Crushed

Gr 9 Up—The Noah triplets have a secret. All three of them are witches, though which of them is the most powerful remains a mystery. Every year Kristin, Brittany, and Cyndi wage a war against one another. Whomever can make a boy fall hopelessly in love with her without breaking the spell wins. This year the stakes are high with the sisters betting more than the usual large sum of money. The winner will gain the added advantage of taking the triplets' shared vehicle to college. Kristin, who is desperate to have the car and start a new life, chooses to crush Zach Bevian. There is just one problem. Unbeknownst to the trio, Zach is a warlock—and not just any warlock, a dangerously powerful one, hell-bent on revenge. This foray into dark magic is predictable in the romance department and a little light on suspense. However, there is no shortage of saucy magic use and mean-girl antics. Teens that enjoy Sara Shepard's "Pretty Little Liars" (HarperCollins) books are likely to dig Blake's entertaining series opener.