"
Daw, Feb 2002, 6.99, 320 pp.
ISBN 0756400503
From the dawn of time, the human race was split into two sub-species. One is the Normals while the other is the minority Witches, who have extra sensory powers involving telekinesis, telepathy, healing, and mind control. The Witches did whatever was necessary to hide their powers from the Normals, but as evidenced by the Inquisition, the Salem witch trials and other purging events, they were not always successful.
The refugees who escaped the Salem witch trials moved to the remote and conservative town of Hastings Corner. Following them were the witch hunters, who also settle there in order to kill witches when one surfaces. This mission passed down from father to son and in the present their target is Greer Caine, the daughter of a woman they killed. Dr. Abby Stewart, who lost her own child to the witch hunters, and Greer's father vow to keep the child safe no matter how many come after her.
Ed Gorman has written an exciting paranormal thriller that illustrates the effects of blind prejudice on a group of people with uncommon characteristics. The Witches must hide, not because they are evil and want to harm the rest of the humanity, but because history has shown man kills when he fails to understand. Rituals is Mr. Gorman at his spectacular best.
Harriet Klausner
"
Harriet Klausner, Resident Ed Gorman Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
Repressive society story
Yes
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- good magical powers being hunted by non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's a slave/repressed?
- discrim against people with mental powers
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- small businessman
Has magical/special powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main character:
- telekinesis
- mind reading
- clairvoyant
- can see into the future
- teleportation
- can read emotions
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- 40's-50's
Profession/status:
- scientist
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Sense of humor
- Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Earth setting:
- during "Tolkien" (fairytime) times
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue?
- significantly more descript than dialog
