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Traitor to the Crown #1
The Patriot Witch
The year is 1775. On the surface, Proctor Brown appears to be an ordinary young man working the family farm in New England. He is a minuteman, a member of the local militia, determined to defend the rights of the colonies. Yet Proctor is so much more. Magic is in his blood, a dark secret passed down from generation to generation. But Proctor’s mother has taught him to hide his talents, lest he be labeled a witch and find himself dangling at the end of a rope.
A chance encounter with an arrogant British officer bearing magic of his own catapults Proctor out of his comfortable existence and into the adventure of a lifetime, as resistance sparks rebellion and rebellion becomes revolution. Now, even as he fights alongside his fellow patriots from Lexington to Bunker Hill, Proctor finds himself enmeshed in a war of a different sort–a secret war of magic against magic, witch against witch, with the stakes not only the independence of a young nation but the future of humanity itself.
A chance encounter with an arrogant British officer bearing magic of his own catapults Proctor out of his comfortable existence and into the adventure of a lifetime, as resistance sparks rebellion and rebellion becomes revolution. Now, even as he fights alongside his fellow patriots from Lexington to Bunker Hill, Proctor finds himself enmeshed in a war of a different sort–a secret war of magic against magic, witch against witch, with the stakes not only the independence of a young nation but the future of humanity itself.
341 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
C.C. Finlay
66 books97 followersFormer Editor, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Author of The Prodigal Troll, the Traitor to the Crown Series, and Wild Things, plus dozens of short stories. World Fantasy Award Winner, and finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Sidewise, Sturgeon, and Locus Awards. Teacher at Clarion and elsewhere.
Married to novelist Rae Carson.
Married to novelist Rae Carson.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
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August 30, 2016Though I got thrown off track during the opening because Finlay had an unmarried girl entering a coffee house, and in the company of her father (which at least in England was just about always a pimp bringing in a "coffee girl" for a customer), and this girl was wearing a cap (which no eighteen year old girl would be caught dead in unless she were already married) outside (no bonnet?)--making me think that he had created an alternate world, the way Madeleine Robins did with her Sarah Tolerance books (the Queen Regent, which meant women had their own coffee houses), that was just five pages. As soon as Finlay gets to the battle of Lexington, he's sure-footed, solid in grounding the details, and his characters took on absorbing complexity.
August 7, 2013
The more I hear about Proctor's infatuation with Emily, the less I can take the stupid piling up in this book. It'd be one thing if I didn't suspect that he's going to spend the remainder of this book fixated on her. It's just so clumsy, really. I mean, when a girl repudiates both what you are (a witch) and what you do (fighting for the minutemen) and is horrified by both, that relationship is completely over unless you plan on repudiating them (and probably not even then). She isn't going to be talked around if only because the two of you obviously don't share the same values. Duh. Meanwhile, we've just met Deborah who it is clear will be his "true" love, but so clumsily projected as to take the fun out of finding out how it will happen (because you can see that it will most likely involve every tired trope the author can lay hands on).
I'm struggling between one and two stars here. The writing is well-enough on the micro-level (sentences, grammar, description, etc.). But it's pretty poor on the macro level (narrative, story elements, character building, etc.). Since I haven't finished the book and have no plans to do so, I think I'll err on the side of generosity and go with two...
I'm struggling between one and two stars here. The writing is well-enough on the micro-level (sentences, grammar, description, etc.). But it's pretty poor on the macro level (narrative, story elements, character building, etc.). Since I haven't finished the book and have no plans to do so, I think I'll err on the side of generosity and go with two...
August 12, 2009
Proctor Brown is a Minuteman, summoned to battle in Lexington. He's been courting the beautiful daughter of a Tory neighbor who is not happy that he's thrown his lot in with the rebel cause. And he has magic, as the son of a line of witches that goes back to the infamous Salem trials. It's his magic that makes him realize Major Pitcairn, in command of the British regulars, has a charm that makes him invulnerable to injury. His interference in trying to take Pitcairn's charm makes a British witch called the Widow aware of his power, and sends her in search of Proctor. He also manages to find an enclave of witches, all women, who are doing their best to study and increase their powers. Some do not trust him: they are Quakers; one is a Mennonite. And they believe that he deliberately led the Widow to them to betray their group to the British.
I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. After reading Kenneth Roberts, Ariana Franklin, Esther Forbes, and other novels of this period, I expect lots of light and gaiety, ruffles and candlelight, powdered and unpowdered hair, passionate debates over ideas and the vitality of a new world. This book is leaden. Yes, it's wartime and most of it takes place in the back woods and on farms, but so do Roberts books, and there's still a fire in them that I don't find here. It's almost as if the author found the period as much of a chore as Proctor finds gravedigging.
I didn't like this book as much as I wanted to. After reading Kenneth Roberts, Ariana Franklin, Esther Forbes, and other novels of this period, I expect lots of light and gaiety, ruffles and candlelight, powdered and unpowdered hair, passionate debates over ideas and the vitality of a new world. This book is leaden. Yes, it's wartime and most of it takes place in the back woods and on farms, but so do Roberts books, and there's still a fire in them that I don't find here. It's almost as if the author found the period as much of a chore as Proctor finds gravedigging.
August 8, 2022
As a person from rural Ohio, it's always good to read an author from my home state, but dude what do you have against Ohio? The Patriot Witch (Traitor to the Crown #1) by C.C. Finaly is a solid historical fantasy, but I don't know if I'll be back for the rest of the series.
May 23, 2010
I couldn't get into this series. It was well written but I just couldn't make myself care about the characters.
December 16, 2023
The year is 1775. On the surface, Proctor Brown appears to be an ordinary young man working the family farm in New England. But he has a talent for seeing the future & what he sees changes his life.
And interesting look at the American Revelation with a paranormal twist.
And interesting look at the American Revelation with a paranormal twist.
April 28, 2009
Review Patriot Witch
On the brinks of Revolution, American militia men—troupes of armed farmers and other non-military men—stand to guard the “Patriot Cause” against the British redcoats. Unknown to the vast majority of fighting men on both sides is the presence of magical intervention—or that those among them are charmed or gifted with supernatural abilities.
Twenty-year old Proctor Brown, a farmer and militiaman, spots a charm worn by Major Pitcairn, a British “lobster”. Though Proctor is supposed to be wooing his sweetheart Emily’s father, the British soldiers pull him into a brawl, where after he is forced to ram a knife into Pitcairn, he discovers that the officer with the charm is invincible. Proctor’s worrying about making a good impression on Emily’s father fades as both war and magic come crashing into his life.
