Witch Wood (Harvesting, #4)

by Melanie Karsak

• ISBN10: 0692564675
• ISBN13: 9780692564677
• Publish Date: 26 October 2015
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Clockpunk Press
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 106
• Language: English

Reviews

[inlibrisveritas]

4.5 Stars

Witch Wood is the latest novella in The Harvesting series, which once again focuses on the introduction of a new set of characters and sets up the story for the next full length novel. The entire concept of introducing characters in their own novellas is one seriously awesome way to let them shine on their own before they meet the main cast and things get even more crazy.

Amelia is a young woman, high school aged, with the innate ability for magic. She’s a practicing Wiccan, who focuses on the positives around her to heal and provide. She’s confident, strong willed, and caring; and I can already see how well she’ll balance out the eventual trifecta of strong women in the overall series. At this point I’d be more shocked if Karsak created a main character who I didn’t like almost immediately. That being said, she’s damn good at making side characters who can ruffle feathers or do outright evil.

Witch Wood Estate seems like one really beautiful and mysterious place, and I’m really excited to see how it will play into the future novel. In my mind it’s a small more enclosed Baltimore, with grounds full of crops and vines and an almost protective air to it’s shadow.

At this point I’m not sure what I can say about Kristen James’ narration work that I haven’t already, but I will say she gets better with each one. She has a true talent and you can tell just how much she cares for her craft in the attention to making the characters sound different and infusing as much life and emotion into her reading.

I’m sad that I have to wait for the next book, but I’m super excited to see how the series will end. I definitely can’t wait to see how Amelia meshes with Cricket and Layla, and how the groups find their new setting.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Karsak takes us to Brighton and introduces us to Amelia, a young teen who practices Wicca. I adored Amelia from the start. She is strong, confident, caring and knows exactly who she is. Such confidence is rare in one so young and was refreshing. She can see auras, heal and is good with herbal remedies. Amelia follows her own path. While she is not overly popular, she does have friends but spends her weekends and free time at Witch Wood Estate caring for Madame Knightly.

Witch Wood Estate was delightful and I would love to spend my weekends traipsing the grounds and explore all the unique nooks and crannies of the old manor. Madame Knightly is unique, colorful and a soothing soul to be around. Interaction between them was that of student and mentor, but there was also a tenderness there.

An epidemic flu virus is plaguing the nation. Schools are closing and whole cities are shutting down. In Witch Wood, the epidemic finally hits Brighton and Karsak lets us experience the horror along with the characters. We get some intense scenes, and witness the friends working together which created some nail-biting moments.

As has become so typical of Karsak’s books Witch Wood leaves us with a cliffhanger just as she makes a shocking reveal. Curse her I say! Curse her. I need the next book!! While, Karsak claims this book works as a standalone and indeed it does I do feel the experience will be enhanced by having read the earlier books. This way you can bask in her brilliance and pine for the next book with me.

Copy provided by author This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer