WITCHES OF EAST END – a review

June 21, 2011

Witches of East End by Melissa de la Cruz

Hyperion

Paranormal, Fantasy, Suspense

ISBN: 978-1-4013-2390-5

Reviewed by Miranda

Joanna Beauchamp and her two daughters, Freya and Ingrid are the Witches of East End. Only these witches are forbidden to use their magical gifts. As summer arrives in North Hampton the ladies are finding it hard to resist using their magical talents. Fearful of the council that punished them they start off using small amounts of magic to help people in need. People start behaving erratically and someone goes missing. The Beauchamp's become the perfect target for hysterical people looking for someone to blame. To find the cause behind the mysterious happenings in North Hampton the ladies will have to use more magic than ever. Can they find the darkness that has invaded their town before it's too late or will it find them first?

Melissa de la Cruz's Witches of East End is full of witchy goodness and a bit of wicked naughtiness as well! The Beauchamp family has its share of mysterious secrets which seem to make them all the more alluring. Joanna the matriarch may have the power to resurrect the dead but she cannot help someone she loves. The pain Joanna feels regarding her perceived failures throughout her long life is palpable. Joanna more than anyone else struck an emotional chord pulling at my heart. Freya may have a talent with love potions but her love life is a mess. It took me awhile to warm up to Freya. At first it seems she doesn't care about anyone else's feelings, especially considering she is torn between two brothers but it doesn't take long to learn there is more to Freya. Ingrid has the gift of foresight and reading auras but she's not very good at reading men. Ingrid does come off as the frigid sister but there is so much more going on underneath her steely exterior. Plus I just love that she's in love with books and is in charge of the North Hampton Library. Books are cool you know!

It did take me a little bit to warm up to the story. The first little bit was all about getting to know the ladies and perhaps that is why I felt like it was a bit slow. Once the ladies decided to forgo the council edict and use magic it picked up marvelously. I also felt that once they did start using their magic I got my first look at their true natures. The ladies became who they were born to be when magic is brought back into their lives. I love that I was kept guessing until the very end. Every time I thought someone was evil my theory would be turned upside down. I get such a thrill out of a book that keeps me guessing. The last section kept me on the edge of my seat! I was so nervous for the ladies and the town! Witches of East End is a hauntingly sexy suspenseful tale full of shocking surprises!

This is my first Melissa de la Cruz title; I have heard great things about her other titles so I was curious to sample her first adult series. I was not disappointed! Ms. Cruz has created a fabulous world filled with intriguing characters that I can't wait to read more about. This is the perfect summer read. Sitting poolside with one of Freya's cocktails would be perfection. Witches of East End features many ups and downs, thrills and chills, and let's not forget the 'holy cow' ending that will leave you breathless and begging for more!

*****

I've got another copy of this book to giveaway courtesy of the publisher. If you're interested, post a comment below and I'll draw a name from all those left by Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 6:00 a.m. CDT.