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.
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Sounds interesting… have not read anything by this author… you now have me curious!
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Sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
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I am very interested. I know she writes YA since my daughter has read them but this one is an adult fiction I believe?
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I was debating over getting this one, but now I think it’s on the list!
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Can’t wait to read this!
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I love Melissa’s Blue Bloods series and can’t wait to read this one as well!!
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so excited for this book! I’ve read all of her Blue Bloods books and I’m anxious to see the story of the witches unfold!
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Thanks for the giveaway!!
I’m looking forward to reading this book!
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I would love to win this since I can’t afford it
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I would love to win a copy of this book!
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Great giveaway!
This one is on my TBR list.
Thanks!
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I was just reading about this book and thought it was an intresting read.
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I really love your books!!and can’t wait this one!
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Thanks for the giveaway! I’m really excited about this book. :-)
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I must be hiding in a cave these days–I wasn’t aware she had something new out. LoveLOVElove her!
~2
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Great review! :)
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Sounds like a fabulous opportunity. Thanks for hosting the contest. This book is on my TBR list and I really love Cruz’s novels. Win or lose, you can bet that I’ll be reading this book soon. =^-^=
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I totally love her work ☺ she has a great way of combining personalities and how it all plays out. you always get a surprise just when you think you’ve got them all figured out. you have to read her “BLOODY VALENTINE” novella – now THAT is how you write about someone’s first time. keep reading her work, she does NOT disappoint!
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Cannot wait!!!
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I’ve been drooling over this book since I heard it was coming out. Would love a chance to win a copy :-) One way or another, I’ll get my paws on it.
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I can’t wait to read this book!!!!
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Can’t wait for Witches of east end!
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I can’t hardly wait to read a new series from Ms, De la Cruz… =D
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So excited to read this!
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How nice of you. I’m very interested :)
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I definetly want to read this book! I’ve read the blue bloods series and this one looks to be really good as well!
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Omg! I would love to win this book. The Blue Blood series swept me off my feet and so did pretty much every other one of Melissa’s books! It would also save me the tiring wait :)
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Sounds like a great book! I loved the Blue Bloods series the Melissa also wrote and I know this one will be just as good!
spicedice45@gmail.com
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Yeah, i’m glad she’s branching out of the YA area, sure this series will be even better than BB’s. :)