Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family, #1)

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Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family #1)

by Melissa de la Cruz (Goodreads Author)

3.47 of 5 stars 3.47 · rating details · 5,836 ratings · 994 reviews

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.

The three Beauchamp women--Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid--live in North Hampton, out on the tip of Long Island. Their beautiful, mist-shrou...more

Paperback, 272 pages

Published June 21st 2011 by Disney-Hyperion

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May 16, 2011 Jessica marked it as did-not-finish

Shelves: advanced-review-copy

Apparently this is my day for cranky reviews. DNF, no rating.

It starts off with an overwritten, precious description of the mythical town of North Hampton, Long Island, then proceeds to describe one of the heroines, Freya, who has the cheekbones of a model without being gauche enough to be model-thin all over, as is demonstrated by her ample bosom. Shortly after that lovely introduction, we see Freya go into the closet for a quickie with her fiance's brother at their engagement party.

I'm sure th...more

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Jun 04, 2012 Cheryl rated it 4 of 5 stars

Joanna lives in North Hampton with her two daughters, Ingrid and Freya. Everything is good except that Joanna and her daughters are witches. Freya is engaged to Bran Gardiner. Ingrid has no man but she does have her eyes on the sexy, detective, Matt Noble.

The women have been banned from using their powers. Of course, there is only so long that a witch can go without using her powers. Slowly the three women start using their powers. Strange things start happening around town. When all signs poin...more

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Aug 05, 2011 EZRead eBookstore rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: amelia-reviews

Note: If I could give 2 1/2 stars, I would; but, only because I liked the beginning.

There are few things more disappointing to avid readers than when we discover the book we invested time in, suddenly loses its appeal at the closing of the story. Although I was intrigued with the characters and the plot for nearly three quarters of the book, the spell of the “Witches of East End” wore out, getting bogged down with last minute explanations that felt more misleading than clarifying.

Yes, the magi...more Note: If I could give 2 1/2 stars, I would; but, only because I liked the beginning.

There are few things more disappointing to avid readers than when we discover the book we invested time in, suddenly loses its appeal at the closing of the story. Although I was intrigued with the characters and the plot for nearly three quarters of the book, the spell of the “Witches of East End” wore out, getting bogged down with last minute explanations that felt more misleading than clarifying.

Yes, the magic was enchanting. How could it not be? I was enchanted from the beginning. But, incorporating the background of Norse mythology became overwhelming in the end. As much as I am a mythology nerd, I do not appreciate a book that requires a pre-requisite reading from another book – “Witches 101.” Required reading and studying is for the classroom, not when I’m looking to relax on the couch with a good book.

I like being surprised as much as the next person, but I do not like when details are manipulated to make me feel kept in the dark. It was like an old-fashioned mystery where details were purposely withheld until the end, so the author could feel smart and the reader could feel ignorant.

What’s worse than a disappointing ending? How about the possibility of a sequel? Just as I felt things were wrapped up and I could force myself into finding closure, there’s an epilogue that discloses more trouble in the future that could ruin the near happy ending.

My feelings for the book ended up like a relationship that had me enamored in the beginning, but left me feeling disgusted with myself, wondering what I ever saw in it in the first place. Unfortunately, I do know what I saw in it in the first place. But, like so many bad relationships, the story changed and could no longer satisfy my needs.

Maybe those of you, who are less sensitive, can accept their sweetheart turning into a bad boy. I, for one, cannot handle that kind of relationship… err, book.

