Series: The Babysitters Coven #1
Published by Delacorte Press on September 17, 2019
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Pages: 368
Format: eBook, ARC
Source: Publisher
Seventeen-year-old Esme Pearl has a babysitters club. She knows it's kinda lame, but what else is she supposed to do? Get a job? Gross. Besides, Esme likes babysitting, and she's good at it.
And lately Esme needs all the cash she can get, because it seems like destruction follows her wherever she goes. Let's just say she owes some people a new tree.
Enter Cassandra Heaven. She's Instagram-model hot, dresses like she found her clothes in a dumpster, and has a rebellious streak as gnarly as the cafeteria food. So why is Cassandra willing to do anything, even take on a potty-training two-year-old, to join Esme's babysitters club?
The answer lies in a mysterious note Cassandra's mother left her: "Find the babysitters. Love, Mom."
Turns out, Esme and Cassandra have more in common than they think, and they're about to discover what being a babysitter really means: a heroic lineage of superpowers, magic rituals, and saving the innocent from seriously terrifying evil. And all before the parents get home.
I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Babysitters Coven feels like a 90s witchy film in the vein of Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown, crossed with The Baby-Sitters Club, a contemporary teen cast, and a third wave feminist flavor.
The setting is a traditional small town where football and athletes rule the day. At the end of the day, however, this book is about the women. The ladies have strong personalities and the power to save the day. In comparison, the men are incompetent, powerless, or out to ruin the day.
The Babysitters Coven realistically explores how teenagers would react to coming into great power. I love the Spiderman line that with great power comes great responsibility, but how many teenagers would take that line seriously when they come into power? There were times when I thought the heroines would turn to the dark side. What draws the line between good and evil is made clear in the type of magic used.
It did take some time to get into the magic. The pace picks up once the heroines begin learning how to use their gifts, building up to the climax at the end. I’m happy that the ladies’ adventures do not end with this book but will continue with the next installment because there’s still a lot to explore in this world.
The Babysitters Coven is a light magical read with a touch of horror and plenty of teenage drama. Kate Williams’ voice is distinct in this book. I love the snark and the many cultural references made. (Note: I didn’t know many of the references outside of The Outsiders, so I can’t pin a specific decade or category for the references.) Readers who enjoy descriptions of outrageously fun outfits, sisterhood, and humor may also enjoy this one.
Similar reads (for voice): Team Human by Justine Larbalestier and Sarah Rees Brennan, Fang Girl by Helen Keeble
Content
- Language / profanity
- Thoughts on how good looking people are
- Incompetent men
Chat With Me
If you could have any ability, what would you want?
Reese says
Great review (and a Team Human mention, woohoo! sometimes it feels like no one else has read that book!), I think I definitely need to pick it up soon.
Crystal says
Team Human is fantastic. I agree that you don’t hear much about it! I hope you enjoy The Babysitters Coven, Reese!
ShootingStarsMag says
Lovely review. I’m glad you liked this for the most part. Seems like a fun one to read this time of the year, and it’s definitely one I’m curious about.
-Lauren
Crystal says
Thanks, Lauren. Yes, this is a fun read for the Halloween season!
Lindsi says
I just added this one to my TBR. The title makes me think of The Babysitter’s Club. I also adore Hocus Pocus and watch it every year around Halloween. Lovely review!
Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬
Crystal says
I also thought of The Babysitter’s Club when I saw this title, and I love Hocus Pocus! I hope you enjoy The Babysitters Coven, Lindsi!
Genesis @ Whispering Chapters says
I like that this is a light magical read! I’m definitely intrigued by this one!
Crystal says
Same here. It’s nice to have a light magical read!
Kelly | Another Book in the Wall says
Lovely review, Crystal! I was a huge fan of those Halloweentown movies growing up, so it was nice to see that the Babysitter’s coven encapsulates a similar vibe to that one!
Crystal says
Thanks, Kelly. I hope you enjoy The Babysitters Coven!
Debra Branigan says
What do you think about THE BABYSITTERS COVEN? I love this kind of book and I look forward to reading it. Will you be adding it to your TBR? Yes!
What’s your favourite YA genre? Fantasy!
Best wishes in your new release.
Crystal says
I hope you enjoy The Babysitters Coven, Debra!