AUTHOR: Hannah West
GENRE: Young ADult
PUBLISHER: Holiday House
PUBLISHING DATE: December 1, 2020
SYNOPSIS: Every fifty years, a cult claims twelve men to murder in a small Texas town. Can one girl end the cycle of violence - and save the boy who broke her heart?
San Solano, Texas is a quaint town known for its charm, hospitality, and history of murder. Twice now, twelve men have been brutally killed, and no one knows who did it. A shadowy witch? A copy-cat killer? Or a man-hating murderess? Eighteen-year-old Natalie Colter is sure that the rumors about her great-great-grandmother's cult of wronged women are just gossip, but that doesn't stop the true crime writers and dark tourism bloggers from capitalizing on the town's reputation. It's an urban legend that's hard to ignore, and it gets harder when Nat learns that the sisterhood is real, and magical. And they want her to join.
San Solano, Texas is a quaint town known for its charm, hospitality, and history of murder. Twice now, twelve men have been brutally killed, and no one knows who did it. A shadowy witch? A copy-cat killer? Or a man-hating murderess? Eighteen-year-old Natalie Colter is sure that the rumors about her great-great-grandmother's cult of wronged women are just gossip, but that doesn't stop the true crime writers and dark tourism bloggers from capitalizing on the town's reputation. It's an urban legend that's hard to ignore, and it gets harder when Nat learns that the sisterhood is real, and magical. And they want her to join.
The more Nat learns of the Wardens' supernatural history, the more she wonders about the real culprits behind the town's ritualistic murders. Are the Wardens protecting San Solano from even darker forces? As the anniversary of the murders draws near, the town grows restless. Residents start getting "claimed" as this year's planned victims, including Levi Langford, the boy whose kiss haunted Nat for a year.
Nat knows that no one is safe. Can she and the sisterhood stop the true evil from claiming their town?
Nat knows that no one is safe. Can she and the sisterhood stop the true evil from claiming their town?
MY THOUGHTS: When I saw mention of a cult, I knew that I would eventually be picking this book up to read. And boy, am I glad I did so sooner rather than later.
Natalie is a descendant of an ancient cult who years ago was associated with witchcraft and the ritualistic murders of twelve young men. Every 50 years, the massacre cycles around and this year just happens to be the summer before Nat leaves for college. Wanting nothing to do with the group called the Wardens, even though she discovers her best friend is already a member, Nat tries to deny her heritage. However, eventually she learns that all is not what is seems and she may have sacrifice her future to save those she loves.
I loved how West combined the elements of witchcraft, feminism, modern times and historical fiction together is a Southern setting. Nat is a great character who really seems to be struggling with the normal expectation and experiences of a woman about to leave home for the first time to attend college. I also enjoyed the friendships in this book because they weren't perfect. People disagreed and weren't always on the same page and seriously, isn't that real life? The book was eerie and mysterious and I couldn't wait to get to the end. I will say that yes, this is a YA book and there is a romantic component. Yet West did not go the typical "insta-love" way and provided us with a couple with a history unearthing their true feelings.
If you enjoy books featuring witches and cults, this is the book for you. I'm so glad I picked it up and West is an author I will have my eye on in the future.
RATING: 4 PAWS
BOOK LINKS:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hannah West is the author of young adult books including The Nissera Chronicles series and The Bitterwine Oath. She’s been writing fantasy since kindergarten, when she penned her first tale about a princess who ran away and lived at the top of a flagpole with two loaves of bread. But it wasn’t until she studied abroad in Orléans, France during college that the premise for her first novel materialized. The fairy tale castles, the snowy winter days, and a Disney princess pencil that arrived in a care package from her parents provided the inspiration that allowed her to wrangle all her untold and unfinished stories into a novel.
Hannah current lives in the Dallas area with her husband and their two rambunctious rescue dogs.
AUTHOR LINKS:
And below you will find the link to a playlist inspired by this novel!
RHIANNON - Fleetwood Mac
COOL FOR THE SUMMER - Demi Lovato
HARD TO FORGET - Sam Hunt
SEASON OF THE WITCH - Lana del Ray
BABY DID A BAD BAD THING - Chris Isaak
RAIN ON ME - Lady Gaga
SISTER GOLDEN HAIR - America
HAPPIER - Marshmello
GRAVEYARD - Halsey
IF I WAS YOUR GIRLFRIEND - Prince
HOW SOON IS NOW? - The Smiths
HALLUCINOGENICS - Matt Maeson
Ok, these themes - witchcraft, feminism and a modem/ historical mix just grabbed we rightaway. And thank goodness there's no insta-love.
ReplyDeleteI know, anytime there is no insta-love I'm always happy!
DeleteThis sounds really good! I'm drawn to cult stories too, for some reason. Cults and witches, great combo!
ReplyDeleteI know. What does it say about us that we see "cult" or "witch" and it goes on the TBR?
DeleteThe Witchcraft, Feminism, and contemporary/historical combination sounds great. I'll check it out on Goodreads. 👏👏👏✨
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it. I did love the witchcraft element.
DeleteYay, small town Texas is always a good setting for me. This book is totally new to me, too.
ReplyDeleteIt was a great debut. Hope you get a chance to pick it up.
DeleteI've not heard of this one before but I like the sound ofit very much.
ReplyDeleteLynn :D
I'm all over any book with cults in it!
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