- EZRead Staffer, Amelia

Watch the review on a video: http://www.vimeo.com/26975100

Buy the book here: http://www.ezread.com/book.asp?EAN=97...(less)

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Oct 07, 2012 Jen {The Book Twins} rated it 5 of 5 stars

Posted also at my blog: The Book Twins | YA & Adult reviews

From the bestselling author, Melissa de la Cruz comes a brand new series, but instead of vampires, we have a family of witches.
We're introduced to the Beauchamp Family. Joanna, and her two daughters, Freya and Ingrid. Each woman has their own share of powers, and problems that come with it.
After Freya gets engaged to Bran and then meets his dashing, sexy brother, Killan, she forms a striking connection with him she can't seem to sh...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Lumpenprole rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of de la Cruz

Shelves: 2013, fantasy, borrowed

I've written some rather silly to the point of sarcastic reviews of de la Cruz's Blue Bloods books, but I think I've made my peace with her style and am now just going along for the ride. I was entertained, and that's that.

So what if she garbles history, mythology and theology in truly wince-worthy ways? Can't say I didn't see that one coming. So what if Blue Bloods characters popped in and out of the book for no particular reason? Or to make any particular point? Can't say I didn't see that one...more

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Jan 02, 2013 Catie Maxwell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Actually if I could, I would rate this a 2 1/2- it at least held my attention. The reviews made me hopeful, but I was definitely disappointed with this one.
This was a quick and easy read, engrossing in its own way.... I found the characters interesting and I am always fascinated to see where an author will take the supernatural elements. The truth is, though, I just didn't find much that was unique or compelling or special here. The author has a series of young adult novels that have done well,...more

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Nov 08, 2012 Lara rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Prendete un pentolone e posizionatelo su un falò magico. Buttateci dentro I diari delle streghe di Lisa J. Smith, la serie Tv Streghe (o Charmed che dir si voglia), un tomo di mitologia nordica e una manciata di vampiri. Una bella mescolata e quando inizia a bollire aggiungete qualche scena piccante alla Sex and the city, ma giusto un pizzico. Sorseggiate in mancanza di meglio!!!! Purtroppo questo libro mi ha deluso fortemente. Niente da dire sullo stile che rende la lettura scorrevole, un giust...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Charlynn rated it 2 of 5 stars

Just like in her young adult series, in this book, Melissa de la Cruz presents a supernatural tale aided by mythology. Her witches aren't just magical; they're goddesses who possess a history that spans worlds and time itself. Focusing upon two sisters - Freya the carefree, beautiful bartender who dispenses love potions and Ingrid the staid and straight-laced librarian whose talent rests in talismans and spells - and their mother, Joanna, who boasts powers of restoration, Witches of East End exp...more Just like in her young adult series, in this book, Melissa de la Cruz presents a supernatural tale aided by mythology. Her witches aren't just magical; they're goddesses who possess a history that spans worlds and time itself. Focusing upon two sisters - Freya the carefree, beautiful bartender who dispenses love potions and Ingrid the staid and straight-laced librarian whose talent rests in talismans and spells - and their mother, Joanna, who boasts powers of restoration, Witches of East End explores North Hampton, a cozy, protected bungalow of a town, and the citizens who live there... including the Beauchamp women. When the ladies start to ignore the rules visited upon them that forbid them their magic, they get pulled into a larger web of sorcery, one which recalls the most fundamental and influential aspects of their long, complicated history.

This is all well and good. In fact, de la Cruz's use of mythological lore is Witches of East End's greatest strength. Unfortunately, however, she saves it until the very end of the novel, instead focusing the majority of her first foray into adult fiction on petty, human frailties. It is not a flaw that the book's characters are both good and bad. Rather, the problem lies in the fact that their less than desirable traits are so predictable, that their personalities and characterizations themselves are trite and unimaginative. In turn, this makes Freya, Ingrid, and Joanna's actions - mistakes and triumphs alike - just as unoriginal as well. Perhaps de la Cruz was aiming to create archetypes given the witches' roots in mythology, but this only would have been possible if she had introduced the women's backgrounds sooner and relied upon them more faithfully to shape her story.

