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Elemental Witch Trials #5
Alterations
Gwen finds a body ripped to shreds, by what appears to have been a demon, in her council office. As she searches for answers, the illusion of her idyllic life with the monsters starts to crumble around her.
Trying to protect Kyna and Brac forces her to find new abilities and seek allies in places familiar and uncharted. Bravery is only the beginning of what she will need to face off with evils that would stop at nothing to possess or destroy her.
Trying to protect Kyna and Brac forces her to find new abilities and seek allies in places familiar and uncharted. Bravery is only the beginning of what she will need to face off with evils that would stop at nothing to possess or destroy her.
- GenresParanormal
229 pages, ebook
Published March 13, 2017
14 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
About the author
Lucretia Stanhope
84 books115 followersLucretia Stanhope is a relentlessly optimistic crone who refuses to let her growing collection of rare illnesses steal her sparkle. She prefers to think of herself as medically fascinating as opposed to disabled. Seriously, half of these diseases sound less realistic than her most fanciful novels.
Powered by the support of an amazing husband and family, when she isn’t cuddling with her rescue chi-mixes, Thor and Moxie, she spends her days in creative pursuits that range from drawing and painting to crochet and writing.
This is the landing page for all the pen names that include solo and collaborative novels. Please note genres and content advisories as these novels range from YA friendly, to adult only romances and graphic horror, with a touch of everything in between.
Powered by the support of an amazing husband and family, when she isn’t cuddling with her rescue chi-mixes, Thor and Moxie, she spends her days in creative pursuits that range from drawing and painting to crochet and writing.
This is the landing page for all the pen names that include solo and collaborative novels. Please note genres and content advisories as these novels range from YA friendly, to adult only romances and graphic horror, with a touch of everything in between.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 23, 2018
So many twists and turns. Every time it seems as if Gwen has her life figured out, another problem arises. The thing I love the most about this series is how the characters always make me feel something. Matvei, the son of Gwen’s master Timofei, was not a likeable character at all though I admire the way that Gwen stood up to him. Timofei proved to be an unlikeable character as well since he turned a blind eye to all of Gwen’s struggles. In the end, I was rooting for Gwen’s kids, Kyna and Brac, and I’m eager to see where the next leg of Gwen’s journey takes her.
May 1, 2018
Wow, I'm never disappointed with this author. She can spin a tale and weave an intricate plot with such expertise I'm left in awe every single time. Alterations lives up to the name as we see life some twenty years later for Gwen and her family - grown up children, life with vampires, rogue witches, and all the chaos that comes from a world filled with monsters - both external and internal. Sometimes the greatest enemy is the one closest to home...
It's so hard not give spoilers here but the series gets better with every subsequent novel, if that's even possible. I LOVE this series and Gwen is one of my favorite book heroines. Her growth in her powers and personal strength is a joy to read. I'm so intrigued to keep following along as more twists and turns, more trials, and more wicked monsters continue to plague her world. I love Gwen, her kids, and her role as a mother. And Matvei -such a deliciously evil character.
This is a well-crafted story and I found it hard to put down to live life. I found the deep and interwoven layers of the story pure genius and the paranormal world building perfect for the genre. Totally thrilled with this novel and so happy with this series. Truly some of the best vampire books out there. MUST READ so add to your collection today!
HIGHLY Recommended!!!
Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Word Building: 5/5
Story Flow: 5/5
Picky Bitches OVERALL SCORE: 5/5
November 15, 2017
This part of the series is about plans, counter-plans, cunning and...secret plans.
Gwen faces so many dangers, it's difficult to know what is going to happen. Evil surrounds her as manipulations cause her life to swamped into the control of others.
Will she be strong enough to fight? How many more 'gifts' will she conquer? Will they be of use? Her love for her people, children and friends cause her no end of heartache...can they be safe?
I ask these things because I won't give spoilers and things are becoming intense with twists and turns and...phew - those vampires can be so scary, many of whom remind me of corporate greed at its worst.
A great story; very enjoyable and intriguing.
Highly recommended.
Gwen faces so many dangers, it's difficult to know what is going to happen. Evil surrounds her as manipulations cause her life to swamped into the control of others.
Will she be strong enough to fight? How many more 'gifts' will she conquer? Will they be of use? Her love for her people, children and friends cause her no end of heartache...can they be safe?
I ask these things because I won't give spoilers and things are becoming intense with twists and turns and...phew - those vampires can be so scary, many of whom remind me of corporate greed at its worst.
A great story; very enjoyable and intriguing.
Highly recommended.
September 17, 2018
Full of tension and twists.
'Alterations' is the fifth novel in the Elemental Witch Trials series by Lucretia Stanhope. It resumes Gwen's story some time after the events of 'Familiar Betrayal', as she finds herself pursuing new and dangerous directions. There seems to be so much at stake for Gwen in this book - but perhaps that is an issue of scale, for every mother perceives that there are threats to her children that she must overcome in order to protect them, and all individuals understand that there are many people who would be willing to take us down and few who would truly defend us if it meant putting themselves in danger.
One of the qualities I really admire about Gwen is her refusal to be passive and just let things happen around her. She is not only a strong woman, she is confident in using her strengths to achieve her aims. She may not have everything in control, but she definitely strives to do what she can and to respond to situations with positive outcomes in mind.
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm also really glad to see that the author is determined to make this series varied and complex. This instalment is full of tension and twists, and I'm definitely keen to read more of this series.
'Alterations' is the fifth novel in the Elemental Witch Trials series by Lucretia Stanhope. It resumes Gwen's story some time after the events of 'Familiar Betrayal', as she finds herself pursuing new and dangerous directions. There seems to be so much at stake for Gwen in this book - but perhaps that is an issue of scale, for every mother perceives that there are threats to her children that she must overcome in order to protect them, and all individuals understand that there are many people who would be willing to take us down and few who would truly defend us if it meant putting themselves in danger.
One of the qualities I really admire about Gwen is her refusal to be passive and just let things happen around her. She is not only a strong woman, she is confident in using her strengths to achieve her aims. She may not have everything in control, but she definitely strives to do what she can and to respond to situations with positive outcomes in mind.
I really enjoyed this book, and I'm also really glad to see that the author is determined to make this series varied and complex. This instalment is full of tension and twists, and I'm definitely keen to read more of this series.
November 1, 2017
There is a famous French ballerina, Sylvie Guillem, who was nicknamed Madamoiselle Non by a ballet director and it kind of caught on. Mainly because if she didn't like a role, costume, etc, she just said non and wouldn't do it. I was waiting for that with Gwen in this series and it totally happened in this book.
Well, sort of. She doesn't refuse anything to Timofei and Matvei's face without eventually being threatened into doing it, but oh, the epic plotting in the background. It was nice to see her get stronger and learn more about her gifts on her own with almost no outside help. Sebastian is mentioned, but doesn't make an appearance in the book at all. Jerrod is there, but doesn't assume human form to teach her. Gwen is completely without familiar help in this book and learns some pretty cool tricks to save herself, her children, and the rest of the witches from the vampires.
This is set twenty years after book 4, so the twins are grown. Kyna is mentioned a lot, but is not physically present in a lot of scenes. She seems to be quite dominant in her own right and I'm hoping she's there in the next few books so we can learn as much about her as we did about Brac in this book
Well, sort of. She doesn't refuse anything to Timofei and Matvei's face without eventually being threatened into doing it, but oh, the epic plotting in the background. It was nice to see her get stronger and learn more about her gifts on her own with almost no outside help. Sebastian is mentioned, but doesn't make an appearance in the book at all. Jerrod is there, but doesn't assume human form to teach her. Gwen is completely without familiar help in this book and learns some pretty cool tricks to save herself, her children, and the rest of the witches from the vampires.
This is set twenty years after book 4, so the twins are grown. Kyna is mentioned a lot, but is not physically present in a lot of scenes. She seems to be quite dominant in her own right and I'm hoping she's there in the next few books so we can learn as much about her as we did about Brac in this book
January 29, 2018
In this fifth book in the series, Gwen finds herself in the thick of it once again. Just as she thought that her life has finally taken a peaceful course, she discovers a grisly sight in her office - an unrecognizable, dismembered body - and realizes that there are still enemies out there who wish her and her family harm. On top of things, Gwen finally starts seeing her husband Timofei for what he is and eventually starts to give in more and more to Matvei’s - Timofei’s son - dark influence. When the realm war and rogue witches threaten their very existence, Gwen and her children must now choose sides, but they certainly have to choose very carefully…
As with previous books in the series, the plot was dynamic and there was never a dull moment. I also enjoyed Gwen’s character development in this particular installment as she became a much stronger person who now has to stand up not only for herself but also her family’s well-being. Gwen’s relationship with her now-grown children was also beautifully developed and it was definitely interesting to see them choose their own paths in life. Looking forward to the next book!
As with previous books in the series, the plot was dynamic and there was never a dull moment. I also enjoyed Gwen’s character development in this particular installment as she became a much stronger person who now has to stand up not only for herself but also her family’s well-being. Gwen’s relationship with her now-grown children was also beautifully developed and it was definitely interesting to see them choose their own paths in life. Looking forward to the next book!
March 28, 2019
Wow. The intensity of Gwen's life certainly ha heated up in this book. She's had twenty years of peace, but the lies and illusions of her life are beginning to show the evil that lies behind the promises made to her. She tries so hard to find love and acceptance, giving all she has to make life better for everyone else, and it all smacks her in the face, leaving her feeling alone again. Only now she has her grown children to worry about, and they seem to be on opposite ends of the struggle between vampires and humanity. You never know where this story is going to take you, or how (or if) Gwen will survive this round of abuse. This was great. I think this is my favorite episode in the saga so far. Lots of action, plenty of tense moments, and never-ending suspense will keep you reading to the last page.
October 1, 2017
After 20 years of “peace” Gwen was awakened and finally privy to Timofei’s sinister plans for her kind. With everyone gone from her life (Sebastian, Yardley, Dillon) Gwen has to accomplish the impossible by herself. I luv watching her character grow from strength to strength with each book. She’s now not only a powerful witch but a resilient and resourceful one pitting dangerous mind games against two powerful vampires. As the stakes rise, Gwen indulged in more cakes and knitting – well, glad to see some things never change for our favorite heroine. Every page is a page-turner as the plot thickens and I couldn’t put the book down till the very last sentence! What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
October 20, 2017
Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book is like the others totally awesome
ByJessica Wilhelmssonon October 20, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Another 10 star book!!
This book is like the others totally awesome! It is the first book I feelt that to get the most out of it read the book Familiar Betrayl first. You could read this as a standalone of course but you will miss a lot of the exitment in it.
I must admit that when I read the first sentence in the book it gave me the feeling of coming home, during the book I felt like a kid on christmas and when it ends I felt Eh, it cant, I cant leave her and the rest of the family yet!
I really don't know how Lucretia Stanhope does it but you get addicted to Gwen and her adventures. So read enjoy and try to figure it out.
5.0 out of 5 starsThis book is like the others totally awesome
ByJessica Wilhelmssonon October 20, 2017
Format: Kindle Edition
Another 10 star book!!
This book is like the others totally awesome! It is the first book I feelt that to get the most out of it read the book Familiar Betrayl first. You could read this as a standalone of course but you will miss a lot of the exitment in it.
I must admit that when I read the first sentence in the book it gave me the feeling of coming home, during the book I felt like a kid on christmas and when it ends I felt Eh, it cant, I cant leave her and the rest of the family yet!
I really don't know how Lucretia Stanhope does it but you get addicted to Gwen and her adventures. So read enjoy and try to figure it out.
January 10, 2018
Loved the New Twist
Alterations is the perfect title for this book. Even though the years have passed for Gwen, her heart is still firmly entrenched in goodness. There are some pretty intense scenes where I worried for Gwen’s safety and yet she managed to come out of every trial stronger and better. A couple of things happened which caught me off guard, which is hard to do, and I was pleased with where the story has gone. I look forward to seeing where this adventure continues in Tempered Fury.
Alterations is the perfect title for this book. Even though the years have passed for Gwen, her heart is still firmly entrenched in goodness. There are some pretty intense scenes where I worried for Gwen’s safety and yet she managed to come out of every trial stronger and better. A couple of things happened which caught me off guard, which is hard to do, and I was pleased with where the story has gone. I look forward to seeing where this adventure continues in Tempered Fury.
May 3, 2019
The Witch Trials is my current go-to series when I need a paranormal fix! Stranhope is the Vampire Queen! Of course there are other supernatural elements to the books as well. I suggest starting at book one and grabbing the whole series. You won't regret it.
Book 5 is just as brilliant, if not more so, than the four ahead of it. Twists and turns keep the pages moving. I stayed up all night to finish this baby! Looking forward to number six!
Book 5 is just as brilliant, if not more so, than the four ahead of it. Twists and turns keep the pages moving. I stayed up all night to finish this baby! Looking forward to number six!
December 5, 2018
This book was amazing. I struggled to put it down long enough to get the necessary food and sleep. So many twists, turns and surprises kept me engaged the entire time. I was truly shocked by the ending. I never expected Gwen to get out of the fix she was in. And Brac, that child has a hard life ahead of him. Loved the story! I can't wait to dive into the next.
June 17, 2017
Wow!
It gets better and better! I am afraid to be at the end of the series and suffer from witch withdrawal!
It gets better and better! I am afraid to be at the end of the series and suffer from witch withdrawal!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews