There are an influx of fiction books that include their own versions of wicca and witchcraft. In today's market, these are key words that sell. The problem lies in the writers not knowing anything about what witchcraft is or who witches really are. The stories leave us grinding our teeth at the ignorance and bias that seems to be so trendy. What makes the following book different is the solid foundation of real knowledge that comes from the author as she spins this tale.

Blood Moon, by A.W.Gryphon, is a wonderfully engaging story that will pull you in and become incredibly believable. Gryphon has woven a love story,a mystery,a timeless tale that all readers can relate to into an intriguing storyline that not only is readable to anyone, it is close enough to real life for a witch to read and be able to enjoy without having to self-edit untruths. There are no hocus pocus, lightning bolts from fingertips, love spells or cackling within these pages.

The first thing that struck me was how seamlessly the ideas and ritual of being a witch are explained in the story itself. The main character, Amelia, starts out as a young girl and her story quickly changes from just a day to a drama that follows her throughout her life.

This is not just about a story about being a witch. Gryphon has provided enough twists and turns to keep even the most clever mystery reader guessing the outcome. The best mysteries are those that connect all the story's threads and leave you wanting more. Blood Moon is certainly that sort of story.

I would recommend reading this book. It is a great escape, as fiction should be. It is also wonderful to read a book full of what we witches already know in our lives: spellwork, balance, the power of history and the connection between what is and what will become.

Blood Moon by A.W. Gryphon, belongs on every witch's bookshelf. It is not everyday that a book can be a work of fiction and still have such strong ties to reality in it that I find myself feeling pulled into the story because of the familiarity of the subject. Especially since the subject is witchcraft.

Blood Moon By A.W. Gryphon ISBN# 978-1-59663-609-5
Available in April 2008