Kirkus Star
THE KIRKUS STAR
Awarded to Books of Exceptional Merit

BROWSE BOOK REVIEWS




Books with Witches


Cover art for SEASON OF THE WITCH
FICTION
Released: April 5, 2007

"Mostert manages it all quite impressively, concocting an intellectual puzzler that will keep the reader hooked, and guessing, until the final page."
Black cats, snakes, spiders, mystical signs and symbols and dangerous sex are skillfully stirred together in this brain-squeezing thriller from the South African–born author (The Midnight Side, 2001, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for WITCHES OF EAST END
FICTION
Released: June 1, 2011

"Fantasy for well-read adults."
First in de la Cruz's debut adult series about the adventures of a family of Long Island witches. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DARK GLAMOUR
FICTION
Released: Sept. 1, 2011

"A brisk, stylish supernatural thriller."
In this follow-up to series opener 666 Park Avenue (2011), Pierce's heroine is still puzzling over whether her Park Avenue playboy husband is in league with the devil. Read full book review >
Cover art for DAUGHTERS OF THE WITCHING HILL
FICTION
Released: April 7, 2010

"Committed storytelling and visual detail mark this overlong but tightly wound historical."
The Pendle witches' story, retold as a passionate saga of female friendship and a cautionary tale of feuding within a superstitious community. Read full book review >
Cover art for GREEN WITCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 1, 2010

"Just the thing for readers eager to be captured by a tale of sundered hearts rendered in lyrical prose. (Fantasy. YA)"
Also trancelike and infused with magical realism, this belated sequel to Green Angel (2003) brings Hoffman's tale of recovery from utter inner and outer devastation to a tidy close. Read full book review >
Cover art for A WITCH IN TIME
FICTION
Released: April 6, 2010

"Maggie's sixth (Where There's a Witch, 2009, etc.) is for those who like a little mystery with their romance."
Though Maggie O'Neill isn't overly impressed by her witchlike powers, she can't help but be pleased when a little voice in her ear helps solve a murder. Read full book review >
Cover art for WITCHES' BREW
FICTION
Released: April 1, 1995

"These Landover yarns are agreeable enough in their own limited fashion, and mostly manage to avoid formula; this one, after a lethargic start, comes well up to the mark."
A new adventure in Brooks's Magic Kingdom of Landover series (The Tangle Box, 1993, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE BELL WITCH
FICTION
Released: March 1, 1997

"More artful, if less exciting, than Monahan's brainy bloodsucker operas—but all immensely satisfying."
 Ever-intelligent horror novelist Monahan (The Blood of the Covenant, 1995, etc.) retells a true story—true as far as the participants knew—about a poltergeist. Read full book review >
Cover art for WITCH TWINS
CHILDREN'S
Released: July 1, 2001
by Adele Griffin, illustrated by Jacqueline Rogers

"Preteen readers will "love-love-love" watching these seemingly ordinary 11-year-olds in action. (Fiction. 10-12)"
Two novice Philadelphia witches discover both that magic is harder to control than it seems and that they're not as inseparable as they supposed, in this lighthearted family story with a twist, from the author of Dive (1999). Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WHITE WITCH
CHILDREN'S
Released: May 1, 2009

Fourteen-year-old Gwendoline Riston is in big trouble. Read full book review >
Cover art for FALLING IN
CHILDREN'S
Released: March 9, 2010

"Dowell spreads her wings and soars. (Magical adventure. 10-14)"
A master at capturing the emotional lives of modern kids in realistic fiction proves equally adept with fantasy. Read full book review >
Cover art for FIREBIRD
FICTION
Released: May 16, 2006

"A consummate blend of folklore, magic, history and storytelling, this book is sensual, culturally literate and perfectly pitched."
Toothsome fantasy set in a medieval Russia analogue, from Robertson (White Rose, 2004, etc.). Read full book review >
Cover art for INDIGO SPRINGS
FICTION
Released: Nov. 1, 2009

"A psychologically astute, highly original debut--complex, eerie and utterly believable. Stay tuned for the projected sequel."
Magic, driven underground in the 17th century, is trying to return--but will the result be salvation or apocalypse? Read full book review >
Cover art for SON OF A WITCH
FICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2005

"Once again, the myth of Oz proves its enduring power."
Animals talk, attack dragons prowl the skies and political unrest afflicts the land of Oz in this richly detailed sequel to Maguire's contemporary fantasy classic Wicked (1996). Read full book review >
Cover art for A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES
FICTION
Released: Feb. 8, 2011

"Entertaining, though not in the league of J.K. Rowling--or even Anne Rice. But please, people: no more vamps and wizards, OK?"
Harry Potter meets Lestat de Lioncourt. Throw in a time machine, and you've got just about everything you need for a full-kit fantasy. Read full book review >
Cover art for WHEN AUTUMN LEAVES
FICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2009

"A charming debut in the tradition of Practical Magic and The Witches of Eastwick."
Small-town witch looks for her replacement. Read full book review >
Cover art for WITCH EYES
CHILDREN'S
Released: Oct. 8, 2011

"Tracey's promising debut neither panders nor patronizes, trusting readers to solve Belle Dam's complex mysteries alongside a capable, self-assured hero. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)"
A bewitching blend of paranormal romance and intrigue. Read full book review >
Cover art for ONCE...
FICTION
Released: May 1, 2001

"Leaf-clogged suspense until a slashing succubus appears to add stress to Thom's recovery."
After ringing changes on Victor Hugo in Others (1999), Herbert now takes us to a fairyland decidedly not out of James M. Barrie. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE DARK WATER
FICTION
Released: Oct. 1, 2006

"Pirie's third Doyle homage (The Night Calls, 2003, etc.) again boasts deft period yarn-spinning and terrific writing."
The creator of Sherlock Holmes does battle with his own Moriarty and unravels an eerie village legend. Read full book review >
Cover art for PETTY MAGIC
FICTION
Released: Oct. 5, 2010

"Sure, the plot could stand some pruning, but DeAngelis (Mary Modern, 2007) cleverly conjures up a parallel--and fun!--supernatural world within our own, making Eve a memorable, imperfect heroine."
Elderly witch who uses her powers to seduce young men falls hard for a chap who bears an uncanny resemblance to a long-lost love. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE LAST WITCH OF LANGENBURG
NONFICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2009

"Compelling social and legal history."
Scrupulously scholarly but accessible study of how witchcraft was experienced in a 17th-century German village. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE WITCH’S GRAVE
FICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2004

"Literately loony, with excurses on pan-fried corn, tombstone epitaphs, the Roman origin of bobbing for apples, and appropriate death messages from the Bard. The ending's a tad flat, but what a spirited ride to get to it."
A folklorist/amateur detective arranges a Halloween graveyard meeting between a witch and a murderer. Read full book review >
Cover art for THE HANGMAN’S HYMN
FICTION
Released: Jan. 3, 2005

"Bruised throats, blood, guilt, and satanic rites--but ultimately Simon survives using his wits rather than copious amounts of holy water."
In the latest installment in prolific Doherty's dark version of the Canterbury tales (Ghostly Murders, 1998), the Carpenter pilgrim tells a bloodcurdling tale of hanged men who refuse to stay dead and buried. Read full book review >
Cover art for 666 PARK AVENUE
FICTION
Released: Feb. 1, 2011

"A fast-paced and at times diverting mash-up of chick lit and fantasy."
First in newcomer Pierce's series chronicling Manhattan witch wars, as waged on and off the society pages. Read full book review >