In the dark shadows of the night, nestled deep within the dense forest, lies the mysterious Moonlight Manor. Legend has it that this old, decrepit mansion is said to be inhabited by a wicked and powerful witch. The Moonlight Manor witch, as she's often referred to, is believed to possess dark magic and an insatiable thirst for power. The witch's origins remain shrouded in mystery. Some say she was once a beautiful enchantress who was wronged by those who feared her powers. Others claim she was born into a family of witches and sorcerers, inheriting her dark magic from generations past.
“Bianca Marais is a genius” — Ann Patchett, #1 New York Times bestselling author
She is the author of two novels, Hum If You Don t Know the Words and If You Want to Make God Laugh, as well as the Audible Original The Prynne Viper. As the deadline to save the manor approaches, fractures among the sisterhood are revealed, and long-held secrets are exposed, culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies.
Others claim she was born into a family of witches and sorcerers, inheriting her dark magic from generations past. Regardless of her past, her presence looms over Moonlight Manor, casting an eerie spell over all who dare to venture near. The witch is said to be immortal, having lived for centuries.
Caffeinated Reviewer
The idea of modern day witches and a magical heist gone wrong appealed to me. I dove into The Witches of Moonshyne Manor by Bianca Marais, with high expectations and I was not disappointed. Marais delivered an engaging tale with diverse characters and a suspenseful mystery. Check out my thoughts and read an excerpt for yourself.
Rating:A coven of modern-day witches. A magical heist-gone-wrong. A looming threat.
Five octogenarian witches gather as an angry mob threatens to demolish Moonshyne Manor. All eyes turn to the witch in charge, Queenie, who confesses they’ve fallen far behind on their mortgage payments. Still, there’s hope, since the imminent return of Ruby—one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years—will surely be their salvation.
But the mob is only the start of their troubles. One man is hellbent on avenging his family for the theft of a legacy he claims was rightfully his. In an act of desperation, Queenie makes a bargain with an evil far more powerful than anything they’ve ever faced. Then things take a turn for the worse when Ruby’s homecoming reveals a seemingly insurmountable obstacle instead of the solution to all their problems.
The witches are determined to save their home and themselves, but their aging powers are no match for increasingly malicious threats. Thankfully, they get a bit of help from Persephone, a feisty TikToker eager to smash the patriarchy. As the deadline to save the manor approaches, fractures among the sisterhood are revealed, and long-held secrets are exposed, culminating in a fiery confrontation with their enemies.
Funny, tender and uplifting, the novel explores the formidable power that can be discovered in aging, found family and unlikely friendships. Marais’ clever prose offers as much laughter as insight, delving deeply into feminism, identity and power dynamics while stirring up intrigue and drama through secrets, lies and sex. Heartbreaking and heart-mending, it will make you grateful for the amazing women in your life.
We meet five octogenarian witches living in Moonshyne Manor. A series of mishaps and issues have them behind on their mortgage payments. Only Queenie, their leader, hasn’t told the others. She has plans to fix it when Ruby, one of the sisterhood who’s been gone for thirty-three years, returns. But an angry town mob and a precocious twelve-year-old soon reveal to the others that there is a problem.
I plunged into this story and loved the manor and the quirky happens within. The witches run a distillery and sell to the locals. Queenie loves to experiment, Jezebel is a seductress, Ivy is magic with plants, Ursula is clairvoyant and Tabby connects with animals, particularly her crow named Widget. All use magic and found their way to the manor as children.
Their backstory was fascinating, as were their friendships and history. Imagine five sisters living under the same roof, all with very different personalities. It reminded me of Practical Magic and the TV series Golden Girls…lol
They are under pressure to pay their mortgage and have a hard deadline. To do that, they must confront the past and unravel a mystery. It was fun seeing all of their unique personalities work together. Queenie is a fixer who lugs around baggage in the form of guilt. She’ll do anything to right wrongs and save the manor.
Lots of magic from storms to tea leaves fed my love of all things witchy. Their game room was the stuff of Harry Potter. Clever, like quidditch, but I will leave you to discover the details for yourself.
The book embraces diversity with its rich flawed characters. Fans of magical houses, witches and mysteries will want to add this delightful tale to their fall reading list.
She is known to possess an array of supernatural abilities, including the power to manipulate minds, control the elements, and even shape-shift into a variety of creatures. Many stories have circulated about her ability to summon thunderstorms, cast curses on unsuspecting victims, and create potions with deadly consequences. While the tales surrounding the Moonlight Manor witch's powers are undoubtedly terrifying, it is her sinister nature and unquenchable thirst for power that truly sets her apart. She is said to have made countless deals with otherworldly beings in exchange for more power, sacrificing anything and anyone that stands in her way. Over the years, brave souls have attempted to uncover the secrets of Moonlight Manor and put an end to the witch's reign of terror. Some have vanished without a trace, while others have been driven to madness by the witch's dark magic. It is said that only those with the purest of hearts and unwavering courage have a chance of defeating her. Despite the many tales of horror and the ominous reputation surrounding the Moonlight Manor witch, there are those who believe there is more to her than meets the eye. Some whisper of a tragic past and a tortured soul beneath the witch's malevolent exterior. They speculate that perhaps she is not inherently evil, but a victim of circumstance driven to darkness by the cruelties of the world. Whether she is a wicked enchantress or a tormented soul, the Moonlight Manor witch continues to capture the imaginations and fears of all who hear her name. Her story serves as a reminder that darkness exists within us all, and that even the most powerful among us can be consumed by it. The legend of the Moonlight Manor witch will forever haunt the corridors of our minds, a chilling reminder of the power and allure of the unknown..
Reviews for "The Secrets of Moonlight Manor Witch: A Quest for Knowledge"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Moonlight Manor Witch". The story was predictable and lacked any originality. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their actions were often illogical. The writing style was also quite dull and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable and lackluster addition to the witch genre.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Moonlight Manor Witch" was a complete waste of time. The plot was clichéd and the pacing was incredibly slow. I struggled to connect with any of the characters as their development was minimal. The dialogue felt forced and lacked authenticity. The author's attempt at suspense was laughable, with no genuine surprises or twists. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating witch-themed story.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Moonlight Manor Witch" to be quite underwhelming. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The writing style felt amateurish, with repetitive descriptions and awkward sentence structures. The protagonist was difficult to root for, as their motivations and choices were often questionable. The climax of the story fell flat and left me unsatisfied. Overall, this book failed to deliver on its promises and left me disappointed.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Moonlight Manor Witch" lacked originality and failed to capture my interest. The story followed the typical tropes of the witch genre without adding anything new or innovative. The characters felt like caricatures, lacking depth and complexity. The writing was average at best, lacking the descriptive power to transport the reader into the magical world. I was left feeling unimpressed and would not recommend this book to fellow readers looking for a captivating witch-themed novel.