In Finlay’s mythos, magic in colonial America was made famous by the Salem witch trials; Proctor, as betrayed by his name, is a descendent of Salem witches. Fearing for persecution, his mother has taught him very little of his inherited abilities, and discourages him from discovering more, both for fear of the principle and of losing her only son. In the beginning, Proctor is only capable of scrying, but through the course of the story, becomes capable of invoking protection and reversal spells that become crucial in determining the outcome (which we know in hindsight) of the battle of Bunker Hill.
Magic, in this saga, seems more plausible due to its limitations; flights are illusions, but magic can spontaneously combust things (and people), summon zombies and spirits, heal, and be channeled. The exact words of your spell don’t matter, if you don’t find a focus; thus, it’s interesting to see blood used as a focus, and verses from the bible as incantations for spells. We do get to see a bit of that nostalgic “learn magic in a school-like setting,” when Proctor is exiled a la the Quaker Highway to stay at the Farm, a sanctuary of witches protected by enchantment from outside view. However, Proctor’s male gender, in part, creates some discrimination against him in the Farm, composed of a small group of female witches. There is virtually no sexual tension, however, other than the differences in culture between males and females.
While the author cites inspiration from his experience researching original documents from this era, historical details do not weigh the book down, and the setting of the book seems more like a stereotypical “pop culture” conveyance. The lack of subplots slows the story, but keeps it clear that our story is about the Patriot Witch—not quite a wizard, but just a determined and able colonial man named Proctor Brown.
On the brinks of Revolution, American militia men—troupes of armed farmers and other non-military men—stand to guard the “Patriot Cause” against the British redcoats. Unknown to the vast majority of fighting men on both sides is the presence of magical intervention—or that those among them are charmed or gifted with supernatural abilities.
Twenty-year old Proctor Brown, a farmer and militiaman, spots a charm worn by Major Pitcairn, a British “lobster”. Though Proctor is supposed to be wooing his sweetheart Emily’s father, the British soldiers pull him into a brawl, where after he is forced to ram a knife into Pitcairn, he discovers that the officer with the charm is invincible. Proctor’s worrying about making a good impression on Emily’s father fades as both war and magic come crashing into his life.
In Finlay’s mythos, magic in colonial America was made famous by the Salem witch trials; Proctor, as betrayed by his name, is a descendent of Salem witches. Fearing for persecution, his mother has taught him very little of his inherited abilities, and discourages him from discovering more, both for fear of the principle and of losing her only son. In the beginning, Proctor is only capable of scrying, but through the course of the story, becomes capable of invoking protection and reversal spells that become crucial in determining the outcome (which we know in hindsight) of the battle of Bunker Hill.
Magic, in this saga, seems more plausible due to its limitations; flights are illusions, but magic can spontaneously combust things (and people), summon zombies and spirits, heal, and be channeled. The exact words of your spell don’t matter, if you don’t find a focus; thus, it’s interesting to see blood used as a focus, and verses from the bible as incantations for spells. We do get to see a bit of that nostalgic “learn magic in a school-like setting,” when Proctor is exiled a la the Quaker Highway to stay at the Farm, a sanctuary of witches protected by enchantment from outside view. However, Proctor’s male gender, in part, creates some discrimination against him in the Farm, composed of a small group of female witches. There is virtually no sexual tension, however, other than the differences in culture between males and females.
While the author cites inspiration from his experience researching original documents from this era, historical details do not weigh the book down, and the setting of the book seems more like a stereotypical “pop culture” conveyance. The lack of subplots slows the story, but keeps it clear that our story is about the Patriot Witch—not quite a wizard, but just a determined and able colonial man named Proctor Brown.
April 28, 2009
Surprisingly Spectacular
After reading the synopsis on the back cover I was expecting the Patriot Witch to be a cheesy and laborious read. To my delight it was the complete opposite. I was instantly drawn into Proctor Brown’s character and the imagery created by Finlay’s writing. Finlay has done a fantastic job of combining the history of the American Revolution, the lore or Salem Witchcraft and the Puritan society into a fast moving, well development and twisting thriller.
Proctor Brown is a hit. He is a deeply religious man who is devoted to his family, his country and his future wife Emily. His ability in witchcraft is revealed early on and passed down through his mother. Brown’s encounter with the magic wielding British Major Pitcairn begins a series of events that takes Brown on a journey of discovery. What makes Brown’s journey into discovery of his “talent” in witchcraft is his naivety and arrogance. His arrogance is not malicious but instead reflective of an individual raised in a small town with a limited view of the world. Brown’s innocence, patriotism and good natured character drew me in immediately and kept my engaged throughout the story.
While Brown is the main character he is not the only one that provides a deep interest for a reader. Deborah Walcott is a witch that Brown immediately dislikes however their paths continue to cross eventually providing an interesting partnership. Brown’s betrothed Emily Rucke, a Tory, provides the constant beckon of hope for Brown and a classic dilemma between his patriotism and his British-based opportunity. The villain known as the widow is ruthless and cunning a delicious introduction to the dark sorcery supporting the British.
What I enjoyed most about the Patriot Witch was Finlay’s infusion of history and realism to the story, scenes and characters. The battle scenes were detailed and thorough so that you can smell the gun powder and hear the muskets and cannons. The witchcraft is founded on Biblical verses and links directly with the Puritan/Quaker society. The description of the minutemen pulls the reader into the 1770’s lifestyle of farmers from New England. Each character had depth and you can tell that Finlay spent time developing a strong backstory.
I was thrilled with Finlay’s ability to set-up a typically story line and then diverge into new territories and twists. I highly recommend this book whether you are a history buff, sci/fi reader or just enjoy a good book.
After reading the synopsis on the back cover I was expecting the Patriot Witch to be a cheesy and laborious read. To my delight it was the complete opposite. I was instantly drawn into Proctor Brown’s character and the imagery created by Finlay’s writing. Finlay has done a fantastic job of combining the history of the American Revolution, the lore or Salem Witchcraft and the Puritan society into a fast moving, well development and twisting thriller.
Proctor Brown is a hit. He is a deeply religious man who is devoted to his family, his country and his future wife Emily. His ability in witchcraft is revealed early on and passed down through his mother. Brown’s encounter with the magic wielding British Major Pitcairn begins a series of events that takes Brown on a journey of discovery. What makes Brown’s journey into discovery of his “talent” in witchcraft is his naivety and arrogance. His arrogance is not malicious but instead reflective of an individual raised in a small town with a limited view of the world. Brown’s innocence, patriotism and good natured character drew me in immediately and kept my engaged throughout the story.
