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Superstition

(Arden St. John #1)

Lucy Fenton (Goodreads Author)

3.87 · Rating details · 53 ratings · 19 reviews

What happens when your childhood nightmares of being bitten by strange creatures in a dark wood aren’t just dreams?
Sixteen-year-old Arden St. John’s life takes a strange turn when she finds an unusual animal injured near her new house on the south east coast of Australia. When she takes it to the local vet, a terrible truth is inadvertently exposed to her.
She discovers a ...more

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Kindle Edition, 326 pages

Published August 3rd 2015 by L. C. Fenton (first published July 26th 2015)

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Average rating 3.87 ·

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· 53 ratings · 19 reviews

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Sep 03, 2015 Aneesa rated it liked it

I received this book in an exchange for an honest review, kind regards to YA Book Tours and the Author

Hm...this book is full of surprises and twists and turns along the way. The cover is freaking gloomy awesome though!

Arden is very fierce, strong and a courageous character. She is someone who does not go down without a fight! I really loved her character and admired her ferocity very much. She was a fighter, I think this is what was a core integral in her and what kept the story going. I really ...more

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Jul 23, 2016 Caroline rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya-paranormal, ya, australia, vampire, witch, magic

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Superstition is an ambitious novel. There’s a lot going on and I respect the author for what she tried to do.

Arden is a teenage girl who has moved with her dad to a seaside town, what she soon discovers is that she’s actually a witch. There are also vampires. And she falls for a boy, who happens to be dating the resident mean girl, who happens to be a total troll. (Seriously.)

All of that sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Superstition is an ambitious novel. There’s a lot going on and I respect the author for what she tried to do.

Arden is a teenage girl who has moved with her dad to a seaside town, what she soon discovers is that she’s actually a witch. There are also vampires. And she falls for a boy, who happens to be dating the resident mean girl, who happens to be a total troll. (Seriously.)

All of that sounds fabulous, doesn’t it? It is. And the author tackles each subplot just fine. The trouble I have is that it felt like I was reading pieces of multiple books. The subplots weren’t woven together as seamlessly as I’d have liked. First we deal with the witch thing, then the mean girl, then the vampires, add in some ghosts, then back to the witch thing, and so on. It felt like when Arden was dealing with one problem, all of the other problems ceased to exist. They conveniently moved to the back burner. Weaving together so many subplots is not easy though, so I give her points for the effort. I know she must have worked her butt off at it.

I also had trouble connecting with Arden, especially because we’re told that she’s sort of gloomy and never smiles. Somehow she had friends at her old school, but can’t figure out why she doesn’t have friends at her new school. It actually took me by surprise when Arden realizes why nobody wants to be her friend, there really wasn’t much foreshadowing, which sort of blindsided me. Ultimately, I just really couldn’t connect with Arden at all.

Despite not connecting with Arden, I loved her interactions with Nick. He was a genuinely nice guy, and I think he was the Yin to her Yang. I loved their friendship / relationship / connection / whatever. I really don’t see what Nick sees in her, but I like her better when he’s with her.

What I did love was the lore the author has written into this book. The witches powers are awesome. Each witch is different, their powers unique to them. It was really interesting to see this unique take on magic. It was also super cool when Arden’s powers were finally unleashed. I also loved her version of vampires (no, they don’t sparkle, but they’re also not Dracula!)

My favorite character was probably the resident mean girl, Georgia. I loved to hate her. I loved her interactions with Arden, especially…. Well, I can’t reveal my favorite part, because it’s kind of spoilery. ;) But ultimately, I think Georgia was the most developed character.

I think readers who love paranormal YA novels and can overlook an overabundance of exclamation marks and other editing issues would probably enjoy this book. It really left me with mixed feelings in the end, so I would consider reading the next book in the series, but I wouldn’t put it at the top of my TBR pile.
...more

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Aug 19, 2015 Marisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewed

Love, love, loved this one. It was definitely a new take on the paranormal world and I really intrigued the conundrum of pseudo-human trafficking in years. I can tell the politics of the whole situation have been thought out, which lended itself to being believable.

I wish the circumstances around a “familiar” had been explained a little better though as I found that somewhat distracting and confusing. I also found it odd that her dad was gone all the time. They did briefly mention a potential r ...more

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Mar 18, 2016 Christiana rated it it was ok · review of another edition

ATTENTION: This contains SPOILERS.

I received this book in a giveaway, and was very excited to read this as I am a fan of all things fantasy.
ALSO, free book so that's always good.

However I was a bit disappointed. The book contains many aspects that it doesn't need. (SPOILERS) I mean we learn in just about 300 pages that she is sold to vampires, she's a witch, she can destroy things, that she's adopted, that she's a Berserker, that she is haunted, and all those other things that are a bit too muc ...more

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Oct 27, 2015 Corrine Pickering rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

*** Reviewed for #HashtagMinxes Love Books ***

Superstition - Lucy Fenton - 4.5 Stars

Wow! what an unusual and brilliantly written story, I was drawn in and completely hooked from the beginning. I must say I was slightly nervous to read this after reading the blurb - in particular with the reference to the babies being sold and I have to say the story was not at all how I expected - in a good way. This book is well written and not nearly as dark as I thought it was going to be.

It's so hard to re-c ...more

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Mar 10, 2017 Lori Faires rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wonderful story, this isn't your usual run of the mill vampire or witch story. It has a very unique story line with drama, danger and of course paranormal The lead character is Arden, a teenage girl who discovers that she's a witch and then the problems begin. But you'll have to read it to find out what happens cause I don't give spoilers. If you like YA Paranormal then you should read this book. Definitely recommend. ...more

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Nov 05, 2015 Tash rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Reviewed @ Confessions From Romaholics
Review copy kindly provided by author in exchange for a honest review

You know those books when you got into it thinking it going to be one thing but instead become that and more leaving you hooked and wondering if there is going to be more stories about these characters. I had inkling this was going to be YA Paranormal about vampires but never expected this richly complex story about Arden as discovers her true destiny.
Arden has just lost her mother and he ...more

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Jul 23, 2015 Nancy (The Avid Reader) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: superstition, ya-bound-book-tours, read-2015, read-august-2015, lucy-fenton, vampire, magic, witches

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Arden lost her mom and now it is just her and her dad. Her dad comes home from work one day and announces that he has been offered a new job and he has decided to take it. He thinks it will be better for both of them. I imagine her father is very sad with losing the love of his life. He probably works all the time because he doesn’t want to come home, knowing that is wife will never be there waiting for him. He probably hat I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Arden lost her mom and now it is just her and her dad. Her dad comes home from work one day and announces that he has been offered a new job and he has decided to take it. He thinks it will be better for both of them. I imagine her father is very sad with losing the love of his life. He probably works all the time because he doesn’t want to come home, knowing that is wife will never be there waiting for him. He probably hates being in that house and everywhere he looks he sees his wife or he sees something that reminds him of her or of the things they use to do together. He also probably thinks that it would be better for Arden as well to live somewhere else.

But of course sixteen year old Arden doesn’t want to leave her old school she has finally stopped being so weird and was starting to make friends. She doesn’t want to leave but she has no choice in the matter at least not for another two years. She hopes that maybe everyone at her new school will be different and she can make more friends and it will be easier for her at the new school. But it is not as easy as she so hoped for.

One day at her new school Arden is minding her own business when a girl comes up to her and tells her leave that no one wants her there. That she is not welcome at their school and if she doesn’t leave she will be very sorry. Arden stands up to her and tells her that she is not going to fight her but this bully doesn’t care what Arden wants and slams her against the wall. She jumps Arden so fast and quickly that Arden has no idea what is happening with no chance to fight back. After it is all over Arden is sent to the office and gets in trouble. But the other girl Georgia does not get in trouble. Arden is very curious as to what is going at this place. She was attacked in front of a lot of other students and no one helped her or took up for her. They just watched this girl beat her up and never did nor said a word.

Arden has to spend a lot of time alone at her new home because her dad is always working. He is gone when she gets up to go to school most days and he isn’t home by the time she goes to bed either. She hates spending all that time alone so she decides to go to the beach and learn how to surf. After all they do live on the beach. She meets this very hot guy on the beach that talks to her sometimes and gives her tips on her surfing. Arden would like very much to get to know this guy a little better but she learns that his girlfriend is the bully at school who beat her up. So no hot boyfriend for Arden, bomber….

But things start looking up for her when she meets two girls at school and she finds out that there is a whole other world out there that most people know nothing about. She finds out that witches, vampires, trolls ect… do actually exist plus other paranormal creatures as well. She also finds out that she has powers of her own and that she is very powerful.

When she learns of this secret world and what she is. She also learns that her life is in danger and she may not have long to live. But she has no intentions of just lying down without a fight. She will not go down easily. She has finally got herself a backbone not that she has a choice in the matter. She doesn’t have anything to lose if she doesn’t fight for her life she is probably more than likely going to die so she may as well give it her best shot and hope she wins.

I love reading about witches and vampires. Each author has their own brilliant imagination when it comes to vampires and witches and I just love reading how different each one is. I have never read anything quite like Superstition before and if you have not read it then I highly suggest you do ASAP! ...more

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Aug 19, 2015 Samantha Bell rated it really liked it

It should be no secret now that I’m a sucker for witchcraft or occult based stories. The world building in Superstition was a neat take on traditional witches and vampires. I appreciate that the vampires are scary monsters and not sparkling hunks – I’m not at all worried that Arden might fall for one in the future. What was most interesting was the currency of lives or years, being able to buy and sell them, or even selling your children’s years instead! I know that our society surely would be d It should be no secret now that I’m a sucker for witchcraft or occult based stories. The world building in Superstition was a neat take on traditional witches and vampires. I appreciate that the vampires are scary monsters and not sparkling hunks – I’m not at all worried that Arden might fall for one in the future. What was most interesting was the currency of lives or years, being able to buy and sell them, or even selling your children’s years instead! I know that our society surely would be doing that if they could. (If not already, but that’s a political essay for another day.)

Arden was a likable main character. The narration was dependable and consistent all of the way through. I admire her determination and grit, but some times she gets what she want way too easily. Her friends were loyal throughout, even when things got tough; and the teen heart throb Nick, well – he was your perfect boy next door. I hope things will work out for them.

I enjoyed the debate on what is good and evil, creation and destruction, and all of the grey areas in between. You can’t have one without the other, but being raised in a Western/ Christian society, if someone is labeled as destructive, they immediately related that with being evil. I like that Arden is determined to use her powers to right wrongs and fight evil.

Over all, the editing for this book was strong, however I feel like it could have been longer. The pacing was off, and some scenes seemed too rushed. The fight scenes could have been fleshed out better, they all seemed to end to easily and too quickly. For a witch with such destructive powers, I was hoping for a bit more blood and gore! The story could have easily filled another 100 pages and not been a drag.

The title fell flat for me. There are so many books out there with the title Superstition (or some close variable) that it makes it harder to search for it. I would have recommended something a bit more unique for a first novel, but naming books is something I also have trouble with. *cough cough*

I will be checking out the play Gaslight to see how it ties into this novel. It seemed like a not so subtle name drop, and Fenton seems to be a reader of plays so I will be checking that out soon.

I was pleased to find out from the author’s Goodreads page that a sequel was in the works. She noted that it takes her a year or more to write a book, which is totally understandable and I was grateful that she wrapped up the end perfectly – leaving you wanting more but not hanging over a cliff!

*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
...more

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Nov 06, 2015 Yelena Bosh rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Holy hell, what a story!! I haven't read a paranormal book in a while now and I think I have grown to be distant from them earlier on just because they weren't my cup of tea.. But. Here we have SUPERSTITION that makes me want to pick up MORE! As we speak I am going through my kindle trying to find more of my paranormal stories.

This book was just too good not to get your hands on it. It's a fast and easy read which isn't usually what happens with these types of stories, or at least as far as I c Holy hell, what a story!! I haven't read a paranormal book in a while now and I think I have grown to be distant from them earlier on just because they weren't my cup of tea.. But. Here we have SUPERSTITION that makes me want to pick up MORE! As we speak I am going through my kindle trying to find more of my paranormal stories.

This book was just too good not to get your hands on it. It's a fast and easy read which isn't usually what happens with these types of stories, or at least as far as I can recall, it can often be slower in pace and interest to continue to read.. The world building among the vampires, and all sorts of paranormal creatures can take up a lot of space that may make the story drag on. Not with Superstition though. Every element of the world building was balanced out by the action, the heartbreak, the sadness, the confusion, the smiles.. it had everything to make it as good as it can be!!

Loved it!!

Here we have a girl who lost her mother and a father that has in turn lost his own piece of soul.. He takes too much time to block out the pain in losing his wife, and so they end up moving to a different place..

As most of us that have moved to a new place, it's hard as it is to adjust to the new lifestyle not to mention having to start a new life with friends, neighbors and everything in between. I mean, EVERYBODY knows you're new so standing out might not be such a difficult thing. For Arden, it only gets tougher..

Settling into this new city isn't the hardest part. Nor is finding friends. What can be even tougher? Finding out there is a world hidden within he own. Wanting to have a normal life within this new place might be harder than she expected.. and lets not forget that she has her own powers that will set a war when it comes to vampires, witches and all things paranormal.

Can she fight to keep her life at bay? Can she prove to be more powerful that she ever dream to be?

What happens when the people she loves and new ones that she has grown to love, are in danger??

Full of SUSPENSE, ACTION, ROMANCE, LOVE, HATE, CONFUSION..

You have to read this book!! I recommend it even if you have the afternoon off, it will be one of the fastest reads that will make you heart grown bigger and your mind to smile :) I only ever wish that it was a little longer so that we get to know some of the characters better. Other than that, PERFECT.

Thank you Lucy Felton for the ARC which has now officially made me crave a little more paranormal in my reading life!

xx ...more

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Oct 14, 2015 Romance Readers Retreat rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is my first witch paranormal read and won't be the last!!! I've read about vampire's before so I couldn't wait to get started and I wasn't disappointed!!!

Arden has recently lost her mother and her father has just informed her that he's accepted a job near the beach as he thinks a fresh start is what they both need, Arden comes round to the idea and starts to think she could make a fresh start in her new school but things go from bad to worse as the school bully takes an instant dislike to A ...more

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Nov 05, 2015 Keri rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011-2015, crime-mystery-suspense-thriller, paranormal-supernatural, review-it, romance, united-states, vamps, witch, young-adult

This was a refreshing new take on vampires and witches. I really enjoyed how the story unfolded.

Arden has never fit in and she doesn't understand why. When her father tells her they are moving to a new town Arden accepts it without argument knowing it would do no good when he is still grieving her mother. Arden eventually makes a few friends in the small town but what brings them together is not at all what she expected.

Arden is a strong, independent, and somewhat sad character. I loved her! A ...more

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Nov 18, 2015 Kat Loves rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow! What an amazing story. This story has trolls, vampires, witches, humans, ghosts and familiars. There are no "adult" scenes so it would be a great read for teens and adults alike who enjoy a good paranormal story.

Take a journey with Arden as she learns all about a world that she doesn't know exists. She discovers that she is a witch and has a familiar when she moves to a new house after the death of her mother.

As a baby, her biological father sold her to a vampire but all this is news to Ard ...more

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Aug 23, 2016 Clarice rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book is chock full of paranormal creatures, most of which seem strange and very dark. Triska, Arden's familiar was super weird and didn't really seem very helpful. Her friends, however, were great supporting characters and I really liked Sophie. I even liked the cranky, frustrated man named Guy who was her "teacher" of all things witchy. The realization of what Arden truly was wasn't something I was expecting. Nice surprise. But either way, this chick is dark and she has a hard time embraci ...more

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Jul 24, 2016 Tia rated it it was amazing

Creative and Exciting

Life is not going well for Arden. She's always alone and shunned. A new school makes it even worse. She finds out who she is and how dangerous her life will be, however, she doesn't give up, no matter how dark things get. With a few friends, she learns that she may not be as powerless as she thinks. Imaginative, engrossing and creative. ...more

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Oct 24, 2015 Gemma Curran rated it really liked it · review of another edition

***Read and revised on behalf of Fictional Men's Page For Book Ho's*** ...more

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Sep 06, 2015 Reviews from the Heart rated it it was amazing

This is an intense and incredibly well

written story about a young girl named Arden who has quite the unusual life to say the least. She has

just moved to the small coastal town named Helton with her father and they are both still dealing with

the recent and tragic death of her mother. Arden’s father works all of the time, which means she spends

most of her time alone. I could really relate to Arden’s character in the fact that when I was about her

age my parents divorced and my mother had to rel ...more

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Sep 09, 2015 Tammy Gould rated it it was amazing

What an interesting book this was.. I was able to read it in about 4-5 hours. I did truly enjoy this book. This is a book I wished that could go on a bit more. I just did not want it to end.

I really liked Arden. Finding out she was witch and her wanting to fight the things that were not fair in her world. I also like how strong of a character she was. Even though she learns that is dark and the word "evil" comes to mind she still wants to right the wrongs.

I liked that the vampires were not any ...more

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Aug 18, 2015 Laura Hernandez (TheVoluptuousBkDiva/YABkDivas) rated it it was amazing

I received an ARC when I signed up and was selected to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions are my own.

Arden has recently lost her mother and now her dad has informed er that they will be moving so that means she'll be attending a new school. Unfortunately, the hopes she had for the new school are quickly dampered as the school bully zones in on her and to make matters even more difficult she discovers sh'es a witch and that supernatural beings like trol ...more

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