Witchy Winter

Witchy Eye Series, Book 2

By: D. J. Butler

Narrated by: Courtney Patterson

Sarah Calhoun paid a hard price for her entry onto the stage of the Empire's politics, but she survived. Now she rides north into the Ohio and her father's kingdom, Cahokia. To win the Serpent Throne, she'll have to defeat seven other candidates, win over the kingdom's regent, and learn the will of a hidden goddess - while mastering her people's inscrutable ways and watching her own back.

In New Orleans, a new and unorthodox priest arises to plague the chevalier and embody the curse of the murdered Bishop Ukwu. He battles the chevalier's ordinary forces as well as a troop of Old World mamelukes for control of the city and the mouth of the great Mississippi River. Dodging between these rival titans, a crew of Catalan pirates - whose captain was once a close associate of Mad Hannah Penn - grapples with the chevalier over the fate of one of their mates.

Meanwhile, a failed ceremony and a sick infant send the Anishinaabe hunter Ma'iingan on a journey across the Empire to Cavalier Johnsland, to a troubled foster child named Nathaniel. Ma'iingan is promised that Nathaniel is a mighty healer and can save his imperiled baby, but first Nathaniel - a pale young man with a twisted ear who hears the voices of unseen beings - must himself be rescued, from oppression, imprisonment, and madness.

©2018 D. J. Butler (P)2020 Tantor

The continuation of an awesome story.

I purchased the second installment in the Witchy Eye series as soon as it was made available. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the continuation of the story.

Witchy Winter opens in a new location, populated with a completely different cast of characters, all new, and a rather chaotic scenario. Chapter 2 picks up where book 1 left off, leaving me with the knowledge the info was necessary for when that character (and supporting characters) will reemerge later on into the main story. So be prepared for a foundation story arc for a new, unconnected character and then you'll be swept into DJ Butler's fascinating alternate history world epic again. The major characters from the first book are touched upon periodically, while other charaters that had a small part in book 1 or were only referred to, now have major story arcs themselves. I'm trying to put my finger on what makes Witchy Winter so enjoyable and I'd have to say it's because each of the story arcs have interesting characters that you care about. 24+ hours of listening and there's never a dull moment. Now that's good story telling.

Courtney Patterson's narration is superb. Vivid, distinct and dynamic, her wide range has the vast array of characters in this epic story stepping off the page.

Again, IMHO, each of the books in this series is a hidden gem and well worth the credit.

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Original, great setting. Some things were too drawn out and it would be better a little shorter. Characters were good but not great.