The Witches of Dark Root (Daughters of Dark Root Book 1)

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was an interesting fun read that kept me coming back for more. And unlike so many other books where it takes so long to get to the climax and then it's over so fast, this had a very satisfying pace and ending. If you're into witches, this is a great book to try.

So the heroine doesn't have raven hair but I enjoyed the book and the few editorial misses didn't bother me. I think the book was mostly predictable without sudden gut wrenching twists and turns which was a nice change for my usual reading choices. I enjoyed the sedate read it kept my interest and makes me curious about what's next. I'll have to read book 2 to find out.

It caught my attention from the start and I couldn't put it down. Can't wait to continue the series. Her and her sisters are just captivating. Even if witches aren't your thing this book should still be given a try. It's a magical time I can't wait to continue.

I just loved the main character of this book. She didn't know that she had the strength to do all that she did. I loved the flashbacks in the story of her as a little girl in darkroot. I can't wait to continue reading more in this series.

I really love April Aasheim's books. I'm not usually into family stories, but the Sisters of Dark Root series grabs the imagination and doesn't let go. I still think about the characters after I finished the book. I can't wait to see how everything turns out!

A well developed plot written in a strong, engaging style. April is well on her way to attaining a mastery of her craft. I hope there will be sequels. I can envision a story for each of the sisters.

I really have nothing good to say about this book. The characters are ridiculous and so flat they appear childish. The FH is so naive that it begins to grate on the reader. She has no direction and only responds to inane events tossed at her. Deleting book 2 unread.

I really wanted to like this book. I read a lot of paranormal stuff and really like witches, as I feel like they are the most "normal" of the paranormal. It got good reviews too. It started out ok, but I lost interest pretty quickly. I kept reading, hoping the story would pull me in, but I finally gave up somewhere around chapter 6 or so. I couldn't get into it. Guess this one just wasn't for me.

I really tried to empathize with the lead female character, I understood her a bit better 5pages before it all ended, I feel the ending of the story was rushed and many mysteries were not resolved. I don't think I would by a second part if this becomes a series.

I could not finish it - I do not like reading books with stupid heroines. This one does not think. Yes, yes, nasty life, etc. etc. But I can see more than I want about stupid women on TV news, Judge Judy, etc! Sorry if you like her writing, as I said, just my opinion!

The Wtiches of Dark Root is an interesting book. It is overall well written but drags out quite a bit. The pace is too slow for me and the paranormal part of it is on the smaller side. You get little bits and peaces thrown your way every now and then but overall it focuses more on the sisters and her mother. There are some nice twists hidden that I did enjoy.

Maggie is interesting. She is true to herself and learns a lot in this book about herself and her family. She is fairly strong even though for a while she is somewhat clueless on what to do. Her sisters are very different from her so each contributes to this story in a different way. The adversary in this book is quite hidden which makes it an interesting read.

Love this writer so much! This is a great introduction to the series, and a very different and unique voice compared to most of the witch books I've read out there. Aasheim's work is super accessible but almost literary in the beauty of her prose and very character-driven. In that sense it's much more reminiscent of "Practical Magic" and some of the more mainstream takes on witches and witchcraft, versus the more escapist forms I've read in a lot of fantasy. It makes the characters much more three-dimensional and the world feel much more real and like ours. At the same time there are some really light, funny moments and absurd humor that made me laugh out loud at times. Great love story too, and again, much more set in the real world with very relatable emotional experiences, which I loved.

I...I really did try to read this with an open mind. I honestly did. I am a Wiccan. I have to say I don't take most things written seriously, but the premise of this character makes me want to beat her to death with her Oreos. So many conflicting things just to create a convoluted character, but any self respecting Wiccan would never fall prey to a false "Christian" prophet no matter how small the town and lack of cock. I will try to finish it, but I'm having a hard time respecting the heroine thus far. Either the covens she researched have a different modus opererandi or she just picked sensationalism for kicks; I do not know. I'm not being one of those y must respect blah mc blah, but the character is a bit off and some parts predictable too much. S

I love fantasy/ supernatural books, the ones you can slip away from reality. This book grabbed my imagination and wouldn't let me put the book down until the end, only to want more! I enjoyed the characters and related to each; I can't wait to see what more they have in-store for us! I could tell the author really liked writing this book because of how much I enjoyed reading it!

On the plus side, the author creates a character in Maggie I empathised with instantly. Unfortunately, "I" bored "me" intensely at the start - Maggie was bored - and then she left me wondering why she'd joined a religious community with nudist tendencies carried to extremes. Michael is poorly drawn. Nobody who dislikes being driven fails to fasten their seatbelt, and that is just one example. I was interested to learn American supermarkets issue wipes to clean trolley handles - an excellent idea - but I stopped reading soon after Maggie failed to use one. I'd stopped caring much whether she helped her sister Merry, or indeed her mother who appeared to be at the root of the family's troubles. It wasn't what I expected of a book with such a marvellous title.

Wow! How to describe this novel? It's about family. We each know that sometimes family can be one of the hardest trials of life. Secrets kept, jealousy, teenage angst against everything looking for love, whether it's good for them or not. Trying to find the right path in life. Well take all that and add in witches. Shew. It makes for one heck of a Rollercoaster read.
I must admit that in the first few chapters I almost put this book down. Religious cult beliefs was not what I was expecting in the beginning of this story. But hang in there. It goes back and forth from present to past. This will all help you understand this family.
As the story and magic slowly unfolded I honestly could not stop reading until I finished the last page. Just Wow. I highly recommend
The plot is excellent. The characters believable. It's pretty much a clean read with only a few cuss words.
Do yourself a favor and read this work of art. The author has a wonderful writing style once you get use to it. Get it!!

Yes I'm heading back to the store to get book 2 NOW!!!

