This book was very engaging and is a wonderful introduction to the series. I enjoyed the book and the characters are interesting and catch your attention. Enjoy this book
I liked how I was immediately thrown into the action with the central character, Madeleine. The world she and her family inhabit is well described and I was able to picture its various elements very well. This is a bonus for someone like me who has trouble with geography in general. The main tension is set up by an unusual cast of characters, including the main character’s daughter and her mother-in-law. Add to this Madeleine’s secrets about her past and you get a very enjoyable quest novel.
I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
So Madeleine is this historian (thief) in a dystopian world (technology somehow blew up in a major way, leaving civilisation in a mostly pre-Industrial age). The worldbuilding is so rich and textured! She finds what she was looking for – and so much more.
I enjoyed the way Faerie was described, the way Ondine knew more than she showed, the way things are foreshadowed for the novels (I can’t wait to read them!) and Madeleine’s shady character.
I like the cover. There are a few typos, but not enough to detract from this page-turner.
I enjoyed reading "The River Witch", so I requested for this prequel as well.
This book is about Tabitha's mother and her search of the Hagstone, which led her to the coast of post-technology Bretan. But she met Tabitha's father and decided to stay to make a family. Her search was never forgotten though, and she knew that soon her past life will also catch up to her. When she continued her search, her discovery led her to make a choice between family and faerie.
Bizarrely, this novella is my favourite book in this series haha! It had a start and an end - unlike the main series where the original story arc remains unresolved after 3 books. I hope to find out more about Madeleine and the truth of her connection to Lysander who seemed early on to have known her but then claimed never to have met her. Was it prevarication or did the author mess up continuity? Who knows...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As soon as I finished The River Witch I signed up to get the Hagstone. I must say, I like The Hagstone a lot better. I though Maude's story was interesting and I liked the quick pace. It goes through most of her life quickly, but the details are there and it makes for a nice read.
I felt really peaceful reading this little story. I am very difficult about the books I read, so when I find one which has a pace and writing style that fits me so well, it's like finally finding the right slippers, or getting into a good bath. Aaaaah, so good! Thank you for this book, I've just bought the River Witch and can't wait to dig in!
I enjoyed this prequel far more than I was expecting. There's quite a lot of foreshadowing (naturally) for things that happen in the main trilogy, and Madeleine herself is a very well written, relatable character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and all of its little heartaches! I've already picked up the next 3 (books 1 through 3 of the main series) and cant wait to start them!