Furthermore, the novel was hampered by de la Cruz including some of her characters from her young adult series. Yes, Freya was introduced in one of the Blue Bloods books, but she was a new character at that point without a pre-established profile. Conversely, Mimi and Oliver who played roles, insignificant though they were, in Witches of East End have established histories, including their own rather complex backstory... which was only hinted at in de la Cruz's first adult piece. Obviously, the author's intention was to intrigue readers who were unfamiliar with her YA series to read it as well, but what she ended up accomplishing was anything but. Instead, not only did she bog down Witches of East End with irrelevant characters and the distraction of a sideplot that had nothing to do with this particular novel, but she also failed to do the Blue Bloods series justice, a series whose development and pacing has been much more successful.

Finally, de la Cruz committed one last grievous writing mistake with Witches of East End: she gave it a deus ex machina ending. Admittedly, these characters ARE gods and goddesses, but what makes mythology so interesting and compelling is its pervading tragedies, not its happily ever afters. And yes, sure, in the book's epilogue, de la Cruz shows how things might not be a rosy and perfect as Freya, Ingrid, and Joanna think at the conclusion of the novel, but it is apparent that this was done to introduce a sequel rather than to give the work a more sophisticated and intriguing ending. For a book which, in its conception, has so much going for it - the Hamptons setting (very in vogue right now thanks to Revenge), the combination of the supernatural with mythology, and strong female leads, its execution is extremely dissatisfying.(less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Caidyn rated it 2 of 5 stars

If I hadn’t known what it was about I would have sworn it was a new Blue Blood novel. Cruz needs to find something more to write about. Even characters from Blue Blood was there. It was just another spin off novel that didn’t even compare to the original. And it barely was a spin off. Specifically in the summary, which I didn’t type this part, it said there would be appearances from people from Blue Blood. Only three chapters had those said characters. And it was only two characters. I wasn’t im...more

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Aug 17, 2012 Winny rated it 2 of 5 stars

Despite the fact that this book is an easy read I have to give it just 2 stars.

(SPOILER) The book is about 3 witches, a mother and her two daughters who are immortal and also are goddesses. The daughters have been reborn a few times, which I found a bit strange. What if the mother died? But the Norse mythology, that was introduced at the end of the book, killed the book for me. I normally like mythology but in this case I found it very confusing. Especially the beginning of chapter 42, I had to...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Melissa rated it 4 of 5 stars

So the book tells the story about three withces two sisters and their mother. Freya I believed was going to be my favourite because she is 19 she is meant to be really pretty with blonde hair. Basically her story is a love story she is engaged to bran ( who is the villain of the story she finds this out in the end and has to fight him) but she is attracted to killien ( who you then find out is her true long lost love) Freya is a cool character, but her sister Ingrid was my fav she is about 24-30...more

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Aug 04, 2012 Miss Anne Lynn rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Prima di tutto lasciatemi dire che la quarta di copertina fornisce delle indicazioni sbagliate sulla trama e sulla tempistica degli avvenimenti.
Le Beauchamp non si sono "appena trasferite", ma vivono a North Hampton da prima che la storia che ci viene raccontata abbia inizio, sono ben integrate nella comunità, come viene ripetuto a ogni pagina dalla stessa autrice. Secondariamente il libro non inizia a settembre, bensì alla fine di maggio, basta leggere il titolo della prima parte per rendersene...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: best-paranormal-fiction

I enjoyed this story overall. I liked it better at the end than I thought I was going to at the beginning. This is one of those stories that you really need to finish to fully appreciate how well-crafted the plot actually was.

Mother Joanna, and her two grown daughters Freya and Ingrid live quiet lives in sleepy North Hampton, New York. Ingrid works at the library, and Freya is a bartender at the local inn, while Joanna redecorates their house and bakes. It all sounds rather dull.

Except, the thre...more I enjoyed this story overall. I liked it better at the end than I thought I was going to at the beginning. This is one of those stories that you really need to finish to fully appreciate how well-crafted the plot actually was.

