Brew

Salem's Revenge #1

by David Estes

Salem’s Revenge strikes without warning or mercy, ravaging the powerless human race under the forces of united gangs of witches, wizards, and warlocks. During the slaughter, Rhett Carter's foster parents and sister are killed, and his best friend and girlfriend are abducted by a gang of witches calling themselves the Necromancers, who deal in the dark magic of raising the dead. Rhett’s sword-wielding neighbor with a mysterious past saves Rhett from becoming another casualty of the massacre and teaches him the skills he needs to survive in this new world.

Rhett is broken, his normal high school life of book blogging and football playing shoved in a witch-apocalyptic blender. The only thing he has left is his burning desire for revenge. Armed with his new witch hunting skills and a loyal, magic powered dog named Hex, he sets out into the unknown with one mission: hunt and destroy those who took away everyone he ever loved.

But Rhett isn’t just a witch hunter; he has secrets of his own that he has yet to discover, secrets that his enemies will stop at nothing to keep him from.

And discovering the truth about himself is the human race’s only hope.

Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Witches, Paranormal, Dystopia, Magic, Fiction

440 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2014

About the author

Get a FREE short story from David Estes' #1 Amazon bestselling epic fantasy series, Fatemarked, when you sign up for his mailing list: https://www.subscribepage.com/b2v6v3

David Estes has written more than 50 science fiction and fantasy books. He loves chatting with his readers, all of whom he considers to be his friends. David lives in Hawaii with his Aussie wife, Adele, his moody cats, Bailey, Luna, and Ruby, and his rambunctious sons, Beau and Brody.

Join 3,000+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes' official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/7...

Books by David Estes:

-The Fatemarked Epic- For fans of A Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, and The Way of Kings! Four kingdoms. A century-old war. One ancient prophecy that could change everything.

-The Kingfall Histories- a follow up series to the #1 Amazon bestselling series, The Fatemarked Epic

-The Forsworn Oath- the third series in the Fatemarked/Kingfall world

-Strings- “A wonderful retelling of the Pinocchio story…I simply couldn’t put this book down.”—Rysa Walker, bestselling author of TIMEBOUND

-The Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.

-Salem's Revenge trilogy- the witch apocalypse begins!

-Slip Trilogy- "Someone must die before another can be born..."

-The Adventures of Nikki Powergloves- Kid superheroes? 'Nuff said.

Reviews

[David Estes]

After over a year without releasing a book, I'm ecstatic to announce the release of TWO new books, the first two books in my new Salem's Revenge series, Brew and it's sequel, Boil!

BREW: http://www.amazon.com/Brew-Salems-Rev...

Here are some noteworthy quotes from early reviewers:

"The Walking Dead for teens, with ruthless witches instead of bloodthirsty zombies.” --Katie Reed, agent at Andrea Hurst & Associates

"Brew had everything I look for in a book: action, suspense, awesome characters, chilling twists. 5 EPIC STARS!"-- Happy Indulgence Books

"A dark, thrilling, creepy read full of action and the COOLEST DOG EVER!"-- Juliababyjen's Reading Room

"An apocalyptic backdrop perfectly blended with an enthralling story of fight and survival, with a paranormal twist."-- Diva Booknerd

For anyone who decides to give Brew and Boil a shot, thank you SO MUCH and I'd love to see your reviews on Goodreads and Amazon.com, they truly help lead to the success of my books!

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 58%

That's it! I give up!The constant racial descriptions exclusive to that of only “dark skinned”, “chocolate” and “ midnight black” skin has driven me to such frustrations that I can no longer continue reading this book. I find it offensive that the author expects me to assume that everyone is white unless awkwardly described in some “creative” way as black. Just way too awkward, way too forced, way too annoying.

Despite my huge issue with the above, I also had other problems with this story. I found all of the characters to be pretty annoying, especially Laney. Cant a girl be feisty without being a massive bitch? I also found the protagonist's friends introductions to be random and forced, and a little too convenient for my tastes.

I keep finding myself being drawn to this author because I love his plot concepts, and while this was no exception, the execution just didn't cut it for me. In general I liked where the story was heading, but there were just too many needless distractions in this book that took me out of “ the moment”. I tried to finish this and I am sure that there are some interesting twists ahead, but unfortunately for me I am not willing to trudge through the bad parts to find the good. 2.5/5

Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow (for the unique plot concept)


Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Marni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Doing so does not sway my review in any way.

Having read several of the author’s books, I get a little nervous when he shifts topic gears. What if I don’t like it? What if I just can’t get into the book? So many what ifs. Once again, David Estes has swept the rug from under my feet and off I went on another adventure just thrilling and crazy as Alice in the rabbit hole.

Witches, wizards and warlocks… not just your every day run of the mill type either. These are ones with a grudge. Society has pushed them over the edge and they are taking no prisoners. Rhett has lost all that was dear to him and as he seeks his revenge, he meets new friends and magic guides him along. Together they will face whatever gets in their way.

In the beginning of the book, you learn a few things about what is going on and who Rhett and his family and friends are. The author really knows how to put together a diverse group of characters, build up their strengths and weaknesses and present it to the reader in a way that does everyone justice. The characters become solid beings to the readers pretty quickly and the loss that Rhett feels resonates in the reader’s core.

There is darkness to this novel that is quite unique. The brutality of the witches, the heavy loss of life, but also the revenge that feeds into the characters to keep on moving. The author is able to keep the story moving, not losing momentum and the reader wants nothing more to know what’s going to happen next. The layers of stories, the emotions that pulse from each character, the level of destruction throughout isn’t jumbled or strewn about; there is equality to it all.

This is an exceptional first book to a series. It delivers again and again and again to the reader. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a thriller mixed with an apocalyptic event and aren’t afraid of a bit of traumatic death here and there. I recommend this to the older teen reader through the oldest adult. An amazing read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, Boil, which will be out shortly.

[Karen’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Estes is BACK!! In his new Salem's Revenge series, Estes tackles an apocalyptic world in his own creative and unique style and I. Loved. Every. Minute! Estes' take of a "witch" apocalypse is truly original and a must read.

Rhett Carter's world has ended in one giant apocalyptic event called Salem's Revenge. His family is killed, his beloved girlfriend and best friend have disappeared and it's everything he can do to want to continue on without everyone he loves. One thing keeps him going and that's revenge.

Rhett's journey brings him Hex - the magical wonder dog, and Laney and her little sister, Trish. Together they go looking for revenge against the Necromancers who killed Rhett's family and abducted (and most likely killed) his loved ones.

Let me tell you, I could not stop reading this book! Most of it was dark and creepy, but along the way, the most memorable characters appeared. There is also some major comic relief going on that had me laughing out loud. I was glued to my e-reader until the wee hours having no choice in the matter but to finish before I could sleep.

And the twists and turns! Estes is a master at making you gasp as he reveals one twist after another which I never ever see coming. By the end of the book, I had major goosebumps all over.

Even now, a day later, I still can't get Rhett, Laney, Trish, and especially Hex, out of my head. I want more and can't wait to start the sequel, Boil. Another brilliant series, David Estes. You've done it again!


I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I recieved this eARC for review*

Do you believe in witches?

Some of you will say yeah sure. But I bet the most of you will say, nope. Because they are just found in books, tv, and movies. All made up for your entertainment. Sure some people call themselves one but they can't really be real. Right??

That's what Rhett Carter thought too.

Rhett I can't say was a typical teenager. He played football, a book blogger, was picked on and had been through the system a few times. Finally living with a foster family he liked, The Smiths. He had a best friend and a girlfriend, the three of them were always together. Until the attack happened, and now Rhett the football playing book blogger is on a hunt.


I have to point this out as it was something I found really cute, I don't know if cute is the right word but it's the one that popped into my head. But anyways, I really liked how Rhett turned everything into a "blog" post in his head. Giving it titles and rating aswell. It felt as if that was his way of keeping his wits together as everything else falls apart.

I found Brew to be a highly captivating book, it held my attention from start to finish. Its filled with action, magic, interesting characters it's an overall a great read. Fans of YA magic related/fantasy novels should enjoy it. Fans of Harry Potter and post apocalyptic books should find it equally as engrossing.


Looking forward to the next book in the series.

Brew is slated to be published October 1st, 2014.

[Britt · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received this book from the author for review purposes & that did not affect my opinion whatsoever*

If you thought the world of Witches has been done every witch *hehe* way and back you're sorely mistaken. David Estes has broken the mold with his new series, Brew. He has crafted a wonderfully realized world where blood thirsty witches who are out for revenge (Salem's Revenge) on the human race in a post-apocalyptic world.

If you're looking for a book where the male and female protag don't get romantically involved but, are still awesome in their own right, HERE IT IS!!! Bravo for being able to sustain a story line without having to take it "there". It was utterly refreshing. This unlikely crew consisting of Rhett (the orphan), Laney (the bad ass), Trish ( the mute lil' sis), and Hex (best magical dog EVER) bounding through the pages & encountering all manner of creatures, some harmless and some not so much. This story will keep you engrossed between the witty banter and the all out mission of revenge!

The plot was fast paced and there never seemed to be a dull moment or lull in the story. The different castes of witches (pyros, necros, sirens, and shifters) were absolutely fascinating. The think Mr. Estes has just about covered any type of personality you can have all in one book. It's like a big beautiful character stew.

If our not familiar with David's world building let me just let you in on a secret, you that you are missing out! His series The Dwellers/Country Saga was brilliant and this just solidified that the man can play a mean creator. The descriptions were so rich that they set the perfect backdrop for Brew.The needed information was expertly timed so that nothing felt like an info download.

If you are looking for dark thrilling adventure you should definitely give this one a go!! I can't wait for book #2 called, Boil.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I wonder what I'm really doing out here with a magic dog, a trigger-happy girl and her mute sister, and a trail of dead witches in my wake."

Those are the words of Rhett Carter, the MC of this fantastically dark and creepy tale of a witch apocalypse. Rhett is a normalish teen at the start of the book--although a self proclaimed dork--but he is soon thrown into a world that is unimaginable!

Witches have taken over the world. And not the nice kind, either. All different sorts of clans banned together to kill humans and create chaos. In the aftermath, they are all fighting amongst themselves for territory. Having lost his family, and fearing his girlfriend and best friend are dead, Rhett sets out to find the Necros, the gang that attacked his friends. And he has one thing on his mind--REVENGE.

I. Loved. This. Book. There is no other way to say it! The entire story is thrilling, action-packed, and so inventive and fresh! This book brought out every emotion in me-- moments of serious rip-roaring laughter, real tears, and goosebumps and chills. I flew through the read, and I could not put it down!

What really stands out to me in this one is the characters. Its a crazy cast, from Rhett, the Book Blogger turned Witch Hunter, to Laney, the fiery kick ass girl that I loved to cheer on, to Trish, the creepy mute sister whose weirdness seems to have a purpose, to THE COOLEST DOG EVER, Hex. Did I mention he is magical? He has all kinds of talents, like shooting flashlight beams out of his mouth when they are stuck in the dark. The cast of evil witches is even more insane, from Pyros, to Sirens, to Shifters. And let's not forget the other Witch Hunters they run into! All of these characters, even minor ones are fully fleshed out, and felt so real!

My favorite character was definitely Laney. She and Rhett have an interesting camaraderie going on throughout the book--they bicker constantly, but there is a respect and understanding going on underneath it all. They really need each other to survive. One interesting thing to note here, is there isn't romance between them in the story (yet). I predict that may come later, but for now, the only romance is the flashbacks and dreams Rhett has of his girlfriend, Beth.

One thing that I loved that really got us into Rhett's head even more were the small snippets we got from Rhett's journal. This one was my favorite:

"Words have power, for better or worse.
Like the smell of fresh rain on cut grass,
Or the stench of a decaying corpse,
Like the soft comfort of a warm blanket on your shoulders,
Or the agony of a dagger splitting your chest in two.
Use them wisely."

These are sprinkled in throughout the story, along with some of Rhett's "Blog Posts"--turning a situation into his head into a story, and therefore, writing his review on the situation--which were so funny! I loved the creativity with these!

Besides the characters, the other thing that really stood out to me was the world building. It felt so real, with all the little details putting a picture in my head. I had no trouble imagining any of it, which is amazing, considering the premise. We get details on all the witches, what the world has been turned into, even parts of the government and society itself. It made for a very deep read, which I really enjoyed!

The best part of the story was the surprise ending! I love it when a writer can pull things out of hat, and I don't see it coming! A few twists I had kind of guessed, but I wasn't exactly right. Others I had NO IDEA they were coming! Well done, Mr. Estes!

