Witches of East End (The Beauchamp Family, #1) ~ Reviewed by Elizabeth Barnes

 

"Looking for Narnia? You're in the wrong universe." 

 The three Beauchamp women - Joanna and her daughters, Freya and Ingrid - live in North Hampton, on the tip of Long Island. All three are keeping a centuries old secret: They are all three powerful witches forbidden to practice any kind of magic. Right before Freya's wedding to a wealthy bachelor, Ben Gardiner, a very mysterious and attractive man arrives in town and makes Freya question herself and everything else. When a young woman ends up dead, it becomes clear to them that it's their time to bring out their wands and battle between good and evil. 

The Beauchamps are our modern day witches who "survived" the Salem witch trials, just to unfortunately have their family ripped apart and sentenced to a half life. They were shut out of the "other world" and forced to live as humans do day to day, without the use of magic. Strange and even stranger things start happening in their sleepy town. People are becoming sick, animals are dying, as are a few ofthe local regulars. Joanna, Freya, and Ingrid had to come out of hiding and break a few rules to solve the mysterious events, and possibly end up changing the world of magic. 

Joanna, is the mother and healer. 

Ingrid, is the oldest daughter and charmer. 

Freya, is the youngest daughter and the lover. 

I have read many paranormal books, most of which I have enjoyed. Witches of East End was exactly what I expected it to be. Filled with drama, romance, and suspense. I was very excited to read something a bit different, vampires are not usually my thing. I very much enjoyed the dynamics of each of the characters. I loved how the book devoted time to each character in every chapter so I could get to know them on the same level. This is the first book in the series, and I could tell that Melissa de la Cruz was laying out  a foundation for more books in the future. It was a journey getting pulled into the world of a witch. 

Cruz's writing was very detailed and clenching. She did a remarkable job of bringing the town of North Hampton alive throughout the pages. 

The ending? A cliffhanger. But, it will keep the reader excited and full of suspense to know what the witches will be up to next. 

Special thanks to the Archbishop O'Hara High School Library, for letting me check out the first book and review of the school year. 

I give Witches of East End: 3 out of 5 stars.