There's something about lounging in a bath of blood that makes me want to stay until my fingers shrivel enough to show the outline of my bones.

is how this witchy novel begins. It's the day of Voya's bleeding. At 16, she's a little late to the party, but her impossible Calling task, which she must complete successfully in order to become a witch--and save her family's powers and her half sister's life--is a hefty one. Maybe it was delivered later than most so that Voya would be able to handle it.

Voya lives in a multigenerational household with her parents (and stepmother), half-sister, cousins, aunts, uncles, and Granny, the matriarch of the family, in a culture where matriarchy literally rules. It's a long twisty book with nasty surprises and bad things happening to good people, and backstory that takes its time unfolding. It's a little long for my taste, but still enjoyable, and I already put the second half of the duology on hold.