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Greywalker #7
Seawitch
Harper Blaine was your average small-time PI until she died—for two minutes. Now Harper is a Greywalker, treading the thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm. And she’s discovering that her new abilities are landing her all sorts of “strange” cases.
A quarter century ago, the Seawitch cruised away from her dock and disappeared with everyone on board. Now, the boat has mysteriously returned to her old berth in Seattle and the insurance company has hired Harper to find out what happened.
But Harper is not the only one investigating. Seattle Police Detective Rey Solis is a good cop, albeit one who isn’t comfortable with the creepy cases that always seem to end up in Harper’s lap. As they explore the abandoned vessel, Harper and Solis discover a cabin containing symbols drawn in human blood, revealing the ghost ship’s grave history.
As Solis focuses on the possible murder of a passenger’s wife, Harper’s investigation leads her to a powerful being who may be responsible for the disappearance of the Seawitch’s passengers and crew. And while their searches lead Harper and Solis in different directions, they will need to put aside their differences to solve a deadly mystery twenty-five years in the making…
A quarter century ago, the Seawitch cruised away from her dock and disappeared with everyone on board. Now, the boat has mysteriously returned to her old berth in Seattle and the insurance company has hired Harper to find out what happened.
But Harper is not the only one investigating. Seattle Police Detective Rey Solis is a good cop, albeit one who isn’t comfortable with the creepy cases that always seem to end up in Harper’s lap. As they explore the abandoned vessel, Harper and Solis discover a cabin containing symbols drawn in human blood, revealing the ghost ship’s grave history.
As Solis focuses on the possible murder of a passenger’s wife, Harper’s investigation leads her to a powerful being who may be responsible for the disappearance of the Seawitch’s passengers and crew. And while their searches lead Harper and Solis in different directions, they will need to put aside their differences to solve a deadly mystery twenty-five years in the making…
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First published August 7, 2012
66 people are currently reading
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About the author
Kat Richardson
33 books1,245 followersBestselling author of the Greywalker paranormal detective novels. Former theater brat, singer, dancer, gemology and jewelry course-writer, liveaboard boater, and editor. Currently lives in the wilds of far-western Washington with her husband and dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
July 15, 2019
the boredom continues
This one was a bit better than the previous one, but not by much. Can't get myself to give it less than 3 stars though, I still like this series and its characters.
February 3, 2018
After she dealt with the mystery of her own family, helped placing the new Guardian Beast, realized she mustn't play with death anymore, Harper gets a new case. A boat that was missing for twenty-seven years suddenly comes back without its passengers but with a lot of bloody clues on board.
This time, though, she has to work closely with Ray Solis and the Danzingers are in England. Fortunately, I wasn't mistaken in liking Ray Solis. Harper will even meet his family. That experience will show a whole new side of him.
Magic plays a huge role in this story and Harper will have to deal with without any help from people who know something about it.
Parts of Seawitch take place on water and there is a lot of stuff about boats which isn't something I find very interesting, but it's not something that ruins the story.
As for Quinton, he doesn't let Harper out of his sight as soon as it becomes clear that she needs all the help she can get. A member of his family makes an appearance. It isn't pleasant, but it might be a piece of a future story. It would be great.
In Seawitch Harper Blaine gets new friends, realizes that she doesn't need the power she almost got before, finally sees whether the Guardian Beast has anything human left in it, accepts her role as a true friend and, in Quinton's case, a lover too.
August 14, 2012
Review originally posted here: http://www.rantingdragon.com/review-o...
Seawitch is the seventh novel of the nationally bestselling Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. Private investigator and Greywalker Harper Blaine is back in Seattle after the the events of book six ( Downpour ) took both her and her boyfriend out of their comfort zones and to a national park near Seattle.
Harper Blaine used to be a smaller-time private investigator–that is, until she died for two minutes. Now, she's a Greywalker, someone able to see and interact with the Grey, the plane of the ghostly and otherworldly, and home to ghosts and other entities. Due to this ability to tread the very thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm of the Grey, Harper lands some decidedly "strange" cases.
The ghost ship Seawitch disappeared twenty-seven years ago and hasn't been seen since—until now. Now, it's the subject of Harper Blaine's latest case, a case that has her teaming up with Detective Rey Solis of the SPD, a man well-skeptical of anything falling outside of "normal" logic. On top of a partner who doesn't really trust her, Harper must also navigate her way through this case while avoiding destruction, ghostly and paranormal threats and death.
You know, the usual.
Delves a little deeper
Seawitch, like all of the previous Greywalker novels, expands Richardson's unique magic and supernatural system. We see a little bit more of Harper's view of the Grey and of the mortal world. In particular, there is a focus on the Guardian Beast of the Grey and Harper's relationship with it (y'know, it being her boss and all). The magic of the system also gets some screen time as Harper's understanding of it grows. In addition to the supernatural growth, Harper's physical boundaries are expanded. The nature of her case means that, sooner or later, Harper will have to spend some time on boats and out on Puget Sound, something that hasn't really happened in the course of the series thus far.
The only detracting aspect in my mind comes from my having read the rest of the series, actually. In Seawitch, there simply isn't as much development and discovery of the Grey and the various other supernatural elements as there has been in the previous novels. Much of this can be attributed, however, to the idea that Harper's experiences have finally reached the point where she is no longer coming upon absolutely new things around every corner. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it just is, but it made the book seem less in comparison.
Thicker writing than a typical urban fantasy
Having just burned through five different novels within two weeks, I became aware of something I'd always registered unconsciously but never actively realized: I read the Greywalker novels more slowly than I do the majority of urban fantasy. After thinking on it, I believe this is due to Richardson's specific writing style. There is just something about it, some combination of Harper's narrative voice and Richardson's descriptions that forces the reader to slow down and process all of… well, all the things (ALL THE THINGS!). To put it in perspective, I can go through one Greywalker novel in two days if I have nothing else going on (including my day job). In the same amount of time, I can go through three or four other urban fantasy novels. Seawitch was no exception to this trend set by the previous installments in the series.
Now, this is not to say that Richardson's writing has any blatant problems or that the flow is stilted, as that is most certainly not the case. Richardson's writing flows—just at a slower pace than that of series like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. In my opinion, it's a nice change of pace from the usual fare.
Organic character developments
By far, my most favorite aspect of Seawitch comes in the form of its characters. I love everything Quinton, and we get glimpses into his past and family life in this novel. He also goes so far as to call out Harper, pointing out some of her own character flaws—something which makes them both more human. And that doesn't even take into account their reactions to the situation and that particular conversation.
However, it was Detective Rey Solis and his family that were my absolute favorite parts of Seawitch. A lot is revealed about Solis and why he does what he does. His reactions when confronted with the reality of the Grey and of the paranormal are completely believable. Subsequently, he becomes much more likable than he was in previous novels.
Oh. And his wife is awesome. Just a heads-up.
Why should you read this book?
If you're returning to Harper's story, you won't be disappointed. While Seawitch doesn't expand the world as much as previous novels, Harper is still her kick-ass self—and a bit more so, as she is more confident with the whole "taking charge" thing in Seawitch than in previous novels. Quinton makes his appearances, and the glimpses of his past are enough to leave any fan wanting to know more. If you're a newcomer to the series, you might end up a bit lost at the beginning, but not too terribly. As always, Richardson's unique system of the Grey captivates, and the sheer amount of character development is admirable. With this latest in the Greywalker series, Richardson has crafted a well-balanced urban fantasy novel with a kick-ass heroine who isn't afraid to take names, a story that will appeal to both mystery and paranormal lovers, and a fantastic supporting cast of characters that bring an exquisite level of believability to Harper's world.
Oh, and did I mention mermaids? 'Cause there were mermaids.
Seawitch is the seventh novel of the nationally bestselling Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. Private investigator and Greywalker Harper Blaine is back in Seattle after the the events of book six ( Downpour ) took both her and her boyfriend out of their comfort zones and to a national park near Seattle.
Harper Blaine used to be a smaller-time private investigator–that is, until she died for two minutes. Now, she's a Greywalker, someone able to see and interact with the Grey, the plane of the ghostly and otherworldly, and home to ghosts and other entities. Due to this ability to tread the very thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm of the Grey, Harper lands some decidedly "strange" cases.
The ghost ship Seawitch disappeared twenty-seven years ago and hasn't been seen since—until now. Now, it's the subject of Harper Blaine's latest case, a case that has her teaming up with Detective Rey Solis of the SPD, a man well-skeptical of anything falling outside of "normal" logic. On top of a partner who doesn't really trust her, Harper must also navigate her way through this case while avoiding destruction, ghostly and paranormal threats and death.
You know, the usual.
Delves a little deeper
Seawitch, like all of the previous Greywalker novels, expands Richardson's unique magic and supernatural system. We see a little bit more of Harper's view of the Grey and of the mortal world. In particular, there is a focus on the Guardian Beast of the Grey and Harper's relationship with it (y'know, it being her boss and all). The magic of the system also gets some screen time as Harper's understanding of it grows. In addition to the supernatural growth, Harper's physical boundaries are expanded. The nature of her case means that, sooner or later, Harper will have to spend some time on boats and out on Puget Sound, something that hasn't really happened in the course of the series thus far.
The only detracting aspect in my mind comes from my having read the rest of the series, actually. In Seawitch, there simply isn't as much development and discovery of the Grey and the various other supernatural elements as there has been in the previous novels. Much of this can be attributed, however, to the idea that Harper's experiences have finally reached the point where she is no longer coming upon absolutely new things around every corner. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it just is, but it made the book seem less in comparison.
Thicker writing than a typical urban fantasy
Having just burned through five different novels within two weeks, I became aware of something I'd always registered unconsciously but never actively realized: I read the Greywalker novels more slowly than I do the majority of urban fantasy. After thinking on it, I believe this is due to Richardson's specific writing style. There is just something about it, some combination of Harper's narrative voice and Richardson's descriptions that forces the reader to slow down and process all of… well, all the things (ALL THE THINGS!). To put it in perspective, I can go through one Greywalker novel in two days if I have nothing else going on (including my day job). In the same amount of time, I can go through three or four other urban fantasy novels. Seawitch was no exception to this trend set by the previous installments in the series.
Now, this is not to say that Richardson's writing has any blatant problems or that the flow is stilted, as that is most certainly not the case. Richardson's writing flows—just at a slower pace than that of series like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. In my opinion, it's a nice change of pace from the usual fare.
Organic character developments
By far, my most favorite aspect of Seawitch comes in the form of its characters. I love everything Quinton, and we get glimpses into his past and family life in this novel. He also goes so far as to call out Harper, pointing out some of her own character flaws—something which makes them both more human. And that doesn't even take into account their reactions to the situation and that particular conversation.
However, it was Detective Rey Solis and his family that were my absolute favorite parts of Seawitch. A lot is revealed about Solis and why he does what he does. His reactions when confronted with the reality of the Grey and of the paranormal are completely believable. Subsequently, he becomes much more likable than he was in previous novels.
Oh. And his wife is awesome. Just a heads-up.
Why should you read this book?
If you're returning to Harper's story, you won't be disappointed. While Seawitch doesn't expand the world as much as previous novels, Harper is still her kick-ass self—and a bit more so, as she is more confident with the whole "taking charge" thing in Seawitch than in previous novels. Quinton makes his appearances, and the glimpses of his past are enough to leave any fan wanting to know more. If you're a newcomer to the series, you might end up a bit lost at the beginning, but not too terribly. As always, Richardson's unique system of the Grey captivates, and the sheer amount of character development is admirable. With this latest in the Greywalker series, Richardson has crafted a well-balanced urban fantasy novel with a kick-ass heroine who isn't afraid to take names, a story that will appeal to both mystery and paranormal lovers, and a fantastic supporting cast of characters that bring an exquisite level of believability to Harper's world.
Oh, and did I mention mermaids? 'Cause there were mermaids.
December 6, 2019
I figured out the bones of the "mystery" very early on, but it was still nice to wait and get the details.
August 8, 2013
Harper is sent by an insurance company to investigate a boat that went missing twenty-seven years ago and suddenly showed back up at the harbor. It didn’t have any passengers, but it does look a mess. One of the rooms had a lot of blood decorating the floor in a ritualistic manner. Rey Solis, a police detective that usually finds his way attached to Harper’s unusual cases, is charged with seeing if foul play had anything to do with it, but what he really wants is the dirt on Harper. They both get much more than they bargained for when the truth starts to come out.
Seawitch is book seven in the Greywalker series. While the central plot stands on its own, away from the series, the characters don’t. If read separate or out of order readers won’t understand Blaine’s boyfriend Quinton or why she is so concerned with having Solis around. I recommend reading the series in order.
Seawitch kicks off with Harper and Solis taking a visit to the ghost ship together. Harper, being a Greywalker—can slip into a between realm where ghosts and paranormal things lurk. Richardson always has some fun description when it comes to the grey. Harper slides into the grey (paranormal realm) on accident in front of Solis, and is kind of attacked while she’s at it. Events like this keep happening. Ghosts and other things keep dropping handy clues for the pair, although the clues are cryptic.
Readers get a new look at Solis. A lot of his background is unveiled, including his strange family.
Harper’s boyfriend, Quinton, makes a few brief appearances. Enough to let the reader know that his secret agent father has discovered the paranormal, and that our government is going to collect paranormals and study them. I hope this plot-line plays out. It sounds like a good time will be had by all. (Mwahahahaha *cough* *cough*) Quinton does join the main cast for the end, but mostly keeps to himself in Seawitch.
Alright, time to crack out what was good, and not so good. I’ve read this series for a while now. I remember the first book grabbing me with an action scene that had my mouth hanging half open. Seawitch never does that. The action scenes are piled full of Richardson’s description. Her descriptions are awesome, but here it felt more like just plotting movement. This is especially true towards the end of the novel. Harper carries a wound with her throughout the end of the book. At first it hurts her so bad she can’t laugh without wincing, but then the wound gets a hundred times worse—not only is she laughing, but walks a mile. The injury only comes back up when she has a weak moment towards the end.
What is good, and what I’ve really enjoyed in Richardson’s Greywalker series is her use of actual history. While most of the actual history in the book takes strange turns that never happened, it’s clear how much the author knows on the subject. In Seawitch the knowledge of ships and the history of the area seem legit. On that note sometimes it was a little too much information, especially where ships and sailing came in.
Seawitch is a mystery, but not the kind that Harper really figures out. It’s mostly ghosts beating her over the head with details, or whispering something cryptic until she finds a way to open up all the details. While ghosts beat her over the head, Harper is never dense, one of the reasons I’ve stayed with this series for so long. She is a resourceful, strong willed and sometimes awkward, but in the right ways.
When the series started out it had a plot working in the background that found its conclusion in book five, Labyrinth. I’m hoping that a new back plot is in the works, or perhaps it’s the government thing?
On a whole the Greywalker series has a lot to offer its readers. While it has romantic interests it’s far from being central to the story. This is a series for mystery lovers. Richardson blends her paranormal world into the scientific world making it have a more concrete feel.
- Beth
Seawitch is book seven in the Greywalker series. While the central plot stands on its own, away from the series, the characters don’t. If read separate or out of order readers won’t understand Blaine’s boyfriend Quinton or why she is so concerned with having Solis around. I recommend reading the series in order.
Seawitch kicks off with Harper and Solis taking a visit to the ghost ship together. Harper, being a Greywalker—can slip into a between realm where ghosts and paranormal things lurk. Richardson always has some fun description when it comes to the grey. Harper slides into the grey (paranormal realm) on accident in front of Solis, and is kind of attacked while she’s at it. Events like this keep happening. Ghosts and other things keep dropping handy clues for the pair, although the clues are cryptic.
Readers get a new look at Solis. A lot of his background is unveiled, including his strange family.
Harper’s boyfriend, Quinton, makes a few brief appearances. Enough to let the reader know that his secret agent father has discovered the paranormal, and that our government is going to collect paranormals and study them. I hope this plot-line plays out. It sounds like a good time will be had by all. (Mwahahahaha *cough* *cough*) Quinton does join the main cast for the end, but mostly keeps to himself in Seawitch.
Alright, time to crack out what was good, and not so good. I’ve read this series for a while now. I remember the first book grabbing me with an action scene that had my mouth hanging half open. Seawitch never does that. The action scenes are piled full of Richardson’s description. Her descriptions are awesome, but here it felt more like just plotting movement. This is especially true towards the end of the novel. Harper carries a wound with her throughout the end of the book. At first it hurts her so bad she can’t laugh without wincing, but then the wound gets a hundred times worse—not only is she laughing, but walks a mile. The injury only comes back up when she has a weak moment towards the end.
What is good, and what I’ve really enjoyed in Richardson’s Greywalker series is her use of actual history. While most of the actual history in the book takes strange turns that never happened, it’s clear how much the author knows on the subject. In Seawitch the knowledge of ships and the history of the area seem legit. On that note sometimes it was a little too much information, especially where ships and sailing came in.
Seawitch is a mystery, but not the kind that Harper really figures out. It’s mostly ghosts beating her over the head with details, or whispering something cryptic until she finds a way to open up all the details. While ghosts beat her over the head, Harper is never dense, one of the reasons I’ve stayed with this series for so long. She is a resourceful, strong willed and sometimes awkward, but in the right ways.
When the series started out it had a plot working in the background that found its conclusion in book five, Labyrinth. I’m hoping that a new back plot is in the works, or perhaps it’s the government thing?
On a whole the Greywalker series has a lot to offer its readers. While it has romantic interests it’s far from being central to the story. This is a series for mystery lovers. Richardson blends her paranormal world into the scientific world making it have a more concrete feel.
- Beth
January 5, 2020
A Good read.
I also wanted to add a personal note of thanks to Ms. Richardson for being so accurate about Puget Sound names, lore etc. I am proud to be a Puget Sound local and I loved being to follow the Mambo Moon on its trip to (eventual destination) Jones Island on a MapQuest map!
I also wanted to add a personal note of thanks to Ms. Richardson for being so accurate about Puget Sound names, lore etc. I am proud to be a Puget Sound local and I loved being to follow the Mambo Moon on its trip to (eventual destination) Jones Island on a MapQuest map!
August 23, 2014
Seawitch wasn't a bad story, but I just wasn't into it. I found it even less compelling than Downpour, the last book I read in the Greywalker series. In this book, Richardson has decided to move formerly minor character Ray Solice into a more prominent story position. I'm not opposed to that, and his family actually seems like they could be interesting. The mystery itself, though, is very blah. I can only recommend it for big series fans. I still have hope that things will take a turn for the better, as they have before in the series. The truth is, though, that it's difficult to stretch a series out this far and not have a few duds.
September 16, 2012
Started out fun, but got a bit ridiculous
August 8, 2012
Originally posted here: http://www.rantingdragon.com/review-o...
Seawitch is the seventh novel of the nationally bestselling Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. Private investigator and Greywalker Harper Blaine is back in Seattle after the the events of book six ( Downpour ) took both her and her boyfriend out of their comfort zones and to a national park near Seattle.
Harper Blaine used to be a smaller-time private investigator–that is, until she died for two minutes. Now, she's a Greywalker, someone able to see and interact with the Grey, the plane of the ghostly and otherworldly, and home to ghosts and other entities. Due to this ability to tread the very thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm of the Grey, Harper lands some decidedly "strange" cases.
The ghost ship Seawitch disappeared twenty-seven years ago and hasn't been seen since—until now. Now, it's the subject of Harper Blaine's latest case, a case that has her teaming up with Detective Rey Solis of the SPD, a man well-skeptical of anything falling outside of "normal" logic. On top of a partner who doesn't really trust her, Harper must also navigate her way through this case while avoiding destruction, ghostly and paranormal threats and death.
You know, the usual.
Delves a little deeper
Seawitch, like all of the previous Greywalker novels, expands Richardson's unique magic and supernatural system. We see a little bit more of Harper's view of the Grey and of the mortal world. In particular, there is a focus on the Guardian Beast of the Grey and Harper's relationship with it (y'know, it being her boss and all). The magic of the system also gets some screen time as Harper's understanding of it grows. In addition to the supernatural growth, Harper's physical boundaries are expanded. The nature of her case means that, sooner or later, Harper will have to spend some time on boats and out on Puget Sound, something that hasn't really happened in the course of the series thus far.
The only detracting aspect in my mind comes from my having read the rest of the series, actually. In Seawitch, there simply isn't as much development and discovery of the Grey and the various other supernatural elements as there has been in the previous novels. Much of this can be attributed, however, to the idea that Harper's experiences have finally reached the point where she is no longer coming upon absolutely new things around every corner. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it just is, but it made the book seem less in comparison.
Thicker writing than a typical urban fantasy
Having just burned through five different novels within two weeks, I became aware of something I'd always registered unconsciously but never actively realized: I read the Greywalker novels more slowly than I do the majority of urban fantasy. After thinking on it, I believe this is due to Richardson's specific writing style. There is just something about it, some combination of Harper's narrative voice and Richardson's descriptions that forces the reader to slow down and process all of… well, all the things (ALL THE THINGS!). To put it in perspective, I can go through one Greywalker novel in two days if I have nothing else going on (including my day job). In the same amount of time, I can go through three or four other urban fantasy novels. Seawitch was no exception to this trend set by the previous installments in the series.
Now, this is not to say that Richardson's writing has any blatant problems or that the flow is stilted, as that is most certainly not the case. Richardson's writing flows—just at a slower pace than that of series like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. In my opinion, it's a nice change of pace from the usual fare.
Organic character developments
By far, my most favorite aspect of Seawitch comes in the form of its characters. I love everything Quinton, and we get glimpses into his past and family life in this novel. He also goes so far as to call out Harper, pointing out some of her own character flaws—something which makes them both more human. And that doesn't even take into account their reactions to the situation and that particular conversation.
However, it was Detective Rey Solis and his family that were my absolute favorite parts of Seawitch. A lot is revealed about Solis and why he does what he does. His reactions when confronted with the reality of the Grey and of the paranormal are completely believable. Subsequently, he becomes much more likable than he was in previous novels.
Oh. And his wife is awesome. Just a heads-up.
Why should you read this book?
If you're returning to Harper's story, you won't be disappointed. While Seawitch doesn't expand the world as much as previous novels, Harper is still her kick-ass self—and a bit more so, as she is more confident with the whole "taking charge" thing in Seawitch than in previous novels. Quinton makes his appearances, and the glimpses of his past are enough to leave any fan wanting to know more. If you're a newcomer to the series, you might end up a bit lost at the beginning, but not too terribly. As always, Richardson's unique system of the Grey captivates, and the sheer amount of character development is admirable. With this latest in the Greywalker series, Richardson has crafted a well-balanced urban fantasy novel with a kick-ass heroine who isn't afraid to take names, a story that will appeal to both mystery and paranormal lovers, and a fantastic supporting cast of characters that bring an exquisite level of believability to Harper's world.
Oh, and did I mention mermaids? 'Cause there were mermaids.
Seawitch is the seventh novel of the nationally bestselling Greywalker series by Kat Richardson. Private investigator and Greywalker Harper Blaine is back in Seattle after the the events of book six ( Downpour ) took both her and her boyfriend out of their comfort zones and to a national park near Seattle.
Harper Blaine used to be a smaller-time private investigator–that is, until she died for two minutes. Now, she's a Greywalker, someone able to see and interact with the Grey, the plane of the ghostly and otherworldly, and home to ghosts and other entities. Due to this ability to tread the very thin line between the living world and the paranormal realm of the Grey, Harper lands some decidedly "strange" cases.
The ghost ship Seawitch disappeared twenty-seven years ago and hasn't been seen since—until now. Now, it's the subject of Harper Blaine's latest case, a case that has her teaming up with Detective Rey Solis of the SPD, a man well-skeptical of anything falling outside of "normal" logic. On top of a partner who doesn't really trust her, Harper must also navigate her way through this case while avoiding destruction, ghostly and paranormal threats and death.
You know, the usual.
Delves a little deeper
Seawitch, like all of the previous Greywalker novels, expands Richardson's unique magic and supernatural system. We see a little bit more of Harper's view of the Grey and of the mortal world. In particular, there is a focus on the Guardian Beast of the Grey and Harper's relationship with it (y'know, it being her boss and all). The magic of the system also gets some screen time as Harper's understanding of it grows. In addition to the supernatural growth, Harper's physical boundaries are expanded. The nature of her case means that, sooner or later, Harper will have to spend some time on boats and out on Puget Sound, something that hasn't really happened in the course of the series thus far.
The only detracting aspect in my mind comes from my having read the rest of the series, actually. In Seawitch, there simply isn't as much development and discovery of the Grey and the various other supernatural elements as there has been in the previous novels. Much of this can be attributed, however, to the idea that Harper's experiences have finally reached the point where she is no longer coming upon absolutely new things around every corner. This is not a bad thing or a good thing, it just is, but it made the book seem less in comparison.
Thicker writing than a typical urban fantasy
Having just burned through five different novels within two weeks, I became aware of something I'd always registered unconsciously but never actively realized: I read the Greywalker novels more slowly than I do the majority of urban fantasy. After thinking on it, I believe this is due to Richardson's specific writing style. There is just something about it, some combination of Harper's narrative voice and Richardson's descriptions that forces the reader to slow down and process all of… well, all the things (ALL THE THINGS!). To put it in perspective, I can go through one Greywalker novel in two days if I have nothing else going on (including my day job). In the same amount of time, I can go through three or four other urban fantasy novels. Seawitch was no exception to this trend set by the previous installments in the series.
