When urban paranormal fiction is discussed, Kelley Armstrong (along with Kim Harrison and Charlaine Harris) is typically cited as one of the authors to read. In Waking The Witch; Ms. Armstrong has released the eleventh book in her “Otherworld” series.
It’s difficult to keep a long running series fresh and interesting for the fans (and the author). Ms. Armstrong has achieved this in a number of ways, most obviously by changing the lead character in each book. But she also provides quality world building, well plotted mysteries and characters who grow and change in each book.
The focus in this book is Savannah; a young witch. And for long-term readers of the series, having Savannah as the main character is a real reward, since protecting her from peril formed the plot driver for a number of the other books. In Waking The Witch, we get to know Savannah from her perspective, rather than watching other characters react to her. She’s trying to solve her first mystery on her own, without the help of her guardians Paige and Lucas. While she is trying to step out from the shadow of her guardians, she also is learning when to work independently and when to work with others.
You don’t need to have read the series from the beginning to enjoy this book – although you will find that much of the world building (the politics of witches vs. sorcerers, the powers of half demons, and the relationship of necromancers with the dead) has taken place in previous books.
Unusually for an Otherworld book, it ends with a real cliff-hanger. So I’m hoping to see the release of the next book in the series soon.
Waking The Witch by Kelley Armstrong
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Dutton Adult (July 27, 2010)
ISBN-10: 0525951784
ISBN-13: 978-0525951780
Jacket Price: US/$25.95
