When the famous ancient power of the Yew Tree fizzles out, Gwenlyn Bennett must travel to the otherworld to get it back.
Spring in Yew Hollow delivers bad news for Gwenlyn Bennett. She can’t become an official member of the Summers coven until she completes a dangerous ancient ritual. Will she make it through to the end?
Alexandria Clarke is a writer, cat lover, and all-around optimist. She loves to immerse her readers in mystery and intrigue, meaningful friendships, and the worlds of characters who learn by doing. When she's not writing, Alex enjoys playing guitar, watching Wynonna Earp, and spending time with her family. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her partner and their four pets.
I really like the premise of this book but the opening stopped me cold. Major info-dump with main character and her husband doing what was meant to be a light-hearted, humorous "everything the reader might ever need to know about main character's life, history, how she became a witch...."
I really wanted to like this book. It has good reviews so if I ever go back and get past that, I may change my mind. But for now, no.
The yew tree lower has gone and she needs to travel to the otherworldly get it back. It will not be easy as she will face many challenges before even getting close. Can she get the power back? Can she get back home safe? See if she can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Delightful enjoyed the plot of the challenges she faced in the outer world, as she tries to bring back the needed power of the Yew Tree. Given audio for my voluntary review
Lost Magic (A Witch Myth Cozy Mystery #7) was a great read by Alexandria Clarke.The ancient power of the Yew Tree ends up fizzling out and Gwenlyn Bennett must travel to the otherworld to get it back.Gwenlyn finds out that she can't become an official member of the Summers coven until she completes a dangerous ancient ritual. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
The storyline is VERY well written. The descriptions of the characters and locations allows you to see the story in your minds eye. You feel as if you know the characters, and they might be friends. The story is captivating and hard to put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Yew Hollow was a sleepy New England town, no museums or attractions to draw the public; yet every month, the town had a celebration festival releasing high energy into the air! Even the mortals participated, whether they knew the significance of the celebration or not. For the witches, it was a renewal of their powers. Gwenlyn Bennett was a member of the Summers Coven, not by blood but by shared powers, and because she had saved the life of Morgan, their leader. For some reason, some of the coven members did not feel Gwenlyn belonged.
At the town meeting, Mayor Pilar warned the coven not to do any “funny business”, implying magic, during the spring equinox, which surprised Gwenlyn and equally stunned Morgan, the cover leader, when Gwenlyn reported back to her later. They thought Pilar wasn’t a witch and were concerned if she knew the Summers family were witches. In Morgan’s back yard, the family had a party going on. Auras mixed and power flowed through them all as they joyfully danced together. But suddenly the auras were ripped away from Gwenlyn and she was unbalanced with the loss of power and energy as Aunt Thelma, one of the elders, sneered down at her and called her unworthy to mingle with her nieces. Morgan and her three sisters were furious. Thelma could have seriously injured Gwenlyn’s power for life.
The week following was extra busy for Gwenlyn as she prepared for the spring equinox festival that she was in charge of. She could feel already the invigorating sense of newness and rebirth. The festival was a big success, and at the end of it, when the mortals had left, the 40 witches gathered around the Yew Tree to renew their secrecy and protection spells. As they held hands, they avoided Gwenlyn’s hand and took the next one nearest them. Aunt Thelma had a satisfied smirk on her face – until Morgan called out for Gwenlyn and moved her to the first ring of the inner circle, the one for the Summers family, the most powerful witches. The secrecy spell worked perfectly, but the protection spell never finished! A blue smoke poured from the tree and the trunk split in half! A woman made of smoke with a constantly changing face came up from the tree. She stated that one among them was not a true member of the coven, but has a piece of the power the yew tree shares with them. Because this was not sanctioned, it is an abomination – and she pointed right at Gwenlyn! If Gwenlyn completes a ritual in two weeks – one which normally takes years of preparation – she will become a full member of the Summers coven. Because the spell was interrupted, the shield for the town’s protection was weak, and the yew tree closed itself off so they could not complete the spell. What did all of this mean? Was the town in danger now? Would Gwenlyn be able to complete her required ritual, or would she never belong to the coven?
This was a well-written story that moved at a very moderate pace. The characters were thoroughly introduced to the reader who understood their relationship and personalities. But now there was a major change! After almost 10 years with the coven, Gwenlyn would lose everything if she were to be kicked out and no longer a member of her “family”. She had no idea what was coming – could her Summers family prepare her for her destiny in time? And would the town be harmed by the interrupted protection shield spell?
Yew Hallow is a quirky, sleepy little town in New England was a town of festivals and although the humans participated they were not aware that the festivities were incorporated into the witches celebrations. The Summers family, the witches of Yew Hollow, were the ones who organized the festivals. But this year Gwenlyn Bennet, was the one chosen to be the link between the townspeople and the witches. She arrive at the age of 16, after the death of her parents, not knowing she was a witch but knowing she could see dead people. The festival went well but someone wants Gwenlyn out and at the witch’s ceremony her power was taken and she was told that she has to pass three challenges or she is banished and the magic will be lost to the coven, reducing their power.
This is a great paranormal witch story that leaves you inspired. With amazing characters that are well defined, interesting, quirky and flawed and a small town atmosphere, it is the perfect setting for an adventure. The storyline is filled with action, magical fights, surprises and love of family. The emotional drama results from Gwenlyn having to chose to fight for her place in her adopted family, to overcome her internal doubts and struggles and external obstacles and prejudices to determine who she truly is and what she really wants and needs. It is about sacrifice and family. This is a wonderful easy to read book that I could not put down. I hope you enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Gwenlynn Bennett was adopted by the Summers sisters as part of their coven, but not all the Summers relatives are keen on her addition, particularly Thelma. Thelma has a grudge against Gwen since she is not a real Summers and does everything she can to make Gwen feel unwelcome.
At the end of the spring equinox, all the coven gets together to renew the secrecy and protection spells, but everything doesn’t go as planned. A spirit of some kind states that there is an abomination (and points to Gwen) amongst the coven that is not a true member. Before Gwen knows it, she is thrust into completing an ancient ritual in two weeks to seal her place in the coven or be outcast.
This is not your typical cozy mystery with a crime or mystery to unravel. Instead, it focuses on Gwen and finding her way to becoming a true coven member. Along the way, the witches are faced with having the town come under harm due to the protection spell having been interrupted.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book that I read by this author, so I'm not familiar with the entire Witch Myth series or world. I appreciated that the author didn't start off the book with a bunch of backstory to catch those of us up who aren't familiar with this Yew Hollow. Instead, she allows the world to unfold through the eyes of Gwen, the first-person protagonist. The author has created a fascinating world of magic. You’ve gotta love a world with a magical tree! I didn't feel like enough happened in the story, like there wasn't enough of a plot. The author calls it a cozy mystery, but mystery or suspense didn’t really take center stage. It felt more like a character and community study than a full-blown novel. That said, I did enjoy the world, but I was just expecting more to happen.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
When the famous ancient power of the Yew Tree fizzles out, Gwenlyn Bennett must travel to the otherworld to get it back. Spring in Yew Hollow delivers bad news for Gwenlyn Bennett. She can't become an official member of the Summers coven until she completes a dangerous ancient ritual. Will she make it through to the end?
This was a wonderful read for me. I love the strong female characters and the sisterhood. Wonderful characters that you want to read about and follow. Great story line and plot that is wonderfully written. Can't wait to read more of these. Recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I also purchased my own as I love the series.
This book was so interesting to read. The fact the witches were living among regular people and not thought of as weird was a fun fact in this story. The story sucked my in and I cared about Gwen and Morgan instantly. I could not put this book down I just had to know what would happen next. I was able to loose myself in this story and forget about every day life. I love books like this one where there are strong female characters that can over come any challenge thrown at them. I recommend that you read this book you will love it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Can Gwen pass the tests?? This is the first book I have read in this series and I enjoyed it very much. Gwen a witch, saved Morgan Summer at sixteen and has lived as part of the Summer family for the last ten years. She has also been a part of the Summer Coven of Yew Hollow all these years and now Aunt Thelma Summer wants her out. Gwen has to complete a ritual that usually is done at the age of sixteen, there are three parts to it, and if she fails she will be banished from the coven and the town, if she even survives. A very good book, I was so engrossed I could not put it down until I was finished.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Blessed be the tie that binds- and woe to the coven mate who tries to break the bonds of soul deep sisterhood.
Gwen has been a part of the community and coven since she fought death to bring back Morgan, and took the fatal shot to defeat a dark enemy of the coven.
A power hungry witch nearly destroys them all in her power grab.
Working as extended family is the only way to conquer the darkness and avoid destruction.
Intense and moving KU read!
I received an advance copy from Booksprout. I read the book on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited.
Gwen is a strong female character. The book was interesting I rather liked Yew Hollow it is a place I would like to visit. I liked the characters too. This is a bit different from other cozies I have read and the author has created a fascinating world. My problem was that I had a hard time getting into the book and I do not really know why there are more things I liked about the book then not liked. I have read some other of the Witch Myth books and I liked them so if you like the series you should like this one too. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This is an entertaining read about witches living among us and my first book in this series. I loved Gwen and how this book takes us into her world and the life she lives. Gwen is part of the Summer Coven of Yew Hollow and she goes through quite a bit to become a true coven member. Great writing, interesting storyline and strong characters make this a great read. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
The love that the Summers sisters have for Gwenlyn is is so strong and beautiful. I love the united front they have against the horrible Aunt Thelma. She really gives the term “wicked witch” meaning! I really fell in love with these characters. It’s refreshing that there wasn’t a romantic interest happening. I liked that it was completely about the witches and their coven. Can’t wait for the next book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first book by Ms. Clarke that I have read. While reading this book, I realized that I need to read the previous book in order to catch up on the references that are mentioned throughout the book. Gwen seems to be a well liked and loved member of the family/coven. The journey that she goes on is not just for herself, but for the coven. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book by this Author that I have read, I now want to read the rest of the A Yew Hollow Witch Mystery series. Gwenlyn Bennett has to go through to become a witch finding a friend is one of the things she must complete and that will not be easy. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.8 stars I loved the Lost Magic: A Yew Hollow Witch Mystery
I really enjoyed the supernatural parts of this story. In addition, the characters did feel like sisters and family pulling to save their town. Of course being old myself, I really loved Alberta and hope you enjoy her too. Please don't miss this one; I am sorry it is over and I am sure you will feel the same!
I really enjoy this series with wonderful characters and a compelling story. This author is among my favorite in spooky tales and cozy mysteries of the paranormal sort. I loved this book!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I guess I didn't realize when I downloaded this that it was a book #7. Oh, it's a good story, but there were bits where I could tell I had missed some major stuff along the way. I did love the premise and the characters and the plot. It's loads of fun. I just tripped over my own expectations.
I read the complete series. I enjoyed all of the books. To me each book was like a puzzle. I love trying to figure out who the culprits may be and how the stories may end. I occasionally read cozy mysteries but I loved these better.
Super cute story of family & whimsical witchcraft. If you are into witches, good witches, this is a tale of a witch having to prove herself to her coven so she may belong. Definitely worth the read. Quick & easy!
I have been waiting for you to publish another book for a new hollow witch series and I have to say this latest book was great and I hope you continue the series.