A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash – Review by Jennifer Gordon
A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was gripped from page one by this original story of family secrets, murder and magic. The three Rowan siblings have more than a little magic about them, empathic Victoria who has a talent for reading others feelings, Phillipa, who can charm and bewitch, and Liam who with one touch of any object can reveal its secrets. As children they were raised by a narcissistic mother who would twist their magic for her games and this has affected them all in adulthood. Vic has moved away from her childhood home in Grimsby but returns on the death of her mother, Rachel. The siblings find themselves faced with the consequences of their mothers actions, as she used her antique shop as a front to torment the residents of Grimsby. Discovering their secrets and then blackmailing them. Vic has spent years working in the city, ignoring her past and hiding her powers but when her autistic brother Liam is arrested she has to stay and discover the truth. In order to help her siblings she now has to confront her past and use her powers. Making her life even more complicated is the boy she once dated and dumped who says that he knows the truth about her.
This story was so much more than a small town Murder mystery, it has a dysfunctional family with an abusive mother, secrets, blackmail, magic and a hint of romance. I was hooked from start to finish and found myself completely immersed in this unique story. The atmospheric and slightly claustrophobic small town setting really came alive through the authors wonderful descriptive narrative. The characters are all unique and fascinating and bring a different element to the storyline. I liked the use of magical realism within the story itself and the plot twists kept me in suspense until the last page. The novel does contain some triggers especially in regards to child abuse and trauma but these are dealt with sensitively. Although this was a rather dark and uneasy read at times it was also addictive and a real page turner. I can honestly say I’ve never read anything else like it and I would definitely recommend ‘A Spell of Rowans’.
