Review: Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
Savannah Levine is the twenty one year old, wisecracking adopted daughter of Paige and Lucas Cortez. Savannah works as “executive assistant slave” at the family business, a paranormal private detective agency. When another supernatural detective plops a murder investigation into her lap after Paige and Lucas leave town on a romantic trip, she decides she is ready to test out her wings and fly solo on a case of her own. She investigates the murders of three young women, whose deaths all seem to have some supernatural connection. As she digs deeper, the case becomes more serious – and dangerous – than she could have predicted.
Armstrong writes most of her Otherworld Series as stand-alone mysteries, and this is the first time Savannah has been the lead character in one of these novels. We first met Savannah in earlier Otherworld novels when she was age 12, and she has had small supporting roles in subsequent books, so it was nice to get to know her now she is an “adult”. She has something to prove to Paige and Lucas since she’s made a few mistakes in the past. She’s young and she has attitude, but she is also whip-smart and a powerful witch to boot (who rides a 1950 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle!). Even though Savannah is young, this is not a YA novel – so she does drink a little and reminisce about her sex life.
Armstrong is a strong writer, and the world she has crafted for her stories is a believable mix of warlocks and witches, demons and ghosts, and even werewolves and vampires. You can enjoy this book even if you haven’t read the other books in the series; and if you have, you will enjoy the passing references to familiar characters and past incidents. The mystery is pretty engrossing, and as the body count grows so does the suspense. I liked this book and plan to keep reading this series – hopefully Armstrong has plenty more up her sleeve!
I give this book 4 STACKS!
See you in the STACKS,
Nancy - who wishes she had a cool 1950 Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle!
I haven’t read her adult books. I’m trying to read the first in her YA series right now.
I absolutely ADORE all of Kelley Armstrong’s books. I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s in my TBR pile and I just know that Savannah will be her normal spirited, slightly bad-ass, self.
I love her books too – “Bitten” is one of my favorites!