The Winter Witch

The point of view alternates with each chapter from Cai to Morgana and this took a bit of getting used to but I think it really worked for the story. Since Morgana does not speak in the story, it gives the reader an avenue in which to experience each character's inner thinking and feelings as the plot progresses. I thought it was refreshing to see Cai's side of the story as the two spent their first weeks together. I also really liked the setting. The early 19th century time period, where fear of witchcraft still existed and majority rules seemed to be the primary source of law. The description of the farm that is Cai's home is beautiful, with sprawling hills and meadows, the well, the parlor and hearth, the ponies and cattle. Just show more gorgeous.

I enjoy books that employ witchcraft as a plot source and this story gave me the perfect amount of paranormal. My only complaint is that there were parts of the story where I was a bit bored. I found myself skimming on a few occasions. I wish there was a bit more of Morgana experimenting with her power as she realized what she could accomplish. Mrs. Jones, who was a delightful addition as Cai's aunt/housekeeper, was also a hedgewitch and a mentor to Morgana and we don't get to know her well enough. On the positive side, when Morgana finally decides she has had enough and begins to fight back against the people who are accusing her of evil, I was unable to put the book down until the end. It was at this point that the pace picked up and with it, the story became much more interesting.

The relationship between Cai and Morgana was well portrayed. Cai needed a wife to fill the requirements of his job and he arranged his marriage to Morgana. She was young, she didn't speak, and he took her away from everything she knew. They didn't fall in love immediately and getting used to living together was both frustrating and confusing for both. This was a realistic view, in my opinion, of how the beginnings of an arranged marriage would be, minus the witchcraft of course. Their affection for one another blossomed from shared interests, teamwork, and time spent caring for each other's needs.

So, I would probably give this book about three and a half stars instead of four but only because of the slow parts. It was a good read and if you enjoy paranormal romance, you will most likely enjoy it as well. Happy reading! show less

This was a great story to curl up with on a rainy winter’s day. It’s the story of Morgana, a young lady with mysterious, magical powers that she does not quite understand, who is married off by her mother to a widowed drover, Cai. While it is not a love match, the marriage is aimed at getting Morgana away from the whispers of her town, and at equipping Cai with a wife, which is a requirement of his becoming head drover. Cai takes Morgana to his home at Ffynnon Las, where she is enchanted by the wild beauty of the setting.

Morgana does not speak, and so there is no dialogue involving her at any point, despite her being the protagonist. The story is narrated alternatively between Morgana’s first person perspective, and in the third show more person with a focus on Cai. Initially, Morgana’s narration seems somewhat affected and overdone, but becomes more natural as the story progresses. The lack of dialogue with Morgana is something of a risk, but is well-played, as her reactions and feelings are evident in her interactions with others even though she doesn’t utter a word. In particular, the development of her relationship with Cai, even in the absence of words, is sweet and sometimes comical. For all her lack of words, Morgana turns out to be a much feistier wife than Cai bargained for.

Written with a strong sense of setting, a well-paced plot, and a sweet (if somewhat fumbling at first) and believable romance developing between Cai and Morgana, this story was captivating. The supernatural elements and the reaction of the town, and Cai, to Morgana’s abilities, add tension to the plot. A sense of danger mounts as someone wants Morgana out of town and off of Ffynnon Las, for very dark reasons. As the story progresses, Morgana develops into a gutsy heroine whose vulnerability and artlessness make her endearing.

A fast-moving, suspenseful and romantic tale that swept me away to a long-ago Wales, where tales of witches and spells are told by the hearth and ghost stories shared even between men; this kept me up late turning the pages. show less

Cai Jenkins needs a wife, his job, as head drover demands it. He’s been widowed a few years and is ready to marry again and his farm, Ffynnon Las is ready for a new mistress. The wife he’s chosen is as wild as his beloved home deep in the hills of Wales, a pretty, young, silent waif who calls to something earthly inside him. But his new wife comes with secrets and some think they’re dark and taboo.
Morgana Pritchard’s always known she’s different, even before her father’s disappearance silenced her, she’s felt the magic inside. Now at 18 she’s forced to leave the only home she’s ever known, to marry a stranger. Yet when they arrive at his farm, Ffynnon Las, she feels an affinity to the land and the man that runs deep in show more her soul, deep in her magic. There also something evil here, something that wants her gone. Something only her magic can expel, if she’s strong enough to overcome it.

Paula Brackston’s Winter Witch is a whimsical and mystical tale that’s part romance part mystery part fantasy and all extraordinary. Her beautiful narrative moves flawlessly throughout the story, her inclusions of the Welsh language paints a truer picture of the wilderness, the time, the place and the people, plus gives the read a homespun feel. Her eclectic cast stretched the boundaries from eccentric to ordinary, from the mundane to supernatural and she expertly wove in the witchery both good and evil as she flaunted her storytelling talent. Cai and Morgana were her brightest stars as they struggled with an against all odds dilemma and were both hard to say goodbye to at the end of the tale.
This unique novel will appeal to fans of a multitude of genres from historical to fantasy and will engage fans of all ages as well.
Ms. Brackston this is my first time under your spell but I know I’ll be falling under again. show less

Quite a joy to read, especially out loud. Very reminiscent of Goose Girl and it's corresponding series by Shannon Hale in that there is mostly minor magic practice and mostly intuitive. Surprisingly a secondary romance novel, with a wife and husband slowly getting to know each other after a betrothed marriage. The author, hailing from the country the tale takes place, was clearly able to keep everything sincere to history. Connected to protagonist on a very personal level, in that some attitudes I shared. Prepare for some gut-wrenching paragraphs, for there are a number of them. Some serious sensuality, but acceptable within the bonds of marriage in my opinion. May suggest a Welsh dictionary and pronunciation guide to enjoy the novel show more more by identifying the terms riddled throughout. Had a satisfying end and I feel that it stood alone from the first of the series. show less

Excellent story. From the moment you step into Morgana's world you are swept away. The lush description of the Welsh country is breath taking. The Winter Witch is magical. Filled with love, hope and strength. Morgana is a special character. She doesn't talk, but it isn't because she is simple. Morgana is just a little broken, and her surroundings along with Cai slowly help her to heal. I just loved reading about them. The blending of the historic and fantasy is perfect. Definitely recommend this one.

This book featuring two powerful witches, one evil and one not, is set in rural 19th century Wales. The teenage protagonist, a "natural" witch whose powers are becoming more manifest to the people in her village, unwillingly weds a well-off farmer/widower she doesn't know, who lives a two-day drive away, in a marriage arranged by her mother. The farmer's property includes a sacred well which was once a destination for pilgrimage. The well has magic properties known to few people. For this reason the farm is coveted by a prosperous local woman who is secretly a witch. She had sought to marry the farmer, but he chose the teenager. The plot centers around the evil witch's attempts to disgrace and oust the teenage bride.

Despite the show more hackneyed plot, I enjoyed this book, because it was fun to follow the character development of the wild young witch, her patient husband who still grieved for his first wife, and their relationship.

I confess I take guilty pleasure in reading many novels about witches and their entanglements and difficulties with the conventional people around them. In fiction, a witch is usually just another type of misfit/loner (albeit one with supernatural powers). I think many of the introverts among us identify with such characters. show less

A nice story with some lovely elements. There were bits of brilliant language and vivid images. It was great to read a story about droving which is something that is not greatly explored in historical fiction. There was magic and a struggle of good against evil.

It was told in alternating view points of the heroine and hero. That's fine but I didn't enjoy the tenses it was written in. I don't like first person present POV which the heroine's portion of the story is told. I totally despised that the hero's POV was 3rd person present. It was jarring and odd. I hope this kind of odd tenses are just a phase that author's are going through. I asked one fairly successful author why her newest book was in 1st present and she said because show more everyone else is doing it and she didn't want to be left behind.

There was a nice bit of romance but I wouldn't really classify it as a romance. Even with the odd tenses it was a fun read. It would have scored higher though if the tenses had matched and were in past tense of any sort. show less