An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder by D.B. Smith – A Chaotic Charm of a Read!
Hey friends! I’m excited to share my thoughts on An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder by D.B. Smith—an absolute delight that I simply couldn’t put down. As someone who’s pretty obsessed with queer horror, a book with a title like this was an instant must-read for me, especially while prepping for the #Rainboween readathon I host each year. And let me tell you, this charming tale bites back!
Right from the start, I was hooked by the unique premise: a broke witch named Mateo, grappling with the demon soul tethered to him, and his bestie Ophelia, who can astral project. Talk about a recipe for disaster! The cute cover—as adorable as it is—had me thinking I was in for a light-hearted romp. But no! The darkness lurks just beneath, with layers of chaos, gore, and humor that left me completely enthralled.
At the heart of the story lies the found family trope, beautifully woven through Mateo, Ophelia, and Topher, the wealthy boy who inadvertently drags them into a deadly maze of curses and chaos. The characters are delightfully flawed, reminding me of the messy intricacies of friendship and responsibility. Watching the trio navigate their lives amidst the chaos was like witnessing chaos kids playing with fire (and occasionally, actual demons). I found myself simultaneously wanting to hug them and shake some sense into them—such a testament to D.B. Smith’s brilliant character work!
The writing style is sharp and packed with snappy dialogue that often had me chuckling out loud. The pacing was brisk, keeping me on my toes during every twist and turn. It’s a fine balance—between humor and horror—that Smith brilliantly executes. I mean, who would expect a demon craving chaos to be such a reluctant yet relatable protagonist? The character dynamics created a compelling emotional depth that totally took me by surprise at times.
And can we talk about Quincy? The unsung hero of the story, managing these chaos children with the patience of a saint! His legendary poker face amid the absurdity was just perfect. His character added a lovely layer of comedic relief while allowing the trio to explore their more chaotic impulses.
Now, let’s chat about those unexpected dark elements. I appreciated how D.B. Smith didn’t shy away from gore and graphic scenes. The realistic portrayals of trauma and neglect added gravity to the otherwise whimsical narrative. This is not just a fluffy tale about friendship; it’s a vivid exploration of emotional struggle intertwined with magical intrigue.
In conclusion, An Amateur Witch’s Guide to Murder is an absolute gem that manages to be quirky, comical, and surprisingly dark all at once. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a blend of horror with heart, especially if you appreciate stories featuring complex queer characters. If you loved books like Cemetery Boys or The House in the Cerulean Sea, this chaotic delight is right up your alley.
I adored every wild page of this book—it’s an immersive reading experience that’ll leave you begging for more of Mateo and his friends! Five stars, and I truly hope there’s more to come!
Happy reading, and I can’t wait to see all of you dive into this rollercoaster of a story! 🖤✨
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