Josie Jameson and the Stone Witch

Josie Jameson #2

by Jennifer L. Hotes

In author Jennifer L. Hotes’ YA thriller novel, Josie Jameson and the Stone Witch, readers meet a teen that’s been struggling since childhood to fill the shoes of her dead mother. Josie is a caregiver to her little brother, a confidante to her grieving dad, and the backbone of her tight-knit group of friends. But always being the strong, responsible one has taken its toll on Josie, now fourteen. After stumbling upon the grave of a witch, she’s been plagued with nightmares, dark visions, and fainting spells that leave her feeling like a freak. And then suddenly her faulty heart gives out and for 5.4 seconds Josie is technically dead. Hoping the life-saving surgery will finally transform her into a regular girl, Josie’s about to discover the witches have other plans. As she struggles to accept the foreign object now regulating her heartbeat, Josie begins to dream the life of a headstrong teen in 1820s England who, along with 11 other girls, is devoted to empowering women in their strict society. The second book in the Stone Witch series takes readers along with Josie who, with the help of her friends and clinging to the final memories of her mother, must face the challenges of her future as the past battles for her soul. Will she be strong enough to face her fate?

190 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2015

About the author

Raised across the river from a nuclear reactor, Jennifer thought two-headed animals at the county fair were normal until she moved to the big city. Jennifer has been looking at the world through a cracked kaleidoscope since she was born and has been writing since her parents pushed her crib against a blank wall.

She would give her last possession for a bowl of gumbo from Disneyland's New Orleans Square and tries to run five days a week.

Fortunate enough to marry her best friend, she and her husband reside in Seattle and the proud parents of two strong, fierce daughters.

Reviews

[Laura Agnella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A while back, I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of what was then titled Four Rubbings (now Josie Jameson and the Fourth Tombstone), a story about a young girl and her three friends who visit a graveyard and rub four different graves. Each grave takes one of the teens on a journey, especially Josie, who learns about an accused witch from the past and her own family connection to magic through her mom, who died when she was young.

This second book, Josie Jameson and the Stone Witch, continues the story of Josie and her friends as they help Josie figure out what is happening to her. Is something trying to possess her? Is someone following her? Why is she having dreams that seem so real? The story is fun and incredibly engaging. I knew almost from the start that I would be finishing it in one sitting. The reader gets a nice mix of teenage drama, a little bit of history, and a supernatural edge. A lot of what Josie learns through the dreams take place in the 1800's and are from another point of view which adds a nice historical feel. You can definitely tell as you get further into the plot (and to the cliffhanger at the end) that things will be escalating in the third book and I can't wait to see what happens. No spoilers here so you'll have to grab the books yourself but I would recommend them for any middle or high school student as well as any adults who enjoy the YA genre.

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second installment of Josie Jameson's journey was really fun with just enough spooky and creepy! I also read the Fourth Tombstone and feel like that book is a tale of discovery and now in Stone Witch Josie's journey begins. If you have just discovered Josie's story - go back and read the Fourth Tombstone, it will add to your experience.

In the Stone Witch the author did a great job adjusting between the voice of the past and Josie's present and building a foundation for more adventure and mystery. I wish the next book was available now! For a while I couldn't get certain of the characters out of my head, which doesn't always happen, but I love it when I can chew on the material for a while.

Recommended for adults who want a little bit of a thriller without sleepless nights, or teens who might be interested in trying something a little bit scary/creepy.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as part of an ARC review. It is a continuation of the first book, The Four Tombstones or Four Rubbings. Further insight is given into the past and Josie's mother's puzzle box. It is explained about the stone that her mother carried in her heart and now that Josie carries the same stone. The origins of the stone were very interesting and I liked how the story of the stone was told in realistic dreams. Josie tracks down the woman that's been following her with her friends and learns more than she expected. Maggie was her mother's protector and she passes the mantel to Seth, Josie's boyfriend. Josie as the keeper of Agatha's stone has become the protector of the sisterhood. These are the Sisters of Christ and there are twelve of them, six good and six that have bad traits. It appears it will be up to Josie and Seth to find each of the current members of the Sisters of Christ or the stone witches and cleanse the dark stones. I believe Seth will stay by Josie's side but she may have lost their other two childhood friends, Casey and Blaze. The book is a nice blend of discovery and the supernatural. I noticed that the character of Bain is reoccurring and wonder how it will all play out. I look forward to more in this series.

[Lauren Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be much different than the books that I typically go for. Josie, a 15 year old girl still dealing with the grief of her mother's death, and her friends were searching for answers which made me, as a reader also want to know the answers, which had me turning pages and reading this book all day. I found it slightly confusing at first when Josie began having her dreams and figuring out how to differentiate the two and then once again figuring out how it all came together but I did enjoy the mystery to it. I will definitely be reading the rest of the books!
I received this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2nd installment of the Josie Jameson series gets a little odd. Josie has to have a pacemaker put in, but is convinced that she has a magical stone in her chest. The supernatural really comes into play and I guess I found the entire book and premise a little odd. I really enjoyed the first book, but this second one left me scratching my head. I am currently reading the final book in the series, and hopefully it will all come together and make more sense to me.

I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems and have voluntarily left this review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 2nd installment of the Josie Jameson series gets a little odd. Josie has to have a pacemaker put in, but is convinced that she has a magical stone in her chest. The supernatural really comes into play and I guess I found the entire book and premise a little odd. I really enjoyed the first book, but this second one left me scratching my head. I am currently reading the final book in the series, and hopefully it will all come together and make more sense to me.

I received a free copy of this book from Hidden Gems and have voluntarily left this review.