What do you think?
Rate this book
The Great Witch of Brittany
Set in the late 1700s, a tale of magic and fate, triumph and heartbreak, and the powerful bonds between mothers and daughters unfolds in this spellbinding novel from a master storyteller. Brittany, 1762
There hasn’t been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According to the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to the whims of superstitious villagers and the prejudices of fearmongering bishops.
Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows is the false spells her mother weaves over the gullible women who visit their fortune-telling caravan. Everything changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future.
Guided by an ancient grimoire and the whispers of her ancestors, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But first, the Orchière magical lineage must survive. And danger hovers over her, whether it’s the bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre.
Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchière and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her.
For more from Louisa Morgan, check
A Secret History of Witches
The Witch's Kind
The Age of Witches
There hasn’t been a witch born in the Orchière clan for generations. According to the elders, that line is dead, leaving the clan vulnerable to the whims of superstitious villagers and the prejudices of fearmongering bishops.
Ursule Orchière has been raised on stories of the great witches of the past. But the only magic she knows is the false spells her mother weaves over the gullible women who visit their fortune-telling caravan. Everything changes when Ursule comes of age and a spark of power flares to life. Thrilled to be chosen, she has no idea how magic will twist and shape her future.
Guided by an ancient grimoire and the whispers of her ancestors, Ursule is destined to walk the same path as the great witches of old. But first, the Orchière magical lineage must survive. And danger hovers over her, whether it’s the bloodlust of the mob or the flames of the pyre.
Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchière and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her.
For more from Louisa Morgan, check
A Secret History of Witches
The Witch's Kind
The Age of Witches
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2022
464 people are currently reading
9837 people want to read
About the author
Louisa Morgan
11 books1,577 followersLouisa Morgan is the author of A Secret History of Witches, The Witch’s Kind, and The Age of Witches. She's looking forward to the publication of The Great Witch of Brittany in 2022!
Louisa is a yogini, a musician, a mom, and a dog lover. She lives in scenic Northern Idaho with her family and her spirit familiar, Oscar the Border Terrier. Visit her at www.louisamorgan.net.
Louisa is a yogini, a musician, a mom, and a dog lover. She lives in scenic Northern Idaho with her family and her spirit familiar, Oscar the Border Terrier. Visit her at www.louisamorgan.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews
January 10, 2025
Louisa Morgan has crafted something extraordinary with The Great Witch of Brittany, a story as rich and potent as the spellwork woven by its central character. To say you love this book feels almost too simple—this is a devotion. Set in the late 1700s-1800s, this book is a prequel to A Secret History of Witches (I read that one first, as it was published, but you have the luxury of reading either one first). I listened to the audiobook narrated by Polly Lee, and that's how I recommend reading them. I own the physical books, so I would listen to the audiobook on my long walks and if I felt like continuing when I came home, I'd make tea and listen while I read. Louisa's storytelling and Polly Lee's voice together is a magical experience. I'm so thankful for them.
From the moment you step into Morgan’s detailed account of one woman's entire life from childhood to old age, you are not just a reader but a witness, a co-conspirator in a legacy of witchcraft and power.
What I love most is humanity in its magic: the love and loss, the courage and sacrifice. It isn’t just a story of spells and charms; it’s a story of women claiming their space in a world that wants to see them dead.
This book does what the best fiction should, it buries itself deep in your reader's heart. It lingers in your mind long after the final word. I can't just recommend The Great Witch of Brittany. I'm urging and insisting, but it's also completely fine if nobody joins me on my journey of discovering Louisa Morgan's depths of talent. I'm happy here.
From the moment you step into Morgan’s detailed account of one woman's entire life from childhood to old age, you are not just a reader but a witness, a co-conspirator in a legacy of witchcraft and power.
What I love most is humanity in its magic: the love and loss, the courage and sacrifice. It isn’t just a story of spells and charms; it’s a story of women claiming their space in a world that wants to see them dead.
This book does what the best fiction should, it buries itself deep in your reader's heart. It lingers in your mind long after the final word. I can't just recommend The Great Witch of Brittany. I'm urging and insisting, but it's also completely fine if nobody joins me on my journey of discovering Louisa Morgan's depths of talent. I'm happy here.
February 22, 2022
4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2022/02/14/...
If you’ve read Louisa Morgan’s A Secret History of Witches, the name Orchiére will sound familiar. There, we first got to meet Ursule, the latest in a long line of women with magic flowing in their veins. Now in The Great Witch of Brittany, readers will get to know the story of her namesake, her legendary great-grandmother.
Born in Brittany, France in the mid-1700s, the original Ursule was the daughter of a fortune-teller, though at this time, the Orchiéres had not produced a witch in generations, leading everyone to believe that magic in the clan was dead. Traveling with their Romani caravan, Ursule would watch as her mother conned gullible customers using false spells and carefully chosen words, but little did anyone know, the spark of magic lives on in our young protagonist, and The Great Witch of Brittany is the multi-part saga that tells of how she grew into her powers.
Still, after Ursule first discovers she has magic, she is forced to hide them, lest they draw the attention of witch hunters who would see her burned at the stake. But for all their caution, Ursule and her mother end up running for their lives anyway, eventually finding safe haven on a goat farm where they work as laborers. As Ursule grows up, she begins dreaming of passing on her gift, and following a brief romance with a blind musician, she gives birth to a daughter, Léonie, who unfortunately has no interest in learning the Romani ways. Luckily, Léonie ends up having six daughters, the youngest of whom is Nanette, mother of the Ursule in A Secret History of Witches.
Thus, it would be accurate to call this novel a prequel of sorts, but the good news is, it also works perfectly fine as a standalone. That said, I also felt that it was very rewarding being able to experience the connection between the two books and seeing how they linked together. As such, even though A Secret History of Witches isn’t a requirement, I would still highly recommend checking it out, either before or after The Great Witch of Brittany, just to have the full picture.
The two books also have many similarities, thematically and in their structure. Both are multi-generational stories, though in The Great Witch of Brittany, we are seeing everything through the eyes of Ursule, in stark contrast to the changing perspectives between the different women in A Secret History of Witches. As a result, I felt the flow here was much improved and a lot less repetitive. Getting the full story from a single perspective also led to more stability and coherence, which could be why I also found this novel so much easier to get into.
Above everything else, the book shines as character study, exploring Ursule as a woman, a daughter, a mother, and a legend. Despite being known as one of the greatest witches to have ever lived, this is the true story of Ursule which shows that she was not always wise, nor was she always responsible with her powers. As a young woman, she was more often than not driven by selfish desires, though in many cases, you could also hardly fault her for wanting so desperately to protect her loved ones. On her journey to self-discovery, she weathers through many mistakes and suffers terrible losses, but somehow always manages to overcome these challenges, emerging stronger and more confident of herself on the other side.
All in all, The Great Witch of Brittany was a simple story, yet extraordinary in its depth and richness, exactly the kind of book I love. Louisa Morgan continues to impress, and hopefully she’ll keep writing more of these “witchy” novels because I really enjoy them!
If you’ve read Louisa Morgan’s A Secret History of Witches, the name Orchiére will sound familiar. There, we first got to meet Ursule, the latest in a long line of women with magic flowing in their veins. Now in The Great Witch of Brittany, readers will get to know the story of her namesake, her legendary great-grandmother.
Born in Brittany, France in the mid-1700s, the original Ursule was the daughter of a fortune-teller, though at this time, the Orchiéres had not produced a witch in generations, leading everyone to believe that magic in the clan was dead. Traveling with their Romani caravan, Ursule would watch as her mother conned gullible customers using false spells and carefully chosen words, but little did anyone know, the spark of magic lives on in our young protagonist, and The Great Witch of Brittany is the multi-part saga that tells of how she grew into her powers.
