The Witch's Kind
Set during the aftermath of World War II, The Witch’s Kind follows the lives of Barrie Anne Blythe and her aunt Charlotte, two women with a touch of magic and the determination to live their lives by their terms.
When Barrie Anne finds an abandoned baby with strange abilities like her and Charlotte’s, Barrie Anne and her aunt are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the child they view as their own – even if it means confronting the government, suspicious neighbours, and Barrie Anne’s estranged husband.
Morgan’s style of writing draws the reader in from the start. She’s an exceptional storyteller, once again weaving together magic and history, as she did in her previous book A Secret History of Witches. I enjoyed seeing how Morgan flipped back and forth between pre-, during, and post-World War II. She showed how Barrie Anne’s life changed dramatically during those years and how her relationship with her husband, Will, deteriorated over time. The war certainly impacted their marriage, as it did many marriages at the time, but it became clear that as Barrie Anne learned to stand up for herself, Will wasn’t as charming as he appeared.
Aunt Charlotte is a fascinating character. I loved her interactions with her niece and how she was willing to come to Barrie Anne’s farm at the drop of a hat at the first sign of trouble. She devoted her life to Barrie Anne, even though that meant leaving her true love, who was a woman. Charlotte didn’t behave the way women were expected to during the 1940s and 50s, and her courage to live life by her terms made her my favourite in The Witch’s Kind.
The magic in this story was different from Morgan’s other book, which I liked. The Blythe family is deeply connected to the water. Charlotte’s grandmother sticking her hand in the mop bucket to see what the day would bring was different from the herbology and crystals of A Secret History of Witches. I liked the difference, because it showed that magic can manifest differently, but it’s still powerful.
The Witch’s Kind is an absorbing tale of love, sacrifice, family ties, and magic.
The Witch’s Kind Rating: ★★★★
When Barrie Anne finds an abandoned baby with strange abilities like her and Charlotte’s, Barrie Anne and her aunt are willing to do whatever it takes to protect the child they view as their own – even if it means confronting the government, suspicious neighbours, and Barrie Anne’s estranged husband.
Morgan’s style of writing draws the reader in from the start. She’s an exceptional storyteller, once again weaving together magic and history, as she did in her previous book A Secret History of Witches. I enjoyed seeing how Morgan flipped back and forth between pre-, during, and post-World War II. She showed how Barrie Anne’s life changed dramatically during those years and how her relationship with her husband, Will, deteriorated over time. The war certainly impacted their marriage, as it did many marriages at the time, but it became clear that as Barrie Anne learned to stand up for herself, Will wasn’t as charming as he appeared.
Aunt Charlotte is a fascinating character. I loved her interactions with her niece and how she was willing to come to Barrie Anne’s farm at the drop of a hat at the first sign of trouble. She devoted her life to Barrie Anne, even though that meant leaving her true love, who was a woman. Charlotte didn’t behave the way women were expected to during the 1940s and 50s, and her courage to live life by her terms made her my favourite in The Witch’s Kind.
The magic in this story was different from Morgan’s other book, which I liked. The Blythe family is deeply connected to the water. Charlotte’s grandmother sticking her hand in the mop bucket to see what the day would bring was different from the herbology and crystals of A Secret History of Witches. I liked the difference, because it showed that magic can manifest differently, but it’s still powerful.
The Witch’s Kind is an absorbing tale of love, sacrifice, family ties, and magic.
The Witch’s Kind Rating: ★★★★