Customer Reviews

The Moon Witch (Fyne Witches, Book 2)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sophia has left Fyne Mountain to rescue her daughter. This starts a chain of events that brings Emperor Sebestyen's men to the mountain. With their home burned, Juliet and Isadora are taken as captives to the Emperors' city of Arthes.

Juliet, whose gift is of sight, generally cannot see her own future. When Juliet is rescued (or kidnapped) from her military captors by a wild man, she doesn't know what to do; she just has the burning need to escape to return and save Isadora. However the farther North she travels Juliet is convinced Ryn, her rescuer, must be delusional because he is adamant she is his mate! Regardless, she is not afraid of him, just the reoccurring nightmares that leave her terrified of intimacy with the man she is growing more attracted to.

Linda Winstead Jones has done it again. I really cannot believe how sucked into THE MOON WITCH I was. The chain of events surrounding the three sisters lives is hurtling forward and I feel like I devoured this book with my need to know what would happen next. I was continually surprised, and the series is only getting better. Sophia's story, THE SUN WITCH was great, but not as complicated and therefore I think, as a reader, if the stories are read out of order, could be an undeserved let down.

Ryn is of the mysterious Anwyn, a race of people with the ability to shape shift. He is very demanding and yet exceedingly gentle when it comes to Juliet and I really liked watching the relationship develop between the two. As far as I'm concerned, the beliefs of the Anwyn are a little antiquated, so I think Juliet is perfect for him, mostly because she is more than she seems. Can't give you more details, I might spoil something!

What I like best about Linda Winstead Jones writing is that in this trilogy, you are finding out about the world around Julia and nothing is neglected. Throughout the stories, there is also the saga of the cruel Emperor Sebestyen who is at war with his older (illegitimate) brother-who claims to be the true heir to the throne of Columbyana. Sebestyen has married his mistress, Liane making her Empress so that his child will be born legitimate. As a reader you are also following what happens to her sisters Isadora, who is taken to the Emperor's palace and Sophia, who has married a rebel fighting against Sebestyen. THE MOON WITCH is more like chapters taken out of a bigger book as well as its own story; you just learn the most about Juliet because now it is her turn to fall in love and complete her part of the solution to breaking the curse.

I whole-heartedly recommend reading this series! Sophia's story: THE SUN WITCH, Juliet's story: THE MOON WITCH, Isadora's story: THE STAR WITCH

Juliet Fyne is the middle and plainest of the three Fyne sisters, all of whom are witches - each blessed, or cursed, with a unique magical gift. Juliet's gift is that of `sight' - being able to see the past and future of anyone she touches - except for herself. Juliet would dearly love to be able to use her gift to better understand the nightmare that so torments her of claws and fangs that rip apart her body. Better yet, it would have been nice to have foreseen the attack and capture by the emperor's soldiers who broke into her home taking her and her sister Isadora prisoner before before they burned down the home that had belonged to the Fyne witches for centuries.

Ryn, had for the last five years dreamt of a woman with fiery tresses, whose face was never clear, yet deep down knew would be his life's mate. Lately the primal urge to find and claim her was acute. Using his great strength and swiftness, it was a simple enough feat for him to snatch her from the clutches of her captors and carry her away. However, convincing Juliet that they were life mates would be a different story. The closer they came to reaching his home, Juliet began to change and long dormant desires began to surface that would be both exhilarating and terrifying to her as she discovered the truth of her parentage and her role in fulfilling an ancient prophecy.

*** In a continuation of the Fyne Sisters trilogy the exhilarating adventures continue for all of the sisters, while Juliet discovers the true meaning of a mate for life in an all consuming love and sensually laden passion for Ryn. Setting an exhilarating pace with non-stop action, the author whisks you from one segment to another weaving all three sisters lives in and out in this highly imaginative and brilliantly conceived trilogy. The excitement of the progression of the passionate relationship between Juliet and Ryn along with what is going on with her two sisters is intricately woven together into one steamy and exciting tale. It is a progressive build up that is certainly leaving this reader in extremely high anticipation of the next and final chapter of this series. Written in a marvelously clear and concise hand the author engages your imagination by painting vivid and delectable scenes that will completely mesmerize the reader. It's been some time since I've so been totally captivated by such a brilliantly conceived series that, in spite of the threads that keep it well tied to one another, each can also completely stand-alone. This is one fabulous read that lovers of the fantasy romance genre with highly sensual action are sure to enjoy!
Marilyn, for www.romancedesigns.com

I thought the 1st book was good but this was great. Its the second in the trilogy & this sister gets mated to a were(my fav type of books). I also appreciate that the author still intertwines the stories of the two other sisters in this book. All 3 stories were a great read.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

The story of the Fyne sisters, and the curse upon them, continues in this, the second story of the trilogy.

Juliet Fyne was the unimpressive middle sister, or so she thought. She's always had less magical ability then her sisters. Where her sisters were strikingly beautiful, Juliet felt she was plain and unremarkable. Yet she had come to terms with her place in the family and accepted who she was. However when she and her eldest sister Isadora are kidnapped by the emperor's armies, her life is about to get interesting.

Ryn is of a different race... part human, part wolf; his life is subject to the phases of the moon. For as long as he can remember, he's dreamed of a red-haired woman who was meant to be his. When he finds her in the hands of her captors, he rescues her, only to make her his own captive as he took her to his home.

Along the way they find middle ground, growing closer and closer to each other as Juliet accepts she is to be Ryn's mate. That is, until the day they arrive and she finds that fate is not done with her yet. Ancient prophecy foretold of the coming of a new leader of his people, but can Juliet and Ryn overcome the beliefs of his people to find their own happiness? And what of her powers that have grown remarkably throughout her journey. What does that mean for their newfound love?

Juliet was probably this reviewer's favorite of the Fyne sisters and she is therefore glad to have her story. Juliet is the peacemaker of the family, quiet, soft spoken, making sure things run smoothly. She's always had the opinion she was less then her sisters, but never let that get in the way of their relationship. When she is kidnapped and rescued by her new captor, she finally has the chance to come in to her own. No longer in the shadows of her powerful sisters, her own beauty and abilities have room to shine. Her reaction to how her life has turned out is believable, something to which anyone can relate.

Ryn is all alpha male, a given considering the fact he is of a race of wolf shape shifters. Too often authors make shape shifters too human for the fact they are half animal. It was refreshing to see that Ms. Jones does not discount the animalistic nature of Ryn's kind. He has human emotions and behaviors, but his more primal behavior caused by what he is, is given its due as well. How he determines Juliet is his, as well as the way he reacts to her, is a result of the wolf half of his nature.

Readers will also love the mystical bend given to Juliet's abilities. She is of the earth, and as such that is the root of all her power and strength. The prophecy of Ryn's people adds a different view to the story, playing an interesting role considering the curse on the Fyne women. How these two legends come together makes for an interesting read.

Enough of a glimpse is given in to the other players in the series to satisfy readers as well. We see a bit of Sophie and how her life has played out. There is also perspective given in to Isadora's nature that hints at what will come in her own story. Then who can forget the Emperor and Liane, their own love story being expanded upon in this book. It is evident that none of these plot lines are compete yet, which will make one very eager to read the concluding title in the trilogy, The Star Witch, due out in December 2005.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2005. All rights reserved.

I wrote a full review on the website for the third, and final, book but liked this series so much that I had to put a few words in at books one and two.

When read together this series is an excellent five star read that will pull you in and not let you go. I heartily recommend that you buy all 3 books at once and prepare for a sleepless weekend!

The characters are wonderfully drawn and intriguing. Their stories unfold one right after the other and flow from book to book - separate but intertwined - like the destinies of the three sisters. It's an edge-of-your-seat kind of knuckle-biting series.

The Sun Witch was my favorite of the three. The Moon Witch if judged on its own would really only be given 4 stars in my opinion because it was not as exciting and didn't move as quickly as the first book and the third book. However that is simply the result of it being the middle of an ongoing story. It's between the exciting start of the series and the climactic finish - but it's still a good read. I cannot give this series as a whole enough raves.

I will be looking for anything from Ms. Jones in the future. Especially the stories of Lianne, her twins, Juliette's daughter, etc....

If you enjoy paranormal romance then I hope you take the time to read this book it is one of the best ones I have read this book is part of a trilogy so please read the other ones it is a great read.

This book was better than the first. It left me with wanting much more. I absolutly loved every part.

The second book in this series is the best of the three. I love the Anwyn and cant wait to read more about them. This one flowed the best for me also. Juliet makes a great queen and we get a glimpse of the baby Keelia which you can see more of in the second book of the "First Born Prophecy" series. I also reccommend that book highly. Enjoy this one because the last one is not as good.

Gentle steadfast Juliet is the middle sister, in a family of witches cursed to bring death to the men they love. Juliet belives herself to be plain and is content to live a chaste life, caring for her sisters, little neice, and the suspicous villager's using her talents with herbs and plants. She thinks she is destined for an unremarkable life except for the fact That Juliet has the sight.

But everything changes the night Sophie and her baby daughter are kidnapped. Juliet and her older sister Isadora are taken captive by emperial troops and their beloved home is left to burn. This is the begining of three seperate and distinct storylines, because Juliet and Isadora are fated to be seperated as well. she must follow the path to her destiny which involves being abducted from her abductor's by somone the likes of whom Juliet has never seen before, Ryn.

Juliet is fearful but she cannot ignore the deep atraction she feels for this misterious being, who claims that she is his life mate, and destined only for him. as they travle together towards Ryn's homeland Juliet can feel herself begining to change. coming into her own, with powers and abilities that she could hardly have dreamed of only a short while before.

But there are things that Juliet does not know, she is part of an age old prophecy. That fortells of a know begining and a time of peace for Ryn's people. But there is a price or so Ryn thinks. Will Juliet be able to bear the burden of her new life? Will the love and passion Juliet and Ryn feel for each other be another step toward ending the Fayne curse?

In Colubyana, the Fyne witch rejected the wizard making him so angry he cursed the Fyne women so that their love will always die. Over the next three centuries any Fyne witch who married for love watched either their mate die young or ultimately end up hating them. Of the three current generations of Fyne siblings, the oldest Isadore watched her spouse die as he neared his thirtieth birthday. Thus she and her sisters vow to never fall in love until the youngest Sophie breaks the pledge (see THE SUN WITCH) but fears her beloved will die when he turns thirty.

The middle sibling Juliet sees the curse operate by observing her sisters. She swears to avoid men as she cannot deal with a loved one dying because of her family curse. When the Emperor's soldiers abduct her, Ryn recognizes her as the star of his dreams and rescues her from them. He insists they belong together for eternity, but she fears for his life and has doubts anyway about a witch and a shapeshifter like him belonging together even as she falls in love with Ryn.

The middle Fyne Witch tale is an enjoyable romantic fantasy that grips the audience from the moment Ryn insists she is his intended. The story line is action-packed and fans will commiserate with Juliet's reticence, but fails to go deep into her emotional baggage so that newcomers will not fully grasp what makes her tick. Still this is a fun novel as Ryn tries to persuade Juliet, whose whole existence has been that love means young death, that their love can conquer the curse.

Harriet Klausner