The Witches of the Blue Well

Shadow Chronicles #0.5

by Paula Brackston

A captivating new original 20-page short story by Paula Brackston, author of The Witch's Daughter! "The Witches of the Blue Well" is the story of Ceri, a young woman in early eighteenth-century Wales whose grandmother always told her the magic blood of the women in their family flows through her veins. But when famine and hardship come to their village, will Ceri be able to harness her magic to save herself and her sister, or will her power bring about the destruction of all that she loves? With her signature enchanting style, Paula Brackston has penned an enthralling story set in the world of her novel The Winter Witch.In addition to the short story, "The Witches of the Blue Well", this also contains a letter from the author, Paula Brackston, on writing The Winter Witch, an excerpt from "Welsh Folk a Collection of the Folk-Tales and Legends of North Wales," an authentic publication by the Reverend Elias Owen, from 1886, on witchcraft in Wales.

Genres: Witches, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Ebooks, Paranormal, Magic

62 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2012

About the author

Paula Brackston (aka PJ Brackston)is the New York Times bestselling author of The Witch's Daughter, The Winter Witch, and The Midnight Witch(2014).

Paula has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. In 2007 Paula was short listed in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was short listed for the Mind Book Award, and she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.

https://www.youtube.com/c/PaulaBracks...

Paula lives in Wales with her partner and their two children.

Reviews

[Shainlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great short story about a well and a young woman connected to it. It makes me want to see Wales more than ever because of the superstitions and beautiful countryside described.
There was first a bit of background on Wales and the folklore and the wells there, then the story which really helped to put it in context. Afterward, there was a bit of history and context about witchcraft, then part of one of Paula’s books.
I find her work to be extremely interesting and naturally inspired.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

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This short story explains how the author applied her thoughts to paper, details what she does to get into the time period she is writing about, such as: journaling through how she surrounds herself with time period items, wearing time period clothing, and eating time period food. Her research describes how using herbs as a "natural and/or alternative cure" to help a patient with an illness, became known as "Witchery."

[Jessica Quadrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really great short story. After reading "The Witch's Daughter" I decided that I had to read everything that Brackston has ever written. The story goes very quickly, and I really enjoy how Brackston ties in fantasy with historical fiction.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that opens another series by Paula Brackston. It's written totally fine but I don't feel compelled to read more. Possibly I should just read the series anyway and the larger books would be better, but not sure.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice introduction to the series and excited to read it now.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me the best story is the one that leaves you wanting more and with the Witches of the Blue Well Paula Brackston certaintly leaves you wanting to know more about Mamgi and the Blue Well.This well constructed short is aided by thoughts on writing the Winter Witch of which we have the bonus of the first two chapters at the end of the Witches of the Blue Well and had me placing my order of The Witch`s Daughter and the Winter Witch stright away.

[Samantha Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not realize how short this was going to be. I wanted more! I felt sucked into the story right away.

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this backstory to The Winter Witch and the history of the sacred well at Ffynnon Las. Overcoming grief, fear, and self doubt, a young woman connects with the healing properties of water and awakens her magickal abilities. Through deep love and compassion, she discovers her strength and leaves a legacy future for future witches of the blue well to draw from.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,25 stars- English hardcover

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this was a short story and history, but I really wanted the rest of the story. It is a good quick read. I will be reading the full story of The Witches of the Blue Well.

[Leanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't amazing. Im a fan of this author but not of this book.

[CerysAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story. As always with Paula's books - no matter the length of them - I was completely captivated with the story. You can read this either before or after The Winter Witch; it doesn't really matter, but it's clear that this short story and The Winter Witch go hand in hand. The Witches of the Blue Well tells the story of Ceri who wants nothing more than for her ill sister to be well again, and she knows she has magic in her blood, but she just doesn't know how to use it. It's when they come across a Well, and meet an old lady who sees the magic in Ceri that she's able to heal not only her sister, but the cattle of the town where this magical blue well is.

I finished this short story in under an hour and what a magical story it was. Paula Brackston truly does have a way with words that, during the whole time I was reading this, I truly was captivated, completely hooked, and even though I'd just recently finished reading The Winter Witch, reading this short story only has me wanting to go back and reread that book all over again. I absolutely loved it, and I don't usually say these words in my reviews, but I really, truly recommend to all that you give Paula's books a go. If you love historical/paranormal/fantasy books, then her books are the ones for you.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I didn’t know about the history of wells and witches so it was a very interesting read. A lot happened in a short number of pages, without it seeming overwhelming. I look forward to reading Winter Witch.

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

MUST READ!! This short story is beautiful written with so much passion and detail in such little pages. the only critique is that I wish there was more!! Highly recommend this book if you need a beautiful story to help with the passing of a few hours.

[Louise Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaing short story that acts as a prequel to The Winter Witch. Ends at 51% but also contains notes from the author and the first chapter of The Winter Witch, which I luckily already have on my Kindle because it looks very good!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely to read after having read The Winter Witch.

[Shahna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little prequel to The Winter Witch.
Good stuff.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Too short to really develop any kind of story but I couldn’t resist that gorgeous cover!

[Mila Caron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too bad it was such a short story, it was alright, I liked.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice quick read. Very atmospheric and loved the main character. I can't wait to be old so I can act like Old Mair. She was so adorably curmudgeonly cute.

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and magical short story that adds history and lore to my favorite of Brackston's witchy books

[Brandy Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good short prelude. I'm looking forward to starting the trilogy.

[Kittie Huff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story, but enjoyed it. Hopefully this prequel is a good indication of the books in the series

[Nann Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was as enjoyable to read as the full-length book about The Blue Well. I’m now even more anxious to get into her next one of this series!

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prologue of sorts for the series ahead. Nice, short read. Made me want to re-read the winter witch because of the little snippet at the end.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction, enough to encourage me to seek out and read the series.

[Jennifer Speidel · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading so many of her full length novels this short story felt like a tease. The characters were engaging and left me wanting more of their background and stories of their future.

[Debs Doughnut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous short story. Well worth a read if u love your witchy stories. Paula is the Queen of witchy lol

[Taintedrose76 Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful short stories
I think everything she writes is wonderful I could read them all over and over

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short story that allowed my to be enchanted by Paula Brackston and also revisit The Winter Witch