Season of the Witch    by Natasha Mostert Order:  USA  Can Dutton, 2007 (2007) Hardcover      Reviewed by Ricki Marking-Camuto Season of the Witch is by far the best novel I have read this season. Natasha Mostert weaves a lyrical tale of mystery, fantasy, romance, and metaphysics that is both beautiful and terrifying at the same time. Gabriel Blackstone has been working as a high-end hacker for most of his post collegiate life. However, before that, he worked for a company called Eyestorm that solved crimes through Remote Viewing. Gabriel was one of the best at RV until a tragic case shattered his arrogance and left him haunted. Now, he is asked by an old friend to once again 'slam the ride' and find out what happened to her missing stepson. Gabriel's foray into the young man's last thoughts leads him to two stunning, solar witch sisters - Minnaloushe and Morrighan Monk - who draw Gabriel into their game. Soon, Gabriel begins to fall for one of the sisters and starts neglecting his case. When things take a bizarre and horrifying turn one evening, Gabriel knows he has gotten himself in over his head, but is not sure he wants to get out. As the death toll begins to mount, Gabriel knows he must do something, even if it means hurting the woman he loves. Mostert's prose is very well-crafted, creating a vivid ride for the reader while still leaving plenty of mystery. She weaves a spell so tightly, that the reader will not want to put down Season of the Witch even when it ventures into highly esoteric explanations. Though these could be confusing, the author makes them lyrical and enlightening, cocooning the reader in a modern gothic thriller that will not soon be forgotten. Not only are the story line and themes vivid, so are the characters. As the story progresses, little intricacies of Gabriel's personality are slowly revealed and the other characters emerge as well-rounded, highly realized individuals. The twists and turns of the sisters' psyches keep the reader on edge until the ending - which demands contemplation long after closing the cover. Season of the Witch is an incredible, unique book that will have readers thinking and discussing far past their book club meetings. Natasha Mostert has a forceful way with words, and I'll be on the lookout for what she writes next. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Fantasy books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews