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The Daughters of Dark Root #1
The Witches of Dark Root
I am Maggie Maddock. Some call me a wilder - a woman with untamed magical powers. Others just call me a witch.
My childhood was spent dreaming of a world beyond my hometown of Dark Root - a world where I could be whatever I wanted to be, and not the coven-leader I was slated to become under the tutelage of my mother. When I finally got the opportunity to leave I jumped at it, never looking back.
Now, seven years later a call from my beloved sister forces me to return to Dark Root and I'm unprepared for what awaits me: a mother with a mysterious illness, a renewed sibling rivalry, and a town that's fallen into disrepair and has lost its magic.
I never wanted to be a witch but it seems I have no choice.
I only hope it's not too late to set things right again.
My childhood was spent dreaming of a world beyond my hometown of Dark Root - a world where I could be whatever I wanted to be, and not the coven-leader I was slated to become under the tutelage of my mother. When I finally got the opportunity to leave I jumped at it, never looking back.
Now, seven years later a call from my beloved sister forces me to return to Dark Root and I'm unprepared for what awaits me: a mother with a mysterious illness, a renewed sibling rivalry, and a town that's fallen into disrepair and has lost its magic.
I never wanted to be a witch but it seems I have no choice.
I only hope it's not too late to set things right again.
354 pages, Paperback
First published July 30, 2012
2706 people are currently reading
3853 people want to read
About the author
April Aasheim
40 books242 followersApril Aasheim is the second oldest of six children. She spent her early years traveling the western part of the country with her mother and step-father. During this time she met a lot of interesting people and developed a love of 'characters'.
April is married and lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her cat Boots.
April is married and lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her cat Boots.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
August 7, 2019
~spoilers~
Based on very little information, I had expected this book to be a wonderful, witchy narrative of sisters and their journeys into the supernatural world.
Instead, I got thrown into some weird religious cult for the first 5th of the book, which never fully gets explained and by the time the plot twist happens and the cult is revealed for what it is... the main character runs away and the cult is never to exist again. To be fair, she runs away because her husband/boyfriend of 7 years cheats on her. She states that she will never touch another man again.
Then a couple pages later she realizes how ruggedly handsome her one friend is. Then a couple weeks later she has intense intimate moments with more men. Then she kisses her sister's lover. But yeah. Clearly her 7 year marriage and heartbreak was traumatizing and she'll never touch anyone ever again.
By the time the sisters get involved, apart from the constant looming presence of handsome men, the book picks up a lot. I love the way the sisters very slowly reunite despite their issues. I enjoy the scenes of their childhood the author recreates throughout the book. I also appreciated that the sisters put on a carnival for the people to show the power of their sisterhood. All of that was sweet.
I didn't care for the main character constantly doubting the existence of magic, despite everyone around her having it... and if she wasn't doubting the existence of magic, she was busy performing marvelous spell work and trapping monsters on the side and listening to seers. But she totally doubts the existence of magic. How could it be real.
I appreciated that the author went back to pull apart the cult and explain the details a little more, but found it unrealistic that the main character never really thought about going back, or thought about the cult... or thought about forgiving her husband when she realized he was under a love spell, which is why he slept with someone else.
So, I was a little disappointed by this book, because it did have a lot of potential (and it does eventually pick up) and it's a real shame, because I'm slightly tempted to read the sequel because of how much better this one got... However, a majority of this book was just really uninteresting and I'm not sure I want to try again.
Based on very little information, I had expected this book to be a wonderful, witchy narrative of sisters and their journeys into the supernatural world.
Instead, I got thrown into some weird religious cult for the first 5th of the book, which never fully gets explained and by the time the plot twist happens and the cult is revealed for what it is... the main character runs away and the cult is never to exist again. To be fair, she runs away because her husband/boyfriend of 7 years cheats on her. She states that she will never touch another man again.
Then a couple pages later she realizes how ruggedly handsome her one friend is. Then a couple weeks later she has intense intimate moments with more men. Then she kisses her sister's lover. But yeah. Clearly her 7 year marriage and heartbreak was traumatizing and she'll never touch anyone ever again.
By the time the sisters get involved, apart from the constant looming presence of handsome men, the book picks up a lot. I love the way the sisters very slowly reunite despite their issues. I enjoy the scenes of their childhood the author recreates throughout the book. I also appreciated that the sisters put on a carnival for the people to show the power of their sisterhood. All of that was sweet.
I didn't care for the main character constantly doubting the existence of magic, despite everyone around her having it... and if she wasn't doubting the existence of magic, she was busy performing marvelous spell work and trapping monsters on the side and listening to seers. But she totally doubts the existence of magic. How could it be real.
I appreciated that the author went back to pull apart the cult and explain the details a little more, but found it unrealistic that the main character never really thought about going back, or thought about the cult... or thought about forgiving her husband when she realized he was under a love spell, which is why he slept with someone else.
So, I was a little disappointed by this book, because it did have a lot of potential (and it does eventually pick up) and it's a real shame, because I'm slightly tempted to read the sequel because of how much better this one got... However, a majority of this book was just really uninteresting and I'm not sure I want to try again.
November 2, 2016
I struggled through a few chapters before calling it a day. Maggie seemed to have no real personality and complains about everything. Her relationship with Michael is flat, lacks chemistry and it is obvious from the first second that he is cheating on her with Leah. I'm not surprised the cult is falling apart when Michael has as much personality and charisma as a mop. Leah is an annoying bitch. A mysterious phone call comes and Michael sees a chance to get rid of Maggie for a bit to spend more time with Leah.
That was enough for me.
That was enough for me.
May 19, 2020
I really did not like this book. I found it boring. I even don't know why I finished it, probably just because I don't like to have half-finished books on my list.
September 10, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! When I first saw it I was intrigued by the cover and the name but then I read the blurb and I just knew this was a book I had to read! I really loved all the characters and even though the book starts out a little slow it quickly picks up speed.
Maggie Maddock wants nothing more then to get out of her little home town of Dark Root and out into the outside world where people don't know her as one of the Maddock Witches, somewhere where she can just be herself.
Maggies whole life changes the day Micheal walks into her shop and chooses her and takes her away from her life in Dark Root and things are great for awhile. But now Maggie is needed back home and she isn't sure its the place she really wants to be.
With her powers always on the Fritz, her mother needing care and the sibling rivalry with her sisters Maggie doesn't know what to do but run, run as far away from here as she can. She can't do that yet of course not until she discovers the secrets of the past the ones that keep cropping up in her dreams lately, for something dark lurks there and Maggie may need her family around her to help her get rid of it once and for all.
Amazing Book! April is a fabulous writer! I loved Merry and Mae they were my favourites! there powers was pretty cool too and I wish I could have something like that as well! I really enjoyed this book from the wiccan side of myself, I have spent my life dedicated to the protection of nature and all its elements and this book touched that part in me. This book also awoke the spiritual side of myself that wanted to reach out and help them take down the dark so it could no longer hurt anyone else.
The dark was so creepy and an awesome dark side to the story! the way it lurked and hid in the shadows was so creepy!
April Aasheim is a awesome writer and I would defiantly read more of her books! if you haven't read this one do so now!
Maggie Maddock wants nothing more then to get out of her little home town of Dark Root and out into the outside world where people don't know her as one of the Maddock Witches, somewhere where she can just be herself.
Maggies whole life changes the day Micheal walks into her shop and chooses her and takes her away from her life in Dark Root and things are great for awhile. But now Maggie is needed back home and she isn't sure its the place she really wants to be.
With her powers always on the Fritz, her mother needing care and the sibling rivalry with her sisters Maggie doesn't know what to do but run, run as far away from here as she can. She can't do that yet of course not until she discovers the secrets of the past the ones that keep cropping up in her dreams lately, for something dark lurks there and Maggie may need her family around her to help her get rid of it once and for all.
Amazing Book! April is a fabulous writer! I loved Merry and Mae they were my favourites! there powers was pretty cool too and I wish I could have something like that as well! I really enjoyed this book from the wiccan side of myself, I have spent my life dedicated to the protection of nature and all its elements and this book touched that part in me. This book also awoke the spiritual side of myself that wanted to reach out and help them take down the dark so it could no longer hurt anyone else.
The dark was so creepy and an awesome dark side to the story! the way it lurked and hid in the shadows was so creepy!
April Aasheim is a awesome writer and I would defiantly read more of her books! if you haven't read this one do so now!
July 11, 2013
This was a story of a magical reunion between sisters that had grown up and went separate ways. When their mother gets sick the Murdock sisters all come together .They find their true destiny along with a way to make their mother better. They rebuild lost relationships and ultimately, rebuild the town in the process bringing a rebirth back to Dark Root. I loved how this book showed the magical side to life, love and family. It transports you to the town Dark Root and makes you want to be a part of bring it back to life. I can’t wait to read the second part of this story and see what happens next with these sisters. This book was a greatread, I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it to others!!!
April 9, 2019
I really liked the premise here. In fact throughout the story I was reminded of the TV series Charmed and the movie Practical Magic I think there were like elements from both of those embedded within this book. There were a couple things that kept me from really loving the book. The FMC, and the incredibly slow plot line really killed the star power for me.
The main character Maggie, I could barely stand her. Despite her age, she seemed young, naive, selfish, and flaky and man it was hard for me to set our differences aside and even want to be involved where she was concerned. I will say that she doesn't necessarily whine and complain the entire time, but its dang close. The whole book she really seems more concerned with herself than what is actually going on around her. You would expect this from the young Maggie at the beginning of the book, but it just keeps going and going even after all the years. That being said she does finally start getting her act together as she learns more about her her history and embraces her birthrights. The slow reveals really made it hard for her to get it together quicker and unfortunately made most of the book really frustrating up until the very end which gave me goosies. There were also some pieces of the book here and there that just felt a little useless at this point, I mean there was a lot of info/details pertaining to the "cult" Maggie had helped create that nothing really came of.. Maybe it was just a slow intro? or Maybe the "cult" will come into play later? *shrugs*
I feel like with what we have here at the end the next book is set up to be a good read. Hopefully. We have a pretty vague sense of where we are headed but no actual enemy has been declared yet, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding the whole story really. What exactly is Maggie? What exactly is the circle? How will she learn to use her powers? So yea.. maybe book 2 can give us a more clear picture of what this story is really going to be about..maybe?
The main character Maggie, I could barely stand her. Despite her age, she seemed young, naive, selfish, and flaky and man it was hard for me to set our differences aside and even want to be involved where she was concerned. I will say that she doesn't necessarily whine and complain the entire time, but its dang close. The whole book she really seems more concerned with herself than what is actually going on around her. You would expect this from the young Maggie at the beginning of the book, but it just keeps going and going even after all the years. That being said she does finally start getting her act together as she learns more about her her history and embraces her birthrights. The slow reveals really made it hard for her to get it together quicker and unfortunately made most of the book really frustrating up until the very end which gave me goosies. There were also some pieces of the book here and there that just felt a little useless at this point, I mean there was a lot of info/details pertaining to the "cult" Maggie had helped create that nothing really came of.. Maybe it was just a slow intro? or Maybe the "cult" will come into play later? *shrugs*
I feel like with what we have here at the end the next book is set up to be a good read. Hopefully. We have a pretty vague sense of where we are headed but no actual enemy has been declared yet, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions regarding the whole story really. What exactly is Maggie? What exactly is the circle? How will she learn to use her powers? So yea.. maybe book 2 can give us a more clear picture of what this story is really going to be about..maybe?
July 29, 2016
I neither loved this book nor hated it. I'm somewhere in between. This was merely a "just fine" book. Nothing truly spectacular happened in the book. I couldn't really get a read on Maggie, other than she seriously lacked some kind of an identity. She always measures herself against others and seems totally oblivious at times. I didn't understand how she could go from one situation where she felt like witchcraft was nonsense to another where she was basically being exploited and brainwashed. The whole book also wraps up pretty neat with no major cliffhanger. I'm guessing that the following books might explore the darkness that still looms or maybe Maggie actually trains and becomes better able to handle her so-called abilities, which are still some vague mystery, but I could be wrong and I have no intention of reading further. Reading this though, I didn't get the sense that the sisters and the mother were actual witches as I've come to know them. They seemed more like normal humans who happened to have a little something extra. Even Jillian didn't strike me as anything special. And that just sums up the whole book for me, nothing special.
August 11, 2018
This is a first read from this author. The book was quite entertaining. A story of self discovery on the part of a young woman, Maggie, the daughter of Ms. Sasha Shantay. Maggie is one of four daughters brought up in Dark Root, a small town in Oregon. Sasha is the head of a coven of witches in Dark Root that keep the light in their part of the world. Raised to take over her role as the head of the coven, Maggie denies her heritage and leaves Dark Root with Michael, a man that comes to Dark Root to finder her. Together they start a small cult in northern California. When Michael is caught cheating on Maggie, she returns to Dark Root only to stay long enough to regroup. Through a series of events Maggie has to come face to face with what she's denied all her life.
I enjoyed the book and learned a little more about witchery in the process. A dragon man, myself, I am enjoying stepping outside the box to engage with the larger realm of fantasy. The Witches of Dark Root was a good read, not too long and did have an acceptable ending, leaving the reader into the next in the series. When I finish my current TBR list, I will probably go back and pick up the next book. I do recommend this to fantasy readers, you won't be disappointed.
I enjoyed the book and learned a little more about witchery in the process. A dragon man, myself, I am enjoying stepping outside the box to engage with the larger realm of fantasy. The Witches of Dark Root was a good read, not too long and did have an acceptable ending, leaving the reader into the next in the series. When I finish my current TBR list, I will probably go back and pick up the next book. I do recommend this to fantasy readers, you won't be disappointed.
July 25, 2013
This was a great book! It instantly drew me and held my interest the entire time. Highly recommended. The author is currently being featured on our website http://www.followbooks.com, to read our full review visit http://followbooks.com/the-witches-of...
And be sure to rate and review her book after you read it, on Amazon as well as here. Let's help people find great authors like April :)
And be sure to rate and review her book after you read it, on Amazon as well as here. Let's help people find great authors like April :)
February 13, 2014
I really enjoyed reading this book! It kept me intrigued from beginning to end! Loved it!
September 15, 2015
I had to read halfway thru this story to get some witchery, but I did enjoy it! Very happy the circle wasn't broken and the sisters found their way home.
January 23, 2021
Read book #1...loved it! Currently reading book #2
March 7, 2017
The Wtiches of Dark Root is an interesting book. It is overall well written but drags out quite a bit. The pace is too slow for me and the paranormal part of it is on the smaller side. You get little bits and peaces thrown your way every now and then but overall it focuses more on the sisters and her mother. There are some nice twists hidden that I did enjoy.
Maggie is interesting. She is true to herself and learns a lot in this book about herself and her family. She is fairly strong even though for a while she is somewhat clueless on what to do. Her sisters are very different from her so each contributes to this story in a different way. The adversary in this book is quite hidden which makes it an interesting read.
Maggie is interesting. She is true to herself and learns a lot in this book about herself and her family. She is fairly strong even though for a while she is somewhat clueless on what to do. Her sisters are very different from her so each contributes to this story in a different way. The adversary in this book is quite hidden which makes it an interesting read.
July 23, 2018
On the plus side, the author creates a character in Maggie I empathised with instantly. Unfortunately, "I" bored "me" intensely at the start - Maggie was bored - and then she left me wondering why she'd joined a religious community with nudist tendencies carried to extremes. Michael is poorly drawn. Nobody who dislikes being driven fails to fasten their seatbelt, and that is just one example. I was interested to learn American supermarkets issue wipes to clean trolley handles - an excellent idea - but I stopped reading soon after Maggie failed to use one. I'd stopped caring much whether she helped her sister Merry, or indeed her mother who appeared to be at the root of the family's troubles. It wasn't what I expected of a book with such a marvellous title.
