2.5 Stars

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in a trilogy about witches in New Orleans. Magic is failing. Some witches accept this harsh truth, while others scramble doing despicable things to retain their power. Alice Marin was shipped off to an asylum by her family and hasn't seen them in years. She is finally allowed to return home after a death in the family. Once home, she uses her last bits of magic to investigate other missing witches and occult figures in the community. The more Alice digs, the more information she learns about her troubled family.

I had a really hard time with this book. The subject matter was interesting - witches, occult, gothic, history and paranormal - but the book was really confusing. I found it "busy" because there were SO many characters and points of views, and yet also "slow" because it seemed like the story was setting up for something to happen, but nothing ever did. I read a lot of fantasy books so understand that in the first book of each series there has to be an amount of time devoted to world building. While this can be tedious, it doesn't have to be boring or overwhelming. There are so many characters in this book and so many points of views, that I quickly found myself confused and wondering what was going on. The book is very slow - which made it even harder to read. I eventually lost interest in the story about halfway through. This was a tough book for me to finish. I don't think I'll read the rest of the books in the series.

This multi-genre book is a story about family and magic. The characters are made more realistic by their complexity and conflicts. Although it is not a fast-paced book, I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series!

I never realized how much I love urban fantasy until recently, but it is quickly becoming one of my favourite genres to read. And this book is such a fantastic addition to the genre.

One of the things I loved about the story was the pacing. This was not a very fast-paced story, but the slower pace worked very well because it allowed for the development of the darker elements. And the dark aspects of the story were worth waiting for! I knew this story wasn't going to be a lighthearted read but even I was taken aback by the sheer evil mentioned in this book - and I loved it! The writing style that the author used was also perfect for building up tension in the plot and between the different characters. There was also no fakeness to any of the character interactions or situations; every remark, every scene was carefully crafted and served a higher purpose of solidifying the themes of the story. 

There were quite a few characters to keep track of, and I will admit that I struggled here a bit. The author definitely did a great job of making each of them unique, but I would find myself forgetting how everyone was related or how old the characters were. The author does provide a helpful list of characters at the end of the book, but I wouldn't recommend readers look at it while they are still reading the story because some of the descriptions of the characters can be spoilers.

But the plot was to die for: it was gripping, dark, and scary. It was everything I could ask for in an urban story centered around powerful witch families and covens. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this dark urban fantasy set in New Orleans. The characters, writing style, and eerie plot were absolutely amazing and I am definitely going to be reading more books by this author in the near future! I'm giving this a solid 4/5 stars!

I received this novel as an advance copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3.75/5 Stars

I recieved a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start, by saying I really really wanted to give this book a nice, round four stars. In retrospect it was an incredibly enjoyable read but I just had too many minor issues with the novel to justify giving it. So as always, I'll start with what I liked and close up with what I didn't.

I think, as is always the case when setting the groundwork for a new series, there's a lot of work to be put into building a world that feels fleshed out and believable. Horn as done a really good job at crafting his New Orleans. He seemed to capture the vibrancy of its community whilst also paying attention to the ways that he could weave his own narrative through the city's very real history. The city felt real, although some references and behaviours were lost to me as an international reader, and it certainly made the reading experience more immersive.
The King of Bones & Ashes is told from multiple points of view, and I think Horn has a real penchant for making his women characters feel tangible and relatable. I liked Alice and I Evangeline's character. I'm glad that so much of the narrative is told from their perspectives and I really appreciated the diverse representation with regards to the number of queer characters that appeared on the page. I also liked that Horn has clearly done his research into Voodoo as a closed religion and not just an esoteric practice that's frequently exoticised by outside, white observers. I can't speak too much on the racial rep, since I'm white. But I didn't see any significant red flags, beyond the hate fuelled vandalism of Lisette's shop, our main WoC protagonist who is a royal bad ass by the way. It doesn't go unchecked however, and all involved certainly get their...comeuppance shall we say? It's not my place to say its good rep, but I really loved Lisette as a character.
In terms of the plot, I think there are a number of subplots that haven't come to a head yet which I can appreciate, because this is the first book in a series. At the moment I'm still missing a lot of information and I think with so many players on the board Horn really has his work cut out for him for when it comes to navigating all the information that's unloaded onto the reader. At this point, I don't know what is or isn't true and I think that maybe that's down to Horn relying too much on the hope that the reader will just know what he's talking about even if he doesn't spell it out for them. There are a number of conversations that occur, one in particular involved (I think?) a discussion around Alice's sexuality and I still don't understand what her sexuality is since it wasn't spelled out and stayed hidden in subtext. I enjoyed the central arch of the book, but I think that Horn should trust his readers with information more - there's nothing wrong with a little telling once in a while.
In terms of the supernatural elements, I think the book displayed a healthy balance of real life experience and mysticism to really encapsulate what life would be like as a magic user in a world that's slowly draining of magic. It's an interesting concept, the ways that each character involve themselves in the magical system is really interesting and it's great to see different kinds of magic coexisting in one space.
I also think that whilst the read has a very slow build, Horn is an excellent writer and the entirety of the novel was written beautifully if not a little confusing at times. So with that, I think I should expand more on the things I didn't get on well with.

