Morgana is different. With her lack of speech and the strange things that happen around her, she'll never quite fit in in her small Welsh village. When she is married by arrangement to a drover from two days' journey away, Cai will have to gradually learn about his new wife's powers. But all does not go well in her new home, and Morgana will have to fight to keep what is hers. An enchanting tale of the struggle to survive, of love, of a passion for nature and the Welsh hills, with magic woven all the way through it. My only disappointment is that this book does not make the most of the surroundings Morgana loves so much.

A wishlist book to accompany the 12 days of Christmas exchange.

Thanks so much, greenbadger, for a lovely 12 Days of Christmas package. Looking forward to reading this book!

This book has a very classic feeling to it. It is historical fiction, with a supernatural undertone – the main character is a witch – but nothing like the modern YA novels. It is more gothic, with the tension slowly creeping while you read.

Cai is a welsh farmer who marries Morgana because he needs a wife to maintain his position as master drover. Morgana does not speak and seems a bit odd, but this doesn’t disturb Cai. Their life on the farm goes well enough, but Morgana senses a dark power looming in the air; a power that wants to destroy her and everything she has learned to love.

The plot flows along at a very slow pace, with many descriptions of the Welsh countryside, the day-to-day life on the farm and on the drove. But it is not boring and you feel engaged with the narrative, always anxious to see when Morgana will finally speak (if she does at all!). The characters are interesting and believable, although you have the supernatural element. I enjoyed the ending; it made me say FINALLY!

Picked from the VBB - Women in Fiction. Enjoy!