This mishmash of fantasy, post-apocalyptic, and action is truly a gem. I loved everything about it, and I can't wait to read the sequel, Boil!

And now I'll leave you with a final favorite quote:

"Ignorance is the worst plague of all, a form of blindness that destroys the hearts of the people who hide behind it."


**I received an eARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

[Dre · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I am not a huge fan of witches in books. But I did love Harry Potter, however, they are more wizards than witches. What's the difference? There are differences, but I won't be discussing that. In this book, wizards were defined as...

Wizards are…different. No one really knows where they come from. They’re not born, and when they appear they have no recollection of their own creation. Some believe that they’re a byproduct of powerful spells performed by dark sorcerers, but no one knows for sure.

We are thrust in the world with a "The Walking Dead" feel. If you're a fan of the show, you will definitely feel that way. Instead of zombies, you get psycho witches. But we don't just get witches here. There are wizards, shifters, and people-killing-anyone. There's also this awesome dog, Hex. It's a different kind of world, that's for sure.

Rhett Carter is a nerd-athlete. Not only is he a football player, he also writes reviews on his book blog. Yes, my friends, he's also a book blogger! How fantastic is that? Life was tough for him because he's an orphan, but he lucked out on his latest foster family which truly cares for him. He also has a girlfriend, Beth, and a best friend, Xavier. Life's almost perfect, until the witches decided to take over the world.

REVENGE.

Our gentle giant is now a book-blogger-turned-witch-hunter. But he wasn't always brave. He's the type of person who never liked violence of any kind, so seeing him change into something kick-ass was pretty awesome.

I’m black and can’t fly and didn’t save anyone. And Superman is never black and always flies and wins every time.

His journey to find those people that he lost was quite an adventure. He met a lot of stragglers, some enemies, some allies. In a world where everything seems dire, the feeling of hope is easily felt from Rhett. But there's also some doubt. Who wouldn't in that situation, right?

Another thing that I love about David Estes' books are strong female characters. From The Dwellers Series, I loved Adele; in The Country Series, I loved Sienna; now in Salem's Revenge, there's Laney. She's fabulously kick-ass. She's amazing with her shotgun, and she also has a smart mouth. But even though she acts so tough, she's actually a softy inside. Even though she threatened to leave Rhett when he tries to risk his life for other people, she would still come to the rescue.

Eat lead you pansy-ass warlock!

Laney's got a mute sister, Trish. Let's just say that's she's quite special. Writing stuff in the air that sometimes don't make sense, but she's quite a surprise.

And Hex. This dog is absolutely fantastic!

David Estes definitely knows how to sew together pieces of stories that stays with you. This is a remarkable start of the series. And if this is going to be your first David Estes book, you will not be disappointed!

The next installment is already out, Boil. Get a copy here at $0.99!

[Kat Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure. I was given an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Brew is the story of Rhett, a foster kid from Atlanta, Georgia who feels that he is finally settling in to his life, he has friends, a girlfriend and a foster family that he actually loves and who love him. Things are definitely looking up. Until his entire world is shattered in one night by attacking witches. At first Rhett refuses to believe that witches even exist, but he is soon convinced and works hard to become a witch hunter extrodinaire and to find his friends again. Along the way he picks up a magical dog and a couple of unlikely companions.

It was a wonderful YA book. At times the writing seemed a little pat, a little too childish for my taste, but I assume it was meant for younger teen readers, so that's not really a bad thing, just a matter of personal taste.

The story itself was well thought out, well organized and full of action and adventure. I read the entire 440 pages in a day and a half. It was a real page turner. I really liked that Rhett was a black kid from Atlanta, but race wasn't really an issue in the book. It's mentioned, as a description of people, and then dropped. Perfect.
I loved Hex, the magical dog, and all the things that he could do. He was my favourite character. I hope he features in the next instalment. Which I can't wait to read. Brew left us with unresolved conflict, and a great ending, but not a cliffhanger, which I always appreciate.

All in all, a strong 4.5 stars from me.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received this book free from the Author through goodreads group [Shut Up & Read] {Read It & Reap} in exchange for my honest review)

5 stars!

I was hooked from the start.

I have read many a books about witches, but this was the first where they went bat-shit crazy and killed, everyone. Way better then zombies. They just bit, try to eat you, and if you’re not devoured then you turn into one. I rather get blasted to bits.

My heart broke a few times, (I lie, more than a few) there are many emotions swarming around (anger, grief, hopelessness, revenge, all the, ripe out your heart strings, ones ), and it's hard not to have your feels jackknifed.

Rhett is a sweet kid, and has to take in the fact that everyone he has ever loved is, gone. Believing that is almost impossible when you’re a child, (I know this personally, losing someone when you don't fully understand death is the hardest thing, though that is to say, it doesn’t get better as you get older.) What really made me like Rhett, was that, through all the suffering and trying to morn, there was still a small, spark of hope. In a world that has been pretty much obliterated, he still tries to be that sweet kid and struggles not succumb to the despair that surrounds him every day.

The world that David Estes has created is will rounded, descriptive, and solid. I never felt lost or confused. Each setting held the right amount of detail to paint the right picture of its surrounds. I find that some novels (not just YA,) if there’s too much description, it makes the novel boring, and dull. No one needs to know what color the mains socks are. （￣ー￣）

I thoroughly enjoy how, nothing went right. Every time Rhett went to save someone, he ended up needing the saving or almost ended up getting killed, painfully. Apparently learning the first time wasn’t enough..ahaha..

Rhett wasn't the typical, I can do anything! protagonist. He was that cute greeky kid, who didn't like to fight. So when the world went to shit, he had to learn, like use normal people, how to fight and how survive, before he could go a darting off on his own to, not save the world, but basically find some type of closure; or in his mind, revenge.

The story line takes place over a year. Unlike most YA where all the action happens in, a month (that’s being generous) and somehow the protagonist is, super everything!(I roll my eyes)

The stretched time span makes the story, though fill with murderous witches, more believable. Unless you’re a super computer (Or Neo from the Matrix) you can't simply learn how to fight/survive in one day.

Rhett doesn’t become an asshat as he goes about on his mission. He isn't dark or brooding, and at no point did I want to punch him in the face. This story isn’t anchored on an insta-love sub plot, that's only means is to poison our minds and create useless filler. Rhett is always focus on what needs to be done, even if he doesn't want to. Tired is a good way to say it.

I want Hex. He's a super dog, that's the world’s best multi tool. He can do everything, except turn into a knife. (Well he might, I just haven't seen that yet.. XD )

There are no flat moments, the transitions from one emanate death scene to the next, was polished and thought out. The normal plot holes that usually arrive around the transition; (how did we get here? Why is there a new charter? and so on) was nonexistence. When a new charter is introduced, be it a minor or major, they made a statement. I do believe there isn't a charter that I’ve forgotten about, even the brief but detailed intro's of The End's members. The crazy Japanese girl - Silent Assassin- is my fav, first though that came into my mind, Kill Bill. Aha. The cowboy or Mad Sheriff, can go stuff it..As for the muscle bound idiot Gravers, someone needs to rip out his windpipe. And I mean that is the nicest way possible.

I highly recommend this novel.

It's refreshing to read an original take on overused material. This book takes the “normal” stereotypes and gage worthy cliché's and transforms them into something fresh and exciting.

You will not be disappointed, take a change and dive into a new magical world where everything, and everyone is agents you.

I would like thank Mr. Estes for giving me the opportunity to read such phenomenal work.

Happy Days

-Emily-Ann

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank David for providing me with a copy of this book from his newest series to read and give an honest review. Receiving this book for free has in no way influenced my opinion or review.

Blurb:
Salem’s Revenge strikes without warning or mercy, ravaging the powerless human race under the forces of united gangs of witches, wizards, and warlocks. During the slaughter, Rhett Carter's foster parents and sister are killed, and his best friend and girlfriend are abducted by a gang of witches calling themselves the Necromancers, who deal in the dark magic of raising the dead. Rhett’s sword-wielding neighbor with a mysterious past saves Rhett from becoming another casualty of the massacre and teaches him the skills he needs to survive in this new world.
Rhett is broken, his normal high school life of book blogging and football playing shoved in a witch-apocalyptic blender. The only thing he has left is his burning desire for revenge. Armed with his new witch hunting skills and a loyal, magic powered dog named Hex, he sets out into the unknown with one mission: hunt and destroy those who took away everyone he ever loved.
But Rhett isn’t just a witch hunter; he has secrets of his own that he has yet to discover, secrets that his enemies will stop at nothing to keep him from.
And discovering the truth about himself is the human race’s only hope.

If you know me I'm a huge Estes fan. I love everything he writes, so it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only is a great to see a YA book from the male POV (my favorite) but he's witch hunter to boot (hello Supernatural!). So of course I jumped right in and I was not disappointed in the least!

Meet Rhett. Rhett's world changed when the witches took over. He went from high-school boy with a girlfriend living a nice life, to hunting witches and not having a family to speak of. He goes from jock to super hunter in no time flat. He's snarky and out for revenge, or at least out to avenge his family.

David gives great background at the beginning of the book, showing us exactly what happened and what lead up to it. I love that we meet a character who becomes very important later in the book. There's a lot of darkness throughout the book. Don't think you'll go into this one and watch cool spells Harry Potter style. Nope, there's destruction and the battle for who will claim ultimate power.

The world building is so great. David has rich descriptions of the surroundings and total destruction that has happened because of the witches. And while you know this world is not real, it's impossible to not picture it in your mind and see that it's an absolute possibility (even if witches aren't real...or are they?). And not only are they fighting with the humans, they are fighting amongst themselves for control. So while they've already pretty much taken over, things are still getting destroyed because they are not done! And there are so many different kinds of witches with so many different powers. They are hell bent on destroying each other!

While there is a hint of romance in this book, the book does not revolve around this theme at all. The undertone is there, but the important part of the story is how Rhett becomes a hero, or at least tries to become one.

As with all of David's books, his characters are great. They are rich and full of many dimensions. You feel an immediate connection with them. Not only is Rhett down to earth and a little angsty, but his companion, Laney, puts the snark in snarky. She's funny and loyal and very protective.

And David's books would not be complete with some kind of companion for the MC. In Fire Country we got Perry. In Brew you get to meet Hex, who is definitely the coolest dog to ever walk the universe (I won't tell you why and let you see for yourself). I do promise that Hex's antics will not disappoint in any way, shape or form!

And interesting addition to this book are the snippets from Rhett's journal. They really get you inside his head and help you to understand who he is and what he's doing. You see how he was before and after the witchy take over. It's great to watch especially as he becomes stronger and stronger.

Fans of post apocalyptic fiction and shows like The Walking Dead and Supernatural will truly love this story of witches and power.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Salem's Revenge comes swiftly without warning and without mercy. Gangs of witches, warlocks, and wizards unite to wipe out the practically powerless human race. Rhett Carter's foster family is killed and his best friend and girlfriend are captured by one of the most powerful witch gangs out there, the Necros. Rhett's mysterious neighbor, who happens to be handy with a sword, saves Rhett from being another victim and teaches him everything he needs to know to survive in the new world. The only thing really keeping Rhett going is his need for revenge, that and his new witch hunting skills and his magged-up dog called Hex. His mission is to hunt down and kill those responsible for destroying everything good in his life. However, there are a few secrets Rhett doesn't know about himself - secrets that the enemy will stop at nothing to keep him from discovering - and learning the truth just might be the only hope humanity has left.

Brew is refreshing, thrilling, darkly twisty, and action-packed, and I loved every second of it. It honestly had me at witch apocalypse. You don't see those every day! Did I mention that Rhett is a book-blogger turned sword-wielding witch hunter? That's a character I can definitely support! And, his dog, Hex, has some pretty cool magical powers after having been experimented on by witches. As much as I liked Rhett, I loved the fiery Laney with her shotgun and magged-up Glock and her odd little sister named Trish. I also enjoyed Rhett and Laney's working relationship, which could range from funny to heart-breaking. I can honestly say that I'm glad there was no romantic aspect to their relationship, up to this point at least.

Aside from the fantastic characters, the world-building that goes into this story is also pretty fantastic. I liked all of the little details in the story making it all the more realistic. Another element I particularly enjoyed is actually being familiar with some of the cities they travel to or mention - there's even a shout-out to Columbus, Ohio, the capital of my home state.

