The Shadow Witch has finally won. Flynn Hawthorn, heir to the wand of the Coven of the Sacred Wood, has been Taken by the Shadow.As the peace of Aotearoa is shattered by the evil seeping out of Dreamwood Forest and Magdelana continues her quest for power, Flynn remains a prisoner.Flynn’s magick is held in check by cruel iron bracelets and she is forced to choose between her love for her people … between her love for her people and her constant craving for dark magick–knowing that her decision has the potential to change the future for the inhabitants of Aotearoa and Southeil.
Flynn has to make a decision: salvation or destruction.
But for whom?
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I was captivated by the prequel The Courage of Kahu and that has remained with me throughout the series so far. I can relate to the feelings of Hazel and Po on a personal level because I have been there myself and felt both emotions. Unrequited love is a very hard pill to swallow. I can understand Flynn’s feelings after experiencing the rejection of her mother because she didn’t “measure up” and therefore she chooses to help Rowan.
Life makes us make choices every day and what we choose may ultimately determine what type of a person we will turn out to be. Love or lack of it really does play a big part in matters of the heart. So we really have to make the best choices eh!
Rue is a terrific writer and I urge those of you who read these reviews to settle down with a book from her. You’ll be swept up before you know it and her characters will be your friends or foes and you will find yourself agreeing with the choices they make or cringing and saying “no” don’t do that you’ll regret it.
I look forward to the next book in the series and I hope you will too.
When Rue releases a new book, I know I am in for a real treat. She never disappoints, whether it is her Chronicles of Hawthorne series or her Lake Effect series.
Flynn Hawthorne is back home after her escape from the Shadow Witch. But things are different now at home. Her BFF Hazel is now an Arei, and Po has left the village after the death of his mother. Rowan, the brother of the Shadow Witch, is held prisoner.
Flynn is torn between loyalty to her mother or to her lover Rowan. Her other is distrustful of her own daughter. Does the Shadow magic still have hold of her daughter? What is her relationship to Rowan?
Book 5 takes a dark turn, but Zip and Lupine are still there to give a bit of “comic relief”. I love trying to envision these two tiny fairies.
Now I anxiously await Book #6.
This book made me feel a lot of different things. I had feelings of happiness, anxiety, empowerment and heartbreak. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of emotions, but the one thing that I chose to focus on throughout the book and this series in general is how it really showcases powerful women. I love that so much in a series because so often the hero is a male figure and this book not only has you rooting for one strong woman, but many. I really love that and I thought it was worth mentioning.
I also really enjoyed this book because we are really seeing Flynn mature and get a feeling for how strong she has become. I believe that she has a good heart and I cannot wait to see how she will handle her power and what things she will uncover about herself. I am hopeful that this series will end happily and I cannot wait to continue on.