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Title: The Witch and the Warrior
ISBN: 0553577603
Author:
Karyn Monk
Publicate Date: 1998-06
Publish: 1998-06
List Price: $7.50
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Mass Market Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $3.31
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $0.01
Amazon Merchant Price: $7.50
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Fast read but easily forgettable
Alex MacDunn is on the verge of losing his grip on sanity. Six years earlier, he lost his wife to an unknown illness and it drove him over the brink. Since then, for the sake of his son and his clan, he has attempted to hold it together. But now, he's on the verge of losing his son David to yet another unknown illness and Alex is desperate to save him. Morag, a seer, instructs him to fetch the MacSween witch who is renowned for her magical powers. When Alex and his men visit the MacSween keep, they are invited to witness the burning of a witch, Gwendolyn, the very person Alex was looking for. He and his men make a hasty rescue of Gwendolyn and escape with only minor injuries.
Robert MacSween, the MacSween laird's brother, will not give up Gwendolyn so easily. She has something that he wants, plus he is obsessed with her. While Robert is planning his attack of the MacDunn keep, Alex takes Gwendolyn to see his son and commands her to make him well. Gwendolyn has a lot of opposition from the MacDunn clan, but they are willing to put up with her for Alex's sake.
Despite vehement disagreements over David's care, Alex's unswerving support of Gwendolyn finally allows David to recover quickly. Gwendolyn also wins some of the people over to her side. But despite her courage and compassion, there is one person in the MacDunn clan who will stop at nothing to be rid of her; even it means Gwendolyn's death.
I thought this was just an okay book. It's easy to read; the storyline is simple enough without any complex plots to really stir things up; and the characters were somewhat lovable albeit superficial. My favorites are the three MacDunn elders. They're rambunctious and eccentric enough to add a dose of humor to what would've been a somber story.
I enjoyed the tale but compared with other stories with similar storylines, this one is easily forgettable.
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2: 4.5 STARS. I really enjoyed this book, there was just one point where it was predictable & annoying.
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.
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3: A good Book!!
I LIKED THIS BOOK. The only thing I didn't like was the character Isabella. She was rather annoying to me. Gwendolyn was a good character who finds out she really does have powers. Because she had different ways people ostracized her. I thought the other characters were a hoot especially Lachlan. All I can say is I enjoyed this book. The banter between the characters made it fun to read.
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4: Very touching.
When I read the back of this book I knew I had to read it. Well, am I glad I did. This book is so different from other books I have read. Karyn Monk is such a good writer, she really helped me understand how sad it is to be ostracized for being different and how mean children can be. But on a lighter note, the constant bickering between the elders of the clan was very amusing. And McDunn's way with words is outstanding. The plot is very original. This is the first book from Karyn Monk I have read and it won't be my last.
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5: OUTSTANDING
This is the first book I have read by Monk and I can not wait to start another. The characters were "bewitching", I truly can not say enough about this other than GET IT NOW!
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