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Kate Roark Magic #1
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker is the first in a series and a 17,500 word novelette.
Growing up homeschooled on the Renaissance Festival circuit is weird enough, but when you're the daughter of a powerful binding witch who makes a living as a fortune teller, and your best friend is a middle-aged sari vendor, weird is relative.
Fifteen-year-old Kate Roark desperately wants to be a witch but isn't - yet. It's not likely at her age until she meets the Fortune Taker and gets a taste of unimaginable power - but at what cost?
Forced to choose between keeping stolen power or making her magic dreams come true, her ultimate decision throws her entire world into question.
Described as "book candy", and "compulsively readable," The Binding with and the Fortune Taker is the first in the Kate Roark Magic Series from emerging YA fantasy writer, Laura Rich.
Growing up homeschooled on the Renaissance Festival circuit is weird enough, but when you're the daughter of a powerful binding witch who makes a living as a fortune teller, and your best friend is a middle-aged sari vendor, weird is relative.
Fifteen-year-old Kate Roark desperately wants to be a witch but isn't - yet. It's not likely at her age until she meets the Fortune Taker and gets a taste of unimaginable power - but at what cost?
Forced to choose between keeping stolen power or making her magic dreams come true, her ultimate decision throws her entire world into question.
Described as "book candy", and "compulsively readable," The Binding with and the Fortune Taker is the first in the Kate Roark Magic Series from emerging YA fantasy writer, Laura Rich.
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2017
70 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Laura Rich
6 books111 followersLaura Rich loves urban fantasy stories with sarcastic heroes and heroines who get into big trouble, barely escape with their lives, and learn little from the experience. She lives in the Piney Woods of Texas with her family and assorted animals (including chickens!) and is a full-time project manager, all of which have granted her the patience to wrangle recalcitrant characters and misbehaving plotlines into something resembling a story. She writes slowly in the corner of her bedroom on her grandmother's old secretary, which is filled with bells, crystals, tarot card decks, old photos, and memories. Follow her at laurarichwrites.com to see her backlist, get a free short story, and sign up to find out when her next book comes out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 9, 2018
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Kate Roark is the 'hedge-witch' offspring - or so she believes - of a human and the eponymous binding-witch, Clea. As the story develops events transpire that suggest that's not the case, in this paranormal coming of age story by the talented writer Laura Rich in The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker, the first novella in The Kate Roark Magic series.
Kate often helps her mother in the 'binding' ceremony performed on newborn Bindan girls, (to prevent them accessing their magic powers which are forbidden). Living among the Renaissance Fayre's travelling community also brings Kate awareness of herself and her mother's difference to those they meet outside the Fayre's environment. Subsequent events prove that Kate's life is about to change forever as nothing is really as it seemed before.
What happens after the 'binding' ceremony that causes alarm and concern for Kate and Clea? Who is hiding in the wardrobe?
Where does Kate encounter these two people next? What do they tell her about the mysterious Madam Miri?
When does an encounter take place between Kate and Madam Miri - and what does Kate learn as a result?
Why is the Fortune Taker using talismans? What happens to Kate when she meets the Fortune Taker? How does this affect Kate's future?
A most fascinating paranormal novella to begin a new series and I can recommend it to YAs (of all ages), as well as any fans of paranormal mysteries and coming-of-age stories that will entertain and excite you. The characters of Kate and Indira evolve throughout, while the paranormal storyline is unusual with its compare and contrast between the influences of Madame Clea's genuine fortune-telling, (which comes from her benign power as a witch) and the malign one issuing from Madame Miri and the Fortune Taker, who are basically an evil woman linked to a soul-taking demon, who together pose a definite risk to the innocent people they lure into their clutches.
A not-to-be-missed winner for the magical Laura Rich...get your copy today and tell all your friends!
Kate Roark is the 'hedge-witch' offspring - or so she believes - of a human and the eponymous binding-witch, Clea. As the story develops events transpire that suggest that's not the case, in this paranormal coming of age story by the talented writer Laura Rich in The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker, the first novella in The Kate Roark Magic series.
Kate often helps her mother in the 'binding' ceremony performed on newborn Bindan girls, (to prevent them accessing their magic powers which are forbidden). Living among the Renaissance Fayre's travelling community also brings Kate awareness of herself and her mother's difference to those they meet outside the Fayre's environment. Subsequent events prove that Kate's life is about to change forever as nothing is really as it seemed before.
