Review: THE WITCH’S EYES by Iris Kincaid

For the past 3 years, Gillian’s eyesight was gradually fading to blindness. A true artist at heart, she was determined to maintain her creative sustenance through other means, such as music. She hated to be defined by her disability, to have to rely on others to help her in her time of need, even if she was dating the most selfless and generous man in the world.  The loss of sight is so beautifully and poetically rendered in this woman’s tale of woe.

 

One night, after a cancelled opera, Gillian returns home, feeling her way through the bedroom, where she accidentally touches a woman’s breasts. What!? Talk about a shocker!

With no job, no dreams, no independence, and no love, she suddenly was at her wit’s end. But when her ex stops by, telling her that she cannot make it on her own, bitterness settles within her. Shortly after, a cousin she never knew has decided to move in with her, and that’s when she finds out that her ex has not only been cheating, but he’s been mooching off her for years. Boy, things keep getting better and better.  

 

It is during this time of emotional and financial distress that Abby learns to trust in her new cousin, Abby. Soon, Gillian undergoes eye surgery, not knowing that those eyes belonged to a witch. Now we’re getting somewhere!

 

Oddly, story veers to the history of those eyes, which involves a formidable and cantankerous witch named Lilith. Apparently, Gillian’s doctor cut up her body and is selling the organs. Unrelenting, Lilith vows to train these recipients of her organs to do her bidding and complete her revenge. And her eyes were her most precious and powerful commodity. Oooh, chilling!

 

Although well-written and lovely, story had a lagging start (even though I busted up when Gillian accidentally confronted those breasts.)  I expected that once the witch’s eyes came into play that the plot would accelerate, filling me with thrill and suspense; but the story maintained its steady and unappealing pace. The sudden shift in perspectives in the middle of sections was also slightly disconcerting.

 
The only thing that kept me going was the curiosity on what Gillian would do with the witch’s eyes. After all, she had reasoning for revenge, too.

 

Overall, story had an interesting premise and a lovely prose; however, it wasn’t that exciting. I expected something different…something more.

 

My rating: 3 stars