The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Series: The Witches of Echo Park #1
Published by ACE
Published on: January 6, 2015
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Unbeknownst to most of humankind, a powerful network of witches thrives within the shadows of society, using their magic to keep the world in balance. But they are being eliminated—and we will all pay if their power falls…
When Elyse MacAllister’s great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets—extraordinary secrets—from her.
Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora’s Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril—for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last…
I don’t know how I have managed to not read anything by this author until now. I do know that I fully intend on continuing reading this new series after reading this book. For me, it was a different sort of read, usually a good thing!
Witches exist, and are alive, and maybe not all exactly well, in the Echo Park area of LA. Eleanora is the leader of the Echo Park Coven, and has called her grand-niece, Lyse, to inform her of her impending death. Eleanora and Lyse are each other’s only family, so Lyse is devastated and immediately flies to LA from her home in Georgia. Once there she gets initiated into the coven, something she never knew anything about before now. Although Eleanora’s diagnosis is bad, she still is able to get around, and hopes to take this time to train Lyse as a witch. But there is something wicked that is happening behind the scenes, and the action ramps up when mysterious men start arriving in the area.
To me, there are two main characters of this book-both Eleanora and Lyse. A good portion of the book is the back story of Eleanora, and I found it to be more compelling then Lyse’s now story. That doesn’t mean that Lyse was boring or anything. She is capable as a half owner of a plant nursery(earth magic), educated, and closing in on thirty. She also spends a good part of the book thinking her aunt is delusional due to her illness-and she couldn’t be more wrong. Eleanora is a very outspoken, strong willed, and a very talented witch. She has hid this part of her life from Lyse, ever since Lyse began living with her as a young teenager. So it’s no wonder Lyse is completely confused about all that is happening. The other members of the coven were so fully realized by the author that each member has characteristics that stand out for the reader. Sometimes I have problems keeping characters straight in my head, when a group is involved, not so here. Of course there is also a love interest named Weir, but he wasn’t as important to the story as the coven-yet.
I did have some problems with this book. It’s an adult book but the author utilizes insta-love, and I found that to be a bit unbelievable. The ending, while not a cliffhanger, left a major plot point that was mentioned several times unexplained, and that bothered me. I know it’s the beginning of a series, but I was left with a bit of an unfulfilled feeling at the end because of this. And lastly, I am still on the fence about Lyse as a character. I liked her, but sometimes she was just a bit too quirky in her actions for my taste. The author’s realistic view of a women who finds out she is not what she always thought she was her whole life? That’s just one of the things I want to find out in the next book.
And yes I fully intend to read the next book. Why? Because I was pretty fascinated with the whole story. Sure it had problems, lots of first books in a series do at some point. None of the problems were enough to make me not want to read the next one. I want to find out about the plot point that didn’t get explained. I want to see where the insta-love goes because it does show promise and I did really like Weir’s character. But most of all, I want to read more about these witches, their lives, and the ghosts they are surrounded by. And yes there are ghosts in this story.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I don’t read many books about witches but this one sounds more than interesting enough and I’m quite intrigued after reading your review Lorna!
4 stars is quite enough of a recommendation for me to definitely add it to my books-to-check-out list!
Pili recently posted…Tell Me Tuesdays #23!!
I was kinda on the fence about the 4 and I think if I had had the chance to do a 3.75 I would have gone with that, because there are some problems. At the end of the day though, I did like the book 🙂
Darn on the insta-love but sounds pretty great still. I’d been eyeing this one. I’ve not tried her books either. Something for 2015 😀
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…Montana Actually (Medicine River #1) by Fiona Lowe (@BerkleyRomance)
Yes, I have a bunch I want to eventually get to as well, problem is, more and more books keep coming out that I want to read.I will never have enough time to get to them all!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Great review Lorna! :] This does sound quite interesting. I’m not the biggest fan of witches and covens, but your review has convinced me to definitely go check this book out!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I just got a copy of this to review, glad to hear you enjoyed it! I haven’t read a witch themed story in a while so I’m looking forward to it, great review.
Lori recently posted…One Month of Elle Kennedy {Promo + Giveaway}
Thanks! I hope you like it. I know the reviews are all over the place, and I actually almost gave it 3.5, but I did like it!
I love getting peoples different opinions on things. You really seemed to like this one but the other review on it I seen they didn’t like it much..now I am currious..lol. 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Review of The Falconer
Yes, there were definitely problems I had with it, and I almost went lower then 4, but I think the author has set up a series that has a chance to become a good series-hopefully!
I am a sucker for anything witch-y related and I think this is going to be a must read for me!
Wonderful review. 🙂
kindlemom1 recently posted…Release Day Post: Contradictions by Tiffany King!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Thanks for the review, I read another one that made me hesitant, but yours points out things I think I will like enough that I might grab this on audio. I find that some things are less bothersome when they are read aloud by someone than when I read them myself. I just love witch stuff but it’s not been easy finding much that gets me really excited in the past few years.
Rhianna recently posted…Release Day: CALL SIGN KARMA by Jamie Rae [+ giveaway!]
As I said in previous comments, I has hesitant also with the 4 rating, and was wishing I had a 3.75 option. If you try it, I hope you like it!
I was really surprised about the insta love type vibe there as well. I agree Eleanor was a much more interesting character compared to Lyse and really I didn’t much care for Lyse her character was very ehhhh just not for me. Personally though I gave this around a 2star because it read to me more like a 300 page prologue instead of a novel. Glad to hear you enjoyed it though…I won’t be continuing.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Yes I did have problems with the book. I went back and forth between 3.5 and 4 and went with 4 because I do want to see where it was going. Sorry you didn’t like it though 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I wAS just over at Caffeinated review reading her review. Fascinating how people read the same book but has different take on it. When I read hers I though “well maybe not for me” but after this I’m now like “maybe”.
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Gush & Gripe: 2015 Non-Resolutions (Gripes Ahead)
Yes I know that lots of people didn’t like this book.I did have problems, in fact, I re-wrote the review because I had written about too many problems,and I just wanted to be more positive because I did, in the end, want to read the next one 🙂
I like your attitude, I dislike dissuading people from reading a book I didn’t enjoy coz their experience might be the complete better than mine. There are exceptions of course LOL
I tweeted your review but forgot to tag you. Happy 2015 Lorna!
Thank you! Happy New Year to you too!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
i haven’t read anything by this author either but i was tempted by this book… i’m still interested but i will perthaps wait until book 2 is release to avoid teh angst at the end and teh insta love i ‘m not sure how i feel about it
miki recently posted…HAPPY NEW YEAR BONNE ANNEE
Yeah, insta love in an adult book bothered me too. I also had problems with the end but I do want to find out more about the other witches and what the big problem is that is coming their way.
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I have seen someone like it, not like it, and well, sure maybe for me
blodeuedd recently posted…Trust no one – Jayne Ann Krentz
Yes there is certainly a lot of people that didn’t like it and some of us that did. So it’s just to each her own as far as what you like. I hope that made sense 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I read another review for this one today that had a slightly lower rating but similar issues. I have heard her other series is only so-so (though as always that’s a matter of opinion- it seems that’s ALL I’ve heard so far). I’m pretty intrigued by this one though and I might have to fit it in one of these days.
Candace recently posted…Cover Reveal: Garden by Jane Yates~ a Middle Grade Steampunk
Yes I guess it would be a boring world if everyone liked the same things 🙂 To be honest, I haven’t heard that much about this author so I had no idea, and I wanted to like it, and except for some issues, I did.
You probably enjoyed this more than I did, but like you I want to find out what happens too! Too bad I didn’t enjoy myself for most of the book because it was just too slow at the beginning, but I glad to see things finally start getting more exciting towards the end when things started coming together.
Mogsy recently posted…Book Review: The Providence of Fire by Brian Staveley
Yes it was slow and I really was not happy that she never explained the whole problem that is supposed to be the BIG THING. I wanted to like it a lot more then I did 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I’ve not read to many witch paranormals or UFs, but this has some promise and its the beginning of a series.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: Wolf’s Capture by Eve Langlais
Yes it’s the beginning and I really hope it gets better from here 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I’m pretty intrigued myself, Lorna. I’m a fan of witches. *ha* The story sounds good and it must be if you’re going to read the next installment despite the issues you had. I’ll be interested to see what you think of Lyse once you’ve read the next one…and I hope your questions are answered. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**#ShelfLove ~ My To-Be-Read Shelves**
Thanks! There were issues, but I am willing to give it the benefit of the doubt because it was a first book and a set up for a series. I just hope the next one doesn’t leave so many questions 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Great review Lorna. I struggled with this as you know. The whole YA vibe was weird, but I did find the characters intriguing. I will be curious to see how things develop in book two..this could go either way.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Yes Lyse certainly didn’t act her age! And you’re right it could go either way and if the next one still has major issues, then it will be my last one read in the series 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I think I’m going to wait (I’m used to doing that..lol) to see what you think about the next book. The isnta love kind of bugs me, but if the character are good than it’s a maybe, it’s a shame coz is on audio 🙁 so I’m definitely will be checking out your review for next book.
Thanks Lorna 🙂
Lupdilup recently posted…Best Audiobook Narrations of 2014 (My Choices)
Yes, unless it’s a shifter mate bond thing,or a teenage thing, I am not a fan of insta-love. I understand insta-lust better!
I love books about witches and the way they are explored here sounds really fascinating, and there are ghosts as well? Thanks for the review Lorna, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jeann recently posted…All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven Review: Crying All the Tears
Yes, witches and ghosts 🙂 Thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I do have some of her books, but have not read them yet. After all, she did play Tara in Buffy! But I do have a fondness of witches and I want to read this. Although I hate insta-love.
aurian recently posted…Recommendations from Maia for January 2015.
Yes, not a fan of insta love here either 🙂 I saw the Buffy movie, but didn’t watch the tv show so I am not familiar with her as an actress.
Thanks Aurian! I was just going to point out that the author is a Buffy alum!
I read the first book in Amber’s first series back several years ago and recall that I DNF’d it and if I remember correctly, it was for a lot of the immature issues you point out. I didn’t hate the book, but I just couldn’t get into it even though I wanted to. I had hoped her writing matured more over time, but it doesn’t sound like it. Thanks for the review.
Jen Twimom recently posted…Review: Fragmented by Stephanie Tyler
The more comments I read, the more I am wondering how well I will like the next book. The 4 I gave it was after going back and forth between 3.5 and 4. So the 4 is an iffy 4.
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
I’m not familiar with this author but love books about witches, will have to give this one a try.
Kristina D recently posted…New Releases ~ week of 1/5/2015
I hope it works for you!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
YAY! I have been wanting to read this one for ages, but I’ve seen some less than stellar reviews for it lately. It’s nice to see that the book works for some people…hopefully I’ll be one of the ones who likes it! Eleanora sounds like a character that I will like.
Danya recently posted…Graphic Novels, Tough Chicks: Vol. 8
Eleanora was my favorite character of the book. Her back story was probably the best part of the book, but also very emotional, and at time horrific as well. If you try this, I hope you like it!
The story set up does sound good, and I like the cover. I haven’t seen much abotu this one around
If you like witches and some weirdness in your characters, you may like this 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: The Witches of Echo Park by Amber Benson
Glad to finally see someone who liked this book! I’ve had this one on my radar because I enjoy witchy books and, as a Buffy fan, I feel almost required to read something by Amber Benson. Thanks for your review!
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