If you’re looking for spooky fun and adventure, there’s no better place to go than Thistle Grove. Author Lana Harper first introduced this wonderfully witchy town in Payback’s a Witch, and her latest entry, Rise and Divine, is the fifth and—alas—last story in the series. But man, what a note to end on!
If you’re not familiar with this series . . . for starters, you should probably read up. It’s a well-stuffed world (for my part, I’d have loved a character list) full of extensive, complicated relationships. But you mainly need to know that the Avramovs are one of the four families balancing the magic of Thistle Grove, and they do that by bringing the creep factor: dealing with the dead. The most dangerous tasks fall to Dasha Avramov, the family’s devil eater. If a demon latches onto you like a tick, she can set you free—but her close encounters with the dark side have a price. The world beyond the veil is impossibly seductive, and its pull makes it hard for Dasha to connect with the real, living world, including her ex-girlfriend and the love of her life, Ivy Thorn. Dasha’s struggles come to a head during the Cavalcade, a sacred Thistle Grove event, when someone foolishly knocks on the veil and something impossibly dangerous knocks back.
Harper always delivers on eerie atmosphere and warm heart. In her world, witchcraft is complex and interesting, with beautifully crafted details. But the real magic of this book lies in its rich, wonderful cast of characters. The romance between Dasha and Ivy is sweet and passionate, while the relationships Dasha has with other figures—the Avramov clan, the other families, a stranger with amnesia who has a crucial role to play—give the story depth and resonance, making us care deeply about what happens to Dasha and Ivy as they face off with the evil that threatens the town. Like Harper’s other creations, Dasha has a combination of wit and grit that makes her irresistible, and you’ll love Rise and Divine . . . no matter how sad you are to reach the last page and know it’s time to say goodbye.
