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A Witch Alone (Winter Trilogy #3)

by Ruth Warburton (Goodreads Author)

4.27 of 5 stars 4.27 · rating details · 131 ratings · 30 reviews

Where do you go when your heart has been ripped out?

For Anna there is only one answer; into her past, where the truth about her mother, her power, and her real identity lie hidden.

But as Anna delves deeper into her history, she begins to fear that the truth about what set her mother running may be darker than she ever suspected. With the witches of the world on the brink o...more

Paperback, 432 pages

Published February 7th 2013 by Hodder Children's Books (first published February 1st 2013)

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Feb 20, 2013 Pianolover rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: awesome, book-ill-never-forget, contemporary, dese-girls-have-guts, favorite-authors, favorites, favourite-guy, guys-that-rock-the-world, guys-that-should-be-real, i-wish-i-was-a-part-of-it, ill-keep-on-thinking-bout, im-in-love, im-glued-to-it, mesmerized-me, oh-my-gosh, swooning-over-it, witch

SO when i finished the book i was something like:
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by the middle of the book i was going crazy!

i want to tell Seth
description

i need my own freaking Seth! (the one i had actually ditched me so....)

this Series was one of my starting series and well i was head over heels for it...so when i figured out that this book was out i had to get it! i was mad after it so i finally got it...i found it... and then all hell broke loose! i didn't sleep last night wondering whats gonna happen next!!!
i was something like this...more

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Feb 21, 2013 Georgina Martin (Bookz and Bitz) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: owned-paperback, reviewed

***this is the third book in the series, there will be spoilers for books 1 and 2, read at your peril***

A Witch Alone (AWA) picks up a few months after Seth has left Anna, she’s in a bit of a mess emotionally but thinks she’s hiding it well, and is taking lessons in all things magic from Abe (who’s still obviously dotty over her, yet she still hasn’t realized) and her Grandmother. There is no slow intro into the book, it sets off at a rocking pace, and doesn’t stop. Things start falling apart (l...more ***this is the third book in the series, there will be spoilers for books 1 and 2, read at your peril***

A Witch Alone (AWA) picks up a few months after Seth has left Anna, she’s in a bit of a mess emotionally but thinks she’s hiding it well, and is taking lessons in all things magic from Abe (who’s still obviously dotty over her, yet she still hasn’t realized) and her Grandmother. There is no slow intro into the book, it sets off at a rocking pace, and doesn’t stop. Things start falling apart (literarily) at the Ealdwitan and Anna believes that finding the truth (and lies) about Anna’s mother, that protection spell and the link between Anna and Seth is the only way to fix things, so off to Russia she goes, why? I can’t tell you....it’ll spoil it.

I should not like Ruth Warburton. There are numerous reasons why I shouldn’t like her. Strangely she looks uncannily like my ex-sister in law (good for Ms Warburton as her doppleganger is very attractive, bad for me as I really dislike said ex-sister in law now), additionally she writes about witches, and destiny and all sorts of other possibly-sappy stuff. But I don’t dislike her, despite what logic says I should do. I feel like we should be friends, and that I could go all stalker like (I won’t!), and yes this is a little crazy, but it has been a long time since I’ve found a writer that not only pulls you into their world, but actually transplants that world into yours. There are good writers with good stories, there are ok writers with great stories (and vice versa) and there are many, many poor or average writers. Ruth (and yes, I think I have earn’t the suck up rights to be allowed to call her by her first name now) is the rare, rare thing - a great writer with a great story to tell. I’m not talking about Tolkin-esque epics with 100 page battle scenes, but I’m talking about a bloody good, engaging story that makes you care about it.

The whole series has been a success for me, but AWA is by far the best book in the trilogy. Another rarity in the written world, a series with a concluding book thats better than the first. AWA makes no apologies for being a third book, and doesn’t give any allowances to those that might not of read the first two, it goes straight into the story, and doesn’t stop. Whereas the last two books have had lulls in them, where Anna can collect her thoughts, stop for breath, there is no chance of that here, we bounce from battle to battle (be they emotional to physical), disaster to disaster, and then are left with a jaw dropping possibility of an ending, it doesn’t go where I thought it was going to go, the twists are totally unexpected (and we know how much I hate the expected twist) and handled beautifully. The ending is satisfying (despite not being how I thought it was going to end), yet leaves it open to new ideas, stories and futures, Ruth doesn’t tell the reader that its all going to be ok, nor does she say its all going to be disastrous, it just is. Its life - and thats brilliant really.

I held off on this review to find something negative to say. But I can’t think of anything. I devoured this book. I only took 3 days to read it due to flu, otherwise I’d of finished in a day.

Wait! I have thought of a bad point. What the hell am I supposed to read now? What could possibly match up?

Damn. (less)

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Feb 04, 2013 Caragh rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review can also be found at: http://loadedshelves.blogspot.co.uk/2...

The third and final installment of Ruth Warburton's Winter Trilogy is finally making its way into the wild - hurrah! As I explained in my review of A Witch in Winter, I literally started reading this series because the covers are so beautiful and the final book is no exception - even prettier than the rest. But thankfully there is a lot more to this series than just a pretty cover. A Witch Alone has Anna facing all of her...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Kate rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the third and final book in The Winter Trilogy and I had been eagerly awaiting its release because I really enjoyed the first two books A Witch in Winter and A Witch in Love. I feel that there is always a lot of pressure on final books to get it just right, particularly when the first two have been so good, well I think this one certainly managed that pressure because it was fantastic – explosive and the non-stop action kept me hooked throughout!

It began with an exciting and fierce magic...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: dark, fantasy, romance, young-adult

*SPOILERS*

The last book in the series of A Witch in Winter - and what a heartwrenching and uplifting finale!
I loved it, it made me laugh and cry and really tugged at my heart strings! Seth and Anna have been separated throughout the course of this book, and we see Anna struggling with his absence (although unlike the exaggerated drama in Twilight) and we see her developing into her powers as a witch.

Along the way, she is desperate to find out where her mother is - and if she's even still alive....more

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Mar 09, 2013 Sarah Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013

I think I felt every emotion possible within the final few chapters that concluded this trilogy. At points the unfolding plot seemed a bit too gruesome, violent and disturbing, but it spurred on feelings that really made you appreciate the characters and the violence of their magic and affections. There are no words really to describe this story, Ruth Warburton has a great talent and clearly sticks true to her heart and her characters and these works are highly under-rated. I finished the final...more

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Mar 21, 2013 CrazyBrit99 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance, sad, witches, mystery

Not as good as the first two books. I didn't exactly agree with the end but I suppose it was always going to end up that way. I felt that so much happened, there were some parts that the author could have elaborated on but altogether a great ending to the series. You become even more emotionally attached to some of the characters but I wish I could have found out what happened to Maya's family in the end as well. Detail is beautiful even when it gets really gory towards the end. I don't handle t...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Karolien rated it 5 of 5 stars

So I've got this book in my mailbox yesterday..
At first I didn't want to read it because.. well it's an end to a very good trilogy of witches..
But i read the first page, and the second. Kinda lost the track of time and soon the book was read..

I had loved to see a different ending.. I don't say it was bad, i just think it could have been so much better if she kept her magic and started something with Abe.. But awesome witchpower ^^.
It was so sad when Cardoc was killed T-T.

But very good book all t...more

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Feb 16, 2013 Beth Kemp rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-fantasy-sci-fi, review-books, recent-favourites

Satisfying conclusion to a brilliant paranormal YA trilogy

I was looking forward to this, having loved the first two books in the series, and I was not disappointed. This twisty, clever book surprised and delighted me.

If you haven't read the first two, I'd suggest you stop right here, go to A Witch in Winter (book 1) or A Witch in Love (book 2). I can't guarantee this review will be spoiler-free for the earlier novels.

Again there is a gap between the novels and we join Anna a few weeks after the...more Satisfying conclusion to a brilliant paranormal YA trilogy

I was looking forward to this, having loved the first two books in the series, and I was not disappointed. This twisty, clever book surprised and delighted me.

If you haven't read the first two, I'd suggest you stop right here, go to A Witch in Winter (book 1) or A Witch in Love (book 2). I can't guarantee this review will be spoiler-free for the earlier novels.

Again there is a gap between the novels and we join Anna a few weeks after the events of A Witch in Love, allowing her to have settled into a different routine since last we saw her. She remains the strongly principled character I've come to love, and the wicked Ruth Warburton continues to pull her in many directions, testing those principles at every turn. Torn between loyalties to her father, her long-dead mother, her powerful grandmother who represents the forces that tried to kill her in the first book, her witch friends and her love for Seth, Anna is constantly having to weigh up the likely effects of her actions on others.

The supporting cast also remains true to the form we've come to expect. Seth is away, trying to separate himself from Anna and her inability to have faith in his love for her. Abe is difficult but appealing in a bad-boy, rough-around-the-edges kind of way, while Emmaline is her practical, down-to-earth self. Anna's pulled loyalties and quandaries about trust are perfectly replicated in the reading experience and I was unsure whether Anna had put her faith in the right people at several different points (sometimes I was right, and sometimes wrong). This effect is enhanced by the fact that we get everything from Anna's point of view via the first person narration, so others' motives are never clearer to us than to her.

One of the great pleasures of this trilogy has been its ability to surprise me and this last instalment is no different. There were several key twists that I did not see coming, and I really enjoyed that the story got much 'bigger' from the middle of the first book onwards. What started out (or at seemed to) as a paranormal romance with witches, ended up as an epic quest narrative with action happening around the world and a genuine threat to the whole human race.

Overall, I would strongly recommend this novel (and the whole trilogy) to readers of YA, especially those looking for something 'more' in their urban fantasy or paranormal romance. This is a perfect example of a satisfying romance novel, with an admirable heroine and a strong plot beside the romance threads.(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 Carina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, from-publisher, own-copy

My Rating : 4.5 / 5

First thoughts:
As the conclusion of a wonderful series, A Witch Alone has many moments that broke my heart. At the same time there happened many other things that could make me smile again, even though I was constantly hoping for a happy ending, which I could never expect at any moment during the story. If you were hoping for an exciting last installment, don't hesitate to finish reading this amazing series.

More detailed:

... the plot:
I was already dying to get my hands on a c...more

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Jan 28, 2013 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: uk-author, review-books

Ever read a series where you read the first two books in the series and by book three everything goes a bit wrong and you wish you hadnt read it? Yes me too. So frustrating and time consuming as a reader I can tell you that for nothing and I'm finding it is happening all the time of late!

Therefore I am POSITIVELY ECSTATIC tell you all this THIS SERIES IS FAB FROM START TO FINISH. Yes it did need to be shouted about!

So why would I recommend this series? Aside from the fact it is awesome generall...more Ever read a series where you read the first two books in the series and by book three everything goes a bit wrong and you wish you hadnt read it? Yes me too. So frustrating and time consuming as a reader I can tell you that for nothing and I'm finding it is happening all the time of late!

Therefore I am POSITIVELY ECSTATIC tell you all this THIS SERIES IS FAB FROM START TO FINISH. Yes it did need to be shouted about!

So why would I recommend this series? Aside from the fact it is awesome generally I absolutely love its Britishness yay for UKYA! I love that it is a paranormal romance that doesn't leave me wanting to vomit due to the pure soppy ridiculousness of the main character who loses it entirely to be with a creature that ultimately wants to eat her alive. With this series I love that although it is paranormal it reads like a contemporary romance novel and the paranormal side doesn't take over. At the end of the day for me Anna and Seth's story would have worked without it and the paranormal side of the story just adds to it. I love Anna. Love how normal she is but also with that real inner strength and need inside herself to do her best by her family and friends without being perfect. Quite honestly this is a girl you could actually be friends with. Going back to the paranormal side of things I really enjoyed how this series is different. I loved how witchcraft was used in the story as the paranormal element as it is so much more interesting that another werewolf/vampire/angel/fairy.

so coming to this particular instalment. I liked it for several reasons. Firstly the action throughout the book is relentless. As a reader I didn't have a moment to get bored. I loved the developing relationship between Abe and Anna and I also loved how the Anna and Seth story played out. Quite honestly they are probably one of my favourite YA couples at the moment. I loved how the story built on the previous two books and not in a way that made you feel like everything had been held back for this book. I particularly enjoyed all those backstory gaps being filled in and finding out more about Anna and the world she has come from. Oh and without saying too much I loved the twists and revelations.

A fantastic read, a brilliant series and one I will continually recommend time and time again.

(less)

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Feb 12, 2013 feli rated it 4 of 5 stars

At first I was like "Ergh, witches" and "Typical storyline.. " But no. I was wrong.
I don't usually like reading about witches since most of them would be all "learning witchcraft". But unlike those 'witch' books, the Winter trilogy is different. It may have this tittle... and the cover may not be that good (sorry, but for most people it's beautiful though) but I just can't lie and say that I didn't love this, because I love this book so much ♥

I think more than once before I decided to start the...more

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Jan 25, 2013 Luna rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Witch Alone starts a few months after the last book ended. Anna is heartbroken over her split with Seth and is trying to juggle magic lessons, visits to her grandmother and school.

Unlike the previous two titles A Witch Alone follows a slightly more familiar paranormal romance trend. I dislike love-triangles but I will say that in Ruth Warburton’s case it didn’t grate me nearly as much. Abe had been around since book one and because of the way he fit into the story it made sense that Anna would...more

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Mar 17, 2013 SJH (A Dream of Books) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, own, paranormal, young-adult, witches

'A Witch Alone' is the third and concluding part of Ruth Warburton's trilogy about Anna Winterson, a teenage witch. I have read a lot of young-adult series and I have to say, hand on heart, that this is one of my favourite. I have adored each instalment and will definitely be picking them off my shelves to read again and again.

After the ending of 'A Witch in Love', Anna wants to find out what really happened to her mother. She is also desperately trying to work out her own place and where she b...more 'A Witch Alone' is the third and concluding part of Ruth Warburton's trilogy about Anna Winterson, a teenage witch. I have read a lot of young-adult series and I have to say, hand on heart, that this is one of my favourite. I have adored each instalment and will definitely be picking them off my shelves to read again and again.

After the ending of 'A Witch in Love', Anna wants to find out what really happened to her mother. She is also desperately trying to work out her own place and where she belongs. She thought she belonged with Seth but now she's struggling to make sense of her life without him. I adore Anna and Seth as a couple but they have always had hanging over them the love spell that Anna originally cast over him. This book finally puts that to rest in the most spectacular way. If you're a fan of these two characters then you will not be disappointed. I must admit that I wasn't too happy about the direction that things seemed to be taking in the previous book, with the introduction of Abe as a potential love rival. I needn't have worried about this though because Ruth Warburton deals with it perfectly and this is most definitely not your typical ya love triangle.

If I had to be picky about anything, it would probably be that I wished there was more Seth in the book. Although he does feature quite prominently in the second-half, he doesn't make much of an appearance at the start and I missed him! This was however necessary to the plot so I guess I can't complain too much. Readers are also treated to a fantastic chapter between him and Anna (if you've read the book then you'll know which one I mean and if you haven't then I won't spoil it for you) which was one of my all-time favourite moments.

The ending was incredible and had me glued to the pages. I actually had to stay up half the night to finish it because I was so engrossed. There are elements which will appeal to everyone and I loved the fact that it doesn't necessarily tie everything up with a neat bow. It's much more realistic but also remains true to the characters and the story.

Full of action, excitement, magic and romance, this was the perfect end to the series. I'm so sad that it's all over but also excited because I cannot wait to see what Ruth Warburton will write next. I shall be the first in the queue to get my hands on a copy. A wonderful British author and a five star series. These books are definitely not to be missed!
(less)

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Mar 19, 2013 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, to-review

Originally published on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
What a satisfying conclusion to an exciting series. This book is really the icing on the cake for the trilogy. I felt that the writing was stronger, the pace unstoppable and the characters had matured which meant serious business as they tackled the horrors that lay before them.
IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THE SERIES YOU MAY WANT TO STOP HERE AS THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS.
This book takes place a few weeks after the last one...more Originally published on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
What a satisfying conclusion to an exciting series. This book is really the icing on the cake for the trilogy. I felt that the writing was stronger, the pace unstoppable and the characters had matured which meant serious business as they tackled the horrors that lay before them.
IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE FIRST TWO BOOKS IN THE SERIES YOU MAY WANT TO STOP HERE AS THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS.
This book takes place a few weeks after the last one and we encounter Anna in the middle of rather fiery training session. From the first page, you are even more aware of Abe’s growing feelings for Anna. He just can’t hide them at all. Anna is still pining for Seth even though she tries so hard not too. She allows Abe to comfort her once too many times, making it extremely difficult for him to keep away from her.
New characters are introduced in this book and we encounter Anna’s cousin Marcus. Well he is an interesting chap! Just remember if a smile doesn’t reach someone’s eyes they might not be the most trust worthy. During this book we also get to meet the Russian Witch Mafia; I know they aren’t really called that but they came across that way. They are seriously scary and have some rather inhumane rituals.
We learn a lot about Anna’s mother within this book and finally Anna can face the truth. Her own destiny appears to be bigger and more powerful than she would ever have imagined and at times you find yourself gasping with shock at what happens.
The relationship between Seth and Anna is real. It isn’t all lovey dovey and cute. They argue and fight like every other couple and they have to deal with some intense situations as the story progresses.
I loved that through half the book we got to spend time in Russia. I think is has to be one of the least used countries within YA fiction and I really enjoyed learning more about the country. Especially about the days of continual daylight; I honestly didn’t know that Russia was one of the countries to experience that.
This book is thrilling from page one, the action never stops, it just builds and builds until we reach an incredibly shocking and surprising ending. I honestly couldn’t believe what happened but it was fitting, even if I didn’t like how it finished.
This really is a powerful and dramatic ending to a brilliant home grown YA paranormal series. (less)

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Feb 22, 2013 Ashleigh rated it 2 of 5 stars

Tbh I enjoyed book 1 I thought book 2 was interesting then this book I was like why did I even bother 2 read this ? But boring and disappointing the only bit I really liked was with Anna and abe I really wanted them 2 to be together instead of Anna and Seth by hey…

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May 06, 2013 Amk256 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Took me a while to remember what was going on but I enjoyed the final book in this series x

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Mar 26, 2013 Eddle added it

Amazing!!!!!!

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Feb 27, 2013 Salwa added it

it was amazing

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Feb 15, 2013 Gemma Mcvitie-birch rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was ok not somethin i would read again i had high expectations because i really enjoyed the first 2 books.

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Mar 02, 2013 Erin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Overall, I loved the fact that this book was much darker, twisty and had so many interesting tales to tell, so if you love something that is all of that then I suggest you quickly go and read A WITCH ALONE. It was a final book with a very satisfying conclusion on the most part and one I was was pretty happy about with all things considered! Well, despite Seth's pity party thing.

Full review: http://talesoftheinnerbookfanatic.blo...

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Mar 03, 2013 Chantelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: my-favourite-books

A brilliant book, Ruth Warburton is an amazing author, I would seriously recommend this book series!!

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Mar 06, 2013 Abbie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Great ending to the series! My favorite one out of the three.

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Feb 10, 2013 Lauren rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing!! ending could have been a wee bit better but still a really good finish. :)

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Mar 28, 2013 Christina rated it 2 of 5 stars

The first half of the book is really not very interesting. And honestly, the last half wasn't life changing or anything either. But that said, it's still worth reading if you've read the other two, as it is a nice little ending for the series.

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Mar 24, 2013 Emma rated it 5 of 5 stars

i love this last book anna and seth lived happy at the end the spell was broken they say love is a strong bond and i think reading proved that i did love these 3 books thank u ruth for writing them my daughter also reading them

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Feb 27, 2013 Debra rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-reading-challenge, books-i-own, new-releases-2013, review-copy-read, the-big-book-challenge-2013

Check out my review below:

Debra's Book Cafe

Debs :-)

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Apr 09, 2013 Sandii rated it 3 of 5 stars

Would give it 3.5 if I could. There were a lot of good bits but I'm not sure about the ending. I wanted her to have it all.

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Feb 26, 2013 Alice rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bought

awesome ending to a wicked series. i feel sad to be leaving these characters behind, but i know il be back to visit again and again

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May 04, 2013 Jordyn rated it 5 of 5 stars

i really, really, really like this book a great ending to the trilogy

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About Ruth Warburton

I grew up on the south coast of England in the historic town of Lewes.

After leaving school I studied English at the University of Manchester, and developed a fascination with Old English and Middle English texts.

I now live in London, and A Witch in Winter was my first book.

For more information or to contact me, please visit my website www.ruthwarburton.com.

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A Witch Alone (Winter Trilogy #3)

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