Season of the Witch

BY: Natasha Mostert
PAGES: 395

WEBSITE: http://www.natashamostert.com/

AQUIRED: Purchase

SUMMARY: Gabriel Blackstone is a computer hacker and a remote viewer, which gives him the availability to enter other peoples minds. When his ex girlfriend comes to him to help find out what happened to her stepson before her husbands dies, Gabriel finds himself in the middle of a murder mystery. His investigation leads him to the Monk house where he meets Morrighan and Minnaloushe, two sisters that are solar witches. After a session of remote viewing he knows one of the sisters committed the crime, but which one? He becomes entranced with the sisters and their world of alchemy and the Art of Memory. Gabriel falls in love with one of the sisters, the one who writes the diary, but he has no idea which sister that is.

OPINION:

I was excited about reading this book because of the description on the back cover suggesting, if you liked Anne Rice you would like this book and comparing it to Interview with a Vampire. Supposedly it was to be filled with eroticism and magic. Well, this is no Anne Rice book, not even close. It was a struggle to keep reading it. There really isn't that much about witches or alchemy either. It's mainly about memory and how these two women think having a strong memory will bring you to enlightenment. I did find it interesting how the books makes you see how weak are memories are these days. We don't have to remember information any more with the Internet, we don't even have to memorize how to spell words anymore with spellcheck. I don't even know my husbands cell phone number because all I have to do is push 3 on the phone to call him. You might like this book though, I don't know, maybe I was expecting too much.

The Thirteenth Tale

AUTHOR: Diane Setterfield

PAGES: 406

AQUIRED: Purchase
SUMMARY:
Vida Winter is a famous writer, her books are best sellers and been made into movies. It seems her most interesting gripping story has yet to be told, the story of her life. Vida has evaded her past, which is full of tragedy and violence. It is her secret, the thirteenth tale. Vida is finally ready to reveal her story and hires Margaret Lea, a young biographer who has a sad history of her own. Together they tell the thirteenth tale, a tale of twins Adeline and Emmeline and a ghost. They discover what haunts them both.
OPINION:

This was a spooky Gothic style book and it was wonderful. Margaret Lea's love of books is beautifully told. Vida Winter is a creepy character that keeps you spellbound. Every time you think Vida Winter has told you exactly who she is she surprises you. Very entertaining book.

The Story Sisters

AUTHOR: Alice Hoffman

PAGES: 325

AUTHOR WEBSITE: http://http//www.alicehoffman.com/

ACQUIRED: Purchase
SUMMARY:

The Story Sisters tells the story of three sisters lives: Elv, Claire, and Meg. After the divorce of their parents the sisters bond in a pretend fairytale world with a secret language. A tragedy that brings Claire and Elv together, is what ultimately disconnects the sisters and brings on Elv's downward spiral. After awhile the sisters branch into their own separate selves. They lose each other and themselves along the way.
OPINION:

I was disappointed in this book. The book is mainly about Elv, but while reading it you really don't care much about her. The book has a sort of whimsical quality, like it wants to be something else. It just doesn't seem very put together, like maybe it was rushed. I did like Claire's story. If you like Alice Hoffman you will buy it and probably be disappointed because it is not up to her usual standards. If you have never read a book by Alice Hoffman please don't let this book be your first. Read Green Angel, Practical Magic, The Third Angel or any of her others before you read this. The best thing about the book was the edgy pages, I thought that was unique. Ms. Hoffman said she was involved with the design of the book, but the edgy pages were a pleasant surprise.

The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum

TITLE: The Opposite of Love
AUTHOR: Julie Buxbaum
PAGES: 306
TWITTER: @juliebux
WEBSITE: http://www.juliebuxbaum.com/

SUMMARY:
Emily Haxby is a 29 year old attorney in Manhattan. She breaks up with her boyfriend as she anticipates he is about to propose. She can not rationalize this decision to her friends, or even herself, Adam was/is perfect for her. Emily has always had a difficult time with love and expressing herself. Her mother died at an early age, and her and her father both find it difficult to come together as a "family." Emily seems to shut down so no one can hurt her. But Emily is forced to deal with life as her Grandpa Jack, the one person she loves more than anyone, is beginning to die. She realizes she has not really allowed herself to live. She is in a job she hates. She has let man she loves get away, because of her "run away first" outlook. When she finally decides what she wants to be and be with, is it too late? Can Emily fight the good fight and win?

OPINION: First of all I love this book. After reading this book I am now a fan of Julie Buxbaum. This was her first book, and I am glad to say she has another one, After You, coming out August 25, 2009. The Opposite of Love was a great read. It was so well written and funny. Great humor, I read it with a smile on my face most of the time. The novel is threaded beautifully with humorous moments and tear jerking scenes. You feel Emily struggles and are rooting for her all the way. Emily's life is so fucked up, by her own doing, but you can totally relate to her. "Come on Emily get it together" you want scream at her. I guess it is catagorized as Chick-Lit., but it is written so much better than most of the Chick-Lit. I read. I can't imagine being disappointed by reading, The Opposite of Love. Highly recommend.