‘Playing the Witch Card’ a Magical Adventure
Published 9:36 am Thursday, October 5, 2023
“Playing the Witch Card,” by KJ Dell’Antonia, is the latest offering from G.P. Putnam’s Sons, released on September 12, 2023. The book spans 352 pages and is available for a mere $17.00 in paperback—an excellent price if you consider all the magic and mayhem contained within.
Meet Flair Hardwicke, a woman with an impressive ability to run away from her problems—like magic, her teenage escapades with the supernatural have been firmly left in her rearview mirror. But alas, when her husband decides that cheating is a fabulous life choice, Flair is booted back to her grandmother’s house and her bakery. Talk about a plot twist no one asked for!
Flair is adamant about living a magic-free existence. No spontaneous hexes or enchanted pastries here, thank you very much! However, the universe (and a set of nearly enchanted tarot card cookies) have other plans. She whips up these fabulous treats with no recollection of the baking sorcery involved, and lo and behold, her bakery becomes the talk of the town. The irony that her magic-less life is profoundly intertwined with sorcery is not lost on anyone—except Flair, of course.
To complicate matters, Flair’s mother—who’s essentially a walking chaos factor—returns with all her magical antics, alongside her soon-to-be ex-husband, cleverly concealed in the trunk of his car. Because why wouldn’t drama come gift-wrapped with a side of confusion? Flair’s attempts to gain control only seem to escalate the turmoil, making the chaos as deliciously unpredictable as her cookies.
At 30-something and navigating life like a pro (if pros sometimes trip over their own shoelaces), Flair represents the relatable woman we all know—and probably aspire to be, wrinkles and all! It’s refreshing to have a protagonist who isn’t a doe-eyed ingenue but someone grappling with parenting, relationships, and seemingly insurmountable issues like, say, not becoming a delightful witch. Spoiler alert: magic will find a way.
The pacing of the plot can be likened to watching paint dry, if the paint were slowly revealing some deliciously juicy town secrets and familial histories. If you’re a fan of action-packed thrillers, you might find this book slower than molasses in winter. The majority of the excitement doesn’t hit until the final quarter—so if you’re here for instant gratification, best to strap in for the leisurely ride.
The town of Rattleboro itself is practically a character, founded by witches who clearly ran the best Halloween festival committee in history. Glitter-covered sidewalks and year-round Halloween enthusiasm? I’m sold. Every shop feels the pressure to show its spooky side, and the Halloween Trail sounds like the sort of magical mayhem we could all use. Who needs horror movies when you can simply live there?
With equal parts “Practical Magic” and “Gilmore Girls,” this book weaves humor and heartbreak like a skilled pastry chef. Love triangles, second chances, and more chaotic side plots than you can shake a broom at make this a delightful read. Tarot cards pepper the narrative, adding a mystical touch that feels as comforting as a warm pastry—sans the calories, of course!
The ending comes with a plot twist that might make you squint in disbelief, though you might have guessed it a page before—it’s the thought that counts, right? Characters unite in an epic showdown to save the day, ultimately embracing the notion that magic might not be the villain it was made out to be. Some loose ends remain, but that’s just a clever way the author leaves us thirsty for a potential sequel in this quirky world of burnt cookies and budding enchantment.
Content warnings include childhood trauma, family drama, and the sort of infidelity that makes one question their taste in life partners. Because really, who needs boring when you’ve got witches and secrets?
– Reviewed by Fallon Willoughby, assistant professor, First Year Experience, Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College.
