Hazel and Holly

Snider (A Shadowed Spirit) transports readers to a world full of magic and mystery with this light, fast-paced fantasy. Witch sisters Hazel and Holly have grown up in the comfort of the Grove, a peaceful forest community of witches. Where 17-year-old Holly is wild and fun-loving, 23-year-old Hazel is responsible and staid, having shouldered the burden of caring for their dead mother’s soul, which is trapped between worlds. When Hazel learns that their absentee father, Ash, is the one who trapped their mother using the forbidden black magic of necromancy, she is determined to undo his treachery. Aided by warlock brothers Hawthorn and Hemlock, the sisters attempt to track down their father, venturing beyond the Grove for the first time. Their subsequent adventure strikes a delightful balance between introspection and playfulness with dynamic, multifaceted characters who come to realize that neither magic, nor family relationships, are as simple as black or white. Moral ambiguity, humor, and heart combine in this fun, fulfilling romp. (Self-published.)