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Pendle Hill #1
Returned
17 year old Cora Hunt has one wish, to live the life of a normal teenager.
Her wish never comes true.
After her reluctant move to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire Cora's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a witch, a very powerful witch. Cora is not just any old witch, she is the daughter of Alizon Device who was one of the most powerful witches of her time.
Dealing with her new found powers is quite a challenge, but when the past she didn't know about unearths new complications in the form of Jack Thomas, her life becomes increasingly dangerous with each waking minute.
Jack also has a secret past, a past that clashes with Cora's.
A confrontation between the two results in a life or death situation. The brutal events of 1612 happened hundreds of years ago, but what Jack and Cora face is a definite déjà vu. The only question is, will their fate be the same as those who perished in 1612?
Her wish never comes true.
After her reluctant move to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire Cora's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a witch, a very powerful witch. Cora is not just any old witch, she is the daughter of Alizon Device who was one of the most powerful witches of her time.
Dealing with her new found powers is quite a challenge, but when the past she didn't know about unearths new complications in the form of Jack Thomas, her life becomes increasingly dangerous with each waking minute.
Jack also has a secret past, a past that clashes with Cora's.
A confrontation between the two results in a life or death situation. The brutal events of 1612 happened hundreds of years ago, but what Jack and Cora face is a definite déjà vu. The only question is, will their fate be the same as those who perished in 1612?
332 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 31, 2018
This is a new to me author, so I had no idea what to expect from this book.
The cover and the synopsis both piqued my curiosity and made me want to read this story to find out more about the characters.
The story is well thought out and has an easy to follow flow. Each scene leads into the next effortlessly, as the story progresses the plot becomes more intriguing. There are twists and turns in all the right places and there’s never a dull moment.
The characters are incredibly realistic, they have flaws and feelings just like we do, and they come through in book. Most of the characters are extremely lovable; even the bad guys in a love-hate kind of way.
The characters and the plot in Returned come across as a very cleverly written tangled web that unravels before the readers eyes. The plot and characters will draw you in from the get-go and they will keep you right alongside of them until the very end, and then you’ll want more, I know I do!
Considering this is the first of this authors books that I’ve read, I wasn’t disappointed, and I’ll definitely be looking at reading more of her work in the future.
I found author's writing to be very informative, clear and jam packed with emotion that her characters deserve. She gives her readers a clear picture of what is going on and will make you feel as though you are part of the story.
I have enjoyed reading Returned and I look forward to my next encounter with this author's words, worlds and characters.
The cover and the synopsis both piqued my curiosity and made me want to read this story to find out more about the characters.
The story is well thought out and has an easy to follow flow. Each scene leads into the next effortlessly, as the story progresses the plot becomes more intriguing. There are twists and turns in all the right places and there’s never a dull moment.
The characters are incredibly realistic, they have flaws and feelings just like we do, and they come through in book. Most of the characters are extremely lovable; even the bad guys in a love-hate kind of way.
The characters and the plot in Returned come across as a very cleverly written tangled web that unravels before the readers eyes. The plot and characters will draw you in from the get-go and they will keep you right alongside of them until the very end, and then you’ll want more, I know I do!
Considering this is the first of this authors books that I’ve read, I wasn’t disappointed, and I’ll definitely be looking at reading more of her work in the future.
I found author's writing to be very informative, clear and jam packed with emotion that her characters deserve. She gives her readers a clear picture of what is going on and will make you feel as though you are part of the story.
I have enjoyed reading Returned and I look forward to my next encounter with this author's words, worlds and characters.
September 30, 2013
Oh. My. Gosh! This book was amazing. I fell in love with almost all the characters mentioned in the book except the bad guys for obvious reasons. They are simply mean and bad and mean...you know what I'm talking about. :D
So our Cora here has been on the move for the past year and really is just tired of it and wants a place to settle down. London seemed like a good place to do that but where Cora moves to after London is a village in the middle of Lancashire. But her heart isn't where she is. She'd not really impressed by her surrounding as she was with London. But it still feels like she's finally come home. Why she feels that she doesn't know yet. Then before a weird encounter with a weird lady she happens to meet jack who apparently hates her because someone warned him about her. But warned about what??
