What do you think?
Rate this book
Sisters of the Sun #1
The Sun Witch
For three hundred years, the Fyne women have called their cottage on the mountain home. The villagers stay away from the Fyne sisters, fearing their witchery. But Isadora, Juliet and Sophie use their sorcery for good—most of the time.
A curse put on their family long ago makes true love unattainable for the Fyne women. Sophie's two elder sisters, both skilled witches, have accepted this and have vowed a lifetime of chastity. But young Sophie has yet to find her own power. With more luscious curves than her sisters, Sophie wonders if the fire coursing through her body might be an indication of her true strength. She dreams of a green-eyed stranger, and when she finally does meet the man of her dreams, Sophie knows her power: nature has gifted her with fertility.
Although groggy from war wounds, Kane could have sworn that an angel came to him, healed and made love to him. Now, after a year of searching for the girl who may or may not have been a dream, Kane is stunned to find Sophie—with his child at her breast. But when a scorned suitor captures their infant daughter, they must call on all their strengths, both earthly and supernatural, to fight the curse which promises to end their happiness.
A curse put on their family long ago makes true love unattainable for the Fyne women. Sophie's two elder sisters, both skilled witches, have accepted this and have vowed a lifetime of chastity. But young Sophie has yet to find her own power. With more luscious curves than her sisters, Sophie wonders if the fire coursing through her body might be an indication of her true strength. She dreams of a green-eyed stranger, and when she finally does meet the man of her dreams, Sophie knows her power: nature has gifted her with fertility.
Although groggy from war wounds, Kane could have sworn that an angel came to him, healed and made love to him. Now, after a year of searching for the girl who may or may not have been a dream, Kane is stunned to find Sophie—with his child at her breast. But when a scorned suitor captures their infant daughter, they must call on all their strengths, both earthly and supernatural, to fight the curse which promises to end their happiness.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 7, 2004
79 people are currently reading
2035 people want to read
About the author
Linda Winstead Jones
184 books377 followersLinda Winstead Jones is the bestselling author of more than eighty romance novels and novellas across several sub-genres. She’s easily distracted (Look! A squirrel!) and writes the stories that speak to her in the moment. Paranormal. Romantic Suspense. Twisted Fairy Tales. Cowboys. Her books are for readers who want to escape from reality for a while, who don’t mind the occasional trip into another world for a laugh, a chill, the occasional heartwarming tear. Where will we go next?
More information can be found at lindawinsteadjones.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and at www.facebook.com/LindaWinsteadJones or www.facebook.com/LindaHowardLindaJones.
More information can be found at lindawinsteadjones.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter, and at www.facebook.com/LindaWinsteadJones or www.facebook.com/LindaHowardLindaJones.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
February 12, 2012
So here's what I want to remember about this book before I ever decide to reread it:
Pros:
~ Characters I enjoyed, who had their desires and were likable (or easy to dislike, when necessary)
~ A romance that was predictable but built well. It wasn't rubbed in my face, and it wasn't nonsensical.
~ Much more of a plot than I would have expected.
~ The palace was intriguing--I loved the way it was the only place that had modern technology, and no one quite understood it due to the confined nature.
~ I loved that sex wasn't risky or taboo.
Cons:
~ There is a scene where one character is forcibly drugged (well, two, but only one that made me anxious and uncomfortable).
~ The characterization of the man that starts the actual journey rolling seems to be "offensively male privileged" and that's it. He: decides that our leading lady belongs to him despite her disinterest; decides to punish her for lying with another man; feels that if she doesn't do as he wishes he should rough her up some, and of course no one would mind because women who disobey should be treated this way.
~ [SPOILER] The secondary romance between the King and his concubine is terribly problematic in the "I hate you and want to kill you and you abuse me and make me kill people, but look, at the end of the book, we confess our love!" ...Even though I love her character. I really wish she hadn't succumbed to that trope, though.
Also: what is up with the need for nearly every name to contain a Y? I found that terribly distracting.
Pros:
~ Characters I enjoyed, who had their desires and were likable (or easy to dislike, when necessary)
~ A romance that was predictable but built well. It wasn't rubbed in my face, and it wasn't nonsensical.
~ Much more of a plot than I would have expected.
~ The palace was intriguing--I loved the way it was the only place that had modern technology, and no one quite understood it due to the confined nature.
~ I loved that sex wasn't risky or taboo.
Cons:
~ There is a scene where one character is forcibly drugged (well, two, but only one that made me anxious and uncomfortable).
~ The characterization of the man that starts the actual journey rolling seems to be "offensively male privileged" and that's it. He: decides that our leading lady belongs to him despite her disinterest; decides to punish her for lying with another man; feels that if she doesn't do as he wishes he should rough her up some, and of course no one would mind because women who disobey should be treated this way.
~ [SPOILER] The secondary romance between the King and his concubine is terribly problematic in the "I hate you and want to kill you and you abuse me and make me kill people, but look, at the end of the book, we confess our love!" ...Even though I love her character. I really wish she hadn't succumbed to that trope, though.
Also: what is up with the need for nearly every name to contain a Y? I found that terribly distracting.
August 22, 2012
I enjoyed this book at first, but it began to annoy me as I got further into it, and I think the problem came down to world building. The magic of the witches is ill defined, and as sort of a corollary to that, the character of Sophie is ill defined.
Okay, so there's this curse. The Fyne women can't know love, and if they do, their love will die before he's thirty. Sophie sets out to get herself pregnant because she wants children, but she tries not to fall in love. Of course, this isn't going to work out for her, especially when Kane realizes he has a daughter, and demands to be a part of her life.
Kane, I got. His motives were simple enough -- rebel soldier fighting against an emperor who destroyed his family. He also longs for a family of his own, since he no longer has one.
Sophie, on the other hand, I didn't get. The entirety of her being was defined by this curse. I think the story really lost me when she starts being able to use her magic in ways she wasn't able to use it before -- like there was some kind of block she is now learning to overcome. Then, suddenly, she was just *powerful* in a very nebulous sense of the word. She became a goddess, and the end felt very much like a deus ex machina. She didn't triumph. Kane didn't triumph. She was suddenly given control over phenomena cosmic powers and then all was right.
Well, mostly. This is a trilogy, and not everything is resolved at the end of this book. I'm not sure if I will keep reading or not, because of the flimsy consideration given to the magic of this world. Although the teaser for book 2 does sound interesting, and it has higher ratings than this one...
Okay, so there's this curse. The Fyne women can't know love, and if they do, their love will die before he's thirty. Sophie sets out to get herself pregnant because she wants children, but she tries not to fall in love. Of course, this isn't going to work out for her, especially when Kane realizes he has a daughter, and demands to be a part of her life.
Kane, I got. His motives were simple enough -- rebel soldier fighting against an emperor who destroyed his family. He also longs for a family of his own, since he no longer has one.
Sophie, on the other hand, I didn't get. The entirety of her being was defined by this curse. I think the story really lost me when she starts being able to use her magic in ways she wasn't able to use it before -- like there was some kind of block she is now learning to overcome. Then, suddenly, she was just *powerful* in a very nebulous sense of the word. She became a goddess, and the end felt very much like a deus ex machina. She didn't triumph. Kane didn't triumph. She was suddenly given control over phenomena cosmic powers and then all was right.
Well, mostly. This is a trilogy, and not everything is resolved at the end of this book. I'm not sure if I will keep reading or not, because of the flimsy consideration given to the magic of this world. Although the teaser for book 2 does sound interesting, and it has higher ratings than this one...
May 13, 2009
Really weak. I love romance. I love fantasy. I've read trilogies like it was my job. I am willing to overlook creepy cover ladies that look like soulless dolls. I should have been all over this book. But it was so shoddy in some places, ugh. Hard to get through.
Although it had it's ups and downs, the subplot with Liane was much more interesting, I thought.
Although it had it's ups and downs, the subplot with Liane was much more interesting, I thought.
October 29, 2024
got this used down the shore because the main character is named sophie and is 23 so i had to read it and LOL guys it was so funny like not very good but made me laugh ill say that much
September 17, 2019
I ended up enjoying this book more and more as it went along. It is definitely a very stereotypical romance novel (complete with swooning into a man's arms, being kidnapped by a neanderthal [srsly], and glorifying marriage and babies) as well as verrrrrry heteronormative (the amount of times they refer to each other as "my woman" and "my man" and the obsession with babies and marriage omg), but I liked it.
