Nora Roberts is a well-known author in the romance and mystery genre. One of her popular book series is the "Dark Witch" trilogy. The first book in the series is simply titled "Dark Witch" and was published in 2013. The story revolves around the main character, Iona Sheehan, who is a young woman with the power of the dark witch. She has always felt a connection to Ireland, and after a series of events in her life, she decides to move to her ancestors' homeland. In the small village of County Mayo, she meets her distant cousins and discovers the truth about her family's magical heritage.
In the small village of County Mayo, she meets her distant cousins and discovers the truth about her family's magical heritage. Along her journey, Iona learns about her ancestors, the evil sorcerer Cabhan, and a prophecy that foretells the rise of a powerful witch who will ultimately defeat him. With the help of her cousins and friends, Iona starts to embrace her powers and prepares to face Cabhan.
Salem Witch Trials
A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, "Salem Witch Trials" is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Plus IconLaura Fries
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A perceptively produced and engaging historical drama, “Salem Witch Trials” is buoyed by its powerful performances. That is, if you can get past the first five minutes.
Director Joseph Sargent makes the confounding decision to begin the mini at the zenith of accusations of witchcraft as young girls, overcome with fear, face the accused who suddenly morph into screeching, green-faced demons.
In the ensuing four hours, however, it is obvious that scribe Maria Nation went to great pains to instill a sense of historical accuracy, weaving in subplots about community infighting, sexual politics and religious oppression in 1691 Salem, Mass. For the most part, her script offers many possible theories as to why a group of young girls would willingly play a part in 19 gruesome deaths without spoon-feeding viewers the answer. So why make with the “Scooby-Doo”-like antics?
As the mini flashes back to impetus of panic in the colony, the mini regains credibility. Night one introduces viewers to the dire circumstances of the time and place. There is no charter from England, so basically there is no written law. The oppressive Puritan religion is used to shame and scare its parishioners into good behavior. Indians, starvation and exposure are also a daily threat.
Even under such harsh conditions, a pall is cast on the community one particular winter. Ann Putnam (Kirstie Alley) gives birth to a third stillborn child. A neighbor’s barn is destroyed by fire and Ann’s husband Thomas (Jay O. Sanders) has lost a good deal of his wealth and standing in the community to some forward thinking businessmen.
With his job and reputation on the line, Rev. Parris (Henry Czerny) seizes on the notion that dark forces are abound in Salem and gets the rapt attention of his congregation. As his sermons become more stern and condemning, all of this fear, shame and stress is absorbed by the children of the town, in particular Annie Putnam (Katie Boland).
Annie, deeply disturbed by the death of her baby brother, senses the tension between her parents and the town. Her father shows more affection to the dog than to his own children, and the more Annie acts out, the more attention is granted to her.
Before long, a whole group of girls, frightened and confused by the mixed messages they receive from the adults, start behaving oddly. The accusations of witchcraft start flying, and with them come a sense of power for the girls.
In night two, panic grabs hold of the town. At first, the girls accuse the women with the lowest social standing in town, including Tituba (Gloria Reuben), beloved servant to the Parris children. Then it becomes anyone who speaks out against the trials. Rev. Parris gains new power with one of the leading roles in the witch trials, even if it further alienates him from his sickly wife, Elizabeth (Rebecca De Mornay).
New Massachusetts Gov. Sir William Phips (Alan Bates) sends his Deputy Governor William Stoughton (Peter Ustinov), a rigid Puritan, to preside over the hearings, but instead of bringing the town back to its senses, he calls for more hangings.
Soon the town is purged of Thomas Putnam’s enemies, as well as formerly respected community elders such as Rebecca Nurse (Shirley MacLaine). It isn’t until Ann, racked with guilt over these deaths, draws Phips back to Salem that order is restored.
Nation should be credited with creating a provocative account of such a shameful and confounding event in history — visual witchcapades notwithstanding. And for the most part, Sargent actualizes her story by creating a plausible climate and inducing believable performances from his actors.
Alley gets top billing as she’s given the biggest and most dramatic role; if this indeed marks a comeback, it’s a worthy start. MacLaine gives a surprisingly restrained effort for most of the movie but really shines when she becomes one of the accused. De Mornay also offers a strong turn as a voice of reason as does Bates as the showy William Phips.
While historically interesting and thought-provoking, the ugly hallucinations and difficult subject matter restrict the mini’s use as any sort of educational entertainment. Technically, the production is very well done. Nancey Pankiw’s sets reflect the cold and foreboding realities of the times while costumes offer viewers a glimpse of Puritan life beyond the big white collars and sacklike black dresses.
Throughout the series, Roberts weaves together elements of magic, romance, and Irish folklore. The reader is transported to a world where ancient rituals, spells, and enchantments are intertwined with everyday life. The vivid descriptions of the Irish landscape make the setting come alive, adding to the overall immersive experience. As Iona's power grows, so does her relationship with her cousins and other characters in the story. Love interests and romantic subplots add depth to the narrative, making it not only a tale of good versus evil but also a story of personal growth and self-discovery. The "Dark Witch" trilogy is a captivating read for those who enjoy a mix of romance and fantasy. Nora Roberts' engaging storytelling and well-developed characters make this series a page-turner. Whether you are a fan of the author's previous works or new to her writing, "Dark Witch" will transport you to a world filled with magic, love, and the pursuit of a destiny waiting to be fulfilled..
Reviews for "Npra Roberts' Dark Witch: A study in the balance between light and darkness"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Npra Roberts Dark Witch" but was ultimately disappointed. The story felt predictable and cliched, with characters who lacked depth and development. The romance felt forced and the dialogue was often cheesy. Overall, it fell short of the engaging and captivating storytelling I had come to expect from Npra Roberts.
2. David - 1 star - I cannot understand the hype around "Npra Roberts Dark Witch". The prose was dull, the pacing was slow, and the plot was unoriginal. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or complexity. I found myself skimming through pages in hopes of finding some redeeming qualities, but unfortunately, I was left with a sense of disappointment.
3. Sophie - 2 stars - "Npra Roberts Dark Witch" was a disappointment for me. The writing style felt amateurish, with awkward phrasing and repetitive descriptions. The plot had potential but failed to deliver on its promises. The romantic elements felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, it left me feeling unengaged and uninterested in continuing with the series.