The Heart of a Witch (Paperback)

As they get older, they find themselves drawn to the inn even more. Not even a near tragic and inexplicable event involving the inn and one of the twins can keep them away. When they are finally of an age to work, they get jobs at the inn, working summers and after school. The twins are an inquisitive duo, and after the inn's owners, the Lockleys, die in a mysterious car accident, they become decidedly curious about the inn's young owner, Snow Mansell, and some of her special guests.

The curiosity of the twins finally pays off, and they eventually find themselves immersed in Wiccan rituals and mysteries, apprenticed to the coven of modern day witches that meet at the inn. These are witches, however, whose resolve is to "do no harm", a resolve conceptually similar to that inherent in the Hippocratic oath that doctors take. Involved in the magic generated by the coven, these newly apprenticed, young witches will find their lives changing in ways that they could never have imagined.

Unfortunately, although the twins are having the time of their lives at the inn, learning the magical, Wiccan rituals of the coven, there are evil forces about in Green Hollow. When a young child disappears and dead owls begin routinely appearing all over town, this signifies a change in the town from which it may never recover. Moreover, Shelley keeps seeing a mysterious hooded figure, skulking about in the darkness that gives her a sense of foreboding. Something evil is, indeed, afoot in the town of Green Hollow.

Having read one of the author's other books, "Julian's House", which is a well-written, haunted house story, I had high expectations of this book, which were, for the most part, met. This is a well-written book, and I found myself loath to stop turning its pages, entranced by the unfolding story, as the author spins such an engrossing tale. Towards the end, however, the story careens somewhat, taking an unexpectedly darker turn. The witches, it seems, have secrets, some that would be anathema to most people. Moreover, the ending gives the reader pause. It is as if the author had no where to go with the story and devised a way in which all loose ends could be put to bed. Notwithstanding this criticism, this is an enjoyable book, if one is interested in this genre.

The book works on several levels; as a coming of age tale; an intelligent non-sensational look at followers of the craft; and also has a murder mystery and secrets from the past for good measure.The descriptions are beautifully evocative, from the enthralling portrayal of the magic rituals down to the mouthwatering food and scent of herbs.

The book is highly sensual in places, and deals with certain taboos in an intelligent, sensitive way. Like Shelley, one is left to consider who is wrong and who is right? Should one follow the head or the heart?

The only slight criticism I have is the ending was rather depressing and after all the build up, a little disappointing. Without wishing to give the ending away, I just think Kip deserved something better, maybe more dramatic/magical. Having said that, I'd still give the book 5 stars.

I like the way it is divided into 3 parts; part 1 being the awakening; 2 the fulfillment; and 3 the aftermath. In fact, the book could have ended at part 2, with the sensual/magical scenes contained there hinting at future developments. However, I guess part 3 was successful in that it brought the reader, like Shelley, back to the harsh realities of the real world.

All in all, a spellbinding read and thoroughly recommended.