I was able to read an advance copy of Katherine Howe's first novel, through the magic of the First Look Book Club here at BN.com, and I have to admit to feeling underwhelmed. While the book is well-constructed there is far too much foreshadowing for my taste; by the time I reached the second half of the book I had guessed nearly all the final plot points and was bored. I also come to the book with good working knowledge of the history of alchemy (courtesy of my affiliation with Alpha Chi Sigma Chemistry Fraternity), science, Latin, and witchcraft so I kept feeling that Connie wasn't quite as smart as she ought to be for a Harvard graduate student with doctoral candidacy in history. All of that being said, "The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane" should make a good summer/beach read for anyone wishing to kick back, relax, and let their mind wander for a few hours.