Review: When My Heart Was Wicked by Tricia Stirling

When My Heart Was Wicked by Tricia Stirling

published on February 24th 2015 by Scholastic Press
young adult | fantasy | contamporary

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I used to be one of those girls. The kind who loved to deliver bad news. When I colored my hair, I imagined it seeping into my scalp, black dye pooling into my veins.But that was the old Lacy. Now, when I cast spells, they are always for good.

16-year-old Lacy believes that magic and science can work side by side. She’s a botanist who knows how to harness the healing power of plants. So when her father dies, Lacy tries to stay with her step-mother in Chico, where her magic is good and healing. She fears the darkness that her real mother, Cheyenne, brings out, stripping away everything that is light and kind.

Yet Cheyenne never stays away for long. Beautiful, bewitching, unstable Cheyenne who will stop at nothing, not even black magic, to keep control of her daughter’s heart. She forces Lacy to accompany her to Sacramento, and before long, the “old” Lacy starts to resurface.

But when Lacy survives a traumatic encounter, she finds herself faced with a choice. Will she use her powers to exact revenge and spiral into the darkness forever? Or will she find the strength to embrace the light?

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Before getting into my review, let me tell you now that this book isn’t for everyone. If you’re easily offended by harsh main characters, or if you’re put off by characters who have really dark thoughts, then best stay away.

Now that I’ve said that, I want to say that I personally really enjoyed reading When My Heart Was Wicked. I’m a big fan of dark and crazy stories, so this one was right up my alley.

This book was a psychologically engaging one more than anything else. You’re going to be kept wondering what’s real and what isn’t, like I found myself doing. Until now, I’m honestly not sure if I’d pitch this as fantasy or realistic fiction.

Another aspect I absolutely adored was the writing. Every page was full of quotable quotes. Hell, I didn’t even bother using sticky notes anymore because I’ll find a quote I like no matter what page I opened to. It wasn’t the lyrical sort of writing, but it was the kind that was elegant and could cut through your bones at the same time.

There were also a ton of scenes that were really surprising. The twists were ones that I promise you you won’t see coming, and that will possibly leave your mouth hanging open.

When My Heart Was Wicked was a devious story, perfect for fans of books like like The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer with a less causal writing style.

4.5 skulls

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About Aimee
Aimee loves being a little bookworm (okay–she doesn’t like being little). She also loves chocolates and sweets but is freaked out by the thought of possibly getting diabetes.
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