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Witchlight
Holly has been mortal all her life. Now at thirty-eight, her fairy godfather arrives to tell her she’s a witch, and suddenly she's having to come to terms with the uncertainties of an alarmingly magic-fuelled world. Magic is not like it is in the books and films, and Holly starts to doubt whether her fairy godfather, Partridge Mayflower, is the fey, avuncular charmer he appears.
When appearances are magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Accidents start to happen, people die, Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, just who is the feline and who is the rodent?
When appearances are magically deceptive, Holly cannot afford to trust those closest to her, including herself. Accidents start to happen, people die, Old Magic is on the hunt, but in the age-old game of cat and mouse, just who is the feline and who is the rodent?
- GenresWitches
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2015
19 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Watts
30 books44 followersJ.S. Watts is a British poet, novelist and short story writer.
Born in London, she now lives and writes in East Anglia. In between, she read English at Somerville College, Oxford and spent many years working in the UK education sector.
Her poetry, short stories and non-fiction appear in publications in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the States and have been broadcast on BBC and independent Radio. She has edited assorted magazines and anthologies.
Her poetry collections, "Cats and Other Myths", "Years Ago You Coloured Me" and "Underword", plus the multi-award nominated poetry pamphlet, "Songs of Steelyard Sue" are published by Lapwing Publications. Her poetry pamphlet, "The Submerged Sea", is published by Dempsey & Windle. Her novels, "A Darker Moon" - dark literary fantasy, "Witchlight", "Old Light" & "Elderlight"- the urban fantasy Witchlight series, are published by Vagabondage Press.
Born in London, she now lives and writes in East Anglia. In between, she read English at Somerville College, Oxford and spent many years working in the UK education sector.
Her poetry, short stories and non-fiction appear in publications in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the States and have been broadcast on BBC and independent Radio. She has edited assorted magazines and anthologies.
Her poetry collections, "Cats and Other Myths", "Years Ago You Coloured Me" and "Underword", plus the multi-award nominated poetry pamphlet, "Songs of Steelyard Sue" are published by Lapwing Publications. Her poetry pamphlet, "The Submerged Sea", is published by Dempsey & Windle. Her novels, "A Darker Moon" - dark literary fantasy, "Witchlight", "Old Light" & "Elderlight"- the urban fantasy Witchlight series, are published by Vagabondage Press.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 28, 2015
I was gifted a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review.
This is paranormal at its best, what a truly well written, informative, extraordinary book. What do you do when at almost hitting 40 years old you suddenly are informed that you have WITCHLIGHT which has been inherited from your mother? This is the story about a woman who in her late 30s does exactly that, finds out from a rather peculiar male witch with an even more peculiar name Patridge Mayflower, who is there to Mentor her in the arch of witchery and to show her how her powers work (not that she was aware she had any). Daily they practise, and they both soon realise that her power is greater than normal which means her mother had to have been a great witch. Now Holly was adopted and her adopted mother dies, her father is still alive.
Holly and Patridge begin the search for her birth mother, and Holly is determined to find out who she is, what her reasons for giving her up were, and who her biological father is or was.
Along the journey, Holly finds love and wants to keep hold of her man. Patridge and her find who her mother is (or is she) Holly discovers her father's identity too. Perhaps all is not as it seems, but you have to read this fabulous book in order to determine yourself.
There are funny, sad, magical, parts in this story, its so well written and delivers you into another world of magic and you get drawn right in so that you will struggle to put this book down.
This is paranormal at its best, what a truly well written, informative, extraordinary book. What do you do when at almost hitting 40 years old you suddenly are informed that you have WITCHLIGHT which has been inherited from your mother? This is the story about a woman who in her late 30s does exactly that, finds out from a rather peculiar male witch with an even more peculiar name Patridge Mayflower, who is there to Mentor her in the arch of witchery and to show her how her powers work (not that she was aware she had any). Daily they practise, and they both soon realise that her power is greater than normal which means her mother had to have been a great witch. Now Holly was adopted and her adopted mother dies, her father is still alive.
