Witch Trial

Damned and Cursed #8

by Glenn Bullion

Kevin Mishnar is a rare being, even among his own kind. Being a full-blooded witch, he’s been hunted by humans and even the supernatural world. With powerful magic, and some help, he’s survived every threat.

He has a good job, a wonderful sister, an amazing girlfriend, and great friends. He couldn’t ask for anything more. But when someone close to Kevin gets caught in supernatural chaos, he has to wonder.

Would his loved ones be better off without him?

Alicia Teague has been around the supernatural all her life. Half-demons, ghosts, and vampires. She’s even dating a witch. When Kevin disappears from her life, she’s left to pick up the pieces. But she can’t leave the supernatural behind, even if she wanted to.

Her brother wants her help with the family business.

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Steve Naylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 4.0 stars

Re-read January 2020. This is really a very sad book. The whole book just made me a little depressed. I didn't feel it as much as the first time, but it was still there. I am waiting for the next book to come out to see how the group dynamic will change based on what happened in this book. If I were Kevin, I don't know if I could hang out with Cindy and Alex again after what they said. They obviously didn't really care about Kevin. They treated strangers better than him and all he ever did was help them. Anytime they needed magic or computer support they had no problem calling him and he was always there. I think the worst was when Cindy told Leese that Kevin was an asshole for breaking up with her when she was the one that told Kevin that she didn't want him in Leese's life anymore.

It wasn't just Kevin and Leese that had a sad ending. The ghost that haunted the family. The husband found out that his wife had been cheating on him for months. Finds out it was his own brother. Then they get into a fight and he gets his ass kicked. He doesn't even get the satisfaction of winning the fight. Then his brothers wife comes over to kill his wife for cheating and instead kills him. After all that he finds out that his son was told he abandoned them which made everyone kind of hate him! I find it hard to imagine a worse chain of events happening to someone. So, not really the most uplifting story by this author.

Initial review below:

I think this author really hates Kevin. Everyone else in this world gets to be happy (at least for the most part) despite having problems in their lives. However for whatever reason, Kevin gets shit on all the time. He is probably the noblest person in the entire group and yet he is constantly being put down by Jack. Alex doesn't want him anywhere near his sister and Victoria freaks out anytime he does any magic (unless it is for her).

The story starts with Leese getting kidnapped by a group of witch hunters. Alex gets Kevin to help him track her down but for some reason the tracking magic they both can use isn't working. Alex is making snarky remarks to Kevin the whole time as he tries to do the best he can to help out. They go and confront the hunters and are able to get Leese back, except that she won't wake up, even after Kevin gives her some healing water. So she is taken to the hospital. In the hospital Alex and Cindy get into it with Kevin and tell him that he shouldn't be around Leese anymore because he is putting her in danger. They tell him that things fall to shit around him, people get kidnapped or hurt and he is putting Leese in danger. This kind of pissed me off. I have always liked Alex, he was one of my favorite characters and yet saying this is very hypocritical. Wasn't Cindy kidnapped in the first book because of his ability to talk to ghosts (when they found that money)? Also weren't Cindy and Leese attacked at Victoria's house because that vampire/witch hybrid wanted Alex? None of that had anything to do with Kevin. He has helped the group out over and over again without asking for anything in return (He even didn't take the money Jack offered him for the sleeping watch). That is one of the shittiest things they could have said to him. This just seemed totally out of character for Alex and Cindy. BTW, Kevin never killed any of the witch killers when they found Leese, but Alex either killed them or trapped them in the demon dimension. But of course Kevin is the dangerous one. So, of course, after this is said Leese wakes up and we still don't know why she was out like that for a few days. Kevin waits a week and then breaks up with her. He tells her that he still has feeling for his ex -Rachel even though that is an obvious lie. He also tells his sister that he needs a vacation and needs to get away. That is also a lie as he is not planning on coming back to ensure she is protected. He doesn't tell anyone where he is going. He gets rid of his cell phone and got his magic communication rock back from Leese. Alex and Cindy threw theirs away. This also pisses me off. Alex and Cindy are the ones that caused Kevin to break up with Leese in the first place and yet they feel no remorse? They just cut him out of their lives as well? I could see that if he broke her heart (which technically he did, but he did it because they pretty much told him to, and then they talk shit about him). Cindy and Leese are talking about Kevin and Leese tells Cindy that he broke up with her because he had feelings for his ex-girlfriend Rachel. Cindy calls him an asshole before Leese can finish by saying that she knows that this is not true, and that he only did it to protect her because Kevin felt guilty. Cindy knows Kevin broke up with Leese to protect her and she still talks shit about him? Making him out to be some kind of uncaring asshole? Again this seems completely out of character for both Alex and Cindy

Kevin ends up going to see his old teacher Martha and staying with her. While she is a nice person, she kinds of treats him shitty as well. She reads his witch book (without permission I might add) and gets upset at the magic that he has come up with. She is upset that he found a cure for lycanthropy and a daylight potion for vampires. She reminds him that he should stay away from vampires and werewolves and gets upset when he says that he has a vampire friend named Victoria. Martha tells him that Victoria is only using him. There is a lot of mixed signals going on here. She tells Kevin how wonderful it is to come up with new magic and that when magic pops into their heads they have to get it out/write it down otherwise they could go crazy. Yet, at the same time she is upset that he wrote down or even came up with these recipes? She just said he didn't have a choice about it! Then she says just because a potion came to him, doesn't actually mean that he has to make it. On the other hand, she gets super excited when she helps Kevin figure out a new potion and they try it together, not knowing what would happen. We find out that Martha had a coven but she was kicked out about 20 years ago. She tells Kevin about a witch that was "out of control" so the coven imprisoned him. Martha shows Kevin a video of that prisoner of the coven who has his hands cut off. He is being kept alive so he can still give the coven any new spells that come to him. Martha makes it sound so humane that witches don't kill people. Kevin is just mortified especially when we find out that all the male witch did was try and cure people. It turns out the coven is now after Kevin. They are the ones that killed his parents (because they fell in love). They are so afraid of what a full witch can do. Now they don't want to kill Kevin though, they want to cut his hands off and stick him in a cage so they can still gain new magic for themselves. Of course, they still feel superior to everyone else because they don't kill other witches. The werewolf friend of Jack has been in town keeping an eye on Kevin the whole time and she comes to help out.

While all this is happening to Kevin, Leese also gets more active in the story, she joins the Demons LLC team to help out now that Cindy and Alex are so busy. Alex doesn't like it but Leese won't let it go (Well, as long as it is not Kevin putting her in danger, I guess that is okay right?). Leese is still shook up about her kidnapping and is still jumpy and paranoid. Cindy finds out that Leese was going to introduce Kevin to her mother before they broke up, which lets Cindy know that Leese fell in love with Kevin. Cindy and Alex finally feel bad and tell Leese that part of the reason Kevin broke up with her is because of what they said to him. Leese is pissed. Now she wants to talk to Kevin. She is upset with him for leaving without talking to her but didn't try to contact him because she thought it was all his idea. Now that she knows he was pushed into it, she wants to talk to him. Alex and Cindy say that they have been trying to get ahold of him, but can't. Kevin got rid of his cell phone and they all threw away his communication rocks. Later in the story Leese gets kidnapped again though this time she fights back and hurts her attacker. She has to give up though because Cindy has also been kidnapped and she is in the same coma that Leese herself was in. It turns out the guy that is after them wasn't after Kevin at all but Alex.( I kind of saw this coming, it was the only way that Alex and Cindy would have to back off Kevin in the future. They now can't say anything about Kevin being around Leese being to dangerous without saying Leese being around Alex is too dangerous as well). The guy that kidnapped them want's Alex's powers. He was possessed by demons as a kid and thought of them as his friends and that they were taken away from him. He feels Alex stole his destiny, so he set a trap to steal Alex's powers. Right before Alex is captured, he gives Leese Victoria's stone to contact Kevin, so he can come and save the day. (Again, this was the only thing that could happen.)

Here again is the part where I think the author hates Kevin. Everyone keeps talking about how strong Kevin is, and how much power that he has, but he keeps getting his ass kicked. Most of the time it is because he is caught without any of his potions. Even though he has been preparing for emergencies for months so that what happened to Leese wouldn't happen again, he still gets caught unprepared? Then when he is prepared, something always happens and the potions he has on him get broken or ruined. He seems to only survive by the skin of his teeth with every single encounter and usually only with last minute heroics. Alex, Victoria, and Jack might have some problems from time to time but usually they take care of business pretty effectively. Why is Kevin always the one that has to struggle all the time? I thought he was supposed to be the most feared supernatural creature in existence? It has to be that the author hates him. (I know, it's probably the authors attempt to humanize a character that he made so OP or to make him appear that much less threatening than he could be). Kevin got his ass kicked by 2 mortals in an alley, because again he was caught unprepared. He needed to be saved by Jack's werewolf friend

I wonder how many more books are in this series. I am going to continue if more come out, I just wonder if my feelings for Alex and Cindy are going to change from now on.

[Lazybee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally back to our favourite witch and demon master. Group dynamic is excellent. Especially Alicia. And really missed tiffany in this one

[Gareth Otton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to lose some serious man points by admitting this, but I actually quite like the romance elements in the books I read. Don't get me wrong, I don't pick up a book for romance alone, but I do get attached to the relationships in a book and I want them to succeed. Therefore when I read the synopsis for this book I was worried. The 'relationship being derailed for your own good' storyline has been done so many times and its always get in the way of the rest of the story. But this is a book by Glenn Bullion, an author who has proved time and again that he can write books that I really enjoy. So I went into this with an open mind and... well... it turns out my worries were well founded.

