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shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book is absolutely wonderful. From the moment I picked it up, I could not put it down. The author’s meticulous attention to detail transports you back to 19th century Wales, painting a beautiful, breathtaking picture. She introduces you to Morgana, a mute witch who conveys far more through expression and actions than she ever could in words. After losing her father, Morgana’s mother worries for her, and arranges a marriage between Morgana and Cai, the most powerful man in town. Reluctant at first, Morgana slowly becomes accustomed to her new life, slowly but surely becoming fond of her new home, and of Cai.
As time goes on, Morgana and Cai begin to develop deep feelings for one another. Their romance is even more touching than most, as it proves that words are just words, and even the smallest of gestures can have the power to convey just how much you love and care for someone. The idea for this goes beyond romantic, and was one of my absolute favorite things about this story.
Mixed in with the romance, is a thrilling mystery, as Morgana and Cai find themselves fighting the evils of another witch to save their home, their land, and each other. Exciting, sweet and brilliantly written, this book is one of my favorites of the year so far. I would recommend this to anyone who believes themselves a true romantic at heart.
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
As time goes on, Morgana and Cai begin to develop deep feelings for one another. Their romance is even more touching than most, as it proves that words are just words, and even the smallest of gestures can have the power to convey just how much you love and care for someone. The idea for this goes beyond romantic, and was one of my absolute favorite things about this story.
Mixed in with the romance, is a thrilling mystery, as Morgana and Cai find themselves fighting the evils of another witch to save their home, their land, and each other. Exciting, sweet and brilliantly written, this book is one of my favorites of the year so far. I would recommend this to anyone who believes themselves a true romantic at heart.
Reviewed by Marie for Cocktails and Books
spillie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A very enjoyable story that takes the reader on a wonderful journey to Wales. I would not be surprised if this book is turned into a movie as the writing is very visual. Magic may be the backbone of the story but at its heart it is very much a love story on many levels. Strongly recommended.
toesinthesand's review against another edition
3.0
Better that I didn't read this during the winter we just had, what with all the horrible cold imagery. Good book, I stayed up to see what happened, although I'm a bit surprised Morgana wasn't a little more powerful after how it was built up.
bekahbea86's review against another edition
3.0
It was very slow in the beginning and there isn't any real plot until you get to the middle of the book. But after you get through the first half the rest of the book goes by faster and starts to gain more depth.
katieluvs2read's review against another edition
I wasn't liking any of the characters and it was just struggle after struggle...with no reward.
karenavila85's review against another edition
3.0
Morgana, a free-spirited, mute girl moves to the town of Fannan-Las after her mother arranges her marriage with Cai. Because of her disposition and incidents, the town becomes afraid of her. Morgana means no harm to the town but a mysterious evil doesn't want her there and will do anything to ruin her reputation. When Morgana ignores the warning of leaving town, a plague of death surrounds her branding her as "The Winter Witch". Morgana must a find a way to break the spell and save the man she loves from the curse inflicted upon him and to save the town.
I thought this was a cute story but it was a little too hard to read. It wasn't hard to understand but the Chapters were way too long and some paragraphs were too descriptive to keep up with. It doesn't take away from the main plot but I just got tired and bored of reading every little detail. I usually don't read about witches but the subject has always been of an interest to me. This story wasn't too corny or cheesy. It had the right amount of fluff and it made me smile to see two people fall in love.
I thought this was a cute story but it was a little too hard to read. It wasn't hard to understand but the Chapters were way too long and some paragraphs were too descriptive to keep up with. It doesn't take away from the main plot but I just got tired and bored of reading every little detail. I usually don't read about witches but the subject has always been of an interest to me. This story wasn't too corny or cheesy. It had the right amount of fluff and it made me smile to see two people fall in love.
mbomersheim's review against another edition
2.0
While this book was not inherently bad, I did feel like there was something lacking throughout the entire book. Cai was so blind for the majority of the book that it was frustrating. Morgana and Isodola, meanwhile, seemed to lack backstory and there were aspects of their characters that went unexplained. I did like Mrs. Jones though; I thought that she was a good addition to the story.
Additionally, the way that the book was broken up was a little bit clunky. The first half of the book seemed like it was going to be about one thing and then it shifted partway through to another plot all together. Overall, this book left something to be desired.
Additionally, the way that the book was broken up was a little bit clunky. The first half of the book seemed like it was going to be about one thing and then it shifted partway through to another plot all together. Overall, this book left something to be desired.
paradoxically's review against another edition
2.0
I am of various minds about this book. The Winter Witch tells the tale of Morgana, a girl who hasn't spoken for years, being married off to Cai, a widower who needs a wife because his job requires he have one. You have a supernatural flair as Morgana is a witch (though magic not something she can control so easily), and a fairly somber tone throughout the entire book as Morgana discovers enemies and circles around Cai warily.
First off, the book is both in first person (through Morgana's POV) and third person (a more omniscient one, though it centers mostly around Cai). I have never ever liked this (I hardly like POV switches, but I particularly dislike switching from third person to first and vice versa). Your mileage may vary, of course, it makes me think the story is messier than it actually is.
While pretty and holding my attention in the beginning, I rapidly lost interest as the story progressed. There is something about doom and gloom and misunderstandings that never seem to lighten that just makes me wander away. You get brief flashes of Cai and Morgana getting along with one another, but that lasts for scarcely a page before BAM, more misunderstandings and hurt feelings and back to both of them angsting over the other. Yeahhhh no.
You get a series of misfortune that just come one after another, and while you think that maybe Morgana can do something about any of it--no, sorry, nothing. At least she's defiant in the face of her enemies, but other than that she doesn't amount to much until the end of the book (and, in my opinion, that still doesn't amount to much, for all that she can do).
The characters themselves weren't too awful, but they brought nothing new to the table. Beyond that, I was rather bored--Morgana and Cai kept doing their push/pull thing, the antagonist was very consistently awful--I just expected a little more and didn't get it.
Maybe I just wanted to read a different sort of book. The ending felt anticlimactic. It had a very distinct and so life goes on and everything is pretty much wrapped in a little bow. I wanted to feel for the characters, but mostly I was thinking that it's a little bit cold in my house and, oh, what should I do tomorrow? In other words, it never grabbed onto my attention, I was never fully sucked into the world (because I can read slow books! Just not boring ones. There is a difference). All in all, 2 stars.
First off, the book is both in first person (through Morgana's POV) and third person (a more omniscient one, though it centers mostly around Cai). I have never ever liked this (I hardly like POV switches, but I particularly dislike switching from third person to first and vice versa). Your mileage may vary, of course, it makes me think the story is messier than it actually is.
While pretty and holding my attention in the beginning, I rapidly lost interest as the story progressed. There is something about doom and gloom and misunderstandings that never seem to lighten that just makes me wander away. You get brief flashes of Cai and Morgana getting along with one another, but that lasts for scarcely a page before BAM, more misunderstandings and hurt feelings and back to both of them angsting over the other. Yeahhhh no.
You get a series of misfortune that just come one after another, and while you think that maybe Morgana can do something about any of it--no, sorry, nothing. At least she's defiant in the face of her enemies, but other than that she doesn't amount to much until the end of the book (and, in my opinion, that still doesn't amount to much, for all that she can do).
The characters themselves weren't too awful, but they brought nothing new to the table. Beyond that, I was rather bored--Morgana and Cai kept doing their push/pull thing, the antagonist was very consistently awful--I just expected a little more and didn't get it.
Maybe I just wanted to read a different sort of book. The ending felt anticlimactic. It had a very distinct and so life goes on and everything is pretty much wrapped in a little bow. I wanted to feel for the characters, but mostly I was thinking that it's a little bit cold in my house and, oh, what should I do tomorrow? In other words, it never grabbed onto my attention, I was never fully sucked into the world (because I can read slow books! Just not boring ones. There is a difference). All in all, 2 stars.
ponderinstuff's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book! Looks like I've found a new author to follow :-)