Holly and Patridge begin the search for her birth mother, and Holly is determined to find out who she is, what her reasons for giving her up were, and who her biological father is or was.
Along the journey, Holly finds love and wants to keep hold of her man. Patridge and her find who her mother is (or is she) Holly discovers her father's identity too. Perhaps all is not as it seems, but you have to read this fabulous book in order to determine yourself.
There are funny, sad, magical, parts in this story, its so well written and delivers you into another world of magic and you get drawn right in so that you will struggle to put this book down.
January 4, 2023
This is a very whimsical 'almost stiff upper lip type of British' book and evocative of children's books I read as a kid, that were written way back in the early part of the 20th century. Despite the mention of contemporary items such as mobile phones it could easily have been written in the 1940's.
TBH, I still don't really know if I liked it or not, as it did take some time to get 'meaty' and I could see what was coming a mile off. I guess that means, not so much.
TBH, I still don't really know if I liked it or not, as it did take some time to get 'meaty' and I could see what was coming a mile off. I guess that means, not so much.
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January 1, 2022I enjoyed this book.
I read it because I heard that it was based in a village that I used to live in - well, little evidence of that but none-the-less it was a story that was well within my favourite genre. I'm always fond of a story involving mind reading and every-day use of magic so this was an enjoyable read.
I read it because I heard that it was based in a village that I used to live in - well, little evidence of that but none-the-less it was a story that was well within my favourite genre. I'm always fond of a story involving mind reading and every-day use of magic so this was an enjoyable read.
April 16, 2018
Very much a female Harry Potter of the modern day.
June 9, 2015
Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
I quite liked this story, it was different yet familiar, and had characters who were quirky and likeable, as well as a story that was filled with magic and a touch of danger, suspense, and mystery.
Holly is a good main character, she is likeable and tells her story well, and Watts makes her stand out without having her take over the story. Holly is strong minded and determined, and though she accepts her new life, she is still learning, and seeing her gradual improvements and various lessons and tests is a nice introduction to the magical world for the reader as well.
Having an older protagonist allows a different set of events to occur and Watts does well not to make it a key factor or a hindrance. She isn't so much a Chosen One, as much as a breed of a special few which was a clever decision. Being different, even in the magical world, also makes Holly stand out, but this helps boost the story and makes the progression smoother and faster, allowing a greater focus on the story itself.
Watts balances Holly's introduction to the magical world creatively and believably and snippets of information and character development helps aid this revelation and makes the narrative maintain its flow. The narrative isn't too detailed, but it is deep enough to be complex and interesting, as well as provide all the necessary information. Watts provides us with enough information to understand the story without offering extensive and additional detail on characters or details about the magical world. This can mean a few characters are a tad flat, but enough can be picked up on their personality with brief appearances and their interaction with Holly. The magical element itself is explained clearly and woven into the story nicely, making it seem natural, but again there could have been room for a deeper explanation.
Even with brief detail, Watts has great descriptions that make scenes vivid and come to life. With only a few words the action on the page is easily visualised and it is easy to immerse yourself in the world that has been created. I think this world could be expanded into something bigger, deeper, and more explained, but the level in which Watts has explained is satisfactory and brings the focus to Holly's narrative rather than the entire magical world.
The narrative maintains a solid pace from start to finish, with the ending wrapped up aptly, nothing rushed and with suspense, magical fanfare, and contentment. There are secrets to uncover and puzzle pieces to put together and Watts mixes these together wonderfully with a great narrative, intriguing concept, and a touch of magic. Clue and hints and placed without being obvious and as it all comes together in an enchanting conclusion it is clear just how clever Watts has been, not just in idea but in execution.
This review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
I quite liked this story, it was different yet familiar, and had characters who were quirky and likeable, as well as a story that was filled with magic and a touch of danger, suspense, and mystery.
Holly is a good main character, she is likeable and tells her story well, and Watts makes her stand out without having her take over the story. Holly is strong minded and determined, and though she accepts her new life, she is still learning, and seeing her gradual improvements and various lessons and tests is a nice introduction to the magical world for the reader as well.
Having an older protagonist allows a different set of events to occur and Watts does well not to make it a key factor or a hindrance. She isn't so much a Chosen One, as much as a breed of a special few which was a clever decision. Being different, even in the magical world, also makes Holly stand out, but this helps boost the story and makes the progression smoother and faster, allowing a greater focus on the story itself.
Watts balances Holly's introduction to the magical world creatively and believably and snippets of information and character development helps aid this revelation and makes the narrative maintain its flow. The narrative isn't too detailed, but it is deep enough to be complex and interesting, as well as provide all the necessary information. Watts provides us with enough information to understand the story without offering extensive and additional detail on characters or details about the magical world. This can mean a few characters are a tad flat, but enough can be picked up on their personality with brief appearances and their interaction with Holly. The magical element itself is explained clearly and woven into the story nicely, making it seem natural, but again there could have been room for a deeper explanation.
Even with brief detail, Watts has great descriptions that make scenes vivid and come to life. With only a few words the action on the page is easily visualised and it is easy to immerse yourself in the world that has been created. I think this world could be expanded into something bigger, deeper, and more explained, but the level in which Watts has explained is satisfactory and brings the focus to Holly's narrative rather than the entire magical world.
The narrative maintains a solid pace from start to finish, with the ending wrapped up aptly, nothing rushed and with suspense, magical fanfare, and contentment. There are secrets to uncover and puzzle pieces to put together and Watts mixes these together wonderfully with a great narrative, intriguing concept, and a touch of magic. Clue and hints and placed without being obvious and as it all comes together in an enchanting conclusion it is clear just how clever Watts has been, not just in idea but in execution.
This review was published on my blog https://lostinagoodbk.wordpress.com/2...
April 25, 2015
This fairytale with a paranormal twist is not your average every day Twilight-esque book. No, this little novel is so much more than that. The storyline although strewn with all of the magical influence you'd hope for in a witchy tale, is completely unique- and I truly cannot compare it to anything else I've ever read.
Holly is your average every day 38 year old... well, at first she is. Unknown to her she's actually a witch- with magic inherited to her through her mother. In a twist of fate her Fairy Godfather arrives and announces to her who she truly is. And that's where this tale of mystique begins. Holly is thrust into a world of magical intrigue. But as with most magical tales, the perfect fairytale world we imagine is no where near perfect, and Holly finds herself amidst a chaotic battle between Old Magic and modern times. The suspense rises as Holly must figure out who she can trust during a time when it seems no one can truly be trusted.
I feel like this book is targeted towards a middle-age audience. Women in their mid twenties to late fourties are the ones who are most likely to pick up and love this book. Imagine a version of 'Harry Potter' or 'Twilight' for your grown-up crowd. This book is just that. Holly is a likeable strong female character that captures the essence of what it means to be a powerful woman- even in a magical world. For anyone like myself who is infatuated with stories with a magical backdrop, they'll love Holly's witch influence and the way magic plays out in the story. It's not overdone or theatrical, but very natural. It was really interesting the way this particular author used magic in the story and I really enjoyed the different perspective on 'witch-ish powers'. Different interpretations of supernatural creatures always fascinate me, and I really enjoyed reading into the picture Witchlight painted for me. The story kept a nice pace the entire way through with some plot twists that made it even more enjoyable.
The scenery and characters were brought to life in exquisite detail. Holly is by far the one character that sticks with you in the story. Following her through the trials and tests she faces once she realizes who she really is will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way through. There was never a place in this story that felt bland or underdone. The entire way through this book kept my attention with great detail, intrigueing characters, and an appropriately-paced mystique storyline that captured my imagination right from the start.
Holly is your average every day 38 year old... well, at first she is. Unknown to her she's actually a witch- with magic inherited to her through her mother. In a twist of fate her Fairy Godfather arrives and announces to her who she truly is. And that's where this tale of mystique begins. Holly is thrust into a world of magical intrigue. But as with most magical tales, the perfect fairytale world we imagine is no where near perfect, and Holly finds herself amidst a chaotic battle between Old Magic and modern times. The suspense rises as Holly must figure out who she can trust during a time when it seems no one can truly be trusted.
I feel like this book is targeted towards a middle-age audience. Women in their mid twenties to late fourties are the ones who are most likely to pick up and love this book. Imagine a version of 'Harry Potter' or 'Twilight' for your grown-up crowd. This book is just that. Holly is a likeable strong female character that captures the essence of what it means to be a powerful woman- even in a magical world. For anyone like myself who is infatuated with stories with a magical backdrop, they'll love Holly's witch influence and the way magic plays out in the story. It's not overdone or theatrical, but very natural. It was really interesting the way this particular author used magic in the story and I really enjoyed the different perspective on 'witch-ish powers'. Different interpretations of supernatural creatures always fascinate me, and I really enjoyed reading into the picture Witchlight painted for me. The story kept a nice pace the entire way through with some plot twists that made it even more enjoyable.
The scenery and characters were brought to life in exquisite detail. Holly is by far the one character that sticks with you in the story. Following her through the trials and tests she faces once she realizes who she really is will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way through. There was never a place in this story that felt bland or underdone. The entire way through this book kept my attention with great detail, intrigueing characters, and an appropriately-paced mystique storyline that captured my imagination right from the start.
August 17, 2015
Witchlight intrigued me because it has a Harry Potter flavor to it. And I loved all the Harry Potter books.
But it is not a children's book
The main character is Holly, who is 38, lives alone, has a job in which she can support herself, a great cat and a seemingly pretty good life. Enter Partridge Mayflower who introduces himself as her fairy godfather. Partridge breaks the news to Holly that she was actually born a witch, and she has a great deal of "witchlight", more than the average witch. The Coven (not as dark as it sounds), have been looking for her and observing her and decided it was time she was told her true identity and brought up to speed on being a witch. She was adopted by "mortal" parents, and she never had any reason to think there was anything special about her.
Holly begins lessons on magic and at the same time meets a really great guy (Jake) that could be the one. (He is not a witch) She decides to pursue finding her real witch mother (Esme). It all seems so fun and interesting as she learns magic and is dating a wonderful man.
Then everything seems to changes and bad things start happening to the people important to her. And people are not always who they seem...
The story hooks you on the characters that are so likeable, that when things take a turn, it is hard to put down wondering how it will all turn out in the end.
The story starts out a little slow...I was witching it would pick up a bit sooner, but once it started rolling, it was really good.
I could see a series with Holly and how she might use her new found powers. I don't know if there are plans for another book or not.
If you like books about people with magic in current times, and wish you had "witchlight", you would like this book.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Thanks!
But it is not a children's book
The main character is Holly, who is 38, lives alone, has a job in which she can support herself, a great cat and a seemingly pretty good life. Enter Partridge Mayflower who introduces himself as her fairy godfather. Partridge breaks the news to Holly that she was actually born a witch, and she has a great deal of "witchlight", more than the average witch. The Coven (not as dark as it sounds), have been looking for her and observing her and decided it was time she was told her true identity and brought up to speed on being a witch. She was adopted by "mortal" parents, and she never had any reason to think there was anything special about her.
Holly begins lessons on magic and at the same time meets a really great guy (Jake) that could be the one. (He is not a witch) She decides to pursue finding her real witch mother (Esme). It all seems so fun and interesting as she learns magic and is dating a wonderful man.
Then everything seems to changes and bad things start happening to the people important to her. And people are not always who they seem...
The story hooks you on the characters that are so likeable, that when things take a turn, it is hard to put down wondering how it will all turn out in the end.
The story starts out a little slow...I was witching it would pick up a bit sooner, but once it started rolling, it was really good.
I could see a series with Holly and how she might use her new found powers. I don't know if there are plans for another book or not.
If you like books about people with magic in current times, and wish you had "witchlight", you would like this book.
* I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. Thanks!
March 20, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive a pre-publication copy of this contemporary fantasy novel which follows the development of Holly's discovery that she possesses witchlight, inherited by her mother. The problem is that she has lived into her thirties being unaware of this fact. Abandoned in a cardboard box, she was adopted at birth and her adoptive parents live mundane lives in Croydon, Surrey.
The revelation comes from male witch Partridge Mayflower who pops up one day and offers to be her mentor. Holly knocks him for six when they both discover that she has far more power than most witches and now it is important that she traces her birth mother to discover her bloodline.
This light read has a good dose of humour and a little romance. Holly is no push-over and will not be ruled by the Coven who want to keep her on a tight leash—she’s prepared, as she always has, to do things her way. When her grandmother “dearest”, Ninanna, appears I couldn’t help imagining her as Endora from the American sit-com “Bewitched”.
This is no sparkly fairy-tale story. Holly’s angst and some rather fiendish characters set Witchlight aside from other books of its ilk in which the reader would love to become part of the witchy community, and Ms Watts’s “Witchlight” is not a spin-off of other witch-fantasy books on the market. On the contrary, it sits squarely in its own niche and provides an enjoyable and suspenseful read with a surprising ending.
The revelation comes from male witch Partridge Mayflower who pops up one day and offers to be her mentor. Holly knocks him for six when they both discover that she has far more power than most witches and now it is important that she traces her birth mother to discover her bloodline.
This light read has a good dose of humour and a little romance. Holly is no push-over and will not be ruled by the Coven who want to keep her on a tight leash—she’s prepared, as she always has, to do things her way. When her grandmother “dearest”, Ninanna, appears I couldn’t help imagining her as Endora from the American sit-com “Bewitched”.
This is no sparkly fairy-tale story. Holly’s angst and some rather fiendish characters set Witchlight aside from other books of its ilk in which the reader would love to become part of the witchy community, and Ms Watts’s “Witchlight” is not a spin-off of other witch-fantasy books on the market. On the contrary, it sits squarely in its own niche and provides an enjoyable and suspenseful read with a surprising ending.
April 18, 2015
There are some books you just really want to like but...can't. Or at least not as much as you wanted to.
It's not that Witchlight was bad, but it took me a while to get into the story. The start was pretty slow and a bit boring that I wasn't encouraged to continue reading, but I've decided to push through anyway.
The paranormal story picks up halfway to the middle, and then I'm caught up in a world of secrets and old magic. The story quickly picks up the pace and before I know it, I'm nearing the end.
However, I feel like even after reading 200 pages, I don't know Holly that well. All I know is that she's pretty powerful and an orphan. I didn't get her personality all that much. Sarah, her best friend, and which should have played a more major role in her life (seeing as she's a best friend and all) quite disappeared somewhere in the middle aside from being mentioned as demanding of her time. Seeing as she's a major fixture in Holly's life, I would have expected a side story where Sarah's told about Holly's magical abilities.
Plus, there were some magical mumbo jumbo that I couldn't quite imagine. I wish the concept of Old Magic was more explained. I feel that there was a huge build-up towards the end but the ending left a little bit more to be desired.
It's not that Witchlight was bad, but it took me a while to get into the story. The start was pretty slow and a bit boring that I wasn't encouraged to continue reading, but I've decided to push through anyway.
The paranormal story picks up halfway to the middle, and then I'm caught up in a world of secrets and old magic. The story quickly picks up the pace and before I know it, I'm nearing the end.
However, I feel like even after reading 200 pages, I don't know Holly that well. All I know is that she's pretty powerful and an orphan. I didn't get her personality all that much. Sarah, her best friend, and which should have played a more major role in her life (seeing as she's a best friend and all) quite disappeared somewhere in the middle aside from being mentioned as demanding of her time. Seeing as she's a major fixture in Holly's life, I would have expected a side story where Sarah's told about Holly's magical abilities.
Plus, there were some magical mumbo jumbo that I couldn't quite imagine. I wish the concept of Old Magic was more explained. I feel that there was a huge build-up towards the end but the ending left a little bit more to be desired.
June 17, 2015
I read this book not for the cover, which I was not a fan of, but because the author was giving out a few copies for honest reviews. Here is my honest review....This is a well crafted unique fairy tale!
I was captured by the book from the first chapter. The book was not fast paced in the beginning nor was it full of suspense for the first half but the world building was the feature that hooked me. About half way through the book the suspense and pace picks up tenfold. I truly enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book and how the author so greatly described the world and magic. I found the magic and characters unique from other books in this genre. I thought the main character Holly was likable, simple, and realistic. I liked the dynamic between Holly and Partridge they were both well crafted. I loved the way the story was crafted it was an easy entertaining read. The ending will not leave you hanging but I do want more from these characters and world. (I AM A SERIES JUNKIE!)The The author really knows how to write! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal and fairy tale books!
Please check out my blog for more Book Reviews and Giveaways!
I was captured by the book from the first chapter. The book was not fast paced in the beginning nor was it full of suspense for the first half but the world building was the feature that hooked me. About half way through the book the suspense and pace picks up tenfold. I truly enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the book and how the author so greatly described the world and magic. I found the magic and characters unique from other books in this genre. I thought the main character Holly was likable, simple, and realistic. I liked the dynamic between Holly and Partridge they were both well crafted. I loved the way the story was crafted it was an easy entertaining read. The ending will not leave you hanging but I do want more from these characters and world. (I AM A SERIES JUNKIE!)The The author really knows how to write! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal and fairy tale books!
Please check out my blog for more Book Reviews and Giveaways!
April 29, 2015
I love the stories where the main character's life is completely turned upside down and they have to cope with a brand new reality. This is one of those books and the author does a great job of deconstructing and reconstructing the life of Holly. She's made it to 38 without discovering she's a witch and now her Fairy Godfather appears to show her the way.
The dialogue in the book is quite clever and funny. Some of Holly's thoughts border on sarcasm but again accompanied with enough humor to balance out some of the darker aspects of the storyline.
Not to use a witch term, but I was enchanted by Witchlight. I was a fan of Holly from the first page and the writing kept me interested enough to keep turning the page.
I would recommend this book to Paranormal fiction lovers. It's full of witchy goodness, dark and light.
The dialogue in the book is quite clever and funny. Some of Holly's thoughts border on sarcasm but again accompanied with enough humor to balance out some of the darker aspects of the storyline.
Not to use a witch term, but I was enchanted by Witchlight. I was a fan of Holly from the first page and the writing kept me interested enough to keep turning the page.
I would recommend this book to Paranormal fiction lovers. It's full of witchy goodness, dark and light.
April 30, 2015
This is definitely the first time I've read something like this. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I opened this book, but inside, there is a great story to be found. It's definitely not your typical fantasy book: it has magic and the paranormal, but it's without the fluff that can be found in most YA books. I would say that this would probably be for older audiences, (though that is not to say the younger audiences can't enjoy it as well...), but if you're looking for a cast of lovely characters, an interesting plot, and the story that will reel you in right from the start, then this is it.
April 13, 2017
This is a great read - I loved the fact that the main character, who discovers she's a witch, is nearing 40. So rather than this being another YA read, with the same teen angst, Watts has created a character that has a job to hold down, bills to pay and grown up relationships to maintain.
The novel starts out as a fun romp, as Holly gets used to her new-found witchlight, but gradually the tension increases as not everyone is who they say they are.
I loved the author's style, and already have her previous book lined up to read.
The novel starts out as a fun romp, as Holly gets used to her new-found witchlight, but gradually the tension increases as not everyone is who they say they are.
I loved the author's style, and already have her previous book lined up to read.
March 16, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect. It's considerably lighter that Watts' first novel, A Darker Moon, but it's a lot of fun and a page turner. I liked the combination of fantasy, humour and darkness as well as the contrast between real life and magic.
The one similarity with A Darker Moon is the language. Watts' prose is very smooth and both books are beautifully written. A Darker Moon is more thought provoking, but Witchlight is really entertaining.
The one similarity with A Darker Moon is the language. Watts' prose is very smooth and both books are beautifully written. A Darker Moon is more thought provoking, but Witchlight is really entertaining.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews