Immediately, I was drawn to Grandmére Ursele for her strength and mystery. Every section reminds the reader that men are oppressive beings who hate what they fear - powerful women.Ī majority of the characters were not fulfilling for me as a reader. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the plot that was repetitive, but the themes, as well. For me, Veronica is the most astounding female character in the book, for she uses her powers effectively with very little thought for herself. I will say that I enjoyed Veronica’s story the most out of all the women, for she uses her craft to help fight the war and to make the world a better place. Of course, I understand that Morgan is including actual history in regards to how society ran with gender roles, but I was so hoping for something more substantial. With such a set up of women where the matriarchy is crucial and capable, they easily bend to the patriarchal ways.

It’s a redundant pattern that had me disappointed - for most of these strong, powerful females continually use their magic to hook a man OR use one in order to get pregnant. Each of the women’s stories - Nanette, Ursule, Irene, Morwen and Veronica - seem to follow very similar patterns…at least up until the last daughter, Veronica. Therefore, the reader does not experience the entire story within one realm of characters. Louisa Morgan has a beautiful knack for prose and the seeds of a potentially great story.Įach of the main female characters has their own story within the novel. I found the plot repetitive, a majority of the characters underwhelming and the story itself anti-climatic. Unfortunately, the novel did not live up to my expectations. I selected it as my first fall read, and, quite frankly, the cover is what initially hooked me. As the world evolves and changes, so changes each generation of witch…and so changes the craft. Her female descendents continue practicing the craft, with the magic coming to each woman in unique ways. Beginning in early 19th century in Brittany, the story begins with Grandmére Ursule and her sacrifice for her lineage. Spanning five generations, A Secret History of Witches is a tale of witchcraft that is passed down from mother to daughter through the Orchiére family.

A secret history of witches