Soon after she finds out her true identity and is shocked to know that not everything in her life is as it seems. While the story unfolds Jack finds out his part of the family history just as Cora does hers. The result?? Jack has to kill Cora to survive & viceversa . It 's kill or be killed. But will they actually be able to do just that? Is their hate for each other so strong that it surpasses everything else?
The pace of the story was great,I never had a boring moment in this book. I am a sucker for reincarnated soul stories, though Jack and Cora were not exactly reincarnated , the history between them had me glued to this book excited to know how things would progress. The fights scenes were just perfect. They kept me at the edge of my seat. While reading Returned I laughed, smiled and my heart hurt for what Jack and Cora had lost and by the end of the book after the death of a much loved character I was in tears. Overall this book again reminded me of my hatred of cliffhangers. There's could not have been a better cliffhanger to end a book.Totally excited for the next book in the series and see what happens next!
So our Cora here has been on the move for the past year and really is just tired of it and wants a place to settle down. London seemed like a good place to do that but where Cora moves to after London is a village in the middle of Lancashire. But her heart isn't where she is. She'd not really impressed by her surrounding as she was with London. But it still feels like she's finally come home. Why she feels that she doesn't know yet. Then before a weird encounter with a weird lady she happens to meet jack who apparently hates her because someone warned him about her. But warned about what??
Soon after she finds out her true identity and is shocked to know that not everything in her life is as it seems. While the story unfolds Jack finds out his part of the family history just as Cora does hers. The result?? Jack has to kill Cora to survive & viceversa . It 's kill or be killed. But will they actually be able to do just that? Is their hate for each other so strong that it surpasses everything else?
The pace of the story was great,I never had a boring moment in this book. I am a sucker for reincarnated soul stories, though Jack and Cora were not exactly reincarnated , the history between them had me glued to this book excited to know how things would progress. The fights scenes were just perfect. They kept me at the edge of my seat. While reading Returned I laughed, smiled and my heart hurt for what Jack and Cora had lost and by the end of the book after the death of a much loved character I was in tears. Overall this book again reminded me of my hatred of cliffhangers. There's could not have been a better cliffhanger to end a book.Totally excited for the next book in the series and see what happens next!
October 8, 2013
17 year old Cora Hunt has one wish, to live the life of a normal teenager. Her wish never comes true.
After her reluctant move to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire Cora's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a witch. Cora is not just any old witch, she is the daughter of Alizon Device who was one of the most powerful witches of her time.
Dealing with her new found powers is quite a challenge, but when the past she didn't know about unearths new complications in the form of Jack Thomas, her life becomes increasingly dangerous with each waking minute. Jack also has a secret past, a past that clashes with Cora's.
A confrontation between the two results in a life or death situation. The brutal events of 1612 happened hundreds of years ago, but what Jack and Cora face is a definite déjà vu.
The only question is, will their fate be the same as those who perished in 1612?
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Cora has moved from town to town over the years and being the new kid in town isn’t anything new for her. One day walking through town she bumps into some kids who just are terrible and is pulled into a store and from this point on her life is not the same.
Cora finds out she is a witch, a descendant of one of the most powerful witches ever then to top it off is Jack (that terrible boy from town) who also appears to be a witch descended from the same time. Thing is the two families have been feuding since the 1600’s and today is no different, except they are now being hunted. Can Jack & Cora put this really old feud aside and work together or will the fate of their lives end when these other witches come to town?
I truly enjoyed this book from the beginning…I connected with Cora right away, maybe it was her need of a friend (I’ve been the new kid in town and know what it feels like when you are reserved) but whatever it was, it clicked from the beginning..I hated Jack from the get go but as the story progresses along with Jack changing, my opinion of him also changes. Each member of the two coven’s add their own unique twist to the story and make the two kids become who they are….I absolutely loved how Ayden could “split” at any second and Ember, OMG I loved the part about “resting” at the house and having chocolate with Cora’s mother…I laughed so hard at that one :D
Definitely add this one to your library and don’t forget the novella that goes with this one, it’s called “Before”
After her reluctant move to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire Cora's life is turned upside down when she discovers she is a witch. Cora is not just any old witch, she is the daughter of Alizon Device who was one of the most powerful witches of her time.
