Fall (Witch Season)

Rating:
Summary: Are there really witches among us?
Review: <P>
Kerry, Josh, Brandy, Scott, and Rebecca have left the quaint resort on the coast of California. A life-altering summer in which they spent most of their time in pursuit of an evil witch named Season Howe. Ultimately ending in Daniel Blessing's death, Kerry's boyfriend.

Almost a hermit, Kerry barely leaves her Northwestern University dorm room. Instead she sits day after day pouring over Daniel's journals. Kerry's hope is to unearth even the smallest detail that will aid in some chance of exposing the enigma of a ruthless killer.

Finding her efforts fruitless, Kerry decides to find Mother Blessing the only link left to Daniel Again she pours over the journals piecing a map together, a route that will lead her into the Great Dismal Swamp.

Meanwhile her friends have grown restless after receiving a cryptic email from Kerry- and discovering that Season Howe has been spotted in "Sin City." Striking a nerve, the five friends embark on a pilgrimage to Las Vegas--the city of dreams, gathering, to duel the evil witch. Their cause has several reasons: Making her pay for what she did to Daniel and making sure she never makes it to the Witches' Convocation.

Although after a grueling match of wits Kerry learns Mother Blessing is hiding something. Something she feels even Daniel was unaware of....

If you don't believe in witches, this series will surely help change your mind!

Characters from previous books appear lending a feeling of continuity for long time readers and will keep you gripping your seat until the very last page is read. Fall (Witch Season) is entertaining and well done; unique in that it is both a book and a series. Mariotte's style is deceivingly fresh. Definitely a scary novel for teenagers, yet one that anyone would enjoy, and could make a nice gift for young and old fantasy fans alike.

Reviewed by Betsie

Rating:
Summary: Something Wicked This Way Comes
Review: Summer has ended, and 17-year-old Kerry Profitt, along with her summer friends Brandy, Scott, Rebecca, and Josh, have headed away from San Diego, and off to their respective colleges where they hope to further their education. Unfortunately, the horror from the summer has left it's mark in the brain of each young person, making learning a challenge. The five teens will never forget what they saw over the summer, as Daniel Blessing, a witch, was brutally murdered by another witch named Season. Now Season occupies all of their thoughts, and they are imagining that she's everywhere. Until she finally shows up in the city of sin known as Las Vegas. Soon the five friends are reuniting, but to something savage and brutal that scares them to death, and sends them running for home. Except for Kerry. Kerry heads out to the Great Dismal to learn witchcraft from Mother Blessing. After all, there's no use in running from Season, so she'd better learn how to fight.

Jeff Mariotte is a fabulous author, who held his own when he was writing for the BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER series, but with the WITCH SEASON series, he stands in a class of his own. Mariotte's character development is fabulous, as is his portrayal of a group of teenagers all with their own personalities and quirks. Readers, both male and female, will be able to find a character whose personality matches theirs. Fans of teen paranormal books, or teen fiction in general will be pleased by this fabulous new series.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper