Smart, Ciannon. Witches Steeped in Gold. HarperTeen, 2021. 978-0-06-309245-7. $18.99. 533p. Grades 9 and up.

Witches Steeped in Gold follows main characters Iraya Adair and Jazmyne Cariot, who are both witches. However, they are on opposite sides of a conflict, and their upbringings could not have been more different. Iraya grew up the heir to a dynasty that is no longer in power and an exile of her home on top of that. Jazmyne has grown up the daughter of the doyenne with whatever she wanted; however, she knows that she is a threat to her mother. These two witches end up in a shaky alliance to help take down a common enemy, the Doyenne Cariot.

THOUGHTS: The setting of this book is unlike anything I have read before, and the touches of Jamacian folklore make this YA Fantasy stand out. The plot of this novel is extremely fast paced, and readers will need to pay attention otherwise they might get lost. Overall, highly recommended and a must have for any high school collection.

Fantasy          Mary Hyson, Lehigh Valley Regional Charter Academy