Saturday, March 15, 2014

Review: Witchfall by Victoria Lamb

Title: Witchfall
Author: Victoria Lamb
Series: Book Two in the Tudor Witch Trilogy
Published By: Harlequin Teen (March 25, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book 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 fell in love with Lamb's writing after reading the first in the series and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.

There is just something to be said about mixing the paranormal with the historical and when you add in royalty, it is just a win win for me. 

I love the story of Anne Boleyn's life, love and consequent death. Her illegitimate daughter Elizabeth, her struggles and imprisonment. 

Actually, it isn't so much them as it is the monarchy itself. The life of a royal and all that means.

How, even though you think the royals had it easy, they really didn't. So much deception, jealousy, heartache and betrayal. So many hardships that could have been avoided and were just so unnecessary when one struggled to be the most powerful and the most desired. 

It wasn't an easy breezy life at all. It wasn't all about ball gowns and parties and balls. No,it was so much worse.

And while I realize this is fiction I think it is a very realistic view on what it could be like, what in more ways than one, it probably was like for them. For that struggle of power, knowing who really loves you and whom you can trust if anyone even exists that you can call a friend or lover.

And most of all, I love Meg and Alejandro and couldn't wait to get more of them. Their story is a nice one, a sweet one but still not one without hardships as they both struggles with who and what they are and how that fits in with each other, if it does at all. 

After all, how can two very different people with very different backgrounds and believes ever truly be together in a world that was full of chaos and confusion? Conspiracies and turmoil? 

Not as easy feat. 

This was such a fast read for me, I flew through it and am a little saddened that I couldn't make it last longer. I didn’t want it to be over and then the ending....well the ending wasn't an ending at all. More of a beginning and I want to see that beginning because I know it is just the icing on the cake.



Lamb did an excellent job blending the unbelievable with the believable and the paranormal with the historical. I can't wait to see what she has in store next for this series because I just can't get enough of it.





*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

14 comments:

  1. I agree this is such a fascinating time period and I wouldnt' want to be in a royal's shoes. I am always interested to read something set in this era and I think adding in a paranormal element would make it even better!

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    1. It really did Heidi, I think you would really like this one.

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  2. I remember seeing this series around and wanting to read it (I mean Tudor England) and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It seems so fascinating and I'm glad it was. Great review, Ali :)

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  3. Ali, I think I would really like this. Wonderful review, I added book one to my wishlist and will snag it when it's on sale.

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  4. I feel like a dolt. I didn't realize this was part of a series! Drat. Guess I'll have to catch up, LOL.

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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    1. Yeah you definitely don't want to read it out of order. The good thing is that this is only book two so you only have to read one to catch up. ;)

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  5. I did buy the first book so I'm really glad you enjoyed this one. Hopefully I can start this series soon!

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    1. Yay! I am glad you got the first book. I hope you like it.

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  6. Wow this wasn't on my radar at all, but hearing it's about Tudor England has me intrigued! I guess it's time for me to pick up the first book and give it a go. Thanks for sharing! :-)

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  7. This is another book I have been really curious about, and it sounds like it would be good. I'm adding it to my list Thanks for the great review.

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