The Winter Witch
Shadow Chronicles, Book 2
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Narrated by:
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Marisa Calin
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By:
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Paula Brackston
Summary
Paula Brackston transports listeners to the windswept mountains of Wales in this enthralling tale of love and magic.
In her small early-19th-century Welsh town, there is no one quite like Morgana. She is small and quick, and pretty enough to attract a suitor, but there are things that set her apart from other girls. Though her mind is sharp she has not spoken since she was a young girl. Her silence is a mystery, as well as her magic - the household objects that seem to move at her command, the bad luck that visits those who do her ill.
Concerned for her safety, her mother is anxious to see Morgana married, and Cai Jenkins, the widowed drover from the far hills who knows nothing of the rumors that swirl around her, seems the best choice. After her wedding, Morgana is heartbroken at leaving her mother, and wary of this man, whom she does not know, and who will take her away to begin a new life.
But she soon falls in love with Cai's farm and the wild mountains that surround it. Here, where frail humans are at the mercy of the elements, she thrives, her wild nature and her magic blossoming. Cai works to understand the beautiful, half-tamed creature he has chosen for a bride, and slowly, he begins to win Morgana's affections. It's not long, however, before her strangeness begins to be remarked upon in her new village.
A dark force is at work there - a person who will stop at nothing to turn the townspeople against Morgana, even at the expense of those closest to her. Forced to defend her home, her man, and herself from all comers, Morgana must learn to harness her power, or she will lose everything in this beautifully written, enchanting novel.
©2013 Paula Brackston (P)2013 Audible LtdContinue the series
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The focus of this novel is the time and the place and the people, rather than the spectacle of otherworldly powers, but magic is woven in to that story in the most natural and significant way. It is as important to the people and their circumstance as the Welsh landscape and the traditions of the time.
I wouldn't call this story high cuisine, but that's a compliment. When you wish to be not just full, but truly satisfied, there is nothing better than home cooked food created by someone who has had the nuance of their craft passed down lovingly from those who preceded them. Humble produce is elevated by time, tradition and care and has something magical woven in to it that matches and exceeds any pretentious fare.
And that's how I feel about this novel. It is humble, unassuming in a way, but refined and powerful for that. It modestly reveals that power by turns as the story unfolds and in that modesty engages you as a human. It is a modesty rooted in confidence, not needing to shock for attention, knowing it's own value and inviting those who also appreciate that value to walk with it. It is unconcerned by the opinions of others without being crudely disregarding of them either. The author's voice is like the voice of an older, wiser Morgana (the protagonist), the rough edges of youth smoothed away.
This may be why the novel flows so naturally and is so engaging - the attitude of it's writer illuminates the character of the novel effortlessly. I get the sense the author is comfortable with her own voice and is simply happy to share it with those who feel some affinity. In this world of bluster and loud self-promotion this feels like a calm welcome haven, an attitude which connects us to a history we know is essential to life but which is so easily discarded and forgotten. I thank the author very much for maintaining that connection.
The performance is excellent too. It's easy to forget what talent is required to bring an audio book to life, until you tune in to yet another poorly rendered one! Here the voice flows naturally and with empathy, matching the author's understated power and harmonising with it perfectly. Thank you also to this story teller!
Delicately woven and powerfully engaging tale
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started it then had to listen till the end. Great story and well read
looking for the next already 👀
brilliant 👏
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witchily enjoyable
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Good audible read
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