Review 393: Hag

Hag by Kathleen Kaufman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this book quickly, within 24 hours, although at first I was certain I would not finish, I don't read these types of books. It is somewhat mythological, folklore, with some magic thrown in.

It is a tale of the matriarchal line of women who descended from the Hag (called Cailleach), an ancient witch that lives for seemingly eternity. Living in a rocky cave high on the cliffs that overlook the sea in the Scottish Lowlands. The blood through the daughters gives them powers such as, to call the sea or wind, to see the path of the future. The Hag feels the powers of her daughters, and her many-great-grand-daughters, with inked on their wrist the lines of Ingwaz.

The women are often accused of being witches. Through the years the women are sometimes treated poorly by the villagers living near Glasgow.

We follow Alice Grace Kyles, snippets throughout her life. Even at six she sees her future husband and child. But her small family moves to Colorado Springs, away from the boy.

The book has these two storylines being told, one in italics, the other in modern time. There is a family tree at the back of the book, which helped during the reading. Glad I found that early on, maybe it should have been in the front section.

I found it odd, yet compelling. Good writing.