I only have so many hours in a day and there are so many books out there that I want to read I find it hard to keep grinding away at a book that I just don’t care about. The Thirteen by Susie Moloney is one of those books. I know many people have loved it and the blurb, and cover, really grabbed my attention.
“Desperate Housewives” meets “The Witches of Eastwick” in this novel about a woman who returns with her teenage daughter to her childhood home, not knowing that she’s stepped back into a community run by a group of witches.
And maybe I didn’t keep reading long enough. I got about a third of the way through and just didn’t care. I didn’t understand what was going on, except that Paula and her daughter were obviously in danger. I knew the other women were witches, but I wasn’t invested in the story. I set it aside for a couple of days, picked it back up and still just didn’t feel like reading it. When I realized that I was avoiding reading when I actually had time to because I didn’t want to read it anymore, I set it aside for good.
I did peek to see how the story ended. I can’t say I was really surprised by the last few pages.
I think though, that the problem may have been with me and not with the book. I guess I was expecting sexy witches, a fun paranormal read, not middle age witches, desperately hanging on to something- I’m not quite sure what exactly, I didn’t get that far- willing to do whatever it takes, make whatever sacrifice they need to. They were creepy, but not gripping, and I didn’t want to spend any more time with them.
I’ll go ahead and leave you the links though. Like I mentioned, I know a lot of people who really enjoyed it. I guess it’s kind of chick lit horror, neither genre is one I actually read much of.
Category: Horror
Amazon | IndieBound | Book Depository
Published March 27, 2012 by William Morrow Paperbacks, an imprint of Harper Collins
336 pages
Book source: For review
Sorry this was a stinker for you.
Too bad you didn’t like it, and I can see how some fantasy (witches) might not appeal to every reader.
I think this last book finally taught me to not contine with something that can’t keep any interest for me. I hate giving up, but I think it’s for the best sometime.
I agree!
I’m surprised actually with all the great reviews I’ve read… I even added this to my wishlist ages ago….
hmmm… maybe I should rethink it.
You might love it. I don’t know if it was so much the book as a combination of the book and me.
Yikes…I really do hate to not finish a book but I guess sometimes you just have to…I have this to read so I hope I have a different experience!!!
I hear you! I have too many books to bother with books that do not work for me
Sorry it wasn’t what you were looking for. 🙂 I feel bad when this happens, but you are right, you have so many other books to get to. 🙂
I’m sorry you didn’t like this one.
Carol: I had started the book when I wrote my comments on your post, and also did not finish it. You are lucky you did not reach the middle of the book as I did. There was satanic sacrifice of animals, and sexual violation of a child, rather graphic. It totally grossed me out. I gave it a 1 star which is the lowest you can give on amazon and goodreads. So not recommended!
I’m definitely glad I stopped reading then. Thanks for the update.
From the description it sounds like I would like it. But then again, you never know until you start reading it. I’ve put aside my share of books that sounded great but were a miss for me too.
How disappointing! Especially since the summary sounds like something I would dive into without hesitation; I am drawn to “witchy” novels.
Carol, sorry you didn’t finish this one. I did enjoy it although there were a few parts I didn’t like at all, namely the parts Harvee mentioned. All in all though I enjoyed the angle of the middle age witches. That’s what is interesting about reading and talking about books. We all have different thoughts and not everything appeals to everyone.
I thought about forcing myself to keep going, but it just didn’t seem worth it.