More like 3.5...better than the first with a thriller of an ending. 
 Fans of Carolyn MacCullough's Once a Witch will absolutely devour this sequel, Always a Witch. MacCullough has upped the action and the plot, and the second half of this novel is utterly gripping. It's one of those sequels that's better than the first with an absolute thriller of an ending. 
 In Always a Witch, Tamsin must travel back to the 1880s to stop Alistair and the Knights from destroying her family. Readers who love time travel stories will enjoy Tamsin's adventures in nineteenth century New York. I personally would have no idea how to be a Victorian-era lady's maid--how do you do those complicated up-do's?? no clue--so it would have been nice to see Tamsin struggle with acclimating to the past, not to mention things were a little too coincidental at times. But Tamsin? She's the strong, loyal, independent heroine we met in Once a Witch, but now she's on a dangerous quest to save her family...will she be willing to make a devastating choice and face the consequences? 
 Paranormal romance fans who like their books with more PARANORMAL and less ROMANCE will enjoy this series. Gabriel is present and supportive in both books, but his romance with Tamsin definitely takes a back seat. I personally wish there could have been a few more swoony moments, but those wishing for more kicking and less kissing will like the de-emphasis of the romance. 
 Two things really set this series apart for me: that zany family and the uniqueness of the "talents". Tamsin's loving family is always entertaining, and some of the best scenes of this series include moments with her wacky family. Such a present, supportive family is refreshing for YA literature. The concept of a "talent" opens the way for such creativity and surprise in the story, and I loved seeing everyone's talents and how they affect the conclusion. 
 And that ending? So did not see it coming. It made me want to use one of Tamsin's Grandma's "Ah"s once everything was revealed. All of a sudden, it all made sense...the predictions, the secrets, the choices. The real driving force of this sequel is the sequence of events barreling towards that harrowing conclusion, and WOW the conclusion delivered. What a thrilling end to this series! (At least, I think it's the end? We'll see!)