Mother Joanna, and her two grown daughters Freya and Ingrid live quiet lives in sleepy North Hampton, New York. Ingrid works at the library, and Freya is a bartender at the local inn, while Joanna redecorates their house and bakes. It all sounds rather dull.

Except, the three women turn out to be immortal witches. Witches who were caught up in the Salem madness, and censured by their overseeing Council banned from ever using their powers again and not drawing any attention to themselves. And everything stays quiet . . .

Until bad things suddenly start happening to the good people of North Hampton. Both Freya and Ingrid are coaxed into using their powers to help our their friends and neighbours with small spells that couldn't do any harm - or could they.

As the odd occurrences pile up, and things the sisters have done that seemed harmless come back to haunt them, it becomes clear that something much more sinister is going on, and that the Beauchamp women will need to band together and fight to save their town and maybe even their own lives!

The story does start off a bit slowly, and initially the Beauchamp women are not likeable people - AT ALL! In fact, at first I was considering not sticking with it because I really found both Freya and Ingrid irritating and unpleasant. But the hints of the story to come was interesting and I was curious where the author was going with it.

At the end, I was very glad I stuck with the story, because clearly the author had a very detailed and well-thought-out plot that the early part of the story absolutely lived up to. I liked the world she created, and I enjoyed the Norse flavour she gave the witches, which is a unique and unusual twist that most paranormal fiction doesn't use.

I also liked that there are multiple hints in the rest of the story that tie everything together quite cleverly in terms of the ending, even though there is a set-up for a next book, if you pay attention and look back over the entire book once you've finished. It's a thing with me that authors finish each book, even if it is a series. I don't mind a continuing storyline, but I dislike authors who leave a reader hanging on the edge of a cliff and making them wait a year or more to find out what happens, so I like it when the author gives a proper ending to the current story and THEN sets up the sequel. To me that's the mark of a really good writer and this book delivered that.

I enjoyed this, and will definitely read the next book in the series to see what happens to the Beauchamps next.(less)

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Jul 19, 2012 Kiki Bice rated it 2 of 5 stars

This was a very easy read. I enjoyed the mythical elements of the story, and it was well-written.

However, it very much had the feel of a "supernatural soap opera." A LOT of sex. I would compare it to the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, but with less humor. Good for a quick, easy read; but not a very memorable or meaningful story.
The characters were difficult to connect with. And the ending seemed very rushed.

The entire book was written from alternating view points: Freya (a witch...more

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Jul 01, 2012 Sara rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

Story of three witches who live in North Hampton.

I picked this book up because I'm a huge fan of Melissa de la Cruz and Freya's appearance in the Blue Bloods short story book intrigued me.

This is like a more mature version of YA, older characters, more mature themes. I did enjoy the sexiness of the book (Freya and her trysts) and that the book was focus on more adult problems: relationships, jobs, conception, infidelity. It was nice to be in bars and libraries instead of high school.

I liked the...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Michele rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was a fast read, but I didn't think it was a particularly good one. I kind of liked the three main characters, Joanna, and her two daughters Freya and Ingrid, but I think my biggest problem is that I felt like I had been dropped into the middle of a story. It seemed as though this was a second book in a series, lacking the appropriate exposition of the history. Some of it is revealed later in the story, but in a way that makes someone with only a cursory knowledge of the history of witchcra...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Elizabeth rated it 3 of 5 stars

The first half of the book was enjoyable. I liked the fresh take on the witches and how each Beauchamp family member had a different specialty. However, after some point things started to go off in random directions. The cameo of Mimi Force was awkward and (in the end, it turns out, utterly useless) and the insertion of the witches' Norse origins seemed forced.

