Waking the Witch
4 Stars

Series note: This is book #11 in the series and focuses on Savannah Levine who was first introduced in book #2. As events and characters from past books are mentioned, it is recommended that the series be read in order.

With Paige and Lucas on vacation, Savannah is asked by an acquaintance of Lucas's to look into the murders of three young women in Columbus, Washington as they appear to have ritualistic elements. The more Savannah digs into the case, the more suspects emerge including one of the victim's abusive boyfriend, the leader of a suspected cult, and even a possible witch hunter. Will Savannah be able to uncover the truth or is she in over her head?

While Savannah is an appealing heroine, and the mystery has potential, the book falls short primarily because of the problematic resolution.

Savannah has always been an intriguing character due to her supernatural origins as the daughter of a half-demon witch and a sorcerer. She has tremendous powers and is not afraid to use them, which also places her on the morally ambiguous side of magic. Unfortunately, Armstrong's method for increasing the tension involves undermining these powers, a trope that is always annoying.

The murder investigation is interesting, and it is fun to follow along with Savannah as she chases leads and interviews suspects. Unfortunately, the eventual explanation is rather disappointing is it lacks foundation in the narrative and requires in-depth knowledge of earlier books in the series. Moreover, the ending is "cliffhangerish", but thankfully, there is no need to wait for the next installment as it has already been published.

Overall, Waking the Witch meet my expectations. I do hope the final two books provide more relationship development for Savannah and Adam though.

( )

All-grown up and a women herself now, Savannah Levine takes over the series as narrator in the eleventh Women of the Otherworld novel. Savannah is working with Lucas and Paige, and is on her first independent case. Old foes make themselves known as Savannah goes about her case, and the cliff-hanger leads us into the final two novels for a fascinating conclusion to the series as a whole! ( )

It's very cool to see Savannah Levine all grown up. She's smart, funny, and confident, but flawed and relatable (insomuch as one can relate to a spell-casting, motorcycle riding witch). I enjoyed reading about her coming into her own, as an adult and as a budding P.I., and the end of the story was definitely a twist I didn't see coming. However, the moment of crushing doubt she has at the end of the book (the one that sets up the next book in the series) is totally out of left field. I could buy that it was how she felt, given her history, but there was only one moment (that I recall) in the story that alludes to her self-doubt. Even if it was something she was denying to herself, the reader needs clues and those clues were practically nonexistent. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story so much as it made me go "whuh?" and I'll still be reading [b:Spell Bound|7797032|Spell Bound (Women of the Otherworld, #12)|Kelley Armstrong|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1292864599s/7797032.jpg|10767072]. ( )

Savannah is all grown up now, wanting to prove herself to her adoptive parents that's she's ready to take on her own supernatural cases. She's a powerful young witch, the daughter of a dark witch, and cabal sorcerer. Like so many young adults when the parents are away that's when they decide to take actions to prove to one an all they are 'all grown up' now.

Savannah is asked to help on a murder case of two young girls and finds a whole lot more. Savannah has always been an interesting character but the story kind of goes astray pulling the reading in many directions and leaving you pulled in many directions not knowing which way you are suppose to be going.

I loved seeing Adam, her long time crush again, as well as new possible romantic interests It will be interesting to see how Savannah's overall story arc develops from here.

More of my reviews can be found at https://wyldheartreads.wordpress.com/
( )

I like seeing Savannah older I didn't like the cliffhanger ending though ( )