Review: The Bell Witches (Savannah Red, #1) by A.L. Kelk
When I stumbled across The Bell Witches by A.L. Kelk on NetGalley, I couldn’t resist. The title alone piqued my curiosity, hinting tantalizingly at the blend of mystery and magic. Set in the lush, atmospheric backdrop of Savannah, Georgia, the novel promised to be a whirlwind of Southern charms and supernatural twists. As an ardent fan of the YA genre, I was excited to dive into this intriguing tale filled with witchcraft, family struggles, and, yes, teenage romance.
Setting the Scene
Right from the get-go, it’s evident that Kelk has a keen talent for crafting atmosphere. I’ve never experienced the deep South firsthand, but the vivid descriptions of Savannah’s squares, old mansions, and that enchanting Spanish moss made me feel like I was there, soaking in the humidity and vibrant scents of the perfume garden. Kelk’s world-building truly stood out and is perhaps the highlight of the book. The lush plant life and the soundscape enveloped me, and I found myself daydreaming about visiting Savannah long after I closed the book.
An Enchanting Premise, but…
The premise revolves around Emily, a young girl who discovers her witch heritage following a tragic event: her father’s untimely death. I was genuinely invested in Emily’s journey of self-discovery, especially as she navigates her newfound powers and the complexities of familial relationships. The interactions she shares with her family, particularly her quirky best friend Lydia and her resentful aunt Ashley, are delightful and add depth to the narrative. Lydia, a standout character, offers that necessary dose of humor and levity amid the heavier themes.
However, it wasn’t long before my enthusiasm hit a snag: the romance. Instantly, I felt the build-up between Emily and the handsome Wyn shift from sweet to, quite frankly, frustrating. Their relationship blossomed at lightning speed, with “undying love” confessed by their third meeting. I found myself wishing for more substance and less sweeping proclamations. In fact, the chemistry between Emily and another character, Jackson, felt far more organic, and I often found myself eagerly awaiting their interactions instead.
Writing Style and Technicalities
Regarding Kelk’s writing style, I did encounter a few bumps that marred the overall experience. The utilization of the term "unalive" as a verb left me bewildered. While I grasp the effort to modernize dialogue, it felt out of place, especially when it slipped from Lydia’s modern lexicon into Ashley’s more traditional one. Similarly, the over-reliance on the sentence structure that uses “but” to connect thoughts became repetitive and at times, jarring. A good edit could work wonders here.
As for the pop culture references, particularly those to Taylor Swift, I found them more cringy than charming. It’s nice to ground characters in the present, but will these references stand the test of time? Maybe not.
Final Thoughts
Despite its flaws, I genuinely believe The Bell Witches has a lot to offer YA readers looking for a blend of Southern magic and coming-of-age struggles. If you enjoy heartfelt stories about friendship and self-discovery adorned with a sprinkle of supernatural, then this one might just be for you. While my reading experience was a mixed bag, Kelk’s ability to create a mesmerizing atmosphere and deeply relatable characters made it worthwhile. I’m left pondering how this story might evolve in future edits, and I’ll certainly keep an eye out for both its revisions and Kelk’s next works!
Discover more about The Bell Witches (Savannah Red, #1) on GoodReads >>