The Witch of Glenaster

The Glenaster Chronicles #1

by Jonathan Mills

When a young guardsman appears at their door late one night, Esther Lanark and her family are thrown into a world of fear, war, and ancient, dark magic, a world where firedrakes ravage the land, strange shadowmen stalk the woods, and where a witch from the far north has awoken from her long sleep, to wreak her revenge on the old empire.

It is a world that will lead Esther and her brother to make the dangerous journey to the northern lands, far beyond the cities of men, to confront the Witch of Glenaster.

Genres: Fantasy

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 14, 2013

About the author

I was born and brought up in Somerset, England, and my writing draws heavily from the history and legends of that county.

Beowulf, the Norse sagas, the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, as well as Sheridan Le Fanu, Kevin Crossley-Holland, Ursula K. Le Guin & J.R.R. Tolkien have also had a great influence on my writing.

I've recently finished the third and final part of a trilogy of novels collectively entitled the Glenaster Chronicles. These stories broadly fall into the "epic" or "high" fantasy genre, however my reading ranges widely, and what matters to me most is a good story, well told, regardless of labels. And I like a good dragon, too (or even a bad one, come to that!).

Reviews

[J O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrapped in beautiful prose and rich description, The Witch of Glenaster is an absolute gem of a novel - it delivered on every level. It's an expertly woven tale of a young girl who is propelled into a journey of revenge with her younger brother to hunt and kill the mythical witch.

Esther is brave and bold, with all the necessary inquisitiveness and matter-of-fact ways of a twelve-year-girl (I was one, I can vouch) and never once did she disappoint me, I was rooting for her the whole way.

For me, the witch-hunt is just the catalyst - the real story rests on the touching friendship that Esther, as a child in an adult's world, finds with Thomas Taper who, with bravery and secrets of his own, finds her a formidable companion and agrees to be her protector as they both make their way towards Glenaster. (To be honest, I'm probably a little bit in love with him.)

I loved the classic unravelling style with vivid descriptions, and the episodic structure gave bursts of wonder and excitement enough to keep the flow - it sucked me in without pause. I didn't want to put it down until the rubbish bits of life (work and sleep) forced me to. I hope there is a chronicle 2 in the works - more please!

[J C Steel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther Lanark was five when the first shadow of the Witch of Glenaster touched her remote village. By the time she reached her tenth year, rumours and ill fortune were flying on the wind, and stories of men with their eyes gouged out and the symbol of the Third Eye on their foreheads were becoming commonplace. Even when refugees began to pass through her village, Esther’s home remained untouched - until one night, disaster left Esther to find out exactly what she was willing to do for revenge.

The Witch of Glenaster is a young-adult fantasy with a refreshingly dark slant, and despite the inevitable help and protection rendered to the children by mysterious and competent strangers, the level of coincidence is kept to a plausible minimum. The world-building is detailed and solid, and author Jonathan Mills resists the urge to insert a magical last-minute save, which I deeply appreciated. I did find that after all the build-up, the finale fizzled out a little, but other than that, this is an eminently readable story. The characters have their own pasts, wants, and resentments, and the characterisation of Esther’s infant brother, largely non-vocal, demonstrates the author’s technical skill. While this may not be ideal bedtime reading, it’s certainly a worthwhile read for all ages of reader.

Reviewed for By Rite of Word.

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with the Witch of Glenaster. Quite a bit of the writing made me feel like
I was there being touched by " The Librarians " not just reading about it, but actually making me feel like I was there, I had goosebumps ! Also, can you imaine how much research was involved in being able to write this book in this time period. Wonderful work. I was throughly enthralled and I was even luckier with the privilidge of reading it, because I was the lucky recipient of the giveaway !
Thank you Jonathan and Bravo !
Love from an appreciative reader.
Allison

[James Marson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch of Glenaster: An Excellent and Absorbing Read

Jonathan Mills tells a vivid tale of a richly-imagined land, blighted by the influence of a dark and powerful force, the eponymous Witch of Glenaster, and a young girl’s steely determination to free it from her terrifying grip.

Jonathan, I must confess, is an old friend of mine, but that cannot take away from the fact he possesses an extraordinary ability to conjure atmosphere and create a fantasy world rich in texture and depth. His writing is evocative and earthy - the world of the story isn’t outlandish, but rustic and familiar, a land where legends live, and the telling of the tale in the first person adds to the sense of immediacy. Esther is a very likable hero too - aware of her flaws but possessed with a determination that is enviable...

To top that all, Jon has done a great job of mixing vivid description and deft dialogue with dynamic, exciting action sequences. I have to confess I was bewitched.

It’s the first in a series so my only grumble is that I’ll have to wait to see how it continues! But I’m happy to wait. And even happier to recommend….

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful adventure

Esther is a spunky and resilient heroine who’s sole purpose in life has narrowed to revenge. The story is told from her perspective, but with the remove of age and maturity. I enjoyed the cast of characters, especially The Witch and the Librarians! Jonathan Mills also did a great job with the scope and history of these lands. He had the Tolkien-like challenge of the long journey, and he used myth and history to break up the dreaded "and we're walking and walking and riding and running" bits. I am going to need to the next book because Esther’s story deserves more resolution!!!!!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not exactly what I was expecting. There wasn't much action as I had expected, nor much magic or magical elements and I had thought. I did enjoy the book though, Esther was a strong character, a little stubborn at times with little regard for the people around her or for listening to reason. She seemed a bit older than her 10 years, at time I envisioned her being about 15 or 16 based on how she acted and reacted to different situations. I did enjoy the friendship between her and Thomas Taper. I wanted a bit more in terms of her brother and seeing him mature through the journey, but at times he wasn't even present except when to remind readers, oh hey there is a younger brother. I also wanted more from the witch's power becoming stronger. They talk about it, but we don't see too much of it. Overall good read. I enjoyed it and recommend it to others.

[Peter Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to curl up with this winter and the nights drawing in. Luxurious reading. Jonathan Mills weaves an epic tale of old-worldly magic with fantastically descriptive prose. I did not want it to end, and cried out aloud when it did, for it's not over! Esther's journey continues in the next part of this sumptuous trilogy - The Widow's Thorn. Can't wait.

[Donna Bresnak · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a long saga with a cliffhanger ending. it is good as these stories go, and I might be tempted to read the next one in the series. the characters are fun and flawed, no superheroes here. but an enjoyable read.

I received this book for free from goodreads.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Makes you feel you are there in the moment

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.