Review: Wonderful, Socially Relevant, but too Short
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 21, 2012
Ms. Geary brings a few characters into the soul of this book that we have briefly met before. First is Jacob, a boy with Autism, and Tabitha, (a mind witch) who works with him. Also, Lauren, (a mind witch too with the added ability to "read" empathy). There is great progress being made with Jacob due to hard work as well as magic  - something every one of us non-witches need to remember - we too can provide and help. Lauren and Tabitha just give it a bump.Those of us, who wish we were a part of Witch Central, need to be be reminded that there is a place for us to make a difference in the world.We re-visit Beth, Liriel, Mellie and Margaret, and a newcomer to their circle, Alyssa.Together they create a Coven of witches in Chicago, shocked to their core when Jamie showed up and knocked their world on it's rump. Fortunately, though difficult, The coven is struggling to make sense of their new roles- and thus comes the title:A Different Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 5).Moira is he family Irish Crone/Matriarch who can't be entirely controlled and between her wishes and a software malfunction they use their 'fetching spell' again. The spell is created in the first of the series (A Modern Witch (A Modern Witch Series: Book 1)) and brings inadvertently, and uninvited, Beth, from Chicago, to Berkley for one of the Walker's famous parties. Of course chaos ensues as Beth tries to get her bearings. We get a surprise here (which I won't reveal) but it ultimately brings Tabitha into the mix. Also, Luckily, Lauren chooses Beth as "hers" to oversee and protect.On the happy side, we get a visit from Lizard, Matt and Teo from the accompanying series (A Reckless Witch) and a few other, known, characters pop into the story line. Effectively tying all the books together. As Ms. Geary suggests; you will get the most out of the stories if you read both series in order: first, The Modern Witch Series then the Witch Light books. You can follow this story, but without the back story filled in (with the other 7 books) you will be lost at certain points.Unlike earlier books, "A Different Witch" deals in ethics, both within the witching community and without. Witches must face up to their poor (if well intentioned) choices and see the havoc a spur-of-the-moment choice can make on an individual. Also. Ms. Geary deals sensitively and tenderly with the differences of people in our society. She reminds us that not all minds work the same. And that isn't detrimental. It makes a fuller, richer world. She also reminds us that non-witches have our duties, and place, in creating a world of change and acceptance for all.I'm not going to give away anymore plot-line. Because you will get the most from reading it yourself, not just a summary here. There is the expected big circle on the solstice, with it's amazing magic and all the wonderful things we expect from Ms. Geary.Overall, this might be one of the best, most socially relevant books she has written. The book feels to short but is probably the right length for the story. Nothing feels left out, or cropped. I just wish it could keep me in Witch Central longer.This story ends with a circle in Nova Scotia, a dragon (real, but small) and the expansion of Witch Central from Berkeley and Nova Scotia to Chicago, at least in the warm summer months.