I received this book for free from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Witch's Kind by Louisa Morgan Published by Redhook on March 19 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 448
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: A compelling, relationship-driven family drama with speculative elements and plenty of mystery, this is a page turner that you won’t be able to put down.
This book was such a happy surprise! I enjoyed Morgan’s A Secret History of Witches a couple of years ago, but her latest really touched me in ways the other book didn’t. I also blew through this in a couple of days, staying up way past my bedtime to finish it, which I never do. The Witch’s Kind has touches of magical realism and even a bit of science fiction, but it’s mostly a wonderful historical family drama, so readers out there who aren’t really into speculative fiction, I’m going to push this on you because I think you’ll love it!
Morgan tells the story of Barrie Anne Blythe and her aunt Charlotte in dual timelines. The first begins in 1939 when Barrie is about to go off to college, and the second takes place in 1947 after Barrie has gone through several traumatic life changes. Her story begins in 1947 when she sees an odd, glowing light under the water of the canal on her large property. Not sure what to think, Barrie goes about her business, but the next day, her loyal dog Willow brings back a water-laden lump wrapped in an old blanket. The lump turns out to be a baby girl, perfectly healthy in every way except—they discover after bathing her—she has gills behind her ears. Barrie names the baby Emma and vows to keep her, despite the strange circumstances under which she was found.
When two men from the government show up asking questions, Barrie and Charlotte are more determined than ever to keep Emma’s secret hidden. Could Emma’s appearance be connected to the lights she saw in the water? But then someone from Barrie’s past comes to visit, and the women know they must protect their little family at all costs.
Interwoven with this story are chapters from Barrie’s past, as she leaves for college and later, meets her future husband Will in her junior year. With only a year to go until graduation, Barrie makes the rash decision to quit college and marry Will, as he’s about to be shipped off to sea in the wake of World War II. Charlotte warns Barrie that she’s making a mistake, but Barrie is young and in love and goes through with the marriage anyway. The rest of these chapters recall her slowly unraveling marriage, until this timeline eventually meets up with the present, and Barrie’s past comes back to haunt her.
What happens in between is a riveting, sometimes dark tale of domestic life, punctuated by speculation about what’s happening in Roswell, New Mexico at the time, alien sightings and strange lights in the sky.
This book is full of wonderful relationships, which is one reason I loved it so much. First, you have the relationship between Barrie and Charlotte. Barrie’s parents both died when she was young, and her aunt Charlotte kindly took her in and raised her. Charlotte has a gift—she’s able to sense the outcome of events when she touches water, and even Barrie is starting to show signs of this ability. This “water witch” talent is the basis for the book’s title, but Morgan handles it in such a subtle way that it doesn’t overpower the rest of the story. I loved Charlotte’s selflessness, her stoic decision to raise her niece and perhaps miss out on other things in life. Every time Barrie needs her, Charlotte shows up and knows just what to do to make things right. There are some tense scenes later in the book and I loved the way the two women stick together and protect their found family. And being a dog lover, I really enjoyed the relationship between Barrie and Willow. Willow also seems to have special abilities and immediately develops a connection with Emma.
All this sweetness is cut by Barrie’s marriage to Will, who turns on the charm in order to snare her, but later reveals himself as a mean sonofabitch who’s only out to help himself. There’s quite a bit of foreshadowing, as Charlotte’s used her water witch abilities to immediately sense that Will is no good. But we wouldn’t have a story if Barrie had agreed with her, and for that I’m grateful. Barrie’s naiveté with men leads her to make all kinds of bad decisions, and despite Will’s lies and abandonment, somewhere down deep Barrie wants things to work out. At one point, she poignantly declares: “The happiest years of my marriage to Will were when he was overseas.” That really broke my heart, and again, it’s a little bit of foreshadowing, since Barrie is telling us her story and she already knows how things turn out.
If you’re a fan of dual timelines, you’ll love the way Morgan handles it. And if you aren’t a fan, then I can safely say that it’s so well done that you might change your mind about them after you’ve read the book. I loved the way that as the two threads get closer and closer together, the tension and mystery increase as well.
And speaking of mysteries, not everything is resolved at the end of the story. I actually got to the end and thought, “Wait, that’s it?” But that feeling didn’t last for long. Even though I wanted to know much more about Emma and the lives of Barrie and Charlotte after the final events of the book, I think the ending was just right. I can hardly wait for Louisa Morgan’s next book, and I’ll be the first person in line to read it!
Big thanks to the publisher for supplying a review copy.
This post is part of Wyrd and Wonder, a celebration of all things fantasy!
It’s the first time I hear about this book but it sounds great indeed! I love dual timelines so I’m definitely intrigued!
Maryam Poggio recently posted…Book Review : The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson
It was great, and she really knows how to do dual timelines.
Interesting- witches, mermaids, and aliens… that is quite the mashup!
It sounds crazy, but most of those elements are only on the sidelines. The main story is really a family drama.
I see you say magical realism and I’m definitely intrigued! And dual timelines? Another thing I absolutely love in books! I really think I would love this book. It’s so up my alley! I’m all excited for it now. Definitely gonna keep my eye on it next time I’m buying a book online or at the bookstore.
I hope you get to read it, and then come and talk to me about it!
I guess you had me convinced at “dual timeline”, but the rest of your review reinforced the conviction that I would love this story. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…Wyrd & Wonder Prompts – May 3rd, 2019: The Best Things Come in Three
I hope you love it too, if you get the chance to read it:-)
This sounds great. I really love dual timeline stories so will have to keep this one in mind.
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra recently posted…Review: MIDDLEGAME
You’d love this, and the dual timeline makes it even better!
This sounds terrific, Tammy! I am impressed with how you described the ending and that it ended up being satisfying. Wonderful review and I’m off to add it!
I was thinking of you when I read this since it takes place during WWII, and I know you love that time period:-)
I love a good witch book, been really in the mood for paranormal lately. For some reason I always thought this was a sequal to something, oops I was wrong
Lily recently posted…Review: Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly
No, it’s a standalone! But the “witch” parts are very subtle, so not sure if this will satisfy your witch craving:-)
Yay, glad to see you enjoyed this one as well. I wasn’t crazy about her first witch book, but I’m so glad I decided to try this one anyway, because it worked so much better for me. I hear that she’ll have another witch book coming out, I’ll definitely be reading that one!
Yes, I saw the new book on Edelweiss but it’s not up on Goodreads yet so I guess we have to wait!!??
I was pretty ambivalent about A Secret History of Witches, so I’m glad to hear this was a 5 star read for you! The relationship aspect sounds absolutely wonderful. <3
It’s very different! Don’t let A Secret History of Witches sway you not to read this.
This sounds intriguing, I’m adding it to the list. Great review! 🙂
Thanks Mayri, it’s definitely worth checking out.
I haven’t hear of this book before, but it sounds really good!
I wish more people knew about it, hopefully I can spread the word:-)
Awww, now you’re making me rethink skipping out on this one! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Ha ha, I nearly didn’t read it either, but wow, I just loved the story:-)
Excellent review! And I so want to read this!
Laura Thomas recently posted…What’s New On My Bookshelf #311 and The Sunday Post
Thanks Laura, I hope you do!
You’ve made me want this so badly! I love anything with witches so I’ll have to buy a copy now – do I need to have read the first one?
Lynn 😀
Lynn Williams recently posted…That’s me to a tee!
No, it’s not a sequel, it’s totally a standalone!
I think I’m going to have to look into this author. Thanks for sharing, Tammy.
I just love her, definitely give it a try when you have time:-)
Oooh, sounds good! I have A Secret History of Witches in my audio tbr pile and I hope to get to it soon. Glad to hear good things about this one too!
Will sounds awful–I hope he got his comeuppance!
Wow! I remember putting A Secret History of Witches on my wishlist a year or two ago, but I hadn’t heard that the author had put out a new book. This one sounds fantastic! Great job with the review, too.
The Witch’s Kind sounds great! Thank you for your review.
Wow, this sounds amazing. Thanks for the review, Tammy! 🙂
This wasn’t on my radar and I can’t imagine how I’ve missed it. I mean, aliens, mermaids (alien mermaids?) and witches! Even if they’re just the spicing on the family drama cake, it still sounds like a compelling story.
Fabulous cover. Great review.
This book sounds fascinating. Thanks for the thorough review.