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Waterspell #1
Waterspell Book 1: The Warlock
Drawn into the schemes of an angry wizard, Carin glimpses the place she once called home. It lies upon a shore that seems unreachable. To learn where she belongs and how to get there, the teenage traveler must decipher the words of an alien book, follow the clues in a bewitched poem, conjure a dragon from a pool of magic -- and tread carefully around a seductive but volatile, emotionally scarred sorcerer who can't seem to decide whether to love her or kill her.
Paperback
First published November 13, 2011
126 people are currently reading
893 people want to read
About the author
Deborah J. Lightfoot
11 books60 followersCastles in the cornfield provided the setting for Deborah J. Lightfoot's earliest flights of fancy. On her father's farm in Texas, she grew up reading tales of adventure and reenacting them behind ramparts of sun-drenched grain. She left the farm to earn a degree in journalism and write award-winning books of history and biography. High on her bucket list was the desire to try her hand at the genre she most admired. The result is Waterspell, a complex, intricately detailed fantasy comprising the original four-book series (Warlock, Wysard, Wisewoman, Witch). In the "Nina sequels" to that earlier quartet —
The Karenina Chronicles
and
The Fires of Farsinchia
— new generations of powerful wysards carry the saga into the magical future of an ancient world. Having discovered the Waterspell universe, the author finds it difficult to leave.
Deborah is a professional member of the Authors Guild . She still lives in rural Texas. Find her on Instagram @booksofwaterspell and explore her overflowing, catch-all website at waterspell.net.
Waterspell Book 1: The Warlock
Waterspell Book 2: The Wysard
Waterspell Book 3: The Wisewoman
Waterspell Book 4: The Witch
(Available in a four-book bundle)
The sequels:
The Karenina Chronicles: A Waterspell Novel
The Fires of Farsinchia: A Waterspell Novel
Thank you for reading. If you enjoy the Waterspell books, please leave a review at any bookseller’s site or here on Goodreads. Reviews are so important, and deeply appreciated.
Original quartet:
Waterspell Book 1: The Warlock
Waterspell Book 2: The Wysard
Waterspell Book 3: The Wisewoman
Waterspell Book 4: The Witch
Nina series:
The Karenina Chronicles: A Waterspell Novel
The Fires of Farsinchia (coming in November 2024)
Instagram: Books of Waterspell
Facebook: Waterspell Series
Deborah is a professional member of the Authors Guild . She still lives in rural Texas. Find her on Instagram @booksofwaterspell and explore her overflowing, catch-all website at waterspell.net.
Waterspell Book 1: The Warlock
Waterspell Book 2: The Wysard
Waterspell Book 3: The Wisewoman
Waterspell Book 4: The Witch
(Available in a four-book bundle)
The sequels:
The Karenina Chronicles: A Waterspell Novel
The Fires of Farsinchia: A Waterspell Novel
Thank you for reading. If you enjoy the Waterspell books, please leave a review at any bookseller’s site or here on Goodreads. Reviews are so important, and deeply appreciated.
Original quartet:
Waterspell Book 1: The Warlock
Waterspell Book 2: The Wysard
Waterspell Book 3: The Wisewoman
Waterspell Book 4: The Witch
Nina series:
The Karenina Chronicles: A Waterspell Novel
The Fires of Farsinchia (coming in November 2024)
Instagram: Books of Waterspell
Facebook: Waterspell Series
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
August 19, 2013
Before I begin, I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
*** NOT a standalone. This is the first book in the Waterspell trilogy.***
“He only wanted the crystal. And now that I’ve brought it to him, he’s done with me.”
“Betrayal was the last clear idea in her mind before existence ended.”
WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! I thought nothing could rival Graceling, my most favorite fantasy book since 2009, but THIS book and the entire Waterspell trilogy blew my expectations out of the ballpark!!! What a brilliant and unforgettable story! I devoured this book in one sitting, literally consumed by the originality and depth Deborah brings to her characters. She provides a strong balance between action, adventure, fantasy, and romance and Carin’s combination of pride and vulnerability make her a fabulous character! Quite frankly, I am just astounded by the emotions this book stirred in me. It is simply extraordinary.
“What brought me here? Where did this journey start, and where do I go now?”
The story begins with a young girl named Carin, who is instructed to head North to find out who she is and where she belongs. She has no idea where in the North she is headed for, and to whom, and through a fateful incident, walks into an eerie woodland belonging to the hero.
“Nothing moved. No breeze rattled the branches, no acorn fell to earth, no dead limb snapped. Nothing relieved the woodland’s emptiness.”
That description alone is enough to creep me out, but Carin is determined to keep going. It is here where she meets the hero, Lord Verek, and to say that their first encounter was deadly is just an understatement.
“I accuse you of trespassing. And your presence here, on my land, is all the proof I require. Your guilt is clear.”
“He leaned in again, poised to stab the blade through her throat.”
Yikes. What I love so much about Carin is her bravery, her strength. She is definitely terrified of Verek, but she still fights back, matching her wit to his, reasoning out her innocence. What she doesn’t know is that Verek set up a barrier around his land, and the fact that Carin had no idea and just walked straight into his traps frustrates and intrigues him. As a result, she is forced to go to his estate as an imprisoned guest.
At his home, Carin meets his chatty housekeeper Myra, his stable boy Lanse, and a mysterious gardener Jerold. So far, she despises Verek and wonders about certain powers he has, and it is a shock to her when she hears Myra singing all of Verek’s qualities.
“Apothecary and alchemist. Herbalist, metalsmith, and worker in stone. There’s little in this world that my master cannot turn his hand to for benefit.”
“Are we talking about the same bare-fisted brute?”
Carin is naturally curious about her surroundings and her strange captor, and it isn’t too long when she discovers that Verek is a wysard, a powerful being capable of exercising powers unheard of. She is innately cynical and tries to escape Verek, only to be captured once more. She does make a friend who is named woodsprite. What I love so much about Deborah’s writing is she makes the abnormal seem normal; nothing is impossible in this book and almost everything left to imagination becomes reality. There is also this theme of exploring deeper, hidden meanings, to look at something and discover a different angle about it, to delve into one matter and uncover an entirely new dimension.
“Haven’t you ever gazed into still water and seen your reflection, the same as if you’d looked into the glass? Isn’t the surface of a reflecting pool a barrier between two worlds? Perhaps Alice’s looking-glass is like a reflecting pool. Another world waits beneath its smooth surface.”
This theme is prevalent throughout the book, and it definitely made me engage my head and heart while reading. There are so many mysteries unsolved in the book, and the little bits and pieces that Carin picks up along the way made me think of numerous cases that could have applied to Verek. At first glance, Verek is probably the most bitter and hateful character I have ever read. As time progressed, however, I would catch a glimpse of a whole new side of him that hinted at a different personality, which only served to make him more complex than before.
“As Carin studied Verek’s profile with its straight nose and firm jaw, she had the startling idea that this warlock might long for sunshine and open spaces, the same way she did. She thought of him as a creature of night and darkness, closeted deep with his spells, working wizardry until all hours.”
It certainly sheds a new light on Verek and adds to the cloak of mystery that surrounds him. As for the romance element, there is an underlying sense of attraction Carin and Verek have towards one another, but because of the circumstances that brought them together, and because of Verek’s horrific past, Carin’s uncertain future, the attraction is never acknowledged. There are, however, moments where disgust and fear do not take place as a result of their interactions.
“A small thrill shot through Carin. The writing, though it came from a hand capable of evil, was beautiful. And it was meant for her - the first penning ever addressed to her. No one in the wheelwright’s household had ever commanded her in writing.”
I just love these minute details that add significance and complexity to characters. There really is nothing more alluring than enemies-to-lovers, and hopefully, books 2 and 3 will expand on that aspect.
The climax of the plot is full of suspense and danger as Carin helps Verek by walking through the combines of time and space to place the Looking-Glass book back and retrieve the crystal. This part of the book was nail-biting and had me on the edge of my seat, and all of a sudden, BAM!!! I could not believe what I was reading…this book did end on a cliffhanger, and I just HAD to know how it ended. Thankfully, I had the second book downloaded right next to this one so I jumped right into it!
5 STARS!!!
*** NOT a standalone. This is the first book in the Waterspell trilogy.***
“He only wanted the crystal. And now that I’ve brought it to him, he’s done with me.”
“Betrayal was the last clear idea in her mind before existence ended.”
WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! I thought nothing could rival Graceling, my most favorite fantasy book since 2009, but THIS book and the entire Waterspell trilogy blew my expectations out of the ballpark!!! What a brilliant and unforgettable story! I devoured this book in one sitting, literally consumed by the originality and depth Deborah brings to her characters. She provides a strong balance between action, adventure, fantasy, and romance and Carin’s combination of pride and vulnerability make her a fabulous character! Quite frankly, I am just astounded by the emotions this book stirred in me. It is simply extraordinary.
“What brought me here? Where did this journey start, and where do I go now?”
The story begins with a young girl named Carin, who is instructed to head North to find out who she is and where she belongs. She has no idea where in the North she is headed for, and to whom, and through a fateful incident, walks into an eerie woodland belonging to the hero.
“Nothing moved. No breeze rattled the branches, no acorn fell to earth, no dead limb snapped. Nothing relieved the woodland’s emptiness.”
That description alone is enough to creep me out, but Carin is determined to keep going. It is here where she meets the hero, Lord Verek, and to say that their first encounter was deadly is just an understatement.
“I accuse you of trespassing. And your presence here, on my land, is all the proof I require. Your guilt is clear.”
“He leaned in again, poised to stab the blade through her throat.”
Yikes. What I love so much about Carin is her bravery, her strength. She is definitely terrified of Verek, but she still fights back, matching her wit to his, reasoning out her innocence. What she doesn’t know is that Verek set up a barrier around his land, and the fact that Carin had no idea and just walked straight into his traps frustrates and intrigues him. As a result, she is forced to go to his estate as an imprisoned guest.
At his home, Carin meets his chatty housekeeper Myra, his stable boy Lanse, and a mysterious gardener Jerold. So far, she despises Verek and wonders about certain powers he has, and it is a shock to her when she hears Myra singing all of Verek’s qualities.
“Apothecary and alchemist. Herbalist, metalsmith, and worker in stone. There’s little in this world that my master cannot turn his hand to for benefit.”
“Are we talking about the same bare-fisted brute?”
Carin is naturally curious about her surroundings and her strange captor, and it isn’t too long when she discovers that Verek is a wysard, a powerful being capable of exercising powers unheard of. She is innately cynical and tries to escape Verek, only to be captured once more. She does make a friend who is named woodsprite. What I love so much about Deborah’s writing is she makes the abnormal seem normal; nothing is impossible in this book and almost everything left to imagination becomes reality. There is also this theme of exploring deeper, hidden meanings, to look at something and discover a different angle about it, to delve into one matter and uncover an entirely new dimension.
“Haven’t you ever gazed into still water and seen your reflection, the same as if you’d looked into the glass? Isn’t the surface of a reflecting pool a barrier between two worlds? Perhaps Alice’s looking-glass is like a reflecting pool. Another world waits beneath its smooth surface.”
This theme is prevalent throughout the book, and it definitely made me engage my head and heart while reading. There are so many mysteries unsolved in the book, and the little bits and pieces that Carin picks up along the way made me think of numerous cases that could have applied to Verek. At first glance, Verek is probably the most bitter and hateful character I have ever read. As time progressed, however, I would catch a glimpse of a whole new side of him that hinted at a different personality, which only served to make him more complex than before.
“As Carin studied Verek’s profile with its straight nose and firm jaw, she had the startling idea that this warlock might long for sunshine and open spaces, the same way she did. She thought of him as a creature of night and darkness, closeted deep with his spells, working wizardry until all hours.”
It certainly sheds a new light on Verek and adds to the cloak of mystery that surrounds him. As for the romance element, there is an underlying sense of attraction Carin and Verek have towards one another, but because of the circumstances that brought them together, and because of Verek’s horrific past, Carin’s uncertain future, the attraction is never acknowledged. There are, however, moments where disgust and fear do not take place as a result of their interactions.
“A small thrill shot through Carin. The writing, though it came from a hand capable of evil, was beautiful. And it was meant for her - the first penning ever addressed to her. No one in the wheelwright’s household had ever commanded her in writing.”
I just love these minute details that add significance and complexity to characters. There really is nothing more alluring than enemies-to-lovers, and hopefully, books 2 and 3 will expand on that aspect.
The climax of the plot is full of suspense and danger as Carin helps Verek by walking through the combines of time and space to place the Looking-Glass book back and retrieve the crystal. This part of the book was nail-biting and had me on the edge of my seat, and all of a sudden, BAM!!! I could not believe what I was reading…this book did end on a cliffhanger, and I just HAD to know how it ended. Thankfully, I had the second book downloaded right next to this one so I jumped right into it!
5 STARS!!!
August 10, 2020
This is the first book in what promises to be a fascinating fantasy trilogy. Carin is a foundling with a secret or two even she isn't aware of yet. Sent north by the wisewoman of her village, she stumbles into Lord Verek's domain--and into some serious trouble. Verek if is a warlock with a tragic past, and while he does do occasional nice things, the man has some serious emotional baggage resulting in verbal, emotional and borderline physical abuse. I was right there with Carin, ready to escape him whenever possible, and not trusting him farther than ... well, not trusting him, period. I kept waiting for him to come to his senses and redeem himself (he had to be the most frustratingly mean character I've ever met) but he hasn't yet. I'm hoping for a major epiphany to hit him in Book 2!
In addition to the tense power dynamics in the relationship between Carin and Verek, this book also intrigued me by the way "Alice's Adventures Through The Looking-Glass" was woven in. Yes, you read that right. There's a riddle here, and it's summed up in the appearance of that classical work in a fantastical land where it doesn't belong. Oh, and Carin's ability to read it. Let me stop there, before I say too much...
I did find the dialogue a little too formal for me. By this I mean that a character might state two or three thoughts, and then leave it open for another character to respond. So we end up with a series of mini-monologues rather than punchy or back-and-forth dialogue. This can work in some situations, but when people are angry (specifically, both people involved are angry), no one's going to wait for someone to wind through three different points before jumping in to address the first point. In this way, the dialogue often lost its force for me.
The only other aspect of this book that frustrated me was Carin's tendency to pick fights / say the wrong thing. Now, in general I wouldn't have a thing to say about this: it's a personality trait, and it's hers, and look what she gets for it! But ... but we're given to understand that Carin hasn't talked for most of her life--she started out completely silent after she was found as a child, not speaking a word for over a year. From that time till she left her town to head north, she stuck to silence as her best defense. So ... I was expecting silence to be her strength. I wanted her to know when to keep silent; and how to use silence as a weapon. But she didn't have that, and it puzzled me because it seemed inconsistent with her history.
Finally, The Warlock ends on a major cliffhanger--be warned. However, it's a cliffhanger that's cleared up within a few pages in the next book. (Yes, I immediately jumped in to find out!) I'm a little ambivalent on that score. As an author, I understand the need to draw readers into the next book. But as a reader, I hate cliffhangers, especially ones that could easily have been resolved in the book in question without adding on much more length. So judge that one for yourself :)
Overall, a fun and engaging read, with an intriguing premise and plenty of mystery.
Note: I received this book in return for an honest review.
In addition to the tense power dynamics in the relationship between Carin and Verek, this book also intrigued me by the way "Alice's Adventures Through The Looking-Glass" was woven in. Yes, you read that right. There's a riddle here, and it's summed up in the appearance of that classical work in a fantastical land where it doesn't belong. Oh, and Carin's ability to read it. Let me stop there, before I say too much...
I did find the dialogue a little too formal for me. By this I mean that a character might state two or three thoughts, and then leave it open for another character to respond. So we end up with a series of mini-monologues rather than punchy or back-and-forth dialogue. This can work in some situations, but when people are angry (specifically, both people involved are angry), no one's going to wait for someone to wind through three different points before jumping in to address the first point. In this way, the dialogue often lost its force for me.
The only other aspect of this book that frustrated me was Carin's tendency to pick fights / say the wrong thing. Now, in general I wouldn't have a thing to say about this: it's a personality trait, and it's hers, and look what she gets for it! But ... but we're given to understand that Carin hasn't talked for most of her life--she started out completely silent after she was found as a child, not speaking a word for over a year. From that time till she left her town to head north, she stuck to silence as her best defense. So ... I was expecting silence to be her strength. I wanted her to know when to keep silent; and how to use silence as a weapon. But she didn't have that, and it puzzled me because it seemed inconsistent with her history.
Finally, The Warlock ends on a major cliffhanger--be warned. However, it's a cliffhanger that's cleared up within a few pages in the next book. (Yes, I immediately jumped in to find out!) I'm a little ambivalent on that score. As an author, I understand the need to draw readers into the next book. But as a reader, I hate cliffhangers, especially ones that could easily have been resolved in the book in question without adding on much more length. So judge that one for yourself :)
Overall, a fun and engaging read, with an intriguing premise and plenty of mystery.
Note: I received this book in return for an honest review.
December 18, 2014
The main character, Carin traveling from her old place, to a place unknown to us, but where she feels that she needs to be. A swordsman finds her on his land, and doesn't believe her when she says that there wasn't anything proclaiming that it was private property, so he gets her to take him to where she came in through. That's how this book starts off.
I thought this book was a good read because it thoroughly flowed to where I read it, and didn't know that I got very far, but I did! I think that this book is unique in that I haven't seen read or heard of a book of the same kind. But, then again it was more wizardly, and the only books I've read before with specifically 'wizards' was the Harry Potter series.
I think that as soon as I started to read it, I was hooked. I didn't want to get off the computer (ebook version) until I'd finish the chapter, then I'd keep making excuses to finish the next chapter and the rest.
I liked the pace of the story line. It wasn't to slow or too fast; it was just right.
I loved Carin's character because she showed strong characteristics. She seemed like someone I'd like to meet if I were a character of Deborah's making. And it wasn't just Carin that I loved! I loved every other character, too (you'll have to get it and read for the other characters).
I give this book five stars!
I thought this book was a good read because it thoroughly flowed to where I read it, and didn't know that I got very far, but I did! I think that this book is unique in that I haven't seen read or heard of a book of the same kind. But, then again it was more wizardly, and the only books I've read before with specifically 'wizards' was the Harry Potter series.
I think that as soon as I started to read it, I was hooked. I didn't want to get off the computer (ebook version) until I'd finish the chapter, then I'd keep making excuses to finish the next chapter and the rest.
I liked the pace of the story line. It wasn't to slow or too fast; it was just right.
I loved Carin's character because she showed strong characteristics. She seemed like someone I'd like to meet if I were a character of Deborah's making. And it wasn't just Carin that I loved! I loved every other character, too (you'll have to get it and read for the other characters).
I give this book five stars!
Read
July 9, 2021I'm honored to quote what readers say about the Waterspell trilogy (thank you all!):
"An extremely well written fantasy story ... flows well with a very readable style that holds your interest throughout. The world building is solid and intriguing, the magical aspects well drawn and versatile and characterisation is energetic so that you are immediately invested in their future. The ending with its wonderful cliffhanger will ensure that you read on ... All in all a marvellous addition to the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for lovers of magical mystical tales." Liz Wilkins
"Wonderfully written. I was hooked right away and loved that I couldn't predict what was to come next. 5 out of 5 stars! Highly recommend to young adults and older." Memories Overtaking Me
"The story just keeps getting bigger and bigger." Book Briefs
"What a brilliant and unforgettable story! I devoured this book ... literally consumed by the originality and depth Deborah brings to her characters. She provides a strong balance between action, adventure, fantasy, and romance and Carin's combination of pride and vulnerability make her a fabulous character!" Lady Vigilante
"An extremely well written fantasy story ... flows well with a very readable style that holds your interest throughout. The world building is solid and intriguing, the magical aspects well drawn and versatile and characterisation is energetic so that you are immediately invested in their future. The ending with its wonderful cliffhanger will ensure that you read on ... All in all a marvellous addition to the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for lovers of magical mystical tales." Liz Wilkins
"Wonderfully written. I was hooked right away and loved that I couldn't predict what was to come next. 5 out of 5 stars! Highly recommend to young adults and older." Memories Overtaking Me
"The story just keeps getting bigger and bigger." Book Briefs
"What a brilliant and unforgettable story! I devoured this book ... literally consumed by the originality and depth Deborah brings to her characters. She provides a strong balance between action, adventure, fantasy, and romance and Carin's combination of pride and vulnerability make her a fabulous character!" Lady Vigilante
November 10, 2021
In a crowded field like fantasy, a book needs an edge to stand out. At least one feature that sets it apart, distinguishes it from the herd.
And then there are books like The Warlock. Books with three strong points, not one. That somehow manage to win the Trifecta without even breaking a sweat. First off there’s the writing itself, the quality of the prose, the effortless way that Deborah Lightfoot sets the stage and calls the shots, with none of the ponderous, overblown verbiage the weighs down so much high fantasy. Then there are the characters, each determined to leap off the page, whether it’s our plucky heroine Carin, out to uncover her past, or the mysterious, mercurial Warlock himself, one minute a friend, the next one a fiend, but never less than intriguing.
But what most sets this book apart is its wild premise, an inspired bit of imagination I won’t dare reveal here. In any work of fantasy, there is always an inherent tension, as the reader is left to decide how this work of fiction, of what-if, relates to the busy, bustling, quotidian world that we navigate each day. Most authors take the easy way out. Don’t dare to consider this quandary. Whereas Lightfoot bravely screws up her courage and tackles the issue head-on, leaving us with a delightful denouement, a dance of the real and un-real.
So if you’re seeking a novel novel, one that challenges and comforts both, I can’t think of a better journey to take than within The Warlock’s pages
And then there are books like The Warlock. Books with three strong points, not one. That somehow manage to win the Trifecta without even breaking a sweat. First off there’s the writing itself, the quality of the prose, the effortless way that Deborah Lightfoot sets the stage and calls the shots, with none of the ponderous, overblown verbiage the weighs down so much high fantasy. Then there are the characters, each determined to leap off the page, whether it’s our plucky heroine Carin, out to uncover her past, or the mysterious, mercurial Warlock himself, one minute a friend, the next one a fiend, but never less than intriguing.
But what most sets this book apart is its wild premise, an inspired bit of imagination I won’t dare reveal here. In any work of fantasy, there is always an inherent tension, as the reader is left to decide how this work of fiction, of what-if, relates to the busy, bustling, quotidian world that we navigate each day. Most authors take the easy way out. Don’t dare to consider this quandary. Whereas Lightfoot bravely screws up her courage and tackles the issue head-on, leaving us with a delightful denouement, a dance of the real and un-real.
So if you’re seeking a novel novel, one that challenges and comforts both, I can’t think of a better journey to take than within The Warlock’s pages
August 17, 2013
Ms. Lightfoot wrote a great article in the SCBWI magazine about the usefulness of Goodreads. She even mentioned how reviews like, "WOW, THIS IS SOOO GOOD" made her day.
Sadly, I didn't share this quoted fan's enthusiasm for the book. (Couldn't even finish the first chapter, it felt so all over the place and first draftish.)
But that's the great thing about Goodreads! The author can connect with those that looooooove her work, and not those who wish they could get those wasted fifteen minutes of their life back.
Sadly, I didn't share this quoted fan's enthusiasm for the book. (Couldn't even finish the first chapter, it felt so all over the place and first draftish.)
But that's the great thing about Goodreads! The author can connect with those that looooooove her work, and not those who wish they could get those wasted fifteen minutes of their life back.
November 23, 2022
Confusing
I read the entire book, and I am confused. I have clue to what is happening. The protagonist is angry all the time with the wizard, and I don't know why. I can't go on with this series. She painted a picture, but for me, at least, it is clear as mud.