Horn is a fabulous writer, but I think his reliance on visual stimulus has the potential to confuse the reader. Some of his dream sequences felt overbearing and unnecessary and at times very drawn out. And admittedly I say that as someone who despises dream sequences.
It took a while to get into the central story of the novel because of how many characters and subplots we're introduced to, and until the last third of the novel not a lot happens action-wise. If you're not one for internal politics and court intrigue this book might not be for you but I enjoyed it.
I'd also say that because so many of the characters were unreliable and dishonest it was at times difficult to hold onto the central thread of the novel. I understand the need for antagonists and, but it would at times feel confusing and really jarred the overall reading experience. Again, I think Horn's heavy reliance on subtext and non-information contributed to why I found the plot hard to navigate at points.
We are also presented with gaps in information that pulled me out of the novel, ones that leave out significant details that seem to contradict the plot. For example (Minor Spoilers Ahead!) a character is tortured, her body mutilated. In spite of the constant glamour she uses to conceal her appearance in our protagonist's previous interactions with her, the main cast of characters just know who it is that's been tortured. How then, would anyone know who this character was with the glamour gone? Surely, logically, they'd have no way of identifying her body? This plot hole is never explained.

To summarise, I think this is a solid introduction to what is clearly going to be an extensive and well thought out series. I would definitely be interested in reading the sequel to see how Horn rounds off some of these issues, as I think The Witches of New Orleans have a lot of potential. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read if a little confusing and at times, slow moving.

I requested this book as I have been loving J. D. Horn's Witching Savannah series, and really wanted to try this out to see if it had the same magic.

Sadly it didn't, I only got 26% into the book before I just didn't want to read anymore.

The story just seemed very disjointed to me, and I couldn't understand who's POV I was reading from, and the family dynamic was just so hard to distinguish, it went over my head.

I really found this such a confusing read, and was really let down as I just expected bigger things from this book. I think my expectations were just set to high with this.

One of my favorite parts of J.D. Horn's Witching Savannah series was the beautifully written setting. In The King of Bones and Ashes, the first book in his new series, Horn bring the same magic to New Orleans as he did to Savannah. Lush and atmospheric, this story is an intriguing mix of urban fantasy and contemporary fiction that will keep you intrigued until the last page.

The King of Bones and Ashes is ultimately about family. Although magic is slowly disappearing from the world, the Marins have managed to retain their power. One of the oldest New Orleans witching families, they have their share of dark secrets. The family dynamics are extremely messy, intricate, and dramatic. This book does an excellent job of introducing each member of the family, their history, and their secrets. I loved Alice and Evangeline in particular. They both felt like such vivid, realistic characters. Additionally, the other witches in New Orleans are beautifully imagined. Horn also does an excellent job of explaining the politics, the history, and the current situation.

I usually love intricate world-building but the first half of the book was essentially a giant info-dump. It was a bit of a struggle to keep reading sometimes because of how slow the story unfolded. I kept reading because the characters intrigued me. However, my persistence somewhat paid off in the second half as everything coalesced and the true shape of the story began to emerge.  Or note is that the story becomes increasingly darker as it progresses, descending more into the realm of horror. Instead being the first book in a series, The King of Bones and Ashes felt more like the first half of a book. I do think that the ending set up the next book brilliantly though.

The King of Bones and Ashes was an interesting take on the urban fantasy genre. The premise was unique and the setting beautifully atmospheric. I would recommend this one to readers who are looking for a slower read.

This is what I would definitely consider a 'slow burn'. There's so much going on in this book for there to be nothing going on at the same time. There were far too many characters in my opinion, and the storyline was very convoluted. This isn't typically the type of novel I would read, usually preferring thrillers, but an occasional story involving the supernatural realm isn't always a bad thing. That said, this wasn't quite the novel I thought it was going to be when I chose it.

The story centers around the loss of magic among the witches in the New Orleans area. The struggle to hold on to the last bit of remaining magic has left ripples among the community of witches; fear and feuds that have lasted for years. The Chanticleer Coven has remained the most powerful in the New Orleans area, but not without deceit and manipulation. At the head of the coven, Celestin Marin, after having fallen into a coma, loses his battle with life and thus the Chanticleer Coven loses yet more of the magic that holds them together. Nicholas Marin, the oldest of the Marin child steps in as the head of the Coven, but with this, comes great burden and secrets that he's not sure he can bear.

In the midst of all of this is Alice, Nicolas' youngest and only daughter. Their relationship is strained and Alice is left with lots of unanswered questions. Alice at the young age of 7, after witnessing her brother's murder from who she believed was the bogey man, Babau Jean, she was sent off to an asylum. She remained there until she matured into a young woman, at the age of 21. Having been estranged from her family for quite sometime, she's slowly reintroduced into this world of magic, and is slowly trying to unravel the secrets that has burdened this family for decades.

As I mentioned before, there is so much happening in this novel... and rightly so as I understand this will be a series. Having said that, in some fashion, it was all just a bit too much to take in, and it lacked in keeping the storyline moving along at a nice pace. For the first 55% of the book I simply found myself trying to understand these characters and get a grasp on the plot. I couldn't get how they were connected, or where in the heck the storyline was headed. It wasn't until about 70% into the book where I finally began to get fully invested.

In the end, I will admit, I'm still confused... there's so much that's explained and not explained at the same time. Perhaps as the series continues things will begin to make more sense, but in truth, this one has just left my head spinning.

I want to thank NetGalley, 47 North, and J.D. Horn for allowing me the chance to read this novel in exchange for my review.

Fascinating premise of a book! Overall it was a little slow for my taste.

This is another series (much like the Witching Savannah series) that revolves around magic, witches, but this one has a very distinct southern Gothic/horror feel to it.

J.D. Horn is back with a new series that drops its readers off in hot, vibrant New Orleans. It's 2005, post Katrina, and we're left with the knowledge that the witches of this area have worked their magic to prevent the storm from destroying their historic city. As a result, their magic is diminishing and they're all fighting to maintain what is left of their powers.

There's a slow build as the story works it's way through the three main characters, their family dramas and the ever-growing concern that magic may not longer be a power they have access to. All three of these female characters are intriguing in their own way, and I'm excited to see where they end up from here.

Admittedly, this book is a bit slow in places, but I really feel this was a necessary move. The introduction to the book, and I assume series' main characters will pay off in the end. If the Witching Savannah series is any indication of what's to come, I know Horn won't disappoint with the following books.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2242981885?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I have purchased the Kindle version for my own library.

The Chaticleer Coven is in trouble. Magic is fading from New Orleans and the coven is suffering along with other covens. Although some non-witches and non-believers are unaware of the effects on the witches, they are drawn into the fray when the current patriarch of the coven passes and evil comes calling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am anxiously awaiting the next installment. The complex mix of characters is what draws me to J.D. Horn's books. This book was a little bit difficult to follow with the sheer number of characters but if you can keep them straight, they all show their place in the story. (Thus the 4 stars)

The descriptions of New Orleans are as you'll see in person or in pictures or on the screen. JD has a way of making you want to visit the places he writes about real, or imaginary. The many dimensional worlds give an interesting view of the possibilities of where the characters will end up.

Thank you for another very enjoyable read and I'm looking forward to the next installment of the New Orleans Witch Series and the Chanticleer Coven.

So I didn't hate this book, in fact I really enjoyed it especially the ending. But had I not gotten this book from Netgalley and felt an obligation to finish it I probably would've shelved it on my TBR list for a while. The plot is very interesting and the book is told from many different perspectives but at times the books pace felt so slow. This book is definetly not for the impatient reader such as myself. However the last 30% of the book really sped up and I enjoyed it so I would recommend this book but only for the slow stroller kind of readers. I will be reading the second book though and hope the pace is quickened a bit.

