Saturday 21 January 2012

A Witch In Winter by Ruth Warburton

Pages - 346
Published by Hodder Children's Books in January 2012

The first thing that hit me was the smell - damp bitter. It was the smell of a place long shut up, of mice, bird-droppings and rot. 


'Welcome to Wicker House,' Dad said, and flicked a switch. Nothing happened, and he groaned. 


Goodreads Summary
Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain. 

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.
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I really feel like I have been spoilt lately. I don't seem to have anything negative to say about any of the books I have read in the last month and this one is no exception. I always know I am on the right track with a book, when my best friend phones me up to tell me she has bought this fabulous book and can't put it down. As soon as she mentioned the title 'A Witch In Winter' I had to grin, because she was spot on. I almost wish I hadn't read it, so that I could enjoy it afresh all over again. 


Many of you know I have a thing for witches, so this book was always going to find a way into my hands. As soon as I started to read it I loved it. The first few scenes are set in Wicker House - all I can say is my ideal home makeover! An old creepy house, infested with every small living creature, with a dodgy history - I want to live there! Wicker House would have been sold on sight to me. 


As the story progressed, events happen which bring a desperate Seth to Anna's door. His declaration of instant love, scared the hell out of me and I was concerned that she might have a stalker on her hands, but once she sorted out the problem, he turned into a really lovely guy. 


Anna was AMAZING! Her powers were AMAZING! She seriously was electrifying in her abilities and took on her new found abilities with ease. I really want a power like hers. 


I found the book to be really well paced, as each chapter swiftly moved you on in the story. I found I couldn't put it down for long, as I needed to know what was happening next. 


The ending was seriously explosive. If you had added fireworks they would have gone unnoticed, with such lightening powers occurring from the witches. Some serious magic going down!  Not sure I want to remain living by the sea though...


This is a book about a new girl in a new town with some seriously new talents. A magical start to a new series that leaves me waiting impatiently for the next book. At least it didn't end with a cliff hanger, all the loose threads were sewn up by the end of the book. 


A promising new start to a series I am already growing to love. 

9 comments:

  1. I'm reading this just now and loving it x

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  2. I am so jealous, you have read only good ones lately :). I have been a bit up and down.

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  3. I'm so glad that I own a copy of this book :D It was gifted to me from another Norwegian bookblogger <3 I've only read the first few pages but I liked what little I read. I have started Night School so I thought I'd finish that one first.

    Awesome review :D

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  4. I'm glad you really liked this. I trust your opinion and this is one of the books I wanted to do for the Debut Author Challenge. I should be reading it fairly soon. My next DAC book is Cabinet of Earths.

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  5. I cant wait to start this one! Sounds like you adored it!

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  6. Ooh! Did someone say witches and magic ... this one sounds amazing, fab review :D

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  7. I nearly bought this yesterday. I think I'll have to go back and make sure I don't leave without it this time. You are doing my bank balance no favours at the moment Viv.

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  8. It's a great thing to have been enjoying all the books you've been reading lately.
    This one sounds great.

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