The Witch Collector Part 1

The Witch Collector Part I by Loretta Nyhan

Book synopsis

The Witch Collector is a digital original novel that's a suspenseful brew of magic, dark strangers, and witchcraft—perfect for fans of the Beautiful Creatures and Mortal Instruments series.

The day after her best friend's funeral, Breeda's parents pack her up, usher her into the car, and then drive out of Oregon without looking back. Breeda doesn't know why they left so urgently or why they're headed to Chicago—but she does know that it's against the rules to leave without consulting your Coven Leader. . . . It's a crime punishable by banishment.

All her family has is each other now, in a city that feels strange, unfamiliar, and dark. But when Breeda comes home on her first night in Chicago to find their apartment ransacked and only a bloody handprint left behind, she realizes that you can't outrun the craft.

My review 4 of 5 stars.

First off thanks to Edelweiss who gave me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, the only reason I haven't given it the full 5 stars is because it features my most hated of factors. The Sneaky Ending. When I'm reading I tend to pace myself when I near the end of the book, especially if it's one I'm enjoying. I absolutely HATE when a books ending sneaks up me. If I'm reading a paperback I try to judge based on how many pages are left, if I'm reading my kindle I look at the % left. So last night while I was reading this I was aware of how far through the book I was getting and I was checking the %, I hit 92% and what looked to be the end of the chapter, it was 1am and I was contemplating going to bed but I was enjoying this so much that instead I turned the page and BAM! I was hit with the sneaky ending and the 'sneak Peek at The Witch Collector part 2'. This kind of ending is ONLY acceptable if I already have the second part in my possession. I do not!

The book opens with the funeral of Breeda's friend then, before we get a chance to process that, Breeda and her family are on the run. Breeda knows they are running, but from who or what she doesn't know. We get glimpses into Breeda's past through the visions she experiences whenever she does magic or when someone uses magic close to her. Breeda has a confidence about her magic that can only come from being brought up in a coven (I have read a few Witch books where the main characters don't know they are witches until older and have had no early training/guidance), but this doesn't mean she's particularly knowledgeable about her craft, which becomes apparent very quickly. Despite being raised by two magical parents and raised in a coven she has very little understanding as to what will happen to her during her transition, when she comes home to find her parents have vanished and herself under attack from a Demon she panics and her magic starts to spiral out of control.

Some would argue there is very little story in this book and while there may not be lots of action, or situations remaining unresolved there is still a lot that we discover. This part of the story is  Breeda's coming out party, she finds a small group of Witches who agree to help her. They try to explain the different factors of witchcraft that she didn't know before, things like owning a family book, or being marked depending on your genetic lines. This in turn throws out questions about her past, her parents and her coven.

Book 2 promises to be better and full of action and betrayal, and hopefully some answers. I cant wait.