The great witch of Brittany

Morgan's magic is at full strength in her lovely depiction of Ursule Orchière, an ancestor of the Orchire family from A Secret History of Witches (2017). In 1762, Ursule, a 13-year-old Romani girl, travels around Brittany with her fortune-telling mother, Agnes, and their extended family. When witch hunters attack and capture Agnes, intending to burn her at the stake, Ursule consults the ancient book of magic hidden in their caravan, and begins to hear the advice of a long-dead ancestor. Armed with that knowledge, she rescues her mother, who will never be the same, and they escape with the help of a raven. Drawing on the witchcraft she learns from the book, Ursule keeps her people safe through many difficulties, including the horrors of the French Revolution and the threat of a witch-hunting priest. Realistic historical detail, wisdom from Ursule's predecessors, proud feminism, devoted families and friends, and subtle, believable magic all combine to create a full and gracious reading experience. A good match to Magic Lessons (2020), by Alice Hoffman, and The Once and Future Witches (2020), by Alix E. Harrow.

Morgan's captivating prequel to A Secret History of Witches takes readers to an 18th-century Brittany where witch hunters are quick to burn those accused of witchcraft at the stake. Though the Orchière Romani clan once had a long line of witches, one hasn't been born for many generations--until Ursule Orchière's ancestors choose her as their next witch. To keep her clan safe, Ursule keeps quiet about her magical abilities. Then her mother, Agnes, is accused of witchcraft, and desperate Ursule uses magic to help her escape before she burns. Exposed, the women must flee, finding employment on a remote farm where they won't be recognized. Neither fully recovers from the trauma and both understand that hiding Ursule's powers is paramount to their safety--but Ursule also knows her true purpose: she must ensure the next generation of Orchière witches, even if her actions may have deadly consequences. Delivered in a moody, melancholy tone, the plot is simple, with little action, but at its center is Ursule's believable growth as she gains wisdom and becomes relentless in her mission to secure her family legacy. The result glides dreamily from start to finish; readers will be transfixed. Agent: Peter Rubie, FinePrint Literary. (Feb.)

In Morgan's prequel to The Secret History of Witches, she writes a multigenerational story told from the perspective of Ursule Orchière, who is 13 years old in 1763 as the book opens. Ursule and her fortune-telling mother Agnes are in Brittany with a Romani traveling caravan, and Ursule is growing into her powers as a witch. Ten years later we find them at Kerjean Farm, where Ursule falls in love and gives birth to a daughter, Léonie. As her daughter grows and rejects her Romani heritage and her mother's "gypsy ways," Ursule hopes that Léonie's children will be more accepting of the Orchière legacies. The final section of the story, after the French Revolution, finds Ursule and her six granddaughters back at her caravan, where she can guide the youngest, Nanette, on her witchy gifts and the family traditions. British-born narrator and award-winning actress Polly Lee instills a sense of belonging to the tale and reinforces the mesmerizing storytelling with her clear reading of this story of family, history, and self-discovery. VERDICT This women-centric historical fantasy will appeal to listeners who enjoy tales of family and magic.--Denise Garofalo