The Line by J.D. Horn | Book Review

18010355THE LINE J.D. HORN
Genre: Paranormal/Witches, Urban Fantasy
Format: Audiobook
“Savannah had the power to hold people long after their final sell-by date had been carved into marble. You didn’t need to be a witch, or even a psychic, to see spirits in Savannah—”
– J.D. Horn, The Line
Series: Witching Savannah
Synopsis:
Bold, flirty, and with a touch of darkness, debut author J.D. Horn spins a mesmerizing tale of a family of witches . . . and the problem that can arise from being so powerful. As Charlaine Harris’ series winds down—and as Deborah Harkness’ series heats up—Witching Savannah is new contemporary fantasy that will be sure to enchant new readers.
Mercy Taylor, the youngest member of Savannah’s preeminent witching family, was born without the gift of magic. She is accustomed to coming in a distant second to the minutes older, exquisite and gifted twin she adores. Hopelessly in love with her sister’s boyfriend, she goes to a Hoodoo root doctor for a love spell. A spell that will turn her heart to another man, the best friend who has loved her since childhood.
Aunt Ginny, the family’s matriarch, would not approve. But Mercy has more to worry about than a love triangle when Aunt Ginny is brutally murdered. Ginny was the Taylor family’s high commander in the defense of the bewitched line that separates humankind from the demons who once ruled our realm.
A demon invasion looms now that the line is compromised. Worse yet, some within the witching world stand to gain from a demon takeover. Mercy, entangled in the dark magic of her love spell, fighting for her sister’s trust, and hopelessly without magic, must tap the strength born from being an outcast to protect the line she doesn’t feel a part of…
In this riveting contemporary fantasy, Horn delivers the full betrayal, blood, and familial discord of the best of Southern gothic.[Goodreads]
review
I did not know anything about this book or heard anything about this series ever before. I just picked it up because it was one of the options for an audiobook on kindle unlimited and was about witches. I have to say I was surprised by this book and although I did not think it was perfection it was an enjoyable read that had some unseen twists and some interesting elements.
The Line is about a family of witches living in Savannah, Georgia. The main protagonist is Mercy Taylor and she is known as the dud of her family. In a family full of witches she has been born with no powers and her twin sister Maize is the golden child and amazing witch. Horn develops a great southern setting that has that charm and rumors of what the Taylor family really is. The story is filled with magic and explores different methods in which magic can be used. The world was presented as a normal human world with a great developed “underground” of magic, witches, ghosts and other paranormal beings. Although, this book wasn’t without its flaws. I felt like some parts of the story were rushed/not explained whereas other parts were just missing something. The ending and those shocking twists at the end of the book saved the book for me a little from just being mediocre.
I love that this book mainly focused and revolved around the Taylor family. It added an element to this story that you do not see a lot in paranormal/urban fantasy. Mercy was an absolutely phenomenal character that was so strong-willed, independent and not without her sarcasm. There were some other really great secondary characters that had loud and crazy personalities. I found the relationships that was formed between Mercy and Jilo was really interesting and opened up more of the world that Horn was creating.
Overall I though this was an enjoyable book about witches that really took a unique take in a human world with some interesting magical workings. I think the magical world and what the abilities such as jumping dimensions was awesome. The whole idea of the “line” which is where they get the magic was a unique concept and added greatly to the story. The book is the best one I have ever read, but I also do not think it is a disappointing read as long as you aren’t expecting a mind blowing story. It was a fun and easy read with a sassy female lead which in my opinion is always a win and if you listen to it on audiobook its great because its in a southern accent!
RATING