The Witches at the End of the World by Chelsea IversenMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
It Didn’t Just Happen In Salem
I was drawn to this book for many reasons. I loved that it had a tale of historical fiction, sisters, witches, and Scandinavia. All things dear to my heart and imagination, and all of which the author impressed!
I loved the accurate and detailed depiction the author painted of the past. Her words drew me into the icy world of Minna and Kaija. They filled me with the chill of the isolated northern world and the heat, the of fire or adrenaline, and the awe of the magic that flowed, both natural and conjured. The author gave enough to bring the story alive while letting me fill in enough to make it own.
The complexity of the each character was refreshing. There was depth even in places you didn’t expect to find it. The formatting (going between the sisters’ views in alternating chapter) helped to build the intrigue and develop the layers. It was a wise choice that added suspense and insight.
For as much as you felt a ghost of Salem, this came well before that history. This story tells of the fears that haunted humans, causing them to turn on one another even before they stepped foot on the New World. For as long as strife has existed, there has been suspicion, and that is the root of the evils people see. The author did a wonderful job portraying this truth between the pages.
I definitely recommend this book. It is enchanting. It is hot and cold, happy and sad, good and bad. It is what a historical fiction reader craves, but will satisfy those who love witches, sisterhood tales, women’s fiction, and stories of self-discovery. So good!
J.M. NORTHUP 