A Gathering of Crones

Just when I thought that book 2 showed more promise than book 1, and had my mouth watering for book 3... Book 3, "Game of Crones" is not available in your country. ...Not, "...at this time", but "not AVAILABLE in your COUNTRY". This right here is damaging to ratings. And I'm sure the author suffers for something she cannot control. But my hopes were lifted then dashed hard on disappointment. This book loses 3 stars because the sequel to it is not available in my country.

Great Part Two Wow what a ride. The first book introduced us to the main character who just turned 60 and found out she was a witch. This one introduces us more to the reason for the Crones, and the threat that the Crones are fighting against. Complete with monsters, and magical combats, the four Crones, plus one, need to gather and defeat their nemesis before he kills them, and steals their pendants. And takes over the world. The characters in this are what really make this book work, but the action takes you on a ride that makes you pause after you’ve read it to take a breath as you assimilate all that happened. I was drawn in in such a way that my normal world is on hold as I take a trip into Confluence. As someone who is close to 60 myself, I like a character that has flaws, but also is able to still make a difference. Claire is a woman who has gone through the housewife and mother phase, and understands her commitments as a Mom and Grandmother; but also has to find her own self, and her sense of purpose. I also enjoy the magical world this author has created, and the way she weaves some Arthurian lore with her own creatures and background story. In addition, the emotional reveals of the character, caused me to have a few tears in my eyes as I empathized with the things she went through with her housemates. Though this story is part of a series, the author does a wonderful job of bringing you up to speed so if you started with just this book, you would not be lost; but I do recommend that you begin with the first one, and then read this one. The third in this series is due out in August 2022, and I can tell you right now, I am very excited to read it. If it is like this one, I know I will be in for a treat. Highly recommend this book and this series.

I very much enjoyed the first book in the series and eagerly awaited the sequel – and it did not disappoint. In the six weeks since the end of the first book, Claire has been trying unsuccessfully to learn to control her magic. Keven and Lucan discover there is a new Earth Crone, and now their allegiance is to her, not to Claire. Morok is attacking the Crones. I truly enjoy these books, watching Claire grow in spite of her insecurities and her struggles. I love the solidarity of the women. At one point, Claire talks of “All the ‘women of a certain age’ who did their part to hold together the very fabric of the same society that wanted nothing more to do with them, that wanted them to go away and be quiet and behave.” Claire, however, in spite of her losses, her fears and her insecurities, doesn’t go away, be quiet, behave or give up. She keeps on learning, keeps on pushing, and keeps on fighting. I can’t wait to see where she goes and what she does in book three.