{"id":6604,"date":"2021-08-07T09:00:06","date_gmt":"2021-08-07T16:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/?p=6604"},"modified":"2021-08-02T16:03:56","modified_gmt":"2021-08-02T23:03:56","slug":"witches-steeped-in-gold-teen-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2021\/witches-steeped-in-gold-teen-book-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Witches Steeped in Gold &#8212; Teen Book Review"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Review by Amber Elias, 15<\/p>\n<h3><em>Witches Steeped in Gold\u00a0<\/em>By Ciannon Smart<\/h3>\n<div>On an island previously torn by war and conflict, elite Alumbrar witch Judiar Cariot serves a bloody rule over the Empire of Xaymaca. Though she has brought peace to isles as doyenne, many speculate whether or not the orders she has initiated and carried out align with the teachings of the High Gods; including her own daughter, Emissary Jazmyne Cariot. Jazymyne works closely with a rebel order regarded as the Nameless to bring an end to her mother\u2019s treacherous rule and create true peace between the orders of Xaymaca. However, this plan is turned inside out when a Carne prison convict escapes and declares herself as Iraya Adair, the last living member of a powerful line of empresses and rightful heir to the throne of Xaymaca. Will these two forces join together to take down the doyenne as one? Or will they fight tooth and nail until someone, anyone, emerges champion?<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><em>Witches Steeped in Gold<\/em> is a fantastical YA novel with an incredibly intricate world that takes note of jungle island flora and fauna and embraces aspects of Jamaican culture. Smart did an excellent job at setting the scene and carrying out the importance of these geographical features throughout the story. While this read hit the mark for aesthetic pleasure, it fell short with structural value. While reading this novel, I found myself on a never-ending cycle of fast-paced, exciting plot points and chapters that seemed to drag on mundane points for ages. With the book being over 500 pages, it\u2019s understandable that the content wouldn\u2019t be incredibly thrilling 100% of the time, however, this issue proved to create a struggle in finishing the book. Other than that, the characters were solidly written and executed and the plot was enticing enough to reach the end.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>3 stars.<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Find this book in our catalog: N\/A<\/p>\n<p>Catalog Number: N\/A<\/p>\n<p>544 pages<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Review by Amber Elias, 15 Witches Steeped in Gold\u00a0By Ciannon Smart On an island previously torn by war and conflict, elite Alumbrar witch Judiar Cariot serves a bloody rule over the Empire of Xaymaca. Though she has brought peace to isles as doyenne, many speculate whether or not the orders [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":6605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[120,54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-book-reviews","category-teen-reviews"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2021\/08\/71j5xu-DaSL-1.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p5ZwbD-1Iw","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7433,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2023\/improbable-magic-for-cynical-witches-teen-book-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":0},"title":"Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches &#8211; Teen Book Review","author":"Nathan Wang","date":"November 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Reviewed by Jasmine Sov, age 17 Improbable Magic for Cynical Witches by Kate Scelsa For \u201cSalem\u2019s biggest skeptic and non-witchy person\u201d, Eleanor deals with a lot of witchy things. After a traumatic year of lost friendship and broken hearts, she\u2019s been working at a family friend\u2019s witch-themed gift shop to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/12\/56197346.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/12\/56197346.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/12\/56197346.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/12\/56197346.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/12\/56197346.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7120,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2023\/twin-crowns-teen-book-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":1},"title":"Twin Crowns &#8212; Teen Book Review","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"March 13, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Reviewed by Hailey Chen, age 14 Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber Wren Greenrock is in disguise. She has trained her entire life for the sole purpose of stealing back the throne from her twin sister, who doesn\u2019t even know she exists, to finally give both witches and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2023\/03\/Screenshot-2023-03-08-at-11.46.00-AM.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5379,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2019\/a-thousand-sisters-the-heroic-airwomen-of-the-soviet-union-in-world-war-ii-teen-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":2},"title":"A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II &#8212; Teen Review","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"November 23, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Review by Nina Dinan, 13 A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II\u00a0By\u00a0Elizabeth Wein Yevdokia Bershanskaya, commander of the 46th Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, has devised a new method of flying bombing missions. It was a response to the events of a disastrous night\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2019\/11\/81Y3QVYnLiL.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7878,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2024\/flowerheart-teen-book-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":3},"title":"Flowerheart &#8211; Teen Book Review","author":"Nathan Wang","date":"June 12, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Reviewed by Hailey Chen, age\u00a016 Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell Clara Luca\u2019s magic has always been a topic of discussion amongst the witches and wizards in the community. Uncontrollable, wild, unpredictable, these were only a few descriptions her past teachers had provided regarding Clara\u2019s magic. But it had never been dangerous.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2024\/08\/61319750.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2024\/08\/61319750.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2024\/08\/61319750.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2024\/08\/61319750.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2024\/08\/61319750.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4029,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2017\/the-secret-of-a-heart-note-teen-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":4},"title":"The Secret of a Heart Note &#8212; Teen Review","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"September 15, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"review by\u00a0Madison Comick, age 15 The Secret of a Heart Note\u00a0by\u00a0Stacey Lee \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The first book I read by Stacey Lee was Under a Painted Sky, a historical page turner addressing racism, loyalty, and freedom. It was one of the best books I'd read all year, so when I saw that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2017\/09\/the-secret-of-a-heart-note.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6041,"url":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/2020\/the-plantagenets-the-warrior-kings-and-queens-who-made-england-teen-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":6604,"position":5},"title":"The Plantagenets:  The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England &#8212; Teen Review","author":"Teen Blogger","date":"September 12, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Review by Nina Dinan, 16 The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England) By Dan Jones Are you a fan of Game of Thrones or The White Queen? If so, you\u2019ll love The Plantagenets, the true story of the ruthless and visionary family that transformed England from a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Book Reviews&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Book Reviews","link":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/category\/teen-reviews\/book-reviews\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=1050%2C600 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/18\/files\/sites\/18\/2020\/09\/81MkyL1n4OL.jpg?resize=1400%2C800 4x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6604"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6604\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6606,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6604\/revisions\/6606"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/pasadena-library.net\/teens\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}