I read the entire book, and I am confused. I have clue to what is happening. The protagonist is angry all the time with the wizard, and I don't know why. I can't go on with this series. She painted a picture, but for me, at least, it is clear as mud.
June 11, 2022
There is an impressively immersive quality in Deborah J Lightfoot's, writing which draws you in and keeps you there as the pages turn. Although the cast of characters is quite small, Lightfoot turns this to her advantage and the reader comes to know them in a level of detail that might be harder to achieve in a story that embraces a wider milieu. I enjoyed the relationships between them and the fact that each of them have their own 'distinctive' voice. The quality of Lightfoot's writing is excellent and she has the knack of engaging the enduring interest and sympathy of the reader as they follow the twists and turns of the plot. The two main characters are each very different and very interesting, the relationship between them the central theme of the book. Lightfoot creates a detailed and convincing world in which to set her story, one that I look forward to learning more about as I explore subsequent books in this series. The first book ends on a cliff-hanger which made the purchase of the next episode an absolute necessity. I'm really looking forward to it!
January 16, 2022
Beware the Wyzard
I really enjoyed this book. I would have liked to see more of the world around them, though. It is a poignant tale.
I really enjoyed this book. I would have liked to see more of the world around them, though. It is a poignant tale.
December 2, 2021
I’m hooked, mystery, secrets, emotions and just can’t put the book down can’t wait to read book2
May 29, 2022
The Warlock - Water Spell Book 1 Rating 4 stars
Author Deborah J. Lightfoot
Carin ends up in another dimension as a young child. She’s found by a local who thinks she’s simple. Years pass and she hates being their servant and runs away. Thinking her original home is to the north she wanders through forests belonging to an unsocial warlock.
Thank you, Deborah I loved this novel and can’t wait to start Water Spell 2.
February 21, 2012
The Warlock, the first book in the Waterspell series by Deborah Lightfoot, is a well crafted, traditional fantasy that grabbed my attention and kept it. It’s a truly unique book with magic that transcends worlds via a fascinating pool of water, and in which Lewis Carrol’s ‘Alice Through the Looking Glass’ has an unexplained relationship to the world inhabited by Carin, a teenage traveller and the Warlock, Lord Verek.
Carin is heading north. She doesn’t know why, just that a wise woman told her she should go because she didn’t belong in the south and now something drives her to keep walking. When she stumbles onto Verek’s lands, her journey comes to an end. At first, she thinks he is going to kill her for trespassing, but when he discovers that she can read the language in the ‘Puzzle Book,’ he asks her to sort the books in his huge and disorganised library.
Verek is emotionally scared, powerful and lacking in basic social skills, nevertheless we feel that there is a warm heart in there somewhere because he loved his dead wife and son. Carin doesn’t see it however and neither do we. We see grief, anguish and rudeness. He seems to wonder why Carin fears him, but he does little to reassure her that his intentions towards her are anything other than murderous, and when he does act in a more civil way, she misreads his intentions. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development in their relationship. At the end of the book, Carin was still as suspicious of him as she was at the beginning and despite spending many hours together, there was no warmth between them. They are as stubborn minded and emotionally volatile as each other.
To him, she is a puzzle, because some of his enchantments have no power over her and he realises that she comes from another world. He takes her to his magical pool and shows her a glimpse of it, enough to confuse and terrify her.
The rest of the story involves her talking to the housekeeper, whose cheerfulness provides some light to contrast with the darkness of her master, making a friend of a wood sprite, an escape attempt, and doing the Warlock’s bidding in his sorcery aimed at finding the secrets of the Puzzle book and Carin’s nature. The mystery, rather than unfolding with each revelation, deepens as the story develops. By the end of the book, the puzzle pieces have been revealed, but the puzzle is not solved. I didn’t find this frustrating in the least because the journey to get to that point was enough to keep me engaged and satisfied.
I enjoyed this book a great deal, especially the description of the pool, its magic and the mystery behind it. The worst part of the story is the ending. It wasn’t the kind of cliff-hanger that had me throw the book in the corner - that reaction I keep for books that open up a new thread and then leave you hanging. This simply ends after a tricky piece of sorcery but before we find out whether Carin is safe or not. It’s not a hopeful ending, but it works for the story and it left me resigned rather than annoyed that I would have to read more to find the answers, so I’m still going to give it 5 stars. I recommend it for those who love traditional fantasy.
Carin is heading north. She doesn’t know why, just that a wise woman told her she should go because she didn’t belong in the south and now something drives her to keep walking. When she stumbles onto Verek’s lands, her journey comes to an end. At first, she thinks he is going to kill her for trespassing, but when he discovers that she can read the language in the ‘Puzzle Book,’ he asks her to sort the books in his huge and disorganised library.
Verek is emotionally scared, powerful and lacking in basic social skills, nevertheless we feel that there is a warm heart in there somewhere because he loved his dead wife and son. Carin doesn’t see it however and neither do we. We see grief, anguish and rudeness. He seems to wonder why Carin fears him, but he does little to reassure her that his intentions towards her are anything other than murderous, and when he does act in a more civil way, she misreads his intentions. I would have liked to have seen a bit more development in their relationship. At the end of the book, Carin was still as suspicious of him as she was at the beginning and despite spending many hours together, there was no warmth between them. They are as stubborn minded and emotionally volatile as each other.
To him, she is a puzzle, because some of his enchantments have no power over her and he realises that she comes from another world. He takes her to his magical pool and shows her a glimpse of it, enough to confuse and terrify her.
The rest of the story involves her talking to the housekeeper, whose cheerfulness provides some light to contrast with the darkness of her master, making a friend of a wood sprite, an escape attempt, and doing the Warlock’s bidding in his sorcery aimed at finding the secrets of the Puzzle book and Carin’s nature. The mystery, rather than unfolding with each revelation, deepens as the story develops. By the end of the book, the puzzle pieces have been revealed, but the puzzle is not solved. I didn’t find this frustrating in the least because the journey to get to that point was enough to keep me engaged and satisfied.
