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catreads247's review
2.0
I had to stop. It was interesting at first, but I just felt like it wasn't going anywhere and I got bored pretty quick.
ksmarsden's review
4.0
Rhett has everything he could hope for, a supportive foster family, and his two best friends. He's a book blogging geek, but school is survivable due to a promising american football career.
One night sees the whole world thrown into chaos, as witches rise up to seek revenge for hundreds of years of persecution. They kill what humans they can, playing with the survivors.
Thanks to his mysterious neighbour Mr Jackson, Rhett not only survives, but is trained to kill witches.
I am a huge fan of witch stories (who knew!), especially when they are cast as something strong and morally questionable.
The witch gangs exploit the apocalypse and battle survivors and each other for territory.
Rhett quickly adapts to being a witch hunter. In fact, it turns out that he's rather good at it. After a few months training with Mr Jackson, Rhett finally tears away, with the sole drive of finding his best friend Xave and girlfriend Beth.
Rhett was just a nice, normal guy. He was hardened by the constant fight to survive, and having to kill to survive. He was single-minded in finding his friends, logic told him they are dead, but he won't rest until they are rescued or revenged.
I felt he kept his head stuck in the sand - with him being our hero and narrator, it did make it rather hard to see the bigger picture. I never felt I really knew what was going on, and what my opinion should be of the separate parties.
After leaving Mr Jackson, there was a period of it being one man and his dog (Hex is awesome, I love him). Personally I felt the story lagged here, and it was only when he meets sisters Laney and Trish did it really pick up and get interesting.
I felt that the story was very similar to a zombie apocalypse video game. Move. Fight. Kill. Meet character to impart some details. Move. Kill. Score weapons.
It often swung between a 3 and a 5 star for me. It's a good book, but not my personal favourite from Estes' work.
One night sees the whole world thrown into chaos, as witches rise up to seek revenge for hundreds of years of persecution. They kill what humans they can, playing with the survivors.
Thanks to his mysterious neighbour Mr Jackson, Rhett not only survives, but is trained to kill witches.
I am a huge fan of witch stories (who knew!), especially when they are cast as something strong and morally questionable.
The witch gangs exploit the apocalypse and battle survivors and each other for territory.
Rhett quickly adapts to being a witch hunter. In fact, it turns out that he's rather good at it. After a few months training with Mr Jackson, Rhett finally tears away, with the sole drive of finding his best friend Xave and girlfriend Beth.
Rhett was just a nice, normal guy. He was hardened by the constant fight to survive, and having to kill to survive. He was single-minded in finding his friends, logic told him they are dead, but he won't rest until they are rescued or revenged.
I felt he kept his head stuck in the sand - with him being our hero and narrator, it did make it rather hard to see the bigger picture. I never felt I really knew what was going on, and what my opinion should be of the separate parties.
After leaving Mr Jackson, there was a period of it being one man and his dog (Hex is awesome, I love him). Personally I felt the story lagged here, and it was only when he meets sisters Laney and Trish did it really pick up and get interesting.
I felt that the story was very similar to a zombie apocalypse video game. Move. Fight. Kill. Meet character to impart some details. Move. Kill. Score weapons.
It often swung between a 3 and a 5 star for me. It's a good book, but not my personal favourite from Estes' work.
trinforeman's review
While I love the concept and even the storyline I am not a fan of conversational writing. Even though I didn't love the writing style I decided to finish the book and enjoyed it. I, however do not think I will finish the series. Just not my cup-o-tea.
becxreadz's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. A different dystopian involving witches. I enjoyed the action and the characters. It certainly went a different route than i had imagined. Will for sure read the next book. The only thing that kept it from a 5 star rating was the ending. I really felt like some things were just too oddly explained and didn't make a lick of sense. Then again Rhett's character felt the same way.
angielisle's review
4.0
Brew is the first book of the Salem's Revenge series. Don't expect to get all of the answers in this book.
This is also the first book I've read by Estes, who has been on my to-read list since the publication of The Moon Dwellers, and I received a free copy in exchange for a review. I've already bought the second book in this series (Boil) and I'm backtracking to read The Dwellers series.
I open the book to find the main character, Rhett Carter, traveling through my home state -West Virginia- and Estes doesn't depict us Mountaineers as being all barefoot, toothless, and redneck. He can't show that stereotype, mostly because the whole world has gone to poo and life as we know is gone (Morgantown gets some face-time in this book). The humans and witches we see are state-less; everyone is uprooted so anyone could be from anywhere.
There's a war between humans and witches: some humans are mean to witches and the witches retaliate by being nastier and meaner. Estes' witches aren't rooted in the actual practice of witchcraft. Think of the Halloween stereotypes of witches. Estes' witches aren't even like them, except for their fear-factor.
Estes builds his own mythos for these witches but the way he uses plot reminds me of Rick Riordan (minus the play on classical mythology). And, like Riordan, this book/series would translate well to the big screen, requiring a lot of nifty special effects. Estes draws out the introspective moments more than Riordan would, which emphasizes a roller-coaster effect on the story.
Estes continuously sows the seeds for good witches (and humans) to appear at a later time and I can't wait to see them. My favorite characters are witches and a warlock: the last Claire (who might be from West Virginia, hence my interest), the Siren, and the Cursed Warl. I want to know where these characters are going.
This is also the first book I've read by Estes, who has been on my to-read list since the publication of The Moon Dwellers, and I received a free copy in exchange for a review. I've already bought the second book in this series (Boil) and I'm backtracking to read The Dwellers series.
I open the book to find the main character, Rhett Carter, traveling through my home state -West Virginia- and Estes doesn't depict us Mountaineers as being all barefoot, toothless, and redneck. He can't show that stereotype, mostly because the whole world has gone to poo and life as we know is gone (Morgantown gets some face-time in this book). The humans and witches we see are state-less; everyone is uprooted so anyone could be from anywhere.
There's a war between humans and witches: some humans are mean to witches and the witches retaliate by being nastier and meaner. Estes' witches aren't rooted in the actual practice of witchcraft. Think of the Halloween stereotypes of witches. Estes' witches aren't even like them, except for their fear-factor.
Estes builds his own mythos for these witches but the way he uses plot reminds me of Rick Riordan (minus the play on classical mythology). And, like Riordan, this book/series would translate well to the big screen, requiring a lot of nifty special effects. Estes draws out the introspective moments more than Riordan would, which emphasizes a roller-coaster effect on the story.
Estes continuously sows the seeds for good witches (and humans) to appear at a later time and I can't wait to see them. My favorite characters are witches and a warlock: the last Claire (who might be from West Virginia, hence my interest), the Siren, and the Cursed Warl. I want to know where these characters are going.
sunsoar25's review
5.0
Salem's Revenge comes swiftly without warning and without mercy. Gangs of witches, warlocks, and wizards unite to wipe out the practically powerless human race. Rhett Carter's foster family is killed and his best friend and girlfriend are captured by one of the most powerful witch gangs out there, the Necros. Rhett's mysterious neighbor, who happens to be handy with a sword, saves Rhett from being another victim and teaches him everything he needs to know to survive in the new world. The only thing really keeping Rhett going is his need for revenge, that and his new witch hunting skills and his magged-up dog called Hex. His mission is to hunt down and kill those responsible for destroying everything good in his life. However, there are a few secrets Rhett doesn't know about himself - secrets that the enemy will stop at nothing to keep him from discovering - and learning the truth just might be the only hope humanity has left.
Brew is refreshing, thrilling, darkly twisty, and action-packed, and I loved every second of it. It honestly had me at witch apocalypse. You don't see those every day! Did I mention that Rhett is a book-blogger turned sword-wielding witch hunter? That's a character I can definitely support! And, his dog, Hex, has some pretty cool magical powers after having been experimented on by witches. As much as I liked Rhett, I loved the fiery Laney with her shotgun and magged-up Glock and her odd little sister named Trish. I also enjoyed Rhett and Laney's working relationship, which could range from funny to heart-breaking. I can honestly say that I'm glad there was no romantic aspect to their relationship, up to this point at least.
Aside from the fantastic characters, the world-building that goes into this story is also pretty fantastic. I liked all of the little details in the story making it all the more realistic. Another element I particularly enjoyed is actually being familiar with some of the cities they travel to or mention - there's even a shout-out to Columbus, Ohio, the capital of my home state.
I highly, highly recommend this fantastic new series opener from David Estes. If you've never read anything by Mr. Estes, you will not be disappointed if you start with Brew! I cannot wait to continue this awesome series with Boil, the sequel that sounds ever so promising!
Brew is refreshing, thrilling, darkly twisty, and action-packed, and I loved every second of it. It honestly had me at witch apocalypse. You don't see those every day! Did I mention that Rhett is a book-blogger turned sword-wielding witch hunter? That's a character I can definitely support! And, his dog, Hex, has some pretty cool magical powers after having been experimented on by witches. As much as I liked Rhett, I loved the fiery Laney with her shotgun and magged-up Glock and her odd little sister named Trish. I also enjoyed Rhett and Laney's working relationship, which could range from funny to heart-breaking. I can honestly say that I'm glad there was no romantic aspect to their relationship, up to this point at least.
Aside from the fantastic characters, the world-building that goes into this story is also pretty fantastic. I liked all of the little details in the story making it all the more realistic. Another element I particularly enjoyed is actually being familiar with some of the cities they travel to or mention - there's even a shout-out to Columbus, Ohio, the capital of my home state.
I highly, highly recommend this fantastic new series opener from David Estes. If you've never read anything by Mr. Estes, you will not be disappointed if you start with Brew! I cannot wait to continue this awesome series with Boil, the sequel that sounds ever so promising!
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