Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay – a Review

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Description:
Zoe Ziakas enjoys a quiet life, working as a librarian in her quaint New England town. When a mysterious black book with an unbreakable latch is delivered to the library, Zoe has a strange feeling the tome is somehow calling to her. She decides to consult the Museum of Literature, home to volumes of indecipherable secrets, some possessing magic that must be guarded. The collection is known as the of Books of Dubious Origin.

Here, Zoe discovers that she is the last descendant of a family of witches and this little black book is their grimoire. Zoe knows she must decode the family’s spell book and solve the mystery of what happened to her mother and her grandmother. However, the book’s potential power draws all things magical to it, and Zoe finds herself under the constant watch of a pesky raven, while being chased by undead Vikings, ghost pirates, and assorted ghouls.

With assistance from the eccentric staff of the Books of Dubious Origin—including their annoyingly smart and handsome containment specialist, Jasper Griffin—Zoe must confront her past and the legacy of her family. But as their adventure unfolds, she’ll have to decide if she’s ready to embrace her destiny.

Review:

Witches of Dubious Origin by Jenn McKinlay is an enchanting cozy story about a librarian who learns that she is descended to a long line of powerful witches.  Zoe Ziakas lives a quiet life as a librarian in a small town in Connecticut. She likes her quiet life and loves her job. A mysterious book arrives on her desk, with an envelope addressed to her; which looked like her deceased mother’s handwriting.  When the book ends up outside her house, she decides to consult Agatha (her aunt), who also happens to be a witch. Agatha thinks it best that Zoe should visit the Museum of Literature in New York City and speak with the director, Claire Carpenter.

Zoe will learn that she is the last descendant of a family of witches, and the black book is their grimoire. Zoe knows she must decode the family’s spell book and solve the mystery of what happened to her mother and her grandmother.  The museum houses lots of odd volumes, including the called Books of Dubious Origin. At first, Zoe doesn’t want to stay at the museum, always goes back home. She had promised her mother that she would never explore her heritage, leading her to discover reveals of her family’s fate, and the immense powers drawing Zoe to accept her past and embrace her destiny.  Zoe is very smart, confident in her librarian abilities, researcher, as well as having a fantastic memory.

Zoe gets help from the staff of the Books of Dubious Origin, who are amazing. All of them were a great group; Olive, Jasper, Miles, Tariq, with all helping each of them to fight off danger. Over time, there were a lot of encounters with ghosts and the undead; not to mention an evil enemy.

Witches of Dubious Origin was an exciting, enchanting, fun, magic, supernatural and books filled with spells.  Zoe will find her found family, embrace her destiny, uncover secrets, and learn more of the power of books and knowledge. Witches of Dubious Origin was very well written by Jenn McKinley. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher