What do you think?
Rate this book
The Crowthistle Chronicles #3
Weatherwitch
Astarial is a beautiful young woman, the darling of the Weathermaster clan. Yet there is an air of sadness that surrounds this beauty, for Astarial lost her mother to an evil enchantment and her father soon after when grief engulfed him and he set off on a quest to find a way to free his love. While she has want for naught Astarial keenly feels the loss of her parents.
Keener still, Astarial feels the loss of mortal life, for while she loves her father's people dearly she knows she is not one of them. Her mother was descended from the dreaded sorcerer of Strang, and in Astarial's blood lies a mighty power waiting for her to use for good or ill. In his travels her father was rendered near-immortal and this dubious gift was passed to Astarial.
Now near adulthood, Astarial is at a crossroads. She can stay in the safety of all she has known, hide from the world and choose to use her powers in small ways to do small good. Or she can embark on a quest to fully realize the power that surges in her blood and perhaps undo the evil that her ancestors wreaked.
Her decision will reshape the world.
Keener still, Astarial feels the loss of mortal life, for while she loves her father's people dearly she knows she is not one of them. Her mother was descended from the dreaded sorcerer of Strang, and in Astarial's blood lies a mighty power waiting for her to use for good or ill. In his travels her father was rendered near-immortal and this dubious gift was passed to Astarial.
Now near adulthood, Astarial is at a crossroads. She can stay in the safety of all she has known, hide from the world and choose to use her powers in small ways to do small good. Or she can embark on a quest to fully realize the power that surges in her blood and perhaps undo the evil that her ancestors wreaked.
Her decision will reshape the world.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 14, 2006
14 people are currently reading
568 people want to read
About the author
Cecilia Dart-Thornton
40 books409 followersJoin Cecilia's blog: https://ceciliadartthornton.substack....
Cecilia Dart-Thornton became a full-time writer in 2000 after her work was 'discovered' on the Internet and published by Time Warner (New York).
She is a lifetime member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and has been a judge of the World Fantasy Awards.
Her books are published around the world and have been translated into several languages.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
THE BITTERBYNDE TRILOGY
'This series follows the journey of a mute, amnesiac foundling through a world of beauty and peril, teeming with faerie creatures.'
The Ill-Made Mute (2001)
The Lady of the Sorrows (2002)
The Battle of Evernight (2003)
THE CROWTHISTLE CHRONICLES
'A four-part epic fantasy describing the adventures that befall a cursed and gifted family.'
The Iron Tree (2004)
The Well of Tears (2005)
Weatherwitch (2006)
Fallowblade (2007)
SHORT STORIES
Long the Clouds are Over me Tonight (Published in the anthology Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy; Tor Books, 2004)
The Stolen Swanmaiden (Published in Australian Women's Weekly September 2005)
The Lanes of Camberwell (Published by Harper Collins in the anthology DREAMING AGAIN, 2008)
The Enchanted (Published by Harper Collins in the anthology LEGENDS OF AUSTRALIAN FANTASY, 2010)
Cecilia Dart-Thornton became a full-time writer in 2000 after her work was 'discovered' on the Internet and published by Time Warner (New York).
She is a lifetime member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America and has been a judge of the World Fantasy Awards.
Her books are published around the world and have been translated into several languages.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
THE BITTERBYNDE TRILOGY
'This series follows the journey of a mute, amnesiac foundling through a world of beauty and peril, teeming with faerie creatures.'
The Ill-Made Mute (2001)
The Lady of the Sorrows (2002)
The Battle of Evernight (2003)
THE CROWTHISTLE CHRONICLES
'A four-part epic fantasy describing the adventures that befall a cursed and gifted family.'
The Iron Tree (2004)
The Well of Tears (2005)
Weatherwitch (2006)
Fallowblade (2007)
SHORT STORIES
Long the Clouds are Over me Tonight (Published in the anthology Emerald Magic: Great Tales of Irish Fantasy; Tor Books, 2004)
The Stolen Swanmaiden (Published in Australian Women's Weekly September 2005)
The Lanes of Camberwell (Published by Harper Collins in the anthology DREAMING AGAIN, 2008)
The Enchanted (Published by Harper Collins in the anthology LEGENDS OF AUSTRALIAN FANTASY, 2010)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 25, 2016
I enjoyed this book more than the previous 2. I feel it got more to the point so I didn't lose interest. Cecilia's descriptions are very detailed, and I find they take up more of her other books than they actual plot. This book was a better balance between plot and imagery. I did get a bit sick of the vegan speeches that seem to come up in most chapters. It feels a bit like an agenda as it goes beyond just descriptions of the character. But overall good!
September 26, 2021
Ormai siamo a livello di autolesionismo. Ora mi spiego perché la Nord si è rifiutata di comprare i diritti e tradurre l'ultimo libro. Giustificatissimi.
Per le prime 170 pagine circa (sì, ne ho tenuto traccia) non succede NULLA. N U L L A. Tutto ciò che leggiamo non serve a niente. Niente. Voi non potete capire la frustrazione di continuare a leggere aspettando che succeda qualcosa che porti avanti la trama. Per non parlare della svolta animal/vegana che prende la protagonista. O il fatto che continui a lamentarsi di una creatura di faerie ma ogni volta che torna da lei ne è felice. Bipolarismo puro. O alcune descrizioni che vorrebbero richiamare una specie di visione cinematografica della scena e in un caso particolare finiscono per mandare a puttane la consecutio temporum. Sembra di avere davanti un novellino al suo primo romanzo.
Sorvolo sul tentato Gioco dei Troni perché è veramente ridicolo.
Daje. Il prossimo è l'ultimo. Almeno questo.
Per le prime 170 pagine circa (sì, ne ho tenuto traccia) non succede NULLA. N U L L A. Tutto ciò che leggiamo non serve a niente. Niente. Voi non potete capire la frustrazione di continuare a leggere aspettando che succeda qualcosa che porti avanti la trama. Per non parlare della svolta animal/vegana che prende la protagonista. O il fatto che continui a lamentarsi di una creatura di faerie ma ogni volta che torna da lei ne è felice. Bipolarismo puro. O alcune descrizioni che vorrebbero richiamare una specie di visione cinematografica della scena e in un caso particolare finiscono per mandare a puttane la consecutio temporum. Sembra di avere davanti un novellino al suo primo romanzo.
Sorvolo sul tentato Gioco dei Troni perché è veramente ridicolo.
Daje. Il prossimo è l'ultimo. Almeno questo.
July 7, 2016
The great thing about the Crowthistle Chronicles is that each book ends on a high that makes you eager to read the next book.
The frustrating this about these books is that they are often slow and repetitive in the middle of the narrative.
However on the whole, they are enjoyable and pleasant enough!
The frustrating this about these books is that they are often slow and repetitive in the middle of the narrative.
However on the whole, they are enjoyable and pleasant enough!
May 3, 2017
If you love ridiculous amounts of detail like I do, a strong female protagonist, pagan stuff and a good plot line, this is for you.
June 28, 2022
Better than the first and second but not by much.
In truth, I couldn't bring myself to finish this book and perhaps I will go back to it and change this review someday but I don't see that as likely.
The main issue I found with this novel is that I could not care less about the characters, I had no care what they did, if they lived and what their goals were.
It was difficult to get into this series to begin with as each novel has a unique set of main characters and goals with (so far) no overarching storyline other than that the characters were related. This meant that starting each book was like starting a standalone novel but without any of the thrill.
Also, I found (particularly in book two) the subtle hints of sexism extremely irritating and the characters' choices ridiculously stupid most of the time.
Perhaps these books just were not my sort of stories.
In truth, I couldn't bring myself to finish this book and perhaps I will go back to it and change this review someday but I don't see that as likely.
The main issue I found with this novel is that I could not care less about the characters, I had no care what they did, if they lived and what their goals were.
It was difficult to get into this series to begin with as each novel has a unique set of main characters and goals with (so far) no overarching storyline other than that the characters were related. This meant that starting each book was like starting a standalone novel but without any of the thrill.
Also, I found (particularly in book two) the subtle hints of sexism extremely irritating and the characters' choices ridiculously stupid most of the time.
Perhaps these books just were not my sort of stories.
May 15, 2019
Bel romanzo fantasy, assolutamente originale nell'ambientazione. Mi è piaciuto molto, ma mi sono reso conto che il libro in mio possesso, acquistato quasi per caso, è il terzo episodio di una saga fantasy molto apprezzata per i suoi riferimenti alla tradizione celtica. Ho cercato i primi due romanzi, ma sono riuscito a trovare solo il secondo (Il pozzo delle lacrime), non ho trovato invece il primo (L'albero di ferro). A questo punto credo di avere solo la parte centrale della saga, senza avere l'inizio e la fine. Cercherò ancora con costanza perché la vicenda è troppo appassionate per non conoscerla in maniera completa.
March 15, 2018
The plot wasn't bad,but the protagonist was one of the most insufferable Mary Sues I've ever read. I wanted to slap her with a dead fish.
January 5, 2022
Not as keen in this set of characters compared to Jewels story. But the ending did start to pick up again. Still wordy descriptions which bore me alot so I skim them and pick up important bits.
July 25, 2023
Loved the imaginary, the details fully described and the pagan witchyness but the vegan message all the time really detracts from the story, rips you right out.
August 10, 2011
This is the second time I've read this book and I still absolutley love it! Cecilia does have a way with words, yes - she does like lengthy descriptions but she has such an in depth knowledge of flora, fauna, weather systems, earth and folklore. The amount of research and the skill to apply it to her story is amazing. Also the way that she tied the families through the four books was a very cool way of doing things. Who could not be attracted to this book with two wonderful, beautiful, powerful and emotional characters at the forefront! Once again, loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2009
This one was a little darker than the previous two, and it didn't have as good of a plot. But it is a great setup for the next and last book...
January 5, 2011
Yay Asrathiel!
February 19, 2015
Interesting.
Read
June 19, 2012might not finish the series!
May 28, 2013
Aww this was the very first book my dad bought for me. A very complicated book to read.. But I like it though :)
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews