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bookworm_6's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
pewterwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Review Taken from The Pewter Wolf
Braden is a witch with the power to see the world as it truly is with his witch eyes. To see explosions of colours, of memories, and of spells. But with his witch eyes, he must pay a high price. When he sees a vision that puts his uncle in danger, Braden runs away to Belle Dam to protect him. Only to find himself in the middle of feud between two warring witch dynasties. But as the two heads of the families, Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe, are try desperately to use Braden's powers, Braden decides that he won't be pawn in their war.
But Belle Dam has secrets, lies and not everyone's motives are as clear cut as their first seem. Braden better watch his step...
I have a crush on the lead, Braden. I do! I want him to be my Fictional Boyfriend/Husband (so to all my blogger pals, BACK OFF!). He was just a character I instant connected with and rooted on. And when you fall in love with the lead of a novel as fast as I did (within the first few chapters), you know you're going to love the book. And to get that feeling is very rare for me...
As I stated in a earlier paragraph, not everything is a clear cut as their first seem. So, when you read this, you must keep that in mind as, often, the rug will be pulled out from under you. So, you have to hold on to your hats.
Now, this book isn't perfect. Let me say this now before I go "Oh, Braden! He's a dream-boat!". First, the love interest, Trey. I have real trouble trying to figure him out and to understand why Braden has fallen for him. He kept changing. One moment, he was a nice guy. The next, he was a mindless soldier. It was impossible for me to warm to him. The second was the twists. There were several, but two were revealed in the synopsis. WHY?! Why did the publisher do that?!
I wish I read Witch Eyes sooner. And I can't wait till October for the sequel, Demon Eyes (have you seen the cover?!) is released. Not sure how I can cope till then, but there's a prequel, Homecoming, that I plan to read in the coming months...
Braden is a witch with the power to see the world as it truly is with his witch eyes. To see explosions of colours, of memories, and of spells. But with his witch eyes, he must pay a high price. When he sees a vision that puts his uncle in danger, Braden runs away to Belle Dam to protect him. Only to find himself in the middle of feud between two warring witch dynasties. But as the two heads of the families, Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe, are try desperately to use Braden's powers, Braden decides that he won't be pawn in their war.
But Belle Dam has secrets, lies and not everyone's motives are as clear cut as their first seem. Braden better watch his step...
I have a crush on the lead, Braden. I do! I want him to be my Fictional Boyfriend/Husband (so to all my blogger pals, BACK OFF!). He was just a character I instant connected with and rooted on. And when you fall in love with the lead of a novel as fast as I did (within the first few chapters), you know you're going to love the book. And to get that feeling is very rare for me...
As I stated in a earlier paragraph, not everything is a clear cut as their first seem. So, when you read this, you must keep that in mind as, often, the rug will be pulled out from under you. So, you have to hold on to your hats.
Now, this book isn't perfect. Let me say this now before I go "Oh, Braden! He's a dream-boat!". First, the love interest, Trey. I have real trouble trying to figure him out and to understand why Braden has fallen for him. He kept changing. One moment, he was a nice guy. The next, he was a mindless soldier. It was impossible for me to warm to him. The second was the twists. There were several, but two were revealed in the synopsis. WHY?! Why did the publisher do that?!
I wish I read Witch Eyes sooner. And I can't wait till October for the sequel, Demon Eyes (have you seen the cover?!) is released. Not sure how I can cope till then, but there's a prequel, Homecoming, that I plan to read in the coming months...
tani's review against another edition
1.0
The voice was fresh enough and flowed quite well, so that when I first started I thought the book would end up being an enjoyable and quick read.
Except the part where I ended up hating pretty much all the characters, except Jade. Also the part where everything was so muddled that I couldn't figure out what direction I wanted Braden to leap. Or the part where I didn't even really care because I felt no connection with Braden whatsoever.
In short, a disappointment, through and through. One series I will definitively not be continuing.
Edited 10/2/13 - Was looking back through the books I've read this past year and had a moment of, 'Wait, I gave that book two stars when this other book only got one? WTF?' So, knocking this down to one star, as I have no pleasant memories that have survived the passage of time.
Except the part where I ended up hating pretty much all the characters, except Jade. Also the part where everything was so muddled that I couldn't figure out what direction I wanted Braden to leap. Or the part where I didn't even really care because I felt no connection with Braden whatsoever.
In short, a disappointment, through and through. One series I will definitively not be continuing.
Edited 10/2/13 - Was looking back through the books I've read this past year and had a moment of, 'Wait, I gave that book two stars when this other book only got one? WTF?' So, knocking this down to one star, as I have no pleasant memories that have survived the passage of time.
christajls's review
4.0
This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic
One of the really challenging things about putting together YA Pride is finding more than just contemporary titles to feature. Thankfully there are amazing books like Witch Eyes! A paranormal tale with a great mystery and a pair of star crossed lovers.
Witch Eyes is primarily the story of one, young, witch named Braden. First of all can I say how much I love that this book didn’t stray into the whole “witches are girls, warlocks/wizards are boys” because seriously do we really need to gender witches? But anyways, back to Braden. Braden has lived a secluded with his uncle, but he has questions. Lots of questions that his uncle just can’t answer. So he returns to his family’s home in Belle Dam to find some answers.
I loved Braden. I loved his personality. He was strong, and stubborn and hilariously sarcastic. I think Braden and I would be great friends. I also loved that he’s continuously asking why. I can instantly relate to a character who is never happy with the status quo. And even though he gets scared like a normal person he still barrels in head first when things need to be done. He learns new things, asks tough questions and at times even puts himself in the line of fire. Overall, I found him an admirable and interesting character and I really enjoyed reading about them.
I was also blown away by the way Scott Tracey described the magical moments in this book. Primarily when Braden takes off his glasses and observes the world around him with his witch eyes. Gorgeous writing! Poetry really. It’s a really unique style and magic system. I wish it had been explained a little bit more, because I have a lot of questions about the mechanics. But it is the first book in a series so I’m hoping there’s more explanations to come.
I’m still a little unsold on the love story element. In Belle Dam there are two competing families. The Lansings and the Thorpes. Braden is the son of Jason Thorpe, and unfortunately for him he falls for a boy named Trey – the son of Catherine Lansing. It’s sort of a Romeo and Romeo story. I did find myself rooting for Trey and Braden but I’m not 100% pro-Trey in general. I found him a little short sighted and dramatic. But again this is the first book of a series so who know what might happen.
Recommendation: Witch Eyes is one of the first witch books I’ve really enjoyed. It’s a compelling story and the magic system is fascinating. An incredibly unique book.
One of the really challenging things about putting together YA Pride is finding more than just contemporary titles to feature. Thankfully there are amazing books like Witch Eyes! A paranormal tale with a great mystery and a pair of star crossed lovers.
Witch Eyes is primarily the story of one, young, witch named Braden. First of all can I say how much I love that this book didn’t stray into the whole “witches are girls, warlocks/wizards are boys” because seriously do we really need to gender witches? But anyways, back to Braden. Braden has lived a secluded with his uncle, but he has questions. Lots of questions that his uncle just can’t answer. So he returns to his family’s home in Belle Dam to find some answers.
I loved Braden. I loved his personality. He was strong, and stubborn and hilariously sarcastic. I think Braden and I would be great friends. I also loved that he’s continuously asking why. I can instantly relate to a character who is never happy with the status quo. And even though he gets scared like a normal person he still barrels in head first when things need to be done. He learns new things, asks tough questions and at times even puts himself in the line of fire. Overall, I found him an admirable and interesting character and I really enjoyed reading about them.
I was also blown away by the way Scott Tracey described the magical moments in this book. Primarily when Braden takes off his glasses and observes the world around him with his witch eyes. Gorgeous writing! Poetry really. It’s a really unique style and magic system. I wish it had been explained a little bit more, because I have a lot of questions about the mechanics. But it is the first book in a series so I’m hoping there’s more explanations to come.
I’m still a little unsold on the love story element. In Belle Dam there are two competing families. The Lansings and the Thorpes. Braden is the son of Jason Thorpe, and unfortunately for him he falls for a boy named Trey – the son of Catherine Lansing. It’s sort of a Romeo and Romeo story. I did find myself rooting for Trey and Braden but I’m not 100% pro-Trey in general. I found him a little short sighted and dramatic. But again this is the first book of a series so who know what might happen.
Recommendation: Witch Eyes is one of the first witch books I’ve really enjoyed. It’s a compelling story and the magic system is fascinating. An incredibly unique book.
kristid's review against another edition
4.0
Witch Eyes is an action packed, suspenseful read with forbidden love and a family feud of epic proportions that will leave you wanting more!
Witches Eyes was unlike any other witch story I’ve read. I think it had to do with a lot of the characters themselves. And of course the awesome story. Braden. What is so great about him. He’s original. He’s sarcastic. I love a good dosage of sarcasm and Braden was always there to deliver. His visions and his sensitivity to those around him, it was very easy to feel empathetic to his character. It was easy to root for him and Trey, and it was easy to root for him and his kick ass abilities! If I had one witch on my side, I’d want it to be Braden.
I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this novel. I wasn’t really anticipating that, and I can’t wait to see more of that in which I will hope be future novels! I want to know more about Belle Dam and the families that are centered around it’s history.
This was a fantastic debut! You should definitely add it to your Debut Reading Challenge Lists if you haven’t already!
A unique and engaging story, that’s much more than just a witchy tale! Be prepared to fall in love with a new cast of characters and me swept up in the mystique of Belle Dam!
Witches Eyes was unlike any other witch story I’ve read. I think it had to do with a lot of the characters themselves. And of course the awesome story. Braden. What is so great about him. He’s original. He’s sarcastic. I love a good dosage of sarcasm and Braden was always there to deliver. His visions and his sensitivity to those around him, it was very easy to feel empathetic to his character. It was easy to root for him and Trey, and it was easy to root for him and his kick ass abilities! If I had one witch on my side, I’d want it to be Braden.
I also really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this novel. I wasn’t really anticipating that, and I can’t wait to see more of that in which I will hope be future novels! I want to know more about Belle Dam and the families that are centered around it’s history.
This was a fantastic debut! You should definitely add it to your Debut Reading Challenge Lists if you haven’t already!
A unique and engaging story, that’s much more than just a witchy tale! Be prepared to fall in love with a new cast of characters and me swept up in the mystique of Belle Dam!
daffz's review
4.0
I admit I mostly started reading this book because the main character is gay, I'm always looking for books with LGBT characters that aren't necessarily only about LGBT issues. That said, I'm really glad I picked it up because I really liked it.
Witch Eyes combines magic with the normal world in a really interesting way and I loved the atmosphere in Belle Dam. I feel like this book did a great job setting up for the rest of the series, but that remains to be seen. I do hope some of the characters in town get a little more development.
Witch Eyes combines magic with the normal world in a really interesting way and I loved the atmosphere in Belle Dam. I feel like this book did a great job setting up for the rest of the series, but that remains to be seen. I do hope some of the characters in town get a little more development.
zoraidasolo's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderfully strange magics and a heartbreaking love story. Life's a witch...
bookswithlukas's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but not great either. It was hard to get excited by this...kind of Romeo and Juliet, but with witches...although I do commend the lack of insta love, and cheesy romance scenes.
booksthatburn's review
Random misogyny towards someone the protagonist has barely interacted with.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
ashreads10k's review
5.0
If you're looking for something different, exciting, and very well written in a YA paranormal novel, then Witch Eyes is it.
I blew through Witch Eyes in one night! Once I started it, I just couldn't stop. It's a relatively short novel, but it packs quite a punch. From the very beginning, the action is non-stop, and it never once lets up.
Normally, when we think of witches, our mind immediately jumps the conclusion that it's a girl. The great part about Witch Eyes is that it's a male protagonist. I haven't read many books where the narrator is male, so it was fun to read something out of the box. I liked Braden, although I felt like in the beginning he made a stupid decision. But he makes up for it as the novel unfolds and the mystery gets murkier.
Even happens pretty quickly, which is both a good and bad thing. Good because, well, it's action-y. Bad because I wanted more of Braden and Trey! I wouldn't call them an official couple quite yet, but they have strong feelings for each other, and I wanted to see more of the build up. Still, the ending killed me. They need to be together! Trey is a great guy, his heritage aside. I hope they can find a way to make it work!
I whole-heartedly recommend Witch Eyes! Loved it! 5 out of 5 stars.
I blew through Witch Eyes in one night! Once I started it, I just couldn't stop. It's a relatively short novel, but it packs quite a punch. From the very beginning, the action is non-stop, and it never once lets up.
Normally, when we think of witches, our mind immediately jumps the conclusion that it's a girl. The great part about Witch Eyes is that it's a male protagonist. I haven't read many books where the narrator is male, so it was fun to read something out of the box. I liked Braden, although I felt like in the beginning he made a stupid decision. But he makes up for it as the novel unfolds and the mystery gets murkier.
Even happens pretty quickly, which is both a good and bad thing. Good because, well, it's action-y. Bad because I wanted more of Braden and Trey! I wouldn't call them an official couple quite yet, but they have strong feelings for each other, and I wanted to see more of the build up. Still, the ending killed me. They need to be together! Trey is a great guy, his heritage aside. I hope they can find a way to make it work!
I whole-heartedly recommend Witch Eyes! Loved it! 5 out of 5 stars.