Sometimes when you mix two worlds together you can come up with something great--it didn't happen in this case. There was a sudden outpo...more

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May 27, 2012 Kelly rated it 3 of 5 stars

So let me begin by saying that I did read a few of the Blue Bloods novels back in the day and thought they were so-so. I only picked this up based on the recommendation of a friend. The first three-quarters was spectacular! I loved the characters, the rotating POV, little Tyler, and the girls doing spells and potions under the radar. The mythology was interesting though purposfully vague in the beginning and I was hooked. Towards the middle of the book, where the action should have picked up, it...more So let me begin by saying that I did read a few of the Blue Bloods novels back in the day and thought they were so-so. I only picked this up based on the recommendation of a friend. The first three-quarters was spectacular! I loved the characters, the rotating POV, little Tyler, and the girls doing spells and potions under the radar. The mythology was interesting though purposfully vague in the beginning and I was hooked. Towards the middle of the book, where the action should have picked up, it seemed like not much had changed. I felt that the characters were making stupid decisions and I didn't care much about the girls father. At this point I was also confused as the girls referred to themselves as witches but there were also mentions of a goddess of love and god of the sea. Were the witches decended from these gods? Were they gods? It was unclear.

At the end the action definitely picked up and secrets were revealed but the book also got ten times stranger. I put up with the introduction of Mimi and the reincarnated angel/vampires from the Blue Bloods series but throwing in all this Norse mythology was too much info. That many fictional worlds should not be combined in my opinion! It was way too confusing. Luckily I knew a little bit about the mythology of Asgard and Loki otherwise I would have been ten times more lost. I appreciate the author trying to create something new and hold readers interest but when you have already created a vampire world and are now branching into witches, you don't need to throw in Norse gods! Stick to what you know. Or at least attempt to explain it better instead of expecting your readers to know what you are talking about. I had to think really hard about who Mimi was, as I knew the name was familiar but she was presented to the adult readers of this book as a character we should all be familiar with from the YA series. A little explanation would have helped and made those scenes with Mimi more interesting, instead of feeling like a plug for the author's YA series.

That said this book wasn't horrible, as I said earlier I really enjoyed the beginning. Unfortunately, something about this author's writing style just doesn't seem to appeal to me. I doubt I will pick up the sequel.(less)

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May 07, 2012 Melody rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy-supernatural

I'm honestly not sure why the Blue Bloods characters made cameos in this book. They didn't really seem to forward the plot, and the lore surrounding their world is much different than the lore established for this universe. I felt like overall things could have been explained earlier. It's like de la Cruz was keeping details in order to aide the twist ending, but it just gave us less information about the universe. Additionally, I have no clue what I'm supposed to do with the information/cliffha...more

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Apr 26, 2012 Tiffany rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am always thoroughly stunned by the fantasy that Melissa de la Cruz seems to obtain. The first time I picked up Blue Bloods and read about the Fallen Angels turned Vampires, I was completely awed. It was such a clever idea, and the depth of research that she did in creating this story was just stunning to me. I felt like I was handed a mythological story read straight from an ancient Roman text, which I absolutely loved. I felt similar to this when reading Witches. I admit, I was skeptical whe...more

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Apr 07, 2012 Linda Cee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, mystery, paranormal, romance

Oh boy, I can't even begin to describe my feelings for this book right now! I really liked the beginning, the middle dragged a bit, the last half of the book picked up on the mystery and magic but was totally ruined by an epilogue that wasn't really necessary (and mostly seemed like a ploy to get you to buy the next book) and I'm really confused as whether or not I actually liked any of the characters other than Ingrid and Tyler.....
So I think I have to talk about this book in sections, the firs...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Ashley Gaspar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Many will know Melissa de la Cruz as the author of the infamous Blue Blood Series. Late last night I finished her first adult fiction novel, "Witches of East End." This is de la Cruz's first book of her new series, The Beauchamp Family. I'm pleased to report that the Witches of West End was not what I expected it to be. It was much better! To be honest, I'm getting a bit tired of books that are just about witches, vampires, werewolves, etc. So I was refreshed by this new spin on the same old wit...more Many will know Melissa de la Cruz as the author of the infamous Blue Blood Series. Late last night I finished her first adult fiction novel, "Witches of East End." This is de la Cruz's first book of her new series, The Beauchamp Family. I'm pleased to report that the Witches of West End was not what I expected it to be. It was much better! To be honest, I'm getting a bit tired of books that are just about witches, vampires, werewolves, etc. So I was refreshed by this new spin on the same old witch. This story isn't just about witches!

