Review: Water Witch; Full Disclosure
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 7, 2014
First disclosure. I don't normally read fantasy. But Thea Atkinson's first book in her Witches series caught me by pleasant surprise. It led me into its world with a gentle faith, making me believe I didn't need to know the tropes of such a magical type of fiction. And I didn't. This story runs on fuel of a different sort: the warmth of its main character. Alaysha is the type of female lead we can root for, one who is a blend of current popular female heroes; as tough and as smart as the men were before equality began creeping into fiction. She is sweet, tough and refreshing.Second disclosure: I rarely write book reviews. And when I do, I don't add story recaps or spoilers. It's for each reader to discover the trail of a book and I don't like providing anything which might re-colour that for someone else. Me? I was on a ride with Alaysha and the tribes battling out in her world. So much so, that the surprises and reveals and twists were genuine each and every time. For me, as a reader, that's the best kind of story -- one driven by strong characters, their hopes, dreams and beliefs, one that unfolds in a comfy way but one which still creates newness as it teases me along.Third disclosure: Ms. Atkinson provided me with my copy of Water Witch. I enjoyed it so much that I felt compelled to share my thoughts. This book's landscape is drawn so deeply and my attention was led so enticingly that I may have to change my stance. At least where Thea Atkinson's words are concerned, I DO read fantasy.