Hummingbird Moonrise opens with a historical bang with a hauntingly dark and emotional prologue set in 1940s California. It traces the grim consequences of a man’s violent choices, the echoes of which reverberate through five generations. We’re introduced to a family curse born from vengeance and sustained by ritual, tragedy, and an unshakeable belief in the power of dark magick. From there, the story weaves between timelines, following Arista Kelly, a modern-day woman grappling with supernatural inheritance, witchcraft, and an old stone tablet that may seal her family’s fate. Part cozy mystery, part witchy thriller, it blends murder, magic, family trauma, and healing in a way that’s both suspenseful and tender.

What struck me most about Dodd’s writing was the way she mingles the everyday with the mystical. One minute, characters are sipping tea or feeding stray cats; the next, they’re channeling spirits or breaking into homes to investigate arcane symbols. I appreciated the humor that peeked through, especially Auntie, whose wit and warmth anchor many of the darker moments. The voices feel distinct, the pacing surprisingly tight despite the multi-generational sprawl, and the dialogue sings with emotional truth. The way Dodd writes female relationships—particularly between Arista and her Aunt—is just beautiful. There’s a lived-in realness to their bond that made me care about what happened to them far more than I expected from a story with spells and curses.

The shifts in tone—moving between drama, horror, humor, and a touch of paranormal whimsy—were bold and creative. A few sections leaned more into exposition, which briefly slowed the momentum. The supernatural elements are intriguing and imaginative, and the atmosphere was rich, the stakes personal, and the themes like grief, redemption, and inherited pain rang true. Dodd clearly cares deeply about these characters, and that care spills onto the page.

I was moved. Not just by the tragic past that hangs over the Kelly family, but by the hope that emerges through Arista’s strength. This is a book for those who like their witch stories intimate, their mysteries character-driven, and their fiction laced with emotion and weirdness in equal measure. If you enjoy Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic, but wish it had a bit more grit and ghost stories, Hummingbird Moonrise might just be your cup of tea. Or maybe your crystal-infused moon water. Either way, it’s worth the read.

Pages: 304 | ASIN : B0FB5QV948