by James Reese
September, 1826. The witch Herculine stands on the
deck of a ship bound for Virginia, leaving behind a strange and violent
childhood in France for an uncertain future in an unknown land. Then a
chance encounter changes everything. A beautiful slave awakens passions—as
well as dark, otherworldly powers—within the confused Herculine. Soon both
are spellbound, caught in an erotic and desperate relationship from which
only Herculine's teacher, the missing witch Sebastiana d'Azur, can rescue
her.
Herculine flees to New York hoping to find Sebastiana, but there she is
distracted by the city's chaos and her own carnal education. Her mission far
from finished, Herculine renews her quest, and returs south in search of her
beloved, her true self, and, ultimately, her salvation.
'Part historical fiction, part supernatural tale, this is difficult to put down and will surely delight fans of Reese's first novel as well as convert new readers to his fascinating style.' - Booklist starred review.
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