The Witching Hour

Once Upon #6 1/4

by Nora Roberts

A kingdom is plagued by tragedy until a wizard-god’s spell brings forth a courageous and beautiful young woman who must follow her heart in love and follow her destiny in battle.…

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Fiction, Witches, Audiobook

MP3 CD

First published August 15, 2011

About the author

Nora Roberts is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than 200 novels, including Hideaway, Under Currents, Come Sundown, The Awakening, Legacy, and coming in November 2021 -- The Becoming -- the second book in The Dragon Heart Legacy. She is also the author of the futuristic suspense In Death series written under the pen name J.D. Robb. There are more than 500 million copies of her books in print.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I prefer this author writing as J D Robb sometimes I enjoy a little romantic fantasy and Nora Roberts does it so well! This one is a short but sweet novella about a baby cast out by the wicked King who comes back with magical powers to take back her birthright. A delightful bit of nonsense which takes only a couple of hours to read.

[Fernanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

:) welll..... pure fantasy!

In a world of darkness, The Real One, is expected.
Aurora is the One, the true owner of Twylia, and she and her wolf will bring hope and light to this world.
I realy liked it, recommend to all fans who enjoyed fantasy.

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witching Hour is a romantasy about Aurora and her wolf who fight against a corrupt king and his sociopathic son. It was entertaining.

[Carla Marques · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mais um livro de Bolso da Nora Roberts e deste gostei pois tem uma heroína e um conto de fadas.
Como sou uma pessoa muito sonhadora, adoro este tipo de romances.
Opinião completa em:http://aviciadadoslivros.blogspot.pt/...

[Carla Simoes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leitura 1:mais um dos contos da NR que gostei imenso.

tal como o outro este tinha personagens que ja se "conheciam" desde sempre em sonhos e visões e o seu encontro foi giro.
a historia esta bem pensada, num reino de magia e feiticeiros, nao e muito o estilo da nora mas gostei.
Dou 4 estrelas

Leitura 2: a releitura desta novella não me entusiasmou tanto como da primeira vez, não me recordava de nenhum pormenor da história mas os personagens não me agradaram muito e o enredo é muito previsível.

Aurora e thane tem tudo para ser um bom par mas achei os dois um bocadinho sem sal. Acho que se a história fosse maior talvez tivesse havido um pouco mais de desenvolvimento.

Acabei por mudar a minha review e dei 3 estrelas.

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped pretty much from the start which was why I'd finished it within two hours of starting it. Admittedly it was a short novel, but the writing was punchy and witty - the Roberts that I love reading. Aurora was compassionate and strong, Thane patient and loving. The perfect couple and ideal for removing the darkness that had gripped their world. The only thing missing was an epilogue of their success. Instead I'll have to settle for hoping they were all Draco promised.

[Emi えみ Takami 鷹見 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, this may have no been the best introduction to the revered Nora Roberts. It sounded so good, but I felt that all of the characters were flat, the fight for the castle too simple, and the insta-love rather... well... there was no fizz, no romance, no sparkle.... Hmmm...

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by the talented storyteller Nora Roberts. I loved reading this book it was highly entertaining and enjoyable book to read. I loved the characters of Aurora, Thane,Kern. I loved the magic throughout the book, I loved the battle of good versus evil, light against darkness elements in the book. I definitely recommend reading this book or any book written by Nora Roberts.





the wizard god Draco to save the kingdom of Twyka he casts a final spell to bring forth a courageous woman warrior to fight back the evil and darkness that is consuming the kingdom. Queen Gwynn and king Rhys pf the city of the stars, Rhys is killed and Lorcan makes himself king, the queen flees to give birth to her daughter Aurora destined to be the true one the queen dies and her loyal man gwayne watches over Aurora as she grows into adulthood. Aurora meets her wolf thane a stable boy when she infiltrates the city of stars. Thane and Aurora argue because he’s lost hope in fighting back, doesn’t believe in the true one unaware that Aurora is the true one. Aurora and thane eventually give into their connection and make love she tells him afterwards that she is the true one and he will fight with her. She reveals herself to the people as the true one amassing an army. Aurora and thane defeat Lorcan and his son Owen restoring light to the kingdom.

[Paraphrodite · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

Another fairytale-ish story about a Princess birthed at the Witching Hour as her parents' kingdom was toppled by an evil man.

Without knowing her birthright, the orphaned Princess was trained in both warrior and magical arts by some faithful retainers in the hopes that one day she will overthrow the villainous usurper.

There are all the elements of a fairytale with fairies, magic, witchcraft, warriors, dragons and some nasty and evil villains that our Princess has to outwit and battle with the help of our hero, who's the Princess's dream lover.

There's a couple of scenes that did disturb me when the Princess saw a servant girl being taken to the villainous Prince after she herself refused to go to bed with him and she did nothing to help the girl. And when her close friend's fiancé was captured and being tortured and she told the friend she had to leave him there for the greater good.

I'm never sure if the "Greater Good" means ignoring wrongs because of inconvenient timing. But then, the whole noblesse oblige thing would be really hard to do in real life.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast read without much tension. An ok romance, especially when you consider the age of the book. However, it was pretty funny how overly dramatic it was - perhaps because I listened to the audio version. I kept snickering at Aurora's declarations (l AM THE X!) and kinda pretentious speech "my wolf, my eagle, blah, blah." Just call them by their names FFS!

Everything essentially goes smoothly (the best kind of coup!), and any ugly details are glossed over. For example, I'd like to know how the prisoners fared after being tortured for a few days. It says they were getting rescued, but nothing past that.

[Cláudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Que leitura fantástica para começar a semana! O livrinho é muito pequeno, lembra-me os bookshots do James Patterson, vai directo ao assunto e não há pontos mortos na história. Dá a ideia de ser um filme, uma vez que se lê em menos de duas horas.

[Jaisyn Allyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I have to admit that my intention was to grab another book by the same name from the digital lending library and wound up with this one. I’d been meaning to give a book by Nora Roberts a try so i wasn’t upset with myself for the mix up. And it’s been a pleasant read, the vernacular used took a little adjustment but it was fitting to the story and gave it a pseudo- fantasy feeling it was meant to have. The plot progressed quickly within the first few chapters, as I should have expected being a shorter book, it would be nice to have seen this drawn out into a series of books, developing characters more; overall though a fun, fast tracked romantic fantasy.

[Megan Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun fun fun...another quick read about valiant heroines saving the world from evil greedy bastids. Maybe I'm being drawn to these lately … hmmmmmmm … escapism. ANYWAY, a fun, quick read as I get ready for vacation!

[Mala T. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh.

[Annette Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditional Nora Roberts fantasy story - with it's happen ending!

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy, quick read.
Wished there was more plot and character development, but a nice short story.

[RaChelle Holmberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downloaded from my public library, this was a really fabulous story. Wonderful characters and story line.

[Kelly Chester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Nora Roberts another great book

[Michelle Reddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story. Good overcomes evil, what more can you ask for. Love the fairytale storyline. Definitely a must read.

[Jill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Nora Roberts and this was a quick listen via audible (3 hours). I did not realize it was #6 in the series so I was a bit lost but I still enjoyed it!

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

gr read

[W J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Needed this palate cleanser. Short & fun.

[A G A VAN DEN BOS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid short story fantasy which keeps a good systematic pace.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one I wish was a full length novel, it was really good

[Julie Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!! Nora is TBE best at telling a delicious story.

[Patrícia Alegria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Opinião: http://outrolivrodefantasia.blogspot....

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first unabridged audiobook! I was put off of audios books a few years ago after I picked one up for a book in the middle of a series I was reading and it didn’t play any of the personal stuff I was so confused. Then found out the difference between abridged and unabridged and will never again buy an abridged version. Anyways was so glad I picked up this one! This one is about Aurora, a witch queen who will end the dark years once she takes her rightful spot on the throne. The kingdom is thrown into years of torment. The God like Draco, a powerful sorcerer, created a spell that would bring light back to the kingdom. This child who would bring light will be born at midnight on the darkest day of the darkest night and would rise up with her wolf to slay the serpent. A king and queen arrive that start to bring light to the kingdom by they are usurped by Lorkin who kills the King and forces the Queen to be taken out of the city before she is found and is ready to birth her child. That is the night Aurora is born. Before the Queen dies she charges her soldier to raise her ready to fight but not tell her she is the truthful one until it is time. After years of visions about her wolf, and her life Aurora has a new dream about the future and the queen’s soldier now realizes after 20 years it is time to tell her the truth. That she is a warrior witch that is the rightful Queen and it is time for her to fulfill the prophecy set so many years ago to end the darkness. This was a great short story involving love, witchcraft, fairies, and battle. Along with every short story you want it to be more but it didn’t need more for it to work. Definitely recommend it either in audio or in its Anthology Once Upon a Midnight.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are in the mood for a very quick listen, The Witching Hour is a nice little escape to another world. While it's not the best short story that I have read by the author, it was a nice way to spend my long commute to work. Aurora is a likeable enough heroine. When she finds out that she is really a queen, she is more than ready to head into battle to reclaim her kingdom. She is also gracious and caring about her loved ones and people.

Being a short story there isn't a lot of build up for the romance. The two have been in love since they were little and started seeing each other in their dreams. I thought it was amusing that once they finally meet in person, they are both pretty disappointed. Thankfully, this conflict doesn't go on for long with the couple and the do get their HEA. The audio is only 3 discs. If you like fairy tales, you will probably enjoy this one. The story was initially published in the anthology Once Upon a Midnight along with novellas by Jill Gregory, Ruth Ryan Langan, and Marianne Willman.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mais uma história mágica de Nora Roberts. Confesso que tenho pena que ela não escreva livros inteiros inseridos neste tipo de literatura (e não apenas contos). Ou então, se calhar até escreve, mas ainda não foram editados em português...
Eu gostei bastante desta história, tem magia, romance, maldade e traição, tudo em quantidades certas. O que não em quantidade certa é o desenvolvimento. E porque digo isto? Simplesmente porque se a Nora Roberts pegasse neste conto e o desenvolvesse melhor, teria um livro espectacular! Só por isso é que não lhe dou 5 estrelas. O conto, sendo conto, está desenvolvido suficientemente bem para se firmar enquanto história, mas deixa um gosto amargo no final, na boca daqueles que pedem mais. Eu pedia mais, sim senhor... :(

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depois de ter lido os três primeiros contos da colecção da revista FLASH!, no final do mês passado, decidi continuar na mesma onda e pegar no quarto logo que me foi possível - e ainda bem que o fiz, pois deparei-me com mais um óptimo conto!

Esta foi mais uma história recheada de coragem, magia, amor e determinação que, apesar de se desenvolver rapidamente, está muito bem fundamentada e construída pelo que se torna realmente apelativa e interessante para o leitor.

Adorei imenso o enredo e as personagens e, apesar de achar que o final poderia ter sido um pouco mais desenvolvido, penso que esta ideia resultou muito bem enquanto conto.

Como já devem ter percebido, gostei bastante desta leitura!