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Otherworld #11
Waking the Witch
Columbus is a small town, untouched by the 21st century. But when three young women are found dead - victims of what appear to be ritual murders - things start to get very dark and dangerous. Private investigator Savannah Levine can handle "dark and dangerous". As the daughter of a black witch, she has a lot of power running through her veins. But her arrival in Columbus has not gone unnoticed. Savannah may think she's tracking down a murderer, but could she be the killer's next target? Of course she could always ask her old friend (and half-demon) Adam Vasic for back up. But Savannah has her own reasons for keeping Adam well away from Columbus. And in any case, she can rely on her own powers...
Waking the Witch , the 11th book in the Women of the Otherworld series, is a novel of gritty suspense and tingling build-up, culminating in a fast-paced and revelatory conclusion that is not to be missed.
Waking the Witch , the 11th book in the Women of the Otherworld series, is a novel of gritty suspense and tingling build-up, culminating in a fast-paced and revelatory conclusion that is not to be missed.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 27, 2010
281 people are currently reading
11851 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
302 books33.5k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,017 reviews
August 4, 2021
I loved Savannah finally getting her own story, don’t get me wrong.
But I also thought this story was a little weak for her. She is one of the strongest women written in this series. Ever since she was a kid she gave no craps about anyone and will do whatever the hell she wants to do because that is what she wants to do.
I understand that she has grown up and everything like that, but that kind of spunk doesn’t just die.
What I am happy about, is that her story isn’t done. If I am correct, the next books are all hers. It kind of feels like an actual series because we were left with a cliff hanger and it continues on; very unlike the rest of the series where we get closure for the narrator at the time.
I am not going to go into the actual story besides saying that girls were murdered, there might be some supernatural-ness behind it, Savannah investigates it all by herself (first case of her own), there’s a commune of young girls who bake cookies, and Savannah sees her past self in a young, spunky school-aged girl.
Needless today, I was a little sad but a little happy with the aspect of a story that covers three books.
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HOLY CRAP THE BIG BAD HERSELF IS BACK. AHHH. This is the first book in this series that ended on a cliffhanger and I'm not happy about it.
But I also thought this story was a little weak for her. She is one of the strongest women written in this series. Ever since she was a kid she gave no craps about anyone and will do whatever the hell she wants to do because that is what she wants to do.
I understand that she has grown up and everything like that, but that kind of spunk doesn’t just die.
What I am happy about, is that her story isn’t done. If I am correct, the next books are all hers. It kind of feels like an actual series because we were left with a cliff hanger and it continues on; very unlike the rest of the series where we get closure for the narrator at the time.
I am not going to go into the actual story besides saying that girls were murdered, there might be some supernatural-ness behind it, Savannah investigates it all by herself (first case of her own), there’s a commune of young girls who bake cookies, and Savannah sees her past self in a young, spunky school-aged girl.
Needless today, I was a little sad but a little happy with the aspect of a story that covers three books.
-
HOLY CRAP THE BIG BAD HERSELF IS BACK. AHHH. This is the first book in this series that ended on a cliffhanger and I'm not happy about it.
September 26, 2010
2.5 stars, rounded up to a very, very, very generous 3-star rating.
Waking The Witch is an installment of the Women of the Otherworld series that I don't see myself ever re-reading. This is sad because I had been looking forward to finally reading a Savannah book for a long time.
I remember Savannah a 12-year old spoiled, petulant girl and later a determined, brash, strong, sassy and refreshingly selfish woman and a powerful witch who hates authority, goes after what she wants, can kick ass, despises humans and whose only weakness is her girl crush on Adam. That's who she was as we saw her through the eyes of Paige, Jaime, Elena and other narrators of earlier Otherworld books and that's the way I loved her. The Savannah we get in this novel is pretty much a boring and timid Hope Adams clone who is apparently slightly depressed, has no spunk and no guts to actively pursue the man of her dreams preferring instead to settle for random hookups. Who is this woman? Let me tell you, not someone I care to read about. I expected this book to be about a young woman who would raise mayhem and unleash her super powers. I expected Savannah to go after Adam with all her determination and forces. I expected sparks to fly between the two. No luck here.
Now onto the plot itself. You know, I wonder why Armstrong started writing urban fantasy because it seems she prefers writing mysteries. I have nothing against mysteries per se, but if not grounded in paranormal, hers are weak. This book can be considered urban fantasy only because the main character is a witch. Otherwise, substitute cover spells with hiding in dark corners and knockback spells with a good kick, and there is nothing paranormal left in this story. The mystery itself is mediocre at best, because there is absolutely no way for readers to guess who the villain is. Speaking of the villain, the villain's motivation makes hardly any sense, the final result can be achieved much easier without this convoluted plan and murders.
Some readers also mention the cliff-hanger ending. Yes, there is one, but it is lame and unnecessary IMO. It surely won't make me lose my sleep.
To sum it up, Waking The Witch is a throwaway addition to the series - the mystery is lame, the narrator is boring, and romance is non-existent. But somehow it is written better than the majority of new UF and this is the only excuse for my very generous rating.
Waking The Witch is an installment of the Women of the Otherworld series that I don't see myself ever re-reading. This is sad because I had been looking forward to finally reading a Savannah book for a long time.
I remember Savannah a 12-year old spoiled, petulant girl and later a determined, brash, strong, sassy and refreshingly selfish woman and a powerful witch who hates authority, goes after what she wants, can kick ass, despises humans and whose only weakness is her girl crush on Adam. That's who she was as we saw her through the eyes of Paige, Jaime, Elena and other narrators of earlier Otherworld books and that's the way I loved her. The Savannah we get in this novel is pretty much a boring and timid Hope Adams clone who is apparently slightly depressed, has no spunk and no guts to actively pursue the man of her dreams preferring instead to settle for random hookups. Who is this woman? Let me tell you, not someone I care to read about. I expected this book to be about a young woman who would raise mayhem and unleash her super powers. I expected Savannah to go after Adam with all her determination and forces. I expected sparks to fly between the two. No luck here.
Now onto the plot itself. You know, I wonder why Armstrong started writing urban fantasy because it seems she prefers writing mysteries. I have nothing against mysteries per se, but if not grounded in paranormal, hers are weak. This book can be considered urban fantasy only because the main character is a witch. Otherwise, substitute cover spells with hiding in dark corners and knockback spells with a good kick, and there is nothing paranormal left in this story. The mystery itself is mediocre at best, because there is absolutely no way for readers to guess who the villain is. Speaking of the villain, the villain's motivation makes hardly any sense, the final result can be achieved much easier without this convoluted plan and murders.
Some readers also mention the cliff-hanger ending. Yes, there is one, but it is lame and unnecessary IMO. It surely won't make me lose my sleep.
To sum it up, Waking The Witch is a throwaway addition to the series - the mystery is lame, the narrator is boring, and romance is non-existent. But somehow it is written better than the majority of new UF and this is the only excuse for my very generous rating.
July 15, 2015
Synopsis:The orphaned daughter of a sorcerer and a half-demon, Savannah is a terrifyingly powerful young witch who has never been able to resist the chance to throw her magical weight around. But at 21 she knows she needs to grow up and prove to her guardians, Paige and Lucas, that she can be a responsible member of their supernatural detective agency. So she jumps at the chance to fly solo, investigating the mysterious deaths of three young women in a nearby factory town as a favour to one of the agency’s associates. At first glance, the murders look garden-variety human, but on closer inspection signs point to otherworldly stakes.
Soon Savannah is in over her head. She’s run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker, and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn’t her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she’s ever had to learn.
Having first met Savannah in Stolen as a teenager. I have been waiting for her book. A witch with powerful supernatural gifts, inherited from her dark and dead witch mother, she is now grown up and working with Paige and Lucas in their supernatural detective agency.
I wasn’t sure how I would like her book…but ...hey… I did…a lot!!!! She’s now a favorite character of mine in this series. She has certainly grown up…
I would have liked to have seen more of a romance between Savannah and Adam Vasic, the half-demon who is helping her…what a gorgeous guy….
The new character, Kayla is really interesting and hopefully we get to see her in the next books.
Most of the plot has a resolution in the end but there is a cliffhanger….which I can’t wait to find out more in the next book!
Kelley Armstrong has written such a spell-binding and exciting series and I cannot get enough!!!1
Soon Savannah is in over her head. She’s run off the road and nearly killed, haunted by a mystery stalker, and freaked out when the brother of one of the dead women is murdered when he tries to investigate the crime. To complicate things, something weird is happening to her powers. Pitted against shamans, demons, a voodoo-inflected cult and garden-variety goons, Savannah has to fight to ensure her first case isn’t her last. And she also has to ask for help, perhaps the hardest lesson she’s ever had to learn.
Having first met Savannah in Stolen as a teenager. I have been waiting for her book. A witch with powerful supernatural gifts, inherited from her dark and dead witch mother, she is now grown up and working with Paige and Lucas in their supernatural detective agency.
I wasn’t sure how I would like her book…but ...hey… I did…a lot!!!! She’s now a favorite character of mine in this series. She has certainly grown up…
“Tall and slender, she wore a midriff-baring black T-shirt, red slim fitting jeans and knee high boots. Her dark hair was gathered back in a hastily tied knot. Oversized dark shades partially obscured her face but showed a strong, fine bone structure, worthy of a runway model.Getting an insight into Savannah’s history made me warm up to her.
I would have liked to have seen more of a romance between Savannah and Adam Vasic, the half-demon who is helping her…what a gorgeous guy….
“We’d been inside for less than five minutes before every girl there had checked out the new arrival. Adam isn’t drop-dead gorgeous. He’s cute, though. Seriously cute. Short, wavy dark blond hair, a perpetual tan, and an athletic build. He looks like is a guy that a girl could talk to, someone who’d flirt and make you laugh and look you in the eye while he’s doing it. In other words, he looks like exactly the kind of guy he is, and girls love it.”
The new character, Kayla is really interesting and hopefully we get to see her in the next books.
Most of the plot has a resolution in the end but there is a cliffhanger….which I can’t wait to find out more in the next book!
Kelley Armstrong has written such a spell-binding and exciting series and I cannot get enough!!!1
May 7, 2024
Starting with this one, the last three books of the series are primarily told through Savannah's point of view. We've seen her since the second book of the series, Stolen, first as a young girl and now finally as an adult. In Stolen she meets Elena and works her way into the wolf pack as a friend, while she is adopted by Paige for the third and fourth books. Everyone know her name, and now she finally gets to go out on her own for her first investigative case.
Savannah isn't as compassionate at first as some of the other heroines, but that's understandable and she grows up me. I do like her dark side contrasting with what you typically expect from a heroine. She has some sarcasm that works depending on the situation, but she's a little too stubborn. She's strong for most of the book, but something happens which weakens her. That's annoying for awhile but it ties into the main story eventually.
Armstrong not only switched point of view here, but Savannah is in a completely new small-town setting in order to work the case. Adam comes around, but overall this book is unusually isolated from regular characters. We get mentions through phone calls but that's mainly it.
Adam shows up but doesn't excite yet as a companion, although he's sweet at the end. This was one of the book's biggest disappointments, too. Finally we get Adam, who charmed me in the third book and who has had to wait his turn for over six books. When he shows on page there's nothing other than friendship, little tension, and it just doesn't deliver like I was expecting.
There's a sad turn in this book that keeps the story personal. The actual investigation intrigued me and kept me hooked as there was a legit mystery to solve, even if it wasn't her strongest. I sort of guessed the ending twist with the betrayal, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Not the best of the series, but certainly worth reading. It's a book that shouldn't' be skipped as it lays the groundwork for the final two books and the major ending story arch of the series.
Savannah isn't as compassionate at first as some of the other heroines, but that's understandable and she grows up me. I do like her dark side contrasting with what you typically expect from a heroine. She has some sarcasm that works depending on the situation, but she's a little too stubborn. She's strong for most of the book, but something happens which weakens her. That's annoying for awhile but it ties into the main story eventually.
Armstrong not only switched point of view here, but Savannah is in a completely new small-town setting in order to work the case. Adam comes around, but overall this book is unusually isolated from regular characters. We get mentions through phone calls but that's mainly it.
Adam shows up but doesn't excite yet as a companion, although he's sweet at the end. This was one of the book's biggest disappointments, too. Finally we get Adam, who charmed me in the third book and who has had to wait his turn for over six books. When he shows on page there's nothing other than friendship, little tension, and it just doesn't deliver like I was expecting.
There's a sad turn in this book that keeps the story personal. The actual investigation intrigued me and kept me hooked as there was a legit mystery to solve, even if it wasn't her strongest. I sort of guessed the ending twist with the betrayal, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment.
Not the best of the series, but certainly worth reading. It's a book that shouldn't' be skipped as it lays the groundwork for the final two books and the major ending story arch of the series.
September 28, 2017
I really enjoyed Savannah's point of view and the mystery in this one.
I do have to say that
I do have to say that
May 28, 2019
Finally! Savannah's own book! The story from Eve was one of my favourites in this series so I was delighted when I learnt this one would feature Savannah as the lead.
I love the witches in this series, the books are so fun to read! The characterisation is perfect as each book represents a character and you really do get close to them all. I did however expect a little more from this book, Savannah is feisty and we did see a bit of it in this book but not as much as I was hoping. The story line did get a little too twisted for me at parts, I got a little lost, but I kept with it and for once could not see where it was going. This does leave you on a little cliffhanger, and can we just have a moment to appreciate the whole Adam situation??!!
Having already purchased the next book which is currently resting on my bedside table, I do know Savannahs story continues, I can't wait, I just hope it packs more of a punch than this one. Something tells me we are just getting started.
I love the witches in this series, the books are so fun to read! The characterisation is perfect as each book represents a character and you really do get close to them all. I did however expect a little more from this book, Savannah is feisty and we did see a bit of it in this book but not as much as I was hoping. The story line did get a little too twisted for me at parts, I got a little lost, but I kept with it and for once could not see where it was going. This does leave you on a little cliffhanger, and can we just have a moment to appreciate the whole Adam situation??!!
Having already purchased the next book which is currently resting on my bedside table, I do know Savannahs story continues, I can't wait, I just hope it packs more of a punch than this one. Something tells me we are just getting started.
June 26, 2010
This is my first time reading a book by Kelley Armstrong. I know, crazy, right? I've had her YA book The Summoning sitting on my bookshelf for four months, and I still haven't gotten around to reading it.
I was lucky enough to be offered a chance to review a copy of Waking the Witch, the latest installment in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. I jumped at the chance, thinking that it would finally give me a little needed motivation to try an author that I've been meaning to read for a long time.
So, how did I feel about the book? Well, all of you who've been telling me to read Kelley Armstrong can go gloat now. Yes, I've just became her latest fan.
Armstrong has a great writing style, and she sure knows how to unfold a plot in a way that keeps the reader interested! Once I got into Waking the Witch, I had a hard time putting it down. I liked that it was a combination of a mystery/detective story with urban fantasy elements thrown in. It kind of reminded me of the television series Moonlight or Blood Ties, except with witches instead of vampires.
The main character, Savannah, was very well-written. I loved that Armstrong chose to write Waking the Witch from the point of view of a twenty-one year-old. Since, at twenty, I'm really close to the age of the main character, I might be biased, but I think that the age serves as a sort of a tradition point between an "old teenager" and a "young adult." Savannah definitely seemed like an adult throughout a lot of the book, but you could also see glimpses of the teenager that still lingered there. Because of this, I really fell in love with her character.
I also liked that Savannah was independent and didn't spend the majority of the book throwing herself at some guy. Don't worry, there's romantic tension, but Savannah's an individual, and while she shows interest in men, she doesn't spend the entire book obsessing over them. She spends a lot of time focusing on her case and trying to prove that she's competent and talented as a private investigator.
I have to admit: I'm really excited about reading more from The Otherworld series. I like that you can pick up any of the books individually and not be completely lost. This is the eleventh book, and I haven't read any of the others in the series, but I still understood and enjoyed the plot. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the story behind some of the other minor characters that appeared in Waking the Witch!
In a Sentence
Kelley Armstrong's latest novel has just about everything a fan of urban fantasy could want.
I was lucky enough to be offered a chance to review a copy of Waking the Witch, the latest installment in Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. I jumped at the chance, thinking that it would finally give me a little needed motivation to try an author that I've been meaning to read for a long time.
So, how did I feel about the book? Well, all of you who've been telling me to read Kelley Armstrong can go gloat now. Yes, I've just became her latest fan.
Armstrong has a great writing style, and she sure knows how to unfold a plot in a way that keeps the reader interested! Once I got into Waking the Witch, I had a hard time putting it down. I liked that it was a combination of a mystery/detective story with urban fantasy elements thrown in. It kind of reminded me of the television series Moonlight or Blood Ties, except with witches instead of vampires.
The main character, Savannah, was very well-written. I loved that Armstrong chose to write Waking the Witch from the point of view of a twenty-one year-old. Since, at twenty, I'm really close to the age of the main character, I might be biased, but I think that the age serves as a sort of a tradition point between an "old teenager" and a "young adult." Savannah definitely seemed like an adult throughout a lot of the book, but you could also see glimpses of the teenager that still lingered there. Because of this, I really fell in love with her character.
I also liked that Savannah was independent and didn't spend the majority of the book throwing herself at some guy. Don't worry, there's romantic tension, but Savannah's an individual, and while she shows interest in men, she doesn't spend the entire book obsessing over them. She spends a lot of time focusing on her case and trying to prove that she's competent and talented as a private investigator.
I have to admit: I'm really excited about reading more from The Otherworld series. I like that you can pick up any of the books individually and not be completely lost. This is the eleventh book, and I haven't read any of the others in the series, but I still understood and enjoyed the plot. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the story behind some of the other minor characters that appeared in Waking the Witch!
In a Sentence
Kelley Armstrong's latest novel has just about everything a fan of urban fantasy could want.
January 8, 2011
Hi, I'm a witch blah blah blah energy bolt blah blah motorcycle blah hot guy blah blah blah I'm 21 and super pretty don't you want to be me or do me blah blah blah sacrifice and dead girls blah blah small town blah investigate blah blah more hot guy talk blah blah blah I'm a clever witch, actually, and I solve the crime blah blah motorcycle blah. Get the drift?
I can reduce this book to a 2 minute powerpoint presentation in which there are only 3 actual headings for discussion- motorcycle, witches and hot guys. end of book. There was nothing to draw the reader into the murders of the girls, no details about the way the murders were done to make us feel bad for these women, and we are introduced to the daughter of one of them far too late to make her a human being because the author has no idea how to convey emotion or create any kind of emotional tether. The entire book is shameless and superficial. If it hadn't glossed over, well, everything and then just ended, I would have at least given it 3 stars. But it wasn't serious and it wasn't fun. It was just a bummer all around by a talentless woman trying to cash in on the paranormal detective romance fad.
And don't judge me. Goodreads has kinda forced me to read a few things I never would have touched otherwise, just to see what the buzz was about. Ok? I'm guilty of actually wanting to like things like this.
I can reduce this book to a 2 minute powerpoint presentation in which there are only 3 actual headings for discussion- motorcycle, witches and hot guys. end of book. There was nothing to draw the reader into the murders of the girls, no details about the way the murders were done to make us feel bad for these women, and we are introduced to the daughter of one of them far too late to make her a human being because the author has no idea how to convey emotion or create any kind of emotional tether. The entire book is shameless and superficial. If it hadn't glossed over, well, everything and then just ended, I would have at least given it 3 stars. But it wasn't serious and it wasn't fun. It was just a bummer all around by a talentless woman trying to cash in on the paranormal detective romance fad.
And don't judge me. Goodreads has kinda forced me to read a few things I never would have touched otherwise, just to see what the buzz was about. Ok? I'm guilty of actually wanting to like things like this.
January 20, 2019
Not going to lie we need to take about the narration first. This series goes through a lot of them and thought the first will always be my favorite. Johanna Parker is my runner up all though she will always be Sookie to me she really does a phenomenal job bring Savannah her own voice.
Now on to the plot, I LOVED that Savannah is all grown up and ready to prove she is ready to investigate alone. The connection between her and Adam YES PLEASE! I wanted this book for so long.
The ups and downs and the mystery really helped me come out of my funk for having the last book end. Elena and Clay are my faves, and I know Savannah would spend time with them I think it would be neat if we got a mix of them all, and get a chance to see Savannah interact with them.
Adam doesn’t let Savannah push him away this makes me love him even that much more! <3
Now on to the plot, I LOVED that Savannah is all grown up and ready to prove she is ready to investigate alone. The connection between her and Adam YES PLEASE! I wanted this book for so long.
The ups and downs and the mystery really helped me come out of my funk for having the last book end. Elena and Clay are my faves, and I know Savannah would spend time with them I think it would be neat if we got a mix of them all, and get a chance to see Savannah interact with them.
Adam doesn’t let Savannah push him away this makes me love him even that much more! <3
August 3, 2010
Savannah, the teenage witch, is no longer a teenager. She's twenty-one and minding the detective agency while her guardians, Paige and Lucas, are on vacation when she gets the opportunity she's been waiting for - a case of her own.
I enjoyed Savannah as the narrator in Waking the Witch, and I enjoyed watching the investigation of the possibly ritual linked murders of three young women unfold and watching Savannah pick up clues that the local police have missed. But as the story progresses there are definitely some sad moments - so this is not a feel good read.
Even though Savannah gets a pretty good handle as to what's been going on with the killings, Waking the Witch leaves the story without real resolution. In fact author Armstrong gives Savannah's world a good hard shakeup at the end because as it turns out this is just the first of three books starring Savannah, and we readers are left with a metaphorical 'to be continued' when all is said and done.
I enjoyed Savannah as the narrator in Waking the Witch, and I enjoyed watching the investigation of the possibly ritual linked murders of three young women unfold and watching Savannah pick up clues that the local police have missed. But as the story progresses there are definitely some sad moments - so this is not a feel good read.
Even though Savannah gets a pretty good handle as to what's been going on with the killings, Waking the Witch leaves the story without real resolution. In fact author Armstrong gives Savannah's world a good hard shakeup at the end because as it turns out this is just the first of three books starring Savannah, and we readers are left with a metaphorical 'to be continued' when all is said and done.
September 10, 2015
This is Savannah's book. I was so excited to read it, and it didn't disappoint at all. It was everything I expected from her and more! I don't want to put a spoiler warning on this, so I'll try to be careful not give too much away.
At this point, Savannah is 21. She has been working for Paige and Lucas for 5 years, and now they are away on vacation and Adam is away at a conference, and a case comes up that sounds easy and safe enough for her to investigate her first case by herself. She follows Jessie, who's a friend of Lucas', to a nearby town to investigate three murders of girls that seem to have a supernatural connection. While there she discovers a bunch of women living in a commune and whose leader might be a suspect, another witch married to the main suspect in the killings, one of the victims' brother who comes from Dallas to investigate and actually goes on a date with Savannah twice, a witch hunter who they thought would just be a legend, and many more adventures.
What I liked: Savannah's personality, as usual, she's straight-forward, spunky, fun, confident and just adorable. And she riders a bike! Adam's relationship with her is so cute! I loved hearing all the phone calls, the teasing, the memories of vacations they've had together and things they do for each other. And how she keeps burning his clothes with the sparks from her fingers! I liked Michael also. :(
There was a lot of action and mystery in this book! The story kept building and twisting and getting more complicated, with more possibilities as we went along.
And the greatest thing is I never would've thought the way things turned out in the end! I started suspecting, but for different reasons. Savannah has to battle with being Eve's daughter or doing the right thing. And the caring that Adam shows for her at the end *tender* He was there for her, protected her, risked his life for her, yelled at her, confronted her and didn't let her get away!
And the actual ending... Oh.My.God! I have to read the next book as soon as it comes out, and that's not soon enough, to find out what's going to happen.
At this point, Savannah is 21. She has been working for Paige and Lucas for 5 years, and now they are away on vacation and Adam is away at a conference, and a case comes up that sounds easy and safe enough for her to investigate her first case by herself. She follows Jessie, who's a friend of Lucas', to a nearby town to investigate three murders of girls that seem to have a supernatural connection. While there she discovers a bunch of women living in a commune and whose leader might be a suspect, another witch married to the main suspect in the killings, one of the victims' brother who comes from Dallas to investigate and actually goes on a date with Savannah twice, a witch hunter who they thought would just be a legend, and many more adventures.
What I liked: Savannah's personality, as usual, she's straight-forward, spunky, fun, confident and just adorable. And she riders a bike! Adam's relationship with her is so cute! I loved hearing all the phone calls, the teasing, the memories of vacations they've had together and things they do for each other. And how she keeps burning his clothes with the sparks from her fingers! I liked Michael also. :(
There was a lot of action and mystery in this book! The story kept building and twisting and getting more complicated, with more possibilities as we went along.
And the greatest thing is I never would've thought the way things turned out in the end! I started suspecting, but for different reasons. Savannah has to battle with being Eve's daughter or doing the right thing. And the caring that Adam shows for her at the end *tender* He was there for her, protected her, risked his life for her, yelled at her, confronted her and didn't let her get away!
And the actual ending... Oh.My.God! I have to read the next book as soon as it comes out, and that's not soon enough, to find out what's going to happen.
January 8, 2014
A good book is like driving to the beach. It might be the greatest drive ever...but if there is no beach at the end you feel let down. I really enjoyed everything about this book...might have even rated it 5 Stars, but I didn't get the beach so 3 Stars it is.
August 23, 2010
We first meet Savannah in Stolen, where she is a young witch under Ruth Winterbourne’s guardianship. Savannah has grown up. Savannah is now 21 years old, 6 feet tall, and has inherited her mother’s good looks. Savannah works as an investigator for Paige and Lucas’ agency. While Paige and Lucas are enjoying a Hawaiian vacation, Savannah gets a case and decides to solve it on her own.
Someone is murdering young women in a small town. The murders appear to be ritualistic and the list of suspects seems to get larger. The book reads more like a mystery than an urban fantasy. Many unexpected things happened. And the ending – I don’t remember Kelley Armstrong treating her fans to a cliffhanger before. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book was the amount of time spent describing all the spell casting. It felt a little repetitive.
Savannah is a very likable character. She is young, beautiful, smart, and resourceful. Savannah is a very capable and powerful witch. She is grounded and down to earth, despite her supernatural talents. She tends to be a little too independent, resulting is several dangerous encounters and a few uh-oh moments.
And yes, there is an appearance by Adam, not as a romantic interest, more of a protector. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope that there is more Savannah and Adam.
Someone is murdering young women in a small town. The murders appear to be ritualistic and the list of suspects seems to get larger. The book reads more like a mystery than an urban fantasy. Many unexpected things happened. And the ending – I don’t remember Kelley Armstrong treating her fans to a cliffhanger before. The only thing that I didn’t like about the book was the amount of time spent describing all the spell casting. It felt a little repetitive.
Savannah is a very likable character. She is young, beautiful, smart, and resourceful. Savannah is a very capable and powerful witch. She is grounded and down to earth, despite her supernatural talents. She tends to be a little too independent, resulting is several dangerous encounters and a few uh-oh moments.
And yes, there is an appearance by Adam, not as a romantic interest, more of a protector. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. I hope that there is more Savannah and Adam.
December 30, 2022
Elena and Paige are my two favourite characters in the Women of the Otherworld series, yet Savannah is a character who has always had me curious. I had high hopes for her story, and quickly found myself devouring this one.
While I will admit this is not my favourite in the series, it was an addictive read that had me powering through it in no time. The final books in the series are closely tied together (from what I’ve heard, they can be considered an unofficial trilogy within the series), which means there were points with this one where I felt like things were introduced without being resolved. The fact that I know I have the next two books to power through in search of answers made me willing to forgive this, along with leaving me hopeful that there will be more of a punch following the details that came to light in this one.
All in all, this was an enjoyable addition to the series. It is not my favourite, but it has left me with high hopes of how things will conclude across the final books.
While I will admit this is not my favourite in the series, it was an addictive read that had me powering through it in no time. The final books in the series are closely tied together (from what I’ve heard, they can be considered an unofficial trilogy within the series), which means there were points with this one where I felt like things were introduced without being resolved. The fact that I know I have the next two books to power through in search of answers made me willing to forgive this, along with leaving me hopeful that there will be more of a punch following the details that came to light in this one.
All in all, this was an enjoyable addition to the series. It is not my favourite, but it has left me with high hopes of how things will conclude across the final books.
August 12, 2010
This was exactly what I was hoping from from a Savannah book! And the big climax brought all the magic I imagined we would get with Savannah...
If you're a reader of teh Women of the Otherworld series, definitely grab this one, and if you're new to the series, you won't be lost jumping in with Waking the Witch...
Fun read! :)
If you're a reader of teh Women of the Otherworld series, definitely grab this one, and if you're new to the series, you won't be lost jumping in with Waking the Witch...
Fun read! :)
January 18, 2021
Audiobook
Wow, the ending. I wonder how that's going to work. Does that mean the little girl is okay?
Wow, the ending. I wonder how that's going to work. Does that mean the little girl is okay?
February 8, 2024
Once again Kelley Armstrong takes on good vx evil & how hard good must work to make sure that what they do truly serves the greater good.
August 2, 2010
I'm a fan of Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, page-turning paranormal mysteries with romantic elements told from the first person point of view of a female supernatural: a werewolf, witch, angel, necromancer, half-demon... In this case it was Savannah Levine, daughter and ward of two previous protagonists. She's a witch and a private investigator.
For quite a while I was happily being pulled along by the mystery. Armstrong has a deft style and strong world-building that sucks you in, good plotting and pacing, and above all, an ability to make you care about her characters. It's what made her a favorite author of mine--one of those few that I go read as soon as a new book by her is on the shelves. All that is true of this book, and I like Savannah and her character arc in the book.
But this is the first time I've been disappointed by Armstrong--by the last line on the last page... Cliffhanger. Not something Armstrong has done at the end of the previous Otherworld books, and I went back and checked. Yes, it's a series, but previously they'd worked well as stand alones, and when I reached the end of this one, I wanted to throw the book against the wall. Mind you, I'll be reading that next book in the series as soon as it comes out...
For quite a while I was happily being pulled along by the mystery. Armstrong has a deft style and strong world-building that sucks you in, good plotting and pacing, and above all, an ability to make you care about her characters. It's what made her a favorite author of mine--one of those few that I go read as soon as a new book by her is on the shelves. All that is true of this book, and I like Savannah and her character arc in the book.
But this is the first time I've been disappointed by Armstrong--by the last line on the last page... Cliffhanger. Not something Armstrong has done at the end of the previous Otherworld books, and I went back and checked. Yes, it's a series, but previously they'd worked well as stand alones, and when I reached the end of this one, I wanted to throw the book against the wall. Mind you, I'll be reading that next book in the series as soon as it comes out...
July 2, 2011
Savannah is a witch, the daughter of a witch and half-demon, and an up and coming private investigator for a supernatural agency. On her first solo case she is investigating the death of three young women. Things start to get complicated fast after Savannah is threatened, the brother of one of the victims becomes a victim himself, and Savannah's powers start to act up. Will she survive to solve the case?
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was part of a series. The cover didn't say anything about it. That being said, this was a great story that stood alone until right near the end. Then all kinds of characters appeared that obviously came from previous books in the series. I got a bit confused about who was who and what bearing they had on the story. The ending itself made me mad. It stopped without a true ending, like so many series books.
I listened to this as an audiobook, so I had the benefit of a narrator. The voice fit as a 21 year old woman. Youthful and expressive. I didn't enjoy the voice used for the bad guy near the end though. It was just too over done. But overall, it made for good listening.
When I picked this up, I didn't realize it was part of a series. The cover didn't say anything about it. That being said, this was a great story that stood alone until right near the end. Then all kinds of characters appeared that obviously came from previous books in the series. I got a bit confused about who was who and what bearing they had on the story. The ending itself made me mad. It stopped without a true ending, like so many series books.
I listened to this as an audiobook, so I had the benefit of a narrator. The voice fit as a 21 year old woman. Youthful and expressive. I didn't enjoy the voice used for the bad guy near the end though. It was just too over done. But overall, it made for good listening.
October 19, 2012
Savannah is trying a PI case on her own. She runs into a lot of problems & faces a lot of her own demons. Adam is there for support & to jump in a help if needed but she does not want his help. Savannah wants to probe that she can do it on her own.
I was pulled into this story. I loved it. I am a little disappointed with the ending because I was left with a cliff hanger which makes me want to jump right into the next book. I know that is the point but I wanted to take a little break from this series. I will read Spellbound & Thirteen very soon to finish off this series. I have loved most of these beautiful characters that Kelley Armstrong has created.
I was pulled into this story. I loved it. I am a little disappointed with the ending because I was left with a cliff hanger which makes me want to jump right into the next book. I know that is the point but I wanted to take a little break from this series. I will read Spellbound & Thirteen very soon to finish off this series. I have loved most of these beautiful characters that Kelley Armstrong has created.
March 5, 2011
I love this mythology. I was glad that she has grown up. She is already 21. I like that she tried to do it all on her own. And Adam- I am hoping they stay together. Poor Michael. I did miss the wolves and everyone else in this series. I love Clay and Elena. Just a couple of cameos of some of the character was not enough.
The ending tells you there has to be a next book. A relationship to explore.
The ending tells you there has to be a next book. A relationship to explore.
November 1, 2010
‘Waking the Witch’ is the eleventh book in Kelley Armstrong’s ridiculously popular paranormal series, ‘Women of the Otherworld’. It is also the first book to be narrated by long-running, fan-favourite character Savannah Levine.
Savannah’s guardians, Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez, are on a much-needed Hawaiian vacation. . . and while away Savannah is in charge of their Private Investigation business. So it happens that when telekinetic-demon and fellow PI, Jesse Aanes, walks through the door with a burning-hot case and too much on his plate it’s Savannah who he hand-balls it to.
A triple homicide in a sleepy town called Columbus has the townsfolk somewhat spooked and pointing fingers at the local Loathario and a cookie-cult complete with a charismatic-pervy male ‘leader’. Savannah is on her first solo case, and befriends a little girl whose mother was one of the three female victims. Savannah also cosies up to an out-of-state detective called Michael Kennedy, who happens to be the brother of one of the murdered women.
But as Savannah digs and delves she discovers that the murders may be a case of Columbus not suffering a witch to live. . .
I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong’s ‘Women of the Otherworld’ series. I love the immersive paranormal universe she has created, and the cast of strong female characters that she has introduced readers to. Armstrong’s series is one of the most popular and long-running urban fantasies out there, and for good reason. Ms. Armstrong effortlessly intertwines fantasy and mystery, with healthy doses or paranormal romance.
But it’s safe to say that devout ‘Otherworld’ fans were at once sceptical and curious for Savannah’s first narrated story. Savannah first appeared in the second novel, ‘Stolen’, and has had both main and minor roles in many books since. She is the one character of the ‘Otherworld’ series who readers have read an almost full character-arc of. We were there when her mother died, when she discovered her true paternity and lashed out at the truth, when she was a bratty handful for Paige and in her calmer years when she finally accepted Paige and Lucas’s devotion. . .
Savannah has always been a character of extremes – capable of great compassion for those she trusts and loves, and willing to inflict bouts of rage tempered with severe magic upon her enemies. Being the product of a witch mother, sorcerer father and with a sprinkling of demon blood thrown in Savannah is perhaps the most powerful of all the supernatural ‘Otherworld’ characters;
“I know who you are.” Her lips twisted as she got to her feet. “Daughter of Eve Levine and Kristof Nast. Foster daughter of Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez. The golden girl of the supernatural world. Under the protections of two Cabals and the interracial council.”
“Actually, one Cabal. Thomas Nast refuses to recognize me. That’ll change when my brother takes over, but in the meantime, I've got the werewolf Pack. For protection, I’ll take them over the Nasts any day.”
“I suppose you think that makes you special.”
“Uh, yeah. . .”
Savannah’s long-standing appearance in the ‘Otherworld’ series is both a help and a hindrance to her narrating her own book. On the one hand, fans have seen Savannah at her brattiest worst – from the time she was 12 right through to her stint as an angry teenager. . . and now at the tender age of 21 and only just tapping into her powers and flexing her independence.
On the other hand, because Savannah has been a constant throughout the series it is high-time that fans read her 360-degree turn-around.
‘Waking the Witch’ has had mixed reviews, and I think I know why. . . but for me this book was a wonderful introduction to Savannah as a grown woman. She is coming into her powers, getting to know herself and Kelley Armstrong is laying groundwork for fans to read the last-stretch of Savannah’s story.
‘Waking the Witch’ is primarily a whodunit murder-mystery. And really, it’s one of Kelley Armstrong’s finest pieces of intricate writing. The book is drenched in noir and heavy with magical foreboding; complete with red herrings, curveballs and a twist ending that will leave you gasping. It is brilliant! Particularly because Armstrong combines a small-town mystery within the big supernatural universe to make for one layered and knotted plot. . . But I can understand that the heavy mystery element may put-off some fans. For one thing, the ‘mystery’ is very dependent on fans knowing (or remembering) the plots of past ‘Otherworld’ books. This may be a problem in a series in which the narrators change, and fans have been known to only read the books narrated by their favourite characters. ‘Waking the Witch’, unlike most all ‘Otherworld’ books, can’t be read as a stand-alone without the rest of the series as reference. An understandable grumbling-point for those fans who were left in the dark to those delicate past-book references. . . but for someone who has stuck with the ‘Otherworld’ series for 10 books, it all came to a head in ‘Waking the Witch’ and I savoured every intricacy.
Another possible annoyance for ‘Otherworld’ fans may be the lack of romance in ‘Waking the Witch’. . . this is a double-edged sword, me thinks. Yes, all other ‘Otherworld’ books have been written with heavy doses of paranormal romance. But you have to remember that Kelley Armstrong has planned to have Savannah narrate books 12 and 13 (bringing her to the possible end of her publishing contract) and I think she is setting up an over-arching, slow-burning romance for Savannah.
Savannah’s long-term crush is Adam Vasic. Adam is 33 to Savannah’s 21 – but he was a part of the rescue team who saved her in ‘Stolen’ and has been a staple of her romantic fantasies ever since. Savannah is convinced that Adam is her soul-mate, but he has never shown her anything but friendship. In ‘Waking the Witch’, Adam comes on board to help Savannah in her investigation and he seems to be accepting her sudden transformation from 12-year-old to kick-ass 21-year-old PI in his mind’s eye. I think Adam and Savannah are each other’s HEA. . . but it will take a while to get there, for various reasons (least of which is Adam getting used to the idea of Savannah as a woman and not a little girl).
I think the romance is there in ‘Waking the Witch’, but only as groundwork for more heated encounters in book 12 ‘Spell Bound’ and TBA book #13. Still, fans who have gotten used to heated and instantaneous couplings between Clayton Danvers and Elena Michaels, and Paige and Lucas, will no doubt feel a twinge of disappointment that Savannah’s romance is more slow-burning. But I think it will be worth it when she and Adam finally ‘ignite’.
I hear fans complaints about ‘Waking the Witch’, which has had very mixed-reviews. But I think this is one of the best ‘Otherworld’ instalments yet. The mystery is superbly noir, and Savannah Levine as our heroine is a delicious conundrum. On the one hand she is disturbingly powerful for one so young, and constantly straddling the line between white and black magic. But as she proves in ‘Waking’, Savannah is a formidable foe when you hurt those she loves. . . I, for one, am completely fascinated by her as a character – mostly because it feels like she can tip the scales either way. Savannah is at the fork in the road where she has to decide whether to be ‘good’ or ‘evil’ and fans are along for the ride. . .
Savannah’s guardians, Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez, are on a much-needed Hawaiian vacation. . . and while away Savannah is in charge of their Private Investigation business. So it happens that when telekinetic-demon and fellow PI, Jesse Aanes, walks through the door with a burning-hot case and too much on his plate it’s Savannah who he hand-balls it to.
A triple homicide in a sleepy town called Columbus has the townsfolk somewhat spooked and pointing fingers at the local Loathario and a cookie-cult complete with a charismatic-pervy male ‘leader’. Savannah is on her first solo case, and befriends a little girl whose mother was one of the three female victims. Savannah also cosies up to an out-of-state detective called Michael Kennedy, who happens to be the brother of one of the murdered women.
But as Savannah digs and delves she discovers that the murders may be a case of Columbus not suffering a witch to live. . .
I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong’s ‘Women of the Otherworld’ series. I love the immersive paranormal universe she has created, and the cast of strong female characters that she has introduced readers to. Armstrong’s series is one of the most popular and long-running urban fantasies out there, and for good reason. Ms. Armstrong effortlessly intertwines fantasy and mystery, with healthy doses or paranormal romance.
But it’s safe to say that devout ‘Otherworld’ fans were at once sceptical and curious for Savannah’s first narrated story. Savannah first appeared in the second novel, ‘Stolen’, and has had both main and minor roles in many books since. She is the one character of the ‘Otherworld’ series who readers have read an almost full character-arc of. We were there when her mother died, when she discovered her true paternity and lashed out at the truth, when she was a bratty handful for Paige and in her calmer years when she finally accepted Paige and Lucas’s devotion. . .
Savannah has always been a character of extremes – capable of great compassion for those she trusts and loves, and willing to inflict bouts of rage tempered with severe magic upon her enemies. Being the product of a witch mother, sorcerer father and with a sprinkling of demon blood thrown in Savannah is perhaps the most powerful of all the supernatural ‘Otherworld’ characters;
“I know who you are.” Her lips twisted as she got to her feet. “Daughter of Eve Levine and Kristof Nast. Foster daughter of Paige Winterbourne and Lucas Cortez. The golden girl of the supernatural world. Under the protections of two Cabals and the interracial council.”
“Actually, one Cabal. Thomas Nast refuses to recognize me. That’ll change when my brother takes over, but in the meantime, I've got the werewolf Pack. For protection, I’ll take them over the Nasts any day.”
“I suppose you think that makes you special.”
“Uh, yeah. . .”
Savannah’s long-standing appearance in the ‘Otherworld’ series is both a help and a hindrance to her narrating her own book. On the one hand, fans have seen Savannah at her brattiest worst – from the time she was 12 right through to her stint as an angry teenager. . . and now at the tender age of 21 and only just tapping into her powers and flexing her independence.
On the other hand, because Savannah has been a constant throughout the series it is high-time that fans read her 360-degree turn-around.
‘Waking the Witch’ has had mixed reviews, and I think I know why. . . but for me this book was a wonderful introduction to Savannah as a grown woman. She is coming into her powers, getting to know herself and Kelley Armstrong is laying groundwork for fans to read the last-stretch of Savannah’s story.
‘Waking the Witch’ is primarily a whodunit murder-mystery. And really, it’s one of Kelley Armstrong’s finest pieces of intricate writing. The book is drenched in noir and heavy with magical foreboding; complete with red herrings, curveballs and a twist ending that will leave you gasping. It is brilliant! Particularly because Armstrong combines a small-town mystery within the big supernatural universe to make for one layered and knotted plot. . . But I can understand that the heavy mystery element may put-off some fans. For one thing, the ‘mystery’ is very dependent on fans knowing (or remembering) the plots of past ‘Otherworld’ books. This may be a problem in a series in which the narrators change, and fans have been known to only read the books narrated by their favourite characters. ‘Waking the Witch’, unlike most all ‘Otherworld’ books, can’t be read as a stand-alone without the rest of the series as reference. An understandable grumbling-point for those fans who were left in the dark to those delicate past-book references. . . but for someone who has stuck with the ‘Otherworld’ series for 10 books, it all came to a head in ‘Waking the Witch’ and I savoured every intricacy.
Another possible annoyance for ‘Otherworld’ fans may be the lack of romance in ‘Waking the Witch’. . . this is a double-edged sword, me thinks. Yes, all other ‘Otherworld’ books have been written with heavy doses of paranormal romance. But you have to remember that Kelley Armstrong has planned to have Savannah narrate books 12 and 13 (bringing her to the possible end of her publishing contract) and I think she is setting up an over-arching, slow-burning romance for Savannah.
Savannah’s long-term crush is Adam Vasic. Adam is 33 to Savannah’s 21 – but he was a part of the rescue team who saved her in ‘Stolen’ and has been a staple of her romantic fantasies ever since. Savannah is convinced that Adam is her soul-mate, but he has never shown her anything but friendship. In ‘Waking the Witch’, Adam comes on board to help Savannah in her investigation and he seems to be accepting her sudden transformation from 12-year-old to kick-ass 21-year-old PI in his mind’s eye. I think Adam and Savannah are each other’s HEA. . . but it will take a while to get there, for various reasons (least of which is Adam getting used to the idea of Savannah as a woman and not a little girl).
I think the romance is there in ‘Waking the Witch’, but only as groundwork for more heated encounters in book 12 ‘Spell Bound’ and TBA book #13. Still, fans who have gotten used to heated and instantaneous couplings between Clayton Danvers and Elena Michaels, and Paige and Lucas, will no doubt feel a twinge of disappointment that Savannah’s romance is more slow-burning. But I think it will be worth it when she and Adam finally ‘ignite’.
I hear fans complaints about ‘Waking the Witch’, which has had very mixed-reviews. But I think this is one of the best ‘Otherworld’ instalments yet. The mystery is superbly noir, and Savannah Levine as our heroine is a delicious conundrum. On the one hand she is disturbingly powerful for one so young, and constantly straddling the line between white and black magic. But as she proves in ‘Waking’, Savannah is a formidable foe when you hurt those she loves. . . I, for one, am completely fascinated by her as a character – mostly because it feels like she can tip the scales either way. Savannah is at the fork in the road where she has to decide whether to be ‘good’ or ‘evil’ and fans are along for the ride. . .
November 1, 2020
Waking the Witch
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #11 in the series and focuses on Savannah Levine who was first introduced in book #2. As events and characters from past books are mentioned, it is recommended that the series be read in order.
With Paige and Lucas on vacation, Savannah is asked by an acquaintance of Lucas's to look into the murders of three young women in Columbus, Washington as they appear to have ritualistic elements. The more Savannah digs into the case, the more suspects emerge including one of the victim's abusive boyfriend, the leader of a suspected cult, and even a possible witch hunter. Will Savannah be able to uncover the truth or is she in over her head?
While Savannah is an appealing heroine, and the mystery has potential, the book falls short primarily because of the problematic resolution.
Savannah has always been an intriguing character due to her supernatural origins as the daughter of a half-demon witch and a sorcerer. She has tremendous powers and is not afraid to use them, which also places her on the morally ambiguous side of magic. Unfortunately, Armstrong's method for increasing the tension involves undermining these powers, a trope that is always annoying.
The murder investigation is interesting, and it is fun to follow along with Savannah as she chases leads and interviews suspects. Unfortunately, the eventual explanation is rather disappointing is it lacks foundation in the narrative and requires in-depth knowledge of earlier books in the series. Moreover, the ending is "cliffhangerish", but thankfully, there is no need to wait for the next installment as it has already been published.
Overall, Waking the Witch meet my expectations. I do hope the final two books provide more relationship development for Savannah and Adam though.
4 Stars
Series note: This is book #11 in the series and focuses on Savannah Levine who was first introduced in book #2. As events and characters from past books are mentioned, it is recommended that the series be read in order.
With Paige and Lucas on vacation, Savannah is asked by an acquaintance of Lucas's to look into the murders of three young women in Columbus, Washington as they appear to have ritualistic elements. The more Savannah digs into the case, the more suspects emerge including one of the victim's abusive boyfriend, the leader of a suspected cult, and even a possible witch hunter. Will Savannah be able to uncover the truth or is she in over her head?
While Savannah is an appealing heroine, and the mystery has potential, the book falls short primarily because of the problematic resolution.
Savannah has always been an intriguing character due to her supernatural origins as the daughter of a half-demon witch and a sorcerer. She has tremendous powers and is not afraid to use them, which also places her on the morally ambiguous side of magic. Unfortunately, Armstrong's method for increasing the tension involves undermining these powers, a trope that is always annoying.
The murder investigation is interesting, and it is fun to follow along with Savannah as she chases leads and interviews suspects. Unfortunately, the eventual explanation is rather disappointing is it lacks foundation in the narrative and requires in-depth knowledge of earlier books in the series. Moreover, the ending is "cliffhangerish", but thankfully, there is no need to wait for the next installment as it has already been published.
Overall, Waking the Witch meet my expectations. I do hope the final two books provide more relationship development for Savannah and Adam though.
June 21, 2023
Listened to this as an audiobook pre-GoodReads. As I recall, I really liked it. Must have forgotten to add it when I was trying to get my reading history up to date.
August 30, 2010
Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong
REVIEWED 8/24/2010 by Stephanie Takes-Desbiens
at http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...
Purchased August 8, 2010
Read 8/23 & 24
Kindle Edition
File Size: 448 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: DUTTON ADULT (July 27, 2010)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
This is book eleven in the Otherworld Series.
Savannah is sassy, maybe a little arrogant, young, powerful, headstrong, makes mistakes and feels remorse, is really good at her job, knows how to protect herself physically and magically. She is all these things but her youth and her headstrong attitude are her Achilles's heel. Having worked in her guardians' shadow since she was a minor, Savannah is ready to break out on her own, and the opportunity presents itself when her friend, co-worker and major crush Adam's pal Jesse comes around to get help with a case with occult overtones in a town nearby. Is she in over her head? Not at first but complications develop when another investigator gets under her skin (in a good way) and when it turns our the town has some other magic going on.
In this book the best developed character is Savannah. What I liked about her was her strength and her soft spots. Sometimes she underestimates her strength, and other times she is over confident. She is vulnerable to kids with crappy or neglectful parents because of her past. She thinks she is more mature than she is and makes some rash decisions that backfire on her. She thinks she has it all figured out, and that she is over Adam's indifference to her as a woman. She thinks she has the people she interviews all sussed out, but they keep surprising her. Written in the first person, we see others through Savannah's lens. The daughter of one of the victims in this mystery, Kayla, comes across as a vulnerable Savannah-without-the-magic. Michael Kennedy, police detective brother of one of the other victims comes to her as a romantic replacement for Adam and she sizes the Michael up against him. It is clear there are no substitutions for Adam in her heart. Savannah lives in a Savannah-centric world; super-gifted, well-off, fearless. But of course she isn't all grown-up and her foibles put her and others at risk, when the worst happens, she blames herself.
Armstrong keeps the pace of the book going from the start. The action starts within the first five pages, and really keeps going except for when the girl is eating or sleeping. The story has lots of twists and turns as well as a few red herrings. Why was the high-school teacher introduced? Could he be the perp? How about the chief of police? The Waitress, Lorraine? And, the solution to this mystery is as complex as Savannah's personality. I don't know whether I have ever read such a complex ending to a mystery. The question is whether Savannah and her pals can survive what happens. Your will hope they do because you will want more of Savannah and Adam in future books.
Not much in the way of romantic heat, but Ms. Armstrong can make necking pretty hot. The real action here is in the plot. I highly recommend Waking the Witch.
Note: this is book eleven in this series, but even without prior knowledge it is pretty easy to follow. Armstrong's web site offers a character guide and a guide to the demon-world. Also, this is the first book with Savannah as the narrator, so it would naturally stand up on its own.
Ms. Armstrong has three kids and lives in Ontario, Canada. She received a degree in Psychology and then studied computer programming. Having been a programmer myself (before Windows was a glimmer in Bill Gates eye) I can tell you that programming prepares one for endless writing and rewriting. Currently Ms. Armstrong writes and parents full-time.
REVIEWED 8/24/2010 by Stephanie Takes-Desbiens
at http://fangswandsandfairydust.blogspo...
Purchased August 8, 2010
Read 8/23 & 24
Kindle Edition
File Size: 448 KB
Print Length: 320 pages
Publisher: DUTTON ADULT (July 27, 2010)
Sold by: Penguin Publishing
This is book eleven in the Otherworld Series.
Savannah is sassy, maybe a little arrogant, young, powerful, headstrong, makes mistakes and feels remorse, is really good at her job, knows how to protect herself physically and magically. She is all these things but her youth and her headstrong attitude are her Achilles's heel. Having worked in her guardians' shadow since she was a minor, Savannah is ready to break out on her own, and the opportunity presents itself when her friend, co-worker and major crush Adam's pal Jesse comes around to get help with a case with occult overtones in a town nearby. Is she in over her head? Not at first but complications develop when another investigator gets under her skin (in a good way) and when it turns our the town has some other magic going on.
In this book the best developed character is Savannah. What I liked about her was her strength and her soft spots. Sometimes she underestimates her strength, and other times she is over confident. She is vulnerable to kids with crappy or neglectful parents because of her past. She thinks she is more mature than she is and makes some rash decisions that backfire on her. She thinks she has it all figured out, and that she is over Adam's indifference to her as a woman. She thinks she has the people she interviews all sussed out, but they keep surprising her. Written in the first person, we see others through Savannah's lens. The daughter of one of the victims in this mystery, Kayla, comes across as a vulnerable Savannah-without-the-magic. Michael Kennedy, police detective brother of one of the other victims comes to her as a romantic replacement for Adam and she sizes the Michael up against him. It is clear there are no substitutions for Adam in her heart. Savannah lives in a Savannah-centric world; super-gifted, well-off, fearless. But of course she isn't all grown-up and her foibles put her and others at risk, when the worst happens, she blames herself.
Armstrong keeps the pace of the book going from the start. The action starts within the first five pages, and really keeps going except for when the girl is eating or sleeping. The story has lots of twists and turns as well as a few red herrings. Why was the high-school teacher introduced? Could he be the perp? How about the chief of police? The Waitress, Lorraine? And, the solution to this mystery is as complex as Savannah's personality. I don't know whether I have ever read such a complex ending to a mystery. The question is whether Savannah and her pals can survive what happens. Your will hope they do because you will want more of Savannah and Adam in future books.
Not much in the way of romantic heat, but Ms. Armstrong can make necking pretty hot. The real action here is in the plot. I highly recommend Waking the Witch.
Note: this is book eleven in this series, but even without prior knowledge it is pretty easy to follow. Armstrong's web site offers a character guide and a guide to the demon-world. Also, this is the first book with Savannah as the narrator, so it would naturally stand up on its own.
Ms. Armstrong has three kids and lives in Ontario, Canada. She received a degree in Psychology and then studied computer programming. Having been a programmer myself (before Windows was a glimmer in Bill Gates eye) I can tell you that programming prepares one for endless writing and rewriting. Currently Ms. Armstrong writes and parents full-time.
March 14, 2017
Waking the Witch is book 11 in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and marks the beginning of the end. When twenty-one year old, Savannah Levine sees the opportunity to prove she’s ready for more than just administrative work at Cortez and Winterbourne Investigations she takes it. The case leads her to a small town to investigate the possible supernatural connections in the deaths of three young women. For a small town, it’s full of suspicious characters and they all seem to have supernatural connections.
I have adored this series since I stumbled across Bitten back in 2004. So, I was incredibly sad when I heard Armstrong was going to end it at book 13 and disappointed that she planned to finish with Savannah as the main character. In her early appearances, Savannah was extremely self-involved and drove me crazy anytime she was on the page. However, by the end of the novel I was fully on-board with her as the narrator. It was nice to see how much Savannah has matured from the twelve year old we met in Stolen. She's also given some interesting conflicts that I'm looking forward to seeing play out in the next couple of books.
Aside from establishing Savannah as a main character, Waking the Witch also works to lay the foundation for the overarching plot of the last two novels. At times, this would overshadow the main plot involving the mystery of the dead women but I still really enjoyed the story. I also kind of guessed what was happening based on how the short story Amityville Horrible had ended. Despite this, the novel was a fun ride.
If you’re going to pick-up Waking the Witch, I would recommend reading the short story Counterfeit Magic first. It acts as a nice prequel and (for people who have been following the entire series) it explains why Paige and Lucas are MIA in this one.
I have adored this series since I stumbled across Bitten back in 2004. So, I was incredibly sad when I heard Armstrong was going to end it at book 13 and disappointed that she planned to finish with Savannah as the main character. In her early appearances, Savannah was extremely self-involved and drove me crazy anytime she was on the page. However, by the end of the novel I was fully on-board with her as the narrator. It was nice to see how much Savannah has matured from the twelve year old we met in Stolen. She's also given some interesting conflicts that I'm looking forward to seeing play out in the next couple of books.
Aside from establishing Savannah as a main character, Waking the Witch also works to lay the foundation for the overarching plot of the last two novels. At times, this would overshadow the main plot involving the mystery of the dead women but I still really enjoyed the story. I also kind of guessed what was happening based on how the short story Amityville Horrible had ended. Despite this, the novel was a fun ride.
If you’re going to pick-up Waking the Witch, I would recommend reading the short story Counterfeit Magic first. It acts as a nice prequel and (for people who have been following the entire series) it explains why Paige and Lucas are MIA in this one.
