Blog Tour: The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

One year after artist Tilda Forwells loses her husband, she is finally ready to move into the secluded Welsh cottage they were meant to be sharing together.

In the valley below her mountain home is a mystical lake which inspires a strange energy in her. She starts to experience potent dreams, visions, presentiments which all lead her to Seren, the witch and shaman who legend has it lived on this lakeshore in Celtic times.

As Tilda explores the lake’s powers and her own, her connection to Seren grows stronger. And when she comes under grave threat, she must rely on Seren and this ancient magic to save her.

I was very happy to be asked to take part in the blog tour for Paula Brackston’s new novel, The Silver Witch. I had not read any of Paula’s previous novels so I was not sure what to expect. I was very intrigued by the description of this book.

The cover of this book is so beautiful. Bravo to the cover designers.

Paula’s style of writing drew me into the story straight away. With it being the third book in the Shadow Chronicles, I was a little worried that I wouldn’t know what was going on but it can be very easily read as a standalone novel. The description of the setting and characters are so lovely and vivid and is so atmospheric. I could really feel myself being pulled into the novel. It is also set around Christmas so reading it under the light of my Christmas tree really helped with the atmosphere (when reading Tilda’s chapters anyway.)

Books that combine history and fantasy appeal to me and so I couldn’t stop reading this book. The story is told from the perspective of two women.

Seren is a shaman in a small Welsh settlement in Celtic times. She is not liked by everyone in the village and her position soon puts her in a dangerous situation. I liked Seren’s part of the story. I found it very interesting.

Tilda lives in the modern-day and has just moved to a remote cottage after the sudden death of her husband. She is very withdrawn. However, she feels a connection to the area. An archaeological dig nearby coincides with things happening to her. I have to say, when the story is spilt like this, I usually favour one character’s story over the other but this time, I enjoyed reading about Seren and Tilda’s story equality. I liked finding out how each of the women were connected.

Overall, this was a well plotted novel. I am looking forward to reading more of Paula’s novels and I am fast becoming a fan.

(Thanks to Corsair/Little Brown for the review copy of this novel. It was released on 3rd December 2015 and is available from most UK bookstores.) 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.