REVIEWS & ENDORSEMENTS

WINNER OF KINDRED SPIRIT MAGAZINE'S WRITER OF 2024 AWARD (mind, body, spirit)

Honourable Mention runner up in A Woman’s Write 2021 novel writing competition:

“I’m enchanted by Walker’s fresh – yet dry! – sense of humour and I know readers will be also. It’s rare to find a writer so adept at making fun and pun of even the simplest or most ponderous material, while balancing it with intelligent observations and diligent historical delving. Within a framework of irony and exaggeration and vibrant settings, Walker places a credible, likable central character – Moira, who chooses to become a witch. A strong story with an enthralling premise that will attract female readers especially!

Walker has constructed this ambitious work centred on a woman’s slow but sure path to self-respect. In her words, Walker wishes to bring to new attention “a time when women lost their role in folk religion and disappeared from view.” She succeeds in exposing that historical crux through the experience of feisty females determined to be seen, heard and acknowledged for their unique powers. The author’s rollicking humour, respect for language and intelligent handling of folklore and occultism in the epochs portrayed are imaginatively scattered around the unexpected corners that comprise her sage. Conspicuously, the literary voice of the early portion of the book set in modern times is distinctly different from the language and lore of the portions set in antiquity, indicating Walker’s considerable wordsmithing skills and diligent research.

… In A Westerly Wind brings Witches, Walker presents empathic females whose journey from desperation and denigation to confidence and optimism is acquired through personal grit. Her book will enchant readers from curiosity-driven young adults to world-wise crones, and anyone between who has ever been able to crow, after expending admirable efforts, ‘I win through!’”

Barbara Bamberger Scott, A Woman’s Write

 “This novel balances rather knowing humour about modern Pagans, with well informed dives into history. It’s a remarkable blend of comedy and compassion that manages to both make jests about some of our standard witchcraft fantasies while offering a compelling view of reincarnation and personhood. Full of unexpected things, entirely charming and well worth your time.”

Nimue Brown – novelist, and author of numerous books on Druidry and Paganism, including Druidry and the Ancestors and Pagan Planet.

A Westerly Wind brings Witches  is a cunningly woven tale, reaching back from the present unto the ghosts of our past. Within its pages Sally draws together the threads of community (its power and its pitfalls), patriarchal abuses of women and endurance, inner strength and transformation amidst the heady presences of the Land and the Otherworld. Thoroughly enjoyed. 

Gemma Gary – Traditional Witchcraft, A Cornish Book of Ways www.gemmagary.co.uk

 

We don’t do a lot of fiction reviews here at Facing North, but we love it when we get a great story no matter how it’s told!

In A Westerly Wind Brings Witches, Moira Box gives up on her deeply unfulfilling London environs life and heads out to the furthest edges, to Cornwall, where she gathers around her a coven of like-minded ladies. Together they plunge deeply into the past where women had more restrictions yet also more magic. 

Full of mystery and Mysteries, deeply rooted within the glorious landscape of some of the wildest parts of England, gently humorous, and – yes – uplifting. This is a story about magic and reclaiming the spirituality of women, rooted within the body and the land yet stubbornly (gloriously!) unconventional. 

Highly recommended.

review by Lisa McSherry  FACING NORTH July 2024

https://www.facingnorth.net/books/fiction/westerly-wind

 

A cleverly written book that weaves together the historical and modern view of witchcraft and living as one. In this highly observant tale, we follow the main character Moira on her own witchy journey in contras to a discovered past. The historical aspect was a great addition and added extra interest and insights. More than just a story, deeper questions lie within about society and life which are introduced though poignant moments and some wonderful humour, which I liked because it felt real and many will resonate with.

Review by Pagan Dawn   Lammas 2024

 

This is a thoroughly entertaining novel that doesn’t stand on its pedestal and claim to be Great Literature. It tells the story of an ordinary person who makes a big decision in her life and ends up having an extraordinary life. It’s rooted in spirituality and esoteric practices and it’s written from the inside so it treats Wicca and spirituality with the greatest respect. Moira Box gives up on her deeply unfulfilling Home Counties life where she is treated as a second-class citizen and decamps down to Cornwall, to its furthest edges, where she gathers around her a coven of like-minded ladies and plunges deeply into the past. The locations in Cornwall feel real and familiar. The book is lightly humorous and it’s uplifting because it describes someone’s personal empowerment and because it’s a positive advert for hands-dirty having-fun witchery. And there is mystery there too. 

Cygnus Review Spring 2024Cygnus Star Titles

 

Witches have traditionally been outcasts, from the old woman living in her cottage on the outskirts of the ancient village to the young woman in this story, brought up in the seedier end of an already seedy suburb of London. This book is the story of that young woman and her life – her adventures, if you will – in finding herself. And what she does find turns out to be pretty witchy, with a large dollop of humor. Her name, Moira, evokes fate goddesses of ages past. And her modern story frames a much older tale which is also hers. Actually, two much older tales, both of which weave deeply into the tapestry of her current life and the people she meets in the here and now.

I really enjoyed the point of view of this novel. We follow dumpy, dowdy, unpopular Moira from her beginnings in London to her break for freedom in Cornwall, all the while hearing her stream of consciousness narration about how she deals with the unpleasantness that life heaps on her because she’s neither pretty nor socially adept nor well-to-do. She moves from hopeless to hopeful and discovers that she has both a sense of humor and some real depth, aspects of her being that no one is interested in until she finds a handful of witchy like minds near the Cornish coast.

Moira is one of the most realistic characters I’ve ever read: honestly flawed and genuinely herself, with a sense of humor that helps her deal with all the crap life throws at her.
In the end, she’s still an imperfect human being, but one who finally feels connected to others and valued for herself, for her innate magic and her sense of humor and her earnestness. While the official book description leans more toward the humor – which there is plenty of – I think it shortchanges the depth of this tale and the extent to which it will resonate for a lot of readers the way it did for me.
The final takeaway: maintain your sense of humor, be there for the others in your life, and allow yourself to be yourself. That’s where the magic ultimately lies.

LAURA PERRY book reviewer, MAY 03, 2024

link: https://lauraidaeja.substack.com/p/book-review-a-westerly-wind-brings

 

5.0 out of 5 stars Roald Dahl vibes for adults

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this from cover to cover. Walker’s writing style gives Roald Dahl vibes, but the story is for adults, with grown up problems, friendships, and journeys. Walker’s way of writing reminded me so much of the books I used to read as a kid, but clearly targeted towards an older audience. My heart absolutely went out to Moira, and how much of an outsider she was since childhood. But she seemed to take it all in stride as best as can be expected, she doesn’t face everything with crazy optimism, and that makes her feel so real. I loved exploring Moira’s former lives with her, as she digs deeper inside and tries to access that ancient magic that runs in her veins. The coven itself was made up of wonderful characters, and they’re key to helping Moira and the reader tackle some big philosophical questions, without it feeling overwhelming or out of place. This was truly a magical and heartwarming