The King of Bones and Ashes by J.D. Horn is the first book in A Witches of New Orleans series. On Monday, August 29, 2005 the witches of the Chanticleer Coven tried to divert the storm without success. They are now preparing to evacuate. While waiting for her father, young Alice is drawn outside and sees Babau Jean (John the Bogey) in the water, and he almost succeeds in grabbing her. While Alice got away from his clutches, Babau Jean is still with her. In the present day, Celestin Marin has passed away after being in a coma for the past eight years. Celestin was the head of their clan and the witches are looking forward to claiming his residual magic for themselves (in a disgusting ritual). Magic is fading from the world and has been for some time. Those who have relied on it are not coping well. Some are going mad, others are taking the “Dreaming Road”, and a few are managing to cope. Alice is finally being freed from the asylum where she was placed by her father. Her oldest brother, Luc is dead. No one believed Alice when she told them Babau Jean forced Luc to kill himself. Witches have been disappearing from New Orleans and people are told they have taken the “Dreaming Road”. Alice’s mother supposedly took this path when Alice was a child. If this is the path the witches took, where are there bodies? They have not been found. There are dark forces at work in New Orleans. What will the witches do to keep their magic alive?

The King of Bones and Ashes is an odd book. I did like the setting of New Orleans and that it involved witches. There are numerous characters in the book and the POV changes frequently. It can be difficult to keep track of the various people and their storylines. I found the book to be a convoluted and disjointed. I think the author tried to put too much into one book. I wish the author had focused the story on Alice. That alone would have been an intriguing story. Evangeline and Lisette (other main characters) should have had their own books. I thought the book lacked focus and continuity. The writer was overly descriptive which led to a glacial pace (I fell asleep more than once). It was a struggle to finish this novel. And this is just the first book in the trilogy. Please be aware that The King of Bones and Ashes contains foul language, extreme violence, drugs and large quantities of alcohol. I was surprised that The King of Bones and Ashes is by the same author that wrote The Line. The writing style is very different (what I enjoyed in The Line is missing from this tome). While The King of Bones and Ashes is not my cup of tea, it will appeal to other readers. I suggest getting a sample of the book and see if the book interests you.

'The King of Bones and Ashes' is an urban fantasy series set in New Orleans. The story begins back in 2005 when Katrina devastated the town and the local witches try to prevent the worst. Unfortunately, almost everyone involved can tell that the magic is slowly dying away and that they are not strong enough anymore. And then there's Babau Jean, a boogeyman hunting young Alice.
Fast forward a couple of years, family ties are broken, friends become enemies and it turns out that not everyone in the witching community is losing their power. The story follows three women trying to find their place in a new world where power is shifting.

I thought long about how much to write about the book without giving too much away. To be honest, you have to stop early because it's easy to spoil the story for others. The story is very detailed and next to the three main characters there are numerous other characters worth watching. Truth be told, a lot is happening but (and that's a big one) we're not talking about a fast-paced story. This is a slow burn and it takes its time. You could tell from the beginning that this is the first in a series because the author sets you up with an overload of information. I'm usually a fast reader but I had to stop several times to sort out who is who and how is everyone connected. Once you do that, you are rewarded with a great story.

I loved the main characters - especially Alice and Evangeline. Alice was an instant like. Her story arc is full of complex family ties and resentment of those who took power over her. It took me a while to like Evangeline - mainly because of how she is connected to the Marin family. In general, the author did a great job to present complex characters with a rich background story. At some point, I struggled because there were just too many characters involved but I hope that you'll need all the information for later books in the series. This kind of makes it okay in my eyes.

The setting is also lovely. This isn't the first time I encountered New Orleans as the perfect setting for an urban fantasy in a book/TV series/movie. Different cultural and religious beliefs interact in the book and thus add an interesting layer to the complex family story.

In some aspects, the book was exactly what I wanted it to be while truth be told, it took me some time to get into it. It definitely wasn't an easy read. If you are looking for a fast-paced, cute story you might want to skip 'The King of Bones and Ashes'. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a complex, character-driven urban fantasy.

I enjoyed the read a lot and I wasn't aware of the fact that there is already another witch series by the same author. This means that there are now two series that I can check out and this makes me insanely happy.

