Deadly Sweet (The Spellwork Syndicate #1)

                Hello happy readers!  I hope you all are feeling better than me, my sinuses have been making breathing a difficult thing the last few days and I am starting to think I should buy stock in tissues from how many I've gone through.  That said the positive side is I've been getting some reading done so that is always a plus.  Before I dive into that reminder that I have a giveaway going for a SIGNED Copy of Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu open until 2/2 here.  That said I am excited to review today's title as it was one I was anticipating given the author and the subject matter.  Deadly Sweet (The Spellwork Syndicate #1) by Lola Dodge which I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

Rating:  5 Cherry Pies

                Deadly Sweet is about baking, witches, and everything in between.  Anise loves to bake and using her magic in it but being a witch is a bit hard outside of certain areas where you have to hide what you are.  So when Anise ends up with a chance to study under a long-lost relative who owns the only magic bakery in the US, she is more than excited for the chance.  Upon arriving for her dream apprenticeship she learns that it won't be as simple as she thought.  She has lots to learn from pastry school and oh yeah the last apprentice went missing under mysterious circumstances and there may or may not be a reason for her to have a full time security detail. But for a dream job what's a little danger?

                This book appealed to me on so many levels.  First witches and intrigue are always fun but when you add in baking….magical baking.  I'm all for it.  I love to bake and as I read I may or may not have wrote down some new treats I want to try in the near future.  Also the kitchens described may or may not have stirred up a lot of kitchen envy as well.  There is a clear love for baking in the writing which comes through vividly and made me connect to Anise.  She wants this with all that she is and is willing to go through hell to make it happen. 

My own creation!

                Aside from making me hungry and itch to bake (and seriously step up  my decorating game) I enjoyed the way magic was woven in.  There are different types and levels to work with.  I loved how the little things could impact the overall product.  There are still many questions to uncover in this world for sure but it is so full and vibrant.  I love the contrast from growing up moving around to keep their secret and the open town that everyone human and witch are out and about normal as breathing.  I loved seeing Anise adjust from one norm to another and what being open meant for her not only as a witch but as a teenager.  To be yourself and be able to make friends, honest friends, was amazing.  A little assassination attempt here or there is hardly worth giving that up.

                The characters really lit up the page.  I could see Wynn scowling even before I read it after a few encounters.  He is very…mysterious.  There is a lot more I want to know about Wynn and what drives him; more about Shields in general as the series continues but still as little as he said I totally feel I know him.  Same could be said for her new friends and the other ladies of the Syndicate.  It is a small town vibe to it and I enjoyed the way Anise was both welcomed in and accepted while on the same side thinking they know you based on the family name.  I found that very true of a small town.

                Overall this is a great start to a new series and I will be adding it to my auto-buy list for sure because I need to know what happens next.  So much has happened in one book but there are so many characters and stories to explore yet.  Power to be learned and many many more goodies to be baked!  I highly recommend this book…and maybe something for the sweet tooth this will activate!

                Until next time…