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Five Crowns of Okrith #1.5
The Witch Apothecary
The magic of a traveling carnival is nothing compared to the magic of a beautiful red witch.
Eighteen-year-old Heather Doledir has never left her hometown in the Western Court. As the eldest child of a brown witch family, she is slated to take over the family apothecary and help care for her ailing father. When the traveling witch carnival comes to town, her dreams of adventure ignite along with her affections for a red witch named Emry. Even though the carnival is only in town until the harvest moon, Heather knows that this red witch will change her life forever.
This is the second story in The Okrith Novellas series.
Eighteen-year-old Heather Doledir has never left her hometown in the Western Court. As the eldest child of a brown witch family, she is slated to take over the family apothecary and help care for her ailing father. When the traveling witch carnival comes to town, her dreams of adventure ignite along with her affections for a red witch named Emry. Even though the carnival is only in town until the harvest moon, Heather knows that this red witch will change her life forever.
This is the second story in The Okrith Novellas series.
78 pages, ebook
First published October 1, 2021
12 people are currently reading
3455 people want to read
About the author
A.K. Mulford
23 books2,029 followersA. K. Mulford is a bestselling fantasy author and former wildlife biologist who swapped rehabilitating monkeys for writing novels. They/she is inspired to create diverse stories that transport readers to new realms, making them fall in love with fantasy for the first time or all over again. They now live in Australia with their husband and two young human primates, creating lovable fantasy characters and making ridiculous TikToks (@akmulfordauthor).
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
Get the Okrith Novellas FREE at www.akmulford.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
September 17, 2021
As per usual, beautifully written side story ♥️
Another novella that just adds more beauty to the world Mulford has created. I am always impressed by how much variety and diversity is included in Mulfords characters, without it feeling forced or pandering.
My only complaint is I wish there was more, cause I am very committed to this now.
Another novella that just adds more beauty to the world Mulford has created. I am always impressed by how much variety and diversity is included in Mulfords characters, without it feeling forced or pandering.
My only complaint is I wish there was more, cause I am very committed to this now.
September 19, 2021
I read this after The High Mountain Court and The Witch of Crimson Arrows. This story takes us back to Heathers life before she was just Remys guardian in the main book. I absolutely loved this story, considering it is short, being a novella, I was so invested in the story and the relationships that develop. My only complaint is, I would have loved there to have been more of this story. Highly recommended as just a nice wee standalone read or if you want to deep dive more into the world as a whole.
May 16, 2025
I am not sure how much this book contributed to the series besides cementing the idea that Heather’s family line comes from Baba Monroe and that at least two of her siblings are alive and powerful brown witches helping others (Evelyn and Cole). It does not reveal what tragedy befalls Heather’s family. With everything the reader knows happens (Heather’s family tragedy and the genocide of the red witches), I believe the author could have made this book much more tragic.
April 10, 2022
This is the story of Heather. Another amazing tear jerking Rollercoaster ride. But with AK Mulfords story telling you just need more. You just can't stop reading what she write even tho she rips your heart out and you yell to yourself why am I doing this to myself, but right away start the next book because you just need more.
January 8, 2022
This was a great short story about Heather’s upbringing but I wish there was more what happens with Heather and Emry. Was Emry her fated? What happens between them and their love story? How Heather becomes Remy guardian.
June 5, 2022
This story is so lovely. I felt like I delved into this fantasy world and loved all the characters even though the book is under 100 pages. I felt myself tearing up at the end and I cannot wait to continue Heather and Emry's story.
June 22, 2024
I loved Heather's story. In my opinion, this is the best thing to come out of this series. While I'm struggling with all of the novels, these little novellas keep drawing me right back in.
This was such a sweet story, and I got through it so quickly and instantly wished there was more.
This was such a sweet story, and I got through it so quickly and instantly wished there was more.
September 21, 2021
aaahhh now I want to know the full story of Heather and Emry! And to know the details about how Heathers become Remy's guardian!
I'm 200% committed to this world now!
I'm 200% committed to this world now!
