Witches of East End
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Melissa de la Cruz |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Contemporary Fantasy |
| Publisher | Hyperion Books |
Publication date | June 21, 2011 |
| Publication place | USA |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & e-book) |
| Pages | 288 pp (first edition, hardback) |
| ISBN | ISBN 1401323901 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
| Followed by | Serpent's Kiss |
Witches of East End is a 2011 fiction novel by author Melissa de la Cruz and the first entry in her Beauchamp Family series. The book was released on June 21, 2011 by Hyperion Books and follows a family of Long Island witches that are struggling against dark forces that are conspiring against them. Witches of East End is de la Cruz's first adult novel, with her stating that she wrote it with her Blue Bloods audience in mind as "many of them will soon be adults" and that the book takes place in the same universe as the Blue Bloods series.[1]
In 2012 it was announced that Lifetime was developing a television series adaptation of Witches of East End.[2]
Synopsis
Joanna Beauchamp has lived off the coast of Long Island for a very long time. She and her daughters Freya and Ingrid are immortal witches, cursed to spend the rest of their days without the use of their powers, which are substantial. Johanna has the power to heal and bring the dead back to life. Ingrid can tell the future and weave magical knotwork, while Freya can craft potions and charms. They've spent years hiding their true nature from others, something that provides no small amount of frustration due to how much they want to help others. It's only after Freya becomes engaged to the mysterious Bran Gardiner, and somehow becomes unwillingly infatuated with his brother Killian, that the Beauchamps seem to start breaking their curse, and slowly begin to cast magic once again. However one small spell turns into several as the Beauchamps begin to fall into the routine of using magic. It's through this everyday usage that they discover that a mysterious presence is at work within the town, making the women barren and unleashing a strange silvery substance into the waters and ruining the local wildlife. This eventually leads to chaos in the town and the disappearance of a young girl, with the Beauchamps being forced to discover what or whom is working against them.
Reception
Critical reception to Witches of East End has been mostly positive,[3] with Entertainment Weekly giving the book a rating of B+.[4] The Los Angeles Times commented that the book wasn't perfect, but that it still managed to "cast a spell".[5] Criticisms for the novel included a "clumsily executed resolution" and too much "arcane gobbledygook",[6][7] while praise for the novel centered around the mixture of mythologies "gel[ling] magnificently" and de la Cruz's depiction of the Beauchamp women.[8][9]
Television series
In 2012 Lifetime announced their intentions to film a television pilot for the Witches of East End with 20th Century Fox and Pacific 2.1.[10] Filming for the pilot took place in Macon, Georgia and Wilmington, North Carolina, with Julia Ormond starring as Joanne Beauchamp.[11] Rachel Boston and Jenna Dewan-Tatum were later announced as being attached to the pilot, playing Ingrid and Freya respectively.[12]
The pilot will loosely adapt the book's plot, with one change being that Freya and Ingrid are unaware of their magical powers or heritage.[13]
References
- ^ Yin, MaryAnne. "Melissa de la Cruz on Writing for Adults". GalleyCat. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Exclusive: Jenna Dewan Joins Cast of Lifetime's Witches of East End". TV Line. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ Meadows, Suzannah. "Newly Released Books". New York Times. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Witches of East End (2011)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ Carpenter, Susan. "Book review: 'Witches of East End'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ Lim, Ronald. "Bewitching and frustrating". Manila Bulliten. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "From Salem to the Hamptons on a broomstick". Newsday. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Review: Witches of East End". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Book review: 'Witches of East End,' by Melissa de la Cruz". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
- ^ "Lifetime TV pilot shoots at Hay House". Macon.com. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "'Witches of East End' to start shooting in Wilmington". WWAY. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "Two More Cast Additions to Lifetime's Witches of East End". Dread Central. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- ^ "'Buffy's' Tom Lenk Joins Lifetime's 'Witches of East End' (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 3 November 2012.