The Ravenswood Witch
By Sioph W. Leal
In 1885, a mysterious woman is on the run, knowing that if she is discovered, she will be hanged for murder. Colliding with the mysterious Marcus Greybourne, he offers her sanctuary until her injuries are healed, as long as she pretends to be his wife, “Luna” Greybourne. She continues to act as "Luna" Greybourne, but the real Luna has vanished without a trace, and she is surrounded by Marcus's house, which seems to be haunted by secrets and shadows. Everything points to witchcraft, including the real “Luna”’s reputation being in tatters. The woman who is now pretending to be “Luna” can’t help but fear she’s escaped the noose for a far more terrible fate...
If this is your first time reading anything by Jenni Keer, you will be in for a treat, especially with it being on the cusp of spooky season. Keer can have the story flow seamlessly between different points of view while allowing the reader to be fully immersed in the atmosphere of The Ravenswood Witch. Some authors may struggle with writing three different points of view, but Keer manages to make all her characters clearly defined. The Ravenswood Witch is a book that delivers on all aspects of character-driven stories that use the atmosphere of the world Keer has built brilliantly to set up different plots and mysteries.
While the first part of The Ravenswood Witch draws you in with its mystery, there is a bit of a lull throughout the middle part of the story, but Keer’s writing style helps get through the weaker parts. The pacing of The Ravenswood Witch can be a bit inconsistent, with some chapters feeling dragging out a little, but the intrigue of the mystery and the dark magic is enough to keep the reader entertained.
A story can only be as strong as its characters, and Keer ensures that her two main characters are pulling their own weight. With some questionable decisions, some readers may find it hard to connect to “Luna” as she tries to figure out who to trust. The character’s motivations may be a little questionable, but the payoff during the final twist helps to add a layer of intrigue that is entertaining.
The Ravenswood Witch is a quick read, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. In fact, Keer may have written a great book to read during the autumn season that will have you delving into the atmosphere of the book as much as the mysteries of The Ravenswood Witch. The story subtly explores the concept of good and bad, the grey area between them, and the importance of forgiveness and moving on from the past. It also emphasises the need to trust and love again, as no person is one-dimensional.
The Ravenswood Witch releases on September 30th 2024.