Beatrice Bailey, star of The Everyday Witch, returns for her second adventure in this continuing series of a girl called to test her talents by breaking an ancient curse. For Beatrice, the difference between being an Everyday Witch of low talent, and being a highly-regarded, powerful Classical Witch rests in her ability to combat the evil Dally Rumpe, and free the five ensorcelled sections of Bailiwick from his power. In her first outing, she freed one part, the Winter Wood. Now she and her friends must again leave the ordinary world and journey back into the Witches’ Sphere to tackle the ominously-named Werewolf Close. It’ll take some unexpected allies and all their cunning to solve this task, especially since Dally Rumpe could be hiding anywhere, as anyone, ready to sabotage them when they least expect. More importantly, Beatrice will meet some family she never knew she had, and learn the terrible secret of why her mother was banished from the Witches’ Sphere, never to return.

Beatrice Bailey is a likeable, character, charming without being overly so, and younger readers are sure to enjoy reading about her adventures. While generally less complex than, say, the Harry Potter books, her story is on the same level as the first two at least, and just as much fun. I know I’ll continue to check out this series, if just to see how Beatrice Bailey grows and overcomes her obstacles. The Witches of Friar’s Lantern is good-humored and pleasant, a fun read that’s heavy on magic and whimsy, light on angst and complexity.