October 5, 2021
Absolutely love the story
I started reading and couldn't put it down. I had to get the rest of the books. This author and the magic she's brought in these pages has me wanting more.
I started reading and couldn't put it down. I had to get the rest of the books. This author and the magic she's brought in these pages has me wanting more.
August 25, 2017
Absurd. DNF at page 14.
January 14, 2019
Gotta love witches
While reading this book it gave us a glimpse into the lives of 4 girls who each felt a need to leave their family behind. Our main character Maggie never believed in the craziness of her mother's magic or that she herself had much magic. In her need to escape we learn that no matter why, where, or with whom you run family will eventually bring you home again.
While reading this book it gave us a glimpse into the lives of 4 girls who each felt a need to leave their family behind. Our main character Maggie never believed in the craziness of her mother's magic or that she herself had much magic. In her need to escape we learn that no matter why, where, or with whom you run family will eventually bring you home again.
December 19, 2023
Absolutely brilliant!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward eagerly with great anticipation to reading everything available by this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward eagerly with great anticipation to reading everything available by this author.
January 18, 2019
Exciting
Well written, with plenty of back history. Well imagined characters that pull you along on a journey of magic, love and family
Well written, with plenty of back history. Well imagined characters that pull you along on a journey of magic, love and family
February 11, 2019
I am really struggling to get through this book. The lead character Maggie is sullen, self indulgent, passive aggressive, naive and takes no accountability what so ever. Shes angry she has to work at her mother's store so she runs off with some religious nut who ***spoiler alert*** cheats on her with a new wide eyed recruit to the cult b/c she has gotten complaisant. So she heads home after ignoring her sisters call (I doubt she would have gone back if not for the cheating bit). On the way she manages to some how get left a biker bar/rest stop while waiting to use the bathroom and gets assaulted b/c shes clearly an oblivious dipsh*t who lost track of time and her bus left.
The first part is riddled with flash back to her youth. The family origins are poorly explained. Her Aunt has some weird accent (and she is the only one in the family who does--no explanation of why) that could be Jamaican or Scottish or whatever.
One of the appeals of reading "Witch Books" is that they are usually strong characters who are faced with daunting odds that they must learn how to over come. This is not one of those books...
Maggie could easily be talked into committing murder e.i. the Mason Family b/c she is a victim of circumstance and her powers seem to be making lights flicker and other minor disturbances that she cant control. Total snooze fest...
The first part is riddled with flash back to her youth. The family origins are poorly explained. Her Aunt has some weird accent (and she is the only one in the family who does--no explanation of why) that could be Jamaican or Scottish or whatever.
One of the appeals of reading "Witch Books" is that they are usually strong characters who are faced with daunting odds that they must learn how to over come. This is not one of those books...
Maggie could easily be talked into committing murder e.i. the Mason Family b/c she is a victim of circumstance and her powers seem to be making lights flicker and other minor disturbances that she cant control. Total snooze fest...
April 20, 2015
I was not quite sure what to expect from this book. I settled on half family drama, half fantasy witch story, and that was not too far fetched.
Oddly enough, I hated the beginning of the book - finding Maggie, the main female character, as part of some obscure cult. I also felt an instant animosity for her partner, the group's leader, making me hope at once that she would break up with him soon and leave Woodhaven. The only other part of the book that bothered me was the exorcism, which really was anticlimactic, as Eve so accurately observed.
But, other than that, I loved reading about the return and reunion of Maggie and her sisters in their home town Dark Root, which each of them left for different reasons several years ago. The witch angle of the story (Magick) was always present, but subtle and not overdone. Maggie is not another kick-ass heroine, but a young woman struggling with her life, which made her a recognizable and likeable character. Though the romantic relationships were a bit predictable, their development was entertaining and completed the story while not taking the main focus.
That is exactly one of the book's strengths: it takes it's time to develop instead of rushing it, and the quiet parts are the strongest. The story lingers at the right places just long enough to point out the details, but avoids getting distracted. If I had to find some adjective to describe my perception of the author's writing and my feelings while reading it, it would be relaxed and comfortable.
Another noteworthy feature is the alternation between Maggie's flashbacks to her childhood and the ongoing present action. Each flashback helps Maggie to better understand and face present events, while preparing the reader with necessary background knowledge for the next chapter. Revealing Maggie's background piece by piece instead of in one large chunk keeps the reader from figuring out too much too early. It also makes it easier to digest all information and avoid missing or forgetting details which become important at a later time.
To top things off, each chapter is entitled after a song, and though I did not know all of them (but looked up several), it was nice to hear them as mental background music while reading.
Thumbs up to the author for a unique and captivating story.
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Oddly enough, I hated the beginning of the book - finding Maggie, the main female character, as part of some obscure cult. I also felt an instant animosity for her partner, the group's leader, making me hope at once that she would break up with him soon and leave Woodhaven. The only other part of the book that bothered me was the exorcism, which really was anticlimactic, as Eve so accurately observed.
But, other than that, I loved reading about the return and reunion of Maggie and her sisters in their home town Dark Root, which each of them left for different reasons several years ago. The witch angle of the story (Magick) was always present, but subtle and not overdone. Maggie is not another kick-ass heroine, but a young woman struggling with her life, which made her a recognizable and likeable character. Though the romantic relationships were a bit predictable, their development was entertaining and completed the story while not taking the main focus.
That is exactly one of the book's strengths: it takes it's time to develop instead of rushing it, and the quiet parts are the strongest. The story lingers at the right places just long enough to point out the details, but avoids getting distracted. If I had to find some adjective to describe my perception of the author's writing and my feelings while reading it, it would be relaxed and comfortable.
Another noteworthy feature is the alternation between Maggie's flashbacks to her childhood and the ongoing present action. Each flashback helps Maggie to better understand and face present events, while preparing the reader with necessary background knowledge for the next chapter. Revealing Maggie's background piece by piece instead of in one large chunk keeps the reader from figuring out too much too early. It also makes it easier to digest all information and avoid missing or forgetting details which become important at a later time.
To top things off, each chapter is entitled after a song, and though I did not know all of them (but looked up several), it was nice to hear them as mental background music while reading.
Thumbs up to the author for a unique and captivating story.
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
December 20, 2014
This is the first book in the Daughters of Dark Root series by April Aasheim. I had never heard of this author before the book tour from Bewitching Blog Tours, but the blurb sounded intriguing. I will say that it was a lot more Ya-Ya sisterhood than Practical Magic, though from my perspective.
The story opens with a prologue. It's February 2005 and Maggie Mae Maddock wants out of the little town she has grown up in, with a passion. Her 2 older sisters have left, and with just her annoying younger sister still left at home, Maggie wants more than anything to be able to leave. A handsome stranger shows up in town one day and while her younger sister Eve is busy brewing a traveling spell and a love potion, he walks into their mother's shop and says he is there for Maggie.
Chapter one begins 8 years later in September. Maggie is now living in Woodhaven Compound, the home of the failing cult/commune she is a member of. The handsome stranger, Michael, is the leader and her boyfriend. They don't believe in the use of technology and have been waiting for the apocalypse that Michael has been prophesying to come about. Everything seems to be going fairly well for Maggie except that one of the newest recruits, Leah, is spending a lot of time with Michael. Meaning Maggie isn't. This becomes a moot point, when Maggie's older sister Merry tracks her down and calls to say their mother is very ill and Maggie is needed at home. Maggie doesn't want to go back, but when she catches Michael and Leah in a compromising position, she decides that it might be best to leave Woodhaven. This begins both the physical and mental journey home.
This was an interesting story. Each chapter was titled with the name of a song from the 70's music heyday that fits the theme of the chapter. There were a lot of childhood flashbacks used to remind Maggie about her past. In each one, Maggie learns more about herself and her family. Looking back on childhood memories, from an adult perspective, really gives Maggie plenty of personal growth opportunities. This is very much like a magical coming of age story. I enjoyed the story, though it could have used a bit more editing for some typos and grammatical issues. They weren't enough to completely detract from the story, more an annoyance. I am interested to see where the author will go with the next story. I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.
The story opens with a prologue. It's February 2005 and Maggie Mae Maddock wants out of the little town she has grown up in, with a passion. Her 2 older sisters have left, and with just her annoying younger sister still left at home, Maggie wants more than anything to be able to leave. A handsome stranger shows up in town one day and while her younger sister Eve is busy brewing a traveling spell and a love potion, he walks into their mother's shop and says he is there for Maggie.
Chapter one begins 8 years later in September. Maggie is now living in Woodhaven Compound, the home of the failing cult/commune she is a member of. The handsome stranger, Michael, is the leader and her boyfriend. They don't believe in the use of technology and have been waiting for the apocalypse that Michael has been prophesying to come about. Everything seems to be going fairly well for Maggie except that one of the newest recruits, Leah, is spending a lot of time with Michael. Meaning Maggie isn't. This becomes a moot point, when Maggie's older sister Merry tracks her down and calls to say their mother is very ill and Maggie is needed at home. Maggie doesn't want to go back, but when she catches Michael and Leah in a compromising position, she decides that it might be best to leave Woodhaven. This begins both the physical and mental journey home.
This was an interesting story. Each chapter was titled with the name of a song from the 70's music heyday that fits the theme of the chapter. There were a lot of childhood flashbacks used to remind Maggie about her past. In each one, Maggie learns more about herself and her family. Looking back on childhood memories, from an adult perspective, really gives Maggie plenty of personal growth opportunities. This is very much like a magical coming of age story. I enjoyed the story, though it could have used a bit more editing for some typos and grammatical issues. They weren't enough to completely detract from the story, more an annoyance. I am interested to see where the author will go with the next story. I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.
September 4, 2018
Dark Root
I found this book very interesting. Had a few things figured out but then got hit with some curve balls. I recommend highly.
I found this book very interesting. Had a few things figured out but then got hit with some curve balls. I recommend highly.
November 9, 2013
I received a free (and autographed!) copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!
I enjoyed this magical tale of four sisters who are coming to terms with their mother's aging, their own powers, and their hometown's demise. It was a good introduction to what could be an interesting series.
I wish there could have been more "magic in action" sequences in this book. My favorite parts were the house exorcism and Maggie's brief vision journey with her aunt. The day to day action was interesting in a soap opera kind of way, but I inhaled the magic/fantastical scenes.
The character interactions were believable except the part where the sisters were fighting over the same guy. Coming from a family of four sisters myself, there are unwritten codes to dating and men. There are over a billion men in the world, but you only will ever have the same sisters. If the sister wants the guy, you bow out. Period. Yes, sibling rivalry does exist, but fight over the same guy? I think not.
Also, one other complaint, the fourth sister was introduced in almost the last chapter. I know the author will probably put her in the next books in the series, but I wanted more Ruth Anne!
I would recommend this novel to people who enjoyed reading Brackston's The Witch's Daughter.
I enjoyed this magical tale of four sisters who are coming to terms with their mother's aging, their own powers, and their hometown's demise. It was a good introduction to what could be an interesting series.
I wish there could have been more "magic in action" sequences in this book. My favorite parts were the house exorcism and Maggie's brief vision journey with her aunt. The day to day action was interesting in a soap opera kind of way, but I inhaled the magic/fantastical scenes.
The character interactions were believable except the part where the sisters were fighting over the same guy. Coming from a family of four sisters myself, there are unwritten codes to dating and men. There are over a billion men in the world, but you only will ever have the same sisters. If the sister wants the guy, you bow out. Period. Yes, sibling rivalry does exist, but fight over the same guy? I think not.
Also, one other complaint, the fourth sister was introduced in almost the last chapter. I know the author will probably put her in the next books in the series, but I wanted more Ruth Anne!
I would recommend this novel to people who enjoyed reading Brackston's The Witch's Daughter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2014
The Witches of Dark Root by April M Aasheim was a good book. It had well developed characters. They were interesting making you want to know more about them. The main character, Maggie is a witch. A powerful one. Her sisters are witches in varying degrees. Her mother was a strong witch, but she getting old and gave up hope as her daughters left her. Maggie's mom, Miss Sasha was head of a Cohen and they protected the land from the dark. Maggie ran off with Michael, a hippyesque person. They started a cult and moved around a lot. She left him when she caught him cheating on her. She returns home to Dark Root with a chip on her shoulder and at her mom. The town has changed for the worse. She meets her sisters, Mercy and Eve. No ones heard from Ruth Anne who ran away with her father. Shane is a seeker and a warlock trained by his Uncle Joe. Paul came with Eve - she really likes him. Eve tells everyone she was successful in off Broadway shows but Paul let it slip to Maggie she was a Hooters girl. Paul helps Shane at his restaurant and plays music. Maggie's mind was changing but Aunt Dora took her on a spirit journey. She sees the darkness and the damage it is causing.
January 2, 2014
At first, I wasn't sure this was an adult book as the somewhat cartoonish cover threw me off but once I got started reading it and got beyond the first few chapters, I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down! This is a wonderful story about three adult sisters who have magical abilities and each sister is as captivating and interesting as the next. If you were ever a fan of the television series Charmed or the movie The Witches of Eastwick, this book is along those lines but even better.
There is great chemistry between the characters & their loves and the author creates an interest in the town and the people along the lines of feel good stories by Robin Carr and Sheryl Woods. The promise of romance keeps you guessing and hoping (which is just one of the reasons why I cannot wait for the sequel). Aasheim is a great writer, easy to read and she uses humor and levity while still managing to keep a thread of mystery going so I am thrilled this is a series.
There is great chemistry between the characters & their loves and the author creates an interest in the town and the people along the lines of feel good stories by Robin Carr and Sheryl Woods. The promise of romance keeps you guessing and hoping (which is just one of the reasons why I cannot wait for the sequel). Aasheim is a great writer, easy to read and she uses humor and levity while still managing to keep a thread of mystery going so I am thrilled this is a series.
September 2, 2013
This is one of my favorite books, I just finished reading yesterday and it ended lovely. From the town of Dark Root to the characters in the book it left me wanting more! All the characters somehow were untwined with one anothe from the past made it even more magical and the main character Magic Maggie was superb from leaving her Christian covenant where they thought her magical powers were acts of god to her returning to her town and getting reacquainted with her family and them all coming back to save their mother and finding their lost sister Ruth Ann. Can't wait for the next book. Thank you miss April Aasheim for sending me a copy the book was magnificent.
October 23, 2016
The main character is Maggie Maddock and she is a wilder, a woman with untamed magical powers. As a child she couldn't wait to get out of Dark Root. She was supposed to be the leader of the coven but wanted no part of it so she fleed. 7 years later she gets a call from her sister that their mom is sick and please come home. This was a alot of fun and had a little bit of Pratcial Magic and Hallmark's The Good Witch feel to it. I also liked the last name as that was my grandparent's last name. This is book 1 of a series.
October 13, 2013
I received this book in the mail only yesterday, and I devoured it all in one sitting!! It has everything I love: witches, small Pacific Northwest towns, Halloween, mystery and family drama. I sort of hate myself for reading it so quickly, but it really isn't something you can put down willingly. I'm eagerly awaiting book 2 now.
October 26, 2013
Lovely story about a family of women who live in a small town. Their mother is a witch who helps bring in tourist with her 'gifts'. The daughters can't wait to leave. When their mother gets sick, they're all drawn back to Dark Root to their memories, and to magic both dark and light.
Loved this book. Looking forward to another from this author.
Loved this book. Looking forward to another from this author.
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