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A Coven of Three Trilogy #1
Birth of the Witch
Not yet published
Expected 17 Nov 26First in the enchanting new epic by the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Lost Bride Trilogy
Niamh McShane was born a witch and died a witch in the same moment, at the tender age of thirteen. A victim of the madness that spread from Salem Town to her home on Piety Island, her only comfort in her last hours came from the weavers imprisoned with her, who saw within her light and power and gave her some of their own.
Over three hundred years later, on the same island, Neve McShane wakes with excitement on her thirteenth birthday and unwraps gifts from her aunts: sneakers, an iPhone, and a stunning antique pendant. Then she receives something else: a revelation that will change her life.
Astonished, Neve learns that her aunts’ abilities go beyond simple kitchen magic and the potions they sell in their shop. Their tales of past lives aren’t just whimsical fantasies. They are witches, and so is she. Their lives–past and present–are bound together by that pivotal day centuries ago. Now Neve has been tasked with stopping a growing darkness. To prepare for the dangerous enemy that awaits, Neve hones her skills and searches for clues to aid in her quest. And at night, she dreams of a young man from Ireland whose eyes met with hers for a fateful moment, centuries ago…
Niamh McShane was born a witch and died a witch in the same moment, at the tender age of thirteen. A victim of the madness that spread from Salem Town to her home on Piety Island, her only comfort in her last hours came from the weavers imprisoned with her, who saw within her light and power and gave her some of their own.
Over three hundred years later, on the same island, Neve McShane wakes with excitement on her thirteenth birthday and unwraps gifts from her aunts: sneakers, an iPhone, and a stunning antique pendant. Then she receives something else: a revelation that will change her life.
Astonished, Neve learns that her aunts’ abilities go beyond simple kitchen magic and the potions they sell in their shop. Their tales of past lives aren’t just whimsical fantasies. They are witches, and so is she. Their lives–past and present–are bound together by that pivotal day centuries ago. Now Neve has been tasked with stopping a growing darkness. To prepare for the dangerous enemy that awaits, Neve hones her skills and searches for clues to aid in her quest. And at night, she dreams of a young man from Ireland whose eyes met with hers for a fateful moment, centuries ago…
432 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication November 17, 2026
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373 people want to read
About the author
Nora Roberts
1,225 books60.3k followersNora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.
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February 4, 2026I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Well, friends… I kind of hated it. I know I can be very critical of NR’s newer work, so I try really hard to separate the love I once had for her books from what she’s writing now. Either I’ve changed or she has, but we just don’t mesh the way we used to. Usually, if I stop comparing, I can still enjoy the story. That was not the case here. This book initially hooked me with an interesting premise and some genuinely lovely characters, but by around the 60% mark it was clearly spinning its wheels. I stopped reading and skimmed to the end - and wow, am I glad I did. The main leads don’t even meet until the 90% mark, and the book ends on a deeply anticlimactic cliffhanger.
I don’t mind stories where the main characters spend time developing separately before meeting, whether in romance or in a group/party setting. But it has to go somewhere. There needs to be a reason for the journey. Here, it felt like most of the characters remained static unless an “action” sequence forced movement. Aside from the male lead, none of them felt particularly fleshed out or realistic. Honestly, the food they ate and the places they visited received as much, if not more, attention than the romance, friendships, or even the magic system. I was still willing to overlook a lot and give the second book a chance… right up until that ridiculous cliffhanger. That was the final nail in the coffin for me.
Well, friends… I kind of hated it. I know I can be very critical of NR’s newer work, so I try really hard to separate the love I once had for her books from what she’s writing now. Either I’ve changed or she has, but we just don’t mesh the way we used to. Usually, if I stop comparing, I can still enjoy the story. That was not the case here. This book initially hooked me with an interesting premise and some genuinely lovely characters, but by around the 60% mark it was clearly spinning its wheels. I stopped reading and skimmed to the end - and wow, am I glad I did. The main leads don’t even meet until the 90% mark, and the book ends on a deeply anticlimactic cliffhanger.
I don’t mind stories where the main characters spend time developing separately before meeting, whether in romance or in a group/party setting. But it has to go somewhere. There needs to be a reason for the journey. Here, it felt like most of the characters remained static unless an “action” sequence forced movement. Aside from the male lead, none of them felt particularly fleshed out or realistic. Honestly, the food they ate and the places they visited received as much, if not more, attention than the romance, friendships, or even the magic system. I was still willing to overlook a lot and give the second book a chance… right up until that ridiculous cliffhanger. That was the final nail in the coffin for me.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via Edelweiss
This book sets up the series so there was a lot of getting to know the characters and the back story. I am trying to keep this spoiler free and not give too much away. For a Nora Roberts book, it was extremely light on romance as the two main characters were kept apart for most of the book. It ends on a cliffhanger which I didn't appreciate.
I am giving it a conditional 3 1/2 stars (rounded up to four). Rating could change based on the next book.
This book sets up the series so there was a lot of getting to know the characters and the back story. I am trying to keep this spoiler free and not give too much away. For a Nora Roberts book, it was extremely light on romance as the two main characters were kept apart for most of the book. It ends on a cliffhanger which I didn't appreciate.
I am giving it a conditional 3 1/2 stars (rounded up to four). Rating could change based on the next book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews