The Witch Chronicles is a series of novels written by Kelley Armstrong. The series follows the story of a young witch named Savannah Levine, who is introduced in Armstrong's earlier series, Women of the Otherworld. In The Witch Chronicles, Savannah becomes the central character and the focus of the narrative shifts from werewolves and vampires to witches and their magical world. One of the main themes explored in The Witch Chronicles is the journey of self-discovery and identity as Savannah grapples with her powers and tries to find her place in the supernatural community. Throughout the series, she learns to harness her magic and becomes a formidable witch in her own right. The series also delves into the complex relationships between witches and other supernatural beings.
Reviewed on: 06/14/2010
Once Savannah arrives in town she realizes that a 6 ft motorcycle witch is NOT what the locals want and soon finds herself at the mercy of a small town with secrets that some would kill to keep hidden. Armstrong s 11th Otherworld urban fantasy, her first book for Penguin since 2003 s Stolen, sends two paranormal investigators to the small town of Columbus, Wash.
The series also delves into the complex relationships between witches and other supernatural beings. Savannah must navigate her alliances and confront her enemies, all while trying to uncover the truth about her own origins. These interpersonal dynamics add depth to the story and create a sense of tension and suspense.
Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
With their rotating lead characters, feisty female narrators, and absorbing mystery plotlines, Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series (formerly called "Women of the Otherworld") novel merit even standalone scrutiny. At the center of Waking the Witch, the latest entry, is Savannah Levine, a twenty-one-year-old newbie detective whose first case appears to be a triple ritual killing. Like its predecessors, this urban fantasy combines the best features of mystery and supernatural fiction: prime time crime snooping and paranormal plot dimensions. Editor’s recommendation.(Goodreads)
Waking The Witch is Savannah Levine’s story. Daughter of an infamous dark witch and cut throat sorcerer, we meet Savannah in Stolen and catch glimpses of her in Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic. Savannah is taken in and raised by Paige and Lucas after her mother, Eve, was brutally murdered. I love Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series and was very pleased to see Waking The Witch would revolve around Savannah. Smooth writing with engaging characters and lovely snarky dialogue swept me back up into Ms. Armstrong’s world from page one. I also like that Savannah has aged appropriately in accordance to the book release dates.
Savannah Levine is 21 years old and wants to prove she is more then adequate to help out in an investigative position at Paige and Lucas’s supernatural PI firm. Savannah struggles with having two infamous parents. She was placed in a box of preconceived notions as a child and now she strives to grow beyond it. When a client comes in with a case, Savannah sees her chance to shine. So she grabs her gear and heads out to help solve a murder mystery with a supernatural bent. Once Savannah arrives in town she realizes that a 6 ft motorcycle witch is NOT what the locals want and soon finds herself at the mercy of a small town with secrets that some would kill to keep hidden.
Savannah is a multilayered character with her powers, background, and intelligence. She also has a delightful witty personality that shines through in some fantastic snarky lines. She flings herself headlong into the fray and drags you right along with her.
The secondary characters in here are all well fleshed out as Savannah. Our villains are a nasty bunch with new and old coming out of the wood work to welcome Savannah into her new career choice. We see more of Adam and I liked the one-on-one conversations they have. We don’t see what a lot who follow the series want to see but we get some nice gentle tugs in that direction.
The main conflict is fast paced with plenty of intrigue and suspense to hook you right in. Multiple subplots twist and turn us around while indirectly affecting the investigation. I enjoyed tagging along behind Adam and Savannah trying to solve the mystery with them. While this series is paranormal in genre, this falls more under mystery and suspense with a supernatural base.
There is far less romance in here then Ms. Armstrong’s usual stories but it fits the tone of this book perfect. I did feel however that the romance in the book ends in an abrupt way and it threw me off kilter. Almost as if Ms. Armstrong decided it wasn’t working and just cut it off.
The ending comes at you hard and fast with some nasty surprises and a cliffhanger that will have you wishing it was 2012 already. All in all Waking The Witch is an exciting paranormal who dun it that is a welcome addition to the Otherworld series. I will add that while this is the 11th in the series, it is possible to read as a stand alone though you may miss out on the over all arc continuation with it’s references to other characters and past events.
Rating: B
Hardcover - 336 pages - 978-0-307-35759-5
Armstrong's writing style is fast-paced and engaging, with a richly developed world of magic and supernatural creatures. The Witch Chronicles are filled with action, mystery, and moments of romance, making them a thrilling read for fans of urban fantasy. Overall, The Witch Chronicles by Kelley Armstrong is a captivating series that explores the world of witches and their adventures. Savannah Levine's journey towards self-discovery, the complex relationships, and the fast-paced plot make these novels a must-read for fans of fantasy and the supernatural..
Reviews for "The Ultimate Reading Guide to The Witch Chronicles Series by Kelley Armstrong"
1. Emma - ⭐️
I really didn't enjoy reading "The Witch Chronicles" by Kelley Armstrong. I found the writing to be dull and uninteresting, lacking depth and character development. The plot was predictable, and I felt no emotional connection to the story or its characters. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me, and I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating witchy tale.
2. Jake - ⭐️⭐️
I was quite disappointed with "The Witch Chronicles" by Kelley Armstrong. The story felt disjointed and lacked a coherent narrative structure. The pacing was off, with slow sections that dragged on for too long and rushed climaxes that didn't feel earned. Additionally, I found the world-building to be lacking, as it failed to fully immerse me in the magical elements of the story. Overall, it fell short of my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.
3. Sarah - ⭐️⭐️⭐️
While "The Witch Chronicles" by Kelley Armstrong had its moments, I couldn't fully enjoy the book due to the underdeveloped characters. I felt like they lacked depth and complexity, making it difficult to relate to or invest in their stories. The dialogue also felt forced and unrealistic at times, further detracting from my reading experience. Although the concept of the witch world was intriguing, I wished for more exploration and explanation. Overall, it was an average read that left me wanting more substance and stronger character arcs.