Review: ANOTHER WINNING ADDITION TO THE HAYLE COVEN SERIES!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 28, 2013
As usual it was a treat to be back with Syd and the gang for yet another adventure. With all witch covens facing the imminent loss of their magic, Syd steps up to find the culprits and stop them. Of course, until a large coven like the Dumonts is targeted, nobody seems to have noticed that several small covens had already suffered; or did they notice and choose to remain silent?In Ancient Ways I definitely felt that the series was gaining depth. With every book the characters are more fleshed out and the world building advanced. Syd, particularly, is growing as a character. Oh yes, she is not above petty childishness and some, often well deserved, self-pity. She is, however, so much more adult than the girl who hated and denied her own magic. Now a responsible young woman who has a purpose and a whole lot of determination, Syd will fight against threats aimed at her family, fellow witches or anything that endangers the magical world. I truly admire this kind of progressive character development in a series.In this book Syd has a very big and heart breaking difference of opinion with her mother. As leader of the high council of witches, Miriam Hayle can't afford to disclose certain information or let disobedience pass; not even if her own daughter is the one accused of disobedience. This conflict drives the story and makes for some highly explosive, as well as deeply sad, moments.With antagonists like Ameline Benoit and the Brotherhood, Syd and company have little peace and a great deal of adversity. Add to this an old enemy who is now a valuable, if slightly crazy, friend and you won't want to miss a moment of this book.Full of suspense, riveting action, Syd's impossibly complex romantic life, and a near death experience for one of the most beloved characters, Ancient Ways is a page turner I simply couldn't put down.I advise readers to get the previous fourteen books in the series before reading Ancient Ways. I promise you, you won't regret it. (Ellen Fritz)