Witch Trial is another really enjoyable book this series that I have come to love so much. Kevin continues to grow as a great protagonist, Leese gets some much needed time in the foreground to help flesh out her character, and even Alex gets some time to grow a little in this book. Between some great character moments, some awesome action moments and some really creative use of magic, this was a seriously enjoyable book.

Yet, hanging over all that was the frustrating storyline of Kevin leaving everyone he loves behind for their own good. As is always the case when I read this, I know full well that at some point in the third act he and Leese are going to come to their senses, have the conversation they should have had immediately if this was a real-world situation, and they'll realise they're stronger together. Even knowing how things are going to turn out, it still creates an uncomfortable tension because I want these characters to be together (I know, I lost another man point there) and it's annoying that their apart for such a frustrating reason.

Basically, it gets in the way of the rest of the story, and that's a shame because the rest of the story is the usual kind of awesome I expect from this author. Getting in the way is the reason why this book loses a star in this review.

All that aside, it's still awesome to get another book in this series. I know Mr Bullion only took a one book break from it (and I enjoyed Shapeless a lot), but it is good to be back with these characters again. Once more I can't wait for the next one.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything involving the Dammed and Cursed series is worth a look

I’m a big fan of the Dammed and Cursed series, the Kevin storyline is my least favorite, but his character fits in well with the rest. Of course Jack is the main draw, Glenn could have him selling shoes and people would buy the book.
In book 8, we get an inside look at Kevin’s life, his girlfriend and extended family, Alex plays a big supporting role, which is good, he’s a good main character.
If you’re a fan, this book is necessary for the continuing series. We just want more, Jack, Victoria and Alex, in that order.

[Donald O'Dell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're reading this, you've probably read enough reviews that you have an idea what the book is anout. My only addition is to say that this is the most intense book that this series has had so far. Everything that happens leads up to the third act. And I couldn't stop reading. Oh my God, they actually did that. How is Kevin to handle all this at once. ? It is as exciting as a good Star Wars movie. Also the villains in the books have their reasons, which make them the way they are,.

[Lynn Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Something

I caught this series in the middle with this book. I am impressed that I have been able to follow all the action and understand the importance of each character despite not having followed them before now. That demonstrates really excellent plotting and descriptive writing. Only work of that quality would allow me to move forward so easily with the story. Really well done. I am looking forward to going back to the beginning to see what I've missed.

[Jim Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as always

Have read everything that Glenn has written and never been disappointed. I have been hooked since book number one. I am 64 years old and have done a lot of reading in my life. I put Glenn up there with Steven King, Dean Koontz, Jeremy Robinson, etc. Please keep them coming.

[Jim Kratzok · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this series!

This book is primarily about Kevin, the witch, his family and friends. Being a full witch has its pros and cons. One of the cons is that too many people think that much raw ability shouldn't be allowed to exist in one person. That belief sets up the rest of the book. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Another great book in the Damned and Cursed series, I re-read the entire series to catch myself up on the details before reading this one and it was totally worth it. Can't say enough good things about Glenn Bullion, truly a superb writer.

[Charles Applewhite · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice continuation

This is a good addition to the Damned and Cursed series. Kevin is our main with Alex and Marie as backup. I like how Kevin is staying an optimist but preparing for Armageddon+. Need an Alex Jack book.

[Dick SantaCruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

A n o t h e r g r e a t B o o k. B u y I t.

[michael hooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Fast paced page turner with characters that you instantly root for. This was the best one yet. I can't wait to read the next one hurry up and write it lol

[Marcus D. Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

Been waiting for more of this...keep it coming! I really feel you had such a rich universe to pull from and keep creating these stories.

[Drue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series

Every one of the books from this series has been awesome. Thanks for a great mental ride. Mr. Bullion. Hope many more are coming.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick and pleasant reentry into reading after a roughly 6 month absence.
Only really continueing with this series to follow Jack Kursed, who is absent from this entry.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Re-read

Wanted to get back into the series. The next book had me scratching my head a little cause it had been a while.

[kathy fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

1-8 were great, hard to put down. But this one a boring read at times. I hope 10+11 are better.

[Margaret Aldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the series. It is my second time to read it. Just as good the second time around

[Mark Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Time Was Had By All (Not)

This hits Kevin personally. Breakups are difficult but when someone wants to hurt you physically at the same time life is bound to suck.

I would have liked a little more historical background on Kevin's family. Maybe a tie-in to the witch who have Jack his affliction but it was not to be. Lastly, maybe Kevin can provide a fix to Martha in the future.

There a two loose ends that need resolving...the captive male witch and the female witch. What will happen to them?

Still,a great story and I look forward to the next one.