A Witch's Brew

Conquest of the Veil #3

by Michael Scott Clifton

Intent on defeating the Dark Queen and destroying the Veil, Prince Tal and Alexandria arrive at Markingham to discover a city on the verge of collapse, its people starving, and children vanishing without a trace. Hopes of launching attacks from the city against the Dark Queen evaporate. To make matters worse, the tiny breach in the Veil allows only a trickle of soldiers and supplies to pass through. Before the city’s defenses can be restored, the Baleful, a vast army composed of melded humans and animals led by a giant centaur, sweeps across the land like locusts, leaving nothing behind. In the midst of turmoil and conflict, the love between Tal and Alex reaches white-hot intensity. But the leader of a renegade militia group wants Tal for herself and will do anything to get him…even strike a bargain with a child-killing witch for a potion to make her irresistible. But every witch’s brew comes with a price.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2021

About the author

Multi Award-Winning Author Michael Scott Clifton, a public educator for over 38 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, currently lives in Mount Pleasant, Texas with his wife, Melanie and family cat. An avid gardener, reader, and movie junkie, he enjoys all kinds of book and movie genres. His books contain aspects of all the genres he enjoys...action, adventure, magic, fantasy, and romance. His fantasy novels, The Janus Witch and The Open Portal, received 5-Star reviews from the prestigious Readers' Favorite Book Reviews, and he has been a finalist in a number of short story contests with Edges of Gray winning First Place in the Texas Authors Contest. Professional credits include articles published in the Texas Study of Secondary Education Magazine. Clifton's latest book, The Open Portal, won The Feathered Quill Book Finalist Award, and launches the fantasy book series, Conquest of the Veil.
He is not only an author, but also a blogger and speaker as well.

Reviews

[Ruthie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Different doesn't mean evil or vile—it just means different."

A Witch’s Brew by Michael Scott Clifton is book three in the Conquest of the Veil series, and this next installment delivers that hefty dose of good versus evil that is so prevalent in the entire series. But what if some of that so-called evil is based on perception rather than actuality? Not everyone here nails a good first impression, so snap judgments would be a mistake. Just like in real life, right? Be on the lookout for a character or two who are complete brutes and hellions and often act ruthlessly and recklessly but end up stealing your heart anyway.

"Rare is the man or woman not guilty of errors in judgment."

With love and unfulfilled desire between Prince Tal and Lady Alexandria burning up the pages, the overall plan to take down the Veil Queen continues. This time, Tal, Alex, and the rest make it through the newly formed hole in the Veil and travel to Markingham, a destitute city filled with starving, vulnerable citizens living in squalor and surrounded by crumbling walls. The entire city is easy prey to disease and attack, and cleaning it up and reinforcing it will take cooperation, ingenuity, and magic.

A Witch’s Brew is so fast paced that the end is reached way too soon. Clifton’s world building and characterization are phenomenal and beyond excellent. The magic is clever, the dialog is engaging, the battles are fierce, and the entire plot in book one and book two flows seamlessly into book three without a hitch.

As if everything isn’t exciting and tumultuous enough between Tal and Alex, along comes Maggie, daughter of an Earl and leader of the Marauders in Markingham. This woman is a whirlwind of both arrogance and vulnerability, and she is beset by a flash flood of lust for Tal and the determination to have him as her own. Whatever will Alex do? High drama runs rampant here that goes beyond mere jealousy, so get ready!

As with the other books in this series, physical appearance and vanity rear up as prevalent themes. From her previous identity on Earth as plain Mona Parker, Alex now knows firsthand the power that physical beauty can wield. The difference is that while Alex is stunning and alluring on the outside, her heart is even more dazzling and kind. As an interesting contrast, Drusulla, the evil fairy-tale-like witch in this amazing book three, is the epitome of vanity, fulfilling her evil desire to hang on to her youth and beauty at any cost so that she can stay powerful and continue luring men into her web.

Michael Scott Clifton obviously spares no expense when creating such dynamic characters. Even the minor folks and mythical creatures are brilliantly portrayed. The spectacularly dramatic events unfolding at the end will have you clamoring for the immediate delivery of the next book in this enchanting series.

"Magic, no matter how powerful, could ever create love. It couldn't be distilled, mixed up in a pot, and served like a favorite ale. Love could only come from the heart."

I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped into A Witch's Brew the third installment in Michael Scott Clifton's Conquest of the Veil series having only read brief synopses of the previous two novels, but so good is the author's storytelling that I never felt out of the loop, or like I'd missed a ton of crucial backstory. More importantly, I felt completely comfortable in the world Clifton built, which felt like a real place.

While I loved the story over all I really appreciated that both the protagonist, Alex, and the antagonist (I felt too much sympathy for her to label her an outright villain), Maggie, were both strong, self-possessed women. I was rooting for Alex, of course, but both characters were well drawn, dynamic women, and leapt off the page and into my imagination, where they'll linger for a while.

I also loved Clifton's use of language. So many fantasy authors conflate fantasy with medieval, and use antiquated language where it really isn't necessary. Clifton understands the difference, and I enjoyed reading this genre-blending story of witches and potions, sword fights and romance, all the more because the author used contemporary language.

While I am a new reader of this series, I'm not entirely new to Clifton's work, having reviewed his novel The Janus Witch in 2018. Then, I was impressed by his deftness at handling time travel. With A Witch's Brew, I was struck by his prowess with both parallel world structures, and with writing romance that is poignant but never sappy. I'm also excited to know that there are more stories planned in this world. I'm completely hooked and I think anyone who is a fan of series like Shadow and Bone will be, as well.

This novel is a fantastic (no pun intended), immersive story that has something for everyone, wrapped in a perfect plot and enhanced by compelling characters and a truly original take on magic and its uses.

Goes well with: A grilled grouper sandwich, sweet potato fries,  and a craft-brewed beer, nothing too hoppy.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped into this series with this, the third book. I read a synopsis to get caught up on the main points, but I didn’t have the advantage of ALL of the backstory. And you know what? It didn’t matter. A Witch’s Brew is a ripping good fantasy read, and I gather from the ending that there is more yet to come in the series.

Bring it on.

Clifton has absolutely roped me into the world he’s created here. He does an outstanding job of creating the world and the history, the people and the places.

My heart ached for Alex in the early part of the book. Here she is, in a world full of magic, and the man she loves is one of the strongest magic wielders around, and what magical talent does she have? None. (Or so she thinks.) Plus, she’s got Maggie, the exceedingly bold leader of just about the only real warriors around Markingham, making a move for Tal. That’s a lot for a girl to handle. But she isn’t one to just shrink away quietly. No magic? She finds other ways to make a difference for the people of Markingham, and I loved that about her. Even when things are hard, even when she has a wallow in the pity pit for a moment, Alex doesn’t let difficult circumstances get her down.

And while Maggie is cast as the bad girl, I felt some sympathy for her, too. By the end of the book, she finds herself in a royal mess of her own making. Let’s just say messing around with witches and potions isn’t the best idea, and with magic, you’ve got to be very, very careful what you request and how. I’m interested to see what her role in future books will be. Can she be redeemed, or will she go over to the dark side?

Love and jealousy. Magic and monsters. An epic quest to defeat the Big Bad and some booty-kickin’ battle scenes. This story has it all. Definitely a five-star read for me! The ending of the book is wide open for things yet to come. When it’s out, I will snatch up book four in a hot second and see what happens next. If you’re a high fantasy, sword and sorcery fan, you should give this series a read, too.

[Akansha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m angry. I’m so so angry I probably shouldn’t even have read it whole but oh well. I’m soooo mad GODDDDDD

okay so, Maggie. Yup, let’s start with Maggie. Could you rlly hate someone that you don't even need booze to lose your senses and kill them straight on? Cuz yeah, definitely, i do. I wanna scratch her eyeballs out along with her stupid little brain that's obviously full of hay. I'm sorry, did i sound like a psychopath? Well, good then. Cuz I was ripping my hair off half of time just watching her pea size brain doing the deed. I swear I understand but I rlly wished and hoped with the bottom of my heart that she’d die and I'm not even sorry for it. I beg god to kill her in the next book.

And yup, this was definitely a hate review and the thing I leaned here was to never trust a Margaret whose nickname is Maggie, ever in your life. Btw bone crushing hugs and peppering kisses to my beloved alex & tal. Mamma loves you forever and always.

[Lynn Poppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch’s Brew is the third novel I’ve read by Mr. Clifton. The novel jumps right into where we left off with Escape from Wheel, with Prince Tal, Lady Alexandra, and their group attempting to rid the kingdom of the Evil Queen. This time in the town of Markingham.

Two aspects of Mr. Clifton’s writing across his novels that I’ve really enjoyed is the world building and visually descriptive language. While the setting in A Witch’s Brew was established in the earlier books, we have in this novel the new setting of Markingham, a town in disrepair at the edge of The Veil. Everything about Markingham is in a serious state of decay, and Mr. Clifton deftly writes the descriptions so fully that I could see the dilapidated walls, leaking roofs, starving citizens, and the complete lack of magic. Mr. Clifton’s visually descriptive narrative can be read in every chapter. From “seas of grey tents” to bookcases being compared to mountain peaks, and especially to the melded creatures in the army of the Baleful, the detail in the writing is vast.

Lady Alexandria shows a lot of character growth in this installment. I recall being a bit irritated by Alex in the previous novel. But she really comes into her own here. She discovers what her magic is, how it’s triggered, and even more, how to use it. But Alex is not just about her magic. She shows a real ability to help the people and creatures of Markingham. When everyone wants to kill a troll that’s been ransacking town, Alex realizes the troll is in pain and needs help. The kindness Alex shows towards this troll (and the other characters) is evidence that she is genuinely gracious.

Most of the plot of A Witch’s Brew involves the battle for Markingham against the Baleful. But Mr. Clifton’s writing shines in the actual battle scenes. We have multiple points of view happening (Tal, the Marauders, the Baleful, Alex, and two different military leaders) in the scenes. But then all the characters come crashing together (literally and figuratively) while they fight. I’ve read a lot of battle scenes and I’m always impressed with how authors keep all those different facts of the story straight and flowing smoothly to the reader. From Tal’s fight with Varg, the leader of the Baleful, through Boorba (the troll Alex rescues) doing his best to help fight off the enemy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this section of the novel!

With the fast pace set by Mr. Clifton, the end of the book came along very quickly. There is a lot of build up to fixing Markingham, then the planning and the actual battle. But afterwards, there are a couple of parties, a few wrap up scenes, and that’s about it. I wanted some more time with these characters, especially happy moments after the battle.

One aspect of the novel that didn’t work for me was the love triangle with Maggie, Tal, and Alex. I found this arc of the novel to be predictable and trite. I enjoyed Maggie as the strong warrior woman, leading her group of Marauders, helping the folk of Markingham survive. I did not enjoy how she behaved towards Alex and her green-eyed monster bad decisions. Maggie certainly learned that a person should be extremely specific when dealing with witches and potions. (She clearly doesn’t read enough magical realism books!) I only hope that Maggie redeems herself in the next novel.

As the third book in the series, A Witch’s Brew is enhanced by having read the other novels in the series previously. I think a reader could jump into the series with this novel and be able to follow the plot and characters. But a deeper understanding of the overall story could be found by reading the first two novels. (And yes, I do still need to go back and read that first one.)

If you are into magical realism with fantastic world building and descriptive writing, check out A Witch’s Brew and the Conquest of the Veil Series! The novels are mesmerizing and enchanting. I’m looking forward to reading the next novel in the series!

And in addition to a totally killer cover, there are some lovely drawings by Nancy E. Durham interspersed throughout the novel. I always enjoy a good drawing in a fantasy novel. They really help boost my reading enjoyment.

[Clueless Gent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clifton takes worldbuilding to a new level in this series, and A Witch’s Brew adds another layer rich with fanastical description and imaginary delights. From the foul stench of a witch’s cottage to the pristine sweetness of old magic, this story will give the imagination a satisfying workout.

This installment adds a few new characters to the cast - both good and evil - but our favorites from the last story are back. The relationship between our protagonists, Lady Alexandria (Alex) and Prince Talmund (Tal), continues to grow. In this story, Alex teaches Tal a lesson on compassion as they find a dilapidated town during their search for the evil queen. The hate Tal has experienced his entire life is softened by the empathy of Alex.

Prince Tal and his army put their search for the evil queen on hold and help to restore the town and care for the remaining population. When confronted by a formidable enemy, the army decides to take up their arms to defend it.

There are so many things I love about this series. The author does so many things exceptionally well. I’ll start with dialogue.

Michael Scott Clifton uses clever dialogue and mannerisms to really bring his characters to life. Rather than “telling” the reader the story, Clifton “shows” it to the reader’s imagination. For example, when two characters are having an argument, rather than tell us how the characters are feeling, he demonstrates by their words and actions.

The character arcs remind me of musical wave forms, but not quite as graceful. Since the two protagonists have not even reached twenty-one years of age, their emotions can change quickly. And then they can change again. And again. I think it adds another element of interest to the story.

Another thing Clifton does so very well is use description and worldbuilding hand-in-hand to create a fanciful carnival for any imagination. With his description, I actually have a good sense of what his gnomes and trolls look like. Further, the band of marauders he conjures up in this story seemed to tug at the limits of my imagination - but that’s a good thing.

My favorite part of this story was the battle scene. It was very well written. The pacing had me turning pages at a frantic pace so as not to hamper the action. With the weapons in use, such as swords and two-headed axes, there had to be gore, but it was tastefully done. Further, adding in an element of magic during a grandiose battle scene really punches up the action meter!

Some readers may not like the way this story ends, because it doesn’t really end. Rather, it just seems to put it on pause. If this was the last book in the series, I would be downright outraged. However, with the way the author set everything up, I am eagerly waiting for the next book in the series to be released. This story, in my opinion, is exceptionally well done, but I’m sure the next one will be epic!

[Lorilei Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Witch's Brew by Michael Scott Clifton is book three of the Conquest of the Veil series, which I am very pleased to find is not the last book of a trilogy. In true Clifton fashion, this book manages to surpass even the first two brilliant books of the series as we are further entangled in the battle between good and evil.

While books one and two paint the line between the two sides more obviously, I love how this book has you pondering the meaning behind "a means to an end." Is breaking a promise so bad when you do it out of love? And are you willing to break someone's heart over honor? Those are just a few existential questions that come to mind when I mull over this wonderful story. The other questions I had: where is the witch and what’s in her brew? Those answers come just past the halfway mark of the book. Normally that type of thing would bother me, but I was so wrapped up in the story that I did not mind at all! Clifton’s gift for painting a complete picture of a fantasy world is so great that you forget where you are and become fully immersed.

Escape from the Wheel left me hopelessly in love with Alexandria's character. So beautiful but kind, delicate yet strong. And this latest book confirmed that she is worthy of all admiration. Of course, someone is bound to be jealous of such a shining light. As someone who identifies as more of a best friend than a leading lady, I felt compassion for the brash Maggie. Oh, Sir Clifton, why do you torture us with yet another love triangle in this series? My heart can only take so much! To be completely honest, you could get by without reading the first two books. But why would you? You would miss out on so much backstory and this exciting build of adventure and love.

I know that I will need to toughen up for the next book because things are only getting harrier for our heroine and her brave prince. Each hard-won victory has been exciting but you know that the worst is yet to come. And Clifton's magical way with the written word assures you that every detail will be unveiled and you will see all - both the good and the bad - unwind in a cinematic cyclone.

The vibe of this book was interesting - sort of Game of Thrones meets Hocus Pocus. I really look forward to reading the next book, especially knowing that it will be even better than this one. If you are a fantasy reader, you definitely need to pick up the first three books of the Conquest of the Veil series so that you’re ready for book four.

[Rox Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michael Scott Clifton delivers the 3rd installment in this series focused on good versus evil and magic versus heart. His world-building continues in delightful detail, from every aspect. I wanted to join in beside many of these endearing people and creatures.

The character development continues with the evolution of Alex and Tal. The surprise for me was Lady Margaret or Maggie to her friends. This complex individual had me rooting for her failure as much as her success. Her character explores the problems one must resolve from fear, guilt, and remorse to move forward. You can feel her ability to alter the world of Markingham early on after she struts into the room, adding a provocative element.

"Margaret placed a hand on his arm. "Do I need to hang on to something?
" Alex's heart raced. She's flirting with him! Suffocating jealousy rose in her, and she found it hard to breathe.
Tal's lips formed a thin line. "Lady Margaret. What a pleasant surprise. I thought you had decided to be uncooperative."
Margaret leaned closer. "Oh, there are some things I can be very cooperative about…and as you have no doubt surmised, I am no lady." She snorted. "Call me Maggie. No one calls me Margaret except Father."
"Margaret, now is not the time for this," the earl warned. Ignoring him, Maggie caught Alex's eyes with her own.
Stroking Tal's arm, she said, "Perhaps I can repay your demonstration with one of my own."

This story shows the evil side of magic with the creatures created by the dark queen, but also how lasting hope is possible without magical elements. Alex grew throughout this series, learning about herself and her value to a world she must negotiate using all her abilities.

For Alex's love, Tal has growing to do. The author delivers that growth mentoring in surprising ways, outside of his mentor resources. Varg presents a challenge to Prince Talmund, forcing him to learn control and focus. Boorba helps the young Tal look at creatures and respect their differences. The rich character universe through this story makes me sad this story is over, but maybe another one is in the works. I can hope.

I recommend this story to those who like fantasy, mythical creatures, excitement, thrills, magic, and portions. This book has it all with a heavy dose of romance on top.

[Christena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Conquest of the Veil is a phenomenal series. A Witch’s Brew continues with the fantasy saga with exceptional storytelling and writing.

A Witch’s Brew has a cast of characters from a troll to a witch, along with flying horses, and a continued young romance between Tal and Alex. Thrown in this mix are still people fighting for good against wicked people. The addition of magical powers and spells went wrong and readers get a fantasy saga of a book that was unputtable down for me.

This book is definitely not a stand-alone book since this story is a continuing saga. A Witch’s Brew by author, Michael Scott Clifton, is the second fantasy book I have read by him. This series is soon becoming the perfect escapism for me.

The magical brilliance of Clifton’s writing and imagination continues in A Witch’s Brew in how he continues to creatively imagine putting a new spin on all these combined story elements.

One of my favorite aspects of reading a book is the point where my mind wanders back to the story during the day. A Witch’s Brew allowed me to daydream and forget while I reading the story. Fans of imitate plots, intrigue with mythical creatures, and magic will definitely embrace this series.

My most favorite aspect of reading a book in a series is the next book that will follow. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Conquest of the Veil series and reading where the story of Tal and Alex will end up.

Lastly, I want to do a shout-out to the artist, Nancy E. Durham for her illuminating black and white illustrations in the book. While all the designs are incisive Nancy captures the story’s essence in the illustration proceeding Chapter 1 in A Witch’s Brew .

[Linda Pirtle · Rating 5 out of 5]

To say that Michael Scott Clifton is a gifted writer would be an understatement at best.
In his fantasy novel, A Witch’s Brew: Conquest of the Veil Book III, Clifton skillfully included
elements of sci-fi, mystery, action/adventure, and romance.

While the book is a stand-alone, I recommend that the reader consider Clifton’s first two books in the series. I have read both, and having become acquainted with the characters, I have fallen in love with them. This story takes place in Markingham where Tal and his officers plan to wait for more recruits before launching an attack on the forces of the Dark Queen.

Prince Talmud is portrayed as an angry, courageous warrior intent on revenge. He hates the Dark Queen and King and does not hesitate to use his magic impulsively when his emotions drive him to take risks at all costs to make them pay for destroying the peace within his beloved country. However, it is when he meets Alexandria that he begins to realize the power of love and develops the ability to reign in his emotions. By contrast, it is love that allows Alexandria to discover her own magic powers.

Clifton’s description of the battle between the Imperial Army and Varg’s army of rejects takes the reader into the midst of a breathtaking hand-to-hand combat as well as an aerial contest. Book III is definitely a page turner you will not want to miss.

[Lira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series--so read the others before you start this one. It is set in a fantasy world split by an veil of magic--one side ruled by an evil queen that is so evil you just have to hate her, the other side is free. A rift in the veil allows Prince Tal's army to sneak through with the intent to kill the queen and destroy the barrier once and for all. Alex (a bullied teenager from Earth) is coming into her own, both comfortable in this beautiful new body and growing in wild magic.

The book continues Tal and Alex's love story in the midst of rebuilding Markum in preparation for an attack by the Balefuls (an army of human/creature combos). Not the best time to fall in love and the obstacles between the two are many. The side characters really steal the show here, for me: A cruel centaur leading the Baleful, a kind ogre, Maggie--the beautiful warrior in love with Tal, and a witch.

The last two play an important role in the book as Maggie, desperate to win Tal from Alex, stoops so low its hard to see redemption for her. Only for her to find out love cannot be bought, no matter the price.

Get all three if you plan to read them, you'll want the background, and the world will suck you in.

[Galand Nuchols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Clifton's novel, The Witches Brew, is a story of love, jealousy, conniving, and honor all within the setting of a war to right the wrongs that have lasted centuries.
Prince Tal and his advisors are engaged in a war to overpower a wicked queen that has divided the empire with an impenetrable Veil. She kills those who displease her or turns them into malformed beasts that serve as her army. After years of suffering the queen's raiding of Tal's kingdom, a small opening in the veil is discovered, and Tal's army is able to slip through. Their objective -- kill the queen and her consort then restore the kingdom to its rightful ruler.
Two women, one a beautiful princess, Alex, the other, Maggie, a warrior leading a band of marauders, are in love with Prince Tal. Princess Alex plays by the rules of society and is Tal's true love. Maggie will do anything to attract Tal's attention to her, including requiring an evil witch to make a potion that will force Tal to her bed.
The Witch's Brew is an exciting read that I can recommend to any reader.

[Cindy Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I appreciate in an author is when I am dropped into a story set in another world and feel right at home, and I know I mentioned it in the review of Escape from Wheel, the first I read in the series.

From page one in this, A Witch's Brew, I experienced a renewed kinship with the characters, the time period, and the setting. They are as real as your own family, except they have talismans and do magic—something we all wish for I’m sure.

The genre is listed as magical realism and paranormal, but it's also race-to-the-death adventure, nail-biting thriller, and hot-hot romance. Folks, you don't have to start with book one, these are stand alones, but do work from the beginning so you can get to know the characters and watch them fight for everything they believe in. Something lost in today's society.

[Richard Schwindt · Rating 5 out of 5]

More sword and sorcery in book 3 of Conquest of the Veil: Witch’s Brew. And, significantly, now we add a potion; one that can change everything. Tal is changing, but the challenges against him mount; some in his face; others far more subtle. The Dark Queen has an unfinished plan and, I am pleased to say, this series will continue. So if you like character driven fantasy and a big side of world building, enjoy Clifton’s latest, with your potion of choice on the rocks.

[Paulette Blunck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Witch's Brew yesterday morning. I can't believe how quickly I got into the book and finished. Fantastic read. Cant hardly wait for #4!!
Thank you Thank you!!

[Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow on to the series. Fun and engaging. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Lone Star Literary Life · Rating 5 out of 5]

Featured on Lone Star Book Blog Tours. Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.8 stars.

[Sybrina Durant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I’ve read by author Michael Scott Clifton and I’ve got to say, he has easily become one of my all-time favorite authors. The first was the amazing Middle Grade book “Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator” which recently won a well-deserved Feathered Quill Book Award.
The book I just finished is Book 3 of his Conquest Of The Veil Book series, “A Witch’s Brew”. While Edison Jones was based on the possibilities of extreme science, A Witch’s Brew is a purely magical fantasy that consists of everything a fantasy should be. There’s even a flying carriage guided by winged horses…something Cinderella would have loved to have, I imagine. The story is loaded with amazing creatures, magical talents and items, with lots of action and adventure throughout.

While I missed reading Books 1 and 2 of the Conquest of the Veil, (and I plan to soon remedy that) this minor inconvenience in no way marred my experience of reading book 3. It is a story that absolutely stands on its own. This fairy tale love story made me think of how fairy tales of old could have been had they been expanded into full length novels. Richly detailed black and white illustrations throughout the novel, by Nancy E. Durham, reminded me of old wood-cut prints from Hans Christian Andersen tales.

The characters in the story are crafted in splendid detail, making you feel as if they are real life historical figures. The main players are the princess (Alexandria), the prince (Tal) and a very bad girl (Maggie). Supporting players that you can’t forget include the troll (Boorba), an evil witch (Drusulla) and a white monk (Pulpit).

A vicious enemy contingent of hideously deformed “melds”, known as the Baleful, led by the monstrous centaur, Varg, wage an attack on Markingham. The run-down city is where Alexandria and Tal are hiding as they build an army to fight the Veil Queen’s dark forces. The battle with the melds reminded me of impossible scenes from Lord of the Rings where good eventually wins out over evil.

Clifton’s way with words is stunning. Here’s one of my favorite paragraphs: The triple moons, crescent slivers of light, cast a weak glow. The stars at this high altitude and thin air were brilliant. Scattered in their innumerable millions and billions, it looked like a giant had taken a fistful of fairie dust and hurled it in all directions. Below the night sky, the mountainous ridges and slopes were gray shadows, the trees tall silhouettes. Beautiful. It was all so beautiful.

This story has many beautiful moments and some terrifying ones, too. There is still much more to be revealed. I look forward to reading books 1 and 2 and book 4 when it becomes available.

[Kelly Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Witch’s Brew is filled to the brim with brilliant imagery painted by a gifted writer who can breathe magic into the world of fantasy fiction. Michael Scott Clifton weaves a colorful tale of flying horses, centaurs, trolls, a wicked witch who brews poisonous potions, and a love story that is challenged by evil forces determined to tear them apart. The only thing I didn’t love about this story was that I am still waiting to see if the lovers Alexandria and Tal will defeat the Dark Queen. Clifton has pulled me into his next book.

[Carlyn Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end.

This trilogy is terrific. Trolls, gnomes, flying horses, magic, witches. It has it all. Beautifully descriptive in settings, characters I would like to know. I want more!