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Book Summary and Reviews of The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

The Silver Witch

by Paula Brackston

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  • Apr 2015, 320 pages
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About this book

Book Summary

A year after her husband's sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat's death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she's near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

In her own time, Tilda's grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake's ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each other's, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren's prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster is not to shatter her life once more. 

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Reviews

Media Reviews

"Vivid Welsh historical details, haunting surroundings, and Gothic magical elements both enchant and perplex the reader as Tilda and Dylan strive to unravel the mysteries of the past before the present danger overwhelms them. Readers who savor richly detailed paranormal fiction or have enjoyed Brackston's previous novels will want to give this one a try." - Library Journal

"A stunning setting and bewitching premise make this book appealing, but Brackston's execution falls short of its mark." - Kirkus

This information about The Silver Witch was first featured in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.

Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.

Reader Reviews

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Martha D. (Hillsboro, OR)

Love this series.
This is not my usual cup of tea kind of book series. But since the first installment I have loved it. The characters are so well drawn out. I love where the story takes me. I'm drawn in from the first page and can't wait till the end (and then I'm sorry it's over). She has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Cynthia C. (Peekskill, NY)

great read- historical & supernatural
Wonderful story combining past & present. Anyone who enjoys supernatural stories and historical fiction will enjoy this story of Tilda & Seren. I raced through this book and loved how the author alternated chapters, from present (Tilda) to the past (Seren), The entwined stories kept my interest from start to finish.

This is the first book I'd read by this author and I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by her. Highly recommended.

Gina B. (Lynnwood, WA)

Wonderfully captivating supernatural thriller!
I loved this story right from the beginning. Fans of history and the supernatural will enjoy the parallel tales of Tilda Fordwells and Seren Arianaidd, a witch and shaman. They are both strong, independent women of extraordinary talent. It reminded me of The Mists of Avalon and the lady of the lake. The location is a small, lakeside village in Wales set in both the early 10th century and present day. Love, romance, jealousy, power, mystical visions, war, suspense and death all move quickly throughout the story, drawing you in and holding your attention until the end. It left me breathless and wanting more.

Robin F. (Tucson, AZ)

The Silver Witch
This is the first time I've read this author, but not the last. I am recommending this book to several friends who are also readers. What a joy it is to start a book and get so caught up in the plot that you don't want to put it down. That is exactly what happened with this book. The plot was well executed and the author painted an excellent picture of her characters. It was easy to imagine the lake and village where the story takes place. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Cheryl P. (Lebanon, PA)

The Silver Witch
Cancel all appointments and get a pot of coffee brewing. This is a book that demands every minute of your time until the last page is turned. This is the first novel I've read of Paula Brackston's, but it will certainly not be my last. She paralled the lives of the two main characters in such a way that you were drawn to each one with the same emotion. Usually, I can only be really drawn into one character, but not in this novel. I found this novel to be in no way predictable. Everytime I thought I had it figured out, my theory was blown out of the water. I loved how the author wrote the novel so that you could visualize the lake in present day and immediately see it again with the village in Celtic times.

Kay W. (West Hills, CA)

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston
I have never read any of Paula Brackston's books before but now I will search out her other books.
I enjoyed this book very much, had a hard time putting it down and read it into the wee hours of the night. Her descriptions make it easy for the reader's mind to visualize what she is describing.
Tilda is a complicated character, so many fears and phobias. I liked that the story, showing their connection, went between the two women; Seren in the distant past and Tilda in today's world.
Paula Brackston brings the reader along for a wondrous journey. We forget that we didn't just sprout up in this world that there were people who came before and deposited their lives in us.

...20 more reader reviews

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Author Information

Paula Brackston Author Biography

Paula Brackston lives in a wild, mountainous part of Wales. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, as a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

When not hunched over her keyboard in her tiny office under the stairs, Paula is dragged outside by her children to play Swedish tennis on the vertiginous slopes which surround them. She also enjoys being walked by the dog, hacking through weeds ...

... Full Biography
Link to Paula Brackston's Website

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