Witches of East End is Melissa de la Cruz’s foray into the adult paranormal market with this first in a series about a family of witches living quietly (at least at first) in quaint and beautiful North Hampton.
Joanna Beauchamp and her daughters Ingrid and Freya have been banned from practicing magic after overuse and jealousy led to tragedy, death and the dissolution of their family several hundred years ago. Vivacious Freya, engaged to the town’s most eligible bachelor, loosens the reigns and performs seemingly harmless spells in a effort to help friends in need, only to be followed in kind by both mother and older sister. One thing leads to another and soon the Beauchamp women find that practicing magic has them in more danger than they have ever been.
de la Cruz’s first adult novel was initially spellbinding (couldn’t resist the pun). The setting is wonderfully gorgeous – all pastures, gardens and seaside bluffs. It is a joy to get to know Joanna and her daughters, each different from the other, each with her own unique set of problems to be sucked into. The reader is easily involved in their dilemmas and choices – Joanna’s detachment, Ingrid’s reluctance to embrace love and Freya’s easy willingness to throw it away. Joanna’s connection to secrets surrounding their splintered family and the limits placed on their witchcraft is explored, as are the mysterious ailments and murky substances that seem to be threatening half the town.
Establishing a series is a tricky business and it can be hard to tell which story lines are legitimately incomplete and which are just waiting to be picked up at another time in the series. There was a point where Witches of East End seemed to falter, and suffered from an excess of story lines and confusing, if fascinating, mythology. So much was going on that it was hard to keep track and interest. The ending was a bit over the top in comparison to the story that had been building, but the incorporation and exploration of Norse mythology was enjoyable. The set up for the second book in the series may prove too intriguing to resist.
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Witches of East End is available in hardcover and as as an audiobook from Hyperion.
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So, they overused their power for wrong purposes?? Interesting. Would luv to read it. Will have to write it down on my loooooong list. Great review as always.
this sounds really interesting even with the imperfections. I love the intertwining of Norse mythology. That sounds like it might be worth the random storylines. ;O)
Since I don’t read paranormal much, I think I’ll skip this one.
What’s the difference between paranormal and fantasy? Or are they both marketing terms?
I am not sure that this one is for me. I am always on the lookout for books that are different fare for me, but I think this book would just irritate me. Great review though!
I’ve not heard of this book or the series before. I’m intrigued by the idea of an adult paranormal novel. Everything I’ve heard about seems to be YA which I enjoy too but it is nice to mix it up a bit. I’m guessing I might be frustrated by all of the characters and storylines too but maybe the next book in the series will have everything settling into a rhythm and not having so much thrown at the reader.
Great review… I am glad I am not the only one that thought the ending was a wee bit over the top.
I have a vague feeling that I would really like this book after just having read a paranormal witch book that i fell in love with. It sounds as if this one may have had a lot of balls up in the air at some points, but like you mention, it would be interesting to see how the series continues. Great review on this one, Very nice style.
It was a fun read. I think you will enjoy it if you try it out. The author has a really nice style and I am looking forward to where the story will go with the next book.
Oh well I love Witches and I am sure I really want to read this one. You are right, writing a series is tricky
This will be a fun read for you Veens. It had its flaws but I am still looking forward to the next book.
Thanks sharing your honest thoughts and opinions about the book. I look forward to reading it now.
~Sherry
Sherry Soule Official Website
Author of the Spellbound Series
Those kind of settings really move me. For some reason I thought of Alice Hoffman’s novels while reading your review. Luv Alice Hoffman. Would like to read this book too. Sounds really good. It’s now on my TBR list.
Might have said it. Luv your blog.