(Hyperion, Jun 2011, 272 pp., $23.99, ISBN:9781401323905, HC, YA Fic)
North Hampton sits on the upper fork of Long Island's east end shrouded in mist and removed from the map like a modern Brigadoon. It is the home of the Beauchamp family - three women who have hidden their magical powers away for centuries since their involvement in the Salem Witch Trials. When an old money family moves onto a nearby island strange environmental disasters and illness descend upon the idyllic town, and the women must step out of the darkness to preserve their new lives. Is the 21st century ready for witches? Or will history repeat itself?
Even though this book is billed as de la Cruz's first novel for adults, it still reads like a series installment for teens. The only difference is the age of the characters (twenty somethings) and a few mild sex scenes - and I mean mild. I liked the reference to characters from her Blue Bloods series. It's a smart move to encourage adults to read the ya series about vampires in NYC, and admittedly I've picked up the first two titles from my local library already.
This was a pleasant "popcorn" read. I am very excited about this new genre of mythic god crossover that is slowly shoving a stake into vampire lit. Retellings of ancient myths have been on the market for years as recently as those works by Rick Riordan, R.L. LaFevers, and so many others. I hope this will encourage readers to revisit the older texts by Edith Hamilton to brush up. Witches of East End uses Norse mythology which is very hard to do and not always as popular. I look forward to the next entry and in the meantime I'm going to study up on my Norse legends to be more prepared.
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