Jessica Northwood is an ex convict looking for a job. With a rough past and in a rough financial state at the moment, she just wants to forget her tainted past, find a legal job and get paid at the end of the day. With little known to her, she takes a job as an apprentice to Tabitha, the owner of Winthrop & Dirledge Security Banking. Although her employer seems crazy at first, Jessica remains open minded and stays focused on keeping her job and getting paid. When tragedy strikes a twist of fate leaves Jessica as the new owner of the bank. This is not your usual bank, and it doesn’t serve the usual customers. Jessica is tasked with the responsibility of protecting this magical facility which has a mind of its own. Jessica has no idea where to begin, but as an apprentice and the new owner she must step up and run this place.
The Witching Vault by Kathrin Hutson is a thrilling fantasy adventure novel set in the dark world of magic and witches. Every chapter is short engaging and deftly crafts a unique and magical world that rises above the chaos that Jessica finds herself in. Each chapter takes you deeper into a magical world that is well thought out and detailed.
Contrary to the belief that magic and witches come with dark undertones, this book has a sharp wit and comic sense to it. Kathrin Hutson colors each chapter with a bit of charm, some effortless humor, and imbues each character with a unique air of coolness. While the characters are many and varied I appreciated how the story stayed linear, never losing focus on the main story arc, making this story much more accessible and easy to consume.
The Witching Vault has created an intricate fantasy world that has set the stage for readers to uncover a much wider world throughout this series. Kathrin Hutson thrusts readers into a magical world filled with dark secrets that Jessica Northwood tackles in entertaining fashion.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
The Witching Vault is a work of fiction in the urban fantasy, action and adventure, and interpersonal drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Kathrin Hutson. Written as the first novel in the Accessory To Magic series, this highly engaging, modern, and slick work of fantasy fiction centers on protagonist Jessica Northwood, an ex-con from a magical prison who has to take the first job that comes along. A job in a magical bank sounds pretty humdrum until Jessica realizes that she’s working at the nexus of a very dangerous combination of people, and a battle for power that could see her end up on the body pile if she doesn’t act fast.
Author Kathrin Hutson has crafted an excellent work of fantasy fiction which will be sure to please fans of the genre who are seeking something modern, fun, and bang up to date. In some ways this work fits the mold of the quirky chick flick, putting us in deep with Jessica, a likable rogue with an intriguing past. As we get to know her and her flawed brilliance, we follow her into a well-crafted plot that is amusing but well-grounded to never become ridiculous. Along with its snarky dialogue, cinematic action descriptions, and clever twists, the work becomes a high octane caper that will keep you turning pages, whilst also walking the tightrope of reality to give us emotional realism and heart. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Witching Vault as a promising start to an accomplished new series.
