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The Witches' Rede #1
Alight
Maeve lives a charmed life in the small desert town of Redington in Arizona Territory–where spousal prospects are sorely lacking, career choices are shamefully limited to the saloon, and Death himself has a vendetta against her.
All Maeve wants is her independence but 1883 society has decidedly different expectations for her.
Enter Shadow Wolf: notorious for his dark reputation and grotesque mechanical arm. The gunslinger, a suspiciously werewolf-esque man whose social situation bears some obnoxious similarities to Maeve’s, has found his place among the masses by walking on the wrong side of the law.
When Maeve stumbles upon Shadow Wolf’s scheme to rob a stagecoach, he forces her to choose between her life or breaking the witches’ Golden Rule. Despite certain karmic retribution, Maeve relies on her wit and a sprinkling of magic to survive the heist. When nothing goes according to plan, she finds herself not just on the ride of a lifetime, but also roped into an unanticipated romance with a sexy bandit at the reins.
All Maeve wants is her independence but 1883 society has decidedly different expectations for her.
Enter Shadow Wolf: notorious for his dark reputation and grotesque mechanical arm. The gunslinger, a suspiciously werewolf-esque man whose social situation bears some obnoxious similarities to Maeve’s, has found his place among the masses by walking on the wrong side of the law.
When Maeve stumbles upon Shadow Wolf’s scheme to rob a stagecoach, he forces her to choose between her life or breaking the witches’ Golden Rule. Despite certain karmic retribution, Maeve relies on her wit and a sprinkling of magic to survive the heist. When nothing goes according to plan, she finds herself not just on the ride of a lifetime, but also roped into an unanticipated romance with a sexy bandit at the reins.
- GenresFantasy
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2017
9 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 1, 2018
After falling in love with Ms. Leonard's Tales by Rails, I couldn't help but be intrigued when this talented author announced she was releasing a Historical Paranormal Steampunk Romance series. To be honest, I wasn't sure how someone could blend so many distinctive genres into something cohesive.
But, oh my god, tha' is exactly what she did.
Ms. Leonard's way with setting a scene is on par with any of the great authors we studied in school. When she describes the saloon, you can feel the crunch of broken glass from a bar fight. You can hear the plinking, plucking sound of an upright piano. You can smell the stale stench of beer clinging to the unwashed fabric of a prostitute's dress...and the scene setting never falters: Ms. Leonard keeps you completely immersed in her world from the very first word.
The pacing of this book is incredible. The fight scenes are tense! On more than one occasion, I found myself unable to breathe! The tension mounts appropriately from the beginning of the book all the way through to its oh-so-delicious climax. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. As for the romantic aspects of this book, not only do they not disappoint, they leave you craving interaction from the besotted couple. Each character is strong on their own, well-written and full of life...but together? This couple sizzles.
As someone who doesn't read paranormal that often, and also as someone who had never read a steampunk novel before, I can one-hundred percent without a doubt recommend this book to anyone who might be on the fence. The author's mastery of the written word and innate storytelling ability shine on each and every page and will surely leave her readers utterly besotted with this world she's created.
Kudos to Ms. Leonard on this work of art. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of this series!
But, oh my god, tha' is exactly what she did.
Ms. Leonard's way with setting a scene is on par with any of the great authors we studied in school. When she describes the saloon, you can feel the crunch of broken glass from a bar fight. You can hear the plinking, plucking sound of an upright piano. You can smell the stale stench of beer clinging to the unwashed fabric of a prostitute's dress...and the scene setting never falters: Ms. Leonard keeps you completely immersed in her world from the very first word.
The pacing of this book is incredible. The fight scenes are tense! On more than one occasion, I found myself unable to breathe! The tension mounts appropriately from the beginning of the book all the way through to its oh-so-delicious climax. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. As for the romantic aspects of this book, not only do they not disappoint, they leave you craving interaction from the besotted couple. Each character is strong on their own, well-written and full of life...but together? This couple sizzles.
As someone who doesn't read paranormal that often, and also as someone who had never read a steampunk novel before, I can one-hundred percent without a doubt recommend this book to anyone who might be on the fence. The author's mastery of the written word and innate storytelling ability shine on each and every page and will surely leave her readers utterly besotted with this world she's created.
Kudos to Ms. Leonard on this work of art. I am anxiously awaiting the rest of this series!
January 5, 2018
Solid 4.5 stars. A delicious steampunk romp with fiery characters.
I gobbled up this story. The first book in The Witches’ Rede series sets up an intriguing cast of characters in a believable world where the odd work of witchcraft is perfectly normal—at least for Maeve and her delightfully fringe friends.
This book was a fun read. I adored quite a few of the characters, and felt right at home in the saloon where Maeve works. I like her kindness and determination, and how she’s always trying to do what’s right, morally. I also like how her morals shift as her experience grows. The way Maeve speaks feels authentic and fun, and I plunged through the book wanting to know more about her and her dangerous friends.
Sometimes I found myself skimming, especially when the same theme repeated itself in the bickering between lovers. I may have cursed the characters for being idiots once or twice. However, arguing and rash decisions are believable since we’re dealing with a riotously hot-blooded Irish woman and a tough, sexy-as-hell, dark-an’-handsome Italian man.
I appreciate the diversity woven into ALIGHT, with a cast full of immigrants from different corners of the world, fitting for the era. One of my favourite characters is Alexis, a woman whose disinterest in men and attraction to Maeve added sizzle to the story.
I loved westerns growing up, and I’ve been a fan of witches pretty much forever, so The Witches Rede series is right up my alley. Though I could guess where the plot was going as I read ALIGHT, I was 100% willing to take a familiar ride in a different world, with new characters to fall in love with. I’ll be looking for book two and three in the series when they come out!
I gobbled up this story. The first book in The Witches’ Rede series sets up an intriguing cast of characters in a believable world where the odd work of witchcraft is perfectly normal—at least for Maeve and her delightfully fringe friends.
This book was a fun read. I adored quite a few of the characters, and felt right at home in the saloon where Maeve works. I like her kindness and determination, and how she’s always trying to do what’s right, morally. I also like how her morals shift as her experience grows. The way Maeve speaks feels authentic and fun, and I plunged through the book wanting to know more about her and her dangerous friends.
Sometimes I found myself skimming, especially when the same theme repeated itself in the bickering between lovers. I may have cursed the characters for being idiots once or twice. However, arguing and rash decisions are believable since we’re dealing with a riotously hot-blooded Irish woman and a tough, sexy-as-hell, dark-an’-handsome Italian man.
I appreciate the diversity woven into ALIGHT, with a cast full of immigrants from different corners of the world, fitting for the era. One of my favourite characters is Alexis, a woman whose disinterest in men and attraction to Maeve added sizzle to the story.
I loved westerns growing up, and I’ve been a fan of witches pretty much forever, so The Witches Rede series is right up my alley. Though I could guess where the plot was going as I read ALIGHT, I was 100% willing to take a familiar ride in a different world, with new characters to fall in love with. I’ll be looking for book two and three in the series when they come out!
June 10, 2017
I was very fortunate to receive an ARC of Alight. I had previously read Leonard's work in her Rays of Sunshine series and thoroughly enjoyed both, and was very excited to read Alight.
This book did not disappoint my already high expectations. It contains all of the elements I enjoy in a novel. Romance, fantasy, action, humor, suspense, and endearing characters. It also contains steampunk elements of which I am a fan. While subtle, these elements create a superb alternate reality in old west Arizona.
One of my favorite aspects of Leonard's writing is in her characterizations. She creates realistic people to populate her pages and tell their stories. This continues in Alight. Maeve, the protagonist, has quickly risen in the ranks of one of my all-time favorite heroines. From her fiery temper to her more insecure moments, I found in her a kindred spirit on the page. I am excited to continue the journey with her in books to come.
If you enjoy romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, and fantasy, magic, and action, I highly recommend this book.
This book did not disappoint my already high expectations. It contains all of the elements I enjoy in a novel. Romance, fantasy, action, humor, suspense, and endearing characters. It also contains steampunk elements of which I am a fan. While subtle, these elements create a superb alternate reality in old west Arizona.
One of my favorite aspects of Leonard's writing is in her characterizations. She creates realistic people to populate her pages and tell their stories. This continues in Alight. Maeve, the protagonist, has quickly risen in the ranks of one of my all-time favorite heroines. From her fiery temper to her more insecure moments, I found in her a kindred spirit on the page. I am excited to continue the journey with her in books to come.
If you enjoy romance, paranormal romance, historical romance, and fantasy, magic, and action, I highly recommend this book.
April 27, 2019
A witch’s code, steampunk weapons, the frontier southwest, a stagecoach robbery, and a group of bandits led by a man named Shadow Wolf. This and a lot more are contained in Jewel E. Leonard’s Alight (The Witches’ Rede Book 1). The concept, cover, and blurb sounded exciting so I picked it up. And I’m glad I did.
Our main character is Maeve MacKenna, a witch and waitress in the Tiff & Tawny saloon, and a mysterious stranger named Rafaele Forino who visits the town’s watering hole and turns Maeve’s world on its head. Not able to get her mind off him, Maeve has other troubles when she accidentally discovers the Wolf Pack, a bandit group who forces her to take part in a stagecoach robbery.
Innocent and spirited Maeve is a heroine worth rooting for, and Rafaele is not your typical brooding gunslinger. The interactions between the two are some of the highlights of the novel. The novel progressed in unexpected directions, depicting scenes of romance and the action until its explosive climax. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series.
Our main character is Maeve MacKenna, a witch and waitress in the Tiff & Tawny saloon, and a mysterious stranger named Rafaele Forino who visits the town’s watering hole and turns Maeve’s world on its head. Not able to get her mind off him, Maeve has other troubles when she accidentally discovers the Wolf Pack, a bandit group who forces her to take part in a stagecoach robbery.
Innocent and spirited Maeve is a heroine worth rooting for, and Rafaele is not your typical brooding gunslinger. The interactions between the two are some of the highlights of the novel. The novel progressed in unexpected directions, depicting scenes of romance and the action until its explosive climax. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series.
January 16, 2018
A delightful story, filled with colorful characters! Maeve is marvelously feisty and her love/hate relationship with the mysterious Shadow Wolf adds a delightful fuel to the fire. There is plenty of sassy innuendo, with touches of steampunk in a Wild West setting that is refreshing and fun.
I loved the inclusion of Maeve’s connection to earth magic and the way the author showed her abilities, especially when she is desperate to keep them secret. I also appreciate the nods to the heritage of each of the characters through things that they say… especially when they argue!
There was no shortage of twists to the plot and I am anxious to see where Maeve’s story goes in future books.
I loved the inclusion of Maeve’s connection to earth magic and the way the author showed her abilities, especially when she is desperate to keep them secret. I also appreciate the nods to the heritage of each of the characters through things that they say… especially when they argue!
There was no shortage of twists to the plot and I am anxious to see where Maeve’s story goes in future books.
March 26, 2018
A delightful story, filled with colorful characters! Maeve is marvelously feisty and her love/hate relationship with the mysterious Shadow Wolf adds a delightful fuel to the fire. There is plenty of sassy innuendo, with touches of steampunk in a Wild West setting that is refreshing and fun.
I loved the inclusion of Maeve’s connection to earth magic and the way the author showed her abilities, especially when she is desperate to keep them secret. I also appreciate the nods to the heritage of each of the characters through things that they say… especially when they argue!
There was no shortage of twists to the plot and I am anxious to see where Maeve’s story goes in future books.
I loved the inclusion of Maeve’s connection to earth magic and the way the author showed her abilities, especially when she is desperate to keep them secret. I also appreciate the nods to the heritage of each of the characters through things that they say… especially when they argue!
There was no shortage of twists to the plot and I am anxious to see where Maeve’s story goes in future books.
July 13, 2019
A lovely little jaunt into a new take on classic Westerns, Maeve is an Irish witch, and stumbling onto a gang of stage coach robbers is not how she imagined surviving there, or falling in love. I enjoyed Maeve's character a lot, sensible and without fuss, this is a realistic take on the hard life of the west, and on what women had to put up with to survive, but also their own abilities and talents. Some of the plot arcs I did stumble a little on, but was ultimately swept away by the charming characters under layers of dirt and secrets. A great little tale and very well versed!
January 7, 2018
Alight is a beautifully written novel that isn’t your average steampunk tale. Set in the Old West, you’ll soon fall in love with spunky Maeve, the mysterious Shadow Wolf, and the rest of the gang. Featuring a diverse cast of well developed characters, you’ll be whisked along as they brave a daring stage coach robbery, walk the dusty streets of Tucson, and battle it out in a fiery climax. I cannot recommend this story enough and I eagerly look forward to the rest of the series!
January 1, 2018
This book had me at page 7. I found myself pulled into Maeve’s adventure so much I almost missed the new year. Ms. Leonard created people to love and hate. The book stirs emotions and physical reactions. *wink* Loved it!
May 3, 2019
It was an alright read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews