Small Town Big Magic by Hazel Beck
I have decided, after years and years of consideration, serious conversations with myself and google drives full of research, that I want to be Emerson Wilde when I grow up. A successful bookstore owner who loves her town, spends every waking moment trying to make it better, and also is a badass witch?
So I have decided to become her — sans the witch part, though who knows what the future holds.
I think the intro made this clear, but I loved this book. The start was tricky, though not because of any plot or writing deficiencies, because I wanted to jump into the book and start indiscriminately punching people. Early on we learn that everything the main character thinks she knew is a lie. That everyone in her life, those who love her and those who hate her, have been lying to her. That she has been kept in the dark as if a decade long town wide prank is being played, and while she doesn’t get all that much time in the book to sit with this newfound knowledge, I do, and I have never wished so hard to be able to Inkheart my way into a story. Think, for one moment, about one day finding out everything you know and love is a fabrication, and no one has said anything wholly true to you in 10 years. And then tell me violence isn’t the answer. She forgives her friends, probably a bit out of necessity, but also proving that I have a ways to go before I become her, because I would be lording this revelation over my loved ones for the rest of my life, which, as a witch, would be a magically long one.
This all goes to show how good the book is. When an author can make you mad not at the plot or the writing style but at the characters and what they’re being put through as if you’re watching it happen in real life, you know you’ve hit the jackpot. Hazel Beck happens to be a pseudonym that two witches write under together, which makes sense. No one person could contain the magic of this story.
Unless that person is Emerson Wilde of course, because I am convinced she can do anything. The book itself ends on a cliffhanger, but I am not worried, I know she and her coven will figure something out. I appreciate that in a cliffhanger. I’m all for being left hanging by my fingertips not knowing if a character I love is dead or if anyone will make it out of the situation they were left in, but it’s nice to have a stronger grip every now and then.
I picked this book up because the store got the sequel as an ARC, and I — very wisely in hindsight — decided to read the first book first. It sounds obvious that you should read books in order, but we had this series shelved in Romance, a section where you can usually jump into a series without worrying about missing out. Just one of the many reasons I have decided to move this book into fantasy. Cozy Fantasy, but fantasy nonetheless.
It’s hard sometimes, drawing lines between genres. Is this magical realism or fantasy? Does this belong in Cozy Mystery or Romance? Is this Horror or SciFi? For a bookstore, the answer always lies in “where will it be found,” but of course that’s no easy question either. In the case of Small Town Big Magic, I think it will find its reader in Fantasy. There is a romance in the book, and you can see it from the very beginning, but the actual relationship doesn’t start until halfway through the book, and the main focus is not in “will they won’t they”, but on whether the town and all of witchdom will survive through the end of the month. That is the main reason why it doesn’t belong in Romance. Because it’s not about the romance.
Aside from the story and plot and characters and world building, the writing is also amazing. There is humor woven through the entire story, and Emerson’s POV never wavers, it’s always her. There’s one passage on page 75 that I really liked, though I’m sure there are those who would hate it. She just found out she’s a witch, and in rationalizing it says “I’ve read this story in books, haven’t I? A girl wakes up with powers in a world that has hidden them away for some reason. I might be older than your average young adult heroine, but is it so different?” Some books get too self referential, overly wink wink nudge nudge, but this is perfect, and exactly how a bookstore owner would face this in real life. I mean I would have sworn a lot more and had far less restraint than her, but the fact that I would be living out my YA heroine dreams would not escape my notice. It’s these parts that ground us as the reader, and Emerson as the character. We are never allowed to forget who she is, we never lose the fact that she is a business owner, that she loves organization and PowerPoint Presentations, and we never forget that all she wants is what’s best for her town. None of that is lost in the magic and danger and occasional steamy kiss for even a second.
Confluence save me this was such a good book. I cannot wait to read the second one. And if anyone ever wants to give me magic powers in exchange for saving the world…I’ll think about it. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the responsibility. But I would like to fly, and never have to wash dishes again, so it might be worth it.