Debora Geary

I'm really glad I signed up for a free review ebook on LibraryThing. I like all things witchy, but didn't expect to enjoy this book so much. I loved it. It's funny, and just generally fun. The characters are cute - purple-haired toddlers anyone? I look forward to sequels which may explore more of the characters in depth. There are big families that the author has introduced in this book, but obviously with that many characters there are limits to how much she could expand them in the first show more of the series. Of course, it has a certain element of unlikeliness - what with romance and fantasy going on that's bound to happen. Still, great escapism, like-able characters with realistic characteristics. I recommend it. show less

The Hidden Witch by Debora Geary is a quiet gem. The power and beauty of love shines from every page, even in the humor that almost every character expresses. It is also an admirable sequel to A Modern Witch. All the delightful characters of the first book are here along with a few new ones. They combine to create a fictional community that support core beliefs of developing your potential while doing no harm and loving one another.

What I particularly enjoy about Geary's work is that she show more develops believable characters of all ages, giving each challenges and triumphs. They feel as if they are part of your personal circle of friends or family because they seem to care about each other so deeply. This mutual concern is seductive and addictive, particularly in the real world where so much of seems elusive or nonexistent.

Geary's messages are clear: love is what matters most. It empowers you to withhold judgment, to be patient, and hopeful, even when we are exploring love of self. Too often we write other people off or cast away our own dreams without exploring why we need patience and kindness. Often, we discount others because of gruff exteriors without knowing or even caring to know what caused them to build walls. As Geary's novels and characters develop, we learn the back stories of difficult characters just as we often learn about the histories of those we have in our own lives – back stories and histories that explain or at least put into context why a particular person or character is unable or unwilling to be as open, trusting and loving as they could be.

This book is also about self-acceptance, of being patient with one's own shortcomings and learning how to dissolve the walls we ourselves place between people or experiences we fear will disappoint us. Sometimes those walls are within ourselves because we fear we will disappoint ourselves if we try to fulfill our talents and potentials. Geary is never didactic about these lessons; she lets her characters find their own way, discover the truths of loving and being loved, and tremendous power of self-acceptance. She creates plots and characters that draw us in, that we can connect with and therefore learn these lessons through them.

She is also adept at weaving believable humor into situations and creating realistic dialogue so you feel as if you are part of a scene. This is particularly important when she creates online chat dialogue. What could be flat and false becomes chatty and real. This becomes essential when, as an author, you are writing about everyday people who have magical talent.

If you appreciate these profound messages, but want them presented in a gentle, persistent way, read Geary's books. She believes in her characters. I suspect she has mastered these lessons herself wants us to master them as well. It is obvious she understands the deepest meanings of love – whether it is love of self, love of community, love of family or place or simply romantic love. However, make no mistake, this novel never gets maudlin. Geary quietly builds in suspense and conflict and just as quietly resolves both.

Geary gets it, and if we are lucky enough to read her books, we stand a very good chance of getting it was well. I always feel hugged and inspired as I read about her wonderful characters, their beliefs, talents and sense of connection. If I cannot be one of her witches, then I will gratefully settle for reading about them because they don't simply speak of love, they live it. That is the greatest magic of all. show less

When we see someone different, how often do we stop to out ourselves in their shoes - to try and understand how their differences affect their lives? Beth has Aspergers. She spends much of her life trying to organize the jumble and disorder in her head. Beth is also a witch, who is accidentally pulled into the chaos known as Witch Central, when Nell's fetching spell lands her on a table in Realm's witches' lounge. The shock and confusion are too much for Beth to bear - her senses are show more overloaded. The good folks in Witch Central try to help her, but, because they don't understand her differences, they go about things in the wrong way. Nell, espcially, has a hard time dealing with the new arrival, despite the fact that she should be the one training her. Gradually, however, with the help of their younger members, Witch Central begins to understand how to work with Beth - how to provide her the love and support she needs without overtaxing her senses.

A Different Witch challenges us to stand back and look at the world through other people's eyes. Who's to say that we are not the different ones? show less

Funny how I loved the last book of the series the best.

This book was bittersweet. It was, IMO, the strongest of the recent books in the series, and it was also the last book in the series. I know, I know, Debora said there will be other books in this world and we'll see the characters again. But... this book seemed so final. There was foreshadowing of the future scattered throughout (which makes sense as the Lost Witch in the title is a precog), and there were a number of scenes that had me show more tearing up as the characters consider an eventual world without Moira. show less