Review: Witch Eyes, by Scott Tracey

Published by: Flux
Year of publication: 2011
How I got it: requested it at the library because I liked the cover.
Part one in the Witch Eyes- series
Chosen as one of Amazon’s Best Books of 2011 in the LGBT category

Braden was born with witch eyes: the ability to see the world as it truly is: a blinding explosion of memories, darkness, and magic. The power enables Braden to see through spells and lies, but at the cost of horrible pain.

After a terrifying vision reveals imminent danger for the uncle who raised and instructed him, Braden retreats to Belle Dam, an old city divided by two feuding witch dynasties. As rival family heads Catherine Lansing and Jason Thorpe desperately try to use Braden's powers to unlock Belle Dam's secrets, Braden vows never to become their sacrificial pawn. But everything changes when Braden learns that Jason is his father--and Trey, the enigmatic guy he's falling for, is Catherine's son.

To stop an insidious dark magic from consuming the town, Braden must master his gift—and risk losing the one he loves.

Clearly, this book is not aimed at me. This is a young adult supernatural romance, and it's not what I usually read. That's why I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

First of all, I loved the style and the imagery of this book. I also loved the worldbuilding. Belle Dam feels like a microworld trapped in space and time, where magic and evil forces are as natural as the air those people breathe.

Braden is by far the most interesting character in the whole book. For a teenage boy, who finds himself alone in a hostile environment, he displays great courage and independence. He doesn't take crap from anybody, not even from his own father.

Braden's relationship with Trey is very messed up. Partly because their families are at war, but also because Trey is controlling, possessive and a little violent. Still, Tracey does a good job creating the tension between these very strong young men, and you want them to be together.

As for the other characters, I didn't care much about them. They're there. They help move the story forward. For the most part, though, it's Braden and Trey who you're truly interested in.

Witch Eyes is the first instalment in the series and as you may have guessed, the ending is open for further developments. Sadly, there are a few arcs that are just left hanging even before we get to the last chapter.

I don't read a lot of YA, so I don't have anything to compare this book to. Is it better than most YA books? I don't know. But it's a pretty solid urban fantasy novel, and Braden is a cool hero.

I'm going to give Witch Eyes 4 out of 5 stars.