WitchBorn

Title:  Witch Born
Author: Nicholas Bowing
Genre: Fantasy
Source: Library Hardback
Rating: 3 out of 5 paws

Alyce's mother is brutually burned at the stake when she was a young girl.  Witchhunters return to her home in search of Alyce, in a fit of self defense, Alyce manages to kill the hunter.  But she is captured and taken to an asylum, which she manages to escape after sometime and befriends an actor and innkeeper.  She knows she needs to find a Mr. John Dee, but she doesn't know what to expect when she finds him.  While she searches, witchhunters continue to hunt for her and Alyce manages to find herself in the company of actors who happen to be living in Queen Elizabeth I's palace.  Throughout her trials Alyce continues to wonder why her, why is she so important.  Caught in the battle between two Queens Alyce now has the fate of England on her shoulders.  Can she manage it?

I wonder why so many authors use Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary as witches in stories, granted I have only read two that utilize this, but I am sure there are more.  Let me just say this novel was nothing like what I was expecting it to be.  I expected a suspenseful novel of a young girl coming into her powers (yes there was that, but I don't think enough) trying to hide from a group of neredowells.  What we get is a young girl who sort of stumbles onto her powers I don't even remember when or how they began to manifest, but nothing extravagant.  We also have villains looking for her, but it seems all to easy that they find her basically in the second place they look.

I love love fantasy novels with witches and such, but this one seemed like a little bit of a let down for me and that makes me sad.  I was so excited to read this because it felt like a fantastic book.  I was able to predict almost everything that happened, the big "twist" towards the end was very predictable though I told myself it would be what I thought it was.  Overall it was kind of meh for me while reading.  I didn't find it super exciting or super dull.  It held pace, held my attention and had characters that could be more than what they were.  I enjoy Solomon a lot and wanted to see more from him, even maybe a little bit of magic from him too.  Like an opps kind of thing for him.

Young adult fantasy lovers I think would find this book enjoyable.  I would recommend it because even if it was the end all books for me, someone else might find it the best book they read this year.  I find myself more of a Deborah Harkness kind of witch lover.  Check it out for yourself see what you think. 

Discovery of Witches

Title: A Discovery of Witches
Author:Deborah Harkess
Genre: Fantasy, Magic
Source: Library Hardback
Rating: 5 out of 5 paws

Diana Bishop is doing research when she comes across an old manuscript, thought to be lost.  Upon further inspection she finds the manuscript is different that the others she has read.  Diana comes from a long line of powerful witches, and she wants nothing to do with that life, but because of her connection with the manuscript all sorts of creatures are looking for her.  Members of each race descend upon the library and Diana has no choice but to turn to handsome vampire Matthew Clemont to help her discover the truth about the manuscript and herself.  But soon Diana finds herself face to face with her powers and her fears.  She must learn what her powers are and how to control them. She will find herself traveling outside her comfort zone and facing dangers untold and unspeakable horrors, but she will also find her way to guidance and assistance, to the one who will help her understand her new life.  How will she be able to unlock the secrets hidden within the manuscript?

 



This book series has been recommended countless times from book store staff to friends, and those in my book club group on facebook.  Because of all the glowing fantastic reviews, I decided to pick this one and see what all the fuss was about. I am so glad that I did, I enjoyed this novel more than I expected too.  I like the alchemy aspect of it because I love the idea of alchemy and hope the series continues with this.  I love that Diana is in her 30's (I think) and she is still learning about herself and the world around her.

The story is very vivid and easy to picture the world Harkess has created, but sometimes it was a little too much description, but I still enjoyed it none the less.  I love that it felt like she knew what was talking about down to ruins, covens and practices.  She must have done her research or was already familiar with some aspects of the culture.  I love love that she included that.  I don't think many authors really create a culture within their worlds, but Harkess does just that.  She creates something new and exciting to read.  I couldn't stop reading!

There was a bit of action and explanation throughout the story.  When there was an action scene it was exciting and thrilling to read, Harkess did not hold back from the descriptions here.  I enjoyed that there was some romance in this as well, but I wished there was some more action or conflict maybe not so much fighting but confronting one another.  But there is a lot going on in this novel that makes me really excited to pick up the second and see what will happen next.  There are some dark themes and horrible moments, but they are handled well and not overdone.

Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy novel with witches, vampires, and daemons (not to be confused with demons or fallen angels.)  This book will give you everything you are looking for in an epic tale and leaves you wanting more. 

Greensmith Girls

Rowen Greensmith is an aspiring journalist and is beyond happy to have gotten away from her family, and their reputation.  But when her aunt calls about 2 dead bodies, Rowen returns to home for the story and to help her family avoid the press. Her whole family, and Eric Richardson get pulled into the a story of supernatural intrigue.


So this book was relatively shorter, coming in at alittle over 100 pages.  It is easy to fall in love with the idea of this family of women being pulled into a supernatural mystery.  But the idea and execution are two different things.  The writing itself was a hit and miss.  Something's were great while other things not so much.  The tone was very monotonous and hard to really get into. There is a lot of build up to what happened only for the reader to be let down with the "big reveal"  it wasn't all that big if you pay attention. 


There is a romance in the story, and I guess almost every story needs to have a budding romance in some form or another.  The characters aren't really all that deep, nor do they grow throughout the story.  Rowen decides to quit her job after a few short days of her family  having a sort of see-saw effect of welcoming her and not welcoming her.  They didn't seem all that warm enough to quit a job.  Once the book ended I had more questions that answers.  There isn't much to the story other than Eric and Rowen just  driving around.  I would have liked a little more from the ghosts speaking or interacting with the characters more, or more aspects of the women being witches.  That part of the story seems important, but isn't used much.


If you like a book that is incredibly easy to read and that you don't need to put a lot of effort into it, then sure pick up this book.  But if you want something with a little more meat to it, then this isn't for you.  Personally, I give this book a 2 out 5 stars.  I was not a fan of it.