Instead of a countdown post, I'm bringing you my Bookanistas review of WITCH EYES, by my good friend Scott Tracey.
I'd like to point out that though we are friends, this in no way influcenced my interview. Realistically, Scott lives 2500 miles away from me and doesn't have a car, so the odds of him being able to kick my ass over a bad review are slim-to-none.
Thankfully, I freaking loved it.
Anyway, here's the "official" Goodreads part...
Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.Again, predisposed to adore a gay love story with shades of Romeo and Juliet? Yeah. Win.
After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.
To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.
But add to that the fact that Scott's written an old school paranormal novel and I was hooked. What do I mean by "old school"? This book is gritty, with a kind of shadowy, magical society world that really grabbed me. Right off the bat, we're establishing "old school" magic with binding circles and spells, more Druid than Harry Potter. There's a darkness to the whole mythology that really appealed to me. Even Braden's gift/curse - his all-seeing witch eyes - aren't exactly the kind of sugar-coated power I'd wish for. Nausea, migraines, bloody noses are just par for the course for Braden.
A blessing and a curse. The power that defines him is the power everyone is after. We quickly realize that Braden is a pawn, coveted by both sides of this centuries old war between witch families. But he's a strong one, our Braden. Strong enough to leave home and follow a vision. Strong enough to stand up for himself, to not take much at face value, to protect himself and his loved ones. Strong enough to fight for what he wants. All with a veneer of wit and sass that I always find entertaining.
Braden and I would have been BFFs. Just sayin'.
I'm trying to keep this review free of spoilers. You have to with WITCH EYES because it'll ruin it for you otherwise.
So let's talk about the world, shall we? Belle Dam, the town in Washington that calls to Braden in his visions, is a character itself. A vision of suburban life, the town crawls with creepiness and secrets, it's festivals and it's ghost stories all take on new meaning. I felt like I'd been dropped into an episode of Twin Peaks where the atmosphere of location does so much to enhance the story.
The story. Mystery and paranormal, new-kid-in-town and romance, WITCH EYES has an excellent balance of the tropes I love with new twists and turns that kept me guessing. Plus hot, slighty douchey at times bad boy Trey whom, I'd not ashamed to admit, is exactly the kind of guy that I'm drawn to.
Oh yes, the tree scene. Smokin'. Just dripping with sexual tension.
Sorry, I'm focused.
Scott wrote a gorgeous, sensual novel with enough wit and bite to appease even the most die hard urban fantasy fans. I'm desperate for the sequel, and you will be, too.
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WE INTERRUPT THIS BOOKANISTA BROADCAST…to celebrate WRITE ON CON! For some fun writer insights and pep talks, click along to…
Christine Fonseca , Beth Revis , Jessi Kirby and Stasia Ward Kehoe
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I've been so excited to read Scott's book. This is the most I've learned about it, too. You've totally sold me! Sounds amazing.
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