August 28, 2022
This was super cute. I loved every second of it!
November 15, 2022
Heather 🥹♥️🥺
December 13, 2022
3,75 🌟
October 22, 2024
Emery > Remy
January 7, 2025
This was a wonderful story about heather and I loved every second of it
December 9, 2021
Loved loved loved reading about Heather! Tho story was fantastic!
May 25, 2023
Not big in heavy fantasy but I like the writing and I like that this is about witches. If you like heavy fantasy or witches stories you might like this more than me.
September 13, 2023
5⭐️ This novella following Heather, Remy and Fenrin’s adopted Mother, goes back to when she was 18 living a in her small town working in the family’s apothecary shop.
It was the story that I longed for during The High Mountain Court, desperately wanting to learn more about Heather who was such a doting and devoted carer.
This story was so incredibly sweet, the budding romance so beautifully told. There was family love, a deep commitment to the witch rituals holding a family and a community together and a healthy exploration of the value of self.
I found myself in tears many times during this short novella and now that it has finished I need more of Heather’s story.
Another perfect instalment in the world of Okrith!
It was the story that I longed for during The High Mountain Court, desperately wanting to learn more about Heather who was such a doting and devoted carer.
This story was so incredibly sweet, the budding romance so beautifully told. There was family love, a deep commitment to the witch rituals holding a family and a community together and a healthy exploration of the value of self.
I found myself in tears many times during this short novella and now that it has finished I need more of Heather’s story.
Another perfect instalment in the world of Okrith!
June 11, 2022
Started: 6/10/22
Finished: 6/10/22
Version Read: E-book
Price: Free
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Everything written is my own, honest opinion. This was a book offered for free as part of the June TBR takeover 2022.
Summary: A young girl, Heather is the eldest daughter to her town's apothecary family. She never knew she yearned for much more outside of her normal life until she met her... Emry, the red witch.
Likes: I really enjoyed how well written the story was and how, despite the trope, Emry was level headed and didn't demand extremes.
I also liked that despite the fact I'm not one to read romance, and did not know it was a romance story going in, I was still hooked. The world was fascinating and I'm always a sucker for witch stories.
Dislikes: I dislike that this book was so short! /J. Before reading, know that this is a short story introducing characters that feature on the author's Patreon. I'm not saying this as a negative, but know that this is a short novelette with 5 chapters that lead into the author's other stories.
Wrap-up: I enjoyed this novelette quite a bit and would be interested to learn more about the world, even though I'm not a fan of romance-focused books.
Finished: 6/10/22
Version Read: E-book
Price: Free
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Everything written is my own, honest opinion. This was a book offered for free as part of the June TBR takeover 2022.
Summary: A young girl, Heather is the eldest daughter to her town's apothecary family. She never knew she yearned for much more outside of her normal life until she met her... Emry, the red witch.
Likes: I really enjoyed how well written the story was and how, despite the trope, Emry was level headed and didn't demand extremes.
I also liked that despite the fact I'm not one to read romance, and did not know it was a romance story going in, I was still hooked. The world was fascinating and I'm always a sucker for witch stories.
Dislikes: I dislike that this book was so short! /J. Before reading, know that this is a short story introducing characters that feature on the author's Patreon. I'm not saying this as a negative, but know that this is a short novelette with 5 chapters that lead into the author's other stories.
Wrap-up: I enjoyed this novelette quite a bit and would be interested to learn more about the world, even though I'm not a fan of romance-focused books.
September 21, 2021
The Witch Apothecary is a short story about Heather. If you've read The High Mountain Court, Heather is Remy's guardian. Heather is a brown witch who specializes in healing and foraging.
Heather meets Emery who is a red witch. A strong bond is formed between them and Heather gets tasked with the decision of staying with her family and helping run the Apothecary store or going with Emery touring the lands with the carnival. What will she choose? Will she stay or will she go?!
AK Mulford's writing is once again impeccable. I am absolutely loving this series!
I'm not sure if The Witch Apothecary is a Prequel to a book that is coming out later in the series or not. If it's not, I seriously hope that AK Mulford creates another book because I want to keep reading more about Heather's story!
Heather meets Emery who is a red witch. A strong bond is formed between them and Heather gets tasked with the decision of staying with her family and helping run the Apothecary store or going with Emery touring the lands with the carnival. What will she choose? Will she stay or will she go?!
AK Mulford's writing is once again impeccable. I am absolutely loving this series!
I'm not sure if The Witch Apothecary is a Prequel to a book that is coming out later in the series or not. If it's not, I seriously hope that AK Mulford creates another book because I want to keep reading more about Heather's story!
September 25, 2021
In this Novel we follow Heather's story. I can honestly say I was on the edge of my seat reading this!
In this story Heather meets Emry, a red witch who lives with a travelling circus type group. We follow their story of meeting and falling in love, we go through all their trials and joys together in the several weeks that they get to be together before Emry leaves with the travelling group. Heather lives with her parents and siblings who run an Apothecary for the town of Valtene. Heather being the oldest is expected to take over the Apothecary shop when her parents pass.... but is that what Heather wants? We find out in this book.
The plot is amazing, the character development is next level. There are funny times, joyful times and sad times where you are crying so hard! I hope everyone gives this book a read!
In this story Heather meets Emry, a red witch who lives with a travelling circus type group. We follow their story of meeting and falling in love, we go through all their trials and joys together in the several weeks that they get to be together before Emry leaves with the travelling group. Heather lives with her parents and siblings who run an Apothecary for the town of Valtene. Heather being the oldest is expected to take over the Apothecary shop when her parents pass.... but is that what Heather wants? We find out in this book.
The plot is amazing, the character development is next level. There are funny times, joyful times and sad times where you are crying so hard! I hope everyone gives this book a read!
June 27, 2025
I really enjoyed the backstory of Heather. I loved the picture painted of an impressive apothecary shop that, in my mind, looked like the wand store in Harry Potter! Heather's little sister Rose was a character I loved to hate and was glad her skill in the shop, and controlling nature, gave Heather the opportunity to be free to travel the world. I would have hated her staying just to be bossed around by her little sister the rest of her life. Having read the High Mountain Court, you already know she's leaving but the character building was nice. I did think it was odd that it was put where it was in the series since she dies in Book 1. Seemed to me that it would have been better as #.5 to really build Heather up and truly mourn her death at the end of Book 1.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2021
This was a short wonderful book. And a great read while waiting for the next book in this amazing series. In this book you learn about how Heather, Remys ‘mother’ for all those years, came to leave her home, and family. It gives you. Wonderful background into this character. The only problem is it makes me want the next book even more. This author is an amazing story teller, and beautiful world builder. If I hadn’t watched her journey on BookTok, I’d have never known she was a new author. Definitely recommend her books if you’re a fan of fantasy. Even if you are not, you’ll love them, the story’s are so good, you forget. I’m not much of a fantasy reader, and I’m obsessed.
October 16, 2021
I loved this novella. Not only do we get to spend more time with Heather, who I adored, but we get to see where she came from, who she came from, and her compassion and loyalty definitely come in part from her family.
When a carnival comes to town, Heather is instantly drawn there instead of doing her work at her family's Apothecary. When she meets Emry, all bets are off as this captivating red witch and Heather are just instantly connected.
It's a gorgeous coming of age story, a fall in love for the first time story. A story about family being more then you think, and, most of all, adventure. It was amazing!
When a carnival comes to town, Heather is instantly drawn there instead of doing her work at her family's Apothecary. When she meets Emry, all bets are off as this captivating red witch and Heather are just instantly connected.
It's a gorgeous coming of age story, a fall in love for the first time story. A story about family being more then you think, and, most of all, adventure. It was amazing!
June 2, 2022
"hidaraast: it meant the eerie familiarity of a new thing."
This is a beautiful story of the first-sight attraction between two witches. Will Heather leave her family apothecary shop to travel the carnival with Emory, or is this all just a passing red flame?
As with everything she writes, AK Mulford crafted a beautiful world with characters who will never leave you.
This quick read sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. Heather and Emory are so purely lovable. I'm so sad this is over already! Guess I need to read all of Okrith over again...
This is a beautiful story of the first-sight attraction between two witches. Will Heather leave her family apothecary shop to travel the carnival with Emory, or is this all just a passing red flame?
As with everything she writes, AK Mulford crafted a beautiful world with characters who will never leave you.
This quick read sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. Heather and Emory are so purely lovable. I'm so sad this is over already! Guess I need to read all of Okrith over again...
Read
June 2, 2022This short story is a great addition to A. K Milford's The Five Crowns of Okrith Series. However, this novella can stand on its own two feet, giving you just enough history and information to introduce you to the witch community within her series while also taking you on a whirlwind adventure of meeting your soul mate and dealing with family obligations.
This is a wonderful quick read that I'd recommend to readers who haven't read the rest of this author's series so you can get a feel for her work. But for long-time fans such as myself, this was a great addition to her world.
This is a wonderful quick read that I'd recommend to readers who haven't read the rest of this author's series so you can get a feel for her work. But for long-time fans such as myself, this was a great addition to her world.
June 12, 2022
This is a very sweet novella. Its a clean lgbtq read. Heather is the oldest daughter of the Doledir family. They are brown witches whose magic is infused in their potions, elixers and herbal remedies. The Doledir family runs an apothecary shop. A traveling carnival comes to their small town of Valtene in the western court. Heather meets a very lovely and enchanting woman Emry. Emry is a red witch. This story is very sweet and lovely. Definitely a love at first sight romance. I would recommend if you want a short and sweet romance read.
July 1, 2022
I really enjoyed the writings of AK Milford immensely. The story did not disappoint at all. I really enjoy the tellings of a young witch who is attracted to the traveling market and would love to travel with them. I also enjoyed the relationship that has been blossoming between the characters. I really enjoying the continuation of the story within the novella and I am looking forward to the continuation of the series from the author
August 20, 2024
This is another Novella from the author that gave us the High Mountain Court. This one delves into the life of Heather, Remy's guardian. Even a witch of high esteem has a life of highs and lows, as this heart warming, then tear jerking story proves.
Excellent character building is shown here as once again we get absorbed into this wonderful world of fae and other magical wonders.
A great read throughout but I do have a sense this could easily have been a novel in itself.
Excellent character building is shown here as once again we get absorbed into this wonderful world of fae and other magical wonders.
A great read throughout but I do have a sense this could easily have been a novel in itself.
February 25, 2025
This novella provided insight into Heather’s life before she became Remy’s guardian. Emery offered Heather adventure and a passionate romance. This was a softer tale, set before the world conflicts rev up. It was an enjoyable cozy fantasy romance story but I wished for a little more as I was still left with several open questions about Heather’s backstory related to the main series.
This world of witches is enchanting and I can’t wait to dive into book two next!
This world of witches is enchanting and I can’t wait to dive into book two next!
September 24, 2021
UGH I am absolutely loving reading about other characters.
After reading HMC I knew there was a story behind Heather's time in the Southern Court and the story AK Mulford has created just shows where Heather's love and bravery started. I hope to learn more about her relationship with Emry and what happens between the end of this novella and the Siege of Yexshire.
After reading HMC I knew there was a story behind Heather's time in the Southern Court and the story AK Mulford has created just shows where Heather's love and bravery started. I hope to learn more about her relationship with Emry and what happens between the end of this novella and the Siege of Yexshire.
October 29, 2021
This was my favorite novella of all the ones so far published in this universe. 😭😭😭
The story was so cute, wholesome and heart-warming. ❤️
I need to read more of Emry's and Heather's travels and Heather's family. Knowing her destiny, I want to relish in her happier times.
4.5 stars ✨
The story was so cute, wholesome and heart-warming. ❤️
I need to read more of Emry's and Heather's travels and Heather's family. Knowing her destiny, I want to relish in her happier times.
4.5 stars ✨
Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews