A Secret History of Witches
A Novel
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3.8 • 4 Ratings
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- £4.99
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- £4.99
Publisher Description
A sweeping historical saga that traces five generations of fiercely powerful mothers and daughters -- witches whose magical inheritance is both a dangerous threat and an extraordinary gift.
Brittany, 1821.
After Grand-Mere Ursule gives her life to save her family, their magic seems to die with her.
Even so, the Orchires fight to keep the old ways alive, practicing half-remembered spells and arcane rites in hopes of a revival. And when their youngest daughter comes of age, magic flows anew. The lineage continues, though new generations struggle not only to master their power, but also to keep it hidden.
But when World War II looms on the horizon, magic is needed more urgently than ever -- not for simple potions or visions, but to change the entire course of history.
Praise for A Secret History of Witches:
"I loved it. A beautiful generational tale, reminiscent of Practical Magic. . .. Grounded and real, painful and hopeful at the same time." —Laure Eve, author of The Graces
"Historical fiction at its absolute finest....Deliciously absorbing." —Boston Globe
"At once sprawling and intimate, A Secret History of Witches deftly captures the greatest magic of all: the love between mothers and daughters." —Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of The Wolf in the Whale
For more from Louisa Morgan, check out:
The Witch's Kind
The Age of Witches
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Set in western Europe and spanning five generations, Morgan's novel is a lengthy and repetitive novel that lacks intrigue and detail. The Orchi res Nanette, Ursule, Irene, Morwan, and Veronica are a line of witches. Magic is passed down from mother to daughter, each one receiving her powers as she hits puberty. Each daughter is tasked with protecting the family's secrets and ensuring that the line continues by giving birth to more daughters. While each woman's story has individual elements that sets it apart from the others, each does not stray far from the formula of hitting puberty, discovering their power, fighting with their mothers, and finding a man to help them bear children. As far as the magical elements go, the incantations are unimaginative, coupled with clich s typical of witch stories, such as Nanette's black feline companion and the emphasis on Ursule's elderly and cloaked appearance when Morwan first meets her grandmother. The novel moves quickly through each generation's story, leaving the reader with little attachment to these women and their struggles. The cast of supporting characters, and the male characters in particular, are not given enough room on the page to have any lasting impact on the reader, and their relationships to the Orchi res are used primarily as vehicles for plot progression.
