REVIEW: THE SILVER WITCH by Paula Brackston

Title: The Silver Witch
Author: Paula Brackston
Series: Shadow Chronicles #3
Genres: Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Witches
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Release: 2015
Source: Audiobook
Pages: 308

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BLURB:
A year after her husband’s sudden death, ceramic artist Tilda Fordwells finally moves into the secluded Welsh cottage that was to be their new home. She hopes that the tranquil surroundings will help ease her grief, and lessen her disturbing visions of Mat’s death. Instead, the lake in the valley below her cottage seems to spark something dormant in her – a sensitivity, and a power of some sort. Animals are drawn to her, electricity shorts out when she’s near, and strangest of all, she sees a new vision; a boatful of ancient people approaching her across the water.

On this same lake in Celtic times lived Seren, a witch and shaman. She was respected but feared, kept separate from the community for her strange looks. When a vision came to her of the Prince amid a nest of vipers she warned of betrayal from one of his own. Prince Brynach both loved and revered her, but could not believe someone close to him wished him harm, even as the danger grew.

In her own time, Tilda’s grief begins to fade beside her newfound powers and a fresh love. When she explores the lake’s ancient magic and her own she discovers Seren, the woman in her vision of the boat. Their two lives strangely mirror each others, suggesting a strong connection between the women. As Tilda comes under threat from a dark power, one reminiscent of Seren’s prophecy, she must rely on Seren and ancient magic if death and disaster are not to shatter her life once more.

EXPECTATIONS: This is a third book in witch series so naturally it did not take me long to dig right into it.

THE WORLD: There are two worlds in this book once again, the one that we are familiar with and the past. Our main character just moved in into a new place and suffers from loss of her husband, she experience some weird power shortages and stuff but nothing extremely special. There is also an archaeological work going on close to her place which eventually might be connected to strange things that have been happening. In the past we are at the same place but many years back to the Celtic times when witches were a respected and looked at for guidance. What I felt was rather weird in this book was the fact that even tho it's same location and in the end we do get connection between worlds majority of the book it felt like reading two separate books.

CHARACTERS: Tilda is an artist who is grieving her recently killed husband. She now lives alone in secluded place away from even a supermarket and the fact that she does not drive really gets in a way. At some point she takes in a dog that she rescued from being abused and that is pretty much it till she meets a guy and suddenly all grief is forgotten and the mission of witchcraft takes place. I really hated Tilda, she was annoying and at first you think that okay that is understandable she just lost her husband but then the guy comes along and she just jumps into his bed. Like whaaat? 

In the past we also have a set of different characters and the lead is called Seren. She is a witch and a trusted adviser of the prince who ends up giving him a child. I preferred Seren' s story so much more over Tilda's. I frankly don't get why it was not a book just about Seren and why we spent so much time on Tilda. 

ROMANCE: There are two romantic relationships happening. One is Tilda having a sex adventure with a new guy, so much for grieving I guess. Frankly it felt disgusting and a bit like cheating to me. I get that the guy is dead and that she needs to move on but one minute she is devastated and drowning in old memories and next thing she is having sex with almost a stranger. Seren and Prince relationship is however way more developed. Basically the Princess cannot have children so she bids Seren to give Prince a child but that goes sorta wrong. However Prince really loves Seren and they end up having a child anyways. It sounds romantic and all but unfortunately this story does not end well. Seren actually sees from the beginning how it will end and so you know from day one that there is no happy ending here. 

GOOD: I really liked the Celtic part of the story. I don't believe it to be authentic in pretty much anything because both the language and description of clothes and stuff was very superficial but I liked a the idea a lot. 

BAD: Tilda's story. I pretty much hate her and everything about her. 

OVERALL: It was definitely not as strong as previous books in the series. It also adds nothing to the story as whole so if you want to read this series I would kinda advise to just skip this book and go on straight to the fourth one. 

What do you think about THE SILVER WITCH?