From page one, this book grabbed me and never let go. I devoured it in one weekend, and it left me wanting for more of this strange and intriguing setting where witches are real and monsters lurk behind our deepest desires and wishes.

This is a good horror story, but it’s also an excellent dark-fantasy story and even a good mystery. Add to the mix a crew of well-developed characters—each one unique in personality, identity, and goals—that grow to become more life- with each passing page, and you have an excellent YA novel.

It all starts in 1999 with the discovery of the dismembered body of all-star student and athlete Bastion Attia by his classmate and self-proclaimed nemesis in the woods surrounding the small town of North Dana, Massachusetts.

From there, we get to know Nesbit—Bastion boyfriend— and Dove—Bastion sister—who along with Brandy and Drea, their two good friends, form the North Coven. Yes, Bastion and the coven are all witches, real ones, who for the past five years, long before Nesbit (a.k.a. Nez moved to North Dad), had been working hard, casting spells to make their wishes come true. Problem is, while the coven members do have real magic within them, a dark force has been acting on their behalf and without their knowledge.

Kolsch has managed to write an excellent debut novel, where the supernatural mixes with the mysterious but very down to earth, to gift the reader a new experience as we move along the characters trying to understand what really happened to Bastion, who killed him and what does his dead mean for the surviving members of the North Coven?

For the not so YA reading this book, Now, Conjurers also does a good job at tugging at our nostalgia strings with various bits and pieces of what it meant to be a teen in the late 1999s, from the panic of the 2YK to the total absence of smartphones. That Kolsch constantly references The Neverending Story and that the references are to the book more than the movie, only won her a bunch of bonus points from me, because that book is one of my all-time favorites MG novels.

This is a story that manages to lift the hairs at the back of one's neck, keeping us in a heightened state of suspense and suspicions, while also offering a heartfelt look at grief and love and how teens navigate the hard corners of their young lives.

A really entertaining story. A scary story at times. A fun and emotional story as well.comming-of-age crime dark-fantasy ...more20 s1 comment Natasha Leighton 535 408

4.5 Stars

Strange, unusual and so very very addictive! The Craft meets Stephen King’s IT in this occult-based, YA Horror debut that I found both fascinating and creepy in equal measure.

Bursting with 90s nostalgia and a spine-chilling coming of age premise, we follow a group of queer, witchy teens who reconvene their secret coven in the hopes of solving the murder of their leader (and protagonist Nesbit’s boyfriend), Bastion.

However, in their search for answers they inadvertently uncover their small town’s dark, bloody history and the sinister, supernatural figure at the centre of it all. To avenge Bastion they must now confront the red gloved entity and find a way to destroy it for good, or risk the lives of everyone (and everything) they hold most dear…

Exploring grief, identity, toxic relationships and the importance of friendship —via its ensemble cast of compelling yet flawed characters. Freddie Kölsch has crafted an angsty, poignant and vividly descriptive tale that, though dark and deliciously frightful in tone, still manages to evoke a sense of hope that propelled the narrative (and had me on the edge of my seat rooting for North Coven) until the very end.

I loved the Kölsch’s writing style which was effortlessly pacy and reminded me very strongly of a few of my fave childhood shows: Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of The Dark and Black Hole High (all of which had a chokehold on me in the late 90s/early 00s.) As did The Neverending Story which gets quite a few mentions throughout the book.

But it’s the depth and nuance explored in our complex young characters (Nesbit, Dove, Drea, Brandy, Bastion and Cameron); as well as the found family-esque bonds and revelations surrounding Bastion’s idiosyncrasies (and rather tragic backstory) that really made this a worthwhile read.

The coming of age elements are blended into the detailed, small town setting really well. And I was impressed with how relatable the personal struggles we explore were—pairing perfectly with the simmering (sinister) current that weaves through the entire narrative.

Honestly, the only thing I found disappointing was the single POV, as I had hoped to explore Bastion’s life a little more. Though I will say, the way in which Kölsch drip feeds us info about Bastion and the ancient Mr. Nous was exceptionally intriguing and never slowed the paced or felt too info dumpy. An impressive feat for a story that revolves around mystery and uncovering secrets.

I don’t want to accidentally spoil any of the plot but I will say the ending and the rollercoaster of emotions it had me on was phenomenal! I can totally see this becoming a cult classic in its own right, but if you love your stories full of shocking twists, witchy goodness or peak “We are the weirdos” energy then you should definitely consider checking this out!

Also, thank you to Electric Monkey for the proof and PR goodies. 2024 horror lgbtq ...more8 s fantine185 441

Genuinely shocked at how much I loved this. Witchy teens in the 90s! but they're not just witchy they're actual witches!

After the heart of the group is murdered the coven must work through their grief and figure out who is responsible – before the clocks hit zero and the new millennium begins.

We follow Nesbit, the newest member and boyfriend of the deceased. A thrilling plot, a lovable ensemble and a villain that is just the right amount of camp and creep.

I was going to rate this 3 stars as I have a few critiques, the main one being that it felt a little incomplete, as if we are tuning into a series at book three. But by the end it didn't really matter cos of the sheer fun I was having and the surprisingly emotional impact. More so this feels wasted as a stand-alone, really impressive for a debut.

If you want a fun, low-commitment YA this might be it!

*review of ARC*6 s Esme636 25

3.5 ?

intriguing, weird and fun! It gave me all the same vibes as those late 90's paranormal movies give me. It reminded me a lot of movie the Craft with having a group of friends getting involved with magical occult things. There were a lot more layers to the story than I was expecting.
I don't wanna dive into the book too much since I think it would be easy to accidently spoil the book.

I do think this is a very strong debut novel. The writing is very well done, kept me interested in the characters and the plot for the whole book.

overall a fun and quick coming of age YA horror full of found family, witches, grief and more!

Thank You Netgalley and the Publishers for the Audiobook in exchange for an honest review! 2024-reads arcs young-adult6 s Elizabeth Addison1,001 14

I received an Audio ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Had to put sunglasses on while riding the bus so people couldn’t see me cry. This book tells you every single thing that’s going to happen and it still absolutely BODIED me. Everything about it is so clever and creepy and fun and heartbreaking. It made me so aware of all the words that begin with N. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about Nesbit and Bastion when the book literally starts with Bastion’s death, but I fell so head over heels for them, and I have literally been begging for a character Cameron for what feels years now. I’m so in love. 2024-read favorites recs-queer6 s Marz Hare45

Nearest and dearest Goodreads members, I will have to start every sentence in my review with an "N" for reasons that will be explained in this book.

Neverending Story is one of my all-time favourites, and this book borrows from it, which I do .

Nesbit and his coven were nicely fleshed-out characters, whilst most of the others blended into the background. Nevertheless, that worked for this story.

Not in the mood for YA lately, but this book was an easy, riveting read. Now, Conjurers is a go-to if you're looking for paranormal horror, and queer witchcraft in a 90s setting.

Naturally, I will be interested in reading other books by Freddie Kölsch, and I am pleased to have received an ARC for this one.5 s Stephen Carter15 4

I read this as an ARC for Under the Umbrella Bookstore in SLC!

From start to finish this book grabbed me and pulled me in! The characters were incredibly relatable, beautiful and perfectly flawed in their own ways, and the plot kept me on my toes to the very last pages. So incredibly grateful for the read and I can’t wait to own an official copy on its release date! If you love supernatural plots, witches and queer love, you’re going to absolutely love this book
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