Cover Image: Witch 13

Witch 13

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Member Reviews

This book was a great mixture of horror and a thrilling mystery!

This page turner starts with a female sheriff wanting to retire and live in peace in her small Connecticut town. One day a witch from the storybooks comes into her office and town and mayhem commences. The sheriff needs to figure out the connection between the witch and the town before it's too late.

This was a great mix of old school witch tales in a contemporary setting. I didn't see some of the twists coming.

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DNF @ 40%.
So i picked this up because I totally forgot I don’t read horror. I think the premise is really interesting and if it was more focused on the mystery aspect over the horror, I would have been better suited to this.

That being said, I do think it’s well written and has some interesting twists and turns. I didn’t care much for the POV of the 8 year old, but I think that’s mostly a me thing. I just don’t care at all for that kind of juvenile way of thinking. But I liked the other POVs. I also found this to be creepy as fuck, which is a good chunk of the reason I noped out of this.

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Witch 13 is a chilling and addictive thriller that puts a dark twist on fairytales and small town life. On the verge of resigning as sheriff, Sterling Marsh's plans for a quiet holiday season are upended when an ominous witch arrives in town and strange events begin plaguing the community. Sterling races to uncover the connection between this foreboding figure ripped from storybooks and the growing chaos threatening everything she knows. The twists and turns will keep you guessing until the satisfyingly sinister end. An atmospheric page-turner proving evil comes in many forms.

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Witch 13 is a thrilling and spellbinding tale that delves deep into the world of witches, magic, and dark secrets. Set in a world where witchcraft is both feared and revered, the novel follows protagonist Ava, the thirteenth witch born into a powerful coven, as she grapples with her destiny and the ancient forces that threaten to tear her world apart.

Delaney's writing is atmospheric and immersive, drawing readers into a richly imagined world filled with mystical creatures, ancient rituals, and hidden dangers. From the eerie forests of the witching woods to the bustling streets of a bustling city, every setting is brought to life with vivid detail and imagination.

At its core, "Witch 13" is a story about power, betrayal, and the choices we make in the face of darkness. As Ava navigates the treacherous waters of her own coven and confronts the sinister forces that seek to destroy her, she must rely on her own strength and cunning to survive. With its gripping plot, complex characters, and twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end, "Witch 13" is sure to cast a spell on fans of dark fantasy and supernatural thrillers alike.

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I don't typically read horror, but when I do, I tend to gravitate towards witch stories. And this one definitely has the cover to draw in readers like me! I was also surprised and pleased to find that there were images scattered throughout the book. I always love when stories include mood-setting images like this; they added an additional layer of creepiness to the entire thing.

As I'm not a big reader of the genre, I can't evaluate it perfectly for how it would stand up to tried and true fans of horror. As a casual reader, I very much enjoyed it however. I thought the overall tone and atmosphere of the book was creepy and pervasive, doing more to slowly build my sense of horror than any of the actual action scenes. I also appreciated the moments where the characters acknowledged some of the tropes of their own decisions, for example commenting on how they probably shouldn't go certain places, etc. etc.

The story definitely had a slow build up as far as the witch herself went, with very little actual action on that front until later in the story. I thought the backstory, when it came, was mostly interesting and I was satisfied with the reveals we had here. I also really enjoyed some of the twists and turns that came at the very end of the book.

Overall, I thought this was a successful horror story, especially for readers who aren't necessarily steeped in horror fiction.

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Also psychological horror with supernatural twists. This was such an interesting concept. When I read about it on the cover makes it seem dark and mysterious so I did book up although it is usually the genre. I read a Maura romance Gali, but I thought I would take my time am I ask you did find this quite good I think it made me feel uncomfortable which it was meant to and drew out like a darker part in the story and I would highly recommend. I think the writing style of this book was dead, and especially for the genre makes you get in the fields and reading this at night, or a spooky.

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Witch 13 was an interesting mix of fantasy, intrigue and horror. I'm not a horror reader, so it was nice that it wasn't too heavy handed in the name of being horror. The overall pacing seemed to struggle but the moments of suspense definitely kept my attention. Not a bad read, but nothing I would insist a friend read.

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Despite an atmospheric and unsettling opener, I felt this lacked momentum so although Sterling was a compelling protagonist, this felt more like a series of horror vignettes that are strung together with a narrative that takes the backseat. The claustrophobic horror scenes are really well done and I literally couldn't stop reading those due to tension. Thought interesting to set in later months rather than the anticipated Halloween.

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This book gave me vibes of a cold, isolated, wintry place from which I couldn't escape. Twin Peaks meets The Void. A terrifying story with a relatable protagonist, absolutely gripping from beginning to end. I've already been recommending it!

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Very atmospheric and unsettling. I really enjoyed this horror read a lot. Can definitely recommend it for fall / spooky season. An unpopular diamond.

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While the story itself wasn't the most original, the tone was eerie, and I felt a creeping dread the whole time I was reading. I became very invested in the protagonist, a down on her luck cop, and her survival. The pacing was slow moving especially toward the beginning when introducing the cast but rewarding in the end. I also appreciated the illustrations that are included throughout the book; each one was deliciously creepy and added a lot to the reading experience/general atmosphere of the book.

The prose was a bit juvenile at times especially when it came to the dialogue, which isn't my preference. But it fit with the small town horror movie kind of vibe I'm assuming the Delaney was trying to go for, so I think it would work for other readers who like that sort of read.

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Sheriff Sterling Marsh, worn down by recent events, reaches a pivotal decision to step down from her position as the Sheriff of Drybell, Connecticut, after a decade of dedicated service. On her last night of duty, amid the tumultuous backdrop of a once-in-a-century storm, Sterling anticipates a quiet evening. Yet, an unusual calmness surrounds the town, even as the tempest rages outside. In the spirit of making the best of her farewell, Sterling and her colleagues gather for a Going Away Party.

However, the tranquillity is shattered when their first call comes in. A troubling report from her deputy’s wife details an intruder at City Hall. Upon arrival, Sterling is confronted by a figure straight out of a fairy tale—a witch sporting a whimsical hat and an air of peculiarity. Sterling’s decision to arrest the witch unwittingly unleashes chaos upon her small sheriff’s office. With communication lines severed by the storm, Sterling’s sole mission becomes safeguarding her team until daybreak.
As unsettling events unfold throughout the town, Sterling begins to suspect that there’s more to this witch than meets the eye as it threatens to plunge the once-tranquil town into the darkest night it has ever witnessed.

This was a creepy read that I enjoyed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Sterling Marsh fights for her life and her friends' on the last day of her job as Sheriff after a witch infiltrates their small town. I really enjoyed this book, it's good. I was planning to read it in one sitting, but life got in the way. I devoured this book because I was curious to find out what would happen next. The deaths were carefully planned and avoided being repetitive, which is no easy feat. Although the ending wasn't surprising, it had an element of unpredictability. I found it to be a refreshing read from the horror/mystery genre, despite having some theories.

Witch 13, overall, is a novel that taps into classic horrors with a dark and suspenseful tone. With a deliberate and slow-paced approach, Delaney examines Sheriff Marsh and her struggle with the dark, otherworldly mystery. The pacing might be slow for some, but horror fans will love Delaney's world-building and how he disassembles it with his witch character. This novel is sure to please horror fans, especially those who enjoy folkloric horror.

I have received this arc from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Finally got around to reading this, and let me say, it’s perfect for the start of fall / spooky season. I love witch stories, and this one is a far cry from the “cozy fantasy” I’ve been reading recently. Wonderfully atmospheric and creepy, this is a great read for anyone wanting a good scare and go get into a Halloween mood. It could be slow at times, and the ending was just alright, but overall I think this was a very entertaining read.

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I am sort of a baby horror fan - I like the spooky but not TOO scary. This was a great level for me, sort of dark fantasy. Love all the nods to iconic fictional witches.

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Though this book was a bit slow, I still enjoyed it. I loved the fact that Christmastime was paired with witchiness in this book. A main character starts seeing things, not sure if they're actually there. It's rare to see a witch described in old school fashion; black pointy hat, black robe and such. I absolutely loved the description of this witch, since this is what I envisioned when I was growing up. The story was well developed, and moved along at a good pace.

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A narrative that leads you through a maze of tension and mystery, this thriller is a labyrinthine journey you won't want to escape.

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Witch 13 is....a fun read. I couldn't put it down in some part! But others just seemed to drag on, I was thinking to myself that I "might" not finish it. The beginning was a slow start, but it was well written, with a well executed & creepy/gothic storyline. Very well developed characters. The end was definitely a shocker too!
I love books about witchcraft and the occult. This would definitely be a book i could see myself recommending to others to read.

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This book has a definite Halloween feel and I was completely hooked by it.

Sheriff Sterling Marsh prepares for a bleak winter as she is about to resign. Christmas is around the corner and with a long night ahead of paperwork and a small get together with friends, she is surprised when a stranger appears in the form of a witch.

Witch 13 has lots of creepiness and the author creates an atmosphere that gives you goosebumps. Full of twists and turns that you are unsure where the story is going to lead you. You desperately want to know who the Witch is and what she is doing in the small town. The only downside was that you didn't really get to know the characters really well.

Overall a good scare read and if anyone is looking for that for over the Halloween season, I would recommend this book.

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Crazy unique story! I feel like this author could turn this into a series about fairy tale monsters coming into the real world. Although the general idea was good, I felt like the flow was not great and things felt kind of piecemeal at times.

I do think this would make a very good scary movie!

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