I enjoyed this book a great deal, especially the description of the pool, its magic and the mystery behind it. The worst part of the story is the ending. It wasn’t the kind of cliff-hanger that had me throw the book in the corner - that reaction I keep for books that open up a new thread and then leave you hanging. This simply ends after a tricky piece of sorcery but before we find out whether Carin is safe or not. It’s not a hopeful ending, but it works for the story and it left me resigned rather than annoyed that I would have to read more to find the answers, so I’m still going to give it 5 stars. I recommend it for those who love traditional fantasy.
January 31, 2013
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
This is book 1 in a trilogy.It might be more appropriate to call it part 1.By that I mean it is the first part of the story as opposed to a stand alone book in a 3 book series.Excuse me for the following brief digression.It seems to be the trend that if you have a fantasy trilogy, then each part is just part of one huge story and usually ends on a cliffhanger.But with science fiction trilogies,you have interlinked stories making a larger story.This makes sense if you look how each genre gained popularity.Fantasy has always had a stronger literary presence(literary as in books a s opposed to say movies).The story that everyone knows is The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.So naturally publishers didn't want to mess with something that works, so you end up with stories that are so large that need to be broken into sections.But science fiction grew up in pulp magazines(and comics)and first movie serials and then movies.Now it is true that movie serials had a lot of cliffhangers,but they translate more into chapters instead of a whole story.Since a lot of these mediums where not always a sure buyer, writers had to make sure they could sell at least part of the story(which would hopefully generate future sales when they revisited the world).A good example of this was the Star Wars franchise.Star Wars was a gamble according to most with no real assurance of a sequel, so the first movie can stand alone with later movies being a little more open.(It also helped to firm the trend that 3 stories is safe.Still enough new material to catch the attention and don't have to worry about starting to lose the wave of popularity).Now this is just generallizations and changes continue(series can have more than 3 books now,but it just caught my attention and I wanted to share it.Thank you for letting me digress.
The mysterious foundling Carin runs away from the only life she has ever known after the local wisewoman tells her to go north.She ends up on the lands of a wizard who sees her as a trespasser. He plans to kill her until he realizes that she has some thing strange about her.As he tries to work out her mysteries,he brings her into his house.Carin considers herself a prisoner and remains distrustful of the wizard despite whatever actions he takes towards her.As the hostility waxes and wans between the two, they both work towards achieving their own goals.
At times,they could both use a good slap upside their heads,If they would just talk a lot of problems could have been avoided.Magic is in the book but it isn't very flashy (for the most part) or very well-defined.The puzzle book (one of my personal favorites) was a nice touch.
This is just the first part of the story, so there are lots of loose threads left hanging.The ending is a cliffhanger.While I liked this story,a final rating will depend on how the rest of the story plays out.If you do not plan to read the whole series then I would not recommend reading this sstory.I am guessing the rest of the series will be just as good as the first part.The good thing is that the whole series is already out, so no waiting to read them.
This is book 1 in a trilogy.It might be more appropriate to call it part 1.By that I mean it is the first part of the story as opposed to a stand alone book in a 3 book series.Excuse me for the following brief digression.It seems to be the trend that if you have a fantasy trilogy, then each part is just part of one huge story and usually ends on a cliffhanger.But with science fiction trilogies,you have interlinked stories making a larger story.This makes sense if you look how each genre gained popularity.Fantasy has always had a stronger literary presence(literary as in books a s opposed to say movies).The story that everyone knows is The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.So naturally publishers didn't want to mess with something that works, so you end up with stories that are so large that need to be broken into sections.But science fiction grew up in pulp magazines(and comics)and first movie serials and then movies.Now it is true that movie serials had a lot of cliffhangers,but they translate more into chapters instead of a whole story.Since a lot of these mediums where not always a sure buyer, writers had to make sure they could sell at least part of the story(which would hopefully generate future sales when they revisited the world).A good example of this was the Star Wars franchise.Star Wars was a gamble according to most with no real assurance of a sequel, so the first movie can stand alone with later movies being a little more open.(It also helped to firm the trend that 3 stories is safe.Still enough new material to catch the attention and don't have to worry about starting to lose the wave of popularity).Now this is just generallizations and changes continue(series can have more than 3 books now,but it just caught my attention and I wanted to share it.Thank you for letting me digress.
The mysterious foundling Carin runs away from the only life she has ever known after the local wisewoman tells her to go north.She ends up on the lands of a wizard who sees her as a trespasser. He plans to kill her until he realizes that she has some thing strange about her.As he tries to work out her mysteries,he brings her into his house.Carin considers herself a prisoner and remains distrustful of the wizard despite whatever actions he takes towards her.As the hostility waxes and wans between the two, they both work towards achieving their own goals.
At times,they could both use a good slap upside their heads,If they would just talk a lot of problems could have been avoided.Magic is in the book but it isn't very flashy (for the most part) or very well-defined.The puzzle book (one of my personal favorites) was a nice touch.
This is just the first part of the story, so there are lots of loose threads left hanging.The ending is a cliffhanger.While I liked this story,a final rating will depend on how the rest of the story plays out.If you do not plan to read the whole series then I would not recommend reading this sstory.I am guessing the rest of the series will be just as good as the first part.The good thing is that the whole series is already out, so no waiting to read them.
June 3, 2012
Full review can be found here.
Well, really this first book in the trilogy is more of a fantasy than a fantasy romance, but the seeds are in place to germinate into something more. The relationship between the characters, Carin and Verek, doesn’t really grow all that much between the start of the story and the end. I would have liked to have seen a bit more evolution between them, but I will accept that that is still to come.
All throughout the book my mind was going mad with comparisons. First of all, I had Beauty and the Beast going through my head as Verek is portrayed as having a beastly personality and there is some emphasis placed on his “ruined hand” where he is missing a finger, and Carin is described as being a very bonny lass. Then we have an isolated mansion that’s fallen into decay, a small number (three) of servants, a huge library and Carin’s love of books – I think we have most of the ingredients there for Beauty and the Beast.
Some way into the book I started coming up with comparisons to Trudi Canvan’s Black Magician trilogy too. In those books Sonea is scared of Akkarin to begin with but slowly comes to know and accept him and even to love him.
After this, Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll is introduced. The first time the title was given and the opening read out, I didn’t make the connection as it has been probably more than 15 years since I read either Alice book. To be honest, I was very surprised that the author brought our world into the mix, as for me that puts this book precariously on that precipice between what makes a fantasy novel and what’s sci-fi. I was nevertheless interested in finding out where she would take things with the relationships between worlds.
The one thing that I was not particularly keen on was the long spiels of dialogue. I’m an adherent to the saying “less is more” when it comes to dialogue as I find that whenever characters start on what are pretty much monologues, it doesn’t sound natural unless the character is presented in that way, such as Myra, Lord Verek’s housekeeper. I enjoyed her character!
This being the first book in the trilogy, I find that I’m interested in seeing this through to the end and I will be reading the other two books as my reading schedule allows.
Well, really this first book in the trilogy is more of a fantasy than a fantasy romance, but the seeds are in place to germinate into something more. The relationship between the characters, Carin and Verek, doesn’t really grow all that much between the start of the story and the end. I would have liked to have seen a bit more evolution between them, but I will accept that that is still to come.
All throughout the book my mind was going mad with comparisons. First of all, I had Beauty and the Beast going through my head as Verek is portrayed as having a beastly personality and there is some emphasis placed on his “ruined hand” where he is missing a finger, and Carin is described as being a very bonny lass. Then we have an isolated mansion that’s fallen into decay, a small number (three) of servants, a huge library and Carin’s love of books – I think we have most of the ingredients there for Beauty and the Beast.
Some way into the book I started coming up with comparisons to Trudi Canvan’s Black Magician trilogy too. In those books Sonea is scared of Akkarin to begin with but slowly comes to know and accept him and even to love him.
After this, Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll is introduced. The first time the title was given and the opening read out, I didn’t make the connection as it has been probably more than 15 years since I read either Alice book. To be honest, I was very surprised that the author brought our world into the mix, as for me that puts this book precariously on that precipice between what makes a fantasy novel and what’s sci-fi. I was nevertheless interested in finding out where she would take things with the relationships between worlds.
The one thing that I was not particularly keen on was the long spiels of dialogue. I’m an adherent to the saying “less is more” when it comes to dialogue as I find that whenever characters start on what are pretty much monologues, it doesn’t sound natural unless the character is presented in that way, such as Myra, Lord Verek’s housekeeper. I enjoyed her character!
This being the first book in the trilogy, I find that I’m interested in seeing this through to the end and I will be reading the other two books as my reading schedule allows.
June 12, 2012
First note, I am a HUGE fantasy fan! :3 When the book started, I just knew I was going to love it.
As for Carin, she immediately reminded of characters from Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder, The Seven Realms by Kristin Cashore, and even The Demon King by Cinda William Chima.
Verek reminded me of Beast from Beauty and the Beast. He was strong, powerful, but very "awkward". He was definitely troubled. But unlike Beauty and the Beast, Carin and Verek don't just opening up to each other, which I liked. It just made everything more realistic. I loved how a lot of the intensions either more Verek or Carin were misread by the two characters. I am so glad that they were not mind readers! Yes ladies, this is one of those low cooker type of book in the romance department. Yes I like it, but I do hope the relationship will be more developed in the next book.
I really enjoy the premise of the book. I really love a good quest novel. And I mean when you add magic to any book, it just makes the book ten times better! For some reason, I feel like with magic, everything is less predictable. I adore the world building of the novel. It just felt like a thin mist crawling in and start rearranging the landscape. Everything was so detailed and full of imagery that I just have to appreciate Deborah's abilities.
The book was like a good TV show. It just keeps me guessing and at the end of each chapter it felt like I was at the end of an episode and I was dying to know what happened next. And of course, the "season finale" was the end of the this book. CLIFF HANGER ALERT!
Fantasy fans, you are in for a treat!
As for Carin, she immediately reminded of characters from Storm Glass by Maria V Snyder, The Seven Realms by Kristin Cashore, and even The Demon King by Cinda William Chima.
Verek reminded me of Beast from Beauty and the Beast. He was strong, powerful, but very "awkward". He was definitely troubled. But unlike Beauty and the Beast, Carin and Verek don't just opening up to each other, which I liked. It just made everything more realistic. I loved how a lot of the intensions either more Verek or Carin were misread by the two characters. I am so glad that they were not mind readers! Yes ladies, this is one of those low cooker type of book in the romance department. Yes I like it, but I do hope the relationship will be more developed in the next book.
I really enjoy the premise of the book. I really love a good quest novel. And I mean when you add magic to any book, it just makes the book ten times better! For some reason, I feel like with magic, everything is less predictable. I adore the world building of the novel. It just felt like a thin mist crawling in and start rearranging the landscape. Everything was so detailed and full of imagery that I just have to appreciate Deborah's abilities.
The book was like a good TV show. It just keeps me guessing and at the end of each chapter it felt like I was at the end of an episode and I was dying to know what happened next. And of course, the "season finale" was the end of the this book. CLIFF HANGER ALERT!
Fantasy fans, you are in for a treat!
October 27, 2013
Thank you to the author for the copy of this book for review.
Drawn into the schemes of an angry wizard, Carin glimpses the place she once called home. It lies upon a shore that seems unreachable. To learn where she belongs and how to get there, the teenage traveler must decipher the words of an alien book and follow the clues in a bewitched poem.
This was an extremely well written fantasy story, with an easy to read and likeable heroine at its heart. Carin travels North to find out where she belongs and inadvertantly stumbles onto the land of Lord Verek…initially hostile he eventually becomes intrigued by her and so the adventure begins.
Carin is a strong and independant character who can look after herself – one aspect of the book I enjoyed very much. The enigmatic Lord Verek is a perfect foil and the story flows well with a very readable style that holds your interest throughout.
This is very much Part One – it is NOT a standalone book…I would liken it to a serial television series – this being episode one where we get to meet the characters, find out a little bit about them and where you are given some information about what their “quest” will be.
The world building is solid and intriguing, the magical aspects well drawn and versatile and characterisation is energetic so that you are immediately invested in their future. The ending with its wonderful cliffhanger will ensure that you read on… All in all a marvellous additon to the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for lovers of magical mystical tales.
Happy Reading Folks!
Drawn into the schemes of an angry wizard, Carin glimpses the place she once called home. It lies upon a shore that seems unreachable. To learn where she belongs and how to get there, the teenage traveler must decipher the words of an alien book and follow the clues in a bewitched poem.
This was an extremely well written fantasy story, with an easy to read and likeable heroine at its heart. Carin travels North to find out where she belongs and inadvertantly stumbles onto the land of Lord Verek…initially hostile he eventually becomes intrigued by her and so the adventure begins.
Carin is a strong and independant character who can look after herself – one aspect of the book I enjoyed very much. The enigmatic Lord Verek is a perfect foil and the story flows well with a very readable style that holds your interest throughout.
This is very much Part One – it is NOT a standalone book…I would liken it to a serial television series – this being episode one where we get to meet the characters, find out a little bit about them and where you are given some information about what their “quest” will be.
The world building is solid and intriguing, the magical aspects well drawn and versatile and characterisation is energetic so that you are immediately invested in their future. The ending with its wonderful cliffhanger will ensure that you read on… All in all a marvellous additon to the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for lovers of magical mystical tales.
Happy Reading Folks!
September 14, 2013
Carin is sent on a mission North to go where she belongs. She follows this task until she is caught in the woods by Verek. She tells him that there was no signs saying she couldn't enter his woods but he disagrees with her. She knows that there is something about him when she looks into his dark eyes.
Carin is a young lady that knows her mind and isn't afraid to speak it. Sometimes I don't know how to take Verek. One minute I like him and another I just want to beat him to death. I am wondering what the woodsprite is and if we can really trust it. Lanse is a boy that I really don't trust. He is a boy I would stay away from. I sure am glad that Carin has Myra.
I got a whole new look on the book Through the Looking Glass. There is so many secrets in this book and I just can't seem to get enough of it. I want to know where Carin came from and what Veren is up to. I sure hope he treats her better in the next book.
Carin is a young lady that knows her mind and isn't afraid to speak it. Sometimes I don't know how to take Verek. One minute I like him and another I just want to beat him to death. I am wondering what the woodsprite is and if we can really trust it. Lanse is a boy that I really don't trust. He is a boy I would stay away from. I sure am glad that Carin has Myra.
I got a whole new look on the book Through the Looking Glass. There is so many secrets in this book and I just can't seem to get enough of it. I want to know where Carin came from and what Veren is up to. I sure hope he treats her better in the next book.
June 7, 2012
This book is very intriguing. Carin was found five years ago along a watery bank. She could not speak and had no memory of her past. She was taken in as a servant. The only thing she knew with certainty is that she did not belong. Following the words of the wise woman, she headed North.
North found her in another situation she did not anticipate. She found herself the reluctant "guest" of a tormented and slightly crazy warlock. Together they try to figure out who she is and where she came from. The biggest clue is a book written in a foreign tongue that only Carin could read. The books title - Through the Looking Glass.
The book is well written. The idea behind the story is thought out and shows insight that I didn't expect. The book left me wanting to read the next book and find out what further adventures await.
North found her in another situation she did not anticipate. She found herself the reluctant "guest" of a tormented and slightly crazy warlock. Together they try to figure out who she is and where she came from. The biggest clue is a book written in a foreign tongue that only Carin could read. The books title - Through the Looking Glass.
The book is well written. The idea behind the story is thought out and shows insight that I didn't expect. The book left me wanting to read the next book and find out what further adventures await.
February 1, 2012
A delightful read ... tight writing, fast-moving narrative and intriguing characters. Felt I knew Carin and Verek's personalities, and each page turned finding more of their characters and backgrounds. And the others too! (You'll have to read it for yourself.) Who needs sleep??? I'd rather be on an adventure, even if it's only between the pages of an excellent book.
February 27, 2012
I don't see how this could avoid being a hit--I couldn't put it down. Good, complex story; well crafted, well written--with a strong, believable (even in a fantasy!) woman as the protagonist. See how soon you can spot the tie-in with a beloved tale from the past.
July 13, 2012
I really liked this story.it had my imagination going all over the place. The only part I didn't like was how it ended. That was a bit confusing.. I would love to read the next book in this series. Thanks for choosing me as a first reads winner of this book...Great Job!
May 28, 2012
Finally after a long wait and busy spring, I get to begin reading the Waterspell Series! So excited, only 5 chapters in and I'm hooked so bad I don't like going to bed! Can't wait to see where it takes me!
June 10, 2012
Waterspell is extraordinary! Remarkable! The only problem is I can't stop reading it -- how am I going to get anything else done? This is what happens when you get started with a writer who has the gift! You will love it!
October 11, 2022
Very slow and boring. Nothing really happens in this book. The story just drags on. Bad writing, boring dialogs. No chemistry between heroes at all! I DNF-ed at 70% because I just couldn't torture myself anymore. And to think I have all the four books 🤦.
May 24, 2012
I was completely hooked from the beginning and didn't want to put the book down. Very good read, never boring.
July 14, 2012
Great Fantasy.
I love the Wizard and apprentice type Fantasy stories.
Great twist with the Alice in Wonderland tie in.
Just downloaded Book 2 and 3.
Nice build up to a potential romance
I love the Wizard and apprentice type Fantasy stories.
Great twist with the Alice in Wonderland tie in.
Just downloaded Book 2 and 3.
Nice build up to a potential romance
April 12, 2014
Original story!
Great characters!
LOVE IT! I'm very excited to read book 2 The Wysard.
Great characters!
LOVE IT! I'm very excited to read book 2 The Wysard.
March 25, 2022
Very slow
The book is slow and tedious, I skipped many pages and paragraphs they are just there to add words, not to help the story.
The book is slow and tedious, I skipped many pages and paragraphs they are just there to add words, not to help the story.
Read
August 29, 2023Hopped into the second book as soon as I finished the first!
May 11, 2014
Holy crap, what a cliffhanger!
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