Love and Witchcraft

I found The Winter Witch to be a nice light read. Which was great because that was what I was hoping for when I chose it.  Sometimes I feel like I (or we) get bogged down in these epic fantasy adventures, dystopian series and even the beloved classics. A light read can be a good imagination "palette cleanser" between heartier books. So, yippee and one point to The Winter Witch!

Now overall the story was good despite being predictable. I liked that we got to see the world and characters through Morgana and Cai's POV. I think if Brackston did it any other way the story would have been lacking and flat. However, I did noticed that several times during Cai's POV the tense was off. While it didn't discourage me from continuing, it did distract me enough that I paused and was withdrawn from the story. Sometimes it was easier to get back in to the story sometimes not. But with a little editing, I think his POV could have been a little smoother.

Throughout the course of the story, I was really hoping we would learn much more about Morgana's father. When the moment arrived, I honestly felt let down. He was obviously an important story catalyst: he left hence Morgana stopped speaking. Everything big that happens to her from this point on is directly related to her not being able to speak. And at the end we are still unsure was to why she suddenly stopped talking. Was it magic, stubbornness, her father ... don't know! For me this was a big loose end that could have had great potential.

What I did really enjoy was the love story. I will fully admit that sometimes I have the urge to loose myself in a hot, passionate bodice-ripper story, but the love comes slowly stories can be a nice change of pace. At the end of the story we know Morgana and Cai really love each other. And not only that, it is a love that is built on hardship, perseverance and trust. They made vows and stuck to them. Talk about a refreshing romance.

Winter Witch Final Thoughts

I enjoyed reading The Winter Witch more than I expected to. Initially I was hesitant to read it because I thought we would only be reading from Morgana’s perspective.  It’s not that I don’t enjoy 1^st person POV, but in a story like this it seemed like it would be difficult to really appreciate the growth of the characters only seeing things through Morgana.  However, I really enjoyed the shift in POVs. It helped give an overall feel of everyone rather than the one-sidedness of Morgana.

               

There were some things I figured out early on in the story (Isolda, the mob) but on a whole the story was enjoyable. I felt so horrible for Cai and Morgana when the Reverend ran over Meg. Poor puppy. One thing that I really felt let down by was Morgana’s father. Much of the book is spent saying over and over how much Morgana adored her father and stopped speaking when he left. When everything came about regarding her father, I felt let down. I expected more.

What I think I liked most was the way Cai and Morgana fell in love with one another. They had a barrier against them with her being unwilling to speak, but they did find ways to communicate. Admittedly, I had my moments of wanting to shake them both. In my opinion, Cai was too blinded to see what was going on with Isolda. Of course, Morgana wasn’t without her faults either, but in the long run they found each other. 

The Tale of Two Witches

The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston is about a young and silent witch Morgana who is sent to be married to Cai Jenkins.  From the beginning of the novel, I knew Isolda was the villian.  To me it was obvious by how she was hanging all over Cai and I figured it would be another witch to challenge Morgana.  I think Brackston tries to throw the reader off with the reverend going after Morgana but I really couldn't see a person of his vocation being a warlock.  Like Morgana I felt bad for the reverend when it was revealed how Isolda was controlling him.  As a husband and father he had to protect his family and as a reverend, killing Isolda probably didn't seem like an option.

I really didn't get into the novel until Cai and Morgana were headed on the drove.  I think it was because this was the point in the novel where all the cards were on the table.  Isolda was revealed as a witch and she threatened Morgana so I wanted to know what Isolda had planned.

I liked Morgana most of the time except for when she would throw a tantrum (which was mainly when she was around Isolda).  I know she is "wild" as Cai often calls her but she's been trying to hide that's she's a witch her whole life so I expected a little more composure from her.

I feel conflicted over the showdown between Isolda and Morgana at Isolda's house.  It came down to Morgana using her wit to overcome Isolda instead of the power of the Grimoire.  I was really hoping that Morgana would come up with more of her own inner magical strength to defeat Isolda or maybe if she used her voice that would unlock some power.

What I did love about the book was the love story between Cai and Morgana.   I love that he truly does love her and is willing to accept her witchcraft without questioning her. I think it is Cai's caring nature that leads Morgana to fall in love with him.  The circumstances that bring them together enable them to fall in love.