The Witch Hunt by Sasha Peyton Smith
Synopsis:
Months after the devastating battle between the Sons of St. Druon and the witches of Haxahaven, Frances has built a quiet, safe life for herself, teaching young witches and tending the garden within the walls of Haxahaven Academy. But one thing nags; her magic has begun to act strangely. When an opportunity to visit Paris arises, Frances jumps at the chance to go, longing for adventure and seeking answers about her own power.
Once she and her classmates Maxine and Lena reach the vibrant streets of France, Frances learns that the spell she used to speak to her dead brother has had terrible consequences—the veil between the living and the dead has been torn by her recklessness, and a group of magicians are using the rift for their own gain at a horrifying cost.
To right this wrong, and save lives and her own magical powers, Frances must hunt down answers in the parlors of Parisian secret societies, the halls of the Louvre, and the tunnels of the catacombs. Her only choice is to team up with the person she swore she’d never trust again, risking further betrayal and her own life in the process.
Review:
The Witch Hunt is the sequel to last year’s The Witch Haven, a YA fantasy set in an alternate early 1900s. This period setting is rich and beautifully written with engaging characters and a riveting story. Frances is caught up in another mystery as the result of her own actions. As before, she’s a bit trusting and naïve at times, but Frances is so sweet and unassuming. Her friends are good for her, as well as her very forgiving boyfriend. As before, I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing and building tension. And the danger and suspense builds to a climactic and exciting ending that doesn’t disappoint.