In this third installment of Kalyn Josephson’s Ravenfall series, best friends Anna, a witch,  and Colin, a Raven, have a mystery to solve in Witchwood. They must figure out who is kidnapping witches in the magical town of Witchwood and how to stop them before Anna becomes the next victim.  When they arrive in town, they stay with Anna’s Aunt Miriam and cousin Leah, who Anna has never met before.  Initially Anna and Leah don’t hit it off.  Leah seems jealous of Anna’s magical abilities while also looking down at her because she doesn’t know much about their shared Jewish heritage.  Meanwhile, Colin must face his own insecurities as people in town are suspicious because he is a Raven and he doesn’t feel prepared for this first solo Raven mission.  The trust the three teenagers slowly build is put to the test when Aunt Miriam is captured.  In their attempt to rescue her, they are put in dangerous situations, fighting strong magical strangers and others they thought were friends.  They are forced to put all of their newfound magical skills to the test in order to save Leah’s mom and the other witches who have gone missing.

Upper elementary readers who enjoyed the first two books in the series will no doubt enjoy this one as well.  The suspense builds as witches continue to go missing, culminating in some intense action scenes at the end of the book when Anna, Colin, and Leah battle vindictive and vengeful creatures. The fantasy elements are believable, the characters are well-rounded, and the inclusion of Jewish folklore and religious elements adds a unique element to this novel.

Reviewed by Lindsay Varnum, Orono Public Library