The Last Witch #3by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 8 Saoirse, with her fire powers, takes on Bronaugh, a water witch. Bronaugh sends some of her "pets" to kill Nan / Digde and Brahm.I like the strategy for challenging Bronaugh next. Nan provides a secret ingredient that not only saves Saoirse's life, but buys her much-needed time. Their underwater fight is not really a fight, but the water creates challenges and threats to Saoirse that give it a similar energy. I like the different tactics Saoirse tries, especially attempting to boil the water around Bronaugh. We don't actually get to see what Saoirse does to overcome what should be a watery demise (and stop Bronaugh's creatures, thus thwarting her plan), but Saoirse's comeback is even more powerful because of this. Going through all of this adds believability to Saoirse's fire overcoming water in the end. Very nicely done. We do get to see Saoirse control water in an unexpected way at the end; the challenge of the task, especially in her exhausted state, impresses me. The creatures that are Bronaugh's pets are interesting (if I had to guess, I would say they are Each-uisge). Their ability to sketch symbols with their claws shows some intelligence, but we don't see it used elsewhere. And while we see them attack, they are easily dealt with. They're still something to be feared, as one would fear a wild predatory animal, but in comparison to the witches, they're not too bad. Nan and Brahm's encounter with the beasts quickly turns into them being trapped by their own wagon, which is on fire. Nan's plant-based magic is no match for the flames. The sheer size of their covered wagon must be much larger than I realized, given how difficult it was for them to escape it. That said, I liked seeing Brahm's ingenuity and bravery. I'm also curious about the how and why of Brahm being mysteriously aided by animals -- animals that may be doing the bidding of another witch! I'm impressed with the storytelling and the art. This is definitely a series worth reading! Written: March 27, 2021
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