Customer Reviews

Descendant: Chronicles of the Ipswich Witch

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

 

 

I was excited to see this book for 99 cents on the Kindle list. I soon found out why.

By 8%, I had to stop. Was this book even edited at ALL? By 8%, the crazy use of punctuation, misspellings and just downright BAD writing got to me. The final straw was a sentence that said, "You'll also find it bazaar" (instead of "bizarre") ... things like this are just ridiculous. If the author didn't care enough about the story to at least have people read it for simple mistakes, why should I care enough to read it?

Cleona Conant is the Ipswich Witch. Since her death in 1721 she has been swapping bodies in order to remain in the mortal realm. In 1780, she constructed an elaborate plan in order to achieve future immortality. This plan involves her direct descendant, Raven Wolfe (20 generations later) and an ancient vampire named Alasdair Arcos.

This is the first book in a series, and involves a good deal of scene setting to establish the primary characters of Raven and Alasdair. Alasdair has been watching over Raven since she was a child, but waits until she is nearly 80 before making her his companion. This action, of course, has unforeseen consequences and a significant part of the novel involves establishing the worlds in which Raven and Arcos live and some of the various rules involved.

While I mostly enjoyed the story being recounted in the novel, I have some concerns. The text needs to be edited. I kept finding errors. While most were relatively minor, they interrupted my reading flow and jerked me out of the story. Is this important? Well, to me it is. Any story is a combination of content and presentation. The presentation should enhance the content, and it's hard to do that without some judicious proof-reading and editing.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

If you want a new take on vampires read this book. Alasdair always new Raven was the one for him. He takes her from the comfort of her home and away from her children into his world. Its a beautiful love story with twists and turns that keep you wanting more. When you meet Raven's daughter Raina your screaming sequel sequel...

I read this book in its raw form. Ms Bachman did a very good job in this book.... loved the story.. loved the characters. Alasdair is a wonderful character, as is Raven. You will start this book and not put it down. Great stuff.

I always read Kindle reviews before purchasing a book. Descendant: Chronicles of the Ipswich Witch had several very good reviews. I usually read the sample too but unfortunately I did not for this book. This book started off with a prologue that hooked me; however, that storyline detoured and only got worse. If this book had a editor, they failed English. There are so many grammatical errors, misspelled words, incorrect verb usage, words used in the wrong context it was difficult to concentrate on the story. If Miranda Bachman can get a book like this published it's a sad and embarassing testament to editors and the publishing world.

Miranda Bachman has taken a different spin on a vampire story. It is not boy meets girl or vamp meets mortal kind of story, with a light hearted romp through life. Here we learn that vampires were created as a necessity by God to do what God cannot do. Rapists and murderers are prime examples of those who infringe upon free will and must be eliminated. The vampire hunts out this type of dweller in society, and helps rid the world of these people.

Our story also encompasses a true seduction of a mortal woman named Raven by Alasdair Arcos, a vampire. From the prologue, which is unclear almost until the epilogue, you are certainly not sure how the story will unveil. It is the vampire's chronicle of this seduction in which you the reader travel.

Ms Backman does a great job being an old world vampire with this story to tell. Her writing befits a 500 year old vampire's thought, both methodical and eager in his ways. I was skeptical over the passive nature at first of Raven, as events occurring would have made me more vocal. Some of this made me uncomfortable. Raven never doubted him.

I must also relate, Ms Backman wrote some strong chapters about a mother having to say goodbye to her children. These words were incredibly perceptive. I myself am a mom, and was brought to tears reading this. As I stated, there were many twists and turns in this story, which I do not want to give away. If you feel the need to treat yourself to something different, follow the trail of THE IPSWITCH WITCH.



Review by Gloria Lakritz

Senior Reviewer for The Paranormal Romance Guild

In concept this story was quite original and intriguing. However, 25% in to it and I couldn't stand it anymore, the constant grammatical and spelling errors drove me crazy. The writing was a level reminiscent of my 13 year-old's school assignments - while creative and with great potential the execution was sorely lacking.

Descendant: Chronicles of the Ipswich Witch (Volume 1)

I loved this book. Great characters and plot turns. Raven and Alasdair discover a love that spans a human lifetime and more. It had an interesting plot line and the origins of the vampire have never before been explained like it is here. Ms. Bachman did any excellent job in her debut novel and I am looking forward to book 2 Retribution next summer. I think this may be the next big craze in vampire series books. Twilight Moms if you are looking for a new Vampire to fall in love with this story is it. Look out Edward there is a new vampire on the block and his name is Alasdair!!

Descendant: Chronicles of the Ipswich Witch (Volume 1)
I read this book in kindle format. The story was unlike any I have read. The Vampire Origins were unique to this story and Ms. Bachman did a great job conveying a love that spanned the ages. From the mountains of California to the far off land of Nucet, Descendant was packed with twists and turns. From love and heartache, to new beginnings and good-byes it held my attention till the end. To all the Twilight Moms who are looking for a new series to fall in love with... This is it! I think this may be the next big craze in the Vampire Genre, and I look forward to the next book, Retribution.

This book has an interesting plot and the potential to be an excellent "read." However, after the first few pages I was appalled at the misuse of words, the lack of editing and the constant use of cliches. I kept wondering if an editor even scanned the book and if the author knew how to use a thesaurus. I cannot imagine that any literate person would not be infuriated by the debasement of the language. If the author is working on a second book, then she should avail herself of a good editor.