Review - Witchfall (The Tudor Witch Trilogy #2) by Victoria Lamb

Title: Witchfall

Author: Vitoria Lamb

Series: 2nd (Witchstruck)

Pages: 336

Published:  March 25th 2014 by Harlequin Teen 

ISBN:  9780373211005

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description:  Her darkest dreams are coming true. In Tudor England, 1555, Meg Lytton has learned how powerful her magick gift can be. But danger surrounds her and her mistress, the outcast Princess Elizabeth. Nowhere is safe in the court of Elizabeth's fanatical sister, Queen Mary. And as the Spanish Inquisition's merciless priests slowly tighten their grip on the court, Meg's very dreams are disturbed by the ever-vengeful witchfinder Marcus Dent. Even as Meg tries to use her powers to find guidance, something evil arises, impervious to Meg's spells and hungry to control England's fate. As Meg desperately tries to keep her secret betrothed, the Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, out of harm's way, caution wars with their forbidden desire. And with her most powerful enemy poised to strike, Meg's only chance is a heartbreaking sacrifice.

I Give This ...

I really enjoy paranormal book set within historical fiction.  I think it's a blend of both genre's that I enjoy.  Add in Tudor England, and I'm sold.  I've particularly enjoyed this other side of Princess Elizabeth.

Meg has every right to be walking on eggshells.  Princess Elizabeth enjoys her company as well as what she can do.  But, she's made it perfectly clear that if Meg is caught, Elizabeth will deny any acknowledgement of her actions.  Her life and throne are on the line, so I don't really blame her.  Add in the priests questioning her every move, and it's no wonder she doesn't swear off magic forever.  But, magic is a part of Meg and she can't deny it.

Fate is coming full circle now and you can anticipate how this story might play out.  Meg is more powerful than she can imagine, but she might be playing with fire.  It might not be possible for her to have her cake and eat it too.   Especially when it come to Alejandro.  I often wondered if the priest would be able to look past the magic the more it comes into play.  It goes against everything he's been taught.

I really enjoyed this installment even though it could be a little slow at times.  But, it's setting up for our finale and I'm looking forward to that book very much.  

 

Review - Witchstruck (The Tudor Witch Trilogy #1) by Victoria Lamb

Title: Witchstruck

Author: Victoria Lamb

Series: 1st

Pages: 320

Published: September 24th 2013 by Harlequin Teen

ISBN:  9780373210978

Source: Publisher via Netgalley

 

Description: If she sink, she be no witch and shall be drowned. If she float, she be a witch and must be hanged. Meg Lytton has always known she is different;that she bears a dark and powerful gift. But in 1554 England, in service at Woodstock Palace to the banished Tudor princess Elizabeth, it has never been more dangerous to practice witchcraft. Meg knows she must guard her secret carefully from the many suspicious eyes watching over the princess and her companions. One wrong move could mean her life, and the life of Elizabeth, rightful heir to the English throne. With witchfinder Marcus Dent determined to have Meg's hand in marriage, and Meg's own family conspiring against the English queen, there isn't a single person Meg can trust. Certainly not the enigmatic young Spanish priest Alejandro de Castillo, despite her undeniable feelings. But when all the world turns against her, Meg must open her heart to a dangerous choice. 

I Give This ...


 You know how you have certain topics are must reads?  One of mine is Tudor England, with a particular soft spot for Queen Elizabeth.  Add in witchcraft and I was sold.

Meg was a different sort of character.  I enjoyed learning about her gift and how witchcraft may have been viewed during the sixteenth century.  She may have been afraid of being discovered at any given moment, but it never stopped her from practicing her art.  It also never stopped her from trying to learn more.  But, I never felt that she threw caution to the wind.  Sometimes, it was her emotion that got the best of her and not her magic.

I also really liked how the Princess seemed very true to character.  She was willing to dabble with magic to better position herself to become Queen.  She has an end goal in sight and she will not let anyone or anything stand in her way.  Even when Meg finds herself associated publicly with witchcraft, Elizabeth distances herself from the situation.

The only thing I felt really stood in the way of the story was the romance.  At first I found the intrigue between meg and Alejandro to be interesting.  What could cause more tension that an attraction between a  would be priest and a witch?  But Meg misread every situation to the point she was often rude and short tempered to him.  It drove me crazy because they have quite a big of interaction in the story.  I'm amazed he stuck around and helped her out.

The romance evened out a little in the end, and I'm interested to see how it might work out between these two polar opposites.  Plus, I'm still stuck on Tudor England.  I'm sure I will pick up the next book in the series!