Customer Reviews

Blood Moon

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Over twenty years ago, Amelia's mother lost her life due to magic, and so Amelia has avoided the craft since then. In the intervening years, magic has cost her much, both her father and husband died because an evil group of witch hunters want to use her for their own ends. Now, the time has come for Amelia to fulfill her destiny and claim the power of the One, which she was born to be, thus avenging those she loves and fulfilling an ancient prophecy.

** From the description and from glimmers of talent in the prose, this book had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the writing fell flat, with cardboard characterizations that lacked depth, too much fast forwarding, and frankly, the poor editing made me want to scream. The temptation to grab a red pen and circle all the errors nearly overwhelmed me at times. I think if Ms. Gryphon continues to practice and gets some better proofing done, she could be a talented addition to the genre. **

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore.

Amelia Tucker
BellaOnline's Wicca Editor

On the Bookshelf - Blood Moon

There are an influx of fiction books that include their own versions of wicca and witchcraft. In today's market, these are key words that sell. The problem lies in the writers not knowing anything about what witchcraft is or who witches really are. The stories leave us grinding our teeth at the ignorance and bias that seems to be so trendy. What makes the following book different is the solid foundation of real knowledge that comes from the author as she spins this tale.

Blood Moon, by A.W.Gryphon, is a wonderfully engaging story that will pull you in and become incredibly believable. Gryphon has woven a love story,a mystery,a timeless tale that all readers can relate to into an intriguing storyline that not only is readable to anyone, it is close enough to real life for a witch to read and be able to enjoy without having to self-edit untruths. There are no hocus pocus, lightning bolts from fingertips, love spells or cackling within these pages.

The first thing that struck me was how seamlessly the ideas and ritual of being a witch are explained in the story itself. The main character, Amelia, starts out as a young girl and her story quickly changes from just a day to a drama that follows her throughout her life.

This is not just about a story about being a witch. Gryphon has provided enough twists and turns to keep even the most clever mystery reader guessing the outcome. The best mysteries are those that connect all the story's threads and leave you wanting more. Blood Moon is certainly that sort of story.

I would recommend reading this book. It is a great escape, as fiction should be. It is also wonderful to read a book full of what we witches already know in our lives: spellwork, balance, the power of history and the connection between what is and what will become.

Blood Moon by A.W. Gryphon, belongs on every witch's bookshelf. It is not everyday that a book can be a work of fiction and still have such strong ties to reality in it that I find myself feeling pulled into the story because of the familiarity of the subject. Especially since the subject is witchcraft.

Blood Moon By A.W. Gryphon ISBN# 978-1-59663-609-5
Available in April 2008

To read this review at Bella OnLine and more reviews by Amelia Tucker, please click the link below.
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From BNN: Blogger News Network - www.bloggernews.net
Review by Dino R. Federico

Witches, magick, and blood; all accompanied by the suspense and mystery expected from such things are found in A. W. Gryphon's Blood Moon. This is a fantastic story that provides the reader a roller coaster ride through the life of "The One". The intrigue is set in modern times and begins in San Francisco but quickly camps in London. The gist of the story is about one Amelia Pivens, daughter of a powerful witch. Amelia loses her mother at an early age, and has to learn about her own destiny through tragedies and interactions with powerful forces beyond her control. Amelia has some help and guidance along the way, but in the end has to decide for herself who is really on her side.

The story has a fast paced motion that will keep the readers interest, and a wonderfully crafted ending leaving the reader wanting more.

I appreciated the prologue which covered the historical fate of witches and wiccans. Throughout the book, and woven into the fabric of the story, there is plenty of explanation about witches, wiccans, magic, and rituals. Terms familiar to the Craft are detailed, such as Samhein, the festival of the blood moon. Ironically or not, most of the blood that flows in this story is in the light of the moon.

My favorite line in the dialogue comes towards the end,
"The only difference between good and evil, and right and wrong, is perception."

I highly recommend this book which is due out the beginning of April 2008.

The author cleverly disguises the heroine as a frail little girl full of wonder and bright eyed innocence, luring the reader into a comfortable, stable environment and then ripping your heart out with one ferocious and don't look back bite. At one moment a feisty fairy will dance onto the page and the next sentence will lead to a blade of destruction and a heartbroken child summoning the powers that she can't possibly control or understand, unleashing chaos into the world that can only be compared to that of opening Pandora's box.

I settled into reading Blood Moon by A.W. Gryphon, delighted by the Pagan/Wiccan history and the sweet love story between a mother and her daughter. The book is written with a pure fascination and respect for the Wiccan, Witchcraft and Pagan culture and customs, told from a point of view that comes from both passion and chaste for a society that has survived through centuries of scrutiny and being extremely misunderstood. Without preaching or chastising, Gryphon opens the doors to a world that seldom view past the clichés and distortions, and leads the reader into a world of compassion, harmony and beauty amongst spells and mysterious rituals.

The story follows Amelia Pivens, born into The Craft and thrown into a life of deceit and distrust. Not only must she find her way as a woman in the world, but as a witch and possibly the chosen one who must save the entire universe. Suffering the loss of her mother at a young age, Amelia's fragile heart mends long enough to find love with the dashing Wolfgang Kreutzer. Proving that women are by far the most resilient creatures on earth, Amelia soon finds herself heartbroken by the death of her husband and facing the world alone once again.

With the London National Gallery as a backdrop, the artwork of Spanish painter Francisco Goya is both celebrated and explored with a haunting urgency. The reader is invited as a silent guest to witness Amelia's transformation as she stumbles and matures into a state of awareness after being forced to grow up quickly into a world of good versus evil.

As the clock ticks down to her 28th birthday, Amelia must discover who she can trust and most importantly who she is. Laced with action, exotic cars and enigmatic men, this psychological, supernatural thriller dives deep into the heart of witchcraft and comes up with a priceless treasure. The book explores the fierceness of a woman wronged, the rage behind revenge, and the dormant power that lives inside each one of us.

A.W. Gryphon leaves us with a mouth opening twist sure to keep readers salivating until the release of a sequel. I for one, have already decided I'm in for the series and am currently printing my "Team Amelia" t-shirts for all that join me in the coven. Until then, I'll repeatedly dissect the fabulous roller coaster of finely crafted characters and the journey that has only begun. Well done.

A.W. Gryphon's debut novel brings a much needed breath of fresh air to the world of fantasy. A genre that has been dominated as of late by the Twilight's and the Harry Potter's out there. Gryphon's heroine's journey is a slow burn of mystery and suspense with the threat of grave danger around every gothic stone corner. Yet her heavily researched and straightforward writing style sets this fantastical world of international intrigue and witchcraft into an accessible world that any layman or fan of thrillers can enjoy.

Decades after the murder of her Mother during a sacred ceremony, Amelia Pivens Kreutzer is being drawn by mysterious forces back into the secret world of witchcraft. For no matter how much she tries to fight her future, she has a destiny. However, will it be hers to control? Or will she be a puppet to those who seek to manipulate and control her long dormant yet growing power?

With the subtle pacing of the classic Roman Polanski gothic thrillers, Amelia not only faces the demons of her past but must determine who her allies are in the present before she can embrace the future. A future where she could become the most powerful witch in all of history.

And since this is book one of a series, this unique adventure is only beginning.

Blood Moon is a very quick, fun weekend book. I couldn't put it down. This is the story of a very strong woman faced with tragedy and unbelievable situations as both a woman and a witch.

It's an action packed story wrapped around a clever mystery, stemming from a fascinating historical backdrop and driven by a smart and sexy female heroine named Amelia.

There are so many twists and turns I'm afraid I'll give something away by saying anything else.

In general the story, for me, was a lighter version of THE HISTORIAN or THE MAYFAIR WITCHES SERIES and I highly recommend it.


OTHER SUGGESTED BOOKS:
The Historian, Lasher, Interview With A Vampire, Season of the Witch

I loved this book. It is romance, tragedy, murder mystery, and action! I cried in the first chapter. I don't know anything about witches and I was worried I couldn't follow this book, but I learned so much! I am now fascinated with wicca and witchcraft. It takes you by the hand and introduces you to wicca & witch craft by giving you a brief history of the beginings, holidays,etc. and then it weaves into this lovely tale of murder, love, tragedy and action! It definitely keeps you guessing who the bad guys are and your heart aching for the beautiful tragic heroine! Buy this Book!

Terrific book. Great pacing. DESCRIPTIVE. VISUAL. Interesting story set in interesting themes. Can't wait for the 2nd book!! Talented new writer.

You could tell that A.W. Gryphon did extensive research prior writing this novel. I recommend "Blood Moon" to anyone that is interested to learn more about Wicca and pagan practices and to anyone that just wants to experience a great and exciting story. Loved the ending!

Maybe I made a mistake and ordered a book from the young adult section (I'm 29), but even at 12 I would have found this book melodramatic and cliched. It was only 200 + pages, but I just couldn't get through it. I found the writing too simple and dramatized, the characters cardboard, and the plot far too complex and far-fetched for such short book. Also, if you can't stand, commas, in inappropriate places, then you won't be able to get through this. Try Libba Bray or Anne Rice instead.