Review: A Different Witch, the Same Great Storytelling
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 19, 2013
Debora Geary has created these wonderful little communities that, on the surface, are about magic & witchcraft & online gaming. However, as you delve further into her world, through this series, & the spin off trilogy, you find that she's really telling stories about people, family, choices, change & growth. I would say that if you have not read her books before, that you should go back to the beginning; this isn't a series you can easily jump into, halfway through the journey. To fully appreciate these characters, & myriad levels of the communities within the communities, you need to read it in the linear fashion. Also, if you are strictly looking for paranormal romance, this may not be the cuppa you're looking for; that is not to say you wouldn't enjoy this series, just be aware, these are stories about life, which includes romance, but is not bound by the constraints of telling only a romantic tale.With this installment, I was particularly impressed by the deft handling of several delicate subject matters. When you have a witch - Beth Landler - living & functioning with autism; who also happens to be a happily partnered lesbian (yes, her wife is also a witch), you're setting the mines in the minefield for yourself. But Ms. Geary didn't blow even one of those mines; she skipped lightly through that field, instead. This story was enlightening, entertaining & inspiring. Not a lot of paranormal fantasy fiction can make that claim. As I am no fan of giving away any spoilers, I shan't say any more about the plot; pick up the book & try it. I wouldn't steer you wrong.As for Ms. Geary's witches, I have this to say....she has managed to created strong, memorable characters that make you wish they were real. Not because it would be cool to have Super Dude (you'll find out who he is, when you read the series) loan you one of his capes & fly you around on a broom (although, yes, that would be seriously cool), but because she taps into the real magic with these people....the magic we all have inside of us. We have only to look for it, & her characters make for wonderful reflecting pools to help us see that magic within ourselves a little bit more clearly, when we want to look. For that, I will keep coming back to Witch Central.