From the Bookshelf of 2-3-4 Challenge…

Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, #1)

Nora Roberts

Start date: March 1, 2024

Finish date: March 31, 2024

Discussion: Buddy Reads

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* Cousin O'Dwyer / Nora Roberts (March 2024)
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What Members Thought

Jan 20, 2013 Jonetta rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: group-read, contemporary-romance

The set up
Iona Sheehan risks everything when she quits her job, sells everything she owns and moves from Baltimore, Maryland to County Mayo, Ireland, her ancestral homeland. She seeks out her cousins, Branna, a Dark Witch, and Connor O'Dwyer, who her grandmother has told her so much about, determined to find that connection she's craved all her life. Iona gets more than she ever hoped for when her cousins embrace her and help her get a job with their friend Boyle McGrath, doing what she loves... The set up
Iona Sheehan risks everything when she quits her job, sells everything she owns and moves from Baltimore, Maryland to County Mayo, Ireland, her ancestral homeland. She seeks out her cousins, Branna, a Dark Witch, and Connor O'Dwyer, who her grandmother has told her so much about, determined to find that connection she's craved all her life. Iona gets more than she ever hoped for when her cousins embrace her and help her get a job with their friend Boyle McGrath, doing what she loves...caring for and riding horses.

The issues
The story begins with the medieval tale of Sorcha, the first Dark Witch, who took on Cabhan, an evil sorcerer. She passed her powers to her three children who in turn have done the same with their descendants. With Iona's arrival, the circle is now complete and the cousins must now contend with what evil remains from Cabhan. Iona is a novice and needs to hone her skills before they have to face his challenge. And, she's distracted by her developing romance with the gruff but sexy Boyle.

What worked for me
I absolutely loved that this story takes place in Ireland, complete with the vernacular in the dialogue between the characters. The men in this story are highly appealing...Boyle, with his tough and serious but sexy manner....Connor, who is lighthearted and generous, and Fin, who's dark with emerald eyes focused only on Branna, the most skilled of the witches who makes the paranormal aspect of the story exciting.

Iona was delightful, though others may disagree. I found her sunny disposition uplifting in light of her dismal upbringing. Her joy was infectious, inspired her cousins and threw the serious Boyle completely off balance. While their romance edged up against that old "insta-love"storyline, it was knocked back into reality in an almost heartbreaking way. It made it much more interesting and emotional.

What some have said
There are comparisons to Nora's Key and Three Sisters Island trilogies but it felt fresh to me. I didn't see those connections and have read both. Maybe the setting made this story a standout for me as I didn't want to put the book down.

The bottom line
I loved the Celtic lore, the witchcraft, the romance, the setting and the characters. I liked Iona and Boyle, primarily because of her enthusiasm as I connected with her circumstances. The book set the stage for the next stories in this trilogy and I'm anxiously anticipating them. If you've never read anything by Nora, this would be a great series to start. It's also pretty interesting for those of us that already have many of her stories already read on our shelves. I think it's a winner. 4.5 stars ...more

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Aug 01, 2013 Lauren rated it liked it

Shelves: flashbacks, audiobooks, scribd-everand, gentle-giant, scarred-heroes, paranormal-romance, ancient-evil, magic-and-witchcraft, horse-racing-training

Dark Witch
3 Stars

Iona Sheehan travels to Ireland not only to find her roots but the place where she belongs. Together with her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer, Iona must battle an ancient evil using the magical abilities inherited from the first Dark Witch. In time, Iona comes to find family, friends and love in County Mayo but will her new life survive the malicious intent of a powerful dark force that once destroyed her ancestor...

The Irish setting and paranormal elements are charming altho ...more

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Feb 17, 2013 Quynh rated it liked it

Shelves: paranormal-romance, supernatural, great-writing

3 stars

I can't believe I'm going to say it but this fell short of the mark for me. There's no doubt that Nora can tell a story and paint pictures with words. I love all of her paranormal trilogies so far, but some aspects of this felt a bit recycled.

The story didn't drag but it wasn't spectacular either as I had hoped. I loved the beginning introduction of Sorcha and her 3 children. It pulled me in instantly. After that, some things were too similar to Three Sisters Island, Key and Sign of Seven 3 stars

I can't believe I'm going to say it but this fell short of the mark for me. There's no doubt that Nora can tell a story and paint pictures with words. I love all of her paranormal trilogies so far, but some aspects of this felt a bit recycled.

The story didn't drag but it wasn't spectacular either as I had hoped. I loved the beginning introduction of Sorcha and her 3 children. It pulled me in instantly. After that, some things were too similar to Three Sisters Island, Key and Sign of Seven trilogies. The evil bad guy is slightly different, even though the power seeking is similar to every evil sorcerer written I suppose. The characters were likeable enough but I didn't feel strongly connected to them.

Our heroine, Iona grew up knowing she didn't belong where she was. The only person who understood her was her Nan, who told her the history of Sorcha the Dark Witch. She decided to uproot and move to Ireland to find her connections. And there she did, with her cousins, Branna and Connor, who are also sister and brother.

We're also introduced to Boyle, Finbar and Meara. There's strong friendships between all these characters that you can feel. The relationship between Iona and Boyle, however, didn't really spark any flames off the pages for me. I felt like I was told that they had a connection rather feeling it for myself. Usually my stomach or heart flutter and sigh for the H/h. It didn't happen here. It felt a little too rushed maybe as they did jump in feet first. Plus the conflict they had has been done before, and by Nora too no less.

The connection between Branna and Fin reminds me of Mia and Sam from Three Sisters A LOT. Even though they are similar, I find myself more intrigued for their story than this one.

The build up in the book focused on allowing Iona to learn and control her power. The fight wasn't all that dramatic and ended rather quickly, but this is only the first book after all. I hope there's more action and magic (between the H/h, too) in the next one.

Steam: 1.5 ...more

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