From archive (archive)
Subject: _The Hex Witch of Seldom_ by Nancy Springer (mild spoiler)
Keywords: fantasy
From: duane@anasaz.UUCP (Duane Morse)
Organization: Anasazi Inc., Phoenix AZ
Date: 6 Nov 89 01:26:40 GMT



Time: contemporary

Place: Earth, hills in Pennsylvania

Fantasy elements: sorcery and witchcraft

Introduction: Bobbi, a teenage lass, chooses a black stallion for her
birthday present. She is strangely drawn to the horse, seeing a man, Shane,
a gunslinger, behind the horse. When her grandfather plans to geld the
horse, she runs away with it.

Main storylines: Discovering the nature of Shane, meeting a good witch
in nearby Seldom, adventures on the road, finding out Bobbi's innate
powers.

Critique: This is a real page-turner, very hard to put down. I'm not
generally drawn to contemporary fantasy, especially the backwoods variety,
but this one hooked me from the start.  Shane is enigmatic, Bobbi is
likeable, her grandfather is stern, the witch is crusty but kind,
and the main villain is sly and cunning. The only fault I could find
is that the book isn't very meaty -- it's like eating wonderful barbecued
ribs, but longing for a steak from the same cook.

Rating: 3.5 out of 4 - a keeper and one to recommend.
-- 

Duane Morse	e-mail: duane@anasaz (or ... asuvax!anasaz!duane)
(602) 861-7609