The Darkest Night
Some secrets last for generations . . . A bewitching and haunting story of family secrets - and the lengths some will go to protect them. A MISSING WOMAN When Ailsa Reid becomes the subject of a trial by media after an incident at the school where she works, she escapes to the comfort of her grandparents' house in Fife. But she arrives to find her grandmother, Moira - recently diagnosed with dementia - has gone missing, and her grandfather, Rupert, gravely injured. AN ABANDONED CHILD Desperate to ensure Moira's safe return, Ailsa must rely on the help of her estranged mother, Rowan, who abandoned her at birth. Tensions simmer between the two women as they attempt to piece together the lead-up to Moira's disappearance. A TERRIBLE CURSE But in order to move forward and find Moira, both Ailsa and Rowan must go back to the beginning; to a story about witches burned on the hill above the Reid house centuries ago, and the curse laid upon the women that came after. Can they break the bonds of history in time to save their family? Or will the Reid curse be their undoing? Perfect for fans of C. J. Cooke and Rebecca Netley.
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Book Review: The Darkest Night by Victoria Hawthorne
Rating: 3 Stars
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing “The Darkest Night” by Victoria Hawthorne, and I have to say, the cover is absolutely stunning! It's the kind of book that catches your eye and makes you want to dive right in. However, after finishing it, I'd rate it a solid three stars. Let me explain why.
The story revolves around Ailsa Reid, who finds herself in the midst of a media frenzy after a troubling incident at her school. Seeking solace, she retreats to her grandparents' home in Fife, only to discover that her grandmother, Moira, has mysteriously vanished and her grandfather, Rupert, is seriously injured. In a twist of fate, Ailsa has to team up with her estranged mother, Rowan—who abandoned her at birth—to navigate the tensions that arise as they race against time to find Moira. As they dig deeper, they uncover a haunting family history involving witches burned on the nearby hill and a curse that seems to loom over the women in their family.
While the premise is intriguing, I found myself more captivated by the historical elements surrounding Elspeth and Selina than by Ailsa's contemporary narrative. Ailsa's (and her mother's, and Uncle's) reaction to her grandmother's disappearance struck me as oddly nonchalant. I mean, come on—your gran is missing! That should be a big deal! The emotional stakes felt muted at times, which made it hard for me to fully engage with Ailsa's journey.
Additionally, the backstory about the witches and the curse felt like background noise rather than a pivotal part of the plot. I really wish the author had taken the time to delve deeper into that aspect. It had so much potential to enrich the narrative and provide a more compelling connection between past and present. Instead, it felt glossed over, leaving me wanting more.
Overall, The Darkest Night was just okay for me. While it had its beautiful moments and an interesting premise, it didn't quite hit the mark in terms of character depth or plot development. If you're into stories about family secrets with a touch of the supernatural, this might still be worth a read—but I can't help but feel that it could have been so much more.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
