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Dark Witch
Dark Witch
Dark Witch
Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

Dark Witch

Written by Nora Roberts

Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5/5

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About this audiobook

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts comes a trilogy about the land we’re drawn to, the family we learn to cherish, and the people we long to love…

Book One of The Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Dark Witch

With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.

Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

Don’t miss the other books in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy
Shadow Spell
Blood Magick

LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 29, 2013
ISBN9781480511217
Dark Witch
Author

Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts is the bestselling author of more than two hundred romance novels. She was the first author to be inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Since her first bestseller in 1991, Nora’s books have spent more than two hundred weeks in the number one spot on the New York Times bestseller list. There are more than five hundred million copies of her books in print, published in over thirty-four countries.

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Reviews for Dark Witch

Rating: 3.6730400806883368 out of 5 stars
3.5/5

523 ratings50 reviews

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Story is good. Narrarator is VERY animated. Almost too much

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Nothing different... Nora Roberts has a formula - it works for her but if you read one of her trilogy - you pretty much read them all. Nice to play in the background if you are want something that you dont have to pay that much attention to.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    It was an ok storyline, but the narrator was the worst I have ever heard. She sounded like she was SCREAMING THE WHOLE BOOK. I listen to at least 4 audiobooks a week and this is the absolute worst narration I have ever heard.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Somewhat better than the last 2 or three series, although it reminds me strongly of other works by this author.
    Rating: 7/10
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Mwah, kind of liked it. It was a bit childish for my tastes.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book was a disappointment! I feel like I read this book before - the witches, 'so mote it be', the star crossed lovers, etc. The characters even seem alike - looks, the way they behave, etc. Now, let's be realistic, after 200 books, characterization has to be a bit difficult but this entire book seemed recycled.I think this is the first time that i won't consider buying the sequel.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan's directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he's three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.My Thoughts:I have read a Nora Roberts some time ago and I can remember enjoying it. When I really excited about this book when I saw that it was due out so I booked it out of my local library. I thought that the story line had so much going for it, a supernatural element and a hot romance. For me these two elements just didn’t work. I felt that the supernatural side of the story was quite bland and the romance was just a bit too slushy. Normally when there is a romance between two characters I like to feel the build up and the cat and mouse chasing. The romance in this book happened too fast so I couldn’t feel what the characters were feeling. With the supernatural element I felt that the plot was quite basic, and felt that perhaps the book would have been ok without it and just have the story of Iona coming to Ireland and falling for Boyle.Nora Roberts is a well respected author and has many fans and I enjoyed the book that I read before, I just can’t remember the title. This book was OK and I plodded my way through. It is a trilogy but I feel that there wasn’t enough for me to look forward to the next books in the series.An OK read but not enough for me to continue with the next books to follow.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Classic Nora Roberts romance!

    She does such a wonderful job of writing characters I wish I knew IRL.

    This is the first book in a trilogy - generally she offers up one couple per book, and true to form we're introduced to 3 not-yet-couples who would be perfect for each other.

    There's a whole witch theme, and it's well done, but as always it feels like a pretext to write a romance.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I enjoy Nora Roberts' books but I must admit along with other reviewers that it isn't one of her best. The Three Sisters Island was wonderful. I hadn't thought I would enjoy the witchcraft aspect but it was well written. This one is the first of a trilogy which one can almost predict how the other two will go. It somehow lacks the suspense and storyline that captivates me. I'm not sure if or when I will read the other books in this trilogy.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    There's a lot of weird rhyming in this book. Also it felt like at least half was written by a ghost writer program. Not impressed.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Boyle McGrath rides up to Iona Sheehan on a wild stallion 16 hands high she is immediately attracted to both. “Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horseman. How could he be three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all rolled into one big, bold package” (p. 85). American born Iona is newly arrived in Mayo, Ireland, having sold all her possessions to make the trip to the place where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed. With indifferent parents, her rock has been her Nan who told her about her lineage. Iona has booked a week in Castle Ashford and soon meets up with her cousins Branna and Connor O’Dwyer who invite her to move in with them. Now that Iona has arrived, they can join forces to battle an ancient evil that has stalked their family, one that dates back to 1263 when their ancestor Sorcha, the Dark Witch, did battle against the sorcerer Cabhan, whom she cursed and almost destroyed. One of Sorcha’s last acts was to imbue three copper bracelets with power and tie the horse, the hawk and the hound as protectors to her three children. Iona and her cousins have each inherited one of the amulets and now Cabhan is stalking Iona, seeking to destroy her and her cousins. A great story, some of the dialogue could be improved as I wasn't sure who was saying what, but I'm looking forward to the next book.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    2 1/2 stars not my thing
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Once again Nora Roberts blows me out of the water with her writing! 5 out of 5 stars all the way!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Iona Sheehan travels to County Mayo in Ireland, to connect with her family roots--and specifically with the family history of magic and destiny her grandmother has told her.

    She quickly connects with her Irish cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer, and finds her grandmother's stories, and her own dreams that have haunted her since childhood, are true. She's a witch--and the vital third member of the triangle needed to confront a lurking danger that has pursued her family for a thousand years.

    Iona quickly warms to having a family that embraces her rather than thinking her strange and uninteresting, and learning the use of the magic her grandmother has shown her. Branna has her shop, where she sells the potions and charms whe makes; Connor has his hawks and the forest walk business he runs; it's not long before Iona is working at Boyle McGrath's stable, leading group rides and giving lessons to eager students.

    But Iona and her cousins, as well as the handsome and delectable Boyle, his partner Finn, and friend and employee Meara, all know that the lurking threat that goes right back to the beginning of the O'Dwyer family is growing closer. Cavan, or what remains of him after the long-ago confrontations with the dark witch Sorka, their many times great-grandmother, is determined to seize the O'Dwyer magic, combine it with his own, and rule the world.

    Iona, the least experienced of the three O'Dwyer cousins, is somehow the lynchpin of the coming confrontation.

    Of course, romance is also lurking. Boyle and Iona are deeply attracted but have difficulty staying on the same page. Branna for reasons she won't state explicitly, is convinced she can't have a relationship with Finn. Connor and Meara seem to be almost unaware of each other.

    This is the start of a trilogy, and not all of this is resolved in this book. If you like Nora Robert's fantasy romances, though, this is a very satisfying start to the trilogy, with characters that you can love and, sometimes, want to wack upside the head sometimes. The magic is real within the world of the book, but not cost-free, and requires work, discipline, and a willingness to pay the price it imposes.

    Very enjoyable.

    I bought this audiobook.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Dark Witch
    3 Stars

    Iona Sheehan travels to Ireland not only to find her roots but the place where she belongs. Together with her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer, Iona must battle an ancient evil using the magical abilities inherited from the first Dark Witch. In time, Iona comes to find family, friends and love in County Mayo but will her new life survive the malicious intent of a powerful dark force that once destroyed her ancestor...

    The Irish setting and paranormal elements are charming although the descriptions of the magical spells, tools and incantations become repetitive and excessive. Moreover, the characters’ internal dialogue is overly sentimental.

    Iona is a sweet and engaging heroine and her hero, Boyle McGrath, is the gruff and sexy silent type who is surprised when love hits him over the head. Unfortunately, their romance isn’t that appealing mainly because their chemistry is virtually non-existent and their emotional connection feels forced.

    The secondary cast comprised of Iona’s cousins and their love interests has definite potential, especially Branna and Fin who share an intriguing past that will make for compelling reading when their book comes.
    All in all, not one of Nora’s best works but entertaining enough to continue with the series.

