The Winter Witch
A Novel
-
-
4.3 • 168 Ratings
-
-
- $12.99
Publisher Description
New York Times bestselling author Paula Brackston transports readers to the windswept mountains of Wales in The Winter Witch, an enthralling tale of love and magic.
In her small early nineteenth century Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She is small and quick and pretty enough to attract a suitor, but there are things that set her apart from other girls. Though her mind is sharp she has not spoken since she was a young girl. Her silence is a mystery, as well as her magic—the household objects that seem to move at her command, the bad luck that visits those who do her ill. Concerned for her safety, her mother is anxious to see Morgana married, and Cai Jenkins, the widowed drover from the far hills who knows nothing of the rumors that swirl around her, seems the best choice.
After her wedding, Morgana is heartbroken at leaving her mother, and wary of this man, whom she does not know, and who will take her away to begin a new life. But she soon falls in love with Cai's farm and the wild mountains that surround it. Here, where frail humans are at the mercy of the elements, she thrives, her wild nature and her magic blossoming. Cai works to understand the beautiful, half-tamed creature he has chosen for a bride, and slowly, he begins to win Morgana's affections. It's not long, however, before her strangeness begins to be remarked upon in her new village. A dark force is at work there—a person who will stop at nothing to turn the townspeople against Morgana, even at the expense of those closest to her. Forced to defend her home, her man, and herself from all comers, Morgana must learn to harness her power, or she will lose everything in this beautifully written, enchanting novel.
"An enthralling tale of love and magic." –USA Today
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Brackston (The Witch's Daughter) delivers an intimate paranormal romance that grounds its fantasy in the reality of a 19th-century Welsh farm. Widower Cai Jenkins needs a wife to qualify as a porthmon (head drover) and to help run Ffynnon Las ("Blue Well") farm. Morgana Pritchard, mute by choice, is no blushing bride, however: she has Romany blood, an affinity for animals, and the growing power of a witch. Already an outsider, Morgana runs afoul of locals who blame her for unusual weather and sickness, as well as one who desires Ffynnon Las for the power of its titular well. Whether on a drive with Cai to take cattle and sheep to London or staying home to learn to be the new Witch of the Well, she is challenged by hostile groups who threaten her freedom and life. Brackston provides clear portraits of her protagonists and their lives on the farm, even if her villain veers a bit to the melodramatic and overweening.
Customer Reviews
The Winter Witch
I have found all of the author's books an easy, fun, intriguing read! As a mere hedge witch myself, the magic is enchanting. Just enough suspense to keep me turning the page, even when I needed to sleep or work. Did not disappoint! I eagerly await another book from this author!
Fair … I Expected Better
Based on the beginning of this book I expected a fuller, more robust story. The beginning is tender and interesting but over time as the pages turn the story line becomes routine. I would have loved to see more authentic pagan history interweaved throughout the book instead of floods and typical scratch the surface material. I fully expected the main character to fly through the air at any minute and why does every book with pagan presence have to have a black & evil witch? Morgana isn't the most likable of characters and her husband Cai is, of course, just the opposite. The middle of the book is downright depressing. It was a fair read that failed to live up to its potential.
Beautiful and Riveting
This book is beautifully written and so vivid in its imagery. I could not put it down, I devoured it! Not only do you root for Cai and Morgana to fall in love, you'll pray that Morgana learns to use her magick and save them and you will BEEEEEEEGGGGGGG wild Morgana to find her voice and stand up for herself!
The Witch's daughter attracted me to this author and The Winter Witch has held me captive! I can't wait to see more!!!