Witches of East End follows the Beauchamp family--a family of two sisters and their morther who are immortals. To be specific, they're goddesses! De la Cruz uses Norse mythology to create a story rich in culture and history. This is so interesting! In this life, the Beauchamp women are witches, but their lives are rich and intense and it makes for a very interesting story!

Although I have not read the author's previous series, Blue Bloods, I am very much intrigued by this new series. Although some other reviewers will say that things weren't falling into place in the beginning, and that there was a middle lul--I don't think that's true.

We meet the three Beauchamp women, Joanna and her daughters Freya and Ingrid. All three women have special gifts. Joanna is a healer and resurrector, Freya is a lover and partier, and Ingrid is a healer and predictor. As we learn more about each woman, we learn more about their personalities, their gifts, their loves and their losses. We learn to love each one for different reasons and our heart breaks when their hearts break. This drawn-out description sets the reader up for some huge enlightening moments.

We learn that these women have gone through so much in their long lifetimes. As the story twists and turns we are shocked again and again. I am very intrigued by this story and very much look forward to seeing it continue!

The next book in The Beauchamp Family series, Serpent's Kiss, is due out next June and I don't know about you, but I can't wait! You can preorder it now at Barnes and Noble & Amazon!(less)

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Mar 30, 2012 Johanna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Witches of East End
(The Beauchamp Family Book # 1)
by Melissa de la Cruz

Genre: Contemporary Romance | Fantasy

It’s the beginning of summer in North Hampton, and beautiful Freya Beauchamp is celebrating her engagement to wealthy Bran Gardiner, the heir to Fair Haven and Gardiners Island. But Freya is drawn to Bran’s gorgeous but unreliable brother Killian, and sparks fly when the two decide to play a dangerous game, following an ancient story of love, betrayal and tragedy that harks back to the da...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Nereia rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

"Le streghe di East End" è un libro che si divora in un attimo, la prima parte scorre davvero molto bene nonostante sia una sorta di presentazione dei personaggi della storia.
In un momento in cui le librerie pullulano di urban fantasy e di paranormal romance, spesso di dubbia qualità e con intrecci e trame dozzinali, la De La Cruz, con questo romanzo, si distingue abilmente dalla massa inserendo nella storia elementi davvero originali. Tre protagoniste speciali, ognuna delle quali dotata di un p...more "Le streghe di East End" è un libro che si divora in un attimo, la prima parte scorre davvero molto bene nonostante sia una sorta di presentazione dei personaggi della storia.
In un momento in cui le librerie pullulano di urban fantasy e di paranormal romance, spesso di dubbia qualità e con intrecci e trame dozzinali, la De La Cruz, con questo romanzo, si distingue abilmente dalla massa inserendo nella storia elementi davvero originali. Tre protagoniste speciali, ognuna delle quali dotata di un potere unico che però è proibito loro usare: la bella e passionale Freya si occupa di pozioni d'amore, la timida Ingrid è esperta nelle cure di disturbi fisici e l'affettuosa Joanna è in grado di resuscitare i morti.
Ho trovato molto interessante il modo in cui l'autrice affronta il tema della magia che rimane parte integrante del romanzo (e non elemento di sottofondo come ne I diari delle streghe di Lisa Jane Smith) senza però scadere nel ridicolo o nello scontato. Particolare anche la presenza dei vampiri, qui in veste di comparse in verità, che la De La Cruz ci descrive come angeli caduti, apparentemente con legami di parentela con le divinità norrene. Legame che è valido anche per le tre streghe ma che viene, purtroppo, solo accennato (e velocemente per giunta) nella parte finale del libro, creando un po' di confusione nel lettore (soprattutto se, come me, non si hanno conoscenze base dell'argomento).
Un romanzo dallo stile semplice, leggero e disinvolto che contiene anche qualche scena romance che, fortunatamente per chi (come me) non ama il genere, non si trasformano in mere descrizioni di amplessi goliardici e focosi (e anche un po' patetici) ma rimangono episodi a sé stanti a cui è dedicata solo qualche riga in un paio di capitoli nemmeno. Un libro che, tutto sommato, raccomanderei a chi ha voglia di passare qualche ora piacevole. Un consiglio: prima di iniziare il libro cercate maggiori informazioni sulle divinità norrene!

Recensione pubblicata anche sul mio blog:
Recensione Le streghe di East End (less)

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Feb 27, 2012 Jennie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-feb

I read the first four of the author's Blue Blood series, before losing interest. But since I do really enjoy witches and I had liked the series, it was just that I got annoyed at vampires and had other things I wanted to read more, I decided to give this book a try.

I was not impressed with the beginning of the book. The middle had its ups and downs, and when I got to the ending, I felt like things had been really rushed. All of a sudden, BAM, stuff falls into place, but not in a good way. There...more

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Feb 21, 2012 Ellz Readz rated it 4 of 5 stars

My thoughts...As a fan of Melissa's YA series, Blue Bloods, I was excited to see what she would do in the adult genre. I was pleasantly surprised to see that while it is an adult novel, there is tons of crossover appeal.

The characters in Witches of East End are young and interesting. Well actually they are old, but their immortality keeps them looking youthful. Freya, the star of the show is a hot, social bartender with a talent for mixing potions. Her sister Ingrid, spends her time surrounded...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Jennifer rated it 1 of 5 stars

Witches, vampires, and magic are still very prominent in our culture and many people jumped on the vampire bandwagon, myself included. Seeing as how vampires have over populated the science fiction/fantasy world, I thought I would give the topic of witches a try. When I think of novels about witches, I think primarily of The Witching Hour by Anne Rice which to me, is hard to beat. I’m certainly not comparing Melissa de la Cruz to Anne Rice at all, but I think going into reading Witches of East E...more Witches, vampires, and magic are still very prominent in our culture and many people jumped on the vampire bandwagon, myself included. Seeing as how vampires have over populated the science fiction/fantasy world, I thought I would give the topic of witches a try. When I think of novels about witches, I think primarily of The Witching Hour by Anne Rice which to me, is hard to beat. I’m certainly not comparing Melissa de la Cruz to Anne Rice at all, but I think going into reading Witches of East End, I had higher expectations and I was let down.

It’s so hard to even begin stating what went wrong with this novel. The three witches that the story revolves around are completely predictable along with the men in their lives. Freya is a sexy witch who falls in love with an equally sexy man. Of course, that sexy man has a dark and handsome brother who Freya can’t seem to stay away from. Ingrid is her plain Jane sister who has yet to fall in love with a man while Joanna, their mother, takes care of them all. Each witch has a special ability and so on. These witches, who have been forced to keep their powers a secret, desperately try to figure out the mysterious things that have been happening in their town of North Hampton without drawing attention to what they are. The story doesn’t pick up until about 3/4 of the way through and even then it’s nothing to rave about.

Because I found this novel to be entirely too predictable, it was very slow moving. Cruz’s writing just did not seem up to par. The dialogue was not natural and character development just wasn’t there. I really had to push myself to finish this one. If the dialogue was at least believable it would have been a lot more tolerable, it was just too distracting and even laughable at times.

Overall this book was just not a good read. I may pick up another one of her titles and give it a go and see how things compare. Cruz is a New York Times Bestselling author and I completely respect her for that, but this novel just wasn’t for me and had some areas that needed work.(less)

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Jan 28, 2012 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

Received for Review
Overall Rating: 3.50
Character Rating: 3.75
Story Rating: 3.25

Note: I have a feeling this is going to be one of those books that get as many 1 to 2 star ratings as 4 to 5 star ratings. It is written in 3 POV's, it reads like a Women's Fiction novel (the plot is not clear until halfway through but it is a strong character story), and the leads are not always likable. These things worked for me but I don't feel they will work for everyone.

What I Loved: (This usually doesn't appeal...more

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Dec 20, 2011 Sonia rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Melissa De La Cruz decide di raccontarci la storia della famiglia Beauchamp.
Ci farà conoscere Joanna, la madre, Ingrid, la figlia maggiore che fa la libraia nella biblioteca della città, e Freya, la figlia minore che fa la barista ed è fidanzata con Bran, un uomo bellissimo, buono, intelligente. Sembrerebbe una famiglia normale, e così è agli occhi di tutti i cittadini di North Hampton, che conoscono le tre donne e le apprezzano per il loro contributo alla città.
Non è lo stesso per noi lettori,...more

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Oct 06, 2011 Tammi rated it 3 of 5 stars

The Beauchamp family lives in an island town of North Hampton, New York. They are a family of witches who were forbidden to use magic. Everything is going well with their lives, Freya is engaged to Bran and works at the North Inn, Ingrid works at the library and Joanna busies herself with taking care of Tyler Alvarez. Then one day, while working at the North Inn, Freya does the unthinkable. She uses her magic to help a couple that is having problems. This has an avalanche effect on the Beauchamp...more The Beauchamp family lives in an island town of North Hampton, New York. They are a family of witches who were forbidden to use magic. Everything is going well with their lives, Freya is engaged to Bran and works at the North Inn, Ingrid works at the library and Joanna busies herself with taking care of Tyler Alvarez. Then one day, while working at the North Inn, Freya does the unthinkable. She uses her magic to help a couple that is having problems. This has an avalanche effect on the Beauchamp women. Next Ingrid and Joanna dare to use their magic and all three realized how much they have missed doing so.

The book starts out at Freya’s and Bran’s engagement party. This is where she meets Killian Gardner for the first time. It is after this first meeting, that Freya cannot get Killian off her mind especially during Bran’s philanthropic travels. Bran seems to be away from New Haven more than he is there and this is troublesome for the couple. Freya has a difficult time with this and soon the Beauchamp women learn that all is not as it seems, but is it worth risking using their magic to stop what is happening on North Hampton?

It is interesting to hear of how the witches feel when they cannot use their magic. I found that I was more intrigued by the feelings that they got from doing little spells here and there because of it. I like how De La Cruz made Bran’s character as kind, awkward and self-conscious. This makes him more likeable. I was sad to see this book end because that means I’ll have to wait for the next book in the Beauchamp Family series. This is a good book that I highly recommend. I cannot wait to read more of this series.

I Like:
•How Freya, Ingrid and Joanna feel good after using their magic again. How this makes them feel “alive.”
•How Freya, Ingrid and Joanna all have something that they are struggling with when it comes to using their magic.
•How Freya, Ingrid and Joanna stick together throughout all of this and help each other.
•The way that the story is told, lets you see inside of the Beauchamp family and how the things that have happened in the past affects them.

I Do Not Like:
•People who mislead others in this story.
•Blake Aland wanting to destroy the library to put new condominiums there.
•Ending on a cliff hanger and having to wait for the next book to find out what happens.

(less)

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About Melissa de la Cruz

Melissa de la Cruz is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of many critically acclaimed and award-winning novels for teens including The Au Pairs series, the Blue Bloods series, the Ashleys series, the Angels on Sunset Boulevard series and the semi-autobiographical novel Fresh off the Boat.

Her books for adults include the novel Cat’s Meow, the anthology Girls Who Like Boys Who Like...more

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Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family #1)

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