The Witch and the Warrior [Mass Market Paperback]

Karyn Monk (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 4, 1998

The historical tales of Karyn Monk are filled with unforgettable romance and her own special brand of warmth and humor. Now love casts its spell in the Highlands, as a warrior seeks a miracle from a mysterious lady of secrets and magic....

The Witch and the Warrior

Suspected of witchcraft, Gwendolyn MacSween has been condemned to being burned at the stake at the hands of her own clan. Yet rescue comes from a most unlikely source. Mad Alex MacDunn, laird of the mighty rival clan MacDunn, is a man whose past is scarred with tragedy and loss. His last hope lies in capturing the witch of the MacSweens--and using her magic to heal his dying son. He expects to find an old hag....Instead he finds a young woman of unearthly beauty. There's only one problem: Gwendolyn has no power to bewitch or to heal. Now she must pretend to be a sorceress--or herself perish. But can she use her common sense to save Alex's son, and her natural powers as a woman to enchant a fierce and handsome Highland warrior--before a dangerous enemy destroys them both?

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Karyn Monk weaves an enchanting tale of love, mystery, and magic in her fourth historical novel, The Witch and the Warrior, set in the superstitious world of 13th-century Scotland. Condemned as a witch and murderess by the accusation of her own kinsman, Robert MacSween, beautiful Gwendolyn MacSween faces a fiery death at the stake, just as her mother had before her. But as the timbers of Gwendolyn's pyre are lit, rescue comes unexpectedly in the form of Mad Alex MacDunn, Laird of the MacDunns, who has sought out Gwendolyn in the hope that the witch can cure his dying son. MacDunn and his men fight their way out of the MacSween keep with Gwendolyn in tow, knowing that their actions may incite clan warfare. At the MacDunn stronghold, Gwendolyn discovers that her rescue isn't the salvation she had hoped for, as she finds herself once again under the threat of death. Though she is no witch, she must pretend to be one, for her own sake and that of the boy in her care. With only her common sense and the minor knowledge of healing she has gleaned from her dead mother's journals, Gwendolyn must save the young boy or lose her life. Her challenging task is complicated by her growing feelings for the fierce and tormented Mad Alex. --Lisa Wanttaja

From Library Journal

a healer, making things difficult and dangerous as she tries to save a young boy's life and ends up winning over a clanAand the clan's leaderAin the process. Monk spins a fascinating, readable story of passion and magic that will charm readers who like their historicals laced with humor and appealing characters. Monk (Once a Warrior, LJ 5/15/97) lives in Canada.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bantam (May 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553577603
• ISBN-13: 978-0553577600
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1.1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,001,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!!!, November 18, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Witch and the Warrior (Mass Market Paperback)

When I picked up this book, I didn't think that I'd enjoy it so very much. I've read a number of romances and I get bored easily if the few opening paragraghs don't capture my attention immediately. But that's not the case for the Witch and the Warrior. I was HOOKED right from the first to the last pages. Re-read it 2 more times before I'd to return it to a friend. It's that spellbinding! The heroine was fragile and yet strong and protective to her loved ones. The hero was everything I ever hope he would be...real, tough and vulnerable. And I love all the secondary characters (especially the MacSweens) who add lots of humour to the story. This is the first Karyn Monk's book that I've read and I really recommend it to other romance readers. Will try to find her other books while waiting for the next one (I sincerely hope so). Keep it up Ms Monk!!!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARNING - Do Not Start at NIGHT - You Won't Put It Down, September 30, 2002

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Witch and the Warrior (Mass Market Paperback)

Outstanding book! Condemned to be burned at the stake for witchcraft, Gwendolyn McSween, has borne the ridicule and hatred from her clan all her life. She has resolved that she will die and expects no rescue which is why when Alex (Mad laird of MacDunn) and a few of his clan effect a daring resue from the flames her hopes are raised.

Alex MacDuff only knows that the 'witch' of the neighboring clan is his last hope to save the life of his beloved son. He expects to see an old hag being dragged to the stake and is surprised to see the witch is not a hag but a beautiful young maid. Gwendolyn's biggest problem is that she is not a 'witch' and has no pwers to cure - so if she cannot save the laird's son, she's dead anyhow! Talk about caught between a hard place.......

Alex has not been the same since he lost his beloved wife and if he loses his son..he feels he will die as well. Gwendolyn is an enigma to him. He vowed never to love again and yet this 'witch' seems to have cast her spell over him. Only a very special love can save him from his madness and the very corageous and selfless 'witch' just may be his salvation.

The secondary characters are really funny in this love story especially the three elders of the clan! The warning is real - this is a 'read through the night book' - Get it - you will not be sorry!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 STARS. I really enjoyed this book, there was just one point where it was predictable & annoying., July 1, 2006

By 

Alyce In Wonderland "The Looking Glass" (Over the hill or underland, or just behind a tree) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Witch and the Warrior (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the second book I've read by Karyn Monk. I'm impressed with her ability to keep a story exciting, romantic, funny, and suspenseful all in one. Although her language tends to be a bit too modern and American for the location and era of her stories, she provides good scenery and character development. Her heroes tend to be smart and powerful, but still vulnerable and human. Never too much unnecessary info. Her books keep you hooked from start to finish.

My main complaint about this story came towards the end. The actions of the heroine were the usual "I have to leave everyone who loves me in order to save them." I also didn't like the fact that she had so little faith in her man and his army's ability to protect their own castle and people. She was sure their enemy would slaughter them. Never mind that it took only the hero and three of his men to save her from her enemy's castle in the first scene. Otherwise, a very enjoyable read.

The Story:

Since she was born, Gwendolyn MacSween has been feared and hated as a witch. She has given up on trying to convince her clan that she is just a regular woman. Her cruel and greedy cousin, Robert, has made them all believe that she used witchcraft to murder her father. Her clan throws a celebration as they tie her to a stake and prepare burn her to death.

Alex is the laird of the clan MacDunn. He needs a miracle. His son, David, is dying and no healer has been able to save the boy. Having heard of the MacSween witch, he has come to the MacSween clan in hopes of bringing her back to his castle to save David. When they arrive, they are welcomed to join in the celebration of the burning of the witch. Alex and his men must rescue her from the burning stake so that they can take her to save David. She is Alex's last hope for his son's life.

Upon arriving at MacDunn castle, it is obvious that the clan loathes the idea of having a witch in their midst. The people are hostile, trying every ritual possible to save themselves from her evil spells. One clan member is even making attempts to kill her. Alex must protect her so that she can heal his son.

Over the following weeks, Gwendolyn endures being accused of trying to murder David with her unusual healing practices. She survives attempts on her life, ridicule, and hatred. At first, she endures because Alex has promised her freedom if his son is saved. After weeks of caring for David, Gwendolyn's reason for saving him becomes the love she feels for the sweet child. She also is beginning to love the boy's father.

Alex is tormented by memories of his wife's death. He is certain that the loss of his son would push him past the boundaries of sanity. As he finds himself attracted to Gwendolyn, he fights his guilt at the thought of betraying his oath to never love any woman other than his wife.

Robert MacSween is determined to take Gwendolyn back, even if it means bringing war against the MacDunn clan. He will take her and make her give him the magic stone. Once he wishes upon it, he will make himself the invincible ruler of all of Scotland. The thought of Alex's clan suffering because of her is more than Gwendolyn can stand. She decides to sacrifice herself for the sake of these people who have been so cruel to her. Alex is not about to let go of her. What Gwendolyn doesn't realize is that much of MacDunn clan has come to love her as their own. They will fight to save her from Robert, even if it means their own deaths.