Customer Reviews

The Heart of A Witch

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As a 57 year old Wiccan, I bought "Heart of a Witch " and Loved IT! Went right out and bought her other two books and liked them also. This book IS propaganda for Wicca in the nicest possible way. I do not know who her teacher was, but Ms. Hawkes certaintly did a positive review of the craft. We are seldom treated so well. Enjoyed the entire story, keeping in mind it is mystery murder fiction. Looking forward for more. Is there a fan club?

Have you ever wondered what goes on at your neighbor's house? "The Heart of a Witch" tells the story of Kip and Shelley Davies. Kip and Shelley are twins who've always felt a connection with the Lockley Arms Inn across the street.

Even in their childhood Kip and Shelley were fascinated with the Inn. They would always sneak over to investigate. As they get older, they get jobs at the Inn and spend most all their time there besides school. The story unfolds when the twins discover a secret and get pulled into it. The things that they went through changed their lives and their feelings. They could never go back to reality again.

Judith Hawkes writes of supernatural happenings and paints a picture with her words. The life of Shelley and Kip with their strange world will captivate and pull you into the story. It will change the way you think about life, and not let you put it down until the last sentence.

Ms. Hawkes~~~Please write a sequel to this book! Or at least write another book that is similar...This is the very best wiccan "escape" book that I've ever read. The characters, the place, the images...stay with you a long, long time. I loved it!!!

Sandpiper

I first read this book two years ago, shortly after it was published, when I was 16 years old. The second I started reading I was hooked, despite other reviewers' claims that the first few chapters are "dry." I've read this book at least ten times since then, and I will probably never tire of it.
I don't think I need to reiterate the contents of the book, as there are plenty of synopses of it posted already.
One thing I noticed about several of the reviews of this book is that the reviewers, especially those claiming to be "Wiccans," is that they tended to share the opinion that many of the rituals and ceremonies performed in this book were not of the sort usually performed by "modern-day witches." I don't know if you missed the part where this is mentioned or perhaps decided to disregard it, but this book was supposed to take place forty-odd years ago. And as Judith Hawkes explains, every coven has its own unique way of doing things. Do you really think a coven in a rural village in New York in the late 50's/early 60's would have asked the permission of parents for their two teenaged children to join their number, parents who undoubtedly subscribed to the popular opinion at the time that witchcraft was akin to Satanism? All of this is explained in profound detail and I'm chagrined by the fact that so many people that practice such a beautiful religion are so narrowminded that they believe that their particular coven's practices are the way it has been done since modern witchcraft began; that there is no way it has ever been done differently, especially when the situation demanded it.
This is an enchanting, wonderfully-written book and I hope that readers will not be swayed in their selection of it by the less favorable reviews they may read.

As a Wiccan, I found this to be one of the most truly accurate portrayals of the Craft in a fiction novel. The characters were well-developed and the writing style poetic yet straightforward. One of the best books I have read in a long time. The ending was truly a surprise. A must read for everyone!

Many of the smaller upstate New York towns are architecturally and demographically aging as they lose their young to the bigger cities. One exception to the rule is the very prosperous Green Hollow, which defies the laws of urbanization to the point that it seems magically protected by a spell of vitality. Within the town, one of the most revered and successful enterprises is the Lockley Arms Inn. This place becomes of immense curiosity and fascination to the teenage twins Kip and Shelly Davies, who live across the street from the facility.

When they were younger, their parents forbid the siblings trespassing on the grounds of the inn. However, all that taboo does is increase the magnetism of the place and eventually the twins cross the line. After observing weird phenomena, the twins conclude that the locale hosts a coven of witches. The pack of witches accept Kip and Shelly as their apprentices. They quickly learn much knowledge about the benign Earth Goddess, but soon uncover the fact that a deadly malevolent force is at work. Meanwhile Wiccan-trained individuals such as Kip and Shelly must choose between the light and the dark sides, but those who go to the evil side can lose all they cherish and love.

Judith Hawkes wrties a powerful story that proves that research pays (hopefully with a best seller) by providing readers with an insightful and realistic view of a religion typically misunderstood. THE HEART OF A WITCH makes even the most scientific thinking rationalist believe in the forces of magic. Some readers may be put off by passages that serve as a treatise on the Wiccan philosophy. However, most otherworldly fans will believe that is what turns this book into such a strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

I could go into detail about the storyline, but I don't even think that it's neccessary. Very simply put, this is probably THE BEST book I have ever read. I can't even count how many times I have reread it, but I can say that it is enough to have had to buy 2 replacement copies because the pages were falling out of the worn spines! I have read the other two novels written by Ms. Hawkes as well, but this one really had a hold on me. I love Ms. Hawkes writing style, it seems so real to me that I can't put the books down until I'm finished! It would be so welcomed by so many entertained readers for her to write a sequel to The Heart of a Witch. I would love to know whatever became of Shelley. Did she go on and find another coven, or perhaps run into or search for the members that she betrayed? It would be wonderful to have any new book by this author. To sum up, this book is well worth the search for a copy now that it is out of print(such a shame). To Ms. Judith Hawkes, please send us something new, we miss you!

It's so refreshing to read a book in which ALL of the characters make huge mistakes and then have to live with the consequences, instead of the typical tale of people who are only "bad" or "good." This book may push your buttons a little if you're looking for a perfectly accurate description of Wiccans, a completely sympathetic heroine, or a traditional "happy ending." But if you're willing to journey through this oddly poignant book, you may find an new understanding of how our innate human desire to be powerful and significant can affect us in very deep ways.

I am the type of person who will occasionally read a book when the mood hits me. Well I went to the store and picked up three book that day. Two Stephen King books and The Heart of a Witch by Judith Hawkes. I absolutely loved this book. I could not put it down. I would read it during my lunch hour at work and at home at night. The story was great and you can really put yourself in the book. After reading that book I could not get into any other book. My mind was contantly on the story. I had to return the other two books I purchased. I then purchased the two other books that were written by Judith. Julien's House was very good also. It did not capture me the way that The Heart of a Witch, but it was still very interesting.

this book was so enjoyable, because it was educational regarding The Craft, and had a story line that kept me from putting the book down. i just wanted to know what would happen next. i found the main characters and their relationships very well developed