September 14, 2013
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
Waking the Witch would make for a badass stand-alone novel but I’d expected more from the 11th Otherworld installment. The paranormal aspects are mere parlour tricks, the pioneers of this series are MIA and the plot is more murder mystery in nature than it is Urban Fantasy. I can’t fault Kelley Armstrong’s writing, the intriguing story or the pacing but as a long time fan of these books, it didn’t satisfy me.
This is Savannah Levine’s first crack as an Otherworld narrator and as the supposed prodigy of this series her grand debut was a little lackluster. The previous books have built her character up to be extremely powerful, rebellious and fierce but unfortunately, the real thing failed to live up to all of the hype. Savannah has always struck me as a go getter but her inability to voice her feelings for Adam or wreak havoc on her enemies was disappointing. She comes across as more of an average Joe than as THE Savannah Levine, daughter of Eve Levine (black witch / aspicio half-demon) and Kristof Nast (sorcerer / cabal heir).
The story reads like a murder mystery with some nice police procedural elements but calling it an Urban Fantasy is a stretch. The paranormal side is limited to mediocre light ball and cover spells; considering that Savannah is capable of collapsing a house I felt cheated where her witchy powers are concerned. The resolution does have Otherworld roots but I was so completely blindsided by the villain that it felt like Armstrong was grasping at straws in an attempt to connect this book to the overall series arc. Also, other than the occasional name drop, the strong cast of beloved characters that I’ve grown to know and love is all but absent.
As a stand-alone, mystery this novel has what you’d expect: action out the wazoo and an impossible-to-guess “who done it” intrigue. The pacing is brisk, the writing is flawless and I love the fact that this series unfolds in real time. But as the 11th installment in Kelley Armstrong’s world-famous Urban Fantasy series it fizzled. Waking the Witch delivers a good story and has a high entertainment value but it’s an expendable addition to the Women of the Otherworld universe.
Waking the Witch would make for a badass stand-alone novel but I’d expected more from the 11th Otherworld installment. The paranormal aspects are mere parlour tricks, the pioneers of this series are MIA and the plot is more murder mystery in nature than it is Urban Fantasy. I can’t fault Kelley Armstrong’s writing, the intriguing story or the pacing but as a long time fan of these books, it didn’t satisfy me.
This is Savannah Levine’s first crack as an Otherworld narrator and as the supposed prodigy of this series her grand debut was a little lackluster. The previous books have built her character up to be extremely powerful, rebellious and fierce but unfortunately, the real thing failed to live up to all of the hype. Savannah has always struck me as a go getter but her inability to voice her feelings for Adam or wreak havoc on her enemies was disappointing. She comes across as more of an average Joe than as THE Savannah Levine, daughter of Eve Levine (black witch / aspicio half-demon) and Kristof Nast (sorcerer / cabal heir).
The story reads like a murder mystery with some nice police procedural elements but calling it an Urban Fantasy is a stretch. The paranormal side is limited to mediocre light ball and cover spells; considering that Savannah is capable of collapsing a house I felt cheated where her witchy powers are concerned. The resolution does have Otherworld roots but I was so completely blindsided by the villain that it felt like Armstrong was grasping at straws in an attempt to connect this book to the overall series arc. Also, other than the occasional name drop, the strong cast of beloved characters that I’ve grown to know and love is all but absent.
As a stand-alone, mystery this novel has what you’d expect: action out the wazoo and an impossible-to-guess “who done it” intrigue. The pacing is brisk, the writing is flawless and I love the fact that this series unfolds in real time. But as the 11th installment in Kelley Armstrong’s world-famous Urban Fantasy series it fizzled. Waking the Witch delivers a good story and has a high entertainment value but it’s an expendable addition to the Women of the Otherworld universe.
January 2, 2013
WAKING THE WITCH (Women of the Otherworld #11) by Kelley Armstrong
WAKING THE WITCH is the 11th full-length storyline in Kelley Armstrong’ s Women of the Otherworld series. The final three books in the WOTO series focuses on the now adult Savannah Levine and the loss of her witch powers, the investigation into the dark arts and the rise of demons that want to take over the world.
Savannah was first introduced in STOLEN-the second storyline in Kelley’s WOTO series. A then 12 year old orphaned witch, daughter of Dark Witch Eve Levine and Cabal Sorcerer Kristof Nash, Savannah struggled with her powers, her guardians and her attraction and love for half-demon Adam Vasic. Now a grown woman, Savannah knows who she wants but there are too many road blocks standing in her way.
Savannah is now a beautiful 21year old woman, and in this particular storyline, she agrees to investigate the mysterious deaths of two women, the only problem, the deaths are some-how supernaturally related and Savannah will suffer the consequences in more ways than one. A friend will die, another will seemingly pull away and her powers will be part of a bargain.
WAKING THE WITCH is the beginning of the end for the Women of the Otherworld series. The final three storylines follow Savannah as she must literally prevent the rise of Lucifer and the end of the world. If you are a fan of Kelley’s werewolves, the final three stories are a major departure. At one point I thought Kelley was preparing for the spin-off series featuring Savannah as the lead character when the entire focus of the last three books was Savannah.
see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com
WAKING THE WITCH is the 11th full-length storyline in Kelley Armstrong’ s Women of the Otherworld series. The final three books in the WOTO series focuses on the now adult Savannah Levine and the loss of her witch powers, the investigation into the dark arts and the rise of demons that want to take over the world.
Savannah was first introduced in STOLEN-the second storyline in Kelley’s WOTO series. A then 12 year old orphaned witch, daughter of Dark Witch Eve Levine and Cabal Sorcerer Kristof Nash, Savannah struggled with her powers, her guardians and her attraction and love for half-demon Adam Vasic. Now a grown woman, Savannah knows who she wants but there are too many road blocks standing in her way.
Savannah is now a beautiful 21year old woman, and in this particular storyline, she agrees to investigate the mysterious deaths of two women, the only problem, the deaths are some-how supernaturally related and Savannah will suffer the consequences in more ways than one. A friend will die, another will seemingly pull away and her powers will be part of a bargain.
WAKING THE WITCH is the beginning of the end for the Women of the Otherworld series. The final three storylines follow Savannah as she must literally prevent the rise of Lucifer and the end of the world. If you are a fan of Kelley’s werewolves, the final three stories are a major departure. At one point I thought Kelley was preparing for the spin-off series featuring Savannah as the lead character when the entire focus of the last three books was Savannah.
see all of my reviews at : thereadingcafe.com
December 31, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Savannah's book! I remember being unsure about her as narrator when I first learned she was getting a trilogy to end the series (for now!), but honestly she does some real growing up in this book. While I don't think she's over her prejudice towards humans, I kinda feel like she taken steps towards overcoming it, thanks to Michael, Paula and Kayla. She's also learning to stop running from her problems and to accept help (eventually) instead of insisting on fighting her own battles. I think towards the end something significant changes between her and Adam as well.
She was actually willing to sacrifice herself for the good of total strangers, something she wouldn't have even thought of doing a few years ago.
The plot was interesting too and I'd never have guessed through the book at who one of the killers were, we also seem to have stumbled across the elusive, believed to be a myth, witch hunter as well which should prove interesting as the trilogy continues.
I love how Adam doesn't give up on her and follows her even when she lashes out at him and tells him to stay away. She has a mini-meltdown at the end but I think she needed it to let out everything she's been holding in and move forward. It's also shown her she has a true friend in Adam who'll take the worst she can dish out and still stand by her, just what every girl wants! ;-)
The ending is a bit of a surprise that you don't see coming either but will be significant in the rest of the trilogy.
She was actually willing to sacrifice herself for the good of total strangers, something she wouldn't have even thought of doing a few years ago.
The plot was interesting too and I'd never have guessed through the book at who one of the killers were, we also seem to have stumbled across the elusive, believed to be a myth, witch hunter as well which should prove interesting as the trilogy continues.
I love how Adam doesn't give up on her and follows her even when she lashes out at him and tells him to stay away. She has a mini-meltdown at the end but I think she needed it to let out everything she's been holding in and move forward. It's also shown her she has a true friend in Adam who'll take the worst she can dish out and still stand by her, just what every girl wants! ;-)
The ending is a bit of a surprise that you don't see coming either but will be significant in the rest of the trilogy.
February 15, 2017
I really enjoyed reading from Savanah's pov. I figured out the person who was doing the killing on Savanah's case. Well, the body. I did not know on the little girls mom. I hope we see more of Savanah and Adam budding romance.
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