Still, after Ursule first discovers she has magic, she is forced to hide them, lest they draw the attention of witch hunters who would see her burned at the stake. But for all their caution, Ursule and her mother end up running for their lives anyway, eventually finding safe haven on a goat farm where they work as laborers. As Ursule grows up, she begins dreaming of passing on her gift, and following a brief romance with a blind musician, she gives birth to a daughter, Léonie, who unfortunately has no interest in learning the Romani ways. Luckily, Léonie ends up having six daughters, the youngest of whom is Nanette, mother of the Ursule in A Secret History of Witches.
Thus, it would be accurate to call this novel a prequel of sorts, but the good news is, it also works perfectly fine as a standalone. That said, I also felt that it was very rewarding being able to experience the connection between the two books and seeing how they linked together. As such, even though A Secret History of Witches isn’t a requirement, I would still highly recommend checking it out, either before or after The Great Witch of Brittany, just to have the full picture.
The two books also have many similarities, thematically and in their structure. Both are multi-generational stories, though in The Great Witch of Brittany, we are seeing everything through the eyes of Ursule, in stark contrast to the changing perspectives between the different women in A Secret History of Witches. As a result, I felt the flow here was much improved and a lot less repetitive. Getting the full story from a single perspective also led to more stability and coherence, which could be why I also found this novel so much easier to get into.
Above everything else, the book shines as character study, exploring Ursule as a woman, a daughter, a mother, and a legend. Despite being known as one of the greatest witches to have ever lived, this is the true story of Ursule which shows that she was not always wise, nor was she always responsible with her powers. As a young woman, she was more often than not driven by selfish desires, though in many cases, you could also hardly fault her for wanting so desperately to protect her loved ones. On her journey to self-discovery, she weathers through many mistakes and suffers terrible losses, but somehow always manages to overcome these challenges, emerging stronger and more confident of herself on the other side.
All in all, The Great Witch of Brittany was a simple story, yet extraordinary in its depth and richness, exactly the kind of book I love. Louisa Morgan continues to impress, and hopefully she’ll keep writing more of these “witchy” novels because I really enjoy them!
February 7, 2022
The nitty-gritty: Mesmerizing storytelling, history, and magic combine in this stellar multigenerational saga.
Back in 2017, I read my first Louisa Morgan book, A Secret History of Witches, and now with her latest, The Great Witch of Brittany, I feel as if I’ve come full circle. Brittany tells the story of Ursule Orchière, the character who dies at the beginning of A Secret History of Witches, and I adored reading about Ursule's long and eventful life. You could say this is a prequel to the earlier book, so if you haven’t read Louisa Morgan yet, might I suggest that The Great Witch of Brittany is the perfect place to start!
The story is a multigenerational, historical saga that takes place in Brittany, France and follows Ursule from 1763, when she’s thirteen years old, to the time of her death in 1821. Morgan splits up her story into four main parts, each set at a different time in Ursule’s life as she grows into her powers, gives birth to a daughter, and gets to see her family line continue though the years. In the first section, we meet Ursule and her mother Agnes, who live with a Romani traveling caravan. Agnes pretends to tell fortunes whenever they stop in a new town, but it turns out that Ursule is the one with true power, as she’s able to see visions of the future when she touches the family crystal that Agnes keeps carefully hidden. But it's a dangerous place and time to practice witchcraft, and Agnes is afraid that witch hunters will find them and burn them at the stake. When Ursule makes a grave mistake during a fortune telling session, the inevitable happens and the women are forced to flee for their lives.
The second part begins ten years later in 1773. Agnes and Ursule have found a safe place to live on Kerjean Farm and work as laborers for the owners, Madeleine and Remy. It is during these years that Ursule meets a blind musician and becomes pregnant with her only child, a daughter she names Léonie.
When the third section begins, Léonie is nine years old, and they have lived on the farm for so long that they’ve become part of the nearby community. Ursule wants her daughter to embrace the Romani faith and learn witchcraft one day, but Leonie wants nothing to do with her mother’s “gypsy ways” and gravitates towards the Catholic church, eventually meeting and marrying a boy in town. Ursule is hopeful that Léonie’s children will one day carry on the family traditions, and indeed she ends up giving birth to six daughters.
Finally, in the wake of tragedy, Ursule travels back to her old caravan with her six granddaughters in tow, and finds purpose in bringing happiness to the women and children she finds there, who are barely surviving with little food and no men to protect them after the French Revolution has taken its toll. By now an old woman, Ursule finds solace in the fact that her granddaughter Nanette, the youngest of Léonie’s children, has the gift just like she does, and will be able to continue the family traditions.
Interspersed between sections, we meet the “grand-mères,” the women who came before Ursule, who have reached mythological status and whose stories are passed from one generation to the next. I loved this sense of history and the fact that one grand-mère named Violca often speaks to Ursule and guides her in making difficult decisions. As in many stories involving magic, all spells have a price, and Ursule knows this even if she doesn’t always heed the warning.
I was not expecting this book to hit me so hard emotionally, but Morgan’s epic story of Ursule’s life was both beautiful and heartbreaking. At the heart of it is the wonderful relationship between Ursule and Agnes, which grows and changes over the years but always remains steadfast. Ursule never leaves her mother’s side. In fact they live together until Agnes’ death, their bond made even closer by a horrible event that takes place early in the story. Even though Agnes doesn't have the gift, she's nurtured Ursule’s talents and kept the crystal safe for years, ensuring that the Orchière line will always flourish.
Other relationships were finely drawn as well. Ursule forms an unusual friendship with the owners of Kerjean Farm, Madeleine and Remy. Madeleine is a prickly woman who has never been able to bear children, but once Léonie is born, her personality softens. I never really liked her, but I felt sorry for her situation. Remy is a kind-hearted man who keeps to himself but is always looking out for Ursule and Agnes. But the best relationships, in my opinion, were the ones Ursule had with the animals on the farm. I can tell that Louisa Morgan is an animal person, because they play important roles in all her books. In this story we get to meet the dairy cows and goats that Ursule cares for, as well as a horse named Andie who lives a long life and ends up following Ursule from place to place. My favorite, though, was Drom, a raven with a touch of magic himself, who befriends a young Ursule and protects her throughout the years.
I also loved the historical aspects of the story, particularly the way women are portrayed. It’s not an easy time to be female. Girls are expected to marry as young as thirteen, only to spend the best years of their lives bearing children. They can also be trapped into marriage by being raped, and even Ursule has an uncomfortable brush with this particular horror (but don’t worry, she’s rescued before anything can happen). Ursule and Agnes spend their entire lives hiding their craft, fearful of being targeted as witches, which is sad because so much of the magic they do is for good. And while we’re on the subject, the witchcraft element is subtly done and doesn’t overwhelm the story, so even if you aren’t interested in speculative fiction, The Great Witch of Brittany reads more like a decades-spanning, historical family saga. And readers who appreciate stories that focus on strong female bonds and resourceful women characters will love any of Louisa Morgan’s books, I’m quite sure!
Morgan infuses her tale with so many emotional moments, especially in the last section of the book. I found myself in tears more than once, and as you might guess, a story that spans decades involves the inevitable death of beloved characters. It’s hard not to get emotional when you’ve become so invested in the characters, after all.
The author closes her story just before the beginning of A Secret History of Witches, and I have to say I’m tempted to go back and reread it, if only to stay in Louisa Morgan’s world just a little longer. I’ll be anxiously awaiting her next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
Back in 2017, I read my first Louisa Morgan book, A Secret History of Witches, and now with her latest, The Great Witch of Brittany, I feel as if I’ve come full circle. Brittany tells the story of Ursule Orchière, the character who dies at the beginning of A Secret History of Witches, and I adored reading about Ursule's long and eventful life. You could say this is a prequel to the earlier book, so if you haven’t read Louisa Morgan yet, might I suggest that The Great Witch of Brittany is the perfect place to start!
The story is a multigenerational, historical saga that takes place in Brittany, France and follows Ursule from 1763, when she’s thirteen years old, to the time of her death in 1821. Morgan splits up her story into four main parts, each set at a different time in Ursule’s life as she grows into her powers, gives birth to a daughter, and gets to see her family line continue though the years. In the first section, we meet Ursule and her mother Agnes, who live with a Romani traveling caravan. Agnes pretends to tell fortunes whenever they stop in a new town, but it turns out that Ursule is the one with true power, as she’s able to see visions of the future when she touches the family crystal that Agnes keeps carefully hidden. But it's a dangerous place and time to practice witchcraft, and Agnes is afraid that witch hunters will find them and burn them at the stake. When Ursule makes a grave mistake during a fortune telling session, the inevitable happens and the women are forced to flee for their lives.
The second part begins ten years later in 1773. Agnes and Ursule have found a safe place to live on Kerjean Farm and work as laborers for the owners, Madeleine and Remy. It is during these years that Ursule meets a blind musician and becomes pregnant with her only child, a daughter she names Léonie.
When the third section begins, Léonie is nine years old, and they have lived on the farm for so long that they’ve become part of the nearby community. Ursule wants her daughter to embrace the Romani faith and learn witchcraft one day, but Leonie wants nothing to do with her mother’s “gypsy ways” and gravitates towards the Catholic church, eventually meeting and marrying a boy in town. Ursule is hopeful that Léonie’s children will one day carry on the family traditions, and indeed she ends up giving birth to six daughters.
Finally, in the wake of tragedy, Ursule travels back to her old caravan with her six granddaughters in tow, and finds purpose in bringing happiness to the women and children she finds there, who are barely surviving with little food and no men to protect them after the French Revolution has taken its toll. By now an old woman, Ursule finds solace in the fact that her granddaughter Nanette, the youngest of Léonie’s children, has the gift just like she does, and will be able to continue the family traditions.
Interspersed between sections, we meet the “grand-mères,” the women who came before Ursule, who have reached mythological status and whose stories are passed from one generation to the next. I loved this sense of history and the fact that one grand-mère named Violca often speaks to Ursule and guides her in making difficult decisions. As in many stories involving magic, all spells have a price, and Ursule knows this even if she doesn’t always heed the warning.
I was not expecting this book to hit me so hard emotionally, but Morgan’s epic story of Ursule’s life was both beautiful and heartbreaking. At the heart of it is the wonderful relationship between Ursule and Agnes, which grows and changes over the years but always remains steadfast. Ursule never leaves her mother’s side. In fact they live together until Agnes’ death, their bond made even closer by a horrible event that takes place early in the story. Even though Agnes doesn't have the gift, she's nurtured Ursule’s talents and kept the crystal safe for years, ensuring that the Orchière line will always flourish.
Other relationships were finely drawn as well. Ursule forms an unusual friendship with the owners of Kerjean Farm, Madeleine and Remy. Madeleine is a prickly woman who has never been able to bear children, but once Léonie is born, her personality softens. I never really liked her, but I felt sorry for her situation. Remy is a kind-hearted man who keeps to himself but is always looking out for Ursule and Agnes. But the best relationships, in my opinion, were the ones Ursule had with the animals on the farm. I can tell that Louisa Morgan is an animal person, because they play important roles in all her books. In this story we get to meet the dairy cows and goats that Ursule cares for, as well as a horse named Andie who lives a long life and ends up following Ursule from place to place. My favorite, though, was Drom, a raven with a touch of magic himself, who befriends a young Ursule and protects her throughout the years.
I also loved the historical aspects of the story, particularly the way women are portrayed. It’s not an easy time to be female. Girls are expected to marry as young as thirteen, only to spend the best years of their lives bearing children. They can also be trapped into marriage by being raped, and even Ursule has an uncomfortable brush with this particular horror (but don’t worry, she’s rescued before anything can happen). Ursule and Agnes spend their entire lives hiding their craft, fearful of being targeted as witches, which is sad because so much of the magic they do is for good. And while we’re on the subject, the witchcraft element is subtly done and doesn’t overwhelm the story, so even if you aren’t interested in speculative fiction, The Great Witch of Brittany reads more like a decades-spanning, historical family saga. And readers who appreciate stories that focus on strong female bonds and resourceful women characters will love any of Louisa Morgan’s books, I’m quite sure!
Morgan infuses her tale with so many emotional moments, especially in the last section of the book. I found myself in tears more than once, and as you might guess, a story that spans decades involves the inevitable death of beloved characters. It’s hard not to get emotional when you’ve become so invested in the characters, after all.
The author closes her story just before the beginning of A Secret History of Witches, and I have to say I’m tempted to go back and reread it, if only to stay in Louisa Morgan’s world just a little longer. I’ll be anxiously awaiting her next book!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
May 11, 2025
This was such a fascinating book about a young woman who realizes she had the power of her ancestors inside her, guiding her on a life of magic that bypassed her mother. This is the tale of Ursule's life, from the discover of what she is through a life of persecution and prejudice with a resounding theme of motherhood and love.
This was beautifully written and wonderfully ready by Polly Lee who infused a dramatic element into her narration.
This was beautifully written and wonderfully ready by Polly Lee who infused a dramatic element into her narration.
February 1, 2022
https://lynns-books.com/2022/01/27/th...
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Beautifully told story of origins
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
This was my first Louisa Morgan book and what I can say is that I really enjoyed it, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, in that respect I have a question about this author’s other books – do I need to read them in a certain order? I think all the books are standalone stories but just thought I’d check.
Anyway, this book tells the story of Ursule Orchiere, how she came to know magic, her ability to read the ancient Grimoire passed down by the Orchiere women and the tenacious way she holds together her family.
The story starts when Ursule is a young girl and we get a feel for the life she lives. Her mother tells fortunes and Ursule collects the coins. Ursule has been fed stories of the Orchiere women and their magic and longs to inherit magic of her own and be part of the story. These are difficult times for women. Witch hunters obsessively search for their next victim to feed the flames and women with knowledge of herb lore are persecuted.
I loved the way Ursule tells her story. The scene is set really well and I just found myself sinking into the tale with ease. There is a palpable sense of fear and a genuine feeling of helplessness amongst the travellers. Gangs of men literally swoop indiscriminately through the camps snatching up women to terrorise and torture. Ursule’s mother finds herself accused and from here things take a different turn but I won’t go further into the story.
What really appealed to me with this story is that it was so easy to get into. The sense of period is beautifully evoked. The hard lives that people led really comes across well and the strong family ties also simply ooze off the page. If you put the witching elements to one side this feels like an impressively rendered historic piece and the descriptions and writing just pulled me in. It just felt like an incredibly comforting read somehow – which, given the darker elements of the story, is an impressive achievement.
On top of this I really liked Ursule and her familiar Drom. I’m not sure that any of the other characters were as well drawn but given that Ursule is the central figure I didn’t have any issues with this. In fact, the other characters felt almost greyed out which felt somehow appropriate given the lonely way Ursule lives. She is a loner, not necessarily by choice, and in fact even though she eventually feels as though she’s surrounded herself with loved ones she still very much comes across as a lone figure.
In terms of criticisms I don’t have any. I can say that this is not a book that you can read quickly and to be honest I don’t think you should try to wolf this down in a couple of sittings. This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. So, if you fancy a piece, very female centric, focusing on witchcraft and strong family ties, that actually has a kind of payback for the magic used, then give this a go. It really is a delicious morsel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt like the right book at the right time and it worked really well for me. A lovely story of inherited magic and one woman’s life and struggles.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Beautifully told story of origins
My rating 4.5 of 5 stars
This was my first Louisa Morgan book and what I can say is that I really enjoyed it, and it certainly won’t be my last. In fact, in that respect I have a question about this author’s other books – do I need to read them in a certain order? I think all the books are standalone stories but just thought I’d check.
Anyway, this book tells the story of Ursule Orchiere, how she came to know magic, her ability to read the ancient Grimoire passed down by the Orchiere women and the tenacious way she holds together her family.
The story starts when Ursule is a young girl and we get a feel for the life she lives. Her mother tells fortunes and Ursule collects the coins. Ursule has been fed stories of the Orchiere women and their magic and longs to inherit magic of her own and be part of the story. These are difficult times for women. Witch hunters obsessively search for their next victim to feed the flames and women with knowledge of herb lore are persecuted.
I loved the way Ursule tells her story. The scene is set really well and I just found myself sinking into the tale with ease. There is a palpable sense of fear and a genuine feeling of helplessness amongst the travellers. Gangs of men literally swoop indiscriminately through the camps snatching up women to terrorise and torture. Ursule’s mother finds herself accused and from here things take a different turn but I won’t go further into the story.
What really appealed to me with this story is that it was so easy to get into. The sense of period is beautifully evoked. The hard lives that people led really comes across well and the strong family ties also simply ooze off the page. If you put the witching elements to one side this feels like an impressively rendered historic piece and the descriptions and writing just pulled me in. It just felt like an incredibly comforting read somehow – which, given the darker elements of the story, is an impressive achievement.
On top of this I really liked Ursule and her familiar Drom. I’m not sure that any of the other characters were as well drawn but given that Ursule is the central figure I didn’t have any issues with this. In fact, the other characters felt almost greyed out which felt somehow appropriate given the lonely way Ursule lives. She is a loner, not necessarily by choice, and in fact even though she eventually feels as though she’s surrounded herself with loved ones she still very much comes across as a lone figure.
In terms of criticisms I don’t have any. I can say that this is not a book that you can read quickly and to be honest I don’t think you should try to wolf this down in a couple of sittings. This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. So, if you fancy a piece, very female centric, focusing on witchcraft and strong family ties, that actually has a kind of payback for the magic used, then give this a go. It really is a delicious morsel.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this. It felt like the right book at the right time and it worked really well for me. A lovely story of inherited magic and one woman’s life and struggles.
I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.
May 26, 2025
Knowing nothing about the author I assumed I would be given a ‘teen witch’, a hideous malevolent crone or a proto-feminist instead what was delivered was a sensitive Romani family saga spanning multiple generations. The pivotal character Ursule has to deal with racism, sexism and religious bigotry but comes through as ‘Grand-mere’ triumphant. I found myself willing her on in her endeavours to continue the Orchiere family line.
Though obviously this will appeal to those who like non Christian religion explored, this so well written and therefore readable a wide range of reader will like this.
The author has written other works on a similar topic.
Though obviously this will appeal to those who like non Christian religion explored, this so well written and therefore readable a wide range of reader will like this.
The author has written other works on a similar topic.
July 17, 2022
So this book is billed as a stand alone so I didn't know about The Secret History of Witches. Maybe if I read it I would enjoy this one more. But as a stand alone this book is very plain. For someone advertised as a Great Witch it's really about a simple woman who uses simple magic to help herself through life. But it's a simple, forgettable life. It left me wanting.
March 26, 2022
I found this to be incredibly boring. The plot was so slow and mostly uneventful. I didn’t feel a connection to any of the characters. It just didn’t capture my attention.
February 17, 2022
Thank you, NetGalley, Louisa Morgan, and Redhook Books for the opportunity to read this book! It was released on February 15th, 2022!
“To be a reader, Ursule has always understood, was to be a rebel, to offend the traditional ways. To risk being isolated even more than she already was…”
THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY
Louisa Morgan has done it again! The Great Witch of Brittany is connected to her first book, The Secret History of Witches-one of my all-time favorites! This book takes readers back to the Orchiere matriarch, Ursule. The book introduces Ursule as a young girl on the brink of womanhood. She is also Romani. The Romani are treated as less than human. Their culture is different and they are often painted as criminals. Ursule finds herself different from her clan. There are stories about the magic that runs in their blood but no one has seen it in generations, but the sacred stone and grimoire speak to Ursule. But magic always comes at a price. She does her best to honor the Goddess, her ancestors, and her family but superstition lies in every society, so she must take care as danger lurks everywhere.
“People are horrible, my girl, learn that early, and you’ll fare better in this world.”
THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY
Trigger Warnings: racial slurs, misogyny, an attempt of rape, revolution, pregnancy trauma
Louisa Morgan is one of those writers who give so much to her characters. It is like readers can see into their souls. There is so much emotion and despite the book taking place in another time and infused with magic, the situations that these women endure are actually relatable. One of the main themes that are always present in her novels is the importance of family, specifically mother-daughter relationships. Like in The Secret History of Witches, Ursule and her daughter Leonie love each other dearly but don’t see eye to eye when it comes to family traditions. Ursule has to come to terms with the fact that Leonie turns her back to her Romani roots. Later, Leonie will learn what lengths a mother would go to protect her children.
Not only do Louisa Morgan’s characters have depth, but there is also the historical detail. First, there is the terror of the Witch Hunts. Women who did not conform to the beliefs and standards were often subjected to being accused of being a witch and burned for it. There are also the trials of the Romani. I loved learning about the Romani people! I was so thankful for all the resources that Louisa Morgan cited at the end of the book because I definitely plan to read more about them. Not many know about the racism and prejudice that the Romani faced. Towards the end of the book, we see a new terror arise and that is the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. All these events and moments come together and create an emotional and insightful setting.
Overall, Louisa Morgan can never disappoint me. This book is magical, just like all her other books! 5 out of 5 stars.
“To be a reader, Ursule has always understood, was to be a rebel, to offend the traditional ways. To risk being isolated even more than she already was…”
THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY
Louisa Morgan has done it again! The Great Witch of Brittany is connected to her first book, The Secret History of Witches-one of my all-time favorites! This book takes readers back to the Orchiere matriarch, Ursule. The book introduces Ursule as a young girl on the brink of womanhood. She is also Romani. The Romani are treated as less than human. Their culture is different and they are often painted as criminals. Ursule finds herself different from her clan. There are stories about the magic that runs in their blood but no one has seen it in generations, but the sacred stone and grimoire speak to Ursule. But magic always comes at a price. She does her best to honor the Goddess, her ancestors, and her family but superstition lies in every society, so she must take care as danger lurks everywhere.
“People are horrible, my girl, learn that early, and you’ll fare better in this world.”
THE GREAT WITCH OF BRITTANY
Trigger Warnings: racial slurs, misogyny, an attempt of rape, revolution, pregnancy trauma
Louisa Morgan is one of those writers who give so much to her characters. It is like readers can see into their souls. There is so much emotion and despite the book taking place in another time and infused with magic, the situations that these women endure are actually relatable. One of the main themes that are always present in her novels is the importance of family, specifically mother-daughter relationships. Like in The Secret History of Witches, Ursule and her daughter Leonie love each other dearly but don’t see eye to eye when it comes to family traditions. Ursule has to come to terms with the fact that Leonie turns her back to her Romani roots. Later, Leonie will learn what lengths a mother would go to protect her children.
Not only do Louisa Morgan’s characters have depth, but there is also the historical detail. First, there is the terror of the Witch Hunts. Women who did not conform to the beliefs and standards were often subjected to being accused of being a witch and burned for it. There are also the trials of the Romani. I loved learning about the Romani people! I was so thankful for all the resources that Louisa Morgan cited at the end of the book because I definitely plan to read more about them. Not many know about the racism and prejudice that the Romani faced. Towards the end of the book, we see a new terror arise and that is the Reign of Terror of the French Revolution. All these events and moments come together and create an emotional and insightful setting.
Overall, Louisa Morgan can never disappoint me. This book is magical, just like all her other books! 5 out of 5 stars.
February 22, 2022
"Remember the past. Live in the present. The future will come when it's time."
Quick synopsis from GoodReads: "Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchiere and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her."
--
4.5/5
Louisa Morgan's impeccable writing returns with The Great Witch of Brittany and the stories of the Orchiére women. After reading and enjoying A Secret History of Witches, I was so excited to get to experience the story of Ursule, grand-mére to girls in book one. Reading her story gave insight into how her life influenced the generations who came after her and the impact she left on everyone she met. Her magic was powerful, as was her heart, and those two traits passed along their line.
TGWoB is beautiful and detailed, like seeing a painting in your mind as you read. And while the story isn't always happy, it is honest, touching, and undoubtedly magical.
Thank you NetGalley, Louisa Morgan, and Redhook Books for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
Quick synopsis from GoodReads: "Return to the world of A Secret History of Witches with the bewitching tale of Ursule Orchiere and her discovery of magical abilities that will not only change the course of her life but every generation that comes after her."
--
4.5/5
Louisa Morgan's impeccable writing returns with The Great Witch of Brittany and the stories of the Orchiére women. After reading and enjoying A Secret History of Witches, I was so excited to get to experience the story of Ursule, grand-mére to girls in book one. Reading her story gave insight into how her life influenced the generations who came after her and the impact she left on everyone she met. Her magic was powerful, as was her heart, and those two traits passed along their line.
TGWoB is beautiful and detailed, like seeing a painting in your mind as you read. And while the story isn't always happy, it is honest, touching, and undoubtedly magical.
Thank you NetGalley, Louisa Morgan, and Redhook Books for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!
August 6, 2022
Omg this book is so freakin good! It’s read by Polly Lee and I just love her. If you like the author’s other books, you will love this one too.
August 8, 2022
Well I'm glad that's over!
This book felt like the remnants of a prompt from a tenth-grade creative writing class. Written by a tenth-grader. Not only did I find the main character not overly likable, but pretty much all the characters (and even the settings) lacked any real depth.
Maybe this is supposed to be a young adult book? That would explain the immaturity that seemed to plague this book both in technique and execution. For the life of me I can't understand how this has such high reviews.
–Spoilers ahead–
The use of repetitive phrases became tiresome as well (how many times can one say "her petticoats flared around her"?), and for some reason the author has a strong dislike for redheads. All of the villains in the book were ugly redheads (like, why?).
I especially disliked the part when the protagonists son-in-law was having an affair and the author portrayed him as just straying while blaming the (redheaded) "strumpet". Um, no. He was the one in the relationship who decided to cheat. And then the protagonist casts some horrible spell to break them up (which also terrorizes the village) and the redhead just mysteriously disappears. But it's hinted that she didn't have a good ending. And Ursule is supposed to be the good guy here? We're supposed to like her?
She comes of as a self-proclaimed martyr who is weak, meddling, and pompous. Just, ugh. Not good writing all around.
+1 point though for the amusing Christianity-bashing.
This book felt like the remnants of a prompt from a tenth-grade creative writing class. Written by a tenth-grader. Not only did I find the main character not overly likable, but pretty much all the characters (and even the settings) lacked any real depth.
Maybe this is supposed to be a young adult book? That would explain the immaturity that seemed to plague this book both in technique and execution. For the life of me I can't understand how this has such high reviews.
–Spoilers ahead–
The use of repetitive phrases became tiresome as well (how many times can one say "her petticoats flared around her"?), and for some reason the author has a strong dislike for redheads. All of the villains in the book were ugly redheads (like, why?).
I especially disliked the part when the protagonists son-in-law was having an affair and the author portrayed him as just straying while blaming the (redheaded) "strumpet". Um, no. He was the one in the relationship who decided to cheat. And then the protagonist casts some horrible spell to break them up (which also terrorizes the village) and the redhead just mysteriously disappears. But it's hinted that she didn't have a good ending. And Ursule is supposed to be the good guy here? We're supposed to like her?
She comes of as a self-proclaimed martyr who is weak, meddling, and pompous. Just, ugh. Not good writing all around.
+1 point though for the amusing Christianity-bashing.
May 6, 2022
The Great Witch of Brittany is I think the fourth in Morgan's "Witch" series (the others being A Secret History of Witches, her first, which I haven't yet read, The Witch's Kind and The Age of Witches). It follows the life of Ursule Orchière, who at the start of the book, in 1741, is a young Romany woman living with her mother and her wider clan in Brittany. Through the course of the story, Ursule and her mother suffer many trials. Ursule discovers and grows over decades into her magical abilities, while her mothers suffers an appalling ordeal that leaves her with mental scars, eventually becoming speechless.
The story spans decades, including the birth of Ursule's own daughter and, eventually, her grandchildren. We see death, birth, prejudice, the impact of wider events, and always, always, the little details of life, whether's Ursule's tasks on the farm where she has settled or the particulars of her magical practice. Morgan is good on details - whether Ursule is churning milk, tending a sick goat, meaning a wall or brewing a simple to assist in childbirth, there's a directness to the descriptions here, celebrating all those moments which make up a life well lived, despite challenges that may seem overwhelming.
The story is given in several parts, structured around short, legendary narratives of of Ursule's witchy predecessors, their names and titles - 'The Prophetess Liliane, The Lady Yvette, Irina from the East' - recited almost as a liturgy in her magical ceremonies (recalling the names of saints in the Mass) and leading inexorably up to a final section of the book which summarises the deeds of 'The Great Witch of Brittany' herself, Ursule, somewhat embellished, as the reader will realise, after the manner of legendary material.
There is, then, a certain pre-determinedness to the outcome, but Morgan doesn't let that undermine the sense of jeopardy for her characters or, indeed, the losses and reverses they suffer. Nor does she allow Ursule to be all-powerful, all-knowing or invincible: she may come into great power but she isn't, especially at first, particularly wise and she makes innocent mistakes that cause great harm to herself and those around her. Indeed, almost to the end she's prone to fly into a rage when her family is threatened. and in late 18th/ early 19th century France, there are many threats and, as I have said, much prejudice against the Romany. But there is also kindness, solidarity and friendship though it can take Ursule some time to recognise it for what it is.
Overall, an engaging and heartfelt story using Ursule's position and powers as a witch to explore the place of women in a turbulent age.
I only had two reservations, neither of which really detract from the story.
First, in a book set between 1741 and 1820(ish) I expected a little more impact from historic events - yes, the story is set in a remote country district and yes, there is an eruption of banditry due to the "Terror" but no other impact on Ursule and Agnes's lives from what was a series of wars, invasions and political turmoil.
Secondly, Morgan goes further than just making Ursule a (rather powerful) witch and has her practicising what I think is pretty much modern paganism/ Wicca or something like it (complete with feast days borrowed from both Celtic and Norse mythology and indeed - Lammas - Christianity) and portraying it as the religion of her Romany. I was a bit uneasy about that in principle (in her other books that I've read the protagonists are not members of similarly marginalised groups and they are not given such a detailed belief system) but I suppose this is in the end a fantasy, the Romany people described here may I think be inspired by groups in our world, but this is not our world. It is I think done very respectfully.
And Ursule's outlook is in the end basically syncretistic - in another plot strand, she purloins a relic of St Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary ("Holy Annie, God's Granny" as I've heard her described). The sliver of bone, housed in its reliquary, is fully integrated into (and clearly, in some way, cooperates with) Ursule's ceremonies and workings, and "Anne" is recited along with the names of the other "grandmères". A certain pragmatism suits Ursule's character in the end, I think: she is about survival and protection of her family above all, rather than any kind of social or theological purism, and I will therefore take the belief system described as fairly personal to her, in this world, regardless of its resemblance to something in our world.
I'd recommend The Great Witch of Brittany overall. (It was great to see that in Morgan's afterward she gives a shoutout to a book I loved as a child, Rumer Godden's The Diddakoi).
The story spans decades, including the birth of Ursule's own daughter and, eventually, her grandchildren. We see death, birth, prejudice, the impact of wider events, and always, always, the little details of life, whether's Ursule's tasks on the farm where she has settled or the particulars of her magical practice. Morgan is good on details - whether Ursule is churning milk, tending a sick goat, meaning a wall or brewing a simple to assist in childbirth, there's a directness to the descriptions here, celebrating all those moments which make up a life well lived, despite challenges that may seem overwhelming.
The story is given in several parts, structured around short, legendary narratives of of Ursule's witchy predecessors, their names and titles - 'The Prophetess Liliane, The Lady Yvette, Irina from the East' - recited almost as a liturgy in her magical ceremonies (recalling the names of saints in the Mass) and leading inexorably up to a final section of the book which summarises the deeds of 'The Great Witch of Brittany' herself, Ursule, somewhat embellished, as the reader will realise, after the manner of legendary material.
There is, then, a certain pre-determinedness to the outcome, but Morgan doesn't let that undermine the sense of jeopardy for her characters or, indeed, the losses and reverses they suffer. Nor does she allow Ursule to be all-powerful, all-knowing or invincible: she may come into great power but she isn't, especially at first, particularly wise and she makes innocent mistakes that cause great harm to herself and those around her. Indeed, almost to the end she's prone to fly into a rage when her family is threatened. and in late 18th/ early 19th century France, there are many threats and, as I have said, much prejudice against the Romany. But there is also kindness, solidarity and friendship though it can take Ursule some time to recognise it for what it is.
Overall, an engaging and heartfelt story using Ursule's position and powers as a witch to explore the place of women in a turbulent age.
I only had two reservations, neither of which really detract from the story.
First, in a book set between 1741 and 1820(ish) I expected a little more impact from historic events - yes, the story is set in a remote country district and yes, there is an eruption of banditry due to the "Terror" but no other impact on Ursule and Agnes's lives from what was a series of wars, invasions and political turmoil.
Secondly, Morgan goes further than just making Ursule a (rather powerful) witch and has her practicising what I think is pretty much modern paganism/ Wicca or something like it (complete with feast days borrowed from both Celtic and Norse mythology and indeed - Lammas - Christianity) and portraying it as the religion of her Romany. I was a bit uneasy about that in principle (in her other books that I've read the protagonists are not members of similarly marginalised groups and they are not given such a detailed belief system) but I suppose this is in the end a fantasy, the Romany people described here may I think be inspired by groups in our world, but this is not our world. It is I think done very respectfully.
And Ursule's outlook is in the end basically syncretistic - in another plot strand, she purloins a relic of St Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary ("Holy Annie, God's Granny" as I've heard her described). The sliver of bone, housed in its reliquary, is fully integrated into (and clearly, in some way, cooperates with) Ursule's ceremonies and workings, and "Anne" is recited along with the names of the other "grandmères". A certain pragmatism suits Ursule's character in the end, I think: she is about survival and protection of her family above all, rather than any kind of social or theological purism, and I will therefore take the belief system described as fairly personal to her, in this world, regardless of its resemblance to something in our world.
I'd recommend The Great Witch of Brittany overall. (It was great to see that in Morgan's afterward she gives a shoutout to a book I loved as a child, Rumer Godden's The Diddakoi).
May 23, 2022
I liked this story because it takes place in Bretagne. A place undoubtedly, full of mysteries. The Orchiere clan has existed for many generations. However, they haven't had a witch for a long time, and Ursule Orchiere has grown up with these fabulous stories. The fake spells she knows are simple. Until one day, something happens in Ursule's life, and she unconsciously uses the magic she always had. An interesting story. The author recounts the adventures that Ursule lives. She also describes the situations that people lived during that time. A book that I enjoyed until the last page.
March 25, 2022
I am so disappointed I’ve finished this book. I loved it. Louisa Morgan is a wonderful writer. I lost myself in her words and felt like I was right there living with the characters in the story.
June 4, 2022
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
Perhaps I'm being generous with 5 stars but this book really just hit the spot. It's the story of Ursule Orchiere, a Romani woman with the gift of magic. It follows her life from childhood through old age, and it's a story of struggle and superstition and magic and family and love. It's just beautiful.
Perhaps I'm being generous with 5 stars but this book really just hit the spot. It's the story of Ursule Orchiere, a Romani woman with the gift of magic. It follows her life from childhood through old age, and it's a story of struggle and superstition and magic and family and love. It's just beautiful.
December 24, 2022
I'm ending the year on a high note. I haven't had a 5-star read in a long time. I really enjoyed the blend of gypsy culture including the use of the craft.
January 22, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Redhook Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I have not previously read any of Louisa Morgan's books but I have seen them around. I figured I'd be okay starting with this book as it's a prequel to the rest of her Witch series. I found this book to be an entertaining and easy read, for the most part, but I think it was lacking a lot of character background and motivations to make it a truly great read. I enjoyed that it was a female-driven story and I enjoyed that the main character's motivations were (mostly) not driven by the desire of a man. I found the writing style to be easygoing and simple (in a nice way).
But, the characters are very surface-level and we don't get to know most too well, aside from the main character Ursule. But even with Ursule, many of her motivations and reasonings are not explained - they are just the way they are. Especially surrounding her powers and witchcraft, there is little to no explanation about how any of it works, or why it works the way it does. It just kind of exists. I didn't feel connected to the characters, so I didn't feel for them in certain parts of the story when I probably should've. I found myself wondering a lot of the time why certain characters acted the way they did and I really feel that this lack of reasoning and understanding diminished the quality of the book.
I have not previously read any of Louisa Morgan's books but I have seen them around. I figured I'd be okay starting with this book as it's a prequel to the rest of her Witch series. I found this book to be an entertaining and easy read, for the most part, but I think it was lacking a lot of character background and motivations to make it a truly great read. I enjoyed that it was a female-driven story and I enjoyed that the main character's motivations were (mostly) not driven by the desire of a man. I found the writing style to be easygoing and simple (in a nice way).
But, the characters are very surface-level and we don't get to know most too well, aside from the main character Ursule. But even with Ursule, many of her motivations and reasonings are not explained - they are just the way they are. Especially surrounding her powers and witchcraft, there is little to no explanation about how any of it works, or why it works the way it does. It just kind of exists. I didn't feel connected to the characters, so I didn't feel for them in certain parts of the story when I probably should've. I found myself wondering a lot of the time why certain characters acted the way they did and I really feel that this lack of reasoning and understanding diminished the quality of the book.
October 22, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up...........This is a beautiful family saga that is a tribute to the strength of all women. The story is about the Grand-mere' Ursule Orchiere who was briefly in the beginning of The Secret History of Witches. The story pre-dates that book and starts in 1762 when Ursule is 13 years old. This story smoothly transported me to Brittany, France and fully engaged me there during several events; witch trials, the plague, fortune-telling caravans and the French Revolution. I can't express how well written this book is and how heartbreakingly tender yet heart-bracingly enthralling it was for me to read. It deftly captures the magic and love between mothers and daughters. I thought this book was pure magic and even better that the first. I highly highly recommend!!
June 11, 2022
My first foray into this world, and I was enraptured every second.
February 28, 2022
This review was originally posted on Queen's Book Asylum along with my choice of song!
I’ve been eyeing The Great Witch of Brittany before, but I wasn’t sure it would be up my alley and so I passed it. Until I came across Lynn’s review, who generally has very similar opinions to mine. Her review convinced me to pre-order it and read it the first opportunity I got. What came after was something I absolutely did not expect. I’ve read nearly half of it in a day, which is something that very rarely happens to me these days. I was absolutely hooked from the first page and even when I wasn’t reading all I could think about when I would be able to pick it up again. If I was pressured, I wouldn’t be able to say why it enraptured me so. It definitely was a case of right book at the right time.
When I picked up The Great Witch of Brittany, I had no previous knowledge of any of Louisa Morgan‘s books, although I’m aware that this novel explores the life of a character who played some kind of role in A Secret History of Witches. In case you are concerned, you absolutely don’t need to read that book to fully appreciate The Great Witch of Brittany, although you might feel a strong urge to buy the other book. As I did.
As I mentioned, The Great Witch of Brittany is the story of Ursule Orchiére’s life. We meet her at the age of 13, living with her Rom family, raised by her mother, Agnes, who works as a fortune teller. Their life is not an easy one, but it also has its own kind of magic. Events happening around this time shape her life forever and lead her in every decision she makes throughout her life. This is where she learns about her powers, about witchcraft, but also about the true horrors of life posed by men and those hungry with power and led by religious zeal. But it’s also a life of secrets and stories told by the fire of the witches of old. And it is in their footsteps she walks all her life.
This book’s strength is in the writing, but also in the MC who is easy to identify with. You really can’t help but be fascinated by Ursule and root for her as she tries her best to protect her family. You won’t always agree with her decisions but it’s sure you won’t be able to help but admire her strength, her resolve, her absolute dedication. Even when she knows there will be a price to pay, she still goes ahead with whatever she decided she’ll do. Consequences be damned.
It’s not a book I’d call action-packed or particularly fast-paced, although at the same time I wouldn’t say it drags either. I definitely was turning the pages like there was no tomorrow. Morgan‘s vivid writing just transported me into wherever Ursule was, painting the picture clearly without being flowery or over descriptive. I found Ursule a delightfully complex character, though if I had any criticism, it would be the fact that some of the side characters seemed a bit underdeveloped, especially compared to her. But I loved being swept away by the events in her life and going through the emotions they brought with them. It was like I was sitting by the fire with her family as I listened to her story. It awakened that feeling of wonderment towards stories and books I didn’t feel in a good while. I was really sorry to turn the last page. It’ll be a small miracle if it won’t make it to my best reads of the year list.
The Great Witch of Brittany is a love letter to what it means to be a woman, moreover a witch, especially in those times – late 18th, early 19th century during the fall of the French kingdom. To find one’s place and follow their destiny no matter where it leads. It was also really fascinating to read how her “gypsy ways” collided with Christianity and how it affected Ursule. I could go on singing praises about how much I loved this book, but instead, I’ll just urge you to read it for yourself! It’s a great mix of slice of life, historical fiction, and fantasy, and the perfect escape in these times when we all need to get away from reality for a couple of hours. Just be careful, because it’s addictive.
“Her clan already viewed her as a misfit, first because she had been silent for so long, and then because, when she did begin to talk, she spoke like a miniature adult. She refused to learn to sew or cook, and preferred to be alone rather than gossip with the other girls. The boys mocked her, trying to make her cry, but she refused. She was small, but her fists were hard and quick.”
I’ve been eyeing The Great Witch of Brittany before, but I wasn’t sure it would be up my alley and so I passed it. Until I came across Lynn’s review, who generally has very similar opinions to mine. Her review convinced me to pre-order it and read it the first opportunity I got. What came after was something I absolutely did not expect. I’ve read nearly half of it in a day, which is something that very rarely happens to me these days. I was absolutely hooked from the first page and even when I wasn’t reading all I could think about when I would be able to pick it up again. If I was pressured, I wouldn’t be able to say why it enraptured me so. It definitely was a case of right book at the right time.
When I picked up The Great Witch of Brittany, I had no previous knowledge of any of Louisa Morgan‘s books, although I’m aware that this novel explores the life of a character who played some kind of role in A Secret History of Witches. In case you are concerned, you absolutely don’t need to read that book to fully appreciate The Great Witch of Brittany, although you might feel a strong urge to buy the other book. As I did.
As I mentioned, The Great Witch of Brittany is the story of Ursule Orchiére’s life. We meet her at the age of 13, living with her Rom family, raised by her mother, Agnes, who works as a fortune teller. Their life is not an easy one, but it also has its own kind of magic. Events happening around this time shape her life forever and lead her in every decision she makes throughout her life. This is where she learns about her powers, about witchcraft, but also about the true horrors of life posed by men and those hungry with power and led by religious zeal. But it’s also a life of secrets and stories told by the fire of the witches of old. And it is in their footsteps she walks all her life.
This book’s strength is in the writing, but also in the MC who is easy to identify with. You really can’t help but be fascinated by Ursule and root for her as she tries her best to protect her family. You won’t always agree with her decisions but it’s sure you won’t be able to help but admire her strength, her resolve, her absolute dedication. Even when she knows there will be a price to pay, she still goes ahead with whatever she decided she’ll do. Consequences be damned.
It’s not a book I’d call action-packed or particularly fast-paced, although at the same time I wouldn’t say it drags either. I definitely was turning the pages like there was no tomorrow. Morgan‘s vivid writing just transported me into wherever Ursule was, painting the picture clearly without being flowery or over descriptive. I found Ursule a delightfully complex character, though if I had any criticism, it would be the fact that some of the side characters seemed a bit underdeveloped, especially compared to her. But I loved being swept away by the events in her life and going through the emotions they brought with them. It was like I was sitting by the fire with her family as I listened to her story. It awakened that feeling of wonderment towards stories and books I didn’t feel in a good while. I was really sorry to turn the last page. It’ll be a small miracle if it won’t make it to my best reads of the year list.
The Great Witch of Brittany is a love letter to what it means to be a woman, moreover a witch, especially in those times – late 18th, early 19th century during the fall of the French kingdom. To find one’s place and follow their destiny no matter where it leads. It was also really fascinating to read how her “gypsy ways” collided with Christianity and how it affected Ursule. I could go on singing praises about how much I loved this book, but instead, I’ll just urge you to read it for yourself! It’s a great mix of slice of life, historical fiction, and fantasy, and the perfect escape in these times when we all need to get away from reality for a couple of hours. Just be careful, because it’s addictive.
January 12, 2024
A continuation of one of my all-time favorites, A Secret History of Witches. As a prequel of the family saga, this one tells how the Orchiere witches came to be. Gorgeous. Transfixing. Morgan’s skill is evident. She uses so few words to evoke deep emotion. It was so engaging I was flipping pages like crazy, then started slowing down towards the end. I didn’t want Ursule’s story to be over yet. But really it’s a beginning. In fact, I’m going to reread A Secret History of Witches where this left off and spend a little more time in this world.
September 18, 2022
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4/5
Ursule was the daughter of a gypsy fortune teller, a descendant of the Orchieres witch bloodline even though the bloodline hadn’t produced a witch in generations. At 13, Ursule came into her powers and this story tells how she grew in power. Even after having to hide her powers to shield herself and her mother Agnes, from the witch hunters, Ursule and her mother had to run for their lives, finding safety on a farm as dairy workers. This is a multi-generational story that follows Ursule’s life as a daughter, mother, and witch.
Ursule was not always wise in using her powers, as a young witch she was often selfish using her powers for her own desires or when the need arises, to protect her loved ones. This is a great story of self-discovery of the life she lived, the mistakes she made, and obstacles that challenged her and overcame ultimately molding her into a strong independent woman.
This is a wonderfully told story of family, love, life, and loss and I was in tears by the end. I will definitely have to pick up the second book, A Secret History of Witches to read what happens to the Orchieres family.
Ursule was the daughter of a gypsy fortune teller, a descendant of the Orchieres witch bloodline even though the bloodline hadn’t produced a witch in generations. At 13, Ursule came into her powers and this story tells how she grew in power. Even after having to hide her powers to shield herself and her mother Agnes, from the witch hunters, Ursule and her mother had to run for their lives, finding safety on a farm as dairy workers. This is a multi-generational story that follows Ursule’s life as a daughter, mother, and witch.
Ursule was not always wise in using her powers, as a young witch she was often selfish using her powers for her own desires or when the need arises, to protect her loved ones. This is a great story of self-discovery of the life she lived, the mistakes she made, and obstacles that challenged her and overcame ultimately molding her into a strong independent woman.
This is a wonderfully told story of family, love, life, and loss and I was in tears by the end. I will definitely have to pick up the second book, A Secret History of Witches to read what happens to the Orchieres family.
March 2, 2022
Thank you to Orbit for sending me the print ARC!
Haven’t ever read any of this author’s other works but it was a decent-enough witch book! Absolutely cannot speak on whether or not the Romani rep was well done but I wanted to read it given the title (see: my namesake!)
Haven’t ever read any of this author’s other works but it was a decent-enough witch book! Absolutely cannot speak on whether or not the Romani rep was well done but I wanted to read it given the title (see: my namesake!)
November 15, 2021
The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan is an excellent historical fiction that I truly loved.
This book is part of a series consisting of a lineage of female witches within a family. This is a prequel of sorts and it can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved learning all about Ursule Orchiere. This is where it all seems to start: 1700s Brittany. Ursule learns her hidden magical abilities, the power that she has within, and must use these unrefined powers to help rescue and save her mother. There is great joy in all she needs to learn, especially at such a young age, but there are also huge risks from multiple fronts. What costs and burdens will she be forced to bare with these huge responsibilities that have been placed within her? What sacrifices might be undertaken to for saving and for founding a lasting dynasty? I loved the suspense and mystery included in finding out.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Orbit Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/15/22.
This book is part of a series consisting of a lineage of female witches within a family. This is a prequel of sorts and it can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved learning all about Ursule Orchiere. This is where it all seems to start: 1700s Brittany. Ursule learns her hidden magical abilities, the power that she has within, and must use these unrefined powers to help rescue and save her mother. There is great joy in all she needs to learn, especially at such a young age, but there are also huge risks from multiple fronts. What costs and burdens will she be forced to bare with these huge responsibilities that have been placed within her? What sacrifices might be undertaken to for saving and for founding a lasting dynasty? I loved the suspense and mystery included in finding out.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Orbit Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/15/22.
April 8, 2022
I really, really liked this and give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I was completely caught up in it from the beginning and sorry when it ended. It was right up there with the author's Secret History of Witches (which I now want to re-read). The story continues on with the Orchiere family line, picking up in 1762 in Carnac, France in a Romani caravan. 13 year old Ursule Orchiere, great granddaughter of Violca of 'Secret History', discovers the ancestral grimoire and crystal that her grandmother had kept hidden away. Though the power has skipped a couple of generations, Ursule discovers that the crystal speaks to her. Threats of witch burning are still real however and one must be very, very careful....
The saga continues on thru 1820. I can see another down the road (hint, hint Louise).
Note: While it does carry on the family line from Secret History of Witches, it succeeds very well as a stand-alone novel. But you're gonna want to read that one too.
The saga continues on thru 1820. I can see another down the road (hint, hint Louise).
Note: While it does carry on the family line from Secret History of Witches, it succeeds very well as a stand-alone novel. But you're gonna want to read that one too.
May 4, 2022
The first half of this book was pretty good. My concerns didn’t start until about half way through. I’m not going to say too much because I don’t want to spoil anything for any potential reader, but I will say this: it was too long. By about page 315 I was practically seizing in disbelief at how many more pages there were left to read. I could take or leave this one.
May 8, 2022
DNF, got up to Chapter 5 and still no magic, too slow and very depressing tone.
July 29, 2022
This book was a prequel to A Secret History of Witches which apparently I remember almost nothing about but just enough to irritate me while reading this book. But these are really both stand alone reads and can be read as such.
The Great Witch of Brittany is the story of Ursule, a Romani woman in the mid 1700s with a secret she hides from her clan and even her mother. She can read. This is the first of many secrets Ursule will have and learn to keep hidden from those around her, surrounded by the dangers of witch hunters and even those within her own clan. Ursule grows into a formidable woman.
This was an enjoyable read. Ursule was a fascinating and layered character. The story was well crafted, focusing more on Ursule's growth, then the events that happen around her. Though it's really the ever present threat of witch hunters that drive much of her motivations. And while I wouldn't exactly call this an atmospheric read, ultimately, the ambience of the novel plays a surprising part in how enjoyable it is. Both travelling with the Romani and rural life in France.
The lack of flash to the magic might be a negative for some but this is far more a historical novel with a tiny dash of fantasy than anything else. Personally, I found this to add to the story rather than detract from it. Not that I am against flashy magic but there was something about the down to earth and regular about Ursule's day to day rituals that really added to the story for me that I think a more flashy use of magic would have overshadowed.
A great witchy read.
The Great Witch of Brittany is the story of Ursule, a Romani woman in the mid 1700s with a secret she hides from her clan and even her mother. She can read. This is the first of many secrets Ursule will have and learn to keep hidden from those around her, surrounded by the dangers of witch hunters and even those within her own clan. Ursule grows into a formidable woman.
This was an enjoyable read. Ursule was a fascinating and layered character. The story was well crafted, focusing more on Ursule's growth, then the events that happen around her. Though it's really the ever present threat of witch hunters that drive much of her motivations. And while I wouldn't exactly call this an atmospheric read, ultimately, the ambience of the novel plays a surprising part in how enjoyable it is. Both travelling with the Romani and rural life in France.
The lack of flash to the magic might be a negative for some but this is far more a historical novel with a tiny dash of fantasy than anything else. Personally, I found this to add to the story rather than detract from it. Not that I am against flashy magic but there was something about the down to earth and regular about Ursule's day to day rituals that really added to the story for me that I think a more flashy use of magic would have overshadowed.
A great witchy read.
November 15, 2021
The Great Witch of Brittany by Louisa Morgan is an excellent historical fiction that I truly loved.
This book is part of a series consisting of a lineage of female witches within a family. This is a prequel of sorts and it can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved learning all about Ursule Orchiere. This is where it all seems to start: 1700s Brittany. Ursule learns her hidden magical abilities, the power that she has within, and must use these unrefined powers to help rescue and save her mother. There is great joy in all she needs to learn, especially at such a young age, but there are also huge risks from multiple fronts. What costs and burdens will she be forced to bare with these huge responsibilities that have been placed within her? What sacrifices might be undertaken to for saving and for founding a lasting dynasty? I loved the suspense and mystery included in finding out.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Redhook Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/15/22.
This book is part of a series consisting of a lineage of female witches within a family. This is a prequel of sorts and it can easily be read as a standalone.
I loved learning all about Ursule Orchiere. This is where it all seems to start: 1700s Brittany. Ursule learns her hidden magical abilities, the power that she has within, and must use these unrefined powers to help rescue and save her mother. There is great joy in all she needs to learn, especially at such a young age, but there are also huge risks from multiple fronts. What costs and burdens will she be forced to bare with these huge responsibilities that have been placed within her? What sacrifices might be undertaken to for saving and for founding a lasting dynasty? I loved the suspense and mystery included in finding out.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Redhook Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 2/15/22.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews