Book Review: Dark Witch by Nora Roberts

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland.

County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horseman, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

I really liked Dark Witch by Nora Roberts but it took me a long time to realise I liked it.  At the half way point I though this book was ok then suddenly out of nowhere I just seemed to really get into it.  I really like Nora Roberts’s style of writing there is something comfortable and comforting about it.  She is a great world builder and I had no trouble envisioning the places this book took me too. 

I really enjoyed the story it was a nice mix between romance, paranormal fantasy and family drama.  It hooked me in slowly I didn’t feel like I had to read it in one big go and was able to take my time with it which I enjoyed.  Although this book could easily be classed as a romance I don’t think that would be fair as there was a lot more to it than that.  The romance was important but it took a back seat to other more important aspects of the story.

The characters were interesting.  At first I really didn’t like Iona I thought she was one of the most annoying female protagonists I had ever come across.  She talked all the time about nothing and she was always belittling herself and apologizing. I cannot help but find that really irritating and I don’t tend to enjoy books with characters like that.  Luckily for me Iona began to change, she became tougher, more self-aware and less prone to just word vomit all over the place.  In the end I really liked her it was nice to see a character grow as time went on and I thought Roberts handled that perfectly.

The other characters were great I liked all of them especially Boyle who was gruff, manly and was incapable of saying thing things in a romantic fashion but reading him try was endearing.  I liked him with Iona and there were times where I thought they were very cute but I wasn’t overwhelmed by their connection. 

Dark Witch was a great start to the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy and I cannot wait to read the other books in the series. 

3 stars

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Published October 31st 2013 by Piatkus (first published January 1st 2013) 

 The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy book 1

A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.