In this third and final edition to this series, Maeve is struggling with the knowledge that a curse is growing inside her. Her friends are equally distracted by their own troubles. When they realize that their preoccupation has allowed a Christian fundamentalist group to get a larger hold on Kilberg – with teens going missing and in some cases dying – they all have to decide what responsibilities they can accept, be they gift or curse.

I’ve loved this series from beginning to end. I’ve mentioned in the past that it reminded me a little of The Craft, with the tarot and witch’s circle and ancient powers being called up. Add to that the Irish setting, political history, and a fundamentalist group manipulating young people via scripture, and this just SCREAMS my name.

I’m pleased to say that the third book took what was already there and exquisitely shaped a conclusion that wasn’t necessarily kind, but definitely acceptable, and exactly right for the situation. In fact, I loved the ending so much that I hugged the book after I read it. Happy endings don’t have to be flawless, if that makes sense. The nuance makes it so much better – the potential and the hope and the togetherness even in a less-than-ideal situation. It was just perfect. What The Craft wanted to be.

Some of my favorite quotes:

“Every few weeks there’s a story about how American laws are going backward. Could that happen here, too?” [Note: Series is not only set in Ireland but written by an Irish author, so this is particularly noteworthy as an outside-USA pov.]

“But I remember feeling, even though I was frightened, that I was in a Tumblr post about witchcraft. It felt cool and DIY in a way that was instantly photogenic.” [This made me laugh so hard!]