“Root Witch”, by Debra Castaneda
State: Utah
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Utah, forests, an urban legend . . . sign me up!! After reading and seeing the cover, I needed to read this book. Honestly, I do not think that I was the audience for this story.
Forest Ranger Knox gets a new job and moves his wife to a live in near Fish Lake National Forest. His wife was reluctant to leave the city. Knox starts to learn more about the forest, its root system. and the legend surrounding the forest.
Castaneda wrote a well-developed story with a great atmosphere and fleshed out characters. There was a pretty good plot. At the same time, Sandy, a local TV producer, is dealing with work politics and a newcomer. On Halloween, Knox and Sandy come together in response to strange occurrences.
The book begins with the development of two stories. When the horror begins, the stories and character collide. The first half of the book was spent developing both Knox and Sandy. While the chapters alternate between Sandy and Knox, aspects of the witch are sprinkled into the book.
I would have liked more description and an in-depth origin story for it. The author could have expounded on the legend and the trees. In my opinion, this story lacked the depth that I look for in a story like this. It felt more like a thriller than the horror story that I was expecting. Nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable story.
I recommend this book for readers that want a thriller with horror elements.
Additional books set in Utah:
“The Hunger”, by Alma Katsu
“The Association”, by Bentley Little
“The Peaks of Madness: A collection of Utah Horror”
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