The Witch Hunter by Virginia Boecker

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The Witch Hunter 

by Virginia Boecker

The year is 1558 and young Elizabeth is a witch hunter, a damn good one at that.  Orphaned at an early age, she and her friend Caleb found a home working for the king and bringing in witches; to be burned at the stake.

When Elizabeth herself is arrested for being a witch and thrown into prison, she's sure Caleb will come and rescue her.  What she never could have imagined, the world's most notorious wizard, Nicholas Perevil, has come to her rescue instead. 

At first she hopes that by turning in Perevil, she'll reclaim her spot as esteemed witch hunter, working for Lord Blackwell.  But what she comes to discover is that Lord Blackwell is not all that he seems to be.  

After her rescue, she meets other witches and wizards who live together with Perevil, including a handsome and charming healer named John.  Add to that, Nicholas Perevil is dying, and Elizabeth seems to be the one thing that can cure him.  

Will she find a home with this infamous group of witches and wizards?  Will Caleb come and find her and bring her home?  Which world will she pick.

***I thoroughly enjoyed this story of bravery and witchcraft!  My only complaint is that Elizabeth is accused of witchcraft because she is found with herbs that help end pregnancy.  She needs these herbs because she is a courtesan to the King.  This is a serious issue that is not addressed in the book; it is glossed over and only referred to.  The seriousness of this issue belies the levity of the story.  I'm not sure how Boecker could have married the two, but I wish that her crime was something more along the lines of herbs to make you stronger or trying to make a love potion.

Sway by Kat Spears

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Sway 

by Kat Spears

Sway is the story of Jesse.  Jesse is a fixer, you want it?  He can get it.  Drugs, girls, term papers; nothing is too big or too small for Jesse.  But these things come with a price.

Jesse is hired by the BMOC (do kids still use this term?) to get intel on Bridget, the school good-girl, so that she'll go out with him.  For a mere $200, Jesse tells Ken all that he needs to know to ensure that Bridget will fall for him.  What he wasn't expecting was that he'd fall for her as well.

Through this recon on Bridget, Jesse gets to know her brother Pete.  Pete has cerebral palsy, and despite Pete's best efforts to the contrary, Jesse likes Pete and they become friends.  However, Jesse doesn't have many friends and has to learn how to navigate this new relationship.  His feelings for Bridget also get in the way and Jesse manages to screw up just about every relationship he has.

Throw in Mr. Dunkleman, the man Jesse hired to pretend to be his grandfather, giving Jesse life advice, and you've got one dysfunctional scenario after another.   

Bridget is perfect, Pete has a disability, Ken is a "douche", Mr. Dunkleman is insightful and Jesse is just damaged.  The well crafted story of these characters will keep you up past your bed time, but the people that Spears has created will stick with you well after you've finished the last page!

The President's Shadow by Brad Meltzer

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The President's Shadow

by Brad Meltzer

The President's Shadow is the latest book in the Culper Ring series by Brad Meltzer.  Initially I was concerned about reading this particular book since I had no previously read any of the books in the Culper Ring series.  Turns out I had nothing to worry about!  Any information that I might have missed was easily explained by Meltzer and the story definitely stands on its own.

Beecher White works for the National Archives and also is a new recruit for the Culper Ring, a secret society started by George Washington to protect the presidency.  Nico Hadrian has just escaped St. Elizabeth's mental hospital in Washington D.C. when he attempted to assassinate the president of the United States.  Their fathers served in the same military unit when they were younger.  When the First Lady finds a severed body part in the Rose Garden, Beecher is the first person they call.  The only problem, Beecher can't stand the president, Orson Wallace.

Meltzer has written a face-paced thriller that I was unable to put down.  Told from each character's point of view, each chapter ends with a question mark.  Don't even try to tell yourself "one more chapter", you won't be able to do it!  Find a cozy chair, rainy day and cup of hot tea and get comfortable, The President's Shadow should be consumed in one prolonged serving!  (this would make a great beach read!)  Enjoy!