What happens after the 'binding' ceremony that causes alarm and concern for Kate and Clea? Who is hiding in the wardrobe?
Where does Kate encounter these two people next? What do they tell her about the mysterious Madam Miri?
When does an encounter take place between Kate and Madam Miri - and what does Kate learn as a result?
Why is the Fortune Taker using talismans? What happens to Kate when she meets the Fortune Taker? How does this affect Kate's future?
A most fascinating paranormal novella to begin a new series and I can recommend it to YAs (of all ages), as well as any fans of paranormal mysteries and coming-of-age stories that will entertain and excite you. The characters of Kate and Indira evolve throughout, while the paranormal storyline is unusual with its compare and contrast between the influences of Madame Clea's genuine fortune-telling, (which comes from her benign power as a witch) and the malign one issuing from Madame Miri and the Fortune Taker, who are basically an evil woman linked to a soul-taking demon, who together pose a definite risk to the innocent people they lure into their clutches.
A not-to-be-missed winner for the magical Laura Rich...get your copy today and tell all your friends!
December 17, 2020
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker was written by Laura Rich. The story takes us into the world of witches some of whom have powers and they don’t want to use them and one who has very little power and wishes that she did have powers to use.
This is a story about a young girl and her mother, her mother is a midwife for a group of witches, who chose not to practice their craft, and at the time of childbirth have the midwife bind the powers of the babies so they are not able to access their powers.
The midwife and her daughter tend to this task, the midwife has some powers, the daughter has no active powers that she is aware of except, heightened empathy that causes physical pain when she lets her guard down, and she actively works at keeping up the barriers and not letting anyone into her mind.
The story is easy to read, and the author, Laura Rich, has done a great job of creating a world that is realistic and colourful, and is believable. This girl gets caught up in a bit of a mystery and sets it upon herself to solve it. During this she discovers that things aren’t always as they seem, and she is a force to be reckoned with, and that she does indeed have powers, and solves the mystery with the help of her friend.
She accidentally creates a familiar, in the shape of a bird, perhaps not the choice that would be made if she had all the information she needed.
This book would be ideal for a teen through to a young adult. I did enjoy this book, it was an easy read and would recommend it.
I was gifted this book by the author through Voracious Readers Only, this did not affect my view of this story or my review.
This is a story about a young girl and her mother, her mother is a midwife for a group of witches, who chose not to practice their craft, and at the time of childbirth have the midwife bind the powers of the babies so they are not able to access their powers.
The midwife and her daughter tend to this task, the midwife has some powers, the daughter has no active powers that she is aware of except, heightened empathy that causes physical pain when she lets her guard down, and she actively works at keeping up the barriers and not letting anyone into her mind.
The story is easy to read, and the author, Laura Rich, has done a great job of creating a world that is realistic and colourful, and is believable. This girl gets caught up in a bit of a mystery and sets it upon herself to solve it. During this she discovers that things aren’t always as they seem, and she is a force to be reckoned with, and that she does indeed have powers, and solves the mystery with the help of her friend.
She accidentally creates a familiar, in the shape of a bird, perhaps not the choice that would be made if she had all the information she needed.
This book would be ideal for a teen through to a young adult. I did enjoy this book, it was an easy read and would recommend it.
I was gifted this book by the author through Voracious Readers Only, this did not affect my view of this story or my review.
July 25, 2019
Great Start & Audible Listen🎧 Magical & Enjoyable!
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker
The Kate Roark Magic Series, Book 1
By: Laura Rich
Narrated by: Sara Pauley
This is a great start to a new series. Laura Rich created an imaginative world with equally imaginative characters. She fit a lot of story into this short book, it is a nice introduction to who Kate Roark is and the dynamics of her world. She lives with her mother, a witch with magical powers but Kate does not have those powers. She is told it is because her father was human. Her Mom has a booth at The Renaissance Festival to earn money for bills, but there was only a little money to be made. Kate finds out there is another fortune teller doing business at the festival and goes to check it out. Only it turns out to be something else, a fortune taker, a taker of powers. This person is not a good person and with the help of her mothers friend Indira she seeks to put an end to her bad magic. Kate finds things out about herself, questioning who she really is. This is a fast paced story, there is drama, action, twists, mystery and some thrilling suspense. It brings you to the edge of your seat and has you thinking of what is happening and what is coming next. Laura Rich, thank you for this great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Sara Pauley is a terrific narrator and voice performer. She brings these characters to life and sets the perfect tone for the story. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker
The Kate Roark Magic Series, Book 1
By: Laura Rich
Narrated by: Sara Pauley
This is a great start to a new series. Laura Rich created an imaginative world with equally imaginative characters. She fit a lot of story into this short book, it is a nice introduction to who Kate Roark is and the dynamics of her world. She lives with her mother, a witch with magical powers but Kate does not have those powers. She is told it is because her father was human. Her Mom has a booth at The Renaissance Festival to earn money for bills, but there was only a little money to be made. Kate finds out there is another fortune teller doing business at the festival and goes to check it out. Only it turns out to be something else, a fortune taker, a taker of powers. This person is not a good person and with the help of her mothers friend Indira she seeks to put an end to her bad magic. Kate finds things out about herself, questioning who she really is. This is a fast paced story, there is drama, action, twists, mystery and some thrilling suspense. It brings you to the edge of your seat and has you thinking of what is happening and what is coming next. Laura Rich, thank you for this great story.
I listened to the Audible edition, Sara Pauley is a terrific narrator and voice performer. She brings these characters to life and sets the perfect tone for the story. She is an entertaining storyteller and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for this great listen🎧
June 11, 2018
This is the first book in the series about Kate Roark and it is a young adult book about magic and witches, pity the story was so short. I love reading about fortune tellers and renaissance fairs and of course anything to do with magic and witches. Kate Roark insists she is just a hedge witch and an empath but her mother is a fully fledged witch who does fortune telling at the fairs they attend and carries out bindings of newly born witches to curb their magic in the Bindan community. Kate things these people are crazy to refuse their magical powers, something she always wished she had. A new fortune teller appears on the scene and things start becoming suspicious. Indira, Kate's Indian friend tries to warn Kate to keep away from this woman yet Kate is out to investigate who is stealing her mothers clients. Little does she know what she is letting herself into! This is a fun read with a bit of a thriller hint to it which young readers should really enjoy. I am looking forward to the second book in the series.
June 5, 2020
For, 15 year old, Kate Roark is all she really wants to be a witch, after all her mother is a binding witch. She can hardly wait. Her life so far has consisted of being homeschooled and traveling with the Renaissance Fair. She finds out there is another fortune teller at the fair and goes to investigate. She is unprepared for what happens next.
This is the first part of the young adult fantasy/paranormal saga, the Kate Roark Magic Series. It is filled with interesting, unique and somewhat quirky characters that have both strength and weaknesses. The narrative describes the setting well and gives insight into how Kate is feeling, her motivations and the actions she takes. The storyline flows smoothly and is filled with magic, mystery, danger and the value of family. This story gives hints that there are secrets yet to be investigated and sets up the storylines for future books. I enjoyed the characters and the closeness of mother and daughter and hope to read more about these great characters,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first part of the young adult fantasy/paranormal saga, the Kate Roark Magic Series. It is filled with interesting, unique and somewhat quirky characters that have both strength and weaknesses. The narrative describes the setting well and gives insight into how Kate is feeling, her motivations and the actions she takes. The storyline flows smoothly and is filled with magic, mystery, danger and the value of family. This story gives hints that there are secrets yet to be investigated and sets up the storylines for future books. I enjoyed the characters and the closeness of mother and daughter and hope to read more about these great characters,
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2019
It’s a cute short story. The story telling is rather simplistic and innocent and feels more like it’s aimed at a young teen audience (I would have actually pegged Kate as younger than 15). She’s got a bit of a rebellious attitude, along with the idea that she doesn’t need to rely or listen really to adults, which lands her in a world of trouble. It’s got enough magic to balance out the drama rather than being mostly one or the other. I know this is a short story, but I do wish things had been fleshed out more with the Bindan people and we didn’t get to see much of the renaissance faire either and the part that she plays within the renaissance faire. There are enough threads that were hinted at or not resolved to lead nicely to a second book without leaving the reader on a cliffhanger for this particular story. If you’re looking for a sweet short story with some fantasy and a Nancy Drew aspiring young heroine, this should appeal to you.
July 24, 2019
I listened to the audiobook version of this book.
As the first book in the series, we get to know the characters a little bit and then we are thrown into the story and wonder what is going to happen next. It really just feels like a teaser of what is to come and the series progresses, since it is so short. I'm very impressed with this shorter listen, the author is able to keep us engaged and give use a good story in a tiny package. I wish there was more and the series has a lot of potential moving forward. The characters are likeable and the plot is pretty good. I can't wait for more!
I thought the narrator did a great job representing Kate throughout this book, but she doesn't narrate the next. I'm not a fan of narrator switches in series like these where you would want the main character's voice to be consistent. However, the other narrator does just as good, if not better.
As the first book in the series, we get to know the characters a little bit and then we are thrown into the story and wonder what is going to happen next. It really just feels like a teaser of what is to come and the series progresses, since it is so short. I'm very impressed with this shorter listen, the author is able to keep us engaged and give use a good story in a tiny package. I wish there was more and the series has a lot of potential moving forward. The characters are likeable and the plot is pretty good. I can't wait for more!
I thought the narrator did a great job representing Kate throughout this book, but she doesn't narrate the next. I'm not a fan of narrator switches in series like these where you would want the main character's voice to be consistent. However, the other narrator does just as good, if not better.
March 25, 2019
I had to grab this short after listening to the very cliffhangery (is that a word?) snippet, I just had to know what happens next, and of course what happened before, as well! 😊
Surprisingly, after enjoying that snippet, I felt Sara Pauley's narration to be the weakest component of an otherwise good, audio book. She has a pleasant enough voice, but her pacing was off... it felt rather rushed to me, and that tended to pull me out of the story a little bit. Maybe slowing the audio playback would help...
So go ahead. Pick up the book and get a view of Kate Roark's magical world. It's worth it!
Surprisingly, after enjoying that snippet, I felt Sara Pauley's narration to be the weakest component of an otherwise good, audio book. She has a pleasant enough voice, but her pacing was off... it felt rather rushed to me, and that tended to pull me out of the story a little bit. Maybe slowing the audio playback would help...
So go ahead. Pick up the book and get a view of Kate Roark's magical world. It's worth it!
September 9, 2019
Our heroine is ready to perform her coming of age ceremony, but things do not go as planned. Now there are more questions than answers.
This is a fantasy short story which looks like it is targeted at the young adult audience. I found the story to be very well written and definitely intriguing. I really liked our heroine and want to find our more about the setting and what it happening. As a short story, there was not a lot of details provided, but there was enough to wet my appetite. Overall it was an enjoyable and quick read and I am looking forward to more.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
This is a fantasy short story which looks like it is targeted at the young adult audience. I found the story to be very well written and definitely intriguing. I really liked our heroine and want to find our more about the setting and what it happening. As a short story, there was not a lot of details provided, but there was enough to wet my appetite. Overall it was an enjoyable and quick read and I am looking forward to more.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes.
November 8, 2017
Very Short YA Novella
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker by Laura Rich was a great read even though it is only 80 pages. I can't complain about the price since it is free on Amazon and would recommend it to anyone who love to read about fortune tellers. I am giving 5 stars because Laura Rich is a YA writer and it did read like an introduction for a young adult book.I am curious if the next book will be just as short or have more details. Looking forward to reading the next book and hoping it will answer the questions I have.
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker by Laura Rich was a great read even though it is only 80 pages. I can't complain about the price since it is free on Amazon and would recommend it to anyone who love to read about fortune tellers. I am giving 5 stars because Laura Rich is a YA writer and it did read like an introduction for a young adult book.I am curious if the next book will be just as short or have more details. Looking forward to reading the next book and hoping it will answer the questions I have.
November 19, 2020
This was a very fast read. I liked Kate a lot, and the little bit of world building in this first novella of the series.
Kate is a hedge-witch with very little power. She travels with her mother following the renaissance faire circuit. That's how she encounters another fortune teller like her mother.
There's a nice bit of action as Kate figures out what's going on with this other witch. I liked what little I got of the characters, but I wish there'd been more. Even though the main story line was resolved, I was left wanting more.
I'll be continuing with the series.
Kate is a hedge-witch with very little power. She travels with her mother following the renaissance faire circuit. That's how she encounters another fortune teller like her mother.
There's a nice bit of action as Kate figures out what's going on with this other witch. I liked what little I got of the characters, but I wish there'd been more. Even though the main story line was resolved, I was left wanting more.
I'll be continuing with the series.
July 21, 2019
Audiobook review: This is book 1 in the series and a short one at that that hooks you into wanting to continue the series. Starts off kind of slowly but soon your engrossed. Good character and storyline development. The narrator did a nice job. I prefer narrating at my speed of reading. For this book a speed of 1.5x was perfect. I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
November 16, 2017
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be watching for more by this author. I felt like there was a good amount of background information about Kate and the way magic worked without any info dumps. The story kept me interested the whole way through, and I will definitely read the next Kate Roark book when it comes out!
February 12, 2018
A tale of great fortune
This was a very enjoyable read. Well written. I loved the characters and their great sense of humor. I smiled all throughout the book. Even in the semi-tense moments I knew something fun would come of it. Reminds me of watching a comedy with magic in it. I will be following this author and reading more of her stories.
This was a very enjoyable read. Well written. I loved the characters and their great sense of humor. I smiled all throughout the book. Even in the semi-tense moments I knew something fun would come of it. Reminds me of watching a comedy with magic in it. I will be following this author and reading more of her stories.
September 11, 2018
This was an alright book. It was a YA novella, which I wasn't expecting. It was a quick read, obviously, so none of the characters were expanded on a ton. I'm curious as to Kate's heritage - her dad wasn't a witch, hmm? You know exactly what he was? I think he might be a demon. And with that epilogue... I'm very curious. I will probably read book 2.
March 19, 2019
Entertaining
This was a great quick read. Kate and her mom are basically midwives who bind magic in newborn babies. Kate is "just a hedge witch with empathy" while her mom is a full blown witch. When Kate discovers a fortune teller who is taking more than just money, she has to learn quickly just how much she is capable of.
This was a great quick read. Kate and her mom are basically midwives who bind magic in newborn babies. Kate is "just a hedge witch with empathy" while her mom is a full blown witch. When Kate discovers a fortune teller who is taking more than just money, she has to learn quickly just how much she is capable of.
March 28, 2019
I received this book for free at my request but the opinion is of my own. Kate is the daughter of a very powerful witch that binds powers of others. One day she runs into another fortune teller and suddenly feels something she’s never felt before. Is she really just a hedge witch or something more? Very quick enjoyable read.
July 16, 2019
I really enjoyed this fun clean short story. I found it to be quite a good introduction to a new world. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered as we continue the series.
Who exactly is Kate and what power will she have?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Who exactly is Kate and what power will she have?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 31, 2019
The Binding Witch and the Fortune Taker by Laura Rich is an awesome story that I have loved reading. This is book number one in this awesome start to a brand new series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about mysteries and fantasy in thier stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2018
I liked this short story. Thought it was well written and gave just enough information to hook me into this series. Made me laugh. Liked the basic story line and the basic world building introduced. Plus I liked that it was a clean read. Great for lunch break.
January 10, 2019
Fantasy and reality collide
The juxtaposition of natural and supernatural seem especially distinct in this book. There is a lot of foreshadowing. I have questions about both parents...as well as what Mimi said....
The juxtaposition of natural and supernatural seem especially distinct in this book. There is a lot of foreshadowing. I have questions about both parents...as well as what Mimi said....
March 5, 2019
In a land where most people bind their children’s magic at birth, Kate and her mother act as mid-wifed and binders of magic, at least Kate’s Mom does. Kate feels she must investigate the new fortune teller and her powers.
June 7, 2019
A fun short piece about Kate who travels with her mother as part of a renaissance fair. More then they seem, this story focuses of Kate and an adventure she has at the fair.
While the text is a complete story, it left me wanting to read more about Kate and her world.
While the text is a complete story, it left me wanting to read more about Kate and her world.
July 12, 2019
This is an interesting paranormal fantasy. Kate wants to discover who she really is... It's been fun reading this story to find out!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 13, 2019
loved this story! this is a very quick read. the narrator was good. towards the end she sounded like she may have had a cold or was stuffed up.
back to the story- quick paced but very interesting. love the idea of a witch posing as a fortune teller to pay the bills. urban fantasy at it's finest.
back to the story- quick paced but very interesting. love the idea of a witch posing as a fortune teller to pay the bills. urban fantasy at it's finest.
October 2, 2022
This started and ended so fast that I struggle to have any thoughts at all about it. It's a pretty generic witch story, with a non-magical protagonist that pretty clearly secretly does have magic after all. It was free, so that's a plus.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2018
Received this free for a review. The story is good and I enjoyed it, but it was short. It is a preview to a new series. Hope the series is as good.
June 29, 2018
What an amazing fantasy story. Couldn’t get enough and wished it was longer.
February 26, 2019
a fun quick read, an interesting take on witches and other cultures. This short story did wrap up but lots of questions remain to be answered. I enjoyed this and will read some more!
April 17, 2019
Short, but lots of potential for more story line.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews