem to grow, until she must confront the truth about just how far some people, including herself, will go to keep the life they’ve always wanted . . .

My Thoughts on A Spell for Saints and Sinners

I think this was exactly what I needed to break out of my The Shadow Rising induced slump. It’s set in Savannah which is my favorite place on earth thus far. Honestly, I felt transported right back to the Spanish moss lined streets so that made it an automatic five stars for me. It was so fun to see some of my favorite spots mentioned including E. Shavers.

While the setting is fantastic I want you to know that these are not loveable characters. They’re just not. But the intrigue and drama absolutely makes up for it. I was hooked the entire time. It was compared to a Southern Saltburn and that’s exactly what it gave. It twisted and turned and I held on for the ride.

I will say that the pacing was a little all over the place and there were some plot armor moments, but it didn’t affect my enjoyment. I’m a mood reader and if the mood is right, I can overlook a multitude of technical sins. It’s one of my character flaws, hahaha.

My Rating: 5/5