The dark witch is a controversial and mysterious figure in folklore and mythology. She is often depicted as a powerful and malevolent sorceress, capable of using dark magic to harm others and achieve her own selfish goals. The dark witch is commonly associated with wickedness, deception, and manipulation. In many cultures, the dark witch is portrayed as a seductive and attractive woman who lures unsuspecting victims into her web of darkness. She may use potions, spells, or curses to control and manipulate those around her. The dark witch is frequently depicted as a master of black magic, able to bend reality to her will and inflict suffering on those who stand in her way.
Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan's directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he's three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.
From her distant cousin Branna O Dwyer, Iona learns she has inherited the magick of the legendary Dark Witch Sorcha, who sacrificed herself to destroy the evil wizard Cabhan. From her distant cousin Branna O Dwyer, Iona learns she has inherited the magick of the legendary Dark Witch Sorcha, who sacrificed herself to destroy the evil wizard Cabhan.
The dark witch is frequently depicted as a master of black magic, able to bend reality to her will and inflict suffering on those who stand in her way. Legends and tales about the dark witch often warn of the dangers of succumbing to her powers. She is said to prey on the weak and vulnerable, feeding off their fears and desires to further her own agenda.
Caffeinated Reviewer
With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits. Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…
I am a huge fan of Nora Roberts and love her tales involving a little paranormal woo-woo. Dark Witch is the first book in her new Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy, and I was eager to read it. I preordered this puppy and devoured it in a single day. Set in Ireland, with witches, curses, and evil this paranormal romance offers the perfect read for a cold fall night by the fire. Mini review: Magical, suspenseful with interesting characters and lore that draw you in and make you scream, “More!”
The book begins in the middle ages where we meet the Dark Witch and her three children. We also face the evil sorcerer who pursues her. Spells are cast, fate is set and then we are brought to present day Ireland to the day Iona Sheehan arrives in County Mayo. A blonde haired American and horse lover she has sold all of her possessions to move to the place of her ancestors. As a young child, her Nan shared the family history and spoke of the lush country side. The tale that unfolds draws together those from the legend. Iona begins to feel happy and at home for the first time, but evil draws near, and battle will soon begin.
From the beginning, I liked Iona, and as we got to know her I began to adore this feisty, warm-hearted, smart and fierce woman. A horse lover and one who just says what she thinks, I loved her snark, honesty and got caught up in her enthusiasm for life. She meets her cousins Branna and Conner, and they are all descendants of the Dark Witch. Each possesses power and Iona begins to harness hers. I liked them both. Branna is sort of the leader/mother figure and is hard and demanding of herself. She is probably the most complex character, and I look forward to seeing her revealed. Conner is sweet, even tempered and loyal to his friends and family. He was cute, and I am anxious to see what he is made of. Iona meets Boyle McGarth, who manages a stable. He is tall, broad, true and strong. Words don’t come easy to him, and I enjoyed watching them interact. Every time she looks at him she gets butterflies in her stomach. Boyle’s world is turned upside down by this pixie of a woman, and I loved the banter that develops. While the romance was nice it wasn’t my favorite. Thankfully it is served as a side dish to the overall arc. We also meet Fin; he owns the stables Boyle manages and may I just say oh-la-la. He is a key player in the overall arc, and you will have to discover why for yourself. We also meet Branna’s best friend and fellow stable worker Meara. These folks quickly become an intricate part of Iona’s life and will all play a role in battling the evil. Roberts did a lovely job of introduces them all, and I find myself connected and eager to learn more about them.
In Dark Witch, Nora Roberts weaves legends and magic against the beautiful landscape of Ireland with a story that grabbed me from the onset. Each book will share a romance with one of the cousins and bring us closer to destroying evil. I loved all the supernatural elements, and the spells. Each witch is tied to an animal, and I loved this element. This is a romantic mystery, and has powerful friendships which drawn on each other, and enhanced the tale. Fans of the Sign of Seven Trilogy and Gallaghers of Ardmore will immediately feel at home. While this is a stronger tale then Signs of Seven, it still has a predictable feeling, and was my only complaint. The romance had a little insta-love feel, but Robert’s slowed things down and made it believable. She has a gift for taking magic, legends, and supernatural elements and making them feel very real and powerful.
Fans of paranormal romance, witches, mysteries and Irish settings will enjoy Dark Witch. This was an exciting start to the trilogy. Shadow Spell the second book is due out in May of 2014 and will feature Conner. Blood Magick,the third book,will be Branna’s story and is due out in the fall.
Three and half cups of Irish coffee out of five
Compact Disc - 978-1-4805-1115-6
The dark witch is often portrayed as a symbol of temptation and corruption, reminding us of the importance of resisting evil and staying true to our moral compass. However, it is important to note that the depiction of the dark witch is not always one-dimensional. In some stories, the dark witch is shown as a complex character with her own vulnerabilities and motivations. She may have been wronged in the past, leading her to seek revenge or justice through her dark powers. This more nuanced portrayal challenges the simplistic notion of good versus evil and encourages us to question our assumptions and biases. The concept of the dark witch has also been explored in various forms of literature, film, and television. From the wicked queen in "Snow White" to the iconic character of Maleficent in "Sleeping Beauty," the dark witch has captured the imaginations of audiences worldwide. These portrayals often draw upon the themes of power, identity, and the struggle between light and darkness. Overall, the dark witch is a captivating and intriguing figure in folklore and popular culture. Whether portrayed as a purely evil force or a complex character with her own motivations, the dark witch serves as a reminder of the potential for darkness within ourselves and the importance of choosing the path of light..
Reviews for "Hexes and Blessings: The Ethics of Dark Magick"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Dark Witch". The characters were flat and the plot felt overly predictable. It seemed like the author was trying too hard to create this mystical world, but it just fell flat for me. I didn't connect with any of the characters and found myself skimming through the pages just to get it over with. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.
2. John - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. The writing was mediocre at best, and the story was incredibly slow and uneventful. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters or what happened to them. The whole magical element felt forced and unoriginal. I wouldn't recommend "The Dark Witch" to anyone looking for a captivating read.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Dark Witch" based on the premise, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was choppy and the dialogue felt stilted. The romance between the main characters felt forced and lacked any real chemistry. The plot was also quite predictable and I didn't feel invested in the outcome. Overall, I found "The Dark Witch" to be a lackluster read that failed to hold my interest.
4. Mark - 1 star - "The Dark Witch" was one of the most disappointing books I've read in a long time. The story was slow-paced and filled with unnecessary details that added nothing to the plot. The characters were poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their journey. The author's attempt at creating a magical world felt contrived and unoriginal. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Jessica - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Dark Witch" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions felt forced and inconsistent. The writing style was also lackluster and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, "The Dark Witch" was a forgettable read that didn't offer anything new or compelling.