Scan barcode
A review by smalltowncreepy
Witch 13 by Patrick R. Delaney
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Witch 13 is a bloody, violent, unpredictable Holiday tale.
This story was deliciously eerie. The stormy night setting, rather than coming off as cliche, dropped me immediately into the dark mood of the book. Delaney doesn’t stop with visual description. He elegantly infuses all the senses until I was trapped in the setting, unable to put the book down. Everything from the damp, the sounds of the storm, the smells of rot and gingerbread, and the heart-racing experiences created a spider web that wrapped around me and didn’t let go until the end.
The setting and story had me more enthralled than the characters, I have to admit. I rarely pick up books that have cops as main characters but I’m glad I did this one even if I couldn’t really thrum up sympathy for Sterling. I just couldn’t figure out why she felt so hard done by the world. Yes, she is dealing with grief, but honestly, I felt like she was simply the female version of the older jock who was mourning their glory days.
Even Max, who I found to be the most sympathetic of characters, was weirdly written. In one moment he comes off as an older kid who is very smart and good with puzzles. In another moment he is calling his mother “Mommy” which my own 6 year old doesn’t even call me. Delaney does the same with other child characters, like he’s not entirely sure how to write them in their ages and blends the intellect of an older child with the emotional maturity of one very young. I don’t think this was necessary for sympathy or for being terrified of the Witch, since I found myself sympathizing and scared for them despite these discrepancies.
Even Max, who I found to be the most sympathetic of characters, was weirdly written. In one moment he comes off as an older kid who is very smart and good with puzzles. In another moment he is calling his mother “Mommy” which my own 6 year old doesn’t even call me. Delaney does the same with other child characters, like he’s not entirely sure how to write them in their ages and blends the intellect of an older child with the emotional maturity of one very young. I don’t think this was necessary for sympathy or for being terrified of the Witch, since I found myself sympathizing and scared for them despite these discrepancies.
The action and story line in this book, while compelling and exciting, I think would make an even better horror movie. Delaney has a knack for creating a scene that plays in technicolor in my mind. I could watch it play out and was even holding my breath in some moments, wondering what was going to happen. Would they live? How would they die? It was great!
If we ever are blessed by a Witch 13 movie – I could see it brilliantly done either by the makers of Silent Hill or by the studio that gave us Gretel and Hansel (or perhaps a collaboration for the best results). I felt both movies in how this books was written. The cop hero fighting monsters and dealing with interpersonal drama. The gore! And the eerie setting with fairy tale fear sprinkled on top.
If we ever are blessed by a Witch 13 movie – I could see it brilliantly done either by the makers of Silent Hill or by the studio that gave us Gretel and Hansel (or perhaps a collaboration for the best results). I felt both movies in how this books was written. The cop hero fighting monsters and dealing with interpersonal drama. The gore! And the eerie setting with fairy tale fear sprinkled on top.
Also, I LOVED the illustrations. I couldn’t find the artist name or clarify if Delaney did them himself or if it was the same artist as the cover designer, Ross Nischler, but whoever did them did a fantastic job.
Lastly, I think that Witch 13 would be well loved among the SCP community. For those unaware, SCP stands for Secure. Contain. Protect. The SCP Foundation could easily be the community Bill belongs to and that’s all I can say without spoiling too much of the story.
Recommendation
Lovers of Silent Hill, Gretal and Hansel, modern fairy tales, and the SCP Foundation will enjoy this winter tale as much as I have. Witch 13 by Patrick Delaney is an edge-of-your-seat ride into horror.