Fall

September 27, 2004
This initial installment in the Witch Season series is a mildly entertaining if intermittently melodramatic caper. Kerry, who is spending the summer working and sharing a house with five peers at a southern California resort, discovers a wounded man under the hedge outside their house one evening. After the stranger refuses medical help ("Let me live or die on my own terms," he says), Kerry persuades her housemates to let him stay the night. The next day she skips work to keep vigil as the man sleeps on the sofa. When he finally awakens, he appears younger and more handsome; Kerry observes that holding his hand "felt comfortable, like being hugged by an old friend." Kerry learns that the man, Daniel Blessing, is a witch who was born in 1704, and his wounds are the work of his nemesis, a powerful witch named Season (who has caused the death of many, including Daniel's twin brother). He tells Kerry and her housemates that they, too, are in grave danger, since Season has linked them with him, and the young people pledge to help Daniel (who has put them under his "protection spell") chase down the villain. The stakeout sequences are a bit protracted and the budding love between Kerry and Daniel leads to some sappy scenes. But some readers will find that the novel's premise and unexpected resolution give it sufficient pizzazz to entice them to move on to Fall, due in October (ISBN 0-689-86724-7). Ages 14-up. (July) .

February 1, 2005
Gr 7 Up -College freshman Kerry and her friends continue the hunt for the evil witch Season, who killed Kerry's boyfriend, Daniel Blessing. With the help of his mother, a powerful witch in her own right, Kerry begins to learn the basics of witchcraft, teams up with old friends, and faces Season in a Las Vegas casino. Mariotte continues the saga that began in "Summer", and it is apparent that there will be a "Winter" because Season has yet to be bested. Kerry is a determined protagonist. Mother Blessing is equally strong with the patience and wisdom of age. The plot is predictable, with more questions than answers at the end. In some ways, it reads like a movie director's notes, with Kerry's diary entries filling in details. While the two flow together, there is little that creates and sustains mood, tension, and thrill for readers. This book pales in comparison to Cate Tiernan's "Sweep" series (Penguin). However, readers who enjoyed the first title in this series may be looking for this one." -Molly S. Kinney, Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL"

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