Gr 9 Up--In this standalone novel, Griffin offers up a paranormal romance set in the drizzly Pacific Northwest. Iris Gray has a secret: she is a teenage Lunar, a witch who can connect with animals. This skill comes in handy while working on the nature reserve where she and her mother have settled on the Olympic Peninsula. Idyllic as the reserve might be, Iris has a dark past that she'd like to keep to herself. The problem is that Pike Alder, a pale bespectacled ornithology student who hates witches, keeps pushing past her defenses, forcing her to reconcile with her past and learn to trust again. This fantasy novel draws readers into an atmospheric trek through damp old-growth forests. Griffin is spare in her worldbuilding yet uses Iris's story compellingly to explore themes like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. This novel is bound to engage readers with its warmth, vivid portrayals of outdoor settings, and romantic spark. The race of the main character was not stated. VERDICT An atmospheric fantasy novel recommended for readers who appreciate paranormal romance and exploration of mental health themes.--Talea Anderson

A young witch unintentionally releases a fatal curse in this frenemies-to-lovers romance. The Foggy Mountain Wildlife Refuge on Washington's Olympic Peninsula is the perfect place for Iris Gray and her mother, who, as witches, have a special affinity for helping animals but keep their magic secret. College intern Pike Alder, who assists at the sanctuary, has an incredible talent for getting under Iris' skin and freely expresses his intense dislike and mistrust of witches. When she reaches her boiling point with his arrogance, Iris comes up with a spell to work through her frustration. Unfortunately, her magic goes awry, and the curse that should have burned away without impact instead goes into an injured owl that takes flight, leaving the sanctuary behind. With Pike accompanying her for safety at her mother's insistence, Iris sets out into the forest to find the owl; if it dies before Iris can reverse the spell, the curse could burn Pike alive. The Pacific Northwest rainforest setting is palpable as the two trek through the backcountry in search of the owl, and their banter moves the story forward as romantic feelings start to build. Unfortunately, Iris' repetitive internal dialogue, always reminding readers of the stakes, lessens any tension and makes subsequent scenes feel inevitable. Characters are cued as White. A slow-burn romance but a burnout of a plot. (Fantasy romance. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.