Four sisters from Dark Root, Oregon are all witches and each have different powers. Each Halloween the town has a festival which is in part to bring tourists to the town andvalso to keep the darkness away. They all want to leave town since they are tired of being put on display and their mother is also becoming more crazy. The four sisters leave town and tries to make their own path, but the path brings them all back to Dark Root to save the town and possibly the world. The book bounced from present to different time points in the past. The main character, Maggie, remembers the past and she is discovering her role in saving her town and how she can find true love. The story reminds me of Practical Magic. This is the first in the series and now I am curious where the story will take the girls.

A mother and her four daughters have clashed many times over their witch heritage. The daughters, being modern women, are scornful of the whole idea and not interested in taking part. But as their mother slides into dementia, some of them return and things start to change.

I have some quibbles about this book, particularly in the romantic and sisterly relationships. They seem to change quickly and conveniently, and there are times when it felt a little too predictable. However, I cared about the characters, and the suspenseful main plot held my attention. It ends with more resolution than cliff-hanger, but there were a couple of loose ends, and I can't wait to get the next book in the series to find out what happens. If you like paranormal stories, I think you'll enjoy this series.

I found this book on Facebook. I kept seeing it advertised and finally checked it out. I realized it was on Kindle Unlimited and so I grabbed it. I'm so glad I did too!

I really loved this book. I have always loved reading books about witches and this one did not let me down. It wasn't your typical witch book either. There is a back story to all the witches that you don't usually see in books similar to this. The characters seem so real. Many witch books are so crazy its hard to believe in them or the story, but this one was more real. It has the ability to make you feel, to believe in the unknown. At least that's what it did for me. This story was a story of family, of finding yourself, of hope, and of fear. It had a little bit of everything that makes a book great. And the ending was just WOW!

The writing was good and the story was great. I gave this book 5 stars, but if I could I would give it 10. Yes! It's that good! I,m glad I found this book and am now a big fan of this author. I'm definitely looking forward to reading book 2 in The Daughters of Dark Root series...Stormi

Okay, I read ALL 5 books. I know 1 star & I STILL read them. I kept thinking I just be missing something & eventually it will become clear. It DIDN'T. The characters from beginning to end are whiney & boring. The fact that they are adults makes it worse. The story covers less than 2 years & it felt like it took me that long to read it. Save yourself the time & frustration.

Refreshingly down-to-earth story of a family of witches coming together in their childhood home as their Mother is ill. There are very good descriptive reviews on this page, so I'm not going to reinvent the wheel by retelling the story.

There is witchy Magick, there is sibling rivalry, there are attractive men, there is evil, there are secrets to be revealed (not half!), but most of all there is love (despite all the bickering!).

I liked the jumping back and forth in time as it really put you right in the thick of things. A well written story, well-rounded characters and you feel every emotion they feel. As an only child, I actually felt part of the family and their lives...well, as much as I imagine living with sisters would be! It's a good author who can make me feel that way.

I fell in love with Maggie - the 'flawed as the rest of us' lead character - and especially June Bug. I can relate to Maggie more as she is not your usual model-type, with a 'media-beautiful' plastic-surgery enhanced face and body, and additional trout pout for luck...

I enjoyed this book very much and will be reading the rest of the series.

I wavered between 3 and 4 stars on this one, mostly because of the romantic element. When the book first started, it had me rolling my eyes and thinking no way I was going to like this one. But I don't give up on a book that easy and this time I was glad I didn't. This book is a slow burn, so if you're looking for action packed drama, it's not for you. This one is for mystery lovers who like to see things unravel bit by bit along the way. The plot is interesting, the characters are three dimensional and unique, and there's a wonderful family dynamic between the sisters and their mother. I was drawn in and pulled along as Maggie struggled with returning to the home, and coven, she had fled years before.

That having been said, there's still the romantic subplot. I like a good love triangle when it's done right and it suits the story. I don't like it when every guy the heroine meets is hopelessly attracted to her. I also don't like it when the heroine is attracted to every man in sight. Erase the romantic - if you can even call it that - subplot from this book and it's a good, solid story. I really would have given this one a 3.5 stars if it was an option, just because the subplot is one of my pet peeves.

I was madly in love with this book from the beginning. I found the dialogue and writing refreshing and fun to read. Not to mention the angle that Aasheim takes with her MC having lived in a religious cult for a few years despite being a witch. The other next-best-thing to this book is the setting. I loved Dark Root and Sister House. Loved, loved them.

The only thing I could say against this book is regarding the MC as the book moved forward. While I still loved her wit and thought processes, I had a hard time empathizing with her towards the end because she didn't do much. The other characters, her sisters, seemed to always be doing something (taking care of Mom, fixing the store, etc.) but she was just kind of floating along. I liked my MC's to be a bit more actively involved. The ending was a bit fast, but not unsatisfying.

I dove right into the second book as soon as I finished this one.

The story was interesting but the language is crude. I'm thinking the rest of the series will have the same so will not be going on from here. This is not the style of literature I could freely recommend.

I normally stick to True Crime and Historical fiction so this is not my normal genre of book. It was, however, recommended by a friend so thought I'd give it a chance. I am so very glad I did. I was surprised to find myself so wrapped up in this book, I ended up reading it in one sitting. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and I already have Book Two in the series downloaded and ready to go. I highly doubt I'll be disappointed in the follow up if it is anything like this Book One.

This review will contain slight spoilers.

Halfway through the book I was raging to everyone about how I was going to leave it one star, at best two. I despised the main character, Maggie. I thought she was a hard-headed idiot without an ounce of compassion. Her every choice irked me to no end, but still I kept reading. a) because I didn't think it would be fair to leave a review on a book I didn't finish and b) because even though I hated her every choice I had this burning desire to know WHY she made them. In that way, the author did do her job very-very well.

I would hesitate to call them complex, but the characters are deeper than what you see on the surface. Perhaps I had to dislike Maggie so deeply in order for her to be redeemed. I searched for a book on witches because I wanted to read something on sisterhood and The Witches of Dark Root did not disappoint. Along with mixing in some personal philosophy on fear, and magic, I definitely overall enjoyed the story--eventually.

All the 4 Maddock sisters are free spirits and wish to be out of Dark Root forever. Maggie feels it especially, so when a handsome stranger comes into their mothers shop and asks for her by name and wants her to go with him to lead a fulfilling life…she jumps at the chance never giving Dark Root or her mother a second glance. 7 years have passed she is enjoying the life she has with barely no contact with the outside world until her older sister Mary calls, tells her she needs her to return to Dark Root and their mother is not well. Not the family reunion Maggie was hoping for and she never thought she would find herself back in the rundown town but while she is there Maggie finds out that every family has their secrets and her families just happens to hinge on the sisters futures.

This is a pretty cool story. Its got that sisterly love/hate relationship (I don’t have a sister so I always find it enjoyable to read about them J ), finding ones self, love, and of course Magick! The sisters are all a hoot… Marry is the backbone to the family, she is the support system and she is always doing something for other people putting herself last. Eve is the youngest so she always wants the spotlight and all the attention to be on her. Ruth Ann the oldest we don’t know much about, she’s a taboo subject in their household. And Maggie, our protagonist, is strong willed, sensitive, and full of power. All the sisters have some sort of Magick running through them but Maggies is the one that everyone is drawn to even if she doesn’t believe in the Magick inside her herself.

Another amazing thing about this book is the description of Dark Root! Wow! They make me want to move to a small town and open up a shop. It’s so magical and whimsical….a perfect place for a witch :) I cant tell you much about the story because as it unravels you get caught up in the enchantment of it all that its too good to put into worlds. I can not wait to see if there will be another tale for the sisters! This book is a great read for those looking for some love, magick, and an embracing of your roots story!

Find my review here:
[...]

This book was quite intriguing and was much more ya-ya sisterhood than it was practical magic but the story was still pretty dern great... This book is a lot more about family bonds and sisterly love and connections than witches and Magick. The story starts out (after the prologue) with Maggie at Wood Haven. Maggie has been gone from home (Dark Root, OR) for 8 years and is at Wood Haven (a cult-like religious community where the members aren't allowed electronic communications or even to use clocks or watched ..... basically... a place I would NOT love to be.. lol) Maggie receives a call that her mother is ill and Michael (the man that talked Maggie into leaving home for him and his cult) keeps urging her to go. And while I get the idea that this is strange for Michael to be so pushy for her to leave... It wasn't until we learn of Michael's affair that it sinks in a bit more... Anywho... Maggie decides to leave Wood Haven with help from her friend Jason (Who btw I was shocked that Maggie didn't have more of a thing with because they seemed amazing together) When Maggie gets home she finds out that her home town is having a hard time and is no longer the busy and bustling city it was when Maggie had left. Maggie keeps on that this is only a short visit to check on her mom even though she is thrilled to be reunited with her sisters Merry and Eve and her niece she knew nothing about... After being persuaded to attempt to bring the town to life with the annual Halloween festival they learn there is a curse on their home and the sisters have to use their magick for good to chase away the evil and overcome demons and old family mysteries... I think that Maggie, Merry, and Eve all had some very strong personalities and came together very nicely even though they all had their own very distinct differences. I LOVED June Bug!! I think that Leah should have a bit more character development seeing as she was the major plot twist but all in all this was a very good book.

At first the story was confusing owing to many flashbacks had by Maggie, the main character. All the sisters in a family have escaped their small town of Dark Root and left behind all thoughts of magick. But when their mother becomes very ill the sisters are reunited. At first they can't wait to leave again; feeling trapped. But the longer they are there the more they dream of the past and remember that magick is real. Dark Root is special but darkness is trying to take over. It's up to the sisters to stop it. After I got into it I liked the story. The characters are very vivid and you can relate to them even if you can't relate to magic itself.

I wasn't sure this was an adult book as the somewhat cartoonish cover threw me off at first but once I got started reading it and got beyond the first few chapters, I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down! This is a wonderful story about three adult sisters who have magical abilities and each sister is as captivating and interesting as the next but it is also a very realistic tale about relationships, family, community, friends and lovers. There is great chemistry between the characters & you feel like you know some of them even though they are probably stranger than anyone you ever really knew. And, when it comes to the promise of love there are some triangles filled with great possibilities that keep you both guessing and hoping (which is just one of the reasons why I cannot wait for the sequel). It is about choices people make and consequences and the author writes in such an engaging manner using humor and levity and still manages to keep a thread of mystery going through-out that has you eager to turn the page and certainly, get her next book. I highly recommend reading this book.

This turned out to be a pretty good story. However, I would have gladly dispensed all the time wasted on showing the reader her life with the character Michael as I knew within the first two paragraphs the guy was a douche. Also the flashbacks were kind of disorienting because no real reason or resolution seemed to be achieved when they happened. They are finally explained at the end tho'. The premise of the story was quite interesting and I did like the ending. I did like the fact the sex wasn't too graphic (it may be old fashioned of me, but I get a little bored when an author does one in every chapter) as I like more plot and less vanilla porn. I recommend this series.

The story deserves 4 stars—characters well-developed, a nicely executed storyline, and loose ends tied up. But there were a number of errors that should have been caught on beta reading or initial proofreading. I deducted from the rating because the errors are jolting, disengaging the reader from the flow of the story. I’ll try the second book in he series, hoping that there will be fewer errors as the author becomes more experienced.

I almost never buy subsequent books based on just a few minutes of reading of the first book. I did this time. It was clear this series was going to be a keeper. It is not just a standard book about witches. It is complex, gritty, chewy, full of pitfalls, twists, and turns. In other words, it is just my kind of book. I finished book #1, am digesting the good work and will soon be on to book #2, after which there will undoubtedly be the rest, in sequence. I love the multi-dimensional, imperfect characters Great job!

I really enjoyed this book! When I first saw it I was intrigued by the cover and the name but then I read the blurb and I just knew this was a book I had to read! I really loved all the characters and even though the book starts out a little slow it quickly picks up speed.

Maggie Maddock wants nothing more then to get out of her little home town of Dark Root and out into the outside world where people don't know her as one of the Maddock Witches, somewhere where she can just be herself.

Maggies whole life changes the day Micheal walks into her shop and chooses her and takes her away from her life in Dark Root and things are great for awhile. But now Maggie is needed back home and she isn't sure its the place she really wants to be.

With her powers always on the Fritz, her mother needing care and the sibling rivalry with her sisters Maggie doesn't know what to do but run, run as far away from here as she can. She can't do that yet of course not until she discovers the secrets of the past the ones that keep cropping up in her dreams lately, for something dark lurks there and Maggie may need her family around her to help her get rid of it once and for all.

Amazing Book! April is a fabulous writer! I loved Merry and Mae they were my favourites! there powers was pretty cool too and I wish I could have something like that as well! I really enjoyed this book from the wiccan side of myself, I have spent my life dedicated to the protection of nature and all its elements and this book touched that part in me. This book also awoke the spiritual side of myself that wanted to reach out and help them take down the dark so it could no longer hurt anyone else.

The dark was so creepy and an awesome dark side to the story! the way it lurked and hid in the shadows was so creepy!

April Aasheim is a awesome writer and I would defiantly read more of her books! if you haven't read this one do so now!

Being pagan, I had to check this book out. I'll admit, some elements of it are a bit wrong, magickally speaking. But that aside, I loved this book. It was hard to put down! I can't wait to continue reading the series in hope that they continue to be as amazing as this one was. Bright blessings.

This is the first book in the Daughters of Dark Root series by April Aasheim. I had never heard of this author before the book tour from Bewitching Blog Tours, but the blurb sounded intriguing. I will say that it was a lot more Ya-Ya sisterhood than Practical Magic, though from my perspective.

The story opens with a prologue. It's February 2005 and Maggie Mae Maddock wants out of the little town she has grown up in, with a passion. Her 2 older sisters have left, and with just her annoying younger sister still left at home, Maggie wants more than anything to be able to leave. A handsome stranger shows up in town one day and while her younger sister Eve is busy brewing a traveling spell and a love potion, he walks into their mother's shop and says he is there for Maggie.

Chapter one begins 8 years later in September. Maggie is now living in Woodhaven Compound, the home of the failing cult/commune she is a member of. The handsome stranger, Michael, is the leader and her boyfriend. They don't believe in the use of technology and have been waiting for the apocalypse that Michael has been prophesying to come about. Everything seems to be going fairly well for Maggie except that one of the newest recruits, Leah, is spending a lot of time with Michael. Meaning Maggie isn't. This becomes a moot point, when Maggie's older sister Merry tracks her down and calls to say their mother is very ill and Maggie is needed at home. Maggie doesn't want to go back, but when she catches Michael and Leah in a compromising position, she decides that it might be best to leave Woodhaven. This begins both the physical and mental journey home.

This was an interesting story. Each chapter was titled with the name of a song from the 70's music heyday that fits the theme of the chapter. There were a lot of childhood flashbacks used to remind Maggie about her past. In each one, Maggie learns more about herself and her family. Looking back on childhood memories, from an adult perspective, really gives Maggie plenty of personal growth opportunities. This is very much like a magical coming of age story. I enjoyed the story, though it could have used a bit more editing for some typos and grammatical issues. They weren't enough to completely detract from the story, more an annoyance. I am interested to see where the author will go with the next story. I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.

Couldn't stop reading and am now on the second book after only a day and a half. As a big Practical Magic fan, I've been on the hunt for a new witch story to happily get lost in. With all the cheesy, poorly written 'cozy witch novels' out there, it's been a struggle to find something of substance...and this author was more than just a pleasant surprise. She knows her stuff when it comes to all things Wiccan, which helps in making this story feel like it really could have happened..and now I'm going to keep reading because luckily she has several books in the series for me to stay up all night reading while my husband and kids are all sleeping. ?

I flew through all five of these books and can't wait for the new ones to come out. I dont leave reviews a whole lot, but I really recommend these. They had such a great feel to them, and I couldn't put them down. I also started another set from the same writer, and love them so far too. Pleasantly surprised to have a new favorite author found at random through my kindle unlimited. So good.

I just started my journey with (The Daughters of Dark Root) and have enjoyed it so far. Book 1 was pretty good and kept me interested the majority of the read. The plot/story line is great. I just purchased the rest of the series and cant wait to begin book 2.

I recommend this series to anyone wanting a good, interesting, fairly clean read.

I loved reading the first book in the series and cannot wait to read the others. The book was funny, heart warming, spooky, and a joy to get lost in the story. The characters were not sterio typed or even two dimensional. The were full realized as people. The main town and other sites had there own personality. What a read!

The Witches of Dark Root is a really unique paranormal read because it feels very much like a contemporary novel. That's not to say that there isn't plenty of fantasy in the book, it's just that the focus of the story seems to really be Maggie's relationships - with her mother, with her sisters, and with her boyfriend and possible love interests. This is one of the most character-driven paranormal novels I've read. And I definitely felt like it worked. It made for a really enjoyable read. So, read on for specifics about what I did and didn't like -

The negatives:
The romances.
I have to admit that Aasheim lost me a bit when it came to the romances in this novel. I felt like one of Maggie's love interests was really kind of villified and in the end I really put the book down feeling like he got the short shrift (I don't want to give any details about what happened, so I can't be more specific, but I could give lots of examples about why I thought this was so). Then, one of the other love interests conveniently (and rather suddenly) falls for Maggie's sister. When the romance part of the plot is finally resolved (I think - kind of), it's done in a pretty perfunctory manner - blink and you might miss it! I'm hoping that we'll get to see all of these love interests more, and that at least two of the three men in her life get a little more chance to show who they really are in the next book in the series.

The villains.
I also felt like the "villains" could have been developed a bit more. The main villain (who I won't name) wasn't really developed enough in my opinion.

What I loved:
The sisters.
This is where the book really shined. I LOVED the relationship between the three sisters (well, four actually, although we don't get to know the oldest sister as well). There was sibling rivalry, adoration, co-dependence, protectiveness, jealousy, love - all sorts of sisterly feelings were thrown into the mix. These were complicated relationships, and it made for great reading!

The magic.
In a book about witches, there has to be some awesome magic thrown in, right? Well, Dark Root doesn't disappoint. There were some really fun scenes where Maggie had to finally embrace the power that she had been denying for so long. I look forward to even more fun magical scenes in the next book in the series!

June Bug.
I won't even say who she is because it would be kind of a spoiler, but I will say that sweet, adorable little June Bug had my heart just as much as she had Maggie's.

The twist.
The book ends with a twist that I actually had guessed at briefly earlier in the book, but had put it aside and forgotten about it by the time it actually happened. This twist has some interesting potential ramifications, and I look forward to seeing what happens next!

The cover.
When I saw that Aasheim created the cover herself, I thought, "Well, if her writing is anyone near as good as her artwork, I'll love it!" (My one pet peeve after reading the book though - Maggie has red hair, so I'm not sure who the witch on the cover is supposed to be. Since it was the author herself who created this picture, she must have had a vision for it, but I don't get that part!)

Overall, I really enjoyed The Witches of Dark Root. I would highly recommend it to fans of paranormal novels, but also to contemporary fans. I think that this book could appeal to a large audience. I'm definitely looking forward to finding out what happens in book #2!

**Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***

This series is off to a good start with a sort of darker "Practical Magic" group of sisters. There are a lot of emotional dynamics which isn't really my thing, but the story is compelling enough and well written, so I have to admit to enjoying it. (And to plans to keep reading the series, haha). And that's pretty good.

I was not quite sure what to expect from this book. I settled on half family drama, half fantasy witch story, and that was not too far fetched.

Oddly enough, I hated the beginning of the book - finding Maggie, the main female character, as part of some obscure cult. I also felt an instant animosity for her partner, the group's leader, making me hope at once that she would break up with him soon and leave Woodhaven. The only other part of the book that bothered me was the exorcism, which really was anticlimactic, as Eve so accurately observed.

But, other than that, I loved reading about the return and reunion of Maggie and her sisters in their home town Dark Root, which each of them left for different reasons several years ago. The witch angle of the story (Magick) was always present, but subtle and not overdone. Maggie is not another kick-ass heroine, but a young woman struggling with her life, which made her a recognizable and likeable character. Though the romantic relationships were a bit predictable, their development was entertaining and completed the story while not taking the main focus.

That is exactly one of the book's strengths: it takes it's time to develop instead of rushing it, and the quiet parts are the strongest. The story lingers at the right places just long enough to point out the details, but avoids getting distracted. If I had to find some adjective to describe my perception of the author's writing and my feelings while reading it, it would be relaxed and comfortable.

Another noteworthy feature is the alternation between Maggie's flashbacks to her childhood and the ongoing present action. Each flashback helps Maggie to better understand and face present events, while preparing the reader with necessary background knowledge for the next chapter. Revealing Maggie's background piece by piece instead of in one large chunk keeps the reader from figuring out too much too early. It also makes it easier to digest all information and avoid missing or forgetting details which become important at a later time.

To top things off, each chapter is entitled after a song, and though I did not know all of them (but looked up several), it was nice to hear them as mental background music while reading.

Thumbs up to the author for a unique and captivating story.

(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)

I do not give out 5 stars just to follow the crowd. i found so many things lacking in this.
This book was a slow start for me. I found it intresting in some places yet was left with a lot of questions.
1 wheres Larinda.
2. i would so go after that little brat who was larindas daughter what about the missing pages of the book
3. So they catch this thing in the nursery that terriorized this girl her whole childhood. They get rid of it in a snap???? Why didnt the mother ever get rid of it if she was so powerful.
4. um what happened to all the cats?
5. ok so its about witches yet not much magic going on....
Things i liked.
1. that they bonded.
2. cant think of much else i really liked about the book.

As usual, I am reminded why I loathe first person reads. I struggled through the creepy first three chapters. I skipped ahead to see if the story got more interesting, but landed on a part where the character was being assaulted in a vehicle and then rescued by a man. I'll pass on a weak female lead, but thanks anyway.

My friend bought me this book to get me hooked on this author, and it wotked. I don't know what to say about this book other than it was really fun to read. It's one of those books where you get emotionally invested in the characters and you just want to smack them upside the head every once in a while. I'm really looking forward to reading more books in the series.
The only reason why I am rating it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wish that there would have been a bit more action. But I have a feeling that's coming in future books.

Once I started reading this book, I could not put it down. I wanted to know what happened next. I wanted to learn more and more about Maggie. The Witches of Dark Root is a tale that seamlessly weaves the normal with the mystical, the mundane with the fantastic.

It was well written and very good. There are a lot of things that happen in this book. It's a roller coaster book that keeps you on your toes and keeps you rooting for the main characters. Read this book because it was written beautifully by wonderful author, April Aasheim.

The Witches of Dark Root in title alone caught my attention and I was intrigued to start reading. I can't say I'm hugely into witches or vampires, but I do enjoy fantasy and magic so it wasn't outside of my comfort zone. All the same, I wasn't sure what to expect and was actually very surprised to see that the book was only marginally about magic and more about relationships and family connections.

Starting out you find the main character, Maggie, stuck in a place she'd rather not be, living her life for her mother rather than for herself. Taking place in a small town of secrets and magic Maggie is excited when she is whisked away by a stranger and finally able to escape her so-called boring life. However, instead of finding freedom, she finds herself in love with a man who leads a cult, using Maggie's abilities to move his efforts forward and gain recruiters and ultimately locking her away from everyone she loved. After years in this life and total separation from her family, an unexpected betrayal and news from home take her back once again to her home and her family.

The character building in this story was excellent and each turn of events brought a new surprise. Maggie faces her demons and deals with a past she had planned to forget and in the process rebuilds her connections with her family while making life long friends and finding her place in the world.

I would highly recommend The Witches of Dark Root (The Daughters of Dark Root) to everyone I know, it cannot be classified as simply a witch story. It was entertaining and intriguing all the way through. If you liked Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) you'll like this, if you didn't, you'll still like this.

Maggie Mae grows with Magic she doesn't quite believe in and can't control. Although the narrative is engaging, at its deeper levels, the story is character driven. It is well written and edited, and there were enough surprises to keep me reading, and I have already bought the second in the series. Just one thing niggled me all through the book. It was never explained how Michael knew Maggie's name when he entered her mother's shop.

Maggie is very human, and has much to contend with emotionally and physically. But she really becomes an adult in this novel and I look forward to sharing the rest of her journey. Her sisters are well drawn and each has her own history which is slowly revealed. Awash eom is. To quite up there with Patricia Briggs, Faith Hunter and Carrie Vaughn, but this is a promising start.

This book was a wonderful read. I enjoyed the characters and look forward to reading the next book and getting to know them even better. I enjoyed the storyline and would recommend you read this if you need a light reading book.

This was a story of a magical reunion between sisters that had grown up and went separate ways. When their mother gets sick the Murdock sisters all come together .They find their true destiny along with a way to make their mother better. They rebuild lost relationships and ultimately, rebuild the town in the process bringing a rebirth back to Dark Root. I loved how this book showed the magical side to life, love and family. It transports you to the town Dark Root and makes you want to be a part of bringing it back to life. I can't wait to read the second part of this story and see what happens next with these sisters. This book was a great read, I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it to others!!!

I chose this rating for several reasons. The main character, Maggie, is extremely petty, jealous, and just generally impossible to like. She has no compassion for others, not even her dying mother. In the end, however, her love pulls it all together. I ask, "when did her transformation take place?" It certainly wasn't within the pages of the book. There are many small details that make no sense. To go into them is to give more importance to the book than it deserves. I do not recommend this book for anyone.

This book is a rare find. Characters with flaws, strengths and growth can be hard to find in this genre but they are beautifully portrayed here. I cannot wait to follow the Dark Root witches as they come into their own.

What a great read!!! I love books in the supernatural/paranormal genre, and what I loved most about this book is that it is really different than other books out there in this genre.

I really liked the main character, Maggie. She reminds me a lot of myself in my younger years; dying to get away from home as a teenager, making some questionable life choices, and not really believing in herself. It was fun to see Maggie blossom and grow as a person throughout the book. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!

The story was engaging until the sudden and unexpected rape scene in chapter six. It was long and graphic, and as far as I could tell, unnecessary to the story. The main character's magic doesn't save her from the rapists, but she is rescued by a stranger who drove back to her even though she had declined his offer of a ride. A dose of nasty reality, followed by total fantasy.

Finding your roots, love, loss, growth and your inner strength with a bit of magic. I read Maggie Mae's story in one sitting. Very few editing errors and easy to miss entirely. Making a thoroughly enjoyable read.

A little out of my normal reading element, but I always accept change when it comes to books, and this one was well worth reading. The kids (teens) had to fend for themselves because this book wasn't being put down, and from a mother that is a HUGE compliment.
I was able to empathize with Maggie wanting to escape her life, only to return to her roots. Even if you don't like magic books or paranormal, give this book a shot, it is well worth it.

I've read April Aasheim's book "The Universe is a Very Big Place" and I was hoping for another book.
Although it's a different genre it didn't disappoint!!! It sucked me in right away and now I'm waiting impatiently for the sequel!! :D

I am not a fan of fantasy .. I like my novels entrenched in the real world and can't be doing with witches, wizards or vampires (Harry Potter excluded!) so while The Witches of Dark Root, which was recommend by a friend, intrigued me I did approach it with some trepidation, and for the first few chapters my resistance to all things Magick looked set to be proved correct. Yet once I overcame my prejudice about this kind of thing, I was reeled into the storyline and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the witchy sisters Merry, Maggie and Eve.

The story begins with Maggie at Wood Haven, a cultish religious community founded by her boyfriend Michael. Being completely non-religious my heart sank at this point as I thought this was going to be the focus of the book, and I was very relieved when I realised it wasn't! Maggie discovers that Michael is having an affair with another cult member, the poisonous Leah. Coincidentally a message has come from home that her mother is ill so, with the help of her friend Jason, she decides to leave Wood Haven and pay her family a visit - the first since she left several years earlier. (By the by, I thought Jason seemed rather sweet and was puzzled why Maggie didn't spend more time with him - they seemed perfect for each other!)

When she arrives home Maggie discovers that Dark Root, once a bustling town, has fallen on hard times, apparently because of the illness of her mother. Though she's delighted to be reunited with her sisters (and new found niece) after so many years, Maggie is adamant this is only a flying visit .... But when it's suggested that they organise the annual Halloween festival in an attempt to breathe new life into the town, she feels she has to stay, and when the sisters discover there's an ancient curse on their home they learn how to use their Magick for good and overcome demons and family mysteries.

I think what worked for me in this book is that it's not so much about witches and Magick as about family bonds and sisterly love - the Magick is just an element of their Iives rather than the focal point. In fact, despite being anti-fantasy I think I'd have liked to learn a bit more about the sisters' abilities and how they had first discovered them! I felt the characters of the sisters came through strongly - Maggie, Merry and Eve were all very different. And I loved June Bug, though their Aunt Dora, with her strange way of speaking, annoyed me. I also felt there were characters who needed further development - Leah, for example, is key to the main plot yet never came across very strongly and bows out like a damp squib. There were also some events that should have been a big shock or surprise that were just accepted without a second thought, which struck me as a bit strange, but overall I did enjoy this book and will definitely look out for the rest of the series.

The story concerns itself at large with the eponymous sisters' eventual, if not belated, confrontation of their childhood. Each character in the story is distinct, memorable, and enjoyable to read, with a possible exception of an accent-laden lady whom I adored but others might find tedious to read. Their emotions are true, as is every relationship portrayed in the story. The exploration and development of familial and friendship bonds kept me reading, not the magic.

Oh, and the book has magic. There's that.

I am looking forward to the next book!

A final note: while the book's target audience is female, I, a manly man, enjoyed reading it.

I was very happy to discover the first book in this series in an Anthology. I have been stuck in bed so having thiss to read made it more bearable. I tore through the series! The four sisters have grown since coming home, and it is a joy to watch them do so. I live in a small town, so it is easy to imagine this town the regulars, the routine, the coming together for a festival.

The story was engaging until the sudden and unexpected rape scene in chapter six. It was long and graphic, and as far as I could tell, unnecessary to the story. The main character's magic doesn't save her from the rapists, but she is rescued by a stranger who drove back to her even though she had declined his offer of a ride. A dose of nasty reality, followed by total fantasy.

Finding your roots, love, loss, growth and your inner strength with a bit of magic. I read Maggie Mae's story in one sitting. Very few editing errors and easy to miss entirely. Making a thoroughly enjoyable read.

A little out of my normal reading element, but I always accept change when it comes to books, and this one was well worth reading. The kids (teens) had to fend for themselves because this book wasn't being put down, and from a mother that is a HUGE compliment.
I was able to empathize with Maggie wanting to escape her life, only to return to her roots. Even if you don't like magic books or paranormal, give this book a shot, it is well worth it.

I've read April Aasheim's book "The Universe is a Very Big Place" and I was hoping for another book.
Although it's a different genre it didn't disappoint!!! It sucked me in right away and now I'm waiting impatiently for the sequel!! :D

I am not a fan of fantasy .. I like my novels entrenched in the real world and can't be doing with witches, wizards or vampires (Harry Potter excluded!) so while The Witches of Dark Root, which was recommend by a friend, intrigued me I did approach it with some trepidation, and for the first few chapters my resistance to all things Magick looked set to be proved correct. Yet once I overcame my prejudice about this kind of thing, I was reeled into the storyline and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the witchy sisters Merry, Maggie and Eve.

The story begins with Maggie at Wood Haven, a cultish religious community founded by her boyfriend Michael. Being completely non-religious my heart sank at this point as I thought this was going to be the focus of the book, and I was very relieved when I realised it wasn't! Maggie discovers that Michael is having an affair with another cult member, the poisonous Leah. Coincidentally a message has come from home that her mother is ill so, with the help of her friend Jason, she decides to leave Wood Haven and pay her family a visit - the first since she left several years earlier. (By the by, I thought Jason seemed rather sweet and was puzzled why Maggie didn't spend more time with him - they seemed perfect for each other!)

When she arrives home Maggie discovers that Dark Root, once a bustling town, has fallen on hard times, apparently because of the illness of her mother. Though she's delighted to be reunited with her sisters (and new found niece) after so many years, Maggie is adamant this is only a flying visit .... But when it's suggested that they organise the annual Halloween festival in an attempt to breathe new life into the town, she feels she has to stay, and when the sisters discover there's an ancient curse on their home they learn how to use their Magick for good and overcome demons and family mysteries.

I think what worked for me in this book is that it's not so much about witches and Magick as about family bonds and sisterly love - the Magick is just an element of their Iives rather than the focal point. In fact, despite being anti-fantasy I think I'd have liked to learn a bit more about the sisters' abilities and how they had first discovered them! I felt the characters of the sisters came through strongly - Maggie, Merry and Eve were all very different. And I loved June Bug, though their Aunt Dora, with her strange way of speaking, annoyed me. I also felt there were characters who needed further development - Leah, for example, is key to the main plot yet never came across very strongly and bows out like a damp squib. There were also some events that should have been a big shock or surprise that were just accepted without a second thought, which struck me as a bit strange, but overall I did enjoy this book and will definitely look out for the rest of the series.

The story concerns itself at large with the eponymous sisters' eventual, if not belated, confrontation of their childhood. Each character in the story is distinct, memorable, and enjoyable to read, with a possible exception of an accent-laden lady whom I adored but others might find tedious to read. Their emotions are true, as is every relationship portrayed in the story. The exploration and development of familial and friendship bonds kept me reading, not the magic.

Oh, and the book has magic. There's that.

I am looking forward to the next book!

A final note: while the book's target audience is female, I, a manly man, enjoyed reading it.

I was very happy to discover the first book in this series in an Anthology. I have been stuck in bed so having thiss to read made it more bearable. I tore through the series! The four sisters have grown since coming home, and it is a joy to watch them do so. I live in a small town, so it is easy to imagine this town the regulars, the routine, the coming together for a festival.

Book is written in the YA lit style of books like The Stolen Child. It's an easy, fast read that takes you through a particularly bumpy time for the books main character, interspersed with flashback chapters of her past. It faces real life issues like love lost, the ups and downs of sisterhood and dealing with an older parent against the back drop of the town's mysterious secrets and magical history. Well written, but it left me wanting to know MORE and wishing the characters were developed a little deeper.

The story of Maggie and her sisters captivated me from page one. Each time I had to put it down, i couldn't wait until the next time I would have a moment to pick it up. Fans of stories of "coming home" and of the mystical alike will enjoy this read. I can't wait for the next one!

The story begins when a young woman receive a phone call from her sister asking her to come home after leaving for 7 years. She then has to rethink about her life, and why she left. Flashbacks help you get to know how the relationship between the 3 sisters and mom is now. The storyline is intreguing, there's witchcraft and mystery. A wonderful read.

