Crone Unleashed

The Crone Wars #4

by Lydia M. Hawke

This book is the fourth in the Crone Wars series and the following description contains spoilers! You've been warned. ;)

She thought she’d won—but the war has only just started.

When Claire Emerson imprisoned Morok in the Camlann fragment of the world, it should have been the end of the dark god—and of the war between him and the Crones. But when Lucan, her protector, is accidentally trapped along with the god, Claire is determined to rescue him.

She’ll have to travel through the treacherous god realm—alone—to get to him. And that’s just the first hurdle. The bigger problem? The magick of an ancient Crone is hidden in the fragment, and if Morok discovers it, he’ll have enough power to break free and carry out his plan to destroy Claire’s entire world and all that she loves.

Can Claire save Lucan and find the Crone magic before Morok does? Or will she have to choose between the shifter she’s come to love and the power she never asked for in the first place?

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Fiction

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2023

About the author

Pen name for author: Linda Poitevin

Lydia M. Hawke is a writer possessed of both a light side and a dark one. On the dark side, she’s the author of the Grigori Legacy, an apocalyptic urban fantasy series featuring a hard-as-nails cop caught up in the war between Heaven and Hell. In her lighter moments, she writes romances (contemporary and suspense) as Linda Poitevin. And when she’s not plotting the world’s downfall or next great love story, she’s a wife, mom, friend, coffee snob, gardener, walker of a Giant Dog, keeper of many pets, and an avid food preserver (you know, just in case that whole Zombie Apocalypse thing really happens)

Reviews

[Marion Over]

I love Claire. When I am her age I pray that I can kick butt as well as her!!! What a book, just WOW. This was a great book, this whole series is amazing. It embodies what a truly powerful woman is. Plus, at times it is truly hilarious in a fashion (have I ever mentioned I'm a huge fan of British humor). Best woman's fiction, urban fantasy, fantasy ever. Love this author, she is truly brilliant.

[Anne-Marie]

The 4th wasn’t as good as the first three. Still nice to have a series with older women.

[Valerie]

Great new edition to the series. If you have not read the others, you could be lost, so I recommend getting the others. They are very good, so it is not something that is a hardship, but will take some time. I believe the author did say there would be another in the series, so there is a nod to that in the end. Highly recommend this series, especially to anyone who is over 60 and needs to know that even at our age, we can be heroes.

[Angie]

One of the things I loved most about this book was how different the main character still feels from the usual fantasy heroine. Claire is older, vulnerable, stubborn, and incredibly relatable, which made her journey feel more real to a woman approaching 60!

The story had a great mix of magic, mythology, danger, and heart. The world-building was vivid and imaginative, especially the scenes in the Otherworld, and I found myself completely pulled into Claire’s mission to save Lucan and stop Morok. There was plenty of action, but the emotional moments were what stayed with me the most.

I appreciated that Claire isn’t portrayed as perfect or fearless. She struggles, doubts herself, and keeps going anyway, which made me root for her even more and made her relatable. The pacing slowed slightly in a few places, but overall I found the book hard to put down, especially towards the end.

For me, this series stands out because it proves fantasy heroes don’t have to be young to be captivating and gripping... And there were dragons! I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book.

[Ilona]

I loved the first three books in the series, even though the initial Claire was a titch pathetic. All that self-abasement, insecurity, second-guessing herself. Speaking as a woman over sixty, I'd have thought that by our age you'd have outgrown that. However, each person grows at their own pace, and by midway through the second book, Claire was becoming someone I could truly respect. By the third book, she was there.

However, despite the admirable growth of its main character, I am getting very weary of the way each book ends on a cliff-hanger. I want some RESOLUTION. I guess it will come in the fifth book. I confess that after a few chapters, when I began to suspect that this was going to be yet another cliff-hanger, I skipped ahead to the end. Yup. Cliff-hanger. I didn't read the middle chapters. Why go through all that tension and stress just to get to an end of ... tension and stress?

But it's an exciting story, and I want to know how it ends!

I think, when the fifth book comes out, I'll just read the last three chapters, and call it done. Phew.

[Anita]

Claire is slowly recovering from her battle in New York. Slowly getting her strength and magic back. Lucan is weighing heavy on her mind and the crows that only she can see are getting louder and louder. When the Morrigan appears and orders her to go to Camlann to stop the Morok from getting Morgana's magic that was hidden there, her mind is set and she goes about planning to get to Camlann through a door into the Otherworld. On a journey fraught with danger, Claire makes her way, meeting several gods along the way in the hopes that she will also find Lucan and he can help her.
Loved this book. Can't wait for the next.

[J Braide]

This is a review for books 4 & 5, since they really should have been one book. The fourth in the series is a slog through the Otherworld, for the character and the reader. While we meet some characters who take a bigger role in book 5, it was rather tiresome. Books 1-3 did a nice job of balancing the internal and external goals/challenges for our MC, but the internal struggles fizzle in these books and, alas, I became impatient. It just felt like the author was trying to drag out a story that should have ended with book 3. And it looks like there's a subsequent series because it apparently won't just be done with.

[T.]

Claire continues making mistakes, but I guess it suits her. You can’t suddenly turn into some young, badass, OP heroine with no fear whatsoever. I guess it’s hard to lose your ‘bad’ habits, but man I wanted to smack her sometimes.

I was wondering, how did Harry knew what to do? The fight also seems so short, there must be a reason for it. And Lucan, damn I didn’t see that coming! I have so many questions about that…

I also thought more people survived at the beginning of the book? Must have missed something in book 3.

[Lynne]

Crone Unleashed (The Crone Wars Book 4)

I sat breathless, I worried, I cried, I laughed, all along this amazing woman's journey.
I related to every twinge of pain, of every sore spot of age. I walk with her in her triumphs and losses. I loved this book and it's characters. I highly recommend this series, this author, whose has helped me to see that being older does not mean life is over and there is still majick in the world. I'm about to dust off my wand and start again.

[Diana Brown]

Crone unleashed was just as good as the previous books in the series. I was left late at night screaming, NO I need more! Thankfully the 5th book is coming out very soon. All the books are quick and easy reads. It's wonderful to have a 60 year old heroine, and this time Claire and her cat are on an adventure to save Lucan, her wolf protector, and make sure that Morok does not find Morgana's magick. A fabulous urban fantasy series that I totally recommend

[Rhonda Jones]

So Good

They thought they beat him. But the cost was too high. Claire needs to go to the splintered planet to retrieve her protector, Lucan, and finish off the evil God for good. What a journey! To get there she must first go to the Otherworld, where the old Gods live. Only they are not friendly, they can be jealous, petty, and cruel. This was quite an adventure I could not stop reading this book.

[Kathleen I]

This series is excellent!

I've read them each with great curiosity and unabashed pleasure. Claire is each of us when we've reached our crone years. Her power is our power. The over-arching story keeps one's interest while the threads that weave it all together keep us amused and entertained. The Weaver was truly involved in these books.

[Kelly C]

I REALLY liked all the books in the series so far but this one put a lot of fear in me. Fear for Claire, despite her magic. There were SO MANY unknowns that I was afraid to pick it up, but pick it up I did, LOL
I knew SHE wasn't going to die because hey, there's a fifth book😉
I love the little dragon!! Nice touch Lydia!!
I'm on to number 5, YAY!!

[Anne V]

awesome ending

Good read though it lags a bit in the travel sections. Long distances covered can become too much the same. Individual encounters, on the other hand are charming, or interesting, and enough to keep things moving until the last chapters swirl in like a tornado and sweep the reader to an awesome end.

[Denise Spain]

pure magic!

The Crone series is addicting and having just finished this latest installment, I am already experiencing withdrawals and craving the next book. If you want to be swept away on an amazing adventure read these books!!

[Vicki Kline-saunier]

My absolute favorite series

I love this character. She has heart, soul, she's strong nd yet very vulnerable at the same time. Doubts herself, and is also brave as hell. I love a book with a strong female lead, and Crone has it in spades.

[Lori Kern]

Drone Unleashed

Once again this author has totally outdone herself. The story was amazing and frightening and breathtaking. I couldn't read fast enough to get to the end to see how Lydia Hawke had ended it... but did she?

[Ruth]

Crone Unleashed

Wow, just wow!! I so live the Crone series, Claire is so relatable…her strengths, her frailties, her unwillingness to give up on those she loves even at huge risk to herself…no pressure on the author Lydia M Hawke…bring on number five!!

[Elbev2002yahoo.Co.Uk]

Just binge read this series in 1 day and pre-ordered the next! (Thank Goddess it’s the holidays) Loved Clair and her inner dialogue! Don’t like giving spoilers however as a female in her own crone years, if you like a bit of fantasy/magic then I think you also will love this series!

[Jennifer Chamberlain]

I really liked this installment of the series. Things looked so dire for Claire and I thought it was going to be depressing but it was surprisingly fresh and interesting with the addition of new characters in the Otherworld. I will be sad when tihe series ends.

[Bec]

Another brilliant story.
Love love love that Claire doesn’t let her age stop her from being a badass.
Recommend to all

[Mai]

No.... !!! I need to know the rest! Come on! Too good!

[Marcia]

Love this series

I look forward to August each year knowing a new crone book is coming. I am in my sixties and love the age connection to Claire.

[Mary Lee Johnston]

crones

Not a fan of the way that sounds but the old gal is certainly made of the right stuff. One foot in front of the other with or without her magic

[Maryceilr]

crone power

Nice to read a 60 year old heroine. Claire is real and on a mission. One more book coming to end her story. A fun read.

[Darlene Pinnell]

Enjoyed part 4 of this series and looking forward to the next one.

[Dee]

Best so far

I love this one so much! Claire and Gus on an intense otherworldly adventure. Dragons! I love Dragons! I am dying for the next book in the series!

[Caly ☯ Crazy Book Lady]

Good but not as good as the first 3. Pace was a lot slower and I missed Edie and Claire's interactions and while Harry is fun, I was a little bored. Hope that the next one picks up again

[Rhonda Taylor]

Thrilling

It was a crazy ride. Mythology ,crazy gods lost kings, goddesses who had had enough. A heroic cat that becomes a mother.

[Kristina Flood]

What an awesome, amazing story!!! Magic, an epic quest, new characters, all make a great book. A must read. I can hardly wait to read the next book when it comes out!!