Gill Mcknight

Novice witch Astral Projector has to investigate why The Plague Tree Coven's cash is disappearing, which takes her to Black and Blacker Finances. Everyone has something to hide, especially Abby Black, the brooding, enigmatic CEO. But storm clouds are gathering, and as Astral digs deeper, she uncovers secrets, lies, and clues about her own past.

Borage

Lucia Correa

5 Stars for this first book in a new Gill McKnight series.

You know that wonderful feeling when you’ve read the first few pages of a new book and you realize that this is going to be a good one? This is that book.

Astral Projector is a Fireside witch. Fireside witches are nurturers – wherever Astral went she made her environment warm and welcoming. “Whether you were an honored guest or lowly woodworm in the beams.” For Astral it comes in the form of her love and gift of baking and hospitality. Astral comes from a long line of very powerful witches. Unfortunately, this ended with Astral. She was raised by her recently deceased Grandmother Lettice who was the High Priestess of the Plague Tree Coven. Without the power and abilities of her ancestors, Astral knew she wouldn’t take over as High Priestess and it would be the first time someone in her family didn’t hold the position. But now the Coven is in trouble and they need Astral. A magical Critter is siphoning money from their account that is kept at the financial firm of Black & Blacker. The Coven sends Astral to go undercover as a Temp worker because she has worked in finance. She is to identify the Critter and the Coven will take care of it. But will she be able to identify the Critter before she is found out?

I absolutely loved the world building in this book. From the detailed descriptions of Astral’s family home and all the magic within it – who knew wallpaper and furniture could have personalities and minds of their own? To the large cast of individuals be it the animals or witches such as Astral’s BFF witch friends, Keeva and Dulcie and the current High Priestess, Magdalene (Boo, Hiss!) to her co-workers at Black and Blacker. Such as her boss, the director of Operations at B&B, Abby Black. Abby Black an Ice Queen if there ever was one. Imposing at over six feet tall, black haired, intelligent and capable and whom Astral is not only scared of but also crushes on. 

I got a total The Devil Wears Prada (DWP) vibe from this story or rather DWP fanfic vibe which romantically pairs, Miranda (Meryl Streep) and Andrea/Andy (Anne Hathaway). The Ice Queen, a powerful and imposing boss and the innocent, sweet yet very capable employee. Since DWP fanfic is probably my favorite of the genre, I can’t rule out that it was one of the many reasons I loved this book. However, what little there was of romance, it wasn’t front and center. 

The next book in this series can’t come soon enough.

Jude Silberfeld

4.5*

Some books seem light and fun on the surface but actually deal with rather deep topics. In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and its sequels, for example, Douglas Adams hides plenty of thoughts about greed and politics and belonging underneath that 42 answer (which will forever remain the best answer ever). I got the same feeling many times while I was reading Borage, and guffawing.

Astral Projector is an extra-nice Fireside witch, still grieving the death of her Grandma Lettice, the previous High Priestess of the Plague Tree Coven. The new High Priestess, Magdalene Curdle, hates her for unknown reasons. It’s all the more surprising as Astral is not a very talented witch, and can’t be seen as anyone’s competition, unlike her grandmother and her elusive mother Myriad, whose unexplained disappearance isn’t helping Astral feel confident. Not helping either is her familiar, a cranky and unfriendly cat named Borage. Astral should be the last witch the coven turns to in time of trouble. So why is Magdalene sending her undercover to Black and Blacker Finances and its terrifying yet terribly sexy CEO Abby Black? In all this nonsense, Astral can fortunately count on her two best friends, Dulcie, a Hedgewitch, and Keeva, a Dogwitch. I’ll stop there because I don’t want to spoil anything. Let’s just say that no one is what or who they seem to be.

The world-building is awesome, I kept being surprised and at the same time it all felt very consistent, very natural in an unexpected way. Often with sci-fi or fantasy stories, the worlds they’re set in feel unfamiliar and disorienting. Which I love. But I also love when it all flows seamlessly, when it’s just a twist on what’s familiar. I almost expect to see fighting Irish blue geraniums in my garden now. It makes for a spellbinding atmosphere, and some very amusing scenes. I laughed a lot reading this book, and can’t get the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack out of my head. The various characters are excellent too, Astral is adorable, Abby, who keeps playing against type, is fascinating, and there’s this whole secondary cast of witches, familiars and other magic beings…

Also, could someone please make a video of the attack of the chickens ?

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Borage

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