DNF Review -The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy (3/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Historical Fantasy/Horror
Length: 336 pages
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Release Date: February 1, 2023
ASIN: B09XX78WN2
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: eBook from Amazon First Reads
Rating: 3/5 stars
“Blood and power bind three generations of women in the Ozark Mountains. So does an evil that’s followed them across the decades.
1931. Gracelynn Doherty lives peacefully on Tin Mountain, helping her adoptive granny work her cures. Despite whispers that the women are witches, the superstitious locals still seek them out, whether to remedy arthritis or a broken heart. But when evangelist Josiah Bellflower comes to town promising miracle healing, full bellies, and prosperity, his revivals soon hold Tin Mountain in thrall—and Granny in abject fear.
Granny recognizes Josiah. Fifty years ago, in a dark and desperate moment, she made a terrible promise. Now Josiah, an enemy, has returned to collect his due.
As Granny sickens and the drought-ridden countryside falls under a curse, Gracelynn must choose: flee Tin Mountain and the only family she knows, or confront the vengeful preacher whose unholy mission is to destroy her.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I got this on ebook through Amazon First Reads.
Thoughts: I stopped reading this about 20% of the way in. The story jumps between a character, Gracelynn, in the 1930’s and another character, Deirdre, in the 1880’s. I had a lot of trouble distinguishing between the two characters’ voices and was constantly having to go back to check what year the chapter was based in to figure it out. The story moved very slowly and at 20% in not a lot had actually happened.
Gracelynn and Deirdre are young women from different generations that live on Tin Mountain and work as healers under the tutelage of senior family women. We hear a lot about their day-to-day activities, as they try to help the villagers stay healthy even as they are suspected of witchcraft.
I just didn’t have any interest in this and decided to set it aside and read something else. I did get this for free through Amazon First Reads so no harm, no foul. This just wasn’t for me. I gave this 3 stars since I only read the first 20% of the book. In general I have found that many of the books offered through Amazon First Reads are fairly weak and not a great match for me. There have been a few exceptions to that but this wasn’t one of them.
My Summary (3/5): Overall this wasn’t for me. The two character voices we switch between are way too similar and not much had happened at 20% in. I don’t plan on finishing this one.