The King of Bones and Ashes by J.D. Horn

First in the Witches of New Orleans series

DNF- 1.5 stars

The King of Bones and Ashes is a novel that focuses on three witches within the New Orleans area. I was super interested in the premise behind this one because I'm from Louisiana and I always enjoy seeing authors' takes on this famous city. I really wanted to like this novel. I did, but I just felt so disconnected from it since the beginning. For me to want to read a novel, I have to make a connection to something. It doesn't matter if it's the characters, world building, plot, or romance. I have to have some level of interest to continue otherwise reading begins to feel empty. I don't want my reading to feel empty. I DNF novels for multiple reasons. Sometimes the book makes me rage, rolls my eyes, cringe, uncomfortable, or the writing is horrible and I just can't continue or my brain cells will die. This isn't the case with The King of Bones and Ashes. I have to DNF this novel because I'm not connected to it. I can't continue to read this novel because it will make me unhappy and I want to leave off feeling unsatisfied instead of raging and telling everyone that this is a horrible book.


My biggest problem lies with the formatting and sequencing of the story. The prologue is ridiculously long. So long, that it feels more like an opening chapter. A prologue should be quick and to the point. I don't want my prologue to be long because when it is I usually feel confused and annoyed because I'm being thrown into the middle of a very big plot that should not be the opening sequence for a story. This book also has three alternating PoVs. One of them is from Evangeline who is mentioned as the hated girlfriend of the prologue narrator's brother. She owns a strip club and has become romantically involved with her ex-boyfriend's FATHER.

Then there's the opening narrator, Alice, she is currently locked up in an asylum for witches after she witnessed her brother, Luc (Evangeline's ex-boyfriend), be murdered by a monster, but no one believes and thinks he killed himself. Her father has been keeping her locked up at the asylum against the doctor's wishes.
There is also a third narrator, Lisette, who seems to be a middle-aged woman, but sounds like a teenager. I have no clue what her purpose is in this story other than to be a woman who has forgotten that magic truly exists and just thinks the people around her are crazy. Can you see why it was hard for me to keep up? There's a lot going and this is only the first 17% of the novel. I can't do it. It's not interesting enough and I don't feel like I am gaining anything from this story. I think I'll just watch Coven instead.




Whimsical Writing Scale: 2
Character Scale: 1
Plotastic Scale: 1.5

Cover Thoughts: This isn't a horrible cover, but I'm not a huge fan of it.

Thank you, Netgalley and 47 North, for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Welcome to New Orleans, the city steeped in voodoo and witchcraft . Where the Marin family is a magical family . Alice Marin is the youngest and has been locked away in an asylum . For years she is locked away in her own cage and when she is released she is out to find out what is going on with the magic that is leaking into the world . But as she tries to figure it out , she might be in over her head and finding out her family might be more responsible for the vanishing witches then first thought. As she dives deeper into the past , will she survive and will she fight for the future of all witches , not just her family . l
     This book is set in a town where anything can happen . The author paints such a beautiful gothic story . He takes us on such an adventure that had me reading well into the night . The characters are larger then life and very well written . The character of Alice is such a sweet loving character . You want to wrap her up and keep her safe but she is stronger then she realizes and is so smart . You will cheer for her and cry with her . There are so many strong characters and they are all so complex , you will love them and hate them at the same time . 
   This book is a steady read , there really isn't a lot of action at the beginning . We get a lot of the history and secrets there are so many secrets that are in this book and you won't put the book down until you figure out all the secrets that everyone is hiding . The author sets up the story and the history of the witches very well . He is very detailed in their stories and the way he writes will keep you enthralled .  I had a book hangover after I finished this book . I couldn't put it down until I finished .  So if you want a great story that is steeped in old ways and has lots of history of witches and the old ways . This is the new series for you . I can't wait for book two in the series to see where the author takes Alice . So check out the new series you won't be disappointed .

The power of magic is diminishing among witches. Those who have relied on their powers are desperate for guidance and willing to sacrifice anything to obtain more. When Celestine Marin, the one head of the most powerful covens, dies the remaining witches will gather in New Orleans to partake in his residual magic. Nicholas Marin, the current coven leader, is willing to do anything to maintain his position, including killing anyone who tries to take it from him. Alice Marin, Nicholas's youngest child, returns home to mourn her grandfather. A traumatic childhood event placed her in a mental institution where she abandoned her power. Her past and present will soon converge once again resurrecting old memories and uncovering long hidden family secrets that may just lead to the ultimate battle for power.

The King of Bones and Ashes is the first book in the Witches of New Orleans series. This novel is wonderful with its rich historical culture and landmark settings. This novel flawlessly brings together a full cast of characters form the coven, The Marin-Endicott family, The witches of New Orleans (The four sister witches, their servant, and a fiery Redhead named Evangeline), The Simeon-Perrault Family (Voodoo practitioners) in addition to ghosts and psychic's and a cat with an attitude. This novel was hard to put down and I can't wait to get my hands on the second novel.

Alice Marin, 21 and newly released from the institution for clinically unstable witches, returns to post-Katrina New Orleans to attend her grandfather Celestin’s funeral. Although magic seems to be waning, Alice is more powerful than ever. Perhaps it’s her connection to the malevolent entity Babau Jean, or perhaps it’s related to the Marin family secrets. Either way, Alice delves into the mysteries surrounding her family, including the loss of her mother, brother, and her father’s abandonment of her. What she starts to unravel is beyond her wildest imaginings.

The King of Bones and Ashes by J. D. Horn has everything I could want in a story – evocative setting, strong female characters**, complex family drama, and witchcraft – but the novel was a hindered by uneven pacing. It’s the first in the series, and though I struggled in a few parts, I’ll look for the second book*. If you like southern gothic mysteries with a hint of the supernatural, this book is for you.

I love New Orleans. It was so nice to see it brought to life in this book. The author paints a very accurate picture of the city, and having been several times, I enjoyed being able to visit the city again through this book.
The death of Celestin Marin, head of the Chanticleer Coven, has left a gaping void in the witching community, and opened a Pandora's box of long-buried family secrets. The waning of magic in the world is fueling a lust for the last crumbs and tempting those hungry for power to deeper and darker depths to gain any scrap of magic they can find. A book with dangerous spells, hidden away for years, is calling out again to anyone who will do its dark bidding. The power to stop it rests in the hands of the youngest generations on both sides of family feud decades in the making.
This is a nice setup to the series, introducing all the characters, setting up their backgrounds, and drawing all the family trees. The book was nicely paced, however I felt like it got a little rushed toward the end. I would have liked to see just a little more character development, but all in all a promising start!

The storyline took a while for me to untangle, so I'm not going to attempt to summarize it here. Goodreads does a good enough job of it.

Being my first J.D. Horn, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I have the first in his earlier series, Witching Savannah, on my Kindle but like so many other books, I haven't gotten to it yet. All I knew was New Orleans + witches + voodoo, and that was more than enough for me. Paranormal and supernatural stories are like potato chips and Jelly Belly's, I can never get enough, and I enjoy the holy heck out of them. Add New Orleans to the mix, and I'm sold.

From the very beginning, there are so many complex layers, so much unknown background being held back. Secrets, secrets, and more secrets. Who am I supposed to root for? What is real and what isn't? I'd start to feel like I was gaining some understanding of a particular person's motivations, but then the foundation started to crumble. Except Evangeline. I don't know what she's up to, but whatever it is, she believes it's the right thing. But Nicholas, Alice and Babau Jean…there is absolutely no way I would miss out on the next book (and probably all of the others that come after). The ending brought some pieces together, but left so much on the table, and I NEED to know.

So, what did I like about this book? The plot is crafty, the character development is well done, diversity, diversity everywhere, unputdownable in the second half, witches, lady power, New Orleans, and super entertaining.

Making recommendations like "if you liked X, you'll like Y" is not something that comes easily to me, but in this case, from the first chapter, I felt strongly that if you like the TV series "The Originals" (I love it!), you'll love this book. It's witches only, of course, but I assure you they have enough drama all on their own.

Looking forward to the next in this series!

I instantly felt that The Kings of Bones of Ashes was something I wanted to read and I was thrilled when I got the book to read and couldn't wait! And, the book was great. I was thrilled to read a book about witches set in New Orleans (and not a YA) and the premise of a story about witches that are slowly losing their magic felt refreshingly new.

The King of Bones and Ashes is the first book in the Witches of New Orleans and the book starts off with a young Alice Marin right before she is sent to an asylum by her father who feared that she was going insane just like her grandmother. She will not come back to New Orleans until 10 years later when her grandfather dies. And, her return will be the start of unstoppable events...

This book is the kind that I felt right from the start was perfect for me. I love reading Gothic novels set in the American South about old feuds and secrets. The writing really appeals to me and I loved how the book both had a satisfying ending (to the story in this book), but at the same time, a cliffhanger that makes me wanna read the next book since not everything has been resolved.