Jilo by J.D. Horn

The fourth, and final installment, of the Witching Savannah series is a departure from the first three.  I should have figured that out from the title really as it is a bit of a giveaway but I didn't.  To be perfectly honest this book could quite easily be read at any point in the series - although first or last makes the most chronological sense.  There is little about the Taylors until the very end of the book but not enough there to spoil any of the other 3 books or give any real indication to their contents.

This book deals with the lineage of Mother Jilo and her family.  It starts with the death of her Great Grandmother, Mother Tuesday, in 1920s Savannah and the details are rich and evocative of a different time.  You know the old saying "The past is a different Country, they do things differently there" well this book brings that to life so vividly.  Whilst there are a lot of references to the racial schism mandated by law at the time it is not pushed in your face but it is spoken of in a matter of fact way as being these people's lot in life and shows them growing and flourishing as human beings who love, laugh and lose just like anyone else.  In fact it could be seen as being quite a powerful book because the Wills family do not feel in anyway subjugated by their colour they just do their utmost to get on with living.  For the Wills women this means strengthening their connection with The Beekeeper and her ancient magic.

As a family saga you really do become immersed in the daily goings on of the Wills family and its tragedies and triumphs.  I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book as it is somewhat of a departure from the previous 3.  There is a strong supernatural element in the book but it comes in short, sharp bursts that makes them all the more powerful.  The characters are richly wrought and entirely believable and you do get immersed in their world; even though we know that all Mother May's efforts to protect Jilo from her natural magic are ultimately fruitless it was wonderful to go on the journey of discovery with Jilo as she finds out that magic is real.

I am thoroughly disappointed to have finished this series of books and will definitely have to try some of Mr Horn's later books and I just hope they give me as much reading pleasure as this series has.  The trouble with series is that they often taper off as the saga moves on but he has managed to keep up a high standard of writing and storytelling throughout which is very, very impressive.  I think you just got yourself a new fan Mr Horn!