Ever
since her sister was savagely murdered at the hands of the demon summoned by
a cabal of evil warlocks, Isabelle Novak has had one reason for living –
revenge. Failing to find the demon in question, she’ll settle for the next
best thing – the leader of the warlocks that summoned the creature to the
human world.
Foiled at the last stage of her vengeful plot by the irresistible Thomas
Monahan, powerful earth witch and head of the local Coven, she reluctantly
admits that revenge doesn’t taste quite as sweet as she’d imagined, and now
there is a much more urgent mission afoot for which they need that very
warlock’s grudging assistance with.
More witches are dying, in the most gruesome way imaginable, slaughtered by
the very same demon that that killed Isabelle’s sister. It quickly becomes
apparent that the selection of victims is by no means random, and Isabelle
herself seems to be the demon’s end game.
Trapped between the demon intent on stealing her life and the sexy
earth-witch determined to win her heart, Isabelle fights to save everyone
she cares for, even if it means sacrificing herself to do it.
The
moment I finished the first book in Anya Bast’s Elemental Witches
series, I was ready to launch into the second. Unfortunately for me, it was
nowhere near its release date at that time, forcing a patience I was loathe
to give. Now the release date for Elemental Witches, Book 2: Witch
Blood is imminent, and the advance copy I have been fortunate enough
to read and review leaves me with this same yearning for the next book in
this mesmerizing saga! In other words, this book was well worth the wait.
In this series, Ms. Bast crafts a world that is full and rich, but requires
no effort on the part of the reader to absorb and understand. Indeed, once
you finish these books, you are left with the odd feeling that perhaps
somehow you have always known this fascinating world, and simply needed the
author to prod distant memories from your own subconscious. Anya Bast’s
world-building feels just that natural.
Having first met Thomas Monahan in the previous book, Witch Fire,
I found him to be a charismatic leader, engaging more than just my
curiosity. It was with great pleasure I found he was the hero of this new
edition of the Elemental Witches
series. With his solid
leadership and empathetic nature, he proves himself as both the perfect
lover for the skittish Isabelle and a hero capable of standing against the
demon who threatens his people.
Isabelle herself goes through a profound personal evolution during the
progression of Witch Blood. Although a powerful water witch
and the very picture of courage when facing any opponent, inside she is too
frightened to develop lasting relationships with anyone, preferring a
nomadic lifestyle that prevents anyone from becoming too attached to her.
Her forced proximity with Thomas as they hunt the demon affords him the
opportunity to methodically break down her barriers until she needs him as
much as he needs her.
Although the second in this series, Witch Blood can easily be
read as a standalone novel, allowing readers new to this series the chance
to read this release before reading Witch Fire. Of course,
the stories are enhanced by reading them in order, but are not dependent on
each other to make sense.
Lovers of magic and paranormal romances will doubtless find themselves
enraptured by the gripping plot and intense sensuality of Witch Blood.
Be prepared to read it straight through, because you will not be putting
this book down once you begin reading it!
Reviewed by Jennifer
