Night Witch by Jack Priest Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Night Witch
Book Review: Lacking in substance and credibility
Summary: 2 Stars
The author has some good ideas in terms of plot and originality; however he seems to be inexperienced in terms of his ability to translate this into a credible story. The characters are not believable and somewhat one dimensional. They seem to think, feel and behave however the author believes is necessary to advance the plot; not however the way one would expect multi-dimensional complicated human beings to think, feel and behave. Consequently it is hard to dredge up any real feeling for any of the characters (beyond an incredulous "Who would do that?"). Another big down side to the book, being that it's a horror novel; is it just plain isn't scary. Not even shudder worthy. However as Mr. Priest does show some raw talent and definitly evidences the kind of determination necessary to be a successful author; I wouldn't write him off entirely. It would be interesting to see what he could do with a couple of psychology and creative writing courses under his belt.Book Review: Mucho Action & a Scary Vamp Like Villain too!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a non-stop, very fast-paced, action-packed thriller with a vampire like monster that had me shuddering under the covers. The soucouyant is a shape-changing, blood-sucker from the Caribbean who has come to California to get the locket that allows her to live forever. Young Carolina Coffee loves the locket her father brought her from Trinidad, but little does she know the dangers it has in store for her, her friend Arty and her pet ferret.
The Caribbean shape changer is bound and determined to get her locket back and young, overweight Arty is determined to protect her. The soucouyant dispatches adults in this story without problem, but there is a secret to her destruction known only by an aging Native American that can make even a child her worst enemy, but can Arty learn it in time. You'll have to read this excellent, very scary story to find out, but you'll have fun doing it. I know I did.
Book Review: Read the back cover first to get the proper context for what's going to happen...
Summary: 4 Stars
The author Jack Priest was kind enough to send me another of his novels... Night Witch. This adheres to the Priest tradition of fast-paced horror novels that have the time slipping by quicker than you expected. My only caveat/caution would be to read the back cover first, as it will frame what's going on. I didn't do that, and as such spent more time wondering "why" than I should have.
The story revolves around a young girl who starts getting strange visits from a creature outside her window. She pretty much survives on her own, as her mom is always off "dating" someone new and her dad disappeared some time back. She starts a friendship with a boy from school who isn't very popular, but he's willing to stand up to the bullies and protect her as much as he can. Together they try and figure out what the creature is after, as well as how to survive against its raging attacks. The girl's father, thought to be long gone, is actually watching over her, knows what the creature is, what it wants, and is willing to die to protect her. The action continues non-stop until a final showdown at the end, pitting man against beast.
I've purposely kept the summary vague so as to not give away too much (I hope). From an entertainment standpoint, Night Witch was a fun read that helped pass the time as I flew overseas. If you're prepared to go with the flow, it's great. My only "complaint" is that the backstory of the creature remained a mystery until close to the end. That's not necessarily bad, but I was having a few problems trying to figure out why the creature wanted to get to the girl. If I had read the back cover first (don't know why I didn't this time), I would have had the proper context to understand what was happening a whole lot sooner. I would have stilled liked the book either way, but I would have been less "in the dark" about the driving force behind the plot.
But even with that, Priest's book is still one I'd recommend to someone who likes the horror/thriller genre. He's a refreshing change from the mainstream authors who normally dominate the bestseller lists.
Book Review: Scary,Exciting Book!
Summary: 5 Stars
John Coffee has stolen a locket from an old woman in Trinidad.
He has given the locket to his daughter Carolina.The locket belongs to a Night Witch also known as a soucouyant.This is a
relation to a South Carribean werewolf and vampire.The Night
Witch has the uncanny ability to change forms.The locket that
Carolina has contains a magic potion that keeps the Night Witch
immortal.The Night Witch has come to Palma California to get
her locket back.
Carolina and her little friend Arty begin the struggle with the Night Witch after seeing red eyes looking through the window.Gunfire erupts which turns out to be Carolina's father doing battle with the Night Witch to save Carolina.The two kids
stay in a battle with the force of evil.The Night Witch turns into a Rottweiler,Wolf,Bear,and a hyena.With the help of
Carolina's teacher Mrs. Sadler and Carolina's father they seek
an answer to kill the Night Witch.They finally discover the
answer to their riddle.
Priest has written a very good book.The Night Witch is about
as scary a monster as you will ever see.The way that Priest uses
the childern in this story is also very first rate.Read this book. It is a page turner.
Book Review: She will get you in the night!
Summary: 5 Stars
Night Witch was a slick, cool and a really fast read, as I could have read hundred more pages. Jack Priest writes like he knows everything, as he is well accurate and prolific in his descriptions, nothing is staged and unbelievable and the story is as far out as it gets! This tale of fantasy married with horror is very enjoyable as we trek with John Coffee, an unusual character with a passion for stealing things large and small, who is smart, funny and someone you either want to be best friends with or just want to be him. He gets into a large fiery mess, stealing a locket that gets him in more trouble that he ever bargained for, as the thing he stole it form is beyond life and death and will stalk him until it either rests in its grave or kills him and gets it back. The characters in this book are both smart and fast, but they are human and they make mistakes, they are not perfect yet it makes them more real than most people I run into every day. I loved the character development and the conversations, I felt like the writer picked my brain and typed it all over his pages.
The story is split in two views, something I love in books. I get hooked on one and then the other and in the end I get to enjoy them coming together in a turbulent and mouth watering ending.
John is on the run from a mysterious creature that can appear as anything, but it chooses predatory and nasty forms of dangerous animals with the dead give away of its red eyes that sear though many in the book, sending chills and cries from its victims. I loved the fight sequences as there were many and the combat one on one with John and the creature was superb. I felt chills on my spine reading about a wolf in the dark forest in the fog, with it's claws ticking on the rocks, its snout dripping with hunger and I felt as if I was in the story and tried not to overstep the safety zone from which I was watching. The second story line deals with a pair of eleven year olds, Carolina and Arty, who were marvelously written, as it is rare that I enjoy youngsters in books, the only other author who really captured them well was Dan Simmons but for a new writer such as Jack, his children were breathtaking. They were kids, with their tender minds, and brave souls who became friends and fought obstacles greater then the sum of them put together and I loved reading their adventures and their dangerous escapes from the Night Witch. They had personal problems to deal with, gut wrenching child abuse and bullies at school, while trying to survive a killer that grown men fought and lost their lives to. I wouldn't dare to spoil the ending but it was great! I love when the climax is even greater then the story told, for all the buildup you read really brings you ultimate satisfaction and makes the whole experience of cracking open a book such a rewarding one.
I cant wait for more books from this author, as his is slick as a silver bullet in the night and he really doesn't miss with his stories.