The Lost Witch

The Irish island of Evermore falls under attack by dark forces in this fun but underdeveloped fantasy from Crutcher (The Orphan Witch). In 1922, Brigid Heron is loyal to the Goddess Brighid, who taught her witchcraft and helped her hone her skills. But when Brighid refuses to help Brigid have a child, she turns to a different power instead: Luc Knightly, a man shrouded in shadows and dark magic who controls the local lough. After a spell gone awry, Brigid wakes in 2022 with no memory of how she got there. Her home is occupied by two strangers—thoroughly modern witches Finola McEntire and Ophelia Gallagher—and the unruly magic of the lough has come unsealed, allowing the Damned to come forth to attack the town. A coven called the witches of Knight are responsible and, to stop them, Brigid must team up with Finola, Ophelia, and the somehow still living Luc Knightly. There’s plenty of atmosphere and intrigue to the ensuing romp, with strong roots in Irish myth that will delight readers familiar with the folklore. The characters feel somewhat inaccessible, however, kept at arm’s length from the reader by Crutcher’s overly expositional style. Still, for fans of romantic fantasy adventures, this offers plenty to love. (Dec.)