"Witches of East End" Review

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

By Melissa de la Cruz

8/10

My Synopsis:

Joanna, Ingrid and Freya Beauchamp are witches.  They have been around for centuries.  After the witch trials in Salem, they are put under restriction by the White Council and are no longer allowed to practice their magic.  They have settled in the small town of North Hampton and are trying to lead “normal” lives.  Joanna keeps house, Ingrid is the town librarian and reckless Freya is about to settle down with the man of her dreams Bran Gardiner.  The problems start when Bran’s brother Killian arrives in town and seduces the bride to be.  Freya, Ingrid and Joanna begin to contemplate using their magic again when suddenly things in the small town start to unravel.  Are these new problems things that could be solved quickly through the use of white magic?  Should the girls run the risk of using their magic at all? 

My Opinion:

Witches of East End is the first adult novel by Melissa de la Cruz, author of the young adult series Blue Bloods.  I can understand two things about Witches of East End by knowing this tidbit of information about the author 1) the amount of descriptive sex may be why the author moved into the realm of adult fiction, and 2) her history as a young adult author may be the reason the book was such an easy read.  It was simple in writing style but that was not necessarily a negative thing.  This book is a quick read and would be great for a poolside summer vacation indulgence.  I am not always a fan of fantasy fiction but this supernatural thriller was very mainstream mortal fiction up to a certain point in the story.  Toward the end as things become revealed the fantasy aspect kicks in full gear and that is where the book almost lost me – but it didn’t.  It managed to keep my interest in a realm that I typically don’t choose to read.  The story kept moving at a nice pace and the characters were very likeable.  I have to admit that I did have an inkling of the ending prior to its revealing.   There were hints throughout the book to clue the reader in to the outcome and I have to say they were a bit obvious.  This is the first book in a new series and I am often torn about whether I like reading a series or not.  If I enjoy the author, a series can be fun with the endings leave you wanting more when you know that eventually you will get it.  At the same time, I need a variety in book styles I read and can’t read a series straight through.  Being a new series, you will have to take a break and read other works until the next book is released.  Even though the fantasy aspect wasn’t my thing, I will probably give this author another chance when I am in the mood for a light, easy read and the next book in the series of the Beauchamp family comes along.  8/10