Search - The Book of Shadows

This was a mixed book for me. It was beautifully written - at times evocative and at times poetic. I especially liked the description of the French Revolution as seen through the eyes of the witches and other characters. I also liked the characters Herculine, Madeleine, Father Louis and Sebastiana. While there were parts that dragged, especially chapters concerning the convent and Sebastiana's first coven meeting, the crossroads scene towards the end made the read worthwhile.

This book was a slow read, but I thought it was well worth it. I think it started out different than what I expected because the main character was raised in a convent and I was expecting a character who would immediately be part of the pagan society due to the title of the book. But since the writing was so well-done, I didn't want to put the book down and just kept reading because Herculine's character was quite interesting. The story does pick up up you begin to realize that Herculine isn't a normal girl, but instead a hermaphrodite, who has never known until an occurrence that brings her uniqueness to the attention of others. The awful things that this person has to endure at the hands of Christians is quite sad, but not as awful as some of the things she finds out about when she reads of things done to people by the church to "prove" they were witches or from first hand accounts of two spirits who need her help.

The historical parts of this book that were researched by the author to show this past bigotry and persecution gives us a very grim and horrifying look at the methods of torture used on people during the "Burning Times". It really makes me glad that I didn't live during a time where the church had such free reign over society because the hatred and cruelty is mortifying. The lies and threats used to prove people were witches, demons, or just "in league with Lucifer" in general does, ironically, tend to remind one of modern day activists or extremists.

The paranormal events in the book also make it quite interesting, as Herculine is able to communicate with spirits. There is also, definitely, some scenes in which old-school witchery is used, along with the less gruesome, more contemporary, "pagan-lite" rites that are more often found in popular modern-day fiction.

Overall, it's an interesting read, and though it didn't make me want to sit down and devour it in one session, I'm definitely going to be reading more of the series and books by this author.

Fantasy novel dealing with witches.

Very well written and researched. I was surprised and delighted by the historical details that were included. I'm no history expert so I can't really speak to the accuracy of the facts but it really seemed like Reese did his homework. Character development was good, plot was riveting. I stayed up a few nights far past my bedtime to finish this one. I was a little disappointed by the ending but I figured it made room for a sequel (although it didn't promise one) so I'm anxiously awaiting that. I'm a little discouraged that there isn't one out yet.

This book is all right, though there's far too much of Lebrun's diary bogging down the middle of it, and it doesn't seem to go anywhere at the end. I prefer books that stand on their own better, even if a series is intended. Call me weird.