Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed Witches of East End (Witches of East End, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I love Cruz's Blue Bloods series and was excited to see what she would come up with for an adult novel. This is the first in her new series about the Beauchamp family. I got an advanced reading copy of this book from Librarything's Early Reviewer program. The book was okay; it started off pretty slow but got more interesting as it went on.
Freya (the youngest daughter), Ingrid (the oldest daughter) and Joanna (their mother) are three women who live in North Hampton; a mist-shrouded and uneventful town that people usually pass by for some reason. Little known to their neighbors the three are powerful witches who have pledged not to use their power because of past incidents. As each of these women encounters something important in their lives and they are drawn to use their magic for just some little things. As they use more and more magic evil things start to happen around town. Are the two connected? What will happen when the townspeople start to look for someone to blame for their problems?
The beginning of this book reminded of the book Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen; it just kind of detailed the lives of these three witches and built a bit of mystery around them and the evil things happening in town. Unfortunately this book doesn't have the sensuality and flowing descriptions of Garden Spells and this slow building of mystery was a bit too slow and honestly a bit boring.
As the evil grows in town and the witches become ensnared in more and more problems the story gets more interesting. I loved how Cruz ties the witches' origins in with Norse mythology and enjoyed how there were visits from some of the Blue Bloods characters in this book. I also loved how all of the mysteries came together in the end and tied together. I continue to enjoy Cruz's writing style, it is very readable.
The above being said I also had some issues with this book. None of the female witches really captured my heart; they were all okay characters just not all that engaging or likable. As I already mentioned there were some pacing issues with this book. Then there was the sex, there is a lot of it in this book...in fact the majority of the beginning of the book deals with people having or talking about sex. I know this is an adult book, but I thought the amount of sex in general was a bit overkill, not all that necessary to the story, and not sensual or really steamy.
The story wraps up nicely. Then there is an epilogue that throws a wrench in everything and sets up the storyline for the next book. To be honest this little cliffhanger at the end kind of just made me groan.
Overall it was okay. I enjoyed the tie in with mythology and the Blue Bloods characters dropping in. I loved how all the little mysteries tied together. I didn't really enjoy the characters much, thought the pacing was a bit off, and thought the sex scenes weren't all that well done and were too plentiful. When all was said and done I finished the book and mostly thought, "Huh, well okay guess I am done with that one. Definitely won't be reading anymore of this series." I didn't really dislike it, but I didn't think it was great either. If you like the idea of reading about a family of witchy women check out Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen; it is a bit more serious than this book but also heartfelt and sensual and just an all out wondefully romantic read.
Freya (the youngest daughter), Ingrid (the oldest daughter) and Joanna (their mother) are three women who live in North Hampton; a mist-shrouded and uneventful town that people usually pass by for some reason. Little known to their neighbors the three are powerful witches who have pledged not to use their power because of past incidents. As each of these women encounters something important in their lives and they are drawn to use their magic for just some little things. As they use more and more magic evil things start to happen around town. Are the two connected? What will happen when the townspeople start to look for someone to blame for their problems?
The beginning of this book reminded of the book Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen; it just kind of detailed the lives of these three witches and built a bit of mystery around them and the evil things happening in town. Unfortunately this book doesn't have the sensuality and flowing descriptions of Garden Spells and this slow building of mystery was a bit too slow and honestly a bit boring.
As the evil grows in town and the witches become ensnared in more and more problems the story gets more interesting. I loved how Cruz ties the witches' origins in with Norse mythology and enjoyed how there were visits from some of the Blue Bloods characters in this book. I also loved how all of the mysteries came together in the end and tied together. I continue to enjoy Cruz's writing style, it is very readable.
The above being said I also had some issues with this book. None of the female witches really captured my heart; they were all okay characters just not all that engaging or likable. As I already mentioned there were some pacing issues with this book. Then there was the sex, there is a lot of it in this book...in fact the majority of the beginning of the book deals with people having or talking about sex. I know this is an adult book, but I thought the amount of sex in general was a bit overkill, not all that necessary to the story, and not sensual or really steamy.
The story wraps up nicely. Then there is an epilogue that throws a wrench in everything and sets up the storyline for the next book. To be honest this little cliffhanger at the end kind of just made me groan.
Overall it was okay. I enjoyed the tie in with mythology and the Blue Bloods characters dropping in. I loved how all the little mysteries tied together. I didn't really enjoy the characters much, thought the pacing was a bit off, and thought the sex scenes weren't all that well done and were too plentiful. When all was said and done I finished the book and mostly thought, "Huh, well okay guess I am done with that one. Definitely won't be reading anymore of this series." I didn't really dislike it, but I didn't think it was great either. If you like the idea of reading about a family of witchy women check out Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen; it is a bit more serious than this book but also heartfelt and sensual and just an all out wondefully romantic read.
Wendy H. (donkeycheese) -
Helpful Score: 1
From the author of the highly addictive and bestselling Blue Bloods series, with almost 3 million copies sold, comes a new novel, Melissa de la Cruz's first for adults, featuring a family of formidable and beguiling witches.
Set in a small town, North Hampton, Joanna and her two daughters Freya and Ingrid, are witches but are forbidden by the council to practice their magic. They have abstained for centuries, but recent developments in their lives have them itching for their wands. A slip here and there and before long the three are practicing their magic on the townsfolk. It's all in good fun, until someone gets hurt. But when a young girl goes missing, the witches know they did not do it and set out to prove who did.
The characters are all adult, with adult situations, so those looking for similarities to Cruz's young adult novels will be disappointed. Sure, there are said to be some crossover characters, but as I didn't read the Blue Blood series, I really couldn't tell you much. This is a fun and witty novel with a splash of magic, romance and suspense. The world-building is top-notch and the characters very likable. Simply magical! I look forward to the next one, Serpent's Kiss, due out next year.
Set in a small town, North Hampton, Joanna and her two daughters Freya and Ingrid, are witches but are forbidden by the council to practice their magic. They have abstained for centuries, but recent developments in their lives have them itching for their wands. A slip here and there and before long the three are practicing their magic on the townsfolk. It's all in good fun, until someone gets hurt. But when a young girl goes missing, the witches know they did not do it and set out to prove who did.
The characters are all adult, with adult situations, so those looking for similarities to Cruz's young adult novels will be disappointed. Sure, there are said to be some crossover characters, but as I didn't read the Blue Blood series, I really couldn't tell you much. This is a fun and witty novel with a splash of magic, romance and suspense. The world-building is top-notch and the characters very likable. Simply magical! I look forward to the next one, Serpent's Kiss, due out next year.
Helpful Score: 1
This was a fun set-up to what I hope will be a nice, long series by Melissa de la Cruz. It is meant to be read by adults, unlike her previous books, which were aimed at Young Adults.
This book centers around 3 women- a mother and her two adult daughters who have been living in the quiet seaside town of North Hampton. Unbeknownst to everyone in town, all 3 women are witches who were forced to quit practicing magic by the mysterious Council, centuries ago.
Younger daughter Freya is a bartender who begins to serve up love potions at the local bar. She is also set to marry Bran Gardiner, the handsome neighbor and head of a wealthy philanthropy.
Older daughter Ingrid works at the local library, where in addition to checking in and out books, she weaves knots to help her friends and neighbors with all of their troubles.
Mother Joanna stays at home, playing with young Tyler, the son of their housekeeper, animating his toys to amuse him. Tyler reminds her of her own son, whose fate is a mystery for most of the story.
Meanwhile, as these 3 women use "just a bit" of their magic, bad things start happening around town. Could they be related? Is something else going on?
I fell in love with all of the characters from the beginning- having to live with rules imposed by someone else, for something you didn't do, living for centuries without being who you really are... eventually, you'll want to be "just a bit" naughty. Your true colors will seep out.
The epilogue leaves you with an idea of what the next story is about, but so many different ideas... you can take it at face value, or remember the lessons learned in the first book.
I'm anxiously awaiting book 2!
This book centers around 3 women- a mother and her two adult daughters who have been living in the quiet seaside town of North Hampton. Unbeknownst to everyone in town, all 3 women are witches who were forced to quit practicing magic by the mysterious Council, centuries ago.
Younger daughter Freya is a bartender who begins to serve up love potions at the local bar. She is also set to marry Bran Gardiner, the handsome neighbor and head of a wealthy philanthropy.
Older daughter Ingrid works at the local library, where in addition to checking in and out books, she weaves knots to help her friends and neighbors with all of their troubles.
Mother Joanna stays at home, playing with young Tyler, the son of their housekeeper, animating his toys to amuse him. Tyler reminds her of her own son, whose fate is a mystery for most of the story.
Meanwhile, as these 3 women use "just a bit" of their magic, bad things start happening around town. Could they be related? Is something else going on?
I fell in love with all of the characters from the beginning- having to live with rules imposed by someone else, for something you didn't do, living for centuries without being who you really are... eventually, you'll want to be "just a bit" naughty. Your true colors will seep out.
The epilogue leaves you with an idea of what the next story is about, but so many different ideas... you can take it at face value, or remember the lessons learned in the first book.
I'm anxiously awaiting book 2!
