Ultimately, this story was about the history, and the future, of a coven of thirteen women. Brought together by their willingness to make sacrifices to get what they desired most - successful business, syndicated television show, or to fit into a size 4 - The Thirteen needs numbers most of all. When one of them betrays the rest, another sacrifice needs to be made.
I have been on a run with witchy-themed books lately, and while THE THIRTEEN was quick and enjoyable, it was not my favorite.
First, what I liked: Give me a generous helping of creepy goodness in my witchy stories and I'm a happy girl. Susie Maloney has been compared to some of the greats in horror fiction, and I felt she stands out all on her own in this regard. I am both in awe of, and a bit afraid of, the way her mind works!
I enjoyed the relationship between Paula and Rowen, her daughter. Three generations of women dominated the pages of this book, and I wanted to know more about the bonds that tied them together - both natural and supernatural. My favorite character was Izzy, the leader of The Thirteen. She's beautiful, she's strong, and she's not afraid to do what needs to be done. She's also deliciously evil. The pages turned quickly, and was the perfect book for a long car ride home from our spring break vacation.
Now for what left me feeling flat: While the beginning of the book drew me in with intriguing female characters and subtle hints to entice the reader, the hints became a bit tiresome and obvious. I was extremely frustrated by Paula's convenient misunderstanding of her mother's warnings, not to mention her lack of regard for her mother's well-being. I also found the romance with the only man in Raven Woods predictable, if not unnecessary. If Susie Maloney decided to cut his character out completely, I don't think the story would have missed him.
If you're looking for a paranormal page-turner, The Thirteen is devilishly fun, but slightly lacking.