I enjoyed getting into the world of Dark Root. It was a slow, sweet, read that made you wish you could watch the movie after reading it. In a word intriguing. Loved how it highlighted the messy in life and showed how even messy can be beautiful. Precious book.

I enjoyed this book but I thought it was a little long in a couple of places and that it was a bit choppy here and there, where the material did not flow as well in other parts of the book. Absolutely a good read, though, and something a bit different. I would recommend it.

This story is just bizarre! The main character is so whiny! She was in a cult....Ugh!!! (WTH). She is not an amiable character at all. The only one to like is her sister Merry and daughter. I had to force myself to finish the book. It was just not notable. It was quite lack luster. I would not recommend it!

The begining of the story is a bit boring, but at the story goes by Maggie reached Dark Root it became more interisting and when the story reached the middle part, I became hook with how Maggie handled her issues and accepted her true self though she's still doubtful of her capabilities which a lot of women nowadays feel. I was not able to stop reading until I finished this wonderful story

I really enjoyed this book. This is just what I needed to help me get away from reality. I had some good and bad crud with this emotional roller coaster. The main character was a. It to flighty, I mean that literally. But by the end she was a bit better.

I loved the family dynamics. That the sisters grew to the point of excepting each other as they each are and giving their love and support to each other and of finally understanding that their mother is a woman just as they are. The magic helped too!

I enjoyed this book and found it deeply engrossing. It drew me in from the first page and it shared the tale of a woman who had run from her home and heritage and how she finds her way back again.

While I received a complementary copy in exchange for a review, the above reflects my honest opinion.

Just not my thing I guess. Sick cats that get kicked by the narrator. A witch that's a hoarder. Narrator runs off with a snake oil salesman who believes in some strange version of god, only to get used and cheated on. It's hard enough to like the narrator when she's afraid of everything, mean to most of the people around her, and than the last straw was the cat kicking.

This book is the first that I have read from author April Aasheim but will not be the last. I plan on getting the remaining books in this series and can't wait to read them. Once I started reading is was hard to put down. This book is the first in the series but can be read as a stand alone, no cliff hanger ending and no feeling of having to buy the next book to find out what happens, but once you read this book you will want to get the next book to continue on with the story of the sisters.

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Maggie left Dark Root a long time ago with her boyfriend Michael. They travel around a lot at first and then Maggie found a house that she wanted to fix up. So they worked hard to get the money to buy the house. Michael and Maggie with help from the people in their little community helped them do all the repair work on the house. Maggie named it Harvest Home. Maggie was Michael second in command as well as his girlfriend. Maggie wanted to get married but Michael didn't want to.

Maggie's sister called her and told her she needed to come home and visit their mother. Maggie didn't want to go home she didn't leave home all those years ago nor did she run away from home. No she ran away from her mother and she didn't want to go back home ever again. Michael tried to get her to go back and visit with her family. Maggie had no plans to go back until she caught Michael in another woman's bedroom. After catching Michael in this woman's bedroom with her arms around his neck it hurt Maggie very much. Michael tried to apologize to Maggie he tried to tell her that he loved her and that it wouldn't what she thought it was. Michael was begging Maggie to forgive him. But Maggie wasn't listening to a word he was saying she didn't believe him. She knew what she saw, she saw her man with his arms around another woman. So Maggie packed her bags and hopped on the next bus out of town. She didn't want to go back to Dark Root but she didn't have much choice at the time.

The driver of the bus didn't like Maggie for whatever reason. After they had been on the road for a while the bus driver stopped at a store to let everyone off the bus for a while to stretch their legs and go to the restroom. Maggie kind of got hung up in line at the bathrooms talking to a guy from Dark Root where she was from and where she was returning to. So by the time Maggie got in the bathroom and took care of business and came back out the bus had left. Maggie was like pissed off. She wonders why he would leave without her. Maggie was standing around trying to figure out what she was going to do when a couple of guys attack her. Maggie tries talking to them at first to get them to let her go when that doesn't work she starts fighting them with everything she has. The guy that she was talking to while waiting in line for the restrooms who is from Dark Root came to help Maggie by dragging the guy off of her. The guy Shane well he turns out to be a real decent guy and gives Maggie a ride to Dark Root I mean he was going that way anyways. Maggie and Shane knew each as children and often played together.

Maggie is returning home to help her sisters with their mother. Their mother is not doing well and now she needs her daughters to take care of her. Maggie is not thrilled about returning home but it is somewhere to go while she decides what she is going to do with the rest of her life. Maggie's little sister Eve has brought a guy home with her. She says that they are only friends but that is not the energy that she puts out. I think Shane and Eve's friend both may be attracted to Maggie. That is all I am going to say on that subject. Maggie is a witch, a witch who has never learned how to control or use her powers. But she just may be in for a surprise while staying at her mother's house which they call Sister House. Maggie is probably going to have to learn real quick how to use her powers with what is waiting for her at Sister House. I really loved reading The Witches of Dark Root and I liked all the characters, Maggie, Eve, Shane and Merry Maggie and Eve's sister. If you have not read The Witches of Dark Root then I highly recommend that you do especially if you like reading about witches. April Aasheim has done a wonderful job in writing The Witches of Dark Root it is a fantastic read.

This entire series is great! Don't usually review books but I had to leave a comment. If your the type who gets into a good book and stays awake all night this book series does it for you! Couldn't put any of these down. The begging started slow but it all plays into the characters throughout the series. Ounce your past that first few chapters you will be hooked if you into fun witchy stuff kind f read!

It's an easy read. Interesting and entertaining. Anything to do with Witches, Vampires, Werewolves, etc catches my interest quickly. Great prelude to book 2 which gets even more interesting.
The violence and sexual content are very minimal and tend more towards innuendo.

It's been a while since I have read a book so well put together. The characters are well made the book let's us watch as Maggie finally grows up and stop running away from the person she was meant to be.