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Alternate cover edition for ASIN B00B6ZDRI0
"There are sticks and stones which can bind a witch, but not kill her. They can't be drowned as some thinks. Killing one by flame is the only way to destroy the bone and blood..."
In a time when magic makers and spell casters roam the countryside, there are men who earn wages by hunting them. Burning them for their crimes, facing the peril of spells and subtler dangers from dark servants skilled in evading punishment...
Among them, Neel is the greatest of all. A legend in his prime who tracks even the most cunning of witches who plague the land, he carves a mark for each sorceress or warlock of power burned at the stake by his hand. Calculating and hard by nature, a loner and wanderer by trade, he and his services are demanded by king and commoner alike. Any who has a grievance against a magic maker and the coin with which to pay the hunter's services.
A request from a queen to track a witch of no name takes him across the vast countryside in pursuit of a sorceress whose spell is unmistakable–and whose curse takes a hideous form each time it is cast. Three victims in all, three tales which span consequences from abandoned thrones to lovers divided by pain. Three sufferers who describe a witch whose physical appearance and power seems to change without explanation, until the witch hunter knows his pursuit is of a witch possessing no ordinary magic.
Three sufferers, three separate fates, one spell.
"There are sticks and stones which can bind a witch, but not kill her. They can't be drowned as some thinks. Killing one by flame is the only way to destroy the bone and blood..."
In a time when magic makers and spell casters roam the countryside, there are men who earn wages by hunting them. Burning them for their crimes, facing the peril of spells and subtler dangers from dark servants skilled in evading punishment...
Among them, Neel is the greatest of all. A legend in his prime who tracks even the most cunning of witches who plague the land, he carves a mark for each sorceress or warlock of power burned at the stake by his hand. Calculating and hard by nature, a loner and wanderer by trade, he and his services are demanded by king and commoner alike. Any who has a grievance against a magic maker and the coin with which to pay the hunter's services.
A request from a queen to track a witch of no name takes him across the vast countryside in pursuit of a sorceress whose spell is unmistakable–and whose curse takes a hideous form each time it is cast. Three victims in all, three tales which span consequences from abandoned thrones to lovers divided by pain. Three sufferers who describe a witch whose physical appearance and power seems to change without explanation, until the witch hunter knows his pursuit is of a witch possessing no ordinary magic.
Three sufferers, three separate fates, one spell.
- GenresFantasy
Unknown Binding
First published January 27, 2013
About the author
Laura Briggs
103 books118 followersLaura Briggs is the bestselling author of multiple lighthearted romance books, including the Amazon UK Top 100's LATE TO THE WEDDING and the popular A WEDDING IN CORNWALL series. Since her debut with Pelican Book Group's inspirational novella ONLY IN NOVELS, she has worked both with publishers and as an independent author, as well as partnering with others writers, including working under a pen name in other genres. She loves vintage fashion, classic movies, British melodrama, and spending time with her pets.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 5, 2016
A slightly different take on fairytales than the other books Laura Briggs has written. Instead of focusing on one central fairytale this book weaves a number of similar tale types together. Some I recognized and some I didn't, making me wonder if they were fiction or what traditions they came from. While you can certainly read this standalone without having read any others in the author's series, it was nice having read First Bite first as some of the same themes and ideas were presented here, but from a different perspective. I enjoyed it and would recommend, though it's not a gripping page turner which is why only 4 stars.
February 7, 2013
My favorite out of all the DW series! A great twist of the beauty and the beast theme with witches. The story made me want to travel with Neel on his quest, which caused omg it 's what time moments. The sub stories are well crafted and there is investment in the characters. This book is much lighter in subject matter than the much darker First Bite. Great read! Looking forward to the next in the series.
February 7, 2013
Just started reading the latest in The Dark Woods Trilogy Second Cycle - Spell. The first grouping consists of First Bite - The Wicked Queen's Tale, Gingerbread House, and The Fairy Godmother's Apprentice. There is also the prequel Snow White's Knight Magic Mirror. Looking forward to reading the next set in the series! http://thedarkwoodsbooks.blogspot.com/
January 15, 2015
My favorite book ever is Once Upon a Winter's Night by Dennis McKiernan, and this book is very similar to it, both in style of writing and foundation of plot. I normally get annoyed by having several tales weaved into one story but I thoroughly enjoyed all of them in this one. Loved the ending
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews