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.
Like you, I figured out that Isolda was the bad guy of the story. Initially I thought it was the Reverend, especially after what he did to Meg (the jerk!). I even saw the mob coming after Morgana early on in the story.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was disappointing that Morgana didn't use the Grimoire. After all, she was being taught so she could use it. If the book accepted her, then why didn't it just let her use it to defeat Isolda?
I thought she used the Grimoire during her first attack but it didn't work. I may need to re-read that part. It could be Morgana didn't have enough time to learn how to properly use the Grimoire.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's a very good possibility. I'd have to go back and reread to see how much she had learned from the grimoire before they fought
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete