Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Book Review: "The Winter Witch" by Paula Brackston

      Morgana is a pretty young woman from a Welsh village. Yet suitors keep their distance from the strange girl who, although she hasn't spoken in years, seems able to manipulate the elements around her. Cai, who raises cattle and horses in the hill country, needs a wife in order to keep his job as porthmon. He will take his neighbors' livestock to the city, and handle their business transactions for them. Yet the people will not trust a man who does not need to return home to a family, because the large purse he will carry back from the city might prove too tempting. The arranged marriage between the two is convenient for them both. But can they learn to love one another?

      A neighbor woman is determined to see their marriage fail. Isolda Bowen, a wealthy widow, has her jealous eye on Cai herself. But it is not the man she wants. No, Isolda senses Morgana's unique talents because she, too, is a witch. There is a well on Cai's property known in local legend as a source of curse or blessing, which can only be controlled by its owner. Isolda is hungry for that power. Will the dark witch prevail, or can Morgana summon the inner strength to fight for her husband, and her land?

      This book was well done! Morgana is a complex main character and easy to root for. Isolda is developed as a villain you love to hate. The pace moves along nicely and the descriptive prose places you right on the windy hillsides of Wales. I really enjoyed this one and hope I get the chance to read some of the author's other books in the future.

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