While Brown is the main character he is not the only one that provides a deep interest for a reader. Deborah Walcott is a witch that Brown immediately dislikes however their paths continue to cross eventually providing an interesting partnership. Brown’s betrothed Emily Rucke, a Tory, provides the constant beckon of hope for Brown and a classic dilemma between his patriotism and his British-based opportunity. The villain known as the widow is ruthless and cunning a delicious introduction to the dark sorcery supporting the British.
What I enjoyed most about the Patriot Witch was Finlay’s infusion of history and realism to the story, scenes and characters. The battle scenes were detailed and thorough so that you can smell the gun powder and hear the muskets and cannons. The witchcraft is founded on Biblical verses and links directly with the Puritan/Quaker society. The description of the minutemen pulls the reader into the 1770’s lifestyle of farmers from New England. Each character had depth and you can tell that Finlay spent time developing a strong backstory.
I was thrilled with Finlay’s ability to set-up a typically story line and then diverge into new territories and twists. I highly recommend this book whether you are a history buff, sci/fi reader or just enjoy a good book.
April 26, 2009
It's April, 1775, the time of year when a young man's mind turns to romance, cattle, and his poor fashion options. Young Proctor Brown has many things on his mind, not the least of which is his attempted courtship of loyalist Emily Rucke. Her father is none too pleased by the pairing and Proctor means to change his mind. Matters are complicated by the fact that Proctor is a farmer, a militiaman, and a witch.
It's no easy thing being a witch in 1775 New England. It's a thing Proctor's mother has tried to keep well hidden, to the point she hasn't taught her son much about their abilities. Proctor can scry some, but often doesn't understand what he sees. He longs to get a grasp on his talents, and after a muster goes horribly wrong, he is given the opportunity to do just that. As Proctor discovers this side of himself, an entirely new world opens--just as one begins to for the country.
Proctor's adventures in Revolutionary New England are filled with all you could hope for. It is a coming of age story, it is a romance, it is a magical journey through our country's bloody history. And? Look out for the zombies. Win!
Finlay does for the Revolutionary War what Novik did for the Napoleonic with her Temeraire books; this is a rich blend of history and fantasy, that will only leave you wanting more when all is said and done. Fortunately, books two and three are coming in May and June. The wait will not be long.
It's no easy thing being a witch in 1775 New England. It's a thing Proctor's mother has tried to keep well hidden, to the point she hasn't taught her son much about their abilities. Proctor can scry some, but often doesn't understand what he sees. He longs to get a grasp on his talents, and after a muster goes horribly wrong, he is given the opportunity to do just that. As Proctor discovers this side of himself, an entirely new world opens--just as one begins to for the country.
Proctor's adventures in Revolutionary New England are filled with all you could hope for. It is a coming of age story, it is a romance, it is a magical journey through our country's bloody history. And? Look out for the zombies. Win!
Finlay does for the Revolutionary War what Novik did for the Napoleonic with her Temeraire books; this is a rich blend of history and fantasy, that will only leave you wanting more when all is said and done. Fortunately, books two and three are coming in May and June. The wait will not be long.
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December 23, 2009"http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/1213072.html[return][return]This is hot off the presses, having been published only last week. Our hero, Proctor Ward, is a young Bostonian caught up in the start of the War of Independence. He discovers that he has magical powers, inherited from his Salem ancestors, and gets mixed up in faction and counterfaction of the secret network of witches, supported by Quakers and other free thinkers. (The British have magic too, led by the historical John Pitcairn, whose son discovered Pitcairn Island.)[return][return]It reminded me a bit of Orson Scott Card's Alvin Maker books, which also feature a magical America from a few decades later in an alternate timeline. Finlay, however, is less mystical, less didactic and basically less annoying about it; where Card is retelling the biography of Joseph Smith, Finlay is using an intense knowledge of the setting to hang his plot on. There are also perhaps faint reflections of Buffy, with the young hero discovering mystical powers and dealing with family and love-life. (One thing Proctor Ward lacks, however, is a Giles-like mentor.)[return][return]Good marks for sense of place; slightly cheeky to have the hero not only fire the first shots at Lexington but also save the day at Bunker Hill; but in general the history doesn't get in the way of the story, making it an enjoyable read."
September 22, 2015
The Patriot Witch, first installment of C.C. Finlay's Traitor to the Crown series, sets up the story of young Proctor Brown, who's inherited the ability to scry from his mother. His only wish is to marry his sweetheart and prove himself to her father by making a fortune on his farm... except that the stirrings of rebellion are beginning in the countryside, and Proctor's sympathies are with the local militia with whom he's enlisted. When he encounters a British officer carrying a powerful protection charm, he's set onto a path that leads him deeper not only into the brewing revolution, but also into understanding his own power.
All in all this was a fine little tale. Proctor's an engaging young hero, and Deborah, the girl he eventually meets after his initial sweetheart abandons him, is his equal in spirit and his superior in magic. Some interesting threads are laid down about the greater role that magic plays in this version of the history of the American colonies; I'm quite intrigued to see where this will be going.
If anything my only beef at all with the book was that it felt a little too light. But that's okay for the first book of a series, with Proctor as young as he is. It'll be fun to see how Books 2 and 3 progress. Four stars.
All in all this was a fine little tale. Proctor's an engaging young hero, and Deborah, the girl he eventually meets after his initial sweetheart abandons him, is his equal in spirit and his superior in magic. Some interesting threads are laid down about the greater role that magic plays in this version of the history of the American colonies; I'm quite intrigued to see where this will be going.
If anything my only beef at all with the book was that it felt a little too light. But that's okay for the first book of a series, with Proctor as young as he is. It'll be fun to see how Books 2 and 3 progress. Four stars.
June 18, 2009
Having heard nothing about this book, I picked it up on a whim when searching for light reading for a recent vacation. I had just spent a year in another teacher's American History class, helping my ESL students, and I was curious how Finlay would portray the American Revolution with magic.
I was pleasantly surprised. Reminiscent of Naomi Novik's novels, the reader follows the main character Proctor Brown through some famous moments in history. The magic system created by Finlay is nicely done, feeling very organic and not overly powerful. At times it did seem a bit easy for the protagonist to develop his magic skills, but isn't that often the case in fantasy?
While most of the characters are not depicted in depth, the two main characters of Proctor and Deborah do fell more fully rounded. Since I was looking for a breezy summer read, this really didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book.
In any case, The Patriot Witch is a nice beginning to Finlay's trilogy about the Revolution. For anyone interested in American history with a splash of magic, it's a fun read indeed.
I was pleasantly surprised. Reminiscent of Naomi Novik's novels, the reader follows the main character Proctor Brown through some famous moments in history. The magic system created by Finlay is nicely done, feeling very organic and not overly powerful. At times it did seem a bit easy for the protagonist to develop his magic skills, but isn't that often the case in fantasy?
While most of the characters are not depicted in depth, the two main characters of Proctor and Deborah do fell more fully rounded. Since I was looking for a breezy summer read, this really didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book.
In any case, The Patriot Witch is a nice beginning to Finlay's trilogy about the Revolution. For anyone interested in American history with a splash of magic, it's a fun read indeed.
October 14, 2009
I got this book several months ago as a publisher promotional e-book. It didn't grab me in the first two pages, so I set it aside and focused on other things. Finally, I gave it another try and was pleasantly surprised. Within a few pages of where I'd left off, the plot picked up and the book kept me turning (virtual) pages right up to the end. Was it predictable? In a lot of ways, yes. More than once I read a passage and thought to myself, "This is clearly foreshadowing," but it was fun enough that I didn't much mind. This freebie e-book edition was good enough that I immediately went online and bought the sequel.
July 22, 2015
Quick review for RWB Read-a-thon, more to come.
Witchcraft underlies events that begin the Revolutionary War. A young militiaman seeks to learn more about his own powers and becomes enmeshed in magic much larger than he ever realized existed.
I have mixed feelings on this one. I love the idea of magic being involved in the time period, when witchcraft was viewed with grave fear, but just didn't bond too well with the characters.
Witchcraft underlies events that begin the Revolutionary War. A young militiaman seeks to learn more about his own powers and becomes enmeshed in magic much larger than he ever realized existed.
I have mixed feelings on this one. I love the idea of magic being involved in the time period, when witchcraft was viewed with grave fear, but just didn't bond too well with the characters.
February 5, 2014
Historical Urban Fantasy (A Review of the whole Trilogy)
I am normally not one to read urban fantasy. It typically has way too many dry and overused ideas. The authors of the genre tend to be unimaginative as well as untalented or perhaps lazy. For example? Sparkling vampires, need I say more? While I am a fan of alternative history, I am a harsh judge. So, if I encountered the complete Traitor to the Crown Trilogy by C.C. Finlay in a library book sale I most likely would never buy it. On the day that I did encounter these books, however, I purchased them. This trilogy, which was urban fiction blended with alternate history, sounded so cheesy. The American Revolution secretly being centered around a war between good and bad witches? This is never really my kind of story. Perhaps it was the influence of my new found love of Sleepy Hollow, which as is urban fantasy as you can get, that got me to buy these books. Or, perhaps, it was because each was a dollar a piece. Hell, why not, right?
So, what are these books about? There is a young man named Proctor Brown, who is a witch. His mother has taught him that his gift is from God but he must never reveal what he can do, he would get burned as a, well, witch. The story starts just a few weeks before ‘the shot heard around the world’ is fired. He loves a young woman and is trying to impress her father at a coffee shop in Boston, when he meets an arrogant British officer with a magical charm, that protects him from bullets and knives. Later when the fighting breaks out at Lexington and Concord Proctor finds the British officer again and makes it his mission to stop such witchcraft being used against Americans. Proctor is a patriot after all. The events of the story lead him to an underground railroad for witches trying to escape being discovered, which is his predicament. Proctor meets the family running the railway, the Walcotts, and becomes paired with their daughter Deborah in the endeavor to stop the British witchcraft working against the American forces.
That is the first book and the following books are along a similar pattern. Proctor and Deborah find evidence that witchcraft is being used to aid the British efforts in the war, or threatening them personally, most of the time both and they move to stop it, mainly because they are the only ones who know about it and can do anything about it. They aren’t always alone. Deborah’s parents ran a place called The Farm, which trained witches to use their powers for good deeds. The students there lend some support, but for the most part these two power witches are left to the task themselves. The plots of the two first books revolve around very specific historical events and each are tied up pretty nicely. The last book deals with events as well, but the story of Proctor and Deborah, more Proctor, take center stage.
These books are both good and bad. The alternative history part works fairly well. Finlay places you at famous moments in the American Revolutionary War and does a pretty good job of created an accurate picture. However, all the events center around magic. So, the enemy, this mysterious coven of witches working against America, creates magic which effects the out come something like a battle, and Proctor and Deborah have to reverse or change this spell some how. By the third book, this all seems too big to be believable, that two witches from Massachusetts help win the American Revolution.
That being said, the good parts are kind of fun. Proctor and Deborah are both likable characters, but are the only ones that really get a full work up. So, many of the others just seem like props. Though there are a few that get more detail, there just aren’t many. The relationship that develops between Proctor and Deborah is fun to watch and endearing. The action in the story is exciting as well. Finlay got a good handle on the combat of the time and Proctor, while no expert, isn’t helpless either. The spells they cast are hidden in prayers, for they believe God has given them their gift and they seek to do his will. These spells end up being pretty spectacular without being fireballs and lightning cast from open palms. The magic is much closer to what people believed magic was once capable of, possessions, weather control, and curses. The magic also works like people once believed magic to work. There are rituals and objects that act as a focus for the spell, there is also a right and wrong time to cast a spell. So, the magical battles are unique, as far as urban fantasy magical battles go. However, there are still a few good hatchet fights.
Finlay could’ve done a much better job with this story if he had taken more time and made his books longer. As they are now, they are easy reads, or fluff reads, but for an experienced reader, there are gaping holes of what could have been in between the lines. Don’t let that stop you from reading them though. They were fun for me to read for I didn’t get what I was expecting. The story moves fast, so for quick readers it won’t take you long. For slower readers, they shouldn’t prove a problem. I think of books like this in the same way many think of summer movies, they are not Oscar material, but they are good popcorn munchers. If Finlay had dedicated more time, these three books could have been game changing, instead, they are simply fun.
Reading order
The Patriot Witch
A Spell for the Revolution
The Demon Redcoat
I am normally not one to read urban fantasy. It typically has way too many dry and overused ideas. The authors of the genre tend to be unimaginative as well as untalented or perhaps lazy. For example? Sparkling vampires, need I say more? While I am a fan of alternative history, I am a harsh judge. So, if I encountered the complete Traitor to the Crown Trilogy by C.C. Finlay in a library book sale I most likely would never buy it. On the day that I did encounter these books, however, I purchased them. This trilogy, which was urban fiction blended with alternate history, sounded so cheesy. The American Revolution secretly being centered around a war between good and bad witches? This is never really my kind of story. Perhaps it was the influence of my new found love of Sleepy Hollow, which as is urban fantasy as you can get, that got me to buy these books. Or, perhaps, it was because each was a dollar a piece. Hell, why not, right?
So, what are these books about? There is a young man named Proctor Brown, who is a witch. His mother has taught him that his gift is from God but he must never reveal what he can do, he would get burned as a, well, witch. The story starts just a few weeks before ‘the shot heard around the world’ is fired. He loves a young woman and is trying to impress her father at a coffee shop in Boston, when he meets an arrogant British officer with a magical charm, that protects him from bullets and knives. Later when the fighting breaks out at Lexington and Concord Proctor finds the British officer again and makes it his mission to stop such witchcraft being used against Americans. Proctor is a patriot after all. The events of the story lead him to an underground railroad for witches trying to escape being discovered, which is his predicament. Proctor meets the family running the railway, the Walcotts, and becomes paired with their daughter Deborah in the endeavor to stop the British witchcraft working against the American forces.
That is the first book and the following books are along a similar pattern. Proctor and Deborah find evidence that witchcraft is being used to aid the British efforts in the war, or threatening them personally, most of the time both and they move to stop it, mainly because they are the only ones who know about it and can do anything about it. They aren’t always alone. Deborah’s parents ran a place called The Farm, which trained witches to use their powers for good deeds. The students there lend some support, but for the most part these two power witches are left to the task themselves. The plots of the two first books revolve around very specific historical events and each are tied up pretty nicely. The last book deals with events as well, but the story of Proctor and Deborah, more Proctor, take center stage.
These books are both good and bad. The alternative history part works fairly well. Finlay places you at famous moments in the American Revolutionary War and does a pretty good job of created an accurate picture. However, all the events center around magic. So, the enemy, this mysterious coven of witches working against America, creates magic which effects the out come something like a battle, and Proctor and Deborah have to reverse or change this spell some how. By the third book, this all seems too big to be believable, that two witches from Massachusetts help win the American Revolution.
That being said, the good parts are kind of fun. Proctor and Deborah are both likable characters, but are the only ones that really get a full work up. So, many of the others just seem like props. Though there are a few that get more detail, there just aren’t many. The relationship that develops between Proctor and Deborah is fun to watch and endearing. The action in the story is exciting as well. Finlay got a good handle on the combat of the time and Proctor, while no expert, isn’t helpless either. The spells they cast are hidden in prayers, for they believe God has given them their gift and they seek to do his will. These spells end up being pretty spectacular without being fireballs and lightning cast from open palms. The magic is much closer to what people believed magic was once capable of, possessions, weather control, and curses. The magic also works like people once believed magic to work. There are rituals and objects that act as a focus for the spell, there is also a right and wrong time to cast a spell. So, the magical battles are unique, as far as urban fantasy magical battles go. However, there are still a few good hatchet fights.
Finlay could’ve done a much better job with this story if he had taken more time and made his books longer. As they are now, they are easy reads, or fluff reads, but for an experienced reader, there are gaping holes of what could have been in between the lines. Don’t let that stop you from reading them though. They were fun for me to read for I didn’t get what I was expecting. The story moves fast, so for quick readers it won’t take you long. For slower readers, they shouldn’t prove a problem. I think of books like this in the same way many think of summer movies, they are not Oscar material, but they are good popcorn munchers. If Finlay had dedicated more time, these three books could have been game changing, instead, they are simply fun.
Reading order
The Patriot Witch
A Spell for the Revolution
The Demon Redcoat
November 24, 2018
Could not put this down.
May 21, 2019
Clever idea, but it needed a better editor. I didn't like it enough to overlook the errors, minor though many of them were.
Read
August 5, 2019I never heard of this author, or this series. After reading this book I'm going to look up more.
January 7, 2025
Magic in the Revolutionary War.
May 8, 2012
Proctor Brown is getting married to a young Boston socialite and about to inherit his father’s large and prosperous farm. Then the Revolutionary War breaks out and Proctor, one of the minutemen, gets tossed into the middle of it. Things couldn’t be worse until he discovers that he is a witch when he encounters a British soldier wearing a charm to keep him safe.
Proctor has to learn to control his magic in the midst of war and treachery and betrayal while trying to understand which side he’s on.
I started this book with the full intention of putting it down without reading it. I didn’t know the author and had never heard anything about him. The premise of fantasy set during America’s revolution sounded like it had way too many opportunities to go south. I even determined several times that I was going to write one of my more scathing reviews.
I’ve changed my mind. It hasn’t inspired me to seek out the sequels but the ending was gripping and felt like the war torn ending of a great historical novel.
In fact the writing is solid throughout. The story is told in a concise manner that never gets tiresome or boring and the characters are likeable, if a bit idealized, and even go through mostly believable scenarios.
This is a problem I see in writing reviews. It’s hard to express in words how I feel about a book and make it clear. If I hate a book that comes through. If I love it I think that’s pretty easy to see. Anything else seems to be sort of ambiguous. I tried giving a #/10 rating for a while but found it to be too inconsistent and didn’t make much sense. After all how do you compare say The Lord of the Rings to Daniel Abraham, both of whom I really enjoyed and recommend to people all the time – but they really aren’t comparable unless you subscribe to some kind of trite statement about ‘not since Tolkien…’ etc.
So how do I say in a review that while this book was well written (at least enough that it didn’t make me wince or put it down), had an interesting set of characters, and a well executed plot it just wasn’t great?
I guess I just did.
I didn’t hate it. The worst I can say is that it was a little predictable – but really no more than most fantasy novels.
I’ve read a few professional reviews and they seem unable to say anything except blind praise for books. Not all the books I read are great. Not all of them are terrible (or I wouldn’t be reading them).
I don’t want to always say the same things about every book.
The Patriot Witch was, to me, an exercise in mediocrity. I enjoyed it but it didn’t dazzle me. It was fun at times how the actual events (surprisingly accurately) are woven into a tale of secret magic and a small coven of ‘witches’ trying to protect America without being discovered (and burned). However the story never surprises. Each plot point seems to be checks off an outline one after the other until it feels more like moving pieces through a Candyland board than playing a more free-form kind of game. I’ve read worse – much worse – by better selling and more famous authors. But it didn’t do what it was intended to do, which was to hook me into reading the rest of the series.
Proctor has to learn to control his magic in the midst of war and treachery and betrayal while trying to understand which side he’s on.
I started this book with the full intention of putting it down without reading it. I didn’t know the author and had never heard anything about him. The premise of fantasy set during America’s revolution sounded like it had way too many opportunities to go south. I even determined several times that I was going to write one of my more scathing reviews.
I’ve changed my mind. It hasn’t inspired me to seek out the sequels but the ending was gripping and felt like the war torn ending of a great historical novel.
In fact the writing is solid throughout. The story is told in a concise manner that never gets tiresome or boring and the characters are likeable, if a bit idealized, and even go through mostly believable scenarios.
This is a problem I see in writing reviews. It’s hard to express in words how I feel about a book and make it clear. If I hate a book that comes through. If I love it I think that’s pretty easy to see. Anything else seems to be sort of ambiguous. I tried giving a #/10 rating for a while but found it to be too inconsistent and didn’t make much sense. After all how do you compare say The Lord of the Rings to Daniel Abraham, both of whom I really enjoyed and recommend to people all the time – but they really aren’t comparable unless you subscribe to some kind of trite statement about ‘not since Tolkien…’ etc.
So how do I say in a review that while this book was well written (at least enough that it didn’t make me wince or put it down), had an interesting set of characters, and a well executed plot it just wasn’t great?
I guess I just did.
I didn’t hate it. The worst I can say is that it was a little predictable – but really no more than most fantasy novels.
I’ve read a few professional reviews and they seem unable to say anything except blind praise for books. Not all the books I read are great. Not all of them are terrible (or I wouldn’t be reading them).
I don’t want to always say the same things about every book.
The Patriot Witch was, to me, an exercise in mediocrity. I enjoyed it but it didn’t dazzle me. It was fun at times how the actual events (surprisingly accurately) are woven into a tale of secret magic and a small coven of ‘witches’ trying to protect America without being discovered (and burned). However the story never surprises. Each plot point seems to be checks off an outline one after the other until it feels more like moving pieces through a Candyland board than playing a more free-form kind of game. I’ve read worse – much worse – by better selling and more famous authors. But it didn’t do what it was intended to do, which was to hook me into reading the rest of the series.
December 5, 2011
We readers all have peculiar tastes.
One of the peculiarities of my taste is that I tend to dislike "alternate histories." Having to imagine that the Sourth won the Civil War and then Hitler migrated there in 1918 so the Germans were really the good guys in WWII...just seems too high a toll to pay before I even get in to the story.
And I have an equal prejudice against "epic historical fantasies" (of the type typified by Guy Gavriel Kay) where the setting is really (pick one) Renaissance Italy / 12th Century France / 5th Century Byzantium, except all the names are changed and magic really works! My feeling about these books is always, Why not just set the story there and then?!!
Which is why--and it is a peculiarity of my taste--I really do like historical fantasies set in this consensus reality, where real historical people and events appear on stage, and where magic is a secret shadow hovering at the fringes and in some way influenciing the history we all know.
All of which is a long way of explaining why I really liked The Patriot Witch.
Our hero, Proctor Brown is an all-American 20-year old in 1775 Massachusetts: tall, strong, handsome and hardworking. All he wants is to marry his pretty girlfriend and have her rich father help set him up for a prosperous life. While his sympathies are with the Colonists, he drills as a Minute Man only from a sense of neighborhly duty: he doesn't really expect a shooting war.
But next thing he knows he's on the Green at Lexington, a neighbor's shot dead beside him, and the Revolution has begun. Yet the war is the least of his problems, because Proctor is also the child of a witch with certain secret talents of his own. His quest to understand this hidden world to which he belongs, while the mundane world is exploding around him, makes for thrilling adventure.
The characters are varied and strong; the magic is plausibly-presented and nicely underplayed (well, except maybe for the spine-tingling zombie scene); and the plot and pacing are flawless. I espcecially liked one of the villains, an evil witch straight out of Hansel and Gretal.
Finlay's prose is also mostly good--workmanlike and polished. Only once or twice per chapter does it fall into anachronistic phrasings or bits of dialog with no place in the 18th Century. These lapses jarred me and made me nostalgic for the historical times I still remember, when novels still had editors.
But I carp too much. Overall, this is an exciting highly entertaining read that left me eager for the sequel.
One of the peculiarities of my taste is that I tend to dislike "alternate histories." Having to imagine that the Sourth won the Civil War and then Hitler migrated there in 1918 so the Germans were really the good guys in WWII...just seems too high a toll to pay before I even get in to the story.
And I have an equal prejudice against "epic historical fantasies" (of the type typified by Guy Gavriel Kay) where the setting is really (pick one) Renaissance Italy / 12th Century France / 5th Century Byzantium, except all the names are changed and magic really works! My feeling about these books is always, Why not just set the story there and then?!!
Which is why--and it is a peculiarity of my taste--I really do like historical fantasies set in this consensus reality, where real historical people and events appear on stage, and where magic is a secret shadow hovering at the fringes and in some way influenciing the history we all know.
All of which is a long way of explaining why I really liked The Patriot Witch.
Our hero, Proctor Brown is an all-American 20-year old in 1775 Massachusetts: tall, strong, handsome and hardworking. All he wants is to marry his pretty girlfriend and have her rich father help set him up for a prosperous life. While his sympathies are with the Colonists, he drills as a Minute Man only from a sense of neighborhly duty: he doesn't really expect a shooting war.
But next thing he knows he's on the Green at Lexington, a neighbor's shot dead beside him, and the Revolution has begun. Yet the war is the least of his problems, because Proctor is also the child of a witch with certain secret talents of his own. His quest to understand this hidden world to which he belongs, while the mundane world is exploding around him, makes for thrilling adventure.
The characters are varied and strong; the magic is plausibly-presented and nicely underplayed (well, except maybe for the spine-tingling zombie scene); and the plot and pacing are flawless. I espcecially liked one of the villains, an evil witch straight out of Hansel and Gretal.
Finlay's prose is also mostly good--workmanlike and polished. Only once or twice per chapter does it fall into anachronistic phrasings or bits of dialog with no place in the 18th Century. These lapses jarred me and made me nostalgic for the historical times I still remember, when novels still had editors.
But I carp too much. Overall, this is an exciting highly entertaining read that left me eager for the sequel.
September 3, 2009
The historical information was very good and accurate. The beginning was fast pace and picked you right up. The author's theory on magic is definitely something new and innovative, blending the lines in-between Christianity and witchcraft. I was afraid of it taking a sacrilegious route but, to my pleasure, my worries proved to be unfounded.
However, the middle felt padded to me. It was as if the author had to draw out the story line in-between Concord/Lexington and Bunker Hill. This part felt inconsistent with the earlier and later chapters. Some characters seemed to serve no purpose but will hopefully appear later to reconcile their place in the story. I'm hoping this was just a poorly written transition that was necessary for the following novels.
I really enjoyed the last 100 pages of the book. The final battle on Bunker Hill was very well researched. I commend the author’s ability to not ‘villainize’ the British but still create a feeling of heroism for the struggling colonists.
Some parts of the ending were also a bit of a disappointment. Both of the main character’s reactions to death I found to be a little disturbing. While I genuinely like this book I felt like it had so much potential that wasn’t met. The historical setting has prime material for many a great novelist and the Christian view on magic was definitely something to be grabbed by the heels. I walked in to this book expecting to love it as it combines my two great passions (history and fantasy) but I ended feeling a little disappointed in the author.
Still I’m holding out for the next two hoping it was just a bumpy beginning.
However, the middle felt padded to me. It was as if the author had to draw out the story line in-between Concord/Lexington and Bunker Hill. This part felt inconsistent with the earlier and later chapters. Some characters seemed to serve no purpose but will hopefully appear later to reconcile their place in the story. I'm hoping this was just a poorly written transition that was necessary for the following novels.
I really enjoyed the last 100 pages of the book. The final battle on Bunker Hill was very well researched. I commend the author’s ability to not ‘villainize’ the British but still create a feeling of heroism for the struggling colonists.
Some parts of the ending were also a bit of a disappointment. Both of the main character’s reactions to death I found to be a little disturbing. While I genuinely like this book I felt like it had so much potential that wasn’t met. The historical setting has prime material for many a great novelist and the Christian view on magic was definitely something to be grabbed by the heels. I walked in to this book expecting to love it as it combines my two great passions (history and fantasy) but I ended feeling a little disappointed in the author.
Still I’m holding out for the next two hoping it was just a bumpy beginning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2014
Tedious. Imagine if the there were witches in the Revolutionary War, and those witches were on both sides, controlling things through subtle magic - debilitating spells, artifacts of protection, and conspiracies with leaders. This book has three parts - the Shot Heard Round the World, exile at a farm full of witches, and the Battle of Bunker Hill.
The problem is that it's filled with descriptions of the battle, through the eyes of the main character. You can tell the author is a historian with a lot of junk knowledge he/she wants to take out and demonstrate. There's a lot of people moving around, getting shot, and I don't care about anyone. I just can't work with descriptions of war battles. I need a single character moving through plots and revelations.
The other problem is that the witchcraft works when it wants to - there are no rules and no flash. It's nothing special. I was imagining witches on broomsticks flying over Lexington and Concord, shooting spells at British witches, while a battle of mortals raged on below them. But it's nothing like that. It's more like some poor schmoe finds out he's magical, has to go join some other bitchy witches, bonds with them, mentor dies, and he must go into battle and redeem himself.
The problem is that it's filled with descriptions of the battle, through the eyes of the main character. You can tell the author is a historian with a lot of junk knowledge he/she wants to take out and demonstrate. There's a lot of people moving around, getting shot, and I don't care about anyone. I just can't work with descriptions of war battles. I need a single character moving through plots and revelations.
The other problem is that the witchcraft works when it wants to - there are no rules and no flash. It's nothing special. I was imagining witches on broomsticks flying over Lexington and Concord, shooting spells at British witches, while a battle of mortals raged on below them. But it's nothing like that. It's more like some poor schmoe finds out he's magical, has to go join some other bitchy witches, bonds with them, mentor dies, and he must go into battle and redeem himself.
October 4, 2012
I love books that take place during the Revolutionary War, and that's what I was looking for when I found this one. I actually noticed the sequel A Spell For The Revolution first but realizing it was a series I bought this one. By the end of the first chapter I could barely put it down.
The pace is nice and quick in the beginning but slows down just a little in the middle, but by that time I was already hooked. Thoug h some of the dialogue wasn't precisely period, it is not distracting, and it is a Fantasy novel after all. I am kind of picky about books with "magic" and don't care for "over the top" portrayal of magic. This book feels realistic. At this point I'm only half way through and am looking forward to reading the sequel.A Spell for the Revolution
I finished this book within a day and a half, and I can say the ending was satisfying, while obviously leaving room for the sequel. If the next two books are as enjoyable I will be quite happy. It's Not everyday I find a book I can finish within 28 hours, I didn't read for 28 hours straight it was that long from when I read the first page to when I finished.
The pace is nice and quick in the beginning but slows down just a little in the middle, but by that time I was already hooked. Thoug h some of the dialogue wasn't precisely period, it is not distracting, and it is a Fantasy novel after all. I am kind of picky about books with "magic" and don't care for "over the top" portrayal of magic. This book feels realistic. At this point I'm only half way through and am looking forward to reading the sequel.A Spell for the Revolution
I finished this book within a day and a half, and I can say the ending was satisfying, while obviously leaving room for the sequel. If the next two books are as enjoyable I will be quite happy. It's Not everyday I find a book I can finish within 28 hours, I didn't read for 28 hours straight it was that long from when I read the first page to when I finished.
July 6, 2012
7/5/12 ** I thoroughly enjoyed this - a nice blend of historical fiction set in the opening months of the American Revolution and supernatural elements. Did you know that we had witches on both sides fighting a shadow war?
Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the internet? While reading THE PATRIOT WITCH, I wanted to see a 1775-era map of Boston, Lexington & Concord. So when Proctor fought in the Lexington battle and the Concord battle on the same day, how far did he really run down roads and cross country that day? A google search of "1775 Boston map" resulted in the following link to a map that was accessioned into the Library of Congress in 1918! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lex...
6/23/12 ** I had a rather round-about way of discovering this book. The author is the husband of YA author Rae Carson. I read the reviews & discovered that my library has the book. As a teen I loved historical fiction and have rather gotten away from that genre as an adult. This book is an alternate history/magical fantasy set during the American Revolutionary War. I look forward to reading it.
Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE the internet? While reading THE PATRIOT WITCH, I wanted to see a 1775-era map of Boston, Lexington & Concord. So when Proctor fought in the Lexington battle and the Concord battle on the same day, how far did he really run down roads and cross country that day? A google search of "1775 Boston map" resulted in the following link to a map that was accessioned into the Library of Congress in 1918! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lex...
6/23/12 ** I had a rather round-about way of discovering this book. The author is the husband of YA author Rae Carson. I read the reviews & discovered that my library has the book. As a teen I loved historical fiction and have rather gotten away from that genre as an adult. This book is an alternate history/magical fantasy set during the American Revolutionary War. I look forward to reading it.
July 30, 2012
This is an unusual book about witches, in that the main character is a male witch - something you don't usually see in "paranormal" books. And when there is a male witch character he's often cast as a bad guy.
In this case the protagonist, Proctor Brown is a decidely GOOD witch, although he doesn't really know much about his talents, or how to use them, because his Mother, from whom his talents come doesn't want him to use them so won't teach him anything.
To complicate matters further, Proctor is a colonist in the brand new America, who's militia is fighting the Redcoats for their autonomy from the King.
This book is a great combination of paranormal, historical fiction, and history. It has well-written, likeable good characters, and nasty bad characters that you can boo with abandon. The story is very exciting and moves along a a great pace, carrying you along ruthlessly to the end to find out what happens.
I like the character of Proctor very much, and intend to pick up the next two books in this series - A Spell for the Revolution, and The Demon Recoat - for sure.
I highly recommend this book. It's a great read!
In this case the protagonist, Proctor Brown is a decidely GOOD witch, although he doesn't really know much about his talents, or how to use them, because his Mother, from whom his talents come doesn't want him to use them so won't teach him anything.
To complicate matters further, Proctor is a colonist in the brand new America, who's militia is fighting the Redcoats for their autonomy from the King.
This book is a great combination of paranormal, historical fiction, and history. It has well-written, likeable good characters, and nasty bad characters that you can boo with abandon. The story is very exciting and moves along a a great pace, carrying you along ruthlessly to the end to find out what happens.
I like the character of Proctor very much, and intend to pick up the next two books in this series - A Spell for the Revolution, and The Demon Recoat - for sure.
I highly recommend this book. It's a great read!
August 4, 2013
C.C. Finlay is a historical researcher IMHO that is second to none. His academic background lends itself well to the crafting of this project and these characters.
Proctor Brown is a grounded flawed character even for a Witch. He follows him impulse when his gift of prophecy has warned him just as his witchy mother had warned him. He discovers early on that discretion and control can fail even when fueled by the best intentions.
In one of the most dangerous periods in American history he stumbles across a demonic conspiracy. This knowledge immediately almost costs his life. Torn between duty to his new born country and self preservation he is hustled off to a haven for others of his kind.
He does sacrifice a bit of pacing for love of the characters but you are right there in the mud digging graves with them. The humanity of his characters is never in question. I did manage to get a much clearer perspective of the era in this portion of the Patriot Witch saga. As well as a gripping fantasy it draws me closer to my own history.
Read it.
Proctor Brown is a grounded flawed character even for a Witch. He follows him impulse when his gift of prophecy has warned him just as his witchy mother had warned him. He discovers early on that discretion and control can fail even when fueled by the best intentions.
In one of the most dangerous periods in American history he stumbles across a demonic conspiracy. This knowledge immediately almost costs his life. Torn between duty to his new born country and self preservation he is hustled off to a haven for others of his kind.
He does sacrifice a bit of pacing for love of the characters but you are right there in the mud digging graves with them. The humanity of his characters is never in question. I did manage to get a much clearer perspective of the era in this portion of the Patriot Witch saga. As well as a gripping fantasy it draws me closer to my own history.
Read it.
January 7, 2013
This book is definitely well written but unfortunately I had trouble forming a bond with the main character. I prefer my heroes a little bit more decisive. Through most of the book Proctor's magic is rather ineffectual. He seems slow to learn, is not really inclined to experiment and there is a complete scarcity of anyone to teach him (although he is surrounded by other witches for most of the book). I read a sample of the second book in the series. It starts off a year after the events in the first book but Proctor still seems clueless about his own magic and magic in general (even though he has had a year to practice). I should probably give the second book a chance (just because it is well written) but if the main character irritates me after only a few pages, I don't think I'll manage to get through the whole book. It is a real pity because the book started off so promising. If you don't mind a protagonist who lacks power and forcefulness, you should give the book a try. The history is interesting and the writing is good.
August 9, 2010
Finally got around to reading this- bought it quite a while ago on someone's recommendation. It sounded interesting and it sort of was, but somehow it didn't engage me. I had no strong sense of the characters and they seemed to be walking through their plot and their lines. For me, the main character's relationship with his mother was erratic and unclear.
The setting was interesting - the revolutionary war, but I was also somewhat thrown by the author's failure to correctly render Quaker "plain speech" (Wikipedia covers this correctly so it isn't that hard to find "their usage was also grammatically distinctive, saying "thee is" instead of "thou art", a holdover from a dialect formerly common in the north of England.")
There also seemed to be a sudden "vast conspiracy" popping up toward the end, without a lot of justification.
It was a perfectly competent and pleasant book and I may buy more in the series. But I may not.
The setting was interesting - the revolutionary war, but I was also somewhat thrown by the author's failure to correctly render Quaker "plain speech" (Wikipedia covers this correctly so it isn't that hard to find "their usage was also grammatically distinctive, saying "thee is" instead of "thou art", a holdover from a dialect formerly common in the north of England.")
There also seemed to be a sudden "vast conspiracy" popping up toward the end, without a lot of justification.
It was a perfectly competent and pleasant book and I may buy more in the series. But I may not.
July 9, 2012
While I love any book that deals with the American Revolution, I am not the biggest paranormal fan. THE PATRIOT WITCH however is a historical novel with a twist........witchcraft. The hero is young Proctor Brown and his role in 1776 is that of most young men that consider themselves to be a member of the Sons of Liberty. He also has a sweetheart named Emily but that romance is up in the air because her father is loyal to the king and is not happy that Emily is involved with a Patriot. Emily in fact is not happy with Proctor at all because of his participation in the Concord/Lexington battle and his mention of the word "magic". There is also a British officer named Pitcarin that is not fighting fair and only Proctor recognizes it.
THE PATRIOT WITCH is the beginning of a very exciting series and it a good adventure read.
THE PATRIOT WITCH is the beginning of a very exciting series and it a good adventure read.
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