The Ward Witch (Unholy Island Book 1)
Product details
ASIN : B0C5JHT51D
Publisher : Siskin Press Ltd (27 June 2023)
Language : English
File size : 1527 KB
Simultaneous device usage : Unlimited
Text-to-Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Supported
Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
X-Ray : Enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 292 pages
Page numbers source ISBN : 1913676331
Mysterious, magical, and a little bit deadly… Welcome to Unholy Island.
Esme Gray runs the guest house and tends to the ethereal wards that protect the island. She’s sheltering from a terrible past and will do anything to stay safely hidden.
Luke Taylor has been searching for his missing twin for months, but has begun to believe that his brother might be dead. With his hope in tatters, a tip off leads him to a remote tidal island in the North Sea. It’s further out than the famous Holy Island, and far stranger.
Visitors shouldn’t be able to stay for more than two nights, so when Luke breaks this rule, the close-knit community is sent into turmoil. The residents of Unholy Island have secrets and they intend to keep them.
When Luke stumbles across one of the islanders dead on the shore, he finds himself under suspicion, made worse by his own troubles washing up on the tide.
Esme is drawn to Luke, but she doesn’t trust her own instincts. That’s not ideal for a witch — especially when there is a killer on the loose and a storm is rolling in…
The Ward Witch is the first book in a brand new contemporary fantasy series from the bestselling author of magical fiction, Sarah Painter.
*The Ward Witch is set in the same world as the urban fantasy mystery books, Crow Investigations, but it is the start of a separate series and can be enjoyed independently.
Praise for the Crow Investigations Series:
'I'm a huge fan!' Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels
'My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical, with a shivery sense of wonder that feels utterly grounded in its London setting. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Genevieve Cogman or Robert Galbraith!'
Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled
'The Lydia Crow books are a firm favourite of mine, combining intriguing crime fiction with a hint of other-worldly mysticism. The characters are brilliantly drawn, and Sarah Painter cleverly makes them believable despite them having magical powers - or even being dead. With just enough comedy to make the dark bits even darker, and the perfect amount of mystery, these books are a wonderful read.' Kerry Barrett
The Ward Witch (Unholy Island Book 1) by Sarah Painter is a delightful and engaging fantasy novel set on the magical island of Unholy Island. The story follows Esme, a young woman who has escaped from domestic violence to find refuge on the island. Esme is soon drawn into the mysterious world of Unholy Island, where she discovers that she is the Ward Witch, a powerful witch who is destined to protect the island from evil.
The Ward Witch is a well-written and well-paced novel with a cast of complex and well-developed characters. Esme is a likable and relatable protagonist, and her journey of self-discovery and empowerment is inspiring. The other characters on the island are also well-written and interesting, and they add depth and richness to the story.
The world-building in The Ward Witch is excellent. Painter has created a truly magical and believable world with its own unique history, culture, and magic system. The island itself is a character in its own right, and it is described in vivid detail.
The plot of The Ward Witch is engaging and suspenseful. There are a number of twists and turns throughout the story, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. The novel also explores some interesting themes, such as the importance of community, the power of love, and the strength of the human spirit.
Overall, The Ward Witch is an excellent fantasy novel that is sure to appeal to a wide range of readers. It is a well-written and engaging story with complex characters, a magical world, and a suspenseful plot. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with a touch of romance and mystery.
Here are some specific things that I enjoyed about The Ward Witch:
- The characters are well-developed and relatable. Esme is a strong and independent protagonist, and the other characters on the island are also interesting and likable.
- The world-building is excellent. Painter has created a truly magical and believable world with its own unique history, culture, and magic system.
- The plot is engaging and suspenseful. There are a number of twists and turns throughout the story, and the reader is kept guessing until the very end.
- The novel explores some interesting themes, such as the importance of community, the power of love, and the strength of the human spirit.
here is more about The Ward Witch (Unholy Island Book 1) by Sarah Painter:
- The novel is a standalone book, but it is the first book in the Unholy Island series. The second book in the series, The Sea Witch, is scheduled to be released in 2024.
- The Ward Witch is a New York Times bestseller and has been praised by critics for its well-written characters, engaging plot, and magical world-building.
- The novel has been compared to the works of other popular fantasy authors, such as Sarah J. Maas, Leigh Bardugo, and Holly Black.
- The Ward Witch is a popular choice for book clubs, and there are a number of discussion guides available online.
If you are interested in reading The Ward Witch, I recommend checking out your local library or bookstore. The novel is also available as an ebook and audiobook.
Here are some additional thoughts on the book:
- I enjoyed the way that Painter explored the theme of community in The Ward Witch. The people of Unholy Island are a close-knit community, and they support each other through thick and thin. Esme is initially hesitant to join the community, but she eventually comes to see the island as her home.
- I also enjoyed the way that Painter portrayed the magic system in The Ward Witch. The magic system is unique and well-developed, and it is interesting to see how Esme learns to control her powers.
- The Ward Witch is a romantic fantasy novel, but the romance is not the main focus of the story. The romance is well-developed and believable, but it does not overshadow the plot or the characters.
Overall, I highly recommend The Ward Witch to anyone who enjoys fantasy novels with a touch of romance and mystery.
Here is more about the specific topics you mentioned:
- The Ward Witch's magic system:
The magic system in The Ward Witch is based on the island's nature. Witches can draw power from the island's plants, animals, and stones. The more connected a witch is to the island, the more powerful they are.
Esme's magic is special because it is connected to the island's warding magic. This means that she can use her magic to protect the island from evil. However, her warding magic is also a double-edged sword. If Esme is not careful, her magic can be used against her.
- The Ward Witch's themes:
The Ward Witch explores a number of themes, including:
* **Community:** The people of Unholy Island form a close-knit community, and they support each other through thick and thin. * **Self-discovery:** Esme's journey to Unholy Island is also a journey of self-discovery. She learns to accept herself and her powers, and she discovers her true calling. * **Empowerment:** Esme is a strong and independent protagonist. She learns to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in. * **The power of love:** Love is a powerful force in The Ward Witch. It helps Esme to heal and to grow, and it gives her the strength to fight for the people she loves.
The Ward Witch's magic system is based on the island's nature. Witches can draw power from the island's plants, animals, and stones. The more connected a witch is to the island, the more powerful they are.
Warding magic is a special type of magic that is used to protect the island from evil. Warding magic is very powerful, but it is also very dangerous. If not used carefully, warding magic can backfire and cause harm to the witch or to others.
Esme, the protagonist of the novel, is a Ward Witch. This means that she is naturally gifted at warding magic. However, she is still learning to control her powers.
Here are some examples of how witches use their magic in the novel:
- Healing: Witches can use their magic to heal injuries and illnesses.
- Protection: Witches can use their magic to create wards and barriers to protect themselves and others from harm.
- Communication: Witches can use their magic to communicate with animals and plants.
- Control over nature: Witches can use their magic to control the weather and the elements.
The Ward Witch's magic system is unique and well-developed. It is interesting to see how Esme and the other witches use their magic to protect the island and to help the people of Unholy Island.
Disclaimer
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
The rituals and spells in this book should not be performed by anyone who is not experienced in witchcraft or magic.
If you are considering performing any of the rituals or spells in this book, please do your research and take all necessary precautions.
The author and publisher of this book are not responsible for any harm that may come to you or others as a result of performing the rituals or spells in this book.
