Breanne Randall’s sophomore novel, “Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things,” weaves an enchanting tapestry of magic, memory, and familial bonds that captivates from the first page. Following her successful debut “The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic,” Randall returns with a story that delves deeper into the complexities of magical systems while exploring themes of self-acceptance and generational trauma.
Set in the charming town of Gold Springs, the novel introduces us to the Petridi sisters—Calliope, Thalia, and Eurydice—three witches bound by blood and a unique magical system that requires them to sacrifice their memories to fuel their spells. This fascinating premise serves as both the novel’s greatest strength and the foundation for its emotional core: what happens when the price of power is forgetting who you are?
A Unique and Compelling Magical System
What immediately sets Randall’s work apart from other contemporary fantasy novels is her innovative approach to magic. In a genre often saturated with familiar tropes, the concept of memory-based magic feels refreshingly original. The Petridi sisters must sacrifice precious memories to cast even simple spells—the more significant the memory, the more powerful the magic.
This system brilliantly serves both plot and characterization. Every magical act becomes a meaningful choice with real consequences. When Calliope casually sacrifices memories to perform minor spells (like summoning a thicker blanket), it reveals her tendency toward self-destructive behavior and her desire to escape painful emotions. The magic system thus becomes a metaphor for how we all sometimes wish we could forget our pain, even at the cost of losing pieces of ourselves.
The division between Lightcraft and Shadowcraft adds another layer of complexity to this world, with generational prejudice forming a foundation for much of the conflict. Randall thoughtfully explores how ancient feuds can shape present beliefs, and how challenging those inherited biases can lead to healing.
Complex Characters and Relationships
Calliope Petridi stands as a wonderfully flawed protagonist whose journey feels authentic and earned. Her recklessness, stemming from abandonment issues after her mother’s disappearance, makes her both frustrating and deeply sympathetic. Her growth throughout the novel is gradual and believable, as she learns to value her memories—both painful and joyful—as integral parts of herself.
The relationship between the three sisters forms the emotional backbone of the story. Thalia, the eldest, shoulders the burden of responsibility with rigid control; Eurydice (Dissy) peacekeeps with quiet strength; and Calliope rebels against constraints while desperately seeking connection. Their dynamics ring true to anyone with siblings, magical or otherwise.
Lucien Deniz makes for a compelling romantic interest whose introduction as a brooding, mysterious Shadowcrafter evolves into a nuanced portrayal of a man trying to protect those he loves while breaking free from family expectations. Their enemies-to-lovers dynamic crackles with tension, though occasionally their attraction develops at a pace that feels slightly rushed given their inherent distrust.
Strengths and Memorable Moments
Randall excels at creating atmospheric settings that feel magical yet grounded. Gold Springs comes alive through sensory details—the smell of books and tea at the sisters’ shop, the eerie stillness of the Forgotten Forest, the way magic tastes different depending on its source. These details create an immersive reading experience that makes the fantastical elements feel believable.
Some of the novel’s most powerful moments come through its exploration of grief and memory. When Calliope ultimately sacrifices her memories of Lucien to save his sister, it’s a devastating moment that perfectly encapsulates the novel’s central question: What would you give up to save someone you love?
The ultimate revelation about the Dark Oak’s origins and the true nature of the sisters’ curse provides a satisfying twist that recontextualizes the entire conflict. By showing how prejudice and fear created the very problems the characters face, Randall crafts a thought-provoking commentary on how we perpetuate cycles of harm through misunderstanding.
Areas for Improvement
While “Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things” offers a captivating story, a few elements could have been strengthened:
- Pacing issues: The middle section occasionally drags, with repetitive discussions about the Dark Oak and multiple failed attempts to restore the sisters’ string of fate. Some of these scenes could have been condensed to maintain momentum.
- Worldbuilding gaps: While the magic system is brilliantly conceived, certain aspects remain underdeveloped. The rules governing the magical community at large, the extent of witch presence beyond Gold Springs, and the historical context of the Great Rift could have been more thoroughly explored.
- Secondary character development: Characters like Malik and some of the coven members feel somewhat two-dimensional compared to the richly developed protagonists. Their motivations and backstories receive less attention than they deserve, particularly given their importance to the plot’s resolution.
- Convenient resolutions: Some plot threads wrap up a bit too neatly in the final act. Ahmed’s disappearance and Daphne’s sudden ability to transfer from the grimoire to human form feel like convenient solutions rather than organic developments.
Emotional Resonance and Thematic Depth
What elevates Randall’s novel beyond typical urban fantasy fare is its emotional honesty and thematic richness. At its heart, this is a story about how we define ourselves—through our memories, our choices, and our connections to others.
The novel thoughtfully explores how trauma and loss shape our identities. Calliope’s habit of sacrificing memories serves as a powerful metaphor for how we sometimes cope with pain by trying to forget it, only to lose pieces of ourselves in the process. Her journey toward accepting that painful memories are worth keeping mirrors a universal human struggle.
The theme of generational trauma manifests through the ancient feud between Lightcraft and Shadowcraft. By revealing that this division stemmed from fear and misunderstanding rather than inherent differences, Randall offers a hopeful message about breaking cycles of prejudice.
For Fans of Contemporary Fantasy with Heart
Readers who enjoyed Sarah J. Maas’s blend of romance and magic, Alice Hoffman’s family-centered witchcraft tales, or Erin A. Craig’s atmospheric small-town stories will find much to love in “Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things.” The novel stands alongside works like “The Once and Future Witches” by Alix E. Harrow and “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern in its ability to create a magical world that feels both wondrous and emotionally grounded.
Randall’s writing style balances lyricism with readability, creating prose that’s beautiful without becoming purple. Her descriptions of magic are particularly evocative—you can almost taste the apple-amber of Lucien’s Shadowcraft or feel the gentle hum of the sisters’ string of fate.
Final Verdict: A Spellbinding Read with Minor Flaws
“Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things” is a captivating exploration of memory, magic, and family bonds that demonstrates Randall’s growth as a storyteller. Despite some pacing issues and worldbuilding gaps, the novel succeeds through its innovative magic system, compelling characters, and emotional resonance.
What lingers after the final page is not just the intriguing magical world Randall has created, but the very human journey at its center—learning that our memories, even the painful ones, are worth keeping because they make us who we are. It’s a powerful message delivered through an entertaining fantasy that balances darkness with light, much like the magic system it portrays.
For readers seeking fantasy with emotional depth and original magical concepts, this novel offers a memorable reading experience that will leave you eager to see what Randall conjures next. The inclusion of recipes from the Tea and Tome Recipe Book at the end is a delightful bonus that extends the immersive experience beyond the story itself.