Boleyn Curse (The Boleyn Bloodline Book 1)

FANTASY/HISTORICAL/SUSPENSE:  Elle Bowlan is a modern day history student working towards her PhD when five simple words for her comprehensive exam turn her world upside down: “Anne Boleyn, woman or witch?” Her research takes her to her professor father’s files, which have remained untouched since his death as well as the simultaneous death of Elle’s mother and grandmother. The discovery in the files brings more questions than answers, and Elle begins to believe that her family’s deaths were no simple accident. Years before Elle’s discovery, Anne Boleyn is a lady-in-waiting for the English princess in the French court. Thinking she is nothing but ordinary, Anne is shocked to discover she is truly extraordinary when her mother reveals the truth to her: she is a witch.

Deborah Cohen weaves together an incredible story that brings together both history and modern times. The parallels created throughout are wonderful, and keep one turning the pages in eagerness for more. Anne Boleyn is one of the most recognized figures in history, and this tale is a fascinating re-imagining. The way that Cohen switches between our two main characters in each chapter is interesting and builds the suspense consistently throughout the novel. The only issue that one would have to point out is the ending occurs entirely too suddenly. The abrupt end of a wonderful novel is very disconcerting, and will leave one feeling a bit unsatisfied once the book has been closed. All in all, this wonderfully imaginative story will be a delight to history and supernatural buffs alike!

Jen Griffin