I’m so delighted today – and considerably later than I’d planned – to share my review of the sixth and (just perhaps… but I do hope not!) final book in Sharon Booth’s wonderful Witches of Castle Clair series, Destiny of the Witch. It was independently published for kindle (free via Kindle Unlimited) on 31st October last year – and I’m sure the paperback will be following in due course.
When I read the last book in the series, His Lawful Wedded Witch (and you’ll find my review here), I mentioned its enticing “to be continued” ending, and that I really couldn’t wait to see how the story unfolded – I pre-ordered this one straight away, but was desperately frustrated when it landed (all 500+ pages) that there was just no way I could pick it up straight away as the Christmas reads began to take over (so sorry Sharon!). January was a slightly lighter month – I immersed myself in this one over a weekend, and had the most wonderful time. But since then, I’ve struggled with time again to pull a review together – apologies again Sharon…!
I suspect it might surprise many that I’ve become so enchanted by Sharon’s tales of witches and fae, magic and familiars, all tied in with the worlds of myth and legend – surely her lighter romantic fiction should be more my cup of tea? And yes, I have really enjoyed a number of her other books over the years, including the first in her new series with Storm Publishing – you’ll find my review of Summer in Tuppenny Bridge here (purchase link in the post), and I do really hope to return as the series continues. But I’ve entirely loved this series since the very first, Belle, Book and Candle – originally attracted by the Knaresborough connection (just up the road from me, and the inspiration for Castle Clair) but drawn in by the characters, and blown away by her imagination and the world she so vividly created. I went on to enjoy My Favourite Witch and To Catch a Witch every bit as much (those links are to my reviews – you’ll find the purchase links in the posts), and couldn’t have been more delighted when the series resumed with Will of the Witch and the introduction of another branch of the St Clair family, along with a developing storyline that had me deeply involved from outset (review here). And this was a book I was so looking forward to…
United they Stand…
The magical world is stunned by recent events, and the community is in turmoil. Fear is growing, and the witches are looking to Lowen for answers and reassurance. But with the necessary proof of his identity still missing, how can he give them what they need?
Someone has betrayed them all, and a heavy price has been paid by a much-loved and well-respected witch. The St Clairs need to find out who is behind the betrayal, and what they must do about it.
A desperate search in Whitby yields astonishing results, and as one revelation follows another, Romy realises she can’t put off telling John the truth any longer. But how will he cope with what she has to say to him?
With the Winter Solstice fast approaching, Castor’s on the warpath, Lowen’s on a mission, and Celeste and Hector have big decisions to make.
Things are reaching crisis point in Castle Clair, and it seems the unthinkable is about to happen as Lyrica’s prophecy is proved correct.
One will become three, three will become two, two will become three…
When you look forward to a book as much as I did with this one, you always have that little bit of fear that it might not be everything you wanted it to be. It’s almost a year since I read the last book in the series, and I will admit that it took me a few pages to re-engage with the large cast of characters, and to remember in any kind of detail that humdinger of a cliffhanger that had made me so desperate to read more. But that small element of uncertainty was soon dispelled – I very quickly became wrapped up in the author’s quite wonderful storytelling, leaving the world behind and caught up in a story that gripped me from the very beginning to its quite glorious end.
And now I have the challenge of reviewing a book that’s very much sixth in a series – and I really wouldn’t advise anyone to pick this one up as a standalone, because although the author does cover some of the background really well, I think it’s really important for your enjoyment to be familiar with the world she’s created so carefully and to understand the relationships and dynamics between its characters. Instead, if this looks like a book you might enjoy as much as I did, I’d thoroughly recommend you start earlier in the series – ideally from the very beginning, but I think you’d probably be fine starting with the fourth in the series, Will of the Witch.
I’m not even going to attempt to tell the story – I really don’t want to spoil this book’s surprises, or give away the plot points that are so perfectly developed and drawn together to their conclusion. The way the author weaves Arthurian myth and legend (Excalibur, the Round Table, the Lady in the Lake… goodness, it’s just wonderful!) and the bitterly feuding present day worlds of feydom and witchcraft into a story that’s very much her own is quite breath-taking – and stunningly original as she layers it with family drama and relationships, strong and believable romance, plenty of humour, and quite a few key moments that had me uncomfortably on the edge of my seat fearing what was to come.
The pace at which the story is told added to that feeling of slight breathlessness – and that’s most certainly not a criticism – with every quiet moment holding meaning and every exchange between the characters moving the story forward, the tension growing as the evil forces at play become increasingly real and the outcome becomes ever more uncertain. The individuals at the heart of the story will already be familiar from the earlier books – I felt I knew them all so well, although there were a few real surprises along the way, and a few unexpectedly emotional moments too. The characterisation is so excellent throughout – helped by telling the story from a number of different perspectives, the transitions well sign-posted and smoothly done, making you very much part of their individual experiences. There’s a multiplicity of threads to the story, all carefully unwound as the story becomes more and more complex but increasingly enthralling with every twist and turn. And the world she creates is never anything but absolutely real and believable – familiar in many ways, with well-drawn locations you’ll recognise, but seen through a lens that takes you wholly outside the realm of human experience.
When a book is over 500 pages long, I’ll admit I can sometimes be a little put off – but I’d honestly have been more than happy had this book been twice as long, as I really didn’t want to leave its world behind. It’s the product of a quite extraordinary imagination, backed up with an obvious depth of research, and the storytelling is superb in every possible way – I loved every moment, the perfect conclusion to a series I’ve so enjoyed and couldn’t recommend more highly.
About the author
Sharon Booth writes romantic fiction, featuring family, friendships and community. Her stories are set in pretty villages and quirky market towns, by the sea or in the countryside, with a guaranteed happy ending.
Contemporary romance fans should check out the Kearton Bay, Skimmerdale, Home for Christmas, Bramblewick, Moorland Heroes, The Other Half, and Tuppenny Bridge series.
If magic and mystery is your thing, Sharon also has a series of non-steamy, light-hearted paranormal romances, The Witches of Castle Clair.
If you love flawed characters doing the best they can, beautiful locations, and warm, witty, feelgood stories, you’ll love her books.
Sharon lives in East Yorkshire, England. When she’s not writing she loves reading, visiting old castles, abbeys, and stately homes, watching Cary Grant films or old Ealing comedies, or researching her family tree. She loves horses, hares, and harbours!
Find out more about Sharon on her website, or sign up for her monthly newsletter and get all the latest news, book updates, the chance to win a prize every month, and your copy of an exclusive novella. You’ll also find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Ah Anne – such a perfect review! I love all of Sharon’s books, but I must admit to these fabulous Witches holding a special place in this reader’s heart. I sincerely hope it’s not the end. XXX