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Reviews
The Water Witch: A totally gripping fantasy romance novel filled with mystery by Jessica Thorne
vanillestokje's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookishpea's review against another edition
4.5
4.5✨
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This books seamlessly woves fantasy, folklore, mystery and romance together. Mysterious deaths, a search for a lost city and a mythical water witch who terrorises the families of Saint-Sirène.
My favourite part of the book was most definitely the folklore aspect. I'm not sure how much of it is 'true' Brittany folklore but the way it is woven into the mysterious plot was genius. The descriptions of the region created a breathtaking imagery which was very easy to follow along. The prologue set the scene and the story so well, I almost wish we had more chapters based in Ys!
I definitely read this more as a fantasy than a mystery. A lot of the big plot twists were easy to guess and anticipate but it didn't take away from the experience at all. The romance is definitely a sub-plot but it still has such a massive importance and deals with the confusion of love so well.
The reason this loses a star is because I think we needed a couple more chapters explaining the curse of the Water Witch. I like how the story ended but I think the explanation of the curse and how Dahut had lived on wasn't explained enough and left me a bit confused.
Overall a wonderful folklore, fantasy read that makes me want to check out more of Jessica Thorne's work!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This books seamlessly woves fantasy, folklore, mystery and romance together. Mysterious deaths, a search for a lost city and a mythical water witch who terrorises the families of Saint-Sirène.
My favourite part of the book was most definitely the folklore aspect. I'm not sure how much of it is 'true' Brittany folklore but the way it is woven into the mysterious plot was genius. The descriptions of the region created a breathtaking imagery which was very easy to follow along. The prologue set the scene and the story so well, I almost wish we had more chapters based in Ys!
I definitely read this more as a fantasy than a mystery. A lot of the big plot twists were easy to guess and anticipate but it didn't take away from the experience at all. The romance is definitely a sub-plot but it still has such a massive importance and deals with the confusion of love so well.
The reason this loses a star is because I think we needed a couple more chapters explaining the curse of the Water Witch. I like how the story ended but I think the explanation of the curse and how Dahut had lived on wasn't explained enough and left me a bit confused.
Overall a wonderful folklore, fantasy read that makes me want to check out more of Jessica Thorne's work!
illusie's review against another edition
3.0
This book has got a wonderful setting. I loved the little town and it's stories and myths. There is a mysterious atmosphere in the book which made me want to keep reading. The pacing was a bit slow at times. It almost made me loose interest but the speed picked up soon enough. I like the characters and the writing. I rarely read magical realism but thought it was well done in this book. A little slow, but overall a nice read.
thereadernthebeast's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
A delicate prose, myths that merge with reality, intertwined stories, mysterious deaths, a lost city, an ancient curse and a promiscuous-witch-queen-psychopath-murderer that you must defeat to save you, the man you love and the soul of an old love.
From Hitler to Atlantis, translating from French to Breton, you seek the treasure, you risk your life... and you expose your heart.
What beautiful and dangerous book it is!
~•~•~•~•~
Una prosa delicada, mitos que se fusionan con la realidad, historias entrelazadas, muertes misteriosas, una ciudad perdida, una antigua maldición y reina-bruja-promiscua-psicópata-asesina que vencer, para salvarte a ti, al hombre que amas y el alma de un antiguo amor.
Desde Hitler hasta Atlantis, traduciendo del francés al bretón, buscas el tesoro, te juegas la vida... y expones el corazón.
A delicate prose, myths that merge with reality, intertwined stories, mysterious deaths, a lost city, an ancient curse and a promiscuous-witch-queen-psychopath-murderer that you must defeat to save you, the man you love and the soul of an old love.
From Hitler to Atlantis, translating from French to Breton, you seek the treasure, you risk your life... and you expose your heart.
What beautiful and dangerous book it is!
~•~•~•~•~
Una prosa delicada, mitos que se fusionan con la realidad, historias entrelazadas, muertes misteriosas, una ciudad perdida, una antigua maldición y reina-bruja-promiscua-psicópata-asesina que vencer, para salvarte a ti, al hombre que amas y el alma de un antiguo amor.
Desde Hitler hasta Atlantis, traduciendo del francés al bretón, buscas el tesoro, te juegas la vida... y expones el corazón.
talkingchicle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley for this ALC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What would you do if someone told you the legends were real? Would you believe them? For Ari (Ariadne) that's exactly what happened. Returning to Brittany, France, where her Fiancee drowned, she meets Raphael. A man who claims his family is cursed, specifically that he is cursed. From this, all Ari wants to do is find a way to break it. Turning her into believer like her Fiancee, who spent his life and resources, researching and looking for clues to find the lost city of Ys.
This had loads of things I loved in a book. It was steeped in tales, folklore, legend, magic and a curse! It had mystery, some romance a legendary WItch. I was intrigued from the beginning. I also enjoyed the tension surrounding the diving crew on their quest to find clues, I loved the twists and turns throughout the story too!
The author built this story really well. She's managed to intricatey weave elements of the past into the present as the story unfolds. Thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more from Jessica Thorne.
What would you do if someone told you the legends were real? Would you believe them? For Ari (Ariadne) that's exactly what happened. Returning to Brittany, France, where her Fiancee drowned, she meets Raphael. A man who claims his family is cursed, specifically that he is cursed. From this, all Ari wants to do is find a way to break it. Turning her into believer like her Fiancee, who spent his life and resources, researching and looking for clues to find the lost city of Ys.
This had loads of things I loved in a book. It was steeped in tales, folklore, legend, magic and a curse! It had mystery, some romance a legendary WItch. I was intrigued from the beginning. I also enjoyed the tension surrounding the diving crew on their quest to find clues, I loved the twists and turns throughout the story too!
The author built this story really well. She's managed to intricatey weave elements of the past into the present as the story unfolds. Thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading more from Jessica Thorne.
lp061902's review against another edition
5.0
i came across this randomly and i am so glad i ended up reading it because i absolutely adored this book from the fantasy and lore of it all to the underlying romances and characters. i feel like it had just the right amount of mystery and the entire plot line to me made sense.
i highly highly highly recommend reading this if you are a big fan of like . indiana jones atlantis archeology mystery (dare i say night at the museum) type plots
i would’ve liked a little more depth on laure to be honest but i still really liked everything else about the book <3
also nico is so me! fruity and likes to bake! yeah!
i highly highly highly recommend reading this if you are a big fan of like . indiana jones atlantis archeology mystery (dare i say night at the museum) type plots
i would’ve liked a little more depth on laure to be honest but i still really liked everything else about the book <3
also nico is so me! fruity and likes to bake! yeah!
gdesousa's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Jessica Thorne for this eArc.
The Water Witch by Jessica Throne is a very interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but, I disagree with the “fantasy romance” tagline. To me, this book leans more towards adventure treasure hunting than fantasy with some supernatural aspects. Additionally, I did not find this book to be romantic. There are undeniably some romantic moments that occur, but the relationships that leaned more towards romance were used to explore grief and trust issues. Once I let the “fantasy romance” description of this book go, I was very pleasantly surprised.
The start of the book is somewhat confusing, especially for me as someone who knows nothing about Brittany, but the author does a fantastic job of worldbuilding and using location as a deeper theme of the story. The way Thorne describes the weather, atmosphere, and location added so much and made this book very unique – a true highlight. I also enjoyed all of the characters as they all had very real issues that they were working through and you could experience them grow throughout the book. I appreciated the “fantasy” part of the book, but I do not think that it was necessary to the storyline. Given how realistic everything else felt about the book, I did not feel that the curse added a necessary layer. I think that the same book could be written as just a treasure hunting mystery and the message, feelings, and outcome could be the same. However, this is simply a personal preference.
Overall, if you are into well-researched, visual, worldbuilding-focused books then this is for you. I believe that if you start this book without thinking it will be a “fantasy romance”, you have an enjoyable read awaiting you.
The Water Witch by Jessica Throne is a very interesting read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but, I disagree with the “fantasy romance” tagline. To me, this book leans more towards adventure treasure hunting than fantasy with some supernatural aspects. Additionally, I did not find this book to be romantic. There are undeniably some romantic moments that occur, but the relationships that leaned more towards romance were used to explore grief and trust issues. Once I let the “fantasy romance” description of this book go, I was very pleasantly surprised.
The start of the book is somewhat confusing, especially for me as someone who knows nothing about Brittany, but the author does a fantastic job of worldbuilding and using location as a deeper theme of the story. The way Thorne describes the weather, atmosphere, and location added so much and made this book very unique – a true highlight. I also enjoyed all of the characters as they all had very real issues that they were working through and you could experience them grow throughout the book. I appreciated the “fantasy” part of the book, but I do not think that it was necessary to the storyline. Given how realistic everything else felt about the book, I did not feel that the curse added a necessary layer. I think that the same book could be written as just a treasure hunting mystery and the message, feelings, and outcome could be the same. However, this is simply a personal preference.
Overall, if you are into well-researched, visual, worldbuilding-focused books then this is for you. I believe that if you start this book without thinking it will be a “fantasy romance”, you have an enjoyable read awaiting you.
aeola's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Mysterious Blend of History, Myth, and Romance
The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne offers a captivating blend of history, myth, and modern mysteries that will enchant readers from the very beginning. Thorne's writing style is truly wonderful, with attention to detail and vivid descriptions that paint vibrant images in the reader's mind. The subtle and delicate approach to the growing passion between the hero and the heroine is elegantly portrayed, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
As the plot unfolds, the introduction of mystical elements adds a new dimension to the narrative. While this shift may feel somewhat sudden and overwhelming, the story soon finds its footing with a more practical detective approach, reigniting the reader's interest. The relatable characters, particularly the heroine, are a strong anchor for the story, although her occasional plot-driven actions may detract from the overall experience.
Thorne's incorporation of French and Breton names adds an authentic touch to the setting; however, it may pose a challenge for some readers, disrupting the flow of the story. Additionally, the abundance of characters and unique place names could benefit from more detailed introductions and descriptions to aid reader comprehension.
The development of the main characters is commendable, although a more balanced focus on external descriptions could have further enriched the reading experience. The buildup of romantic tension between the characters is palpable, but the briefness of the subsequent intimate scene may leave readers longing for a more immersive portrayal of their connection.
Despite these considerations, The Water Witch receives a glowing 5/5 rating from me, reflecting the book's captivating plot, engaging mystique, compelling characters, and enchanting writing style. While the romance aspect could have been further developed, the overall reading experience is highly commendable.
In conclusion, The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne offers a captivating and mysterious journey, blending history, myth, and romance in a way that will leave readers yearning for more.
The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne offers a captivating blend of history, myth, and modern mysteries that will enchant readers from the very beginning. Thorne's writing style is truly wonderful, with attention to detail and vivid descriptions that paint vibrant images in the reader's mind. The subtle and delicate approach to the growing passion between the hero and the heroine is elegantly portrayed, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.
As the plot unfolds, the introduction of mystical elements adds a new dimension to the narrative. While this shift may feel somewhat sudden and overwhelming, the story soon finds its footing with a more practical detective approach, reigniting the reader's interest. The relatable characters, particularly the heroine, are a strong anchor for the story, although her occasional plot-driven actions may detract from the overall experience.
Thorne's incorporation of French and Breton names adds an authentic touch to the setting; however, it may pose a challenge for some readers, disrupting the flow of the story. Additionally, the abundance of characters and unique place names could benefit from more detailed introductions and descriptions to aid reader comprehension.
The development of the main characters is commendable, although a more balanced focus on external descriptions could have further enriched the reading experience. The buildup of romantic tension between the characters is palpable, but the briefness of the subsequent intimate scene may leave readers longing for a more immersive portrayal of their connection.
Despite these considerations, The Water Witch receives a glowing 5/5 rating from me, reflecting the book's captivating plot, engaging mystique, compelling characters, and enchanting writing style. While the romance aspect could have been further developed, the overall reading experience is highly commendable.
In conclusion, The Water Witch by Jessica Thorne offers a captivating and mysterious journey, blending history, myth, and romance in a way that will leave readers yearning for more.