    ETA: I've lost interest in continuing with the series as book #2 is virtually a repeat of book #1 and I simply don't have the patience.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really enjoyed this book, but it is so reminiscent of the Three Sisters Island trilogy, that I just can't bring myself to give it the fifth star. It feels like a reworking of old material, albeit a very good one.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    From Amazon: With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends. Ireland. County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives. When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package. Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…I can't say I enjoyed this book at all. It seemed like a combination of many other Nora Roberts books, all done better. I wouldn't ever read the rest of the trilogy and I can barely remember anything that happened in this book, which is why I have to credit Amazon's review. However, it did fulfill two of my challenges so I'll give it the extra point.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Book 1 in a series. I picked up the audio version for a long drive because it's set in Ireland and I'll give anything with an Irish theme a chance. I've found Nora Roberts' books to be more misses than hits, but this one held my attention and I've now started Book 2. Likable characters and good dialogue, with enough humor thrown in to keep this story from taking itself too seriously. Nothing earth-shattering, but you could do worse if you're just trying to pass the time.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is about a magical family bloodline. It starts over 800 years ago and then goes to present time with Iona going to Ireland and meeting her cousins Brenna and Connor where she learns how to control her powers. This book is about family, love, trust and the power of believing in yourself. I enjoyed this book as I enjoy all Nora Roberts books. I love her trilogies. This is very enjoyable and I bet it's entertaining as an audio book too. I recommend this. I would have read it in a day if my work load wasn't so much right now. Can't wait for book two to come out. I'm already in the queue at the library.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Well, for all the fuss I made to get my hands on this book, it sure wasn't as AWESOME as I had expected...Iona Sheehan is a witch. But not just any witch. She's part of a magic trio meant to destroy a major evil. After so many years of never fitting in, she moves to Ireland, to live with her cousins, the O'Dwyers. The changes in her life are many more than discovering her heritage and developing her craft - with Boyle McGrath as her new boss, her love life just took a turn for the better. Or did it?I admit I was excited to find out that NR had written another magic-related trilogy. But the thing is, I've seen this kind of story before, told in another way,and for some reason it felt used and dull. Even the romance was something I had seen from NR.Though I have to give it to her - no one writes emotionally depressing scenes between couples the way she does! That moment in the stables really broke my heart - the way it always does. NR has the talent and the ways to make spectacular stories. So, honestly, I don't know what went wrong with this one. I'm just hoping the next ones won't let me yawning so much....
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    This was a massive disappointment. I normally enjoy Nora Roberts as a relaxing, if predictable, read. This story was a rehash of several other that she has done before - the series it reminded me of were: Three sisters Island, Key Trilogy, Irish Trilogy and Sign of Seven trilogy (and those are just the ones I have read).
    The repetition in the character's dialogue (ie. It is important, family, the having of it....It was about love, the needing of it..) that style of phrase was really shitting me off, the repeating of it.
    I couldn't finish this book. If it was the first Nora Roberts you ever picked up it would be OK but I think she is out of ideas.
    Also she just sucks at writing the historical sections.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    This book has a strong beginning with the tale of the first Dark Witch in the 11th century. Then we come to the modern day and things slow considerably. I like the concept of this story, but writing feels like one of my students doing a last minute assignment. There seemed to be a lot of instances where words were out of order in sentences and the writing feels rushed. For me, the story was too simplistic and lacking good character and story development.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Dark Witch by Nora Roberts#1 Cousins O'Dwyer trilogyHo-hum start to a trilogy about three cousins (witches) who come together as fated through time in order to defeat their ancestors' dark foe, a greedy and heartless man/supernatural being who was willing to barter with the Devil in order to obtain more power. He is now after the power the O'Dwyer family holds, after letting it slip through his fingers 750 years before. This first book focuses on Iona Sheehan, an American who moves to County Mayo, Ireland, in order to meet the cousins she has been told about by her grandmother, along with the family legend of "The Three Who Are One". She has her talisman, a copper pendant with the image of a horse, and a blossoming knowledge of her own magical power. She meets her cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer, brother and sister, who have known their whole lives about their power and have been able to foster it. This is all new for Iona, and her cousins devote themselves to teaching her and preparing her for the battle they know will come.Helping them are three friends, also entwined within their lives and as close as family, are Boyle McGrath, Meara Quinn, and Finbar Burke. Boyle is as closed off as Iona is open, but she knows immediately that she's attracted to him and shares that knowledge freely, to his embarrassment and her new friends' mirth. He fights it as long as he can but is no match for the light she brings into his world. I'm assuming that Meara and Connor will be the next couple to be featured. There was nothing pointing to them having a thing for each other, just teasing back and forth, but the way Nora's trilogies work, I'm assuming they will find love together. Fin and Branna do have a shared history and obviously still love each other, but they were torn apart by the very supernatural entity they are planning to defeat. Trust will be the main divide between them and the lack of it will be what they have to overcome. As prickly as Branna is, I'm sure their relationship will be the final one needing resolution before they ultimately eliminate Cabhan, the evil one, in the third book. Good story, not great. This isn't up to par with other trilogies Nora Roberts is so well-loved for. She normally does such a wonderful job in showing us the bond between groups of friends or family members. Perhaps that will improve in the other books, but this one was missing something. This book definitely felt like a first book in a series that is just trying to establish the foundation. I love Nora, so I have faith that she will come through and the series will get better.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book is yet another reason why Nora is one of my favorite authors. She has a way of drawing the reader in and finding it hard to set the book down until the very end. The fact that it takes place in Ireland, makes it even harder to stop reading.
    Iona has always felt like an outsider with her parents, job and life in general. Her Nan is the only person she felt close to and who taught her about the legacy passed on. With the financial support of her Nan, Iona quits her job, packs everything into two suitcases and sets out to make a life in Ireland, hoping that she can connect with distant family as well as her heritage. There she meets her cousins Branna and Connor who welcome her with open arms and Iona is able to find her niche, understanding that her connection with horses is another form passes from ancestors. Iona also finds, friendship and love in the form of the brooding Boyle who catches her eye from the start.
    Iona learns of an ancient evil known as Cabhan and several times uses instincts to combat the evil witch who seeks to take the power passed down to her and her cousins through generations.
    With the help of her cousins, Boyle, friends, her Nan and faith in herself, Iona learns how to embrace her destiny, use her powers and put a chink in the evil Cabhan's armor. She may be small in size but she is mighty in heart and is not to be underestimated.
    Full of humor, magic, love and the belief in family, I enjoyed every part of this story. I can't wait to see what is next in store!!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I've never read Nora Roberts before but hopefully it won't be the last. Dark Witch featured witches and magic and was thoroughly enjoyable and obviously well researched. The author certainly knows her Ireland well.I wanted to return there myself with the way she described the old castles and the beautiful countryside... and of course the rain. I loved how she drew each of the characters, both from the past as well as into the present,and I fell in love with Iona myself. I am happy to see this is the first of a trilogy and I'll certainly be reading the rest. Jack Murphy
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I enjoyed this book.
    The story starts in the past, where the first Dark Witch is being hunted by darkness, and where a legend is born.
    Hundreds of years later the power of the witch still lives in her descendants, and the battle with evil is still raging.
    This book was a good mix between chick-lit, fantasy, and just a pinch of historical fiction.
    It’s the first of a trilogy, so as you can imagine the story doesn’t end here…
    Boyle is a star! He’s the object of the affection of our protagonist, and he’s just the best. He’s grumpy, bad with emotions, and a bit of a bullhead, but you just have to adore him.
    The only reason I gave it 4 stars is that sometimes it feels like the protagonists are repeating the same dialog/thoughts in loops over and over again, after the third or fourth time you hear about family, power, light, darkness, destiny, the circle, blah, blah it gets too much for one book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Loved listening to this one! I am not sure that I would have liked it as well just reading it myself as the Irish accents added to the telling of it. It had a few lulls in it middle, but picked up again quickly. Looking forward to finishing this series.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    I am not a fan of fantasy fiction; however, gave Dark Witch (new Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy) a chance since I am a Nora Roberts fan. An engaging read of romance, castles, horses, Irish-American Iona Sheehan and her Irish roots where she discovers magic – her two cousins (Branna and Connor). Iona lands a job at the stables and meets the owner Boyle—cowboy. As many of Roberts’ books --evil spirits, history, an intriguing family tree, and romance along the way.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A well written book but much more of a paranormal story than I'm used to from Nora Roberts. I don't know if I loved that being the focus of the story but I will still be interested to see how the story progresses in the next two books in the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another wonderful novel from Nora Roberts, although I loved the romance more than the supernatural/magic story line. For some reason, the "ancient evil" plot just is not working for me this time around. I love Iona and Boyle, and I completely get all the feelings of pre-destiny and that sense of "fernweh" (look it up... great word). I love the magic side of the story, with the cousins and the family and the history. The bad guy, however, does nothing for me. I've still become attached to the other four characters, and I look forward to watching their relationships blossom in the midst of all the battle preparations.

    Also... horses. And Ireland. And magic. How can you not love this book for those reasons alone?