Book Review: City of Time and Magic by Paula Brackston

 Book Review

City of Time and Magic

Found Things Series, Book Four

Paula Brackston

 

Book Description:

Xanthe meets Brackston's most famous heroine, Elizabeth Hawksmith from The Witch's Daughter, in this crossover story with all the "historical detail, village charm, and twisty plotting" of the Found Things series (Publishers Weekly).

City of Time and Magic sees Xanthe face her greatest challenges yet. She must choose from three treasures that sing to her; a beautiful writing slope, a mourning brooch of heartbreaking detail, and a gorgeous gem-set hat pin. All call her, but the wrong one could take her on a mission other than that which she must address first, and the stakes could not be higher. While her earlier mission to Regency England had been a success, the journey home resulted in Liam being taken from her, spirited away to another time and place. Xanthe must follow the treasure that will take her to him if he is not to be lost forever.

Xanthe is certain that Mistress Flyte has Liam and determined to find them both. But when she discovers Lydia Flyte has been tracking the actions of the Visionary Society, a group of ruthless and unscrupulous Spinners who have been selling their talents to a club of wealthy clients, Xanthe realizes her work as a Spinner must come before her personal wishes. The Visionary Society is highly dangerous and directly opposed to the creed of the Spinners. Their actions could have disastrous consequences as they alter the authentic order of things and change the future. Xanthe knows she must take on the Society. It will require the skills of all her friends, old and new, to attempt such a thing, and not all of them will survive the confrontation that follows.

 

Releases November 23, 2021

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My 5-Star Review:

For a reader like me who has read all of Paula Brackston books, if you say you’re bringing in a character from another series, I’m there! Xanthe has defeated one evil time spinner but in the process, her dear friend Liam was pulled away from her into another time. Frantic to find him, she begins her search where she believes he must be – with her one-time friend, Mistress Flythe. What Xanthe doesn’t realize is she will need all of her strength as a Spinner and all her friends to help her fight evil once more in order to save Liam. And lucky for her, a very talented witch is on her side.

I love the way Ms. Brackston spins a story. The characters and scenery come alive in your mind. You don’t want to put down a Paula Brackston book once you’ve started it – so sit back, relax, and enjoy. I highly recommend this fourth book in the Found Things series as well as everything else she has written!

 

About the Author:

Paula Brackston lives in the historic city of Hereford on the Welsh border. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and has been a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, a script reader, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

In 2007 Paula was shortlisted in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was shortlisted for the Mind Book Award. The following year she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme. 'The Witch's Daughter' became a New York Times bestseller. Her books are translated into five languages and sold around the world.

Paula Brackston is always sharing interesting tidbits of her life and writing, so be sure to follow her on Facebook.

Book Review: The Return of the Witch by Paula Brackston

Hi all,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, I was able to read and early copy of Paula Brackston’s latest novel The Return of the Witch. As someone who has read everything that Ms. Brackston has written, I was delighted to have a chance to read this one. And I was not disappointed. Paula Brackston continues to charm with her latest novel.

 

The Return of the Witch

Paula Brackston

 

Book Description:

Paula Brackston's debut novel, The Witch's Daughter, was the little book that could--with a captivating story, remarkable heroine, and eye-catching package, it has now netted over 200,000 copies in all formats. Now Paula returns with its sequel The Return of the Witch, another bewitching tale of love and magic, featuring her signature blend of gorgeous writing, a fabulous and intriguing historical backdrop, and a headstrong and relatable heroine readers will cheer for.

After five years in the Summerlands, Gideon has gained his freedom. Elizabeth knows he will go straight for Tegan, and that she must protect the girl she had come to regard as her own daughter. In the time since she the dramatic night in Batchcombe woods, Tegan has traveled the world learning from all manner of witches, and she is no longer the awkward teenager and novice spellcaster she once was. However, her skills are no match for Gideon's dark, vengeful power, and he succeeds in capturing her. Will Elizabeth be able to find her? Will they be able to defeat their nemesis once and for all?

In a breathless journey that takes them through history to the 17th and 19th centuries, witch pursues warlock. Three people steeped in magic weave a new story, but not all will survive until the end.

 

Publish date: March 8, 2016

Preorders now available

 

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My 5 Star Review:

 

The Return of the Witch continues with the characters we came to know from the first novel, The Witch’s Daughter. Once again, Tegan is fleeing the powerful Gideon and Elizabeth is in hot pursuit to save the young witch she’s come to think of as her daughter. But will Elizabeth find her in time?

Paula Brackston has such a beautiful writing style that her stories flow effortlessly from page to page. You just don’t want the story to end. And in this story, she takes us on a journey through time as Elizabeth pursues Gideon and Tegan to try to end his evil once and for all. She writes rich, full characters that change and grow throughout the book. And you will fall in love with the time stepper, Erasmus, who helps Elizabeth on her journey throughout the story.

A definite must read for anyone who loves a well-written, highly entertaining magical story!

 

Read my review of The Witch’s Daughter

 

About the Author:

Paula Brackston lives in a wild, mountainous part of Wales. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Lancaster University, and is a Visiting Lecturer for the University of Wales, Newport. Before becoming a writer, Paula tried her hand at various career paths, with mixed success. These included working as a groom on a racing yard, a travel agent, a secretary, an English teacher, and a goat herd. Everyone involved (particularly the goats) is very relieved that she has now found a job she is actually able to do properly.

When not hunched over her keyboard in her tiny office under the stairs, Paula is dragged outside by her children to play Swedish tennis on the vertiginous slopes which surround them. She also enjoys being walked by the dog, hacking through weeds in the vegetable patch, or sitting by the pond with a glass of wine. Most of the inspiration for her writing comes from stomping about on the mountains being serenaded by skylarks and buzzards.

In 2007 Paula was shortlisted in the Creme de la Crime search for new writers. In 2010 her book 'Nutters' (writing as PJ Davy) was shortlisted for the Mind Book Award. Last year she was selected by the BBC under their New Welsh Writers scheme.

 

Connect with Paula:

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I hope you'll try this novel - I loved it!

Cheers,
Deanna