ALA Booklist (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 1995)

Twins Hunter and Mercy Goode are descended from their town's founder, a Salem witch who escaped execution. Turning 16, the sisters are next in a long line of women responsible for protecting Goodeville's five gates that separate our world from those of Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu, and Japanese mythology. Hunter and Mercy get a crash course on the importance d danger securing the gates when their birthday ritual goes awry and something is unleashed. With their mother the first victim of the escaped fiend's killing spree, the sisters must rely on the help of a few core friends and a feline familiar to track down the murderer while fighting off mythological foes. The concept is enticing, but uneven pacing, awkward characterization and dialogue, and a confusing rotation of perspectives get in the way. Fans of the authors of the popular House of Night series will surely seek out this series opener, which might also appeal to readers who have torn through other witchy YA fantasy options.

Kirkus Reviews

The start of a new fantasy series about witchy twins from the mother-daughter Cast authors.Hunter and Mercy Goode, twin sisters and descendants of Salem witch Sarah Goode, are turning 16 and being initiated into their full witch powers. Like all their ancestors, they are the guardians of the gates to different Underworlds-all located in Goodeville-including Egyptian, Norse, Hindu, and Japanese. Tragedy strikes when their mother dies while saving their lives when one of the gates briefly opens to unleash a monster during their dedication ceremony, the first in a string of mysterious murders, seemingly connected to the weakening of the gates, that spells global catastrophe if Hunter and Mercy can't keep them closed. The book, which features graphic sex and violence, does well when showing the sisters' relationships with one another and with their best friends, Jax and Emily, as well as when examining their internal struggles: Mercy's dynamics with an abusive boyfriend and lesbian Hunter's self-harming and trauma over childhood bullying. As a fantasy, however, it is less successful: The worldbuilding is weak, and the choice to situate the White Goode sisters as the sole, most powerful protectors of the entire mortal realm feels questionable in the context of the overall treatment of diversity. Emily is cued as Black while Jax seems to have a White mother and Iroquois father.Only for hardcore fans of the authors. (Fantasy. 15-18)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Descendants of a witch who escaped persecution during the Salem witch trials, twins Hunter and Mercy Goode, cued as white, are celebrating their 16th birth-

School Library Journal (Mon Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2021)

Gr 9 Up-Twin teenage witches Hunter and Mercy are direct descendants of Sarah Goode, Salem escapee and founder of modern-day Goodeville, IL. The town is located within the confines of five trees that serve as gates to various underworlds and now, like Sarah and others of her lineage, the twins are learning to become gatekeepers and protectors of the town. But when queer, bullied, introverted Hunter and wild, impulsive, trouble-making Mercy participate in a ritual gone wrong on their 16th birthday, a demon enters Goodeville through the Norse gate and a series of murders soon follow. The two witches must overcome loss, heartache, and their own splintering relationship if they intend to save the world as well as each other. Hunter and Mercy, both "fawn"-skinned and dark-haired, are part of a somewhat diverse cast of characters: Emily, who has "russet brown" skin, Jax, who is part Native, and blond jock Kirk round out the group. Teen readers will connect most with the twins, who are fiercely supportive of one another and friends, insecure and sometimes awkward, conscious of both women's and Native social justice issues, and tend towards text-speak and slang. Descriptions of thoughtful spell work will hook readers early and, though the novel focuses on Norse and Greek mythology, the twins get a glimpse into Egyptian lore and the setting is prepped for the introduction of Japanese and Hindu mythology in the novels to come. A satisfying cliffhanger sets the stage for the next in the series. VERDICT This fantasy is a solid choice for YA collections. Maggie Mason Smith, Clemson Univ., SC