Now, this is not to say that Richardson's writing has any blatant problems or that the flow is stilted, as that is most certainly not the case. Richardson's writing flows—just at a slower pace than that of series like Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files or Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. In my opinion, it's a nice change of pace from the usual fare.
Organic character developments
By far, my most favorite aspect of Seawitch comes in the form of its characters. I love everything Quinton, and we get glimpses into his past and family life in this novel. He also goes so far as to call out Harper, pointing out some of her own character flaws—something which makes them both more human. And that doesn't even take into account their reactions to the situation and that particular conversation.
However, it was Detective Rey Solis and his family that were my absolute favorite parts of Seawitch. A lot is revealed about Solis and why he does what he does. His reactions when confronted with the reality of the Grey and of the paranormal are completely believable. Subsequently, he becomes much more likable than he was in previous novels.
Oh. And his wife is awesome. Just a heads-up.
Why should you read this book?
If you're returning to Harper's story, you won't be disappointed. While Seawitch doesn't expand the world as much as previous novels, Harper is still her kick-ass self—and a bit more so, as she is more confident with the whole "taking charge" thing in Seawitch than in previous novels. Quinton makes his appearances, and the glimpses of his past are enough to leave any fan wanting to know more. If you're a newcomer to the series, you might end up a bit lost at the beginning, but not too terribly. As always, Richardson's unique system of the Grey captivates, and the sheer amount of character development is admirable. With this latest in the Greywalker series, Richardson has crafted a well-balanced urban fantasy novel with a kick-ass heroine who isn't afraid to take names, a story that will appeal to both mystery and paranormal lovers, and a fantastic supporting cast of characters that bring an exquisite level of believability to Harper's world.
Oh, and did I mention mermaids? 'Cause there were mermaids.
September 4, 2012
Seventh in the Greywalker urban fantasy series revolving around Harper Blaine in Seattle.
My Take
Poor Solis. He's had his suspicions about Harper and they're all about to be confirmed. And then some. It turns out he has an ulterior motive to learn more about what he's suspected.
There's a strange sort of magic surrounding Harper in this one. Not the usual vampires and witches. Still, I suppose if Richardson is going to up the legal end of things with Solis as Harper's partner for this case, it's only fair. We also go home with Solis and meet the family---Harper finds out how he talks about her at home. We also learn something of his own childhood worries.
Appropriately, Richardson tosses a lot of red herrings around in this. Critters, unexplainable murders, Fielding's stories which change with the tide,
Then there's the actions to repel boarders...it certainly appeals to Zantree!
The Story
Harper is hired by the insurance company to find out where the Seawitch has been for the past 27 years when it suddenly shows up back at its original berth. Moldy, mildewed, and falling apart.
Oh, there's a mystery here, all right. But nothing like Harper would expect.
The Characters
Harper Blaine has died three times so far in her life. Each death brings a change has made it more and more possible for her to walk the Grey and protect it. She's a Greywalker, the Hands of the Guardian, Paladin of the Dead. Chaos is her clever, little ferret and Quinton is her boyfriend, recently recruited back into the agency. Not much choice really.
James Purlis, Quinton's dad, is circling around again and he's started up a Ghost Division, looking for paranormals. Seems he's figured out the same things Quinton did. And he's insisting on Quinton's participation. A man whom Quinton describes as "a step away from Satan".
Detective Sergeant Rey Solis is with the Seattle PD and increasingly suspicious of Harper. Ximena is his wife and the one he's worried about. Especially with an example like his mother-in-law, Mama Gomez, in the house! Mario, Oscar, Martha, and Luis are his kids.
Her friends, Mara and Ben Danziger, are out of the country doing research for a book and he's been offered a teaching position in England.
Linda Starrett is the widow of the assumed-deceased Castor, the owner of the Seawitch. I wouldn't call her a happy widow, but she's certainly pleased to be one, for her husband was a wastrel. His death was her release from his cruelty. Odile Carson had her own issues with her spouse, Les Carson. She and Linda were lovers---above the line. Other passengers besides Les and Castor on that fateful trip included Ruth Ireland; Shelly "One-Night" Knight who seems to have a doppelganger came aboard as cook; Janice Prince was a boater, a woman who simply wanted to be around boats whom her mother thought was confused; and, Gary Fielding, another skirtchaser, standing in as captain for Reeve.
John Reeve was the regular captain of the Seawitch. Just not that trip. He unexpectedly provides clues he never knew he had. Jacque Knight, a woman with a strong sense of magic abouther, is caretaking aboard the Pleiades and loves to sing. Paul Zantree owns the Mambo Moon and well remembers Shelly Knight.
I like Ruth Ireland's family. Her father, Walter, is disabled, but his remaining son and daughter, Jon and Jen, are happy to keep an eye on him and tease him.
The Guardian Beast is, technically, her boss. Only he's not much on communication.
Father Otter is the clan chief of the dobhar-chú, the water hounds.
The Cover
The cover is surprisingly brown. My first thought would have been blues for all the marine influence, but then again, considering the rot and decay, perhaps the browns that find the Seawitch listing in the background, with a decrepit pier behind Harper in her tan trenchcoat is the more appropriate choice.
It's all about the Seawitch. Where she's been, what happened to her, and why she's back.
My Take
Poor Solis. He's had his suspicions about Harper and they're all about to be confirmed. And then some. It turns out he has an ulterior motive to learn more about what he's suspected.
There's a strange sort of magic surrounding Harper in this one. Not the usual vampires and witches. Still, I suppose if Richardson is going to up the legal end of things with Solis as Harper's partner for this case, it's only fair. We also go home with Solis and meet the family---Harper finds out how he talks about her at home. We also learn something of his own childhood worries.
Appropriately, Richardson tosses a lot of red herrings around in this. Critters, unexplainable murders, Fielding's stories which change with the tide,
Then there's the actions to repel boarders...it certainly appeals to Zantree!
The Story
Harper is hired by the insurance company to find out where the Seawitch has been for the past 27 years when it suddenly shows up back at its original berth. Moldy, mildewed, and falling apart.
Oh, there's a mystery here, all right. But nothing like Harper would expect.
The Characters
Harper Blaine has died three times so far in her life. Each death brings a change has made it more and more possible for her to walk the Grey and protect it. She's a Greywalker, the Hands of the Guardian, Paladin of the Dead. Chaos is her clever, little ferret and Quinton is her boyfriend, recently recruited back into the agency. Not much choice really.
James Purlis, Quinton's dad, is circling around again and he's started up a Ghost Division, looking for paranormals. Seems he's figured out the same things Quinton did. And he's insisting on Quinton's participation. A man whom Quinton describes as "a step away from Satan".
Detective Sergeant Rey Solis is with the Seattle PD and increasingly suspicious of Harper. Ximena is his wife and the one he's worried about. Especially with an example like his mother-in-law, Mama Gomez, in the house! Mario, Oscar, Martha, and Luis are his kids.
Her friends, Mara and Ben Danziger, are out of the country doing research for a book and he's been offered a teaching position in England.
Linda Starrett is the widow of the assumed-deceased Castor, the owner of the Seawitch. I wouldn't call her a happy widow, but she's certainly pleased to be one, for her husband was a wastrel. His death was her release from his cruelty. Odile Carson had her own issues with her spouse, Les Carson. She and Linda were lovers---above the line. Other passengers besides Les and Castor on that fateful trip included Ruth Ireland; Shelly "One-Night" Knight who seems to have a doppelganger came aboard as cook; Janice Prince was a boater, a woman who simply wanted to be around boats whom her mother thought was confused; and, Gary Fielding, another skirtchaser, standing in as captain for Reeve.
John Reeve was the regular captain of the Seawitch. Just not that trip. He unexpectedly provides clues he never knew he had. Jacque Knight, a woman with a strong sense of magic abouther, is caretaking aboard the Pleiades and loves to sing. Paul Zantree owns the Mambo Moon and well remembers Shelly Knight.
I like Ruth Ireland's family. Her father, Walter, is disabled, but his remaining son and daughter, Jon and Jen, are happy to keep an eye on him and tease him.
The Guardian Beast is, technically, her boss. Only he's not much on communication.
Father Otter is the clan chief of the dobhar-chú, the water hounds.
The Cover
The cover is surprisingly brown. My first thought would have been blues for all the marine influence, but then again, considering the rot and decay, perhaps the browns that find the Seawitch listing in the background, with a decrepit pier behind Harper in her tan trenchcoat is the more appropriate choice.
It's all about the Seawitch. Where she's been, what happened to her, and why she's back.
July 2, 2017
The Greywalker series is one of my favorite urban fantasies. It has elements I love; fantastic world building, fully developed characters, mysteries, suspense, and plenty of paranormal woo-woo. I was absolutely smitten with Downpour the last installment of the series and the wait for Seawitch was excruciating! It was worth every second as Richardson delivered a fast paced, action packed tale that kept me on the edge of my seat. I had to force myself to set it down or else I would have consumed it in a single evening; sleep be damned.
Harper Blaine is a private investigator, who after dying for two minutes found herself able to walk the realm between the living and the paranormal. This space is known as the "grey". She is known as a Greywalker and maintains the balance between both worlds. While reading the series we have watched Harper learn her skills as a Greywalker, face down evil adversaries and figure out her own personal life. I adore and respect Harper. She is strong, brave, snarky and brilliant. She thinks on her feet, and is a total kick-ass. She is like a Timex watch she takes a licking' and keeps on ticking. She is without a doubt one of my favorite female protagonists. She doesn't bitch about her problems, she is fair and always tries to do the noble thing. She has made a life for herself in Seattle working as both a PI and handling "grey" cases. Often the two intertwine and the ride is always a good one.
Harper has been hired by an insurance company, to investigate the return of the Seawitch. Twenty-seven years ago the ship and her crew disappeared. They were declared lost. Now it has suddenly reappeared and is docked in its old birth at the marina. Harper learns that the Seattle police department is also investigating and she is anxious to find out why. At the marina Detective Rey Solis greets her. Rey’s cases and Harper’s have intertwined before and Harper suspects he doesn’t entirely trust her. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful, full of old Ireland lore and mystical creatures.
Richardson has this incredible ability to create characters that you cannot help but love. I have already professed my feelings for protagonist Harper Blaine. In each novel we have seen her grow and this novel is no exception. I loved seeing her open up and connect with people. Harper is complicated, delightful and her snarky attitude often has me giggling. I am so pleased that Richardson chose to include Rey Solis in this case. Learning his history and meeting his family was interesting and I loved getting to know the man behind the cold, professional, by-the-book Detective. I am hoping he joins Harper on other cases. Quinton wasn’t as present in this novel, but when he was ..WOW! We get to know more about him and his secretive past. Facts revealed about his father..OMG! I promised no spoilers so my lips are sealed. We meet other colorful people and creatures that add to the mystery. Richardson brought these secondary characters to life and each was unique in their own right.
Let’s talk world-building and nobody does it like Kat! If you have read any books in this series, I think you will agree that Richardson is brilliant with bringing the realm between the living and the paranormal to life. As I read her words I slipped into the grey and it bursts to life. Each novel reveals more about this mysterious, unique place and I find myself completely enthralled. Harper's case was fascinating. I love to watch documentaries about lost ships and speculate about what occurred. The tale of the Seawitch was fascinating, as the author slowly revealed clues and pieces of the mystery. She did this while weaving in old lore’s and mystical creatures. It was delightful and she breathed an air of believability into it all. The action scenes were exciting and had me turning the pages at a rapid pace. The subplot(s) that weaves throughout all eight novels just keeps getting more intense and I find myself once again drooling in anticipation for the next book. *sighs*
Harper Blaine is a private investigator, who after dying for two minutes found herself able to walk the realm between the living and the paranormal. This space is known as the "grey". She is known as a Greywalker and maintains the balance between both worlds. While reading the series we have watched Harper learn her skills as a Greywalker, face down evil adversaries and figure out her own personal life. I adore and respect Harper. She is strong, brave, snarky and brilliant. She thinks on her feet, and is a total kick-ass. She is like a Timex watch she takes a licking' and keeps on ticking. She is without a doubt one of my favorite female protagonists. She doesn't bitch about her problems, she is fair and always tries to do the noble thing. She has made a life for herself in Seattle working as both a PI and handling "grey" cases. Often the two intertwine and the ride is always a good one.
Harper has been hired by an insurance company, to investigate the return of the Seawitch. Twenty-seven years ago the ship and her crew disappeared. They were declared lost. Now it has suddenly reappeared and is docked in its old birth at the marina. Harper learns that the Seattle police department is also investigating and she is anxious to find out why. At the marina Detective Rey Solis greets her. Rey’s cases and Harper’s have intertwined before and Harper suspects he doesn’t entirely trust her. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful, full of old Ireland lore and mystical creatures.
Richardson has this incredible ability to create characters that you cannot help but love. I have already professed my feelings for protagonist Harper Blaine. In each novel we have seen her grow and this novel is no exception. I loved seeing her open up and connect with people. Harper is complicated, delightful and her snarky attitude often has me giggling. I am so pleased that Richardson chose to include Rey Solis in this case. Learning his history and meeting his family was interesting and I loved getting to know the man behind the cold, professional, by-the-book Detective. I am hoping he joins Harper on other cases. Quinton wasn’t as present in this novel, but when he was ..WOW! We get to know more about him and his secretive past. Facts revealed about his father..OMG! I promised no spoilers so my lips are sealed. We meet other colorful people and creatures that add to the mystery. Richardson brought these secondary characters to life and each was unique in their own right.
Let’s talk world-building and nobody does it like Kat! If you have read any books in this series, I think you will agree that Richardson is brilliant with bringing the realm between the living and the paranormal to life. As I read her words I slipped into the grey and it bursts to life. Each novel reveals more about this mysterious, unique place and I find myself completely enthralled. Harper's case was fascinating. I love to watch documentaries about lost ships and speculate about what occurred. The tale of the Seawitch was fascinating, as the author slowly revealed clues and pieces of the mystery. She did this while weaving in old lore’s and mystical creatures. It was delightful and she breathed an air of believability into it all. The action scenes were exciting and had me turning the pages at a rapid pace. The subplot(s) that weaves throughout all eight novels just keeps getting more intense and I find myself once again drooling in anticipation for the next book. *sighs*
August 23, 2012
Originally posted at http://smexybooks.com/2012/08/review-...
Favorite Quote: “Welcome to the freak show.“
Seawitch, the seventh installment in Richardson’s Greywalker series, pits magic against good old police skills in a swashbuckling seafaring adventure when Harper Blaine teams up with a Seattle police detective to investigate a decades old mystery. When a boat (the Seawitch) that has been missing for 27 years suddenly turns up, abandoned in its slip, the insurance company calls in Harper Blaine to investigate. They need to know where the boat has been and what happened to the passengers on board. Seattle Police Detective Rey Solis is also on hand to investigate the whereabouts of the passengers. Harper finds herself having to trust the taciturn detective with her secrets once it becomes apparent that the Seawitch and its passengers were the victims of of a deadly curse. A curse that it is not finished claiming its victims.
Harper’s and Rey’s joint investigation takes them deep into the past where sea legends and myths become reality when they learn that the bewitched Seawitch may have been built out of another doomed ship’s parts and at least one of the passengers from the Seawitch is alive, well, and hasn’t aged a day in 27 years. Harper and Rey have to find what connects the two cursed boats to a woman who, by all accounts, should be dead.
Kat Richardson’s Greywalker series continues to be an engaging investigative urban fantasy saga; pitting ghosts, demons, and other paranormal entities against Harper Blaine-P.I. extraordinaire and Greywalker. Dark and fluid, the storyline flows through you at a smooth and easy pace. Full of suspense and intrigue, Ms Richardson tells the story from Harper’s POV, leaving you and her to follow a twisting path to discover the truth. This is a noir urban fantasy with a complex low key protagonist whose hair raising mysteries will make you a fan.
Harper Blaine became a Greywalker, Paladin to the Dead, when she died for a few seconds at the hands of a mad man. With each subsequent death she suffers, she finds herself settling further and further into the grey area that exists between life and death. Now she is able to see, feel, and interact with the undead. This leads to some unique situations for Blaine as there are not many who know of her gifts. Throughout the series, we have watched Harper grow professionally and personally. While she is slowly learning to let down her walls and allow people into her life she is still having trouble learning how to be a friend. She tends to use people around her for help and in this installment, that is brought to her attention. While I enjoy the supernatural aspects, I like that our heroine isn’t a superhero. She doesn’t have phenomenal super powers that get her out of every scrape. She falters, makes bad decisions, and fails just like the rest of us.
The romance in the story is comfortable, like an old favorite sweater. Not an integral part of the plot, its storyline is used to personalize Harper and enable us to see the private areas of her life. Quentin, Harper’s boyfriend, is a male version of Harper though more empathetic. Though a loner like her, he is able to adapt to the nuances of life better. There is a minor subplot involving Quentin that looks to bring some promising intrigue to future storylines.
The contributing characters are extremely complex in nature and personality, yet easy to relate to. Some add to the overall bleakness of the landscape while others are shining lights illuminating the story. We learn more about the supernatural entities that inhabit Harper’s world. Everyone has their own agenda and their background stories that add depth and some humor to the story, which was appreciated.
The ending is climatic affair that wraps everything up tidily while leaving an opening for book 7. Ms. Richardson’s Greywalker series is a must read for those who appreciate an entertaining dark urban fantasy that will appeal to paranormal and mystery lovers alike.
Overall Rating: B
Favorite Quote: “Welcome to the freak show.“
Seawitch, the seventh installment in Richardson’s Greywalker series, pits magic against good old police skills in a swashbuckling seafaring adventure when Harper Blaine teams up with a Seattle police detective to investigate a decades old mystery. When a boat (the Seawitch) that has been missing for 27 years suddenly turns up, abandoned in its slip, the insurance company calls in Harper Blaine to investigate. They need to know where the boat has been and what happened to the passengers on board. Seattle Police Detective Rey Solis is also on hand to investigate the whereabouts of the passengers. Harper finds herself having to trust the taciturn detective with her secrets once it becomes apparent that the Seawitch and its passengers were the victims of of a deadly curse. A curse that it is not finished claiming its victims.
Harper’s and Rey’s joint investigation takes them deep into the past where sea legends and myths become reality when they learn that the bewitched Seawitch may have been built out of another doomed ship’s parts and at least one of the passengers from the Seawitch is alive, well, and hasn’t aged a day in 27 years. Harper and Rey have to find what connects the two cursed boats to a woman who, by all accounts, should be dead.
Kat Richardson’s Greywalker series continues to be an engaging investigative urban fantasy saga; pitting ghosts, demons, and other paranormal entities against Harper Blaine-P.I. extraordinaire and Greywalker. Dark and fluid, the storyline flows through you at a smooth and easy pace. Full of suspense and intrigue, Ms Richardson tells the story from Harper’s POV, leaving you and her to follow a twisting path to discover the truth. This is a noir urban fantasy with a complex low key protagonist whose hair raising mysteries will make you a fan.
Harper Blaine became a Greywalker, Paladin to the Dead, when she died for a few seconds at the hands of a mad man. With each subsequent death she suffers, she finds herself settling further and further into the grey area that exists between life and death. Now she is able to see, feel, and interact with the undead. This leads to some unique situations for Blaine as there are not many who know of her gifts. Throughout the series, we have watched Harper grow professionally and personally. While she is slowly learning to let down her walls and allow people into her life she is still having trouble learning how to be a friend. She tends to use people around her for help and in this installment, that is brought to her attention. While I enjoy the supernatural aspects, I like that our heroine isn’t a superhero. She doesn’t have phenomenal super powers that get her out of every scrape. She falters, makes bad decisions, and fails just like the rest of us.
The romance in the story is comfortable, like an old favorite sweater. Not an integral part of the plot, its storyline is used to personalize Harper and enable us to see the private areas of her life. Quentin, Harper’s boyfriend, is a male version of Harper though more empathetic. Though a loner like her, he is able to adapt to the nuances of life better. There is a minor subplot involving Quentin that looks to bring some promising intrigue to future storylines.
The contributing characters are extremely complex in nature and personality, yet easy to relate to. Some add to the overall bleakness of the landscape while others are shining lights illuminating the story. We learn more about the supernatural entities that inhabit Harper’s world. Everyone has their own agenda and their background stories that add depth and some humor to the story, which was appreciated.
The ending is climatic affair that wraps everything up tidily while leaving an opening for book 7. Ms. Richardson’s Greywalker series is a must read for those who appreciate an entertaining dark urban fantasy that will appeal to paranormal and mystery lovers alike.
Overall Rating: B
July 29, 2013
This is the seventh book in the Greywalker series. It was a solid addition to the series but was pretty contained; there was no new big story-arc started.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator does an excellent job and sounds exactly like I imagine Harper would. She also does an excellent job distinguishing between voices.
Harper and detective Solis have both been assigned with the investigation of a mysterious ghostly ship that has appeared in the harbor named the Seawitch. Of course the appearance of the Seawitch is linked with a number of disturbing paranormal things. It is up to Solis and Harper to unravel the mystery behind its reappearance before it is too late.
The story is written in a very detailed and analytical way, like all of the books in this series. These book are very heavy on the investigative aspect of the story. In this installment we are introduced to some new paranormal creatures; mainly mermaids and the Father of all Otters.
There isn’t a ton of character growth in this book. Harper spends some time trying to learn how to be a better friend to those around her, but she doesn’t really grow in power or learn to use her power as a Greywalker in new ways. More of the story is spent on Solis and him trying to deal with all of the paranormal things he runs in to. Solis is forced to face some uncomfortable truths and he does grow quite a bit. We learn a lot about Solis and his background.
This wasn't really the start of a new broad story arc, the investigation and the Seawitch mystery are fairly self-contained to this one book. There are some things going on with Quentin and his father that sound interesting and are set up to be dealt with in the next book. This set up leads to us learning more about Quentin’s background.
The plot was well woven and well put together. There are a lot of interesting mystery/paranormal elements that come together in fascinating ways.
Each of the books in this series has focused on something. In this case the book focused on the Father of Otters mythology and boating in general. The story was nicely tied up and there were some things left unresolved that will most likely be tied up in the next book.
Overall a solid addition to this series. The whole book is pretty self-contained and could probably be read just fine as a stand alone novel. It was fun to meet some new paranormal races and we get to learn a lot about Solis and his background. The book sets things up for an interesting storyline involving Quentin and his past in future installments of the series. This whole series is recommended to those who like detailed and analytical investigative urban fantasy.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. The narrator does an excellent job and sounds exactly like I imagine Harper would. She also does an excellent job distinguishing between voices.
Harper and detective Solis have both been assigned with the investigation of a mysterious ghostly ship that has appeared in the harbor named the Seawitch. Of course the appearance of the Seawitch is linked with a number of disturbing paranormal things. It is up to Solis and Harper to unravel the mystery behind its reappearance before it is too late.
The story is written in a very detailed and analytical way, like all of the books in this series. These book are very heavy on the investigative aspect of the story. In this installment we are introduced to some new paranormal creatures; mainly mermaids and the Father of all Otters.
There isn’t a ton of character growth in this book. Harper spends some time trying to learn how to be a better friend to those around her, but she doesn’t really grow in power or learn to use her power as a Greywalker in new ways. More of the story is spent on Solis and him trying to deal with all of the paranormal things he runs in to. Solis is forced to face some uncomfortable truths and he does grow quite a bit. We learn a lot about Solis and his background.
This wasn't really the start of a new broad story arc, the investigation and the Seawitch mystery are fairly self-contained to this one book. There are some things going on with Quentin and his father that sound interesting and are set up to be dealt with in the next book. This set up leads to us learning more about Quentin’s background.
The plot was well woven and well put together. There are a lot of interesting mystery/paranormal elements that come together in fascinating ways.
Each of the books in this series has focused on something. In this case the book focused on the Father of Otters mythology and boating in general. The story was nicely tied up and there were some things left unresolved that will most likely be tied up in the next book.
Overall a solid addition to this series. The whole book is pretty self-contained and could probably be read just fine as a stand alone novel. It was fun to meet some new paranormal races and we get to learn a lot about Solis and his background. The book sets things up for an interesting storyline involving Quentin and his past in future installments of the series. This whole series is recommended to those who like detailed and analytical investigative urban fantasy.
August 17, 2012
“…this is not a job you quit – it’s one you die from.” – Harper Blaine, SEAWITCH
Though previous installments in the Greywalker series have been a little slow for my tastes, from that chilling line of the prologue onward, SEAWITCH had me hooked. The mystery presents itself on page one, in the figure of a ghost ship returned, empty and bloodspattered, after a twenty-seven year absence. The superstition of maritime magic fascinated me immediately, and the active presence of both Quinton and Sergeant Rey Solis offered plenty of character interaction to balance Harper’s meticulous narrative.
Though SEAWITCH is definitely my favorite Greywalker book thus far, the auspicious beginning didn’t carry all the way through the book. I got impatient when Harper repeated something I saw through her eyes for another character’s benefit, and often found myself flipping back a few pages to try and understand some bit of magic or narrative better. As always with witness testimony, sometimes the pieces don’t add up through malicious intent… and sometimes people are just forgetful. Richardson’s writing had me trying to figure things out alongside Harper, but there are times when I have much less patience than our dogged heroine.
Despite an explosive first half, things slowed down to a crawl when the characters began to brainstorm possible answers to this particular mystery. My attention wandered with each “What if” scenario, anxious to get to action and confirmation of who (or what) had brought about the Seawitch’s end. I’m glad I came back to the Greywalker series, but I find myself repeating the 3 bat rating of DOWNPOUR. SEAWITCH starts and finishes strong, but the ebb and flow of my attention won’t have me hurry to pre-order book 8… but I will probably curl up with it when I next crave a mystery.
Sexual Content: References to sex and rape.
Though previous installments in the Greywalker series have been a little slow for my tastes, from that chilling line of the prologue onward, SEAWITCH had me hooked. The mystery presents itself on page one, in the figure of a ghost ship returned, empty and bloodspattered, after a twenty-seven year absence. The superstition of maritime magic fascinated me immediately, and the active presence of both Quinton and Sergeant Rey Solis offered plenty of character interaction to balance Harper’s meticulous narrative.
Though SEAWITCH is definitely my favorite Greywalker book thus far, the auspicious beginning didn’t carry all the way through the book. I got impatient when Harper repeated something I saw through her eyes for another character’s benefit, and often found myself flipping back a few pages to try and understand some bit of magic or narrative better. As always with witness testimony, sometimes the pieces don’t add up through malicious intent… and sometimes people are just forgetful. Richardson’s writing had me trying to figure things out alongside Harper, but there are times when I have much less patience than our dogged heroine.
Despite an explosive first half, things slowed down to a crawl when the characters began to brainstorm possible answers to this particular mystery. My attention wandered with each “What if” scenario, anxious to get to action and confirmation of who (or what) had brought about the Seawitch’s end. I’m glad I came back to the Greywalker series, but I find myself repeating the 3 bat rating of DOWNPOUR. SEAWITCH starts and finishes strong, but the ebb and flow of my attention won’t have me hurry to pre-order book 8… but I will probably curl up with it when I next crave a mystery.
Sexual Content: References to sex and rape.
January 8, 2014
I seem to be in the minority here on this book. I thought it was too confusing. There was too much information about ships that I couldn't visualize. It was tedious. The bad guys were difficult to understand. What was happening was difficult to understand. And suddenly people who usually can't see grey can see things. There were too many characters that weren't important enough but I kept getting tangled in their names and places and relative importance. Even at the end, I didn't really understand what had happened. And Harper's cracked rib seemed a ridiculous complication.
The best parts were about Solis. He's the most fascinating character in this book. We get a lot on his current family and some on his family before he immigrated to the US. It would be interesting to have a greywalker book told from his perspective. But I found it annoying that Harper kept checking in on his level of disbelief. I got it already. He's predisposed to skepticism. Good for him. Leave him alone and let him work it out for himself. His level of belief should not hamper Harper's movements or decisions.
Quinton and Harper's relationship was also weird. I've been uncomfortable with super-secret Quinton as boyfriend material from the beginning. I like him but he doesn't trust people and he tells Harper nothing about anything. Harper being ok with that defies reason. And Quinton is critical of Harper and how she treats her friends. Why? These people identify themselves as her friends. They don't seem to have a problem with Harper using them as research staff. And if it wasn't for them and for Quinton, Harper would have nobody. Why is Quinton rocking that boat? Harper's relationship with her friends is hers to destroy or nurture as she and her friends see fit. How are Quinton's actions (and lack of friends) a model for Harper?
I'll read the next in the series because I've enjoyed the series up to now.
The best parts were about Solis. He's the most fascinating character in this book. We get a lot on his current family and some on his family before he immigrated to the US. It would be interesting to have a greywalker book told from his perspective. But I found it annoying that Harper kept checking in on his level of disbelief. I got it already. He's predisposed to skepticism. Good for him. Leave him alone and let him work it out for himself. His level of belief should not hamper Harper's movements or decisions.
Quinton and Harper's relationship was also weird. I've been uncomfortable with super-secret Quinton as boyfriend material from the beginning. I like him but he doesn't trust people and he tells Harper nothing about anything. Harper being ok with that defies reason. And Quinton is critical of Harper and how she treats her friends. Why? These people identify themselves as her friends. They don't seem to have a problem with Harper using them as research staff. And if it wasn't for them and for Quinton, Harper would have nobody. Why is Quinton rocking that boat? Harper's relationship with her friends is hers to destroy or nurture as she and her friends see fit. How are Quinton's actions (and lack of friends) a model for Harper?
I'll read the next in the series because I've enjoyed the series up to now.
August 7, 2018
Seawitch is the seventh book of the Greywalker Series. Out of all the books, I actually learned something new. The majority of the story takes place on boats. I'm a grounder so I learned quite a bit about the sea. Of course, I also learned a lot about mythological sea monsters. All-in-all, I thought it was a good read. It's not my favorite, but it's not the worst.
Like most reviewers, I also enjoyed the inclusion of Rey Solis. Until this book, he has always been a minor character. I think he adds a nice perspective to the storyline. Plus, like most crime shows, there is always a cop/detective that learns about the paranormal. Why wouldn't the author add him into the mix? I just wish she'd done it sooner. He might have brought a little more juice into the series before now.
If you're wanting to read this book for free, it's posted on Free Novel Online. I'm beginning to suspect that the entire series is on there. It's a nice resource if you're binge reading like me.
Like most reviewers, I also enjoyed the inclusion of Rey Solis. Until this book, he has always been a minor character. I think he adds a nice perspective to the storyline. Plus, like most crime shows, there is always a cop/detective that learns about the paranormal. Why wouldn't the author add him into the mix? I just wish she'd done it sooner. He might have brought a little more juice into the series before now.
If you're wanting to read this book for free, it's posted on Free Novel Online. I'm beginning to suspect that the entire series is on there. It's a nice resource if you're binge reading like me.
November 28, 2014
Been a while since I've read a book in the greywalker series. Set around the story of a ship which returns 27 years after it was lost with all hands. The seawitch seems wrong which is where Harper Blaine comes into the story, a private detective who can see ghosts and other weird and wonderful things.
Enjoyed this return to Seattle, though some of the story also occurs at sea. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Enjoyed this return to Seattle, though some of the story also occurs at sea. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Read
November 23, 2014On the scale of urban fantasy Seawitch errs more towards the police procedural side, with a focus on typical investigative practices such as interviews and 'clue-gathering.' Except of course when the big reveal happens the plot is largely supernatural in nature.
While well put together and without many faults, my issue with Seawitch was it lacked somewhat in originality, the story was solid but nothing about it stood out with any WTF (good wtf) factor.
While well put together and without many faults, my issue with Seawitch was it lacked somewhat in originality, the story was solid but nothing about it stood out with any WTF (good wtf) factor.
August 9, 2012
An auspicious first half that fizzled once action was overshadowed by speculation. My attention tends to wander in Greywalker books, and the mystery elements themselves aren't particularly easy to follow. I do like that maritime superstition is more the focus of this book than the physics of the Grey.
August 9, 2013
I really like this series. While I don't see ghost or anything of the sort, I can relate to her as a character. She feels completely real to me.
I also like how the mysteries aren't truly solved by paranormal intervention, it is mostly straight detective work - even if some of that detecting has to do with ghosts and other strange creatures.
I also like how the mysteries aren't truly solved by paranormal intervention, it is mostly straight detective work - even if some of that detecting has to do with ghosts and other strange creatures.
March 21, 2015
Another enjoyable book. In this addition, we learn more about the police officer Detective Rey Solis. I love how she includes the history of Washington into her stories. This time it is Puget Sound & the many sea tragedies. Of course, there are paranormal activities too! Some classic sea creatures such as merfolk & some unknown to me like dobhar-chu & father otter.
Want to read
July 6, 2012AM DYING to read this. Wish I knew how to get in on THESE types of ARC reviews.. one day.. one day
August 17, 2018
Seawitch is the seventh book in the Greywalker series written by Kat Richardson and centered on Harper Blaine, a private investigator, who inadvertently became a Greywalker, a person who can see and walk among the supernatural, when she died for two minutes.
An insurance company hired Harper Blaine to investigate the Seawitch, a boat that sailed away over a quarter a century ago and was presumed lost with all hands. Apparently, the Seawitch came in under a cover of fog and slips back into port with no one aboard. It is damaged with mold, mildew, and years of neglect. Harper Blaine is to investigate wither this was a case of insurance fraud and if possible where it has been and who had it for the last quarter century.
Unfortunately, matters get complicated when one of the crew cabins is found to have arcane markings and a tremendous amount of blood and Detective Rey Solis of the Seattle Police would be working side-by-side with Harper Blaine, which makes her job tremendously more difficult.
Harper Blaine has matured in both a person and a Greywalker, despite finding some limitations on her Greywalker abilities. Harper Blaine has accepted the role of Paladin, righting wrongs, and being sent on missions by the Guardian Beast of the Grey. She also learned to trust people and to share information rather than keep things to herself.
The evolving relationship between Harper Blaine and Rey Solis is wonderful to read. Working with Rey Solis on the possible homicide investigation, Harper Blaine finds the only way to move forward is to tell him about her abilities. In turn, Harper Blaine learns more about Rey Solis' life and family. While this openness is necessary for the case, it also leaves things open for a more comfortable working relationship between the two in the future.
Seawitch is written rather well. Richardson has mixed the paranormal, magic and urban fantasy rather well with history and legend. This installment depicts a more mature Harper Blaine, who finally more or less accepts her role as a Greywalker and a Paladin to boot. It is a new narrative perspective, which makes this installment seems fresher.
There seems to be less world building in this installment, which is a good thing, considering this is the seventh book. The Grey, while familiar, is still rather strange ephemeral entity, despite its concise descriptions, it still convey the indescribable nature of the Grey.
All in all, Seawitch is written rather well and a good continuation for the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
An insurance company hired Harper Blaine to investigate the Seawitch, a boat that sailed away over a quarter a century ago and was presumed lost with all hands. Apparently, the Seawitch came in under a cover of fog and slips back into port with no one aboard. It is damaged with mold, mildew, and years of neglect. Harper Blaine is to investigate wither this was a case of insurance fraud and if possible where it has been and who had it for the last quarter century.
Unfortunately, matters get complicated when one of the crew cabins is found to have arcane markings and a tremendous amount of blood and Detective Rey Solis of the Seattle Police would be working side-by-side with Harper Blaine, which makes her job tremendously more difficult.
Harper Blaine has matured in both a person and a Greywalker, despite finding some limitations on her Greywalker abilities. Harper Blaine has accepted the role of Paladin, righting wrongs, and being sent on missions by the Guardian Beast of the Grey. She also learned to trust people and to share information rather than keep things to herself.
The evolving relationship between Harper Blaine and Rey Solis is wonderful to read. Working with Rey Solis on the possible homicide investigation, Harper Blaine finds the only way to move forward is to tell him about her abilities. In turn, Harper Blaine learns more about Rey Solis' life and family. While this openness is necessary for the case, it also leaves things open for a more comfortable working relationship between the two in the future.
Seawitch is written rather well. Richardson has mixed the paranormal, magic and urban fantasy rather well with history and legend. This installment depicts a more mature Harper Blaine, who finally more or less accepts her role as a Greywalker and a Paladin to boot. It is a new narrative perspective, which makes this installment seems fresher.
There seems to be less world building in this installment, which is a good thing, considering this is the seventh book. The Grey, while familiar, is still rather strange ephemeral entity, despite its concise descriptions, it still convey the indescribable nature of the Grey.
All in all, Seawitch is written rather well and a good continuation for the series, which I plan to read in the very near future.
Read
December 6, 2020Greywalker Harper Blaine has been hired by an insurance company to investigate the unexpected reappearance of a yacht which has been missing for twenty seven years, to see if fraud might be involved, though the claim was paid long ago. Of course, things begin to get weird rapidly, when she and Dective Rey Solis step aboard the boat, it's obvious to her Grey-tuned senses that the boat is haunted, and that some sort of magic ritual was performed there. The Guardian Beast gets involved, as well, and demands that she free the ghosts trapped aboard.
Richardson introduces some new paranormal elements in this story, notably the merfolk and the dobhar-chu, shapeshifting giant otters out of Irish legend. The investigation proceeds methodically at first, interviewing stale witnesses and trying to get more background on the owner and passengers of the yacht, who never did return to port. Complicating matters, her boyfriend Quinton's father appears on the scene to try to convince him to join him in some nefarious investigations of paranormal creatures.
Harper, Quinton and Rey, aided by an aging would-be pirate, must sail into dangerous waters to put this tale to rest. They battle a conjured storm, monstrous illusions, and the Sea Witch herself at the end. Lots of local color makes this one a great adventure, somewhat different in tone than earlier books in the series.
Richardson introduces some new paranormal elements in this story, notably the merfolk and the dobhar-chu, shapeshifting giant otters out of Irish legend. The investigation proceeds methodically at first, interviewing stale witnesses and trying to get more background on the owner and passengers of the yacht, who never did return to port. Complicating matters, her boyfriend Quinton's father appears on the scene to try to convince him to join him in some nefarious investigations of paranormal creatures.
Harper, Quinton and Rey, aided by an aging would-be pirate, must sail into dangerous waters to put this tale to rest. They battle a conjured storm, monstrous illusions, and the Sea Witch herself at the end. Lots of local color makes this one a great adventure, somewhat different in tone than earlier books in the series.
October 9, 2018
After the explosive book 6, this one fell flat for me. I just got bored with the plot about 1/2 through and simply couldn't push myself to finish this one. A bit too much detail, too little action, and too many "WTF?" moments. Quinton is MIA on some sort of top secret business and there seems to be a something going on there. Solis plays a much more visible role in this one. And quite frankly, the best parts of this book involved learning more about Solis, but for what purpose? She seemed to be setting up something with Solis, but I lost interest and just can't care enough to keep reading. The mystery itself got a bit too much. It was too drawn out and seemed overly complicated. I think this would've made a much better novella than full-length novel.
This series started off pretty strong, but this book is definitely the weakest one. And even though I have book 7, this book has turned me off the series. Maybe I'll pick it up again one of these days. But for now, this one goes into the DNF pile.
This series started off pretty strong, but this book is definitely the weakest one. And even though I have book 7, this book has turned me off the series. Maybe I'll pick it up again one of these days. But for now, this one goes into the DNF pile.
July 12, 2024
I am totally loving this series. The author has such a great way of writing urban fantasy/paranormal that I am totally hooked. Plus, I love Harper. Seawitch has Harper working very closely with Detective Solis who has kept a wary eye on Blaine in the past. I enjoyed learning more about the Detective and thought they made good partners as they worked the case of the Seawitch together. The actual mystery was as always very interesting. I loved the addition of the nautical myths in this story. The only part I am really sad about is that there are only two more books and a handful of short stories left and then no more delightful Harper Blaine and the preternatural world she inhabits.
August 7, 2021
Decided to listen to the audiobook since I’ve been having some troubles with this series as of late. I very much enjoyed the narration and found the book easier to follow for the most part. However, once again I feel as though when Harper has that moment in which she talks and muses for multiple pages “figuring things out” I just can’t get on her level. Maybe I’m just too dumb to read these.
The ending of this was cheesy and too easy of a wrap up for me. Only two books left in the series so hoping that isn’t a new trend.
The ending of this was cheesy and too easy of a wrap up for me. Only two books left in the series so hoping that isn’t a new trend.
June 12, 2018
A fun quick read. I loved that Harper finally got to team up with Solis and get to know him better. I'm sad, though, at the implications at the end
May 28, 2020
Mmmm, I'm gonna give this a 4, since it's a subjective enjoyment rating and some of my previous 3s in the series have been closer to 3.5. And sometimes the more satisfying parts of a series are ones where the story is fairly 'stand-alone' in terms of the main character's ...'power and mission development arc' but moves things along in the 'relationship development arc'.
December 30, 2022
☆☆ SPOILER ALERT ☆☆
I guess it's refreshing to have a female lead in a book that is just as "bull-headed" self sacrificing as the men often are.
Blaine still hasn't thought to learn a martial art or to carry a good and regular no lethal weapon.
But still I enjoy most of what makes up this world being just down the road and around the corner from my own. ✌🏾
I guess it's refreshing to have a female lead in a book that is just as "bull-headed" self sacrificing as the men often are.
Blaine still hasn't thought to learn a martial art or to carry a good and regular no lethal weapon.
But still I enjoy most of what makes up this world being just down the road and around the corner from my own. ✌🏾
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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