This was surprisingly good. A page turner of a mystery with paranormal elements. If I was a bigger mystery fan, I'd likely rate it higher.

I liked ke the heroine, the world building stayed logical even with paranormal elements and her being a witch. Not the devil worshipping, coven-controlled-hierarchy, or *poof*-gee-unexplained-powers-chicklit type of thing that irritates me in some books. A well-written element of the book that added to the story. No insta-lust/luv or fated mate stuff (a whiff of potential romance towards the end).

I'm likely to read next in series when in the mood. I would not have guessed this a self-published book had I not already known before reading/buying it. ( )

Under Witch Moon by Maria E. Schneider

Sometimes a book comes along that simply charms. In more than one way, as charms are a big part of the story in Under Witch Moon. Adriel is a witch, and the thing I truly loved about the book? Adriel is a real witch! Not some frou-frou witch, like some overgrown Tinkerbell, but a working witch, doing things the hard way. The job is messy, smelly, and sometimes dangerous. But hey, it’s a job, right? Adriel does it the hard way, clarifying and containing, working with metals, stone and earth. Nothing like having to burn down the whole house when a spell goes wrong . . .

Now, Adriel has another problem. Vampires and werewolves and black witches, oh my! What is a good witch to do? Especially when the good dead you try to do winds up getting someone killed. So, now it is time to fix the problem and what it’s going to take may be the death of her.

This is a wonderful Urban Fantasy, with a realistic take on witches, non-sparkly vampires, and some truly messed-up werewolves. There is a romantic slant to the book, but what Maria truly does well is allowing the relationship to take it’s time instead of doing the “I met you one day and will love you forever as of the day after”. There is one, sweet kiss in this volume, and that is it. So, if you are looking for something sexier, you aren’t going to find it right now. Way cool. I look for the relationship to grow, slowly, over the next books. Wonderful story development! Great character development and world building. Just a truly lovely book, the first of a series that I am greatly looking forward to enjoying.

The series is on my “Must-Read” list now, and should you enjoy really good UF with a realistic bent on witchcraft, this is a wonderful series to add to your shelves!

Highly recommended.
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I enjoyed UNDER WITCH MOON which is the first in a series. It is a quick and quick read with a cast of interesting characters. The main character, Adriel, is a very likable woman – brave but not foolhardy. She has magical powers but isn't out searching for trouble, even though it seems to find her. Her two main sidekicks are Lynx, a young shapeshifter who lives on the streets and dabbles in petty crimes, and the love interest, White Feather, who has a few secrets of his own. The villain is truly bad, a nasty piece of work and not someone I would like to meet!!! The first book in a series is designed to set the stage, UNDER WITCH MOON has introduced me to Adriel, Lynx and White Feather but left enough of their past hidden to allow the author to expand on this and reveal more as the characters grow in the subsequent books ( )

Under Witch Moon was a very enjoyable read. The characters were likable, the mystery was intriguing, and the magic was well crafted. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. ( )