Dealing with her new found powers is quite a challenge, but when the past she didn't know about unearths new complications in the form of Jack Thomas, her life becomes increasingly dangerous with each waking minute. Jack also has a secret past, a past that clashes with Cora's.
A confrontation between the two results in a life or death situation. The brutal events of 1612 happened hundreds of years ago, but what Jack and Cora face is a definite déjà vu.
The only question is, will their fate be the same as those who perished in 1612?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cora has moved from town to town over the years and being the new kid in town isn’t anything new for her. One day walking through town she bumps into some kids who just are terrible and is pulled into a store and from this point on her life is not the same.
Cora finds out she is a witch, a descendant of one of the most powerful witches ever then to top it off is Jack (that terrible boy from town) who also appears to be a witch descended from the same time. Thing is the two families have been feuding since the 1600’s and today is no different, except they are now being hunted. Can Jack & Cora put this really old feud aside and work together or will the fate of their lives end when these other witches come to town?
I truly enjoyed this book from the beginning…I connected with Cora right away, maybe it was her need of a friend (I’ve been the new kid in town and know what it feels like when you are reserved) but whatever it was, it clicked from the beginning..I hated Jack from the get go but as the story progresses along with Jack changing, my opinion of him also changes. Each member of the two coven’s add their own unique twist to the story and make the two kids become who they are….I absolutely loved how Ayden could “split” at any second and Ember, OMG I loved the part about “resting” at the house and having chocolate with Cora’s mother…I laughed so hard at that one :D
Definitely add this one to your library and don’t forget the novella that goes with this one, it’s called “Before”
December 17, 2012
Even though this is the author's first book, I have to say I would put this with many other authors books which have been on the scene for years. A perfect book is one that sweeps you up and then drops you, shaken and speechless, when the book is over.
Returned is the perfect mixture of suspence, humour, family, magic and fights! There are plenty of excellent, nail biting magical fights! The first couple of chapters introduce the main characters Cora and Jack. In these chapters you are given a taste of Cora's great sense of humour and Jack's cocky, boyish-charm(?) not sure if charm is the right word but he is definitely one the ladies will like. Obviously the blurb tells us that she is a witch but how this comes about is very interesting. Jack Thomas will definitely get his ass kicked.
I can't tell you how many times I said the words, "oh my god" when the book took another twist in the plot. The author keeps you guessing until the very end. Seriously you can't begin to figure out what the twist will be. It's so shocking it will stay with you for some time to come. Read the book!
I found Returned a refreshing new take on witches, it's a great, easy read to get through. I can't wait to read book 2!
Returned is the perfect mixture of suspence, humour, family, magic and fights! There are plenty of excellent, nail biting magical fights! The first couple of chapters introduce the main characters Cora and Jack. In these chapters you are given a taste of Cora's great sense of humour and Jack's cocky, boyish-charm(?) not sure if charm is the right word but he is definitely one the ladies will like. Obviously the blurb tells us that she is a witch but how this comes about is very interesting. Jack Thomas will definitely get his ass kicked.
I can't tell you how many times I said the words, "oh my god" when the book took another twist in the plot. The author keeps you guessing until the very end. Seriously you can't begin to figure out what the twist will be. It's so shocking it will stay with you for some time to come. Read the book!
I found Returned a refreshing new take on witches, it's a great, easy read to get through. I can't wait to read book 2!
December 22, 2012
Full review coming soon.
Want to read
March 7, 2013Her name's Cora, my name's Cora Linn . Of course I want to read it.
I still have a little explosion of "YAY!" when I see my name in print - although I've still never seen my whole first name.
I still have a little explosion of "YAY!" when I see my name in print - although I've still never seen my whole first name.
February 3, 2022
This is a good witch novel. I really liked the characters and the basis of the story. The pacing was good. Punctuation and word choices could have been better in many instances. Could have used more through editing. The book ends with a "cliffhanger" moment in the midst of a big battle between covens that the whole story had been setting up for. I don't view such endings too favorably. I think the battle should have been concluded before the author moved onto the second book of this series. Nonetheless, this was quite an entertaining read.
March 20, 2019
After reading the Serendipity series by Keeley I am already a huge fan of hers but this book has turned me in to a super fan!!! This book twists and turns and my love and hate of the characters was constantly evolving. I have literally just finished the last page and seriously want to pick the next one up to continue the story. Keeley writes as though to bring you in to the story and captures your attention throughout. So different from the Serendipity series but equally amazing!!
September 25, 2013
This book was received free of charge as part of a book tour (Share My Destiny Blog) for an honest review.
„Returned“ by Keeley Smith is the story of two young people, Jack and Cora, who are in fact not so young anymore. They are witches and their families have sworn to kill each other until only one remains.
Actually this book reminds me a lot of the „Twilight“ series by Stephenie Meyer (I have to admit I liked reading those, but think the movies are crap). First thing is: Jack and Cora are both 17. When Cora gets to know she is actually 417(or something around that, I'm not so good at remembering ages. And don't worry it's not a major spoiler, since it's known throughout the whole book.), I jusr had to think about the scene in the forest, where Bella gets to know Edward is a vampire.[„How old are you?“ „Seventeen.“ „How long have you been Seventeen?“ „...a while.“(quote from Stephenie Meyer's „Twilight“)]
Furthermore there is a group, who are similar to the Volturi, who want to prevent witchcraft from being known and are super powerful. I'm aware groups like this existed in books published long before „Twilight“, but the „Volturi“ from „Twilight“ are probably the best know one.
And to add to the whole „Twilight“ similarities, I just read 8 books of the „Wicca“ series by Cate Tienan a few months ago, so I simply had the feeling to read something I had already seen before.
Anyway I still enjoyed reading „Returned“. In my opinion the reader is able to grasp each character's feelings and thoughts pretty clearly. Even though some not so important characters remain a total mystery. Also I have to admit I love stories, where the past is really blurry and you get to know the facts slowly. I can't wait to get to know more about the past events! :) (Luckily „Before“ is already finished and waiting for me to read it.)
Since the book ends with a cliffhanger, I had a hard time deciding my rating. Actually I loved reading this and would give five stars at first thought. „Returned“ really never gets boring. In contrast to this stands the image of vampire witches I've got in my head since I started reading (It even became a joke between me and my boyfriend..) and the fact, that the basic idea (Pendle Hill, the witch trials and even the names) are based on historical events(That makes it feel a little bit like the author lacks originality, but probably depends on what she is going to do with the following books.).
So I came to the decision, I should give either a 3 or a 4, but since I can't decide I settled for 3,5 what might also tend more to 4.(since nonetheless it was still a great read!)
„Returned“ by Keeley Smith is the story of two young people, Jack and Cora, who are in fact not so young anymore. They are witches and their families have sworn to kill each other until only one remains.
Actually this book reminds me a lot of the „Twilight“ series by Stephenie Meyer (I have to admit I liked reading those, but think the movies are crap). First thing is: Jack and Cora are both 17. When Cora gets to know she is actually 417(or something around that, I'm not so good at remembering ages. And don't worry it's not a major spoiler, since it's known throughout the whole book.), I jusr had to think about the scene in the forest, where Bella gets to know Edward is a vampire.[„How old are you?“ „Seventeen.“ „How long have you been Seventeen?“ „...a while.“(quote from Stephenie Meyer's „Twilight“)]
Furthermore there is a group, who are similar to the Volturi, who want to prevent witchcraft from being known and are super powerful. I'm aware groups like this existed in books published long before „Twilight“, but the „Volturi“ from „Twilight“ are probably the best know one.
And to add to the whole „Twilight“ similarities, I just read 8 books of the „Wicca“ series by Cate Tienan a few months ago, so I simply had the feeling to read something I had already seen before.
Anyway I still enjoyed reading „Returned“. In my opinion the reader is able to grasp each character's feelings and thoughts pretty clearly. Even though some not so important characters remain a total mystery. Also I have to admit I love stories, where the past is really blurry and you get to know the facts slowly. I can't wait to get to know more about the past events! :) (Luckily „Before“ is already finished and waiting for me to read it.)
Since the book ends with a cliffhanger, I had a hard time deciding my rating. Actually I loved reading this and would give five stars at first thought. „Returned“ really never gets boring. In contrast to this stands the image of vampire witches I've got in my head since I started reading (It even became a joke between me and my boyfriend..) and the fact, that the basic idea (Pendle Hill, the witch trials and even the names) are based on historical events(That makes it feel a little bit like the author lacks originality, but probably depends on what she is going to do with the following books.).
So I came to the decision, I should give either a 3 or a 4, but since I can't decide I settled for 3,5 what might also tend more to 4.(since nonetheless it was still a great read!)
March 6, 2017
Rejuvenating soul stories!
Amazing book, impossible to feel bored, I completely guarantee you. The scenario is perfectly beautiful; you will fall in love with names, places, characters and the plot. For me since I love witch stories so I was amazed and all the time excited, turning next page for more.
Cora is a 17years old girl who moves to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire and wish to have a normal life but she will find out that she has a hidden power that can destroy everything and she meets with Jack who has a similar destiny with her and was her soul mate once in 1612!
Amazing book, impossible to feel bored, I completely guarantee you. The scenario is perfectly beautiful; you will fall in love with names, places, characters and the plot. For me since I love witch stories so I was amazed and all the time excited, turning next page for more.
Cora is a 17years old girl who moves to a sleepy village in the middle of Lancashire and wish to have a normal life but she will find out that she has a hidden power that can destroy everything and she meets with Jack who has a similar destiny with her and was her soul mate once in 1612!
September 30, 2013
Returned is the first book in the Pendle Hill series about a girl named Cora who has lived many lives and has no idea. She awakens to her memories in a small strange town and learns that herself and her ancestors are witches, and powerful ones at that.
Book one follows Cora through learning about her history, how she came to be in this place and time, and about how she must learn about her powers. Cora is a bit whiny in the beginning of the book, looking to be a normal teen, but obviously she never gets that. Instead she is thrust into a new town, with new people, and now she has to learn to be a witch. To make matters worse her mother was the most powerful witch ever, so she has a lot to live up to.
Throughout the story, Cora takes most of this news very well, all things considered, and is a strong female character. Tabitha her keeper of sorts is strong too but very mysterious, even in the novella is a bit of a mystery.
I enjoyed this book well enough but it did take some time to read. I felt like there were some lulls in the story that kept the momentum low, especially around the halfway point. The climaxes in the plot that I wanted to see where a little lacking but just interesting enough to hold me not clenching my attention totally. (I felt like I was reading a book versus becoming part of the story and maybe that was just me)
I am interested to see where the book series goes with these characters and the modern world of witches in the coming books.
Book one follows Cora through learning about her history, how she came to be in this place and time, and about how she must learn about her powers. Cora is a bit whiny in the beginning of the book, looking to be a normal teen, but obviously she never gets that. Instead she is thrust into a new town, with new people, and now she has to learn to be a witch. To make matters worse her mother was the most powerful witch ever, so she has a lot to live up to.
Throughout the story, Cora takes most of this news very well, all things considered, and is a strong female character. Tabitha her keeper of sorts is strong too but very mysterious, even in the novella is a bit of a mystery.
I enjoyed this book well enough but it did take some time to read. I felt like there were some lulls in the story that kept the momentum low, especially around the halfway point. The climaxes in the plot that I wanted to see where a little lacking but just interesting enough to hold me not clenching my attention totally. (I felt like I was reading a book versus becoming part of the story and maybe that was just me)
I am interested to see where the book series goes with these characters and the modern world of witches in the coming books.
March 20, 2014
Spelling errors
I only got 6%in to the book. 6% isn't a lot, but when you can't concentrate on the story because of the grammar errors it's a problem. That's the reason for the 1star. Seemed like it was going to be a good story, but I guess I'll never know.
I only got 6%in to the book. 6% isn't a lot, but when you can't concentrate on the story because of the grammar errors it's a problem. That's the reason for the 1star. Seemed like it was going to be a good story, but I guess I'll never know.
August 23, 2013
Exceptional. Couldn't hardly put it down. Love that it has little hints of English culture in it. The cliffhanger ending has me desperately wanting more!!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews