Source: From the publisher for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.
Series: TBD
Publisher: Alcove Press
Publication Date: September 9, 2025
Rating:
Goodreads Synopsis:
Rekindled romance spreads new wings in this atmospheric romantasy, where magic empowers women trapped inside an oppressive patriarchy.This striking novel is perfect for fans of the feminist ideals in When Women Were Dragons and the unique magic system in One Dark Window.Once a vicious street rat, Prudence Merriweather has clawed her way to the top of society and now enjoys newfound power as the Duchess of Talonsbury. All she has to do to protect her fragile position is maintain the act of gentility, make her husband happy—and keep her monstrous magic a secret.Puck Reed, the Thief Lord of Talonsbury, once delighted in taking risks and humiliating the social elite at any cost, but now lives a quieter criminal lifestyle. With a daughter of his own to protect, Puck tries to lay low and stay safe for her benefit. His daughter, Bea, suffers from a mysterious illness bent on killing her, and Puck will stop at nothing to find a cure.When Prudence’s magic betrays her, she has no choice but to flee—and who better to smuggle her out of the city than her childhood best friend and former sweetheart, Puck Reed? With the help of old friends and new allies, they learn about Stormlash, a safe haven miles beyond the city walls where women and their magic can flourish beyond the oppressive eye of Leora’s religious fanatics. Stormlash may also hold the key to curing Bea’s illness. The challenge? Keep her alive long enough to get there.With Bea’s illness claiming more of her strength, Puck and Pru must work together to reach Stormlash and, in the process, confront a growing evil threatening to devour the country they call home.Perfect for fans of Carissa Broadbent and Hannah Whitten, this second-chance romantic fantasy features monstrous women stepping into their full power, a father who will do anything to save his daughter, and the rekindled flame of an old, enduring love.
Review:
Just in time for spooky season, a book about witches!
This one was pretty unique and it was a pleasure to read. Prudence is a Hell Witch, a woman with magical powers to transform into a beast. In her case it is a winged vulture-like thing. she has wings, talons, and a beak. Hell Witches can be lamia, banshees, succubae, any many other things, and it is a change brought on by deep despair and trauma, not all women become one and not many are left. As witches they are heavily persecuted and burnt at the stake.
This story follows Pru as a politically and religiously charged group is after her for being a Hell Witch in hiding. She joins old their friends to escape her home and gets pulled into more drama along the way - an ex who is her only hope. There is a lot of fear and oppression of women in the underlaying themes of this one.
I liked the magical dynamics in this one. They were very cool and I think that there is so much more here to dive into. I wasn't sure at first if this was the start to a series but the cliffhanger ending confirmed it, so a blessing I guess to hopefully get more of these chaotic and amazing women. That said, this ending felt very rushed and so anticlimactic in some ways. I wanted more here. and at 80% I knew it wasn't going to round out all of the things I wanted it to.
It was a heck of a ride until then. Pru, Puck and his daughter Bea, running from creepy religious men, lots of tension between Pru and Puck and just this overall sense of there being so much more to learn about this world and the magic had me devouring it.
If you are looking to start a new witchy series and like a religiously-charged dark fantasy/ feminist/ romance this could be for you.
[I have not had a chance to look at the final edition, but I would have also liked a map to help with their journey].
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