The plot is layered and no character or event is without its purpose. The writing was serviceable, and the connection between Sophie and Kane was genuine. I really liked Sophie's character more and more as the story went on. She's definitely got a "full of sweetness and sunshine"-ness about her, but that doesn't stop her from fighting for those she loves, being angry when necessary, being smart and navigating dangers. For all her swooning and "feeling empty" without sexing "her man," she was a badass.
And she was badass in a completely different way then Liane, which. To be honest. Liane and Sebestyan's relationship was the most compelling part of the book. It was so complicated and twisted and interesting, and the author managed to present it without judgment. She neither condemned or glorified their relationship, and both characters were honest with themselves about how unhealthy it was, and how they wanted it to be better. It was REALLY INTERESTING.
I am super interested to read more of the series because it's strongly hinted that we'll see more of Liane in future books, even though she is not one of the three sisters.
Overall, a good read that got better as it went. Nothing groundbreaking or earth-shattering, but it was solid and entertaining and had some well-done elements.
EDIT: Four years later I still think about Liane & Sebastyan from this series at least once a month, and seriously want to re-read it just for their dark and twisted relationship. I'd recommend the series for their story alone.
The plot is layered and no character or event is without its purpose. The writing was serviceable, and the connection between Sophie and Kane was genuine. I really liked Sophie's character more and more as the story went on. She's definitely got a "full of sweetness and sunshine"-ness about her, but that doesn't stop her from fighting for those she loves, being angry when necessary, being smart and navigating dangers. For all her swooning and "feeling empty" without sexing "her man," she was a badass.
And she was badass in a completely different way then Liane, which. To be honest. Liane and Sebestyan's relationship was the most compelling part of the book. It was so complicated and twisted and interesting, and the author managed to present it without judgment. She neither condemned or glorified their relationship, and both characters were honest with themselves about how unhealthy it was, and how they wanted it to be better. It was REALLY INTERESTING.
I am super interested to read more of the series because it's strongly hinted that we'll see more of Liane in future books, even though she is not one of the three sisters.
Overall, a good read that got better as it went. Nothing groundbreaking or earth-shattering, but it was solid and entertaining and had some well-done elements.
EDIT: Four years later I still think about Liane & Sebastyan from this series at least once a month, and seriously want to re-read it just for their dark and twisted relationship. I'd recommend the series for their story alone.
June 24, 2022
I picked up this used book (and the other 2 of the trilogy) on a whim, and I'm really glad I did. This fantasy book was well paced with interesting characters. The two seemingly disparate stories came together about halfway through and the climax was really good. It was a little spicy, so I'd give it 1 out of 5 peppers. The ending does a good job of setting up the next book in the trilogy...which is where I'm going next.
September 14, 2011
What the back cover should say about this book but doesn't.
Bottom Line: Buy it
Sophie, lives a secluded life in the forest with her two sisters, because of the scorn of being labeled witches, and the curse placed upon their family generations ago. Sophie feels life calling her, and while her sisters have reminded her daily, she can never marry, she still yearns to feel the touch of a man upon her for the first time...and dreams of a man with green eyes. Little does she know, that man exists, and destiny will place him in her path...but what will come of their union? And what will come of her, when destiny steps in again and she is forced to confront the seat of power and reclaim her most precious treasure?
Kane, a rebel soldier, fighting with the rebel army to crush the Emperor's grip, wounded from battle, stumbles into a secluded forest. And in a dreamy state finds a beautiful woman, too perfect to be real, before him. And when he wakes from his sleep, he find himself healed, and a faint memory comes to mind where he made love to the most beautiful woman he's ever seen...an Angel. Though he suddenly finds himself living a life filled with luck, and free of pain, his greatest desire is to find his Angel..again. And when he finally finds her, what else will he have to endure to finally claim her as his? What else will confront him from his past?
Liane, a slave who has achieved the rank of concubine to the Emperor, lives each day in fear of Level Thirteen. Though she spends most of her time plotting, she must never loose sight of her goal, that one day she will be given the ultimate gift..to be trusted by the most dangerous man in the country. And when that day arrives, the day she has waited for since she was captured and taken from her family as a young girl, she will strike back at the very man who is responsible for her pain. But will her goal be everything she has imagined it be, or will she make a different choice?
Excellent book. Starts off a little slow and unsuspecting, but then it really picks up on takes you on quite a journey...one you never even anticipated. Really interesting characters too, and a good ending. The only major criticism (besides it starting slow), it should have had a map for the reader to reference.
Comment
Bottom Line: Buy it
Sophie, lives a secluded life in the forest with her two sisters, because of the scorn of being labeled witches, and the curse placed upon their family generations ago. Sophie feels life calling her, and while her sisters have reminded her daily, she can never marry, she still yearns to feel the touch of a man upon her for the first time...and dreams of a man with green eyes. Little does she know, that man exists, and destiny will place him in her path...but what will come of their union? And what will come of her, when destiny steps in again and she is forced to confront the seat of power and reclaim her most precious treasure?
Kane, a rebel soldier, fighting with the rebel army to crush the Emperor's grip, wounded from battle, stumbles into a secluded forest. And in a dreamy state finds a beautiful woman, too perfect to be real, before him. And when he wakes from his sleep, he find himself healed, and a faint memory comes to mind where he made love to the most beautiful woman he's ever seen...an Angel. Though he suddenly finds himself living a life filled with luck, and free of pain, his greatest desire is to find his Angel..again. And when he finally finds her, what else will he have to endure to finally claim her as his? What else will confront him from his past?
Liane, a slave who has achieved the rank of concubine to the Emperor, lives each day in fear of Level Thirteen. Though she spends most of her time plotting, she must never loose sight of her goal, that one day she will be given the ultimate gift..to be trusted by the most dangerous man in the country. And when that day arrives, the day she has waited for since she was captured and taken from her family as a young girl, she will strike back at the very man who is responsible for her pain. But will her goal be everything she has imagined it be, or will she make a different choice?
Excellent book. Starts off a little slow and unsuspecting, but then it really picks up on takes you on quite a journey...one you never even anticipated. Really interesting characters too, and a good ending. The only major criticism (besides it starting slow), it should have had a map for the reader to reference.
Comment
January 30, 2025
This the first book in a trilogy about the Fyne sisters – all witches. Three hundred years ago a disgruntled lover cursed the family by saying that no Fyne woman would find lasting love. There had seemed to be a few husbands who died by their thirtieth birthday. Sophie’s sisters, Isadora and Juliet, have come to accept that they will never find a mate; but Sophie dreams of a green-eyed stranger, and when she meets him her whole life is changed. Kane is a rebel fighter and a wife and child is not part of his life plan. However their daughter is kidnapped and the two of them have to rescue her from the fortress of the despotic ruler.
This is a really good read, it is light and fluffy in parts – and quite gruesome in others. Most of the characters are believable. However, there are some really well rounded characters. Emperor Sebestyen is deliciously cold and heartless and I really admired his wickedness. I know you are suppose to cheer for the goodies – and I did want them to win. But Sebestyen is a very realistic character. His mistress, Liane, is another really well developed character – she has resorted to acts of pure wickedness in order to survive. She, however, does have a heart.
I am really looking forwards to reading the remaining two books to see how it all pans out – this book has adventure, love, sex, torture, murder and magic – just about covers it all
This is a really good read, it is light and fluffy in parts – and quite gruesome in others. Most of the characters are believable. However, there are some really well rounded characters. Emperor Sebestyen is deliciously cold and heartless and I really admired his wickedness. I know you are suppose to cheer for the goodies – and I did want them to win. But Sebestyen is a very realistic character. His mistress, Liane, is another really well developed character – she has resorted to acts of pure wickedness in order to survive. She, however, does have a heart.
I am really looking forwards to reading the remaining two books to see how it all pans out – this book has adventure, love, sex, torture, murder and magic – just about covers it all
December 20, 2010
I really liked this book it was an easy read that just sort of carries you along. I would recommend it to those looking for an in-between book. the book had its exciting moments and it was not dull by any means.
December 14, 2013
Don't judge. I was lured in by the witches. I blame deployment. The story is actually pretty cool and interesting. witches, emperors, rebels and love.
November 2, 2022
This book was a disappointment, but not bad. When I originally thought ‘Practical Magic in high fantasy land. Cool.’ It was meh at best. I didn't like it, but at least I didn't hate it?
There was awkward world building explanations, too much tell and not enough show. I have no scale of what’s happening in this world. It’s like the author knows the reader understands fantasy tropes, so just throws something like ‘evil emperor’ and leaves it at that. It’s lazy. I do not get what exactly makes him more evil than your average ruler. The ‘see, he’s not a cardboard evil cutout and has some depth!’ Moments were clumsily done on top of that.
The sex scenes were cringey, especially when it went all noncon. The middle slammed to a halt in order to set up for the next novel like a weirdly inserted sequel bait end credits scene. It doesn’t help that all of the content in that part hit all my ‘nope’ sensors (again, the very much set up non con plot).
The climax was pretty good, or at least was vivid enough that it made a good scene, but it couldn’t save it.
There was awkward world building explanations, too much tell and not enough show. I have no scale of what’s happening in this world. It’s like the author knows the reader understands fantasy tropes, so just throws something like ‘evil emperor’ and leaves it at that. It’s lazy. I do not get what exactly makes him more evil than your average ruler. The ‘see, he’s not a cardboard evil cutout and has some depth!’ Moments were clumsily done on top of that.
The sex scenes were cringey, especially when it went all noncon. The middle slammed to a halt in order to set up for the next novel like a weirdly inserted sequel bait end credits scene. It doesn’t help that all of the content in that part hit all my ‘nope’ sensors (again, the very much set up non con plot).
The climax was pretty good, or at least was vivid enough that it made a good scene, but it couldn’t save it.
October 22, 2018
A fine read until Sophie started praising men a little excessively. When did I want to stop reading? When she mentioned how men "...even laugh with strength."
Seriously. What?
I'm so damned disappointed because the whole premise sounds promising. But nope, if the rest of the book was like the first few chapters...yeah, no. Waste of time reading that.
Definitely Did Not Finish this book. I'm off to find a new read! 🙂 Adios and Happy Reading! X
Seriously. What?
I'm so damned disappointed because the whole premise sounds promising. But nope, if the rest of the book was like the first few chapters...yeah, no. Waste of time reading that.
Definitely Did Not Finish this book. I'm off to find a new read! 🙂 Adios and Happy Reading! X
December 19, 2020
3.5 stars!
This was a fun read. I don’t want to say guilty pleasure read so I’m going to go with pallet cleanser. It was short and fast paced and I really liked the characters. I like that each book is told from the perspective of a different sister because i was really interested in the other sisters back stories.
I already own book 2 and 3 so I will likely pick them up soon!
This was a fun read. I don’t want to say guilty pleasure read so I’m going to go with pallet cleanser. It was short and fast paced and I really liked the characters. I like that each book is told from the perspective of a different sister because i was really interested in the other sisters back stories.
I already own book 2 and 3 so I will likely pick them up soon!
January 23, 2021
3.25 stars
This book gave me major Bertrice Small vibes and I was here for that. One of the things I wasn't crazy about was POV switching so much.
Trigger Warnings: violence, loss of loved ones, sex slavery, kidnapping, drugging, and physical assault
This book gave me major Bertrice Small vibes and I was here for that. One of the things I wasn't crazy about was POV switching so much.
Trigger Warnings: violence, loss of loved ones, sex slavery, kidnapping, drugging, and physical assault
May 13, 2023
Even if you like witches this is a good read. Keeps you want to turn the next page to see what happens next. Thank you
Very good read. Keeps you wanting more . A page Turner keeps you involved with people in store. Nice fantasy a light read not too much sexy stuff.
Very good read. Keeps you wanting more . A page Turner keeps you involved with people in store. Nice fantasy a light read not too much sexy stuff.
November 9, 2017
what happened?
January 13, 2020
I found myself much more invested in this book than I could've imagined. And, the last hundred pages or so really had me reeling.
April 24, 2020
A quick read. I did like the characters and especially the plot centered around the capital and the Emperor. Intrigued to see where this series is going.
April 2, 2021
I like this type of book! Can’t wait to start books 2&3!
December 26, 2023
Couldn't put it down
July 14, 2024
This is my favorite author and book series
August 28, 2024
Fun and fast read. Really enjoyed it!
Want to read
February 6, 2025Welp, found book 2 and 3 at the thrift today, might as well get the first.
Read
June 16, 2020overall:
indulgent and entertaining, full of childish ideas of love and chastity. not unpleasant but also not challenging. line by line writing is lazy but easy to read. sex is not explicit enough to be satisfying, but it is certainly central.
copyright date: 2004
things i want to remember:
-simple story, simple characters
-lots and lots of telling (and retelling)
-more romance than sex
-sex scenes are more rosy than explicit
-bizarre name choices (just add consonants!)
-levels of palace/levels of import and influence
-good concubine ecosystem with masters in training (underutilized)
-level 13- pit of nightmares, check.
-main character takes control over her life and is empowered to heal her family lineage.
-no advocate
themes:
-cohesive feminine yang focus: sun/motherhood/growth/magic
-love/hate concubine/emperor
-virgin whore only lies with one man, but has plans for many, falls in love with the first man she sleeps with “despite best effort”
-traditional family unit heals all soul hurts
-for main characters, sex and marriage tied to love or power exclusively
-something about control of knowledge and magic, seems to be the theme of the trilogy which will continue with moon sister and her werewolf lover in the next book.
on sisters:
this book shows a tight sisterhood being broken apart by love. themes of overprotection, codependency, freedom, healing pain for family lineage, the loss of eden.
indulgent and entertaining, full of childish ideas of love and chastity. not unpleasant but also not challenging. line by line writing is lazy but easy to read. sex is not explicit enough to be satisfying, but it is certainly central.
copyright date: 2004
things i want to remember:
-simple story, simple characters
-lots and lots of telling (and retelling)
-more romance than sex
-sex scenes are more rosy than explicit
-bizarre name choices (just add consonants!)
-levels of palace/levels of import and influence
-good concubine ecosystem with masters in training (underutilized)
-level 13- pit of nightmares, check.
-main character takes control over her life and is empowered to heal her family lineage.
-no advocate
themes:
-cohesive feminine yang focus: sun/motherhood/growth/magic
-love/hate concubine/emperor
-virgin whore only lies with one man, but has plans for many, falls in love with the first man she sleeps with “despite best effort”
-traditional family unit heals all soul hurts
-for main characters, sex and marriage tied to love or power exclusively
-something about control of knowledge and magic, seems to be the theme of the trilogy which will continue with moon sister and her werewolf lover in the next book.
on sisters:
this book shows a tight sisterhood being broken apart by love. themes of overprotection, codependency, freedom, healing pain for family lineage, the loss of eden.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2025
Following the tradition of her mother and her mother’s mother, Sophie surrenders her body to a stranger she finds wishing for death by a pond near the house she shares with her two sisters. She never knew her father; neither do her sisters for their fathers. So when she becomes pregnant, she wishes the stranger well, thanks him for the gift he has bestowed on her and thinks nothing more of him. It’s almost a year later that the stranger returns, looking for the woman he calls his Angel. It’s very odd that this man would want to know his daughter but she can’t allow him to become too close to her or their child else the curse take effect. The curse that any man who she loves will die on his 30th birthday. So she must turn him away, despite her growing feelings for the man.
Kane longed for death before he met the beautiful woman who changed his life a year previous. His brothers murdered, the woman he loved betrayed him and his soldiers dead. The witch, in her ignorance of her own powers, wished him well and cast a spell on him to forget all of his suffering. However, he wants that suffering; he wants to remember the pain to honor those whom he had lost. He is at first angry with Sophie and thinks to take his daughter away from her. But despite his anger, he knows the love he feels for her is real and powerful and that she meant no harm truly. She doesn’t possess an evil or mean spirited bone in her body.
Just when they have begun to reconcile over their love of their daughter, they are instead thrust into a game of marriage and royalty when their daughter is kidnapped. Now they must find a way to survive the horrors of court life and escape with their lives.
I liked this book. I did. It just didn’t spark anything in me to LOVE it. I have no issues with it, other than it being rather short and having a lot of it’s focus on side characters or subplots. Sophie was truly a ray of sunshine – everything that is good in the world. Kane has darkness in him, but still love shines through and it’s clear he is a good and strong man. I liked the complex relationship between the evil king and Kane’s concubine/ assassin sister. I would have liked a longer story so as to truly explore these characters lives.
Kane longed for death before he met the beautiful woman who changed his life a year previous. His brothers murdered, the woman he loved betrayed him and his soldiers dead. The witch, in her ignorance of her own powers, wished him well and cast a spell on him to forget all of his suffering. However, he wants that suffering; he wants to remember the pain to honor those whom he had lost. He is at first angry with Sophie and thinks to take his daughter away from her. But despite his anger, he knows the love he feels for her is real and powerful and that she meant no harm truly. She doesn’t possess an evil or mean spirited bone in her body.
Just when they have begun to reconcile over their love of their daughter, they are instead thrust into a game of marriage and royalty when their daughter is kidnapped. Now they must find a way to survive the horrors of court life and escape with their lives.
I liked this book. I did. It just didn’t spark anything in me to LOVE it. I have no issues with it, other than it being rather short and having a lot of it’s focus on side characters or subplots. Sophie was truly a ray of sunshine – everything that is good in the world. Kane has darkness in him, but still love shines through and it’s clear he is a good and strong man. I liked the complex relationship between the evil king and Kane’s concubine/ assassin sister. I would have liked a longer story so as to truly explore these characters lives.
May 14, 2012
This book is the first one in the Fyne Withes series, and it really does make you want to pick up the second book "The Moon Witch". The series is about 3 sisters who live alone in a cabin in the woods, just outside a small town and are cursed, the men they love must die by their 30th birthdays.
Isadora, the oldest sister who is a powerful witch, has already lost her husband unexpectedly and vows to never love again. Juliet, the middle sister has the ability to see people's past, present, and future, and chooses to never fall in love at all. Sophie, the youngest sister has the unique gift of fertility/healing, and she wants a baby, but doesn't want to fall in love.
This book is about Sophie, the youngest sister.
Sophie finds Kane, a wounded soldier and uses what limited powers she has to cast a healing spell and seduce him; then, knowing she is with child, she sends him away. When he returns a year later and sees the infant, he insists on marriage, but Sophie knows that their love will lead to his death. Then the baby is kidnapped. Sophie and Kane must risk their lives to save the one thing that they both love, their baby.
During the whole book, there is a secondary story of the King and his concubine, Leanne. This whole second story is necessary for the next two books, but it feels very forced. The King uses his concubine for sex and murder; she loves him and would do anything for him. By then end of the book he magically loves her and wants to be with her, yet this transformation doesn't feel real or believable at all.
Also, I did not like the way the author "Tried" to tie in the title of the book. While reading it, I kept asking myself, "why is this the Sun Witch?" It was almost like the author forgot as well and decided to throw something in for the last 10% of the book, and it wasn't done very gracefully either.
Overall, however, this was very good book and it did have me reaching for the next one in the series to find out what happens next.
Isadora, the oldest sister who is a powerful witch, has already lost her husband unexpectedly and vows to never love again. Juliet, the middle sister has the ability to see people's past, present, and future, and chooses to never fall in love at all. Sophie, the youngest sister has the unique gift of fertility/healing, and she wants a baby, but doesn't want to fall in love.
This book is about Sophie, the youngest sister.
Sophie finds Kane, a wounded soldier and uses what limited powers she has to cast a healing spell and seduce him; then, knowing she is with child, she sends him away. When he returns a year later and sees the infant, he insists on marriage, but Sophie knows that their love will lead to his death. Then the baby is kidnapped. Sophie and Kane must risk their lives to save the one thing that they both love, their baby.
During the whole book, there is a secondary story of the King and his concubine, Leanne. This whole second story is necessary for the next two books, but it feels very forced. The King uses his concubine for sex and murder; she loves him and would do anything for him. By then end of the book he magically loves her and wants to be with her, yet this transformation doesn't feel real or believable at all.
Also, I did not like the way the author "Tried" to tie in the title of the book. While reading it, I kept asking myself, "why is this the Sun Witch?" It was almost like the author forgot as well and decided to throw something in for the last 10% of the book, and it wasn't done very gracefully either.
Overall, however, this was very good book and it did have me reaching for the next one in the series to find out what happens next.
January 17, 2021
In The Sun Witch, Sophie, the youngest of the three sisters, kicked off the series with her refusal to believe that she was meant to be alone. So she found the green-eyed rebel of her dreams, with whom she share a night of passion and left him still wondering if she was a figment of his imagination. She discovered her gift of fertility while pregnant with his child, unbeknownst to him. When Kane finally found her after a year’s long search, during which he tried but couldn’t shake her from his mind, he was stunned to find her with his daughter, and that he was still very much attracted to her even after the eldest Fyne witch, Isadora, has lifted the good luck charm Sophie has bestowed on him after their night together.
When a scorned suitor of Sophie’s kidnapped their newborn, both must united to regain their flesh and blood and find a way to lift the curse. Their quest culminated in Sophie discovering that she has greater untapped powers that are linked to her emotions – she’s able to influence other’s emotions – when she daringly refused the emperor’s hand in marriage, demanded in exchange for the release of her daughter.
First posted a review of this book in 2006.
When a scorned suitor of Sophie’s kidnapped their newborn, both must united to regain their flesh and blood and find a way to lift the curse. Their quest culminated in Sophie discovering that she has greater untapped powers that are linked to her emotions – she’s able to influence other’s emotions – when she daringly refused the emperor’s hand in marriage, demanded in exchange for the release of her daughter.
First posted a review of this book in 2006.
February 21, 2012
I must stop being fooled by pretty titles and pretty covers, because they never quite live up to what I imagine.
That being said, this story was quite nice. The premise was interesting, I loved the idea of these witches and Sophie was quite a wonderful and strong character.. until . Kane himself was nice, though he had the same problem as Sophie. (don't read the spoiler if you don't want to know) I think they could have used more development, though Kane at least was an honorable character.
There were a great many other characters who weren't and who I just couldn't like. What I especially disliked however was the misogynistic tone that was often present in the book. Though the most misogynistic character didn't succeed in his plans I always wanted to tear my hair out when I was reading about him, but sadly he wasn't the only one acting misogynistic.
Otherwise I quite enjoyed the book. I will say however that there are some graphic sex scenes in this book, so if you're not into that, give this book a pass.
That being said, this story was quite nice. The premise was interesting, I loved the idea of these witches and Sophie was quite a wonderful and strong character.. until . Kane himself was nice, though he had the same problem as Sophie. (don't read the spoiler if you don't want to know) I think they could have used more development, though Kane at least was an honorable character.
There were a great many other characters who weren't and who I just couldn't like. What I especially disliked however was the misogynistic tone that was often present in the book. Though the most misogynistic character didn't succeed in his plans I always wanted to tear my hair out when I was reading about him, but sadly he wasn't the only one acting misogynistic.
Otherwise I quite enjoyed the book. I will say however that there are some graphic sex scenes in this book, so if you're not into that, give this book a pass.
July 23, 2017
I've owned this book for quite awhilenow and though it isn't top of my list for rereads I probably read it at least once a year though I apparently never bothered to review it. I like this story a lot. Sophie is this really fascinating combo of seductress and innocent. She's tough where she needs to be but soft where she needs to be. Kane has his jerk moments but he is a respectable hero. Protective but able to step back and let her do her thing. They make a good couple each picking up the slack of what the other is lacking. The sex scenes are well written but for whatever reason they didn't do much for me. The plot is interesting and well paced. There's magic, palace intrigue, and rebellion. What more could you ask for from a book? I do wish that the author had given a little more backstory on several aspects of the book. There were a number of scenes that lacked emotional impact because we knew too little about what was going on..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews