ABOVE THE ASHES

The first installment of Fernandez’s Blood and Hexes trilogy weaves a tale of witchcraft, vengeance, and supernatural conflict across centuries.

The story opens in Plymouth, England, in 1689, with 15-year-old Sybil Cotterill and her mother, Olivia, fleeing for their lives. The Cotterill family are no strangers to persecution, due to their practice of witchcraft. Olivia prepares Sybil for a life of secrecy and gifts her a magical silver pentacle, but they’re ultimately unable to avoid the witch-hunters pursuing them. Once caught, Sybil and her neighbor, Constance, are sentenced to death; however, Sybil’s magical abilities keep her alive while entombed for 300 years. She awakens in modern-day Salem, Massachusetts, struggling to understand the new world around her. She’s driven by a desire for vengeance against those who victimized her and her family, and soon finds herself entangled with Marcelo Abana Flores, a Spanish conquistador-turned-vampire, and Cauac, an Incan spellcrafter. Marcelo was transformed into a vampire after an encounter with an Incan demon, and he still struggles with his new identity and his powers, as well as guilt and a desire for redemption. Cauac’s failed attempt to summon a demon in 1532 led to the destruction of his people and connected him to Marcelo and to a broader conflict involving supernatural forces. The narrative converges in Machu Picchu, where Cauac is working to amass a demon army. Overall, Fernandez successfully conjures multidimensional characters, as when he shows Sybil’s evolution from a witch on the run to a powerful and vengeful figure. Marcelo’s conflict with his vampire nature and his quest for redemption effectively add another layer of emotional complexity. Additionally, the author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive as it captures the romantic tension between Sybil and Marcelo: “He lost himself in her eyes that had seen so much life and tragedy. She seemed on the verge of tears, and he only desired to bring her joy and respite.” However, the book’s brevity may leave some readers unsatisfied.

A blend of the paranormal and the romantic that ably sets the stage for the next series entry.