I highly, highly recommend this fantastic new series opener from David Estes. If you've never read anything by Mr. Estes, you will not be disappointed if you start with Brew! I cannot wait to continue this awesome series with Boil, the sequel that sounds ever so promising!

[M. A. Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy of Brew from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished Brew and this is the first book of David Estes that I have read. When I first started reading it I wasn't sure if it was going to be a book for me. In the first few chapters I was having a hard time connecting with the characters, the main character was really hard for me to like and there where traits in the supporting characters that just bugged me. However, the plot picked up and the characters began to grow and there where new character introduced later that I loved (the main character grew on me as well).

The plot line was different then anything else I have read and that was very refreashing. I really loved how it was written as well. There was angst and banter (Which is a must for me, just love it). There was enough action and adventure to keep my attention.

I fully enjoyed Brew and am looking forward to book 2

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Just... WOW!

David Estes has, once again, written an amazing book, which will capture your attention from the first, and hold it until the very last word. The characters and worldbuilding are so believable you can easily imagine you're part of the story, and that a witch gang might break in to your home at any moment.

[Kelly (Diva Booknerd) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rhett Carter has barely known the life of a stable home and when hell on Earth is released, he finds himself alone once again. They came in the middle of the night, the black cloaked figures that killed his foster parents and sister. Rhett has never believed in magic, regardless of the media coverage of Salem's Return, a modern day resurrection of the Salem Witch Trials. But when recluse neighbour Mr Jackson finds Rhett on the verge of unconsciousness and saves his life, Rhett is about to realise how real his new paranormal infused world has become.

"I'm black and can't fly and didn't save anyone," I say. "And Superman is never black and always flies and wins every time."

In revenge for the Salem Trials, the magical community are rebelling against humans with Witches, Wizards and Warlocks uniting for Salem's Revenge. Millions are already dead and his best friend and girlfriend are now missing. Rhett's only chance at finding his friends is to allow Mr Jackson to train him to survive this new apocalyptic world. But what Rhett discovers is a gun toting teen girl and her mute sister, Vampire Hunters, vigilante humans who are hell bent on destroying anything that moves, and the deceased that have a new lease on life. But his greatest discovery will be about himself, and challenge what he's learnt about the new world.

It may have been a while since his last release, but author David Estes has proven that he is back... And he's brought a coven of destructive witches with him. Brew is incredible, it blends an apocalyptic backdrop with a enthralling story of fight and survival, with a paranormal twist. It was simply phenomenal. Following the story of Rhett, orphaned and passive, despite his size. He's been finally placed into a foster home where he feels welcomed, his girlfriend is his reason for living and flamboyant best friend will always stand by his side. When the hour of rebellion strikes, his world is cruelly ripped from him. Salem's Revenge is seeking retribution for the injustices against the Witch trials, and the world is no longer safe.

It's tough and brutal world that left me breathless and needing more. I absolutely loved it. The world building is incredible and follows Rhett throughout his transformation to Witch Hunter, from the shy boy who wouldn't dare stand up for himself. The Necromancers have ripped his entire life from under him, his family, his friends and his world that is now on the verge of being purged of all mortal life. He isn't content to hide, he needs to seek retribution. He can only train under the guidance of Mr Jackson for so long, and sets off alone in search of his best friend and girlfriend, perhaps the only hope this new world can now provide. But what he discovers is much more horrific. David Estes created an incredibly dark world that lures you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat, vigilante groups, Witches, Necromancers, a sassy tag along, her mute sister and a magically infused canine.

After discovering both The Dwellers Series and Country Saga a few years ago, I've been an avid fan of David Estes' style of writing, he creates characters that you invest in and worlds that lure you in, leave you spellbound and Brew is his best work yet. I inhaled Brew from virtual cover to cover and can't wait to see what's in store for Boil, book two in the series.

[Katie.g · Rating 3 out of 5]

“I wonder what I'm really doing out here with a magic dog, a trigger-happy girl and her mute sister, and a trail of dead witches in my wake.”

Well Rhett, I often wondered the same thing. I was often in the dark just as much as you. This is the first time that I've ventured away from David Estes' sister dystopia series; The Dwellers Saga and The Country Saga and I can't honestly say that I prefer this to those series. That does not mean that I didn't enjoy it however.

Witches, Warlocks and Wizards swarm our world, creating a magic-fuelled apocalypse with ordinary humans posing as cannon-fodder. For centuries their existence has remained a secret but with the implementation of a new law allowing witches to be hunted down and burnt, the magical society is angry and ready to fight back.

Rhett Carter's world is turned upside down the night of Salem's Revenge. After the loss of his family, he begins a desperate search for his best friend and girlfriend. However, their chances of survival are slim and time is running out.

Definitely the highlight of the novel is Hex, a magged up, lovable dog and Rhett's friendship with Laney, a fiery, protective older sister to silent Trish, who wields her shotgun just as much as her words.

I was surprised at the darker tone to this novel that I've not seen previously in Estes' work. You get a definite sense of the world lying in tatters, an epic scale battlefield for the witches to play on. The magic-users brutality was not played down either. There were some tense scenes which had me cowering in the corner! Also, Estes imagination was portrayed clearly when it came to the magical community too. There are many types of magic-born; Pyros, Necros and Clairs just to name a few, and they have different factions and even conflicting goals.

I enjoyed this introduction to Rhett's world but I did have a couple of minor issues with the novel which prevented me from giving it a higher rating. First, there were parts of the novel which dragged. Going from town to town got a little repetitive and there wasn't always enough other stuff going on to sustain my interest. The second was that I didn't connect to Rhett's character as well as I would have liked.

Other than this, I thought the novel was quite solid. Brew is very much in it's infancy so I've decided that I'm going to give the sequel, Boil a go. If this novel sparks your interest, you should not let it pass you by!

[Skaistė Girtienė · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit this is first book of David Estes I'm reading (shame on me). I was hooked from the first sentences.  

At first it started as a story about a teenage in school and ordinary things like love, friends, life in school, bullies. And yet there were some things not quite ordinary.  

What if people began to afraid of witches again. What if they were afraid so much, that they began destroying witches once again and started Salem's Return. What if witches were real and they became annoyed of these events. What if they wanted revenge for all of things done to them. This was story about it.

I was interested to know more about the events mentioned in there, about the revival of the Salem Witch Trials. Thoughts of main character about it made me smile. It reminded me of my own thoughts, wonderings, what if witches did exist.  

I liked main character. I found familiar his love of books. I liked Rhett's little poems too. At first I even thought these were quotes from some book I didn't know yet. I liked to read his thoughts about the situation, about himself, about human nature, about life.  

This book had important topics about people and life. One was about the fear people have for unknown, and choices made because of that. It told that fear and hate can bring people to do horrible things. It described enormous threats coming and about the world changing completely, about dark times coming. It told how one deals with such a situation. Also there was told about violence and how much it takes to get used to it, to do it, and because of all of that becoming a different person than you used to be.

It was easy to read. I hurried through the pages eager to know what's next. I wanted to know more of this world and of this situation, more answers. It made me question what is true and what is lie, who you can trust and whom you can't. I was anxious with Rhett what would happen, what future would bring. I was sometimes astonished when some events occured, when some secrets were revealed. This story had threats, dangers, tension, it was thrilling. And still some parts made me smile, chuckle or even laugh.

I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm interested to know what's next in the story.

I have received the book free from the David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! group and the author in exchange for a honest review.

[Irena BookDustMagic · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Estes was on my TBR list of authors for about a year now. Although I have bought the whole Country saga I still haven't picked it up. The reason for that is the fact that every single dystopian novel I've read in my life had left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.

When I heared Estes have a new series about witches I had to read it despite it's dystopian genre. This one it has paranormal elements and I like to read paranormal from time to time.

You know the book is good when it accompanies you when you're doing stuff other then reading and when it stays with you in your mind after you finish it.
I didn't just think about it. I dreamed about it. I had a nightmare about witches killing people. It is a prove of Estes' writing abilities.

He is a really good writer. I have dozens of underlined sentences in my e-book.

It took me some time to get into the story and the world the writer has created, but once I was in, I was in!

It is a fast paced, action packed read. I would even dare to say violent at some point. For that reason I would recommend it to older teenagers and adults.

Estes created some good characters.
Rhett is our protagonist with a really cool name and even cooler personality. He really developes trough the story. I appreciated that.
Laney is smart but can be really annoying at times. I had some strange love/hate relationship with her.
The purest relationship I had with Hex. I loved that dog to bits!

There are some twists and turns in the story and some of them left me mouth opened. It is one more prove how good of a writer David Estes is.

Who would I recommend this book? To dystopian fans with strong guts.
And to people who like diversity in books.



The free copy was provided by the author in an exchange for an honest review.

[Redfox5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the cover for this book is simply stunning. I always love the covers to Estes books and this one is a show stopper. I can't think that many people would be able to turn away from this in a book store without reading the back.

I liked Brew but I didn't love it in the same way I did the Dwellers saga. I liked the main character, Rhett but there were a few issues I had with the plot which had me eye rolling.

We jump from 3 months near the start of the book and we are supposed to believe that Rhett is this arse kicking witch hunter who seems to have met every other witch hunter in America. Which he then keeps bumping into throughout the book. Now I live in England which is smaller that most states and I can go months without even seeing my next door neighbour so I just found it to much of a stretch that he keeps bumping into his witch hunter buddies.

There were also several scenes that ended with 'and everything just went black...'. I found Laney super annoying and all the other characters were hard to connect with and I couldn't get a feel for their personality's.

It might be that I'm not overly keen on the witch thing, and I feel like I'm being harsh writing all this stuff. So now I will say some nice things!

The book is okay, it's readable and it hasn't put me off wanting to read the next one. And regardless of your thoughts on the book. You will fall in love with a dog named Hex. He is a magical dog and the star of the show!

Worth a read if you are a fan of witches, Estes or magical dogs. Lets see what 'Boil' brings!

[Garcelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I RECEIVED THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.
Let me start by saying that this was the first book that I've read by David Estes. I can honestly say that I was impressed and intrigued. I can't wait to get my hands on his other work. In all honesty I was a little skeptical at first, thinking, not another post-apocalyptic/dystopian story, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that Rhett isn't like any other YA hero trying to survive in this new world.
It was really refreshing to see that although Rhett was an orphan, raised through various foster parents, that he wasn't bitter or a delinquent. Although he's a football player, he is only aggressive when he has to be and his best friend is a flamboyant, gay teen who grew up with him in the foster system. Rhett writes poetry, runs a book blog and wears glasses and is probably relatable to thousands of teens in the world. Even though it was kind of annoying sometimes, I like his aversion to violence and the slight hero complex that he has. Even though Rhett is driven by his thirst for answers and revenge, it's good to see him still have room in his heart for friends and his trusty companion (smarter than Lassie), Hex.
I enjoyed this book so much and couldn't put it down. I'm eagerly waiting for the next one.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

So, lately all I've been hearing is how I'm missing out by not reading a David Estes book. I was very happy when I was given the opportunity to read Brew. Let me say, all those D.E. fans were right! I already know I'll be reading everything he writes.

All hell breaks loose when groups of witches and warlocks decide they're better than humans. This is called Salems Revenge. The main character, Rhett, has lost everyone he cares about, in one way or another, to this event. He finds he has some "powers" of his own and vows to get revenge.

I loved everything about this book! The storyline is extremely original. I felt sorry for Rhett but enjoyed watching him grow into something great. The witches/warlocks were both scary and amazing! Brew was action packed from page one. It wasn't predictable at all. In fact, I was always surprised at what came next. Really all I have left to say is Read This Book! No matter what genre you usually prefer, you will LOVE this! I can't wait to start Boil. And, yes, I can honestly say, "I am now a David Estes fan for life!".

[☆Joycedale☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a completely different type of apcalyptic book. When the Salem Witch Trials start up again the witches decide to fight back.
Rhett watches his family slaughtered on the night of Salem's Revenge, being saved by his neighbor Mr. Jackson. He discovers his best friend and girlfriend are gone. Whether they're dead or not he doesn't know but with Mr. Jackson's help he trains to become a witch hunter. Mr. Jackson knows more about witches than any normal person but he trains Rhett to be able to survive in this new world while he hunts for his friends.
Along the way Rhett makes friends and enemies with other hunters and people just trying to survive.
I liked this book. There was very surprising twists that take place and made me unable to put the book down. I love some of the crazy characters that show up along the way. I also want the dog Hex. There was a couple of inconsistencies but I'm a little impatient to get to the next book now. I need to know what happens.
David writes a intriguing story.

I was given an ecopy by the author in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dwellers series by David is an amazing one, and my favorite of his...until this one came along.
Set in a not-too-distant future where witches, warlocks, and wizard are essentially rival gangs in the ruins of the United States, Brew has the post-apocalyptic genre on lock! The characters are funny, down-to-earth, and multi-dimensional. Laney one of the most kickass female characters since Katniss, and Rhett is a great combination of badass mixed with what-the-actual-hell-am-I-doing. The plot is great, and the pacing is always at full speed.
A thrill ride you won't want to miss, Brew is a fantastic combination of fantasy and post-apocalyptic that'll have you desperate for the sequel!

**DISCLAIMER: I am a beta reader for David Estes, and received a free final copy eARC for review purposes**

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

A solid four stars for me... This book kept me reading, intrigued to know what would happen next and I'm highly likely to continue reading through the series.

I enjoyed the characters, the development and the way they've had to adapt in this crazy witch ridden world. I loved how the witches had been categorised.

The action was good and I didn't feel any kind of lull that you occasionally get in these genre's. No calm before the storm. I enjoyed the pace.

I didn't feel as engrossed in this book as I have with Estes' previous books... there was something of a tense atmosphere and unsurety as to what would happen next missing for me.

Enjoyed all the same. Good stuff!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very good read I enjoy the characters and the drama. Rhett Carter is a foster who loses his family and friend's when the witches attack and kill every one. He is save by his neighbor who training him to hunt the witches for revenge. I like the little twist in the story the main character Rhett doesn't know who to trust or believe and he finds it hard to let go of what he has lost and move on. I will definitely read the next book in this series to find out what happens to Rhett next

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I love Laney she stole the show for me with her quick wit. There seams to be a lot of crazy going around. Not to say that if witches killed everything that people wouldn't be a little unhinged. I will say that a lot of Rhett's internal dialogue seemed to be repetitive and I did skim over some of it. However I loved the book and can not wait to get started reading the next installment.

[Raquel V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resenha: Brew, de David Estes. Divertido, engraçado, e inteligente! Como de costume para livros que não tem planos de serem lançados no Brasil, esta vai ser uma versão reduzida da minha resenha em inglês. Davis Estes é um autor que publica os seus livros independentemente - ou seja, sem uma Editora - e por isso não tem condições de publicar seus livros em Português (eu perguntei pessoalmente, já que ele é meu amigo no Goodreads e um cara muito legal!)
 
Sinopse (traduzida por mim, de maneira não oficial): 
 
A Vingança de Salém ataca sem aviso nem misericórdia, desolando a raça humana que fica impotente sob as forças de gangues de bruxas, magos e feiticeiros. Durante o abate, os pais e irmã adotivos de Rhett Carter são mortos, e seu melhor amigo e namorada são raptados por uma gangue de bruxas que se autodenomina os Necromancers - um grupo que lida com a magia negra de ressuscitar os mortos. Com uma espada mágica em punho, o vizinho misterioso de Rhett o salva de se tornar mais uma vítima do massacre e lhe ensina as habilidades que ele precisa para sobreviver neste novo mundo.
Mas Rhett está quebrado, sua vida normal de colegial blogueiro e jogador de futebol foi enfiada em um liquidificador e desmantelada pelo apocalipse-mágico. A única coisa que lhe resta é o seu ardente desejo de vingança. Armado com suas novas habilidades de caçador de bruxas e um fiel cão mágico chamado Hex, ele sai para o desconhecido com uma missão: caçar e destruir aqueles que lhe tomaram tudo que ele já amou no mundo.
Mas Rhett não é apenas um caçador de bruxas; ele tem seus próprios segredos. Segredos que seus inimigos vão fazer de tudo para que ele não descubra. Mas descobrir a verdade sobre si mesmo é a única esperança da raça humana.
 
Bom, eu comecei este livro tendo algumas dificuldades, porque eu achei que seria um daqueles livros sérios, onde o autor tentaria me convencer de verdade que este mundo distópico que ele criou é possível. Mas lá pelo segundo terço do livro - em que as coisas finalmente começaram a acontecer e o nosso personagem principal, Rhett, começou a interagir com outros personagens muito interessantes (como o próprio Hex, a Laney e a Trish) - a coisa começou a fazer sentido para mim.
 
Este não é um livro sério! É um livro tipo super herói, onde as coisas que acontecem são inacreditáveis e malucas - no bom sentido da palavra. Com a entrada da Laney na história, tudo ficou mais divertido e inteligente. O diálogo surreal e hilário entre eles foi sem dúvida a melhor parte do livro. Quer um exemplo?
 
“I wake up in the dark. Or are my eyes closed? It’s so black they might as well be. But no…I think they’re open. I poke at my eye just to be sure. Ow!” TRADUÇÃO NÃO OFICIAL: "Eu acordei no escuro. Ou os meus olhos estão fechados? Está tudo tão escuro que talvez eles estejam. Mas não... eu acho que eles estão abertos. Eu vou cutucar meu olho só pra ter certeza... Ai!"
 
Como não se dobrar de tanto rir com coisas desse tipo? O livro foi um pouco confuso as vezes, e outras vezes foi óbvio adivinhar o que iria acontecer. Mas em geral, foi um livro super divertido.
 
Minha nota: 3.8/5
Eu leria novamente? Provavelmente não
Eu vou ler os próximos da tilogia? Sim, foi divertido!Eu recommendo? Sim, para fans de YA que tenham mais de 12 anos (tem muita violência e terror) que queiram ler algo leve e engraçado, sem muita conexão com a realidade e muito sangue!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster ride Brew has turned out to be. Much like a witches brew there is a little something of everything here. It is a dystopian novel, a coming of a age novel, a book about love and friendship, a road trip book and a wonderful fantasy all rolled into one. Set in the not so distance future Brew starts off with a return of the Salem witch trials and quite soon we see the devastating and world changing effects of the witches fighting back. And at the center of this new world is Rhett Carter. I was surprised by how wonderfully vivid David Estes’ world is in Brew. His style of writing just draws you in and next thing you know it is two hours later and you are leaping through the novel. I had to force myself to slow down and savor it rather than devouring it in one go. A big part of this is the characters that he creates. Rhett is such a wonder to behold. You are drawn to him right away and so invested in everything about him. He goes from gentle giant to Clark Kent, to witch hunter and you are with him every step. You feel his doubts, you feel his loneliness. You experience his loss and want to hope with him. I loved his moments of poetry (literal and figurative ;)) and his ratings of events were hilarious. I found myself wishing there were more of those. I did feel sometimes that events moved a little too fast. I mean he goes from never book loving pacifist (who just happens to play football) to witch hunter in what two weeks? That is a relatively short time but I think that is the world that he is thrust into and I think that he manages to keep moving and keep surviving. I love the people he is drawn to Beth, Xave, Laney, even Hex the dog. All would seem to be underdogs but all have such strength and vibrancy. All have such fire - willing to throw themselves in harms way to protect those they care about and bringing out a wonderfully protective side of Rhett. In particular Laney is just one of those characters you could read over and over again. She is so hilarious and has so much life that she leaps from the page. You want to know her.
I was a little surprised by the savagery with which the witches and witch hunters were depicted. For the most part there are no sweet and friendly people in this world that we are left with and I think that the novel cannot help but get darker and darker with each twist and each deception. Each time you think the situation cannot get worse and that maybe things will turn around, something else will be revealed that just throws you on your butt. And even when you are able to predict certain things, even when you see the way events are unfolding, it doesn’t make them any less devastating or hilarious in parts which I think is a testament of Estes’ ability to tell a story. Without giving anything away I found the end extremely ….heavy. i was a little surprised because i think that throughout much of the book even when things got really dark there was still this level of levity. These are still teenagers and they still find moments to have fun or laugh but that changes near the end and perhaps rightly so. Again without giving too much away I want to see Rhett find himself again because I think with everything that happens throughout he definitely loses much of his identity. In fact it seems that the more Laney and Trish (and yes even Hex) find their place in this world, the more strength and trust they find the less Rhett has and the colder and darker this world becomes. I cannot wait to see where it will go - I cannot wait to see who Rhett will ultimately become and I cannot wait for the next book.

[Jeann (Happy Indulgence) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review appears on Happy Indulgence - check it out for more reviews!

You know how Angelfall broke the barrier for every angel book ever, bringing the post-apocalyptic genre into the mix with the overused angel genre? Brew does exactly the same for witches, and turns them from warty frog turning hags into scary, spell wielding, terrifying creatures who are wiping out the world from their war - Salem's Revenge.

Brew fulfils my thirst for a book that is completely and utterly the reason why I read - to find a book that resonates with my tastes. From the epic journey the characters are taking, to the outlandish characters they face, to the witches with different classes, to the post-apocalyptic world and thirst for revenge, and the witty banter between Rhett and Laney - I loved every minute of David Estes's new debut featuring witches, warlocks and warls.

I am always a fan of books that have different classes of paranormals, and the witches in Brew reminded me of Xmen. They have their own specialties and powers, from necros who raise the dead, to pyromancers with their fire, and even sirens who draw foes in. Reading Brew is like an epic adventure where you don't know what quirky personality you are going to stumble into next, and whether they are friend or foe. Not only will the characters meet each witch class, they will also stumble into some outlandish personalities such as The End, a mercenary group of witch hunters, a life saving beggar, a quirky magical weapons dealer and more.

The characters in Brew were an absolutely delight and written really well - from Rhett Carter, the vengeful orphan and witch hunter who only wants his friends back, to his companion, Laney who is the guns blazing all out girl who looks out for her little mute sister, Trish. Not to mention the best pet ever - Hex, a magical dog who has been the subject of witches' experiments for years. With this crew, you never know what is going to happen, and there are some shocks and developments along the way that will endear you to them.

I enjoyed the witty banter between Rhett and Laney, as they find a friend and like-minded soul in each other, and I'm glad it didn't resort to romance. The two have an antagonistic relationship, and Rhett still has his girlfriend Beth on his mind throughout their journey.

Dystopian stories are notorious for their info dumps, but the world building and development of the Salem's Revenge and the world overrun by evil witches was woven intricately into the rest of the fast paced plot. Every word in Brew is written with purpose, whether it's Rhett reminiscing about his lost friends, to telling us about the witches, to the character development and friendship between the characters, or all out action.

I loved every single element of Brew, from the scary witches, to the quirky and outlandish characters, to the focus on friendship between the two main characters. Brew balances the dark and foreboding apocalyptic elements and scorned characters with lighter, fun-filled banter and utterly quirky characters, and you'll love every minute of it. Discovering books that really resonate with me - this is why I read books.

Brew had everything I look for in a book: action, suspense, awesome characters, chilling twists. 5 EPIC STARS!

I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you so much to the author for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!*

I have felt like Brew has been sitting on my Goodreads currently-reading shelf for ages, and it's bugged me because it's not like I've even been reading it the whole time through. I only began reading it a couple of days ago and took me about 3 sittings to get through with. Overall, I must say that this was done splendidly and I'm so excited to read other works of Estes in the future.

So we've all heard words about how this is another classification of The Walking Dead with witches, and I totally must agree on that! It's everything I've been looking for with witches but with a little less action, I must admit.



As I began reading, by the first chapter, I already could tell that Estes is a pure fantasy writer. His mind definitely revolves around an action-based storyline that will rip you out of your seat.

“Ignorance is the worst plague of all, a form of blindness that destroys the hearts of the people who hide behind it.”

To tell you the truth, I usually am not a huge fan of witch books. They don't really captivate me and I find that they're always the same, every author, every single time. This one really wasn't bad, and it impressed me and intrigued me at points. I can just imagine what the sequel would do.

Be warned that this is a mind-blowing 440 pages long. Coming from my own words, "BE PREPARED BECAUSE THIS IS A HUGE BOOK." Some of us take longer to read than others, so those of you who are slower, you'll be needing a lot more time to finish reading this. It was mega-huge, and yeah, a total mind-blowing crazy experience. But now as I read it, I must say that I'm glad I did, especially for the experience.

I began the book with mega-high expectations. There are such high ratings on this book, and I've heard fantastic things on the writing. The plot, I must say, needed some work to even entertain those who normally don't read witch-stories.



In my opinion to get this book ten times better, a lot of improvement was needed. I wish I could've heard more about Rhett's past and how the foster family had to do with his changing of personality and all. More romance could've been a tiny bit better as well. :)

I feel like this was really bland—as it should've not been. I expected the non-expected, and totally forgot about the expected and that actually came up in the end.

This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived,check it out for more reviews!