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A Modern Witch #4
A Nomadic Witch
Spring brings a traveler to Nova Scotia - a tiny babe who will turn Marcus's life upside down and reincarnate the horrifying events of his past.
Can Marcus find his way through the pain to love and healing? And can the witching community finally learn to keep their astral travelers safe?
A Nomadic Witch is book four of the top-rated A Modern Witch series. Light contemporary fantasy with a good dose of humor, a little romance, and characters you won't want to leave.
Can Marcus find his way through the pain to love and healing? And can the witching community finally learn to keep their astral travelers safe?
A Nomadic Witch is book four of the top-rated A Modern Witch series. Light contemporary fantasy with a good dose of humor, a little romance, and characters you won't want to leave.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 21, 2012
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1362 people want to read
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June 22, 2012My new book :)
September 27, 2019
Every time I start a new book in Geary's Modern Witch series, I think to myself, "I just can't do it." It just feels like it's all a bit too much. Too "twee." Too bizarre. I mean, there is "net magic" i.e. internet magic where people can actually travel into virtual reality games. Not "virtually" travel into the game. But REALLY travel. Into the VIRTUAL world. Bits of code are enhanced with spells. And you can spell anything--I mean anything. And you can "port" yourself anywhere by use of your Iphone. No Scotty beaming you up. I mean come on. Even Samantha Stevens had to follow the laws of reality more that that.
But somewhere in those first couple chapters, Geary draws me in. I really care about what is happening to these people. Even if it is not a situation that has happened to me, I can relate to it. They get to me. And I am touched and moved. The situations these people get into are completely nonsensical. But the characters Geary creates are real.
So bravo Debora Geary! Well done, you!
But somewhere in those first couple chapters, Geary draws me in. I really care about what is happening to these people. Even if it is not a situation that has happened to me, I can relate to it. They get to me. And I am touched and moved. The situations these people get into are completely nonsensical. But the characters Geary creates are real.
So bravo Debora Geary! Well done, you!
July 5, 2012
From Lilac Wolf and Stuff
If you've followed me for any length of time you know I'm going to gush here. It's a paranormal tale that is so sweet. It just radiates a warm and cozy feeling.
There are some really technical parts to these novels, the witches do not shy away from technology. But Debora has the story so centered on the people, that the technology and magic they use are background to the love, patience and understanding as a person moves toward healing.
We've seen Marcus before, and he is such a sourpuss I was dying to see where the other witches would take him. When Morgan shows up on his doorstep the path is then set. It's not just Marcus having to finally come to terms with the death of his twin, but to love and protect another traveler.
How did Morgan get there? Is Evan still alive somehow? Can Marcus get through his grief so he can care for the girlchild? You'll have to read to see.
Yet another rich, delightful Modern Witch tale. All these powerful little witches has me so curious where it's going to end up. Something big is building. There are supposed to be 7 book in this series.
If you've followed me for any length of time you know I'm going to gush here. It's a paranormal tale that is so sweet. It just radiates a warm and cozy feeling.
There are some really technical parts to these novels, the witches do not shy away from technology. But Debora has the story so centered on the people, that the technology and magic they use are background to the love, patience and understanding as a person moves toward healing.
We've seen Marcus before, and he is such a sourpuss I was dying to see where the other witches would take him. When Morgan shows up on his doorstep the path is then set. It's not just Marcus having to finally come to terms with the death of his twin, but to love and protect another traveler.
How did Morgan get there? Is Evan still alive somehow? Can Marcus get through his grief so he can care for the girlchild? You'll have to read to see.
Yet another rich, delightful Modern Witch tale. All these powerful little witches has me so curious where it's going to end up. Something big is building. There are supposed to be 7 book in this series.
September 15, 2012
The Modern Witch Series is unique in the various magics developed and described. I have read numerous books in this genre and none of them are quite like this one. I have to admit that some of the more technical aspects of Realm coding and Net Magic were a bit over my head, but it didn't, in any way, detract from my enjoyment of these books.
I especially like the way that each book builds on the last, expanding and growing with the characters, even as new characters get added. It is almost as if you really know each of the characters and are invested in their happiness; you want to see them successfully resolve their conflicts and navigate through the obstacles that life throws at them with as little emotional bruising and scarring as possible.
This world has been brought together in such a believable and alluring way that I want to get pulled into their game so I can be a part of their witch family and learn magic, too! Keeping up with all the magically advanced children in this group could be a bit ego damaging, though. Parenting non-magical children is difficult enough. I can't begin to imagine that I would be able to raise one of these magical prodigies!
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, but knowing that there will only be seven makes me want to drag out their release at the same time so the end of it all is postponed. Maybe this series won't wrap up as neatly as expected and it will take more books than the author has planned.
I especially like the way that each book builds on the last, expanding and growing with the characters, even as new characters get added. It is almost as if you really know each of the characters and are invested in their happiness; you want to see them successfully resolve their conflicts and navigate through the obstacles that life throws at them with as little emotional bruising and scarring as possible.
This world has been brought together in such a believable and alluring way that I want to get pulled into their game so I can be a part of their witch family and learn magic, too! Keeping up with all the magically advanced children in this group could be a bit ego damaging, though. Parenting non-magical children is difficult enough. I can't begin to imagine that I would be able to raise one of these magical prodigies!
I am looking forward to the next book in the series, but knowing that there will only be seven makes me want to drag out their release at the same time so the end of it all is postponed. Maybe this series won't wrap up as neatly as expected and it will take more books than the author has planned.
July 19, 2012
Take a happy community of witches, one bitterly miserable old curmudgeon, an online role playing game and then add astral traveling babies. What you end up with is the perfect heartwarming fluffy holiday read, but be warned that to properly appreciate it you need to have read the rest of the series in order!
November 30, 2015
These are quirky stories about a group of witches who keep expanding because of the internet and I really love it. The characters are all strange in one way or another or they have some type quirk you can identify with. The characters are all down to earth types who just happen to have the ability to manipulate the elements.
Marcus lost his brother to the mists over 40 years ago, he was a traveler and never returned to his body, he got lost. Marcus has never forgiven himself for not being able to save him and has become a bitter old man who pushes everyone away. In recent months, since the birth of new babies, and pushing by Moira, he has started to interact with others more. But something happens that could push him back into his shell.
A baby is left on Marcus's porch and he is not sure why. When he finds out that it was sent to him by his brother, and that the baby is also a traveler, he is ready to give it up. But how can he turn his back on a baby who needs him when she was sent by the brother he still misses and loves?
This is fun, light, and total escapism. I can listen or read this and enjoy myself because I really care about these characters and what is going on in their lives. They always put a smile on my face even as I cry for the sad things that befall them. You cannot help but be charmed by these witches and the love that surrounds them. Give this series a try!
Marcus lost his brother to the mists over 40 years ago, he was a traveler and never returned to his body, he got lost. Marcus has never forgiven himself for not being able to save him and has become a bitter old man who pushes everyone away. In recent months, since the birth of new babies, and pushing by Moira, he has started to interact with others more. But something happens that could push him back into his shell.
A baby is left on Marcus's porch and he is not sure why. When he finds out that it was sent to him by his brother, and that the baby is also a traveler, he is ready to give it up. But how can he turn his back on a baby who needs him when she was sent by the brother he still misses and loves?
This is fun, light, and total escapism. I can listen or read this and enjoy myself because I really care about these characters and what is going on in their lives. They always put a smile on my face even as I cry for the sad things that befall them. You cannot help but be charmed by these witches and the love that surrounds them. Give this series a try!
September 15, 2012
Question: Take a grumpy bachelor and a sweet little baby girl and what do you get? Answer: A Nomadic Witch by Debora Geary.
Marcus Buchanan has been a recluse for a long time. He lost his brother over 40 years ago to the mists. Evan was a traveler, but know one knew much about them at the time. He so young and Marcus was devastated that he couldn't save him. In fact, not many people know about astral travelers, but the witching community is about to discover some really important finds. Evan, however, wants Marcus to stop hiding and star living. So, he's about to get a huge wake-up call!
Morgan was left on Marcus' doorstep and she's everything a baby is but unfortunately, she has a lot in common with his brother Evan. Marcus has spent the better part of his life not living. Now that Morgan has shown up, he has no idea what to do, either with her or himself. The witching community divides and conquers Marcus' heart and slowly he learns to open himself up again.
There were moments in the story where I found myself actually laughing. Seeing a grown, lonely and long since determine to be single guy take care of a cute little tiny baby. Classic, with a witchy twist! Set almost entirely in Nova Scotia and the Realm (you'll have to read the books to find out what that is!), Marcus adjusts to life with a baby, and along the way he learns that he must do everything he can to protect his girl-child with special gifts. As a babe she has no idea what she is doing, especially when she takes one of the other young witchlings along for the ride with her.
With the help of the town, the family and even Evan, Marcus races through the astral planes to save both little girls. When he returns, he realizes what he needs to do and that is to go find his brother and learn the truth about the astral world. Surely little Morgan, with the lavender eyes, is worth it.
Each story that Ms. Geary reveals only intensifies my love for these characters. The plots become more intricate and weave the characters tighter and tighter so that it becomes almost impossible to put the book down. The other night I actually had to tell my husband I had to go back and finish reading a previous story because I had to find out what happened to Grandma! Don't worry, nothing happens to her in this book, but you if you haven't read any of the Modern Witch Series books, you better start now!
Marcus Buchanan has been a recluse for a long time. He lost his brother over 40 years ago to the mists. Evan was a traveler, but know one knew much about them at the time. He so young and Marcus was devastated that he couldn't save him. In fact, not many people know about astral travelers, but the witching community is about to discover some really important finds. Evan, however, wants Marcus to stop hiding and star living. So, he's about to get a huge wake-up call!
Morgan was left on Marcus' doorstep and she's everything a baby is but unfortunately, she has a lot in common with his brother Evan. Marcus has spent the better part of his life not living. Now that Morgan has shown up, he has no idea what to do, either with her or himself. The witching community divides and conquers Marcus' heart and slowly he learns to open himself up again.
There were moments in the story where I found myself actually laughing. Seeing a grown, lonely and long since determine to be single guy take care of a cute little tiny baby. Classic, with a witchy twist! Set almost entirely in Nova Scotia and the Realm (you'll have to read the books to find out what that is!), Marcus adjusts to life with a baby, and along the way he learns that he must do everything he can to protect his girl-child with special gifts. As a babe she has no idea what she is doing, especially when she takes one of the other young witchlings along for the ride with her.
With the help of the town, the family and even Evan, Marcus races through the astral planes to save both little girls. When he returns, he realizes what he needs to do and that is to go find his brother and learn the truth about the astral world. Surely little Morgan, with the lavender eyes, is worth it.
Each story that Ms. Geary reveals only intensifies my love for these characters. The plots become more intricate and weave the characters tighter and tighter so that it becomes almost impossible to put the book down. The other night I actually had to tell my husband I had to go back and finish reading a previous story because I had to find out what happened to Grandma! Don't worry, nothing happens to her in this book, but you if you haven't read any of the Modern Witch Series books, you better start now!
June 24, 2012
"Each of us is connected, one to the other - a great web of souls." And thus states the entire theme of this wonderful fourth book in Debora Geary's A Modern Witch series. Here, we finally learn more about Marcus, an older grumpy bachelor witch who prefers the safety of his cliffside fortress to the tight-knit community of Fisher's Cove, Nova Scotia. Since losing his brother Evan to the astral plane over forty years ago, Marcus has lived in a shell that keeps out the fearful mists that haunt him - and the love that has tried its hardest to heal him. Until, that is, a strangely flamboyant visitor with a strange message from "the other side" breaks into Realm and foretells the coming of a babe that is going to shatter his world. And, very possibly, his heart. As the combined witch communities of Fisher's Cove and Berkeley surround him, Marcus' entire life is upended and he finds his heart gradually opening to healing and hope. But will that healing be enough to pull him out of his fear long enough to save another soul from the mists? Will he learn, as Nell has, to "choose life unafraid?"
Debora captivated me with her first book (A Modern Witch, a must-read if you haven't read the series from the beginning) and she continues to entrance me with each new book. Her characters spring to life off the page and touch the reader's heart deeply, a feat that very few authors can achieve. Her descriptions are vibrant, creative and imaginative and make her books feel as if they're full of color, light and warmth (and yummy yummy cookies!) Reading them is like spending time with your best friends in a cozy room full of all the delightful goodies and fun that you can imagine. They're emotional books too, though, and this one certainly had me reaching for the tissues on several occasions or flipping the pages as rapidly as I could, my heart beating in fear for the characters. Debora doesn't allow you to be a spectator when you read her books - she pulls your heart into them as fiercely as she can and holds it there the entire ride through. It's a wonderful experience and one that I enjoyed once again. I'll be sharing this book with my friends and buying gift copies, too. FIVE STARS (and I'd give more if I could!)
Debora captivated me with her first book (A Modern Witch, a must-read if you haven't read the series from the beginning) and she continues to entrance me with each new book. Her characters spring to life off the page and touch the reader's heart deeply, a feat that very few authors can achieve. Her descriptions are vibrant, creative and imaginative and make her books feel as if they're full of color, light and warmth (and yummy yummy cookies!) Reading them is like spending time with your best friends in a cozy room full of all the delightful goodies and fun that you can imagine. They're emotional books too, though, and this one certainly had me reaching for the tissues on several occasions or flipping the pages as rapidly as I could, my heart beating in fear for the characters. Debora doesn't allow you to be a spectator when you read her books - she pulls your heart into them as fiercely as she can and holds it there the entire ride through. It's a wonderful experience and one that I enjoyed once again. I'll be sharing this book with my friends and buying gift copies, too. FIVE STARS (and I'd give more if I could!)
September 14, 2012
Another entertaining story about Nova Scotia based witches village with witches of every stripe from wee born babies to matronly great grandmothers with a couple of things in common, love for each other and nourishment and training for the newly hatched and developing witches and a tie to writing computer code and integrating it with magic making new spells and augmenting the old magic. This story features a grumpy old man (Marcus) who is wracked with guilt from an incident suffered as a five year old when his older twin brother (Evan) was separated from him while they were on the beach when the Mists called to him and he left to Astro-travel, never to return. Marcus's life changes drastically when his forty year missing brother finds a way to communicate and send a small baby with Red Hair and Violet eyes into his life to care for and guard from harm (another young Astro-traveler). This life changing experience for Marcus involves the whole community including the young and evolving healers like Lizzie and his Irish old magic aunt, Moira along with all the men in the community who banded together to make and publish a fathering manual that teaches a new father about the mechanics of caring for an infant. When the wifes and mothers got a hold of a copy, they enjoyed commentary to know end, laughing at the images their significant others used to convey the necessary messages. In the end, the witches persistence and love won out. They relieved Marcus of four decades of guilt and self blame and after using a young witches insight into the nature of the Mists, were able to bring back Morgan and Kenna from an astratravel episode and establish a Protocall where the young susceptible witch babies were safeguarded and the fear of the Mists waned while their place in their world of magic was acknowledged. As always, Debora Geary shows how love and community brings together the group and heals the injured. For Deborah, Love and Family are the root cause and best solution! Enjoy the shared comfort of living in a loving group with the stories of the witches in Deborah's world!
June 26, 2012
This book was an emotional journey. (I'll likely re-read it soon and may edit this review.)
In this book we feature Marcus, but he's not in isolation. Rather we have a community rallying around Marcus (even if it means ignoring him) to aid him in dealing with Morgan and his grief over Evan. The two are intertwined and cannot be separated. The author warned fans that tissues would be needed in reading this book and she wasn't wrong.
I loved how "net magic" means that the Berkley and Novia Scotia communities are now no longer separated. I LOVED the fairy godfathers (in fact if DG ever published that in it's entirety it would like be as good a seller as her novels). I liked how the smaller details weren't forgotten (not that I expected them to be) - Marcus' guards wearing bunny slippers, Lizzy adding "extras" to herbal remedies. And how we were given snippets of possible things to come - take overs afoot in Witch World from unsuspecting parts. I liked how Marcus opening up wasn't a great revelation or transformation but a process that you got to witness - beginning with light sabres (and wasn't that battle great) and ending with the purple people eater!
So all in all this was another great entry in this series. It continues the give the reader that fabulous sense of community and that all really can be fixed with the right cookie (or ten).
I'm now counting down the days until September.
(If DG ever has an online game created to match the one that exists in her books I might just become a gamer.)
In this book we feature Marcus, but he's not in isolation. Rather we have a community rallying around Marcus (even if it means ignoring him) to aid him in dealing with Morgan and his grief over Evan. The two are intertwined and cannot be separated. The author warned fans that tissues would be needed in reading this book and she wasn't wrong.
I loved how "net magic" means that the Berkley and Novia Scotia communities are now no longer separated. I LOVED the fairy godfathers (in fact if DG ever published that in it's entirety it would like be as good a seller as her novels). I liked how the smaller details weren't forgotten (not that I expected them to be) - Marcus' guards wearing bunny slippers, Lizzy adding "extras" to herbal remedies. And how we were given snippets of possible things to come - take overs afoot in Witch World from unsuspecting parts. I liked how Marcus opening up wasn't a great revelation or transformation but a process that you got to witness - beginning with light sabres (and wasn't that battle great) and ending with the purple people eater!
So all in all this was another great entry in this series. It continues the give the reader that fabulous sense of community and that all really can be fixed with the right cookie (or ten).
I'm now counting down the days until September.
(If DG ever has an online game created to match the one that exists in her books I might just become a gamer.)
November 20, 2020
A Nomadic Witch is the fourth installment into the A Modern Witch series by Debora Geary.
Marcus was a prime character is need of rehabilitation. The story of his brothers’ death and the ground shattering turmoil it left him in wrenched my heart to pieces. To follow along as the community we’ve seen crafted in the previous works fought to show him their true power went beyond enjoyment.
My only qualm being I could’ve done with a little more Evan. And I honestly couldn’t tell if that ending meant he had moved on or not. But it still left me heart-broken and terribly confused over how I wish it would end. Because while I do wish Evan would always stand guard, he was terribly scared and alone in his role. Two twins standing in opposing realms fighting together to save as many as they can? Has a nice ring to it.
Morgan’s appearance was immensely enjoyable. She saved the man, brought him out of his heavily guarded confines. If only this series could go on until she matured so we could come to know her personality more fully.
Marcus was a prime character is need of rehabilitation. The story of his brothers’ death and the ground shattering turmoil it left him in wrenched my heart to pieces. To follow along as the community we’ve seen crafted in the previous works fought to show him their true power went beyond enjoyment.
My only qualm being I could’ve done with a little more Evan. And I honestly couldn’t tell if that ending meant he had moved on or not. But it still left me heart-broken and terribly confused over how I wish it would end. Because while I do wish Evan would always stand guard, he was terribly scared and alone in his role. Two twins standing in opposing realms fighting together to save as many as they can? Has a nice ring to it.
Morgan’s appearance was immensely enjoyable. She saved the man, brought him out of his heavily guarded confines. If only this series could go on until she matured so we could come to know her personality more fully.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2018
I enjoyed this story though found it very different from the stories in the series so far. This story is mainly focused on Marcus and his brother who astral projected into the mist, because of his brother he draws away from everyone. His brother decides to give him someone to draw him out into the community in the form of a baby girl. I loved reading about Marcus as he started to love the little girl that appeared on his doorstep. Then decides to become her knight and protect her as the mists come for her. Definitely a good read that I enjoyed reading, finding some parts really funny like the building of the castle. Xxx
March 23, 2013
Book 4 in the Modern Witch Series by Debora Geary and yet another heart warming and wrenching book of family, community, friendship and home and a good dose of magick to keep it fun. Have your tissues ready as this one is full of things to make you tear up...good and bad.
August 28, 2020
Here is the beginning of Marcus’ story, a curmudgeonly loner who became one of my favorite characters. Marcus, of the Novia Scotia witches, is a powerful mind witch, but one racked with loss and guilt. When 5, his twin brother Evan, a fire witch but also a hidden astral journeyer, left his body and went into the universe. He was unable to find his way back. Marcus tried to hold home, to help him return, but at 5 his power was not enough. Yet, Marcus has blamed himself for over 40 years. Here, a baby with red hair and lavender eyes is left on his doorstep in a basket with a note from Evan saying her name is Morgan and she is now Morgan’s to keep safe. Morgan too feels the astral pull and this book is much about how Marcus and the community manage to keep Morgan tethered to earth until the danger of her astral journeying passes. It is also about Marcus making peace with his loss and starting to live again. It’s very emotional – but also hilarious as you discover that Marcus is one of the top players of the RPG which has a very prominent roll, along with pink bunny slippers and a tweenie witch challenging his ranking.
February 21, 2019
Between the author and the narrator, the story as so touching on places, I cried. Sometimes you have to open old wounds to heal them. The pain Marcus still feels for his lost twin is deep. Maybe a baby with lavender eyes can help with the healing.
December 6, 2024
Niestety ten tom był najgorszy z serii do tej pory. Bardzo skupiony na niemowlakach oraz grze komputerowej. Ciężko się w to wkręcić pomimo, że dalej to lekka lektura.
Jedynie fajnie, że Daniel się więcej pojawia.
Jedynie fajnie, że Daniel się więcej pojawia.
August 31, 2019
Great read, love the series!
April 22, 2021
The series is beginning to pal and lose it's charm.
July 1, 2012
This is the fourth book in the Modern Witch series, and as always, it did not disappoint. I was hooked after the first few pages, not to mention I was already tearing up within the very first chapter. Debora Geary has a wonderful ability to paint her characters and their emotions, thoughts, and actions so that you feel as though they're absolutely real- you can't help caring about about them.
The focus here is mainly based around the Nova Scotia witches, along with a good bit of Jamie and Nell. You'll also be seeing Nell's husband Danial a lot more here--I enjoyed seeing him in a bigger role this time around. As for the rest of the usual cast, we really don't see them much except for the occasional appearance. Don't be dismayed though, the Nova Scotia crew are more than enough to make this an excellent read. I really liked it being set in Nova Scotia. It was great to learn more about these particular characters.
Marcus, the solitary, cranky and general pain-in-the-butt grump is one of the main characters this book focuses on. He is put in what feels like an impossible situation when he suddenly finds himself in charge of a baby girl, named Morgan, who has the incredibly strong power of astral travel--the most dangerous and life-threatening power that a witch can have. If you've read the previous books than you'll remember that as a child, Marcus lost his twin brother Evan to this same power.
Can stubborn, hard-headed Marcus face his past and be able to change his solitary ways to raise and protect Morgan? More importantly, will he even want to try? Those are the questions that kept me turning page after page until the end!
Marcus's pain from past scars are far from healed. Following the tragedy of his past and his struggle in the present, as well as the sorrow of the witches around him, had me in tears. Yet as sad as it was, there were just as many laughs and tears of joy. Almost every emotion is brought out to the surface with this book.
The honest love between all of them is wonderfully uplifting. They are a family of both blood and by heart, always ready to support and help one another--even when they fight or argue. It's such a refreshing, heart touching read. The author creates the relationships between each character in such a way that is amazingly realistic and human.
You can't go wrong with this book, it is well worth the read! If you have not read the previous books in the Modern Witch series, you'll still be able to understand what's going on and you won't have any trouble following the story. I personally think the books are better read in order, but each book can stand on it's own just as well.
As always when I finish a book by Debora Geary, I'm now excitedly waiting for the next. :)
--Jessica
The focus here is mainly based around the Nova Scotia witches, along with a good bit of Jamie and Nell. You'll also be seeing Nell's husband Danial a lot more here--I enjoyed seeing him in a bigger role this time around. As for the rest of the usual cast, we really don't see them much except for the occasional appearance. Don't be dismayed though, the Nova Scotia crew are more than enough to make this an excellent read. I really liked it being set in Nova Scotia. It was great to learn more about these particular characters.
Marcus, the solitary, cranky and general pain-in-the-butt grump is one of the main characters this book focuses on. He is put in what feels like an impossible situation when he suddenly finds himself in charge of a baby girl, named Morgan, who has the incredibly strong power of astral travel--the most dangerous and life-threatening power that a witch can have. If you've read the previous books than you'll remember that as a child, Marcus lost his twin brother Evan to this same power.
Can stubborn, hard-headed Marcus face his past and be able to change his solitary ways to raise and protect Morgan? More importantly, will he even want to try? Those are the questions that kept me turning page after page until the end!
Marcus's pain from past scars are far from healed. Following the tragedy of his past and his struggle in the present, as well as the sorrow of the witches around him, had me in tears. Yet as sad as it was, there were just as many laughs and tears of joy. Almost every emotion is brought out to the surface with this book.
The honest love between all of them is wonderfully uplifting. They are a family of both blood and by heart, always ready to support and help one another--even when they fight or argue. It's such a refreshing, heart touching read. The author creates the relationships between each character in such a way that is amazingly realistic and human.
You can't go wrong with this book, it is well worth the read! If you have not read the previous books in the Modern Witch series, you'll still be able to understand what's going on and you won't have any trouble following the story. I personally think the books are better read in order, but each book can stand on it's own just as well.
As always when I finish a book by Debora Geary, I'm now excitedly waiting for the next. :)
--Jessica
January 2, 2014
3 star beginning... I actually put it down and left it for a month or so. Picked it up to finish because it was light and quick to read after that massive book about Victorian London.
Once I started again I ploughed through it, finishing with a slightly confusing but 5 star ending. Marcus is definitely my favourite (is it because I'm basically a grumpy hermit?)
this one was sad, really sad. I even thought about getting teary at one point. I wanted both a sad ending and a happy ending. I felt like what happened to the ones trapped in the mist at the end could have been shown... I felt so bad for the little boy crying, he broke my heart.
My criticisms of this series still stand (although they seem to have moved on to pizza instead of sugar... Now they're getting their cholesterol levels up as well as their blood sugar!). I still think they could do with a real, current tragedy rather than a past, prospective but avoided or implied one. There's just too many rainbows and butterflies for real life here, even for witches. It takes away from their everyday human element.
I also find the whole Realm/real world transitions confusing. Half the time I can't work out where they are. Or who they are. It's not good to be in a light series, only up to the 4th book and staring at a name thinking "who the hell is this person?". I think the author has created too many characters and forgotten who half of them are, what they look like what their powers are and then sort of discards them until they're convenient. Like since when did Aervyn look like Evan? Wouldn't someone at some point have noticed that before? And since when was Nell a mind witch? And where was Elorie for the first 3/4 of the novel, until she miraculously appears when convenient?
Yes, I'm getting pedantic about a light, silly series. But if they're going to be #1 on amazon, they could be proof read a bit. I shouldn't pick these things up while doing some light reading.
Ultimately the series is enjoyable... It must be, coz I always immediately buy the next one to see what happens!
(Writing reviews on my phone at 1.30am is a bad idea. Apologies for the bad formatting. I just knew I wouldn't sleep till I reviewed!!)
Once I started again I ploughed through it, finishing with a slightly confusing but 5 star ending. Marcus is definitely my favourite (is it because I'm basically a grumpy hermit?)
this one was sad, really sad. I even thought about getting teary at one point. I wanted both a sad ending and a happy ending. I felt like what happened to the ones trapped in the mist at the end could have been shown... I felt so bad for the little boy crying, he broke my heart.
My criticisms of this series still stand (although they seem to have moved on to pizza instead of sugar... Now they're getting their cholesterol levels up as well as their blood sugar!). I still think they could do with a real, current tragedy rather than a past, prospective but avoided or implied one. There's just too many rainbows and butterflies for real life here, even for witches. It takes away from their everyday human element.
I also find the whole Realm/real world transitions confusing. Half the time I can't work out where they are. Or who they are. It's not good to be in a light series, only up to the 4th book and staring at a name thinking "who the hell is this person?". I think the author has created too many characters and forgotten who half of them are, what they look like what their powers are and then sort of discards them until they're convenient. Like since when did Aervyn look like Evan? Wouldn't someone at some point have noticed that before? And since when was Nell a mind witch? And where was Elorie for the first 3/4 of the novel, until she miraculously appears when convenient?
Yes, I'm getting pedantic about a light, silly series. But if they're going to be #1 on amazon, they could be proof read a bit. I shouldn't pick these things up while doing some light reading.
Ultimately the series is enjoyable... It must be, coz I always immediately buy the next one to see what happens!
(Writing reviews on my phone at 1.30am is a bad idea. Apologies for the bad formatting. I just knew I wouldn't sleep till I reviewed!!)
July 4, 2012
Book 4 in the Modern Witch series, A Nomadic Witch, is here! And in true Debora Geary fashion, it doesn't disappoint. With A Nomadic Witch we find our resident curmudgeon, Marcus Buchanan, the subject of a cryptic prediction delivered by a flashy, flamboyant, witch named Adele. The message Adele brings to Marcus is one of life and death and it turns Marcus' life - and the rest of the Witch Central community- into chaos.
A number of our favorite Berkeley residents make an appearance in the story, but the Nova Scotia residents play a larger role in this book. We also get to see a lot of Nell's husband, Daniel, which I thought was a nice addition. I like seeing him interact with the other Witch Central men.
Old magic and Irish legend play a part, as well, which I always enjoy because of my own Irish roots. I think most of us would welcome an Irish Gran like Moira. In A Nomadic Witch, we see an unfamiliar vulnerability to Moira, which serves to deepen her characterization.
I don't want to spoil this book so I'm not going to go into a lot of detail when I say this, but A Nomadic Witch is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. The reader gets a real sense of the emotions of all the main players but most especially Marcus and Moira, and at times your heart just breaks for them.
The trademark love, community, laughter, and friendship that I adore in this series (and you know that if you've read any of my other reviews of Geary's books) is ever present in this book, as well. In fact, I hope Debora won't mind if I nickname my own house "Witch Central" as a constant reminder to embrace love and friendship and community and celebrate the magic all around us.
If you've not tried the Modern Witch series yet, you're really missing out- they'll make perfect summer reads, so what are you waiting for? Check them out.
A number of our favorite Berkeley residents make an appearance in the story, but the Nova Scotia residents play a larger role in this book. We also get to see a lot of Nell's husband, Daniel, which I thought was a nice addition. I like seeing him interact with the other Witch Central men.
Old magic and Irish legend play a part, as well, which I always enjoy because of my own Irish roots. I think most of us would welcome an Irish Gran like Moira. In A Nomadic Witch, we see an unfamiliar vulnerability to Moira, which serves to deepen her characterization.
I don't want to spoil this book so I'm not going to go into a lot of detail when I say this, but A Nomadic Witch is a bit of an emotional roller coaster. The reader gets a real sense of the emotions of all the main players but most especially Marcus and Moira, and at times your heart just breaks for them.
The trademark love, community, laughter, and friendship that I adore in this series (and you know that if you've read any of my other reviews of Geary's books) is ever present in this book, as well. In fact, I hope Debora won't mind if I nickname my own house "Witch Central" as a constant reminder to embrace love and friendship and community and celebrate the magic all around us.
If you've not tried the Modern Witch series yet, you're really missing out- they'll make perfect summer reads, so what are you waiting for? Check them out.
April 11, 2015
It's been a while since I read a Modern Witch story, so I felt the introduction was particularly weak, trying to get up to speed again on half-remembered characters while thrown in to the plot. More than ever I think this book suffers from an overly large cast of nearly identical men, women, and superkids, rather than a few genuinely distinctive personalities; it's worst for Nat and Jamie, who actually had some personality before, but now sidelined and bland. Marcus could have been interesting, but for all his angst he was just as bland as anyone else the rest of the time.
The content of the story really set my teeth on edge; it's nothing but a maternal wish fulfillment fantasy that dumping a baby on a broken man will heal him, rather than endanger the baby and possibly break him more. Okay, I understand that the whole series is wish fulfillment, but this strikes me as being actively degrading to non-parents, almost as much as the trope of falling in love with your rapist is so degrading to women. There is zero discussion of the ethics of everyone else forcing him to keep it by anyone, in fact, there's basically no interpersonal conflict to keep anything interesting because everyone thinks exactly alike; even Marcus is more resigned than outraged by everyone else telling him they know what's best for him. There's really no tension throughout the entire book - whenever a situation threatens anything but comfort, like the CPS visit, it's neatly wrapped up within a page and dropped forever. The idea of CPS neglecting an abandoned child made me wonder about the author's sanity.
I finished, but I'm deeply unimpressed, and I wish I hadn't bought. It seems Geary got tired of writing actual stories and just filled in with rehashed scenes of her previous books.
The content of the story really set my teeth on edge; it's nothing but a maternal wish fulfillment fantasy that dumping a baby on a broken man will heal him, rather than endanger the baby and possibly break him more. Okay, I understand that the whole series is wish fulfillment, but this strikes me as being actively degrading to non-parents, almost as much as the trope of falling in love with your rapist is so degrading to women. There is zero discussion of the ethics of everyone else forcing him to keep it by anyone, in fact, there's basically no interpersonal conflict to keep anything interesting because everyone thinks exactly alike; even Marcus is more resigned than outraged by everyone else telling him they know what's best for him. There's really no tension throughout the entire book - whenever a situation threatens anything but comfort, like the CPS visit, it's neatly wrapped up within a page and dropped forever. The idea of CPS neglecting an abandoned child made me wonder about the author's sanity.
I finished, but I'm deeply unimpressed, and I wish I hadn't bought. It seems Geary got tired of writing actual stories and just filled in with rehashed scenes of her previous books.
March 7, 2013
This is the fourth book in a wonderful paranormal series that takes me to my happy place when I read them. I would so love for this band of witches from Witch Central to be real and living in my neighbourhood. A caring and sharing, close-knit group of magical people who all laugh together; cry together and support each other however and whenever needed. Even when the person who needs all of those activities (laughter, tears and help) in his life is a grump; in fact the grumpiest of grumps. Marcus is that grump. Withdrawing into himself as a young child when his twin brother is taken by the mists, Marcus has allowed himself to love no-one so he doesn’t get hurt again. The arrival of a baby girl on his doorstep transforms his life. He learns to blow raspberries, run on the beach with bare feet and play light-sabre mock battles with the young witchlings of the community. I laughed out loud when the other fathers all gather to help Marcus deal with the secrets of caring for a child.
As with the other books in the series A NOMADIC WITCH has you both laughing and crying as it explores grief and how allowing it to win sucks all the joy out of living. Marcus needs to find out how to move on and this little baby witchling may just be the person to do it. A little darker than the previous three, and there is no romantic element, but there is love and that is the love between a parent and child. Author, Debora Geary has the wonderfully magical gift of story and I always feel a little sad when I get to the end of her books.
I really recommend this series.
As with the other books in the series A NOMADIC WITCH has you both laughing and crying as it explores grief and how allowing it to win sucks all the joy out of living. Marcus needs to find out how to move on and this little baby witchling may just be the person to do it. A little darker than the previous three, and there is no romantic element, but there is love and that is the love between a parent and child. Author, Debora Geary has the wonderfully magical gift of story and I always feel a little sad when I get to the end of her books.
I really recommend this series.
March 6, 2015
This continuation of the series is based in Nova Scotia; a beautiful seaside town with a friendly neighbourhood.
The plot is about Marcus, another one of the re-appearing characters in the series. In this story Marcus (a very grumpy man with an attitude to match) has to face the demons of his past and look after a beautiful baby girl (Morgan) who has been abandoned on his doorstep. Most of us would jump at the chance, but for Marcus it's like a horror story come true.
I was quite happy that we finally got to see deeper into Marcus as a character, I've often wondered what made him this way and we finally get some answers in this book. We discover his twin brother who died when he was young and what can only be described as 'survivors guilt' in Marcus. The gift of this new born baby in his life is a second chance. He died the day his brother died, and now it's time to pump some life back into him; to make him live life again rather than just letting him "get by".
I thought this book was quite touching in comparison to some of the previous books. The reader gets a real sense of community in Nova Scotia in respect to helping (or not helping) Marcus with his new burden. If anything this book reinforces my belief that Geary makes excellent 3D characters (even little Morgan has a sense of humour all of her own!).
A lovely book, a nice continuation of the series. It's quite nice that Geary has chosen to develop one of the characters already in the series rather than someone new.
If you like my review, please visit my book blog at: http://a-novel-start.blogspot.co.uk
The plot is about Marcus, another one of the re-appearing characters in the series. In this story Marcus (a very grumpy man with an attitude to match) has to face the demons of his past and look after a beautiful baby girl (Morgan) who has been abandoned on his doorstep. Most of us would jump at the chance, but for Marcus it's like a horror story come true.
I was quite happy that we finally got to see deeper into Marcus as a character, I've often wondered what made him this way and we finally get some answers in this book. We discover his twin brother who died when he was young and what can only be described as 'survivors guilt' in Marcus. The gift of this new born baby in his life is a second chance. He died the day his brother died, and now it's time to pump some life back into him; to make him live life again rather than just letting him "get by".
I thought this book was quite touching in comparison to some of the previous books. The reader gets a real sense of community in Nova Scotia in respect to helping (or not helping) Marcus with his new burden. If anything this book reinforces my belief that Geary makes excellent 3D characters (even little Morgan has a sense of humour all of her own!).
A lovely book, a nice continuation of the series. It's quite nice that Geary has chosen to develop one of the characters already in the series rather than someone new.
If you like my review, please visit my book blog at: http://a-novel-start.blogspot.co.uk
June 23, 2012
Review: A Nomadic Witch by Debora Geary
5 STARS A Nomadic Witch is the fourth novel of series a Modern Witch series(plus thier is 3 books in spinoff that have a lot of the same characters) I have liked them all. They have great characters,great community and lots of love and fun all around a witch community. They don't have sex scenes,mindless violence, or swearwords. They do have a lot of knitting,magic and cookies solve a lot of the health problems. I have waited a few months for this book and got it today and now I have to wait again for the next book. These stories are all woven and intwined Its best to read them in order. A modern witch is first one. It takes place in Nova Scotia and thier are brand new babies everywhere. Thier are 4 new babies three of them live next to each other. Marcus is known to be grumpy and aloner, but lately he has been coming to help train and help make it safer place. Someone leaves a baby on his front porch. He was warned by a physic that the baby was his to protect and came from his dead twin brother. He wants someone else to take care of the baby but they want him too. No women in their area will help him. besides breast milk. Some of the new fathers and a father of five help give him advice about stuff they learned from experience. I recommend reading Debora Geary novels I was given this ebook in exchange of honest review from Debora Geary. 06/22/2012 PUB Fireweed Publishing
5 STARS A Nomadic Witch is the fourth novel of series a Modern Witch series(plus thier is 3 books in spinoff that have a lot of the same characters) I have liked them all. They have great characters,great community and lots of love and fun all around a witch community. They don't have sex scenes,mindless violence, or swearwords. They do have a lot of knitting,magic and cookies solve a lot of the health problems. I have waited a few months for this book and got it today and now I have to wait again for the next book. These stories are all woven and intwined Its best to read them in order. A modern witch is first one. It takes place in Nova Scotia and thier are brand new babies everywhere. Thier are 4 new babies three of them live next to each other. Marcus is known to be grumpy and aloner, but lately he has been coming to help train and help make it safer place. Someone leaves a baby on his front porch. He was warned by a physic that the baby was his to protect and came from his dead twin brother. He wants someone else to take care of the baby but they want him too. No women in their area will help him. besides breast milk. Some of the new fathers and a father of five help give him advice about stuff they learned from experience. I recommend reading Debora Geary novels I was given this ebook in exchange of honest review from Debora Geary. 06/22/2012 PUB Fireweed Publishing
July 10, 2012
Debora Geary's books remain my favorite not-so-guilty pleasures, because how can it be wrong to want to immerse oneself in such a lovely, loving community of characters who care so darn much about each other? These books make me want to be a better person where the people I love are concerned: to say how much they matter, to show how much they matter, to offer "cookies, hugs and swords" as they're needed. To back up my words with action, and love wholeheartedly. Geary's witch-world replaces the bad guys with bad situations, the fear and loneliness and challenges we throw up in our own paths, or fail to recognize as impediments that don't need to hold us back the way the astral plane's mists have haunted Marcus for forty-three years. And she lets us know exactly how to do that:
Marcus and Morgan's story is a wonderful one. Time to play a waiting game until Geary writes the next in the series...
"No child arrives with the promise that they'll always be safe."
"I know." Nell squeezed the hand that had always been there for her. "But with some, the dangers are right in your face."
"If we let them be." Daniel picked brownie crumbs off her belly.
"Choose life unafraid." Nell repeated the three words he'd given her the day Aervyn had entered the world in fire and storm. They'd been her lifeline ever since — even on the days fear pummeled her chest and stole her air.
Marcus and Morgan's story is a wonderful one. Time to play a waiting game until Geary writes the next in the series...
January 24, 2014
Another awesome book in this series. Humour and heartbreak combine to make this a book you want to finish quickly.
The witching community comes together again with the help of a Vegas call-in medium to save, protect and heal one of their own, and a surprise addition to the family.
Marcus was a grumpy solitary witch but who could blame him. For years he has felt guilty and responsible because his twin brother Evan (an astral traveller) left his body when they were children and couldn't find his way back. No magic that Marcus tried that day could find and return his soul to his body, so he was lost to them forever.
When a message from Evan comes from a Vegas medium who charges $4.99 a minute, he has a hard time believing that she doesn't just want to cause trouble. Could it be? Especially since it seems the message comes with information that only Evan would know and includes the arrival of a baby meant for him to care for. Unbelievably, Morgan, a girl child with wondrous purple eyes arrives and turns everything upside down, especially when they discover that she is an astral traveller as well.
We spend this book with Marcus and those who revolve around him in this quest to soften his heart and protect this child from the same fate that took his brother all those years ago when he was too young to stop it. Can they all pull together and find a solution to keep travellers safe, even when the oldest magic couldn't keep the mists away before?
The witching community comes together again with the help of a Vegas call-in medium to save, protect and heal one of their own, and a surprise addition to the family.
Marcus was a grumpy solitary witch but who could blame him. For years he has felt guilty and responsible because his twin brother Evan (an astral traveller) left his body when they were children and couldn't find his way back. No magic that Marcus tried that day could find and return his soul to his body, so he was lost to them forever.
When a message from Evan comes from a Vegas medium who charges $4.99 a minute, he has a hard time believing that she doesn't just want to cause trouble. Could it be? Especially since it seems the message comes with information that only Evan would know and includes the arrival of a baby meant for him to care for. Unbelievably, Morgan, a girl child with wondrous purple eyes arrives and turns everything upside down, especially when they discover that she is an astral traveller as well.
We spend this book with Marcus and those who revolve around him in this quest to soften his heart and protect this child from the same fate that took his brother all those years ago when he was too young to stop it. Can they all pull together and find a solution to keep travellers safe, even when the oldest magic couldn't keep the mists away before?
April 28, 2016
I am enjoying these books more as the series goes on.
I love the Witch Central base formation over the course of the last four books. It really lends a Disney quality to the series. The characters are even more well rounded than in the beginning and it feels like I've come to know them.
Moira is the grandmother of all grandmothers; Nell is a fierce and fiery superwoman, and Devin - ahhh, Devin....... sigh...
Really, those three are my personal favourites, but every one of Geary's creations now resonate with true, individual character.
This book saw development in Marcus, perpetual grump with a big but broken heart, having lost his twin brother to the Mists forty years earlier.
The arrival of a baby from the Mists that only he can care for, opens a channel into the pain he has tried to bury since he was five, and he learns to love the witchling as his own. The problem is that she is a traveller of the Mists just as his twin was and now he has to fight to keep her safe or risk losing himself again.
I liked the fact that this book didn't shy away from his pain. As light hearted as the series is, I feel it gave it so much more depth; part of the reason I also really liked A Reckless Witch.
I haven't downloaded the others yet... as much as I love them I find the continuous new characters a little tedious; I intend to complete the series eventually though after a little break away from the Disney movie warmth.
*having angst-monkey withdrawal symptoms*
I love the Witch Central base formation over the course of the last four books. It really lends a Disney quality to the series. The characters are even more well rounded than in the beginning and it feels like I've come to know them.
Moira is the grandmother of all grandmothers; Nell is a fierce and fiery superwoman, and Devin - ahhh, Devin....... sigh...
Really, those three are my personal favourites, but every one of Geary's creations now resonate with true, individual character.
This book saw development in Marcus, perpetual grump with a big but broken heart, having lost his twin brother to the Mists forty years earlier.
The arrival of a baby from the Mists that only he can care for, opens a channel into the pain he has tried to bury since he was five, and he learns to love the witchling as his own. The problem is that she is a traveller of the Mists just as his twin was and now he has to fight to keep her safe or risk losing himself again.
I liked the fact that this book didn't shy away from his pain. As light hearted as the series is, I feel it gave it so much more depth; part of the reason I also really liked A Reckless Witch.
I haven't downloaded the others yet... as much as I love them I find the continuous new characters a little tedious; I intend to complete the series eventually though after a little break away from the Disney movie warmth.
*having angst-monkey withdrawal symptoms*
March 5, 2014
These books continue to delight - they are primarily about a group of people who just happen to have a few extra powers. But the richness of these books is due to the community spirit that pervades through them. Debora Geary has managed to write a book that deals with falling in love but not with two adults but that emotional roller-coaster ride that is a new baby. How Marcus fell in love with Morgan was absolutely brilliant and brought a tear to my eye on more that one occasion. Actually I think I stared crying at 28% through and continued to sniffle through to the end.
There are some parts that I don't fully comprehend but then I'm not a coder or a hacker. However, it is not essential that I understand these parts because you will get an explanation but you will also see that it is the person behind the skills that makes the difference, not just the skills themselves.
This series just gets better and better. I loved Marcus all the way through this but I have to admit that the Fairy Godfathers stole the day slightly. The subject of Marcus and Evan I won't go into detail about except to say that it was perfectly written and dealt with any issues completely.
Absolutely fantastic book but be warned, if you're slightly soppy (or a lot as in my case) then you may need a handkerchief as you read this.
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogsp...
There are some parts that I don't fully comprehend but then I'm not a coder or a hacker. However, it is not essential that I understand these parts because you will get an explanation but you will also see that it is the person behind the skills that makes the difference, not just the skills themselves.
This series just gets better and better. I loved Marcus all the way through this but I have to admit that the Fairy Godfathers stole the day slightly. The subject of Marcus and Evan I won't go into detail about except to say that it was perfectly written and dealt with any issues completely.
Absolutely fantastic book but be warned, if you're slightly soppy (or a lot as in my case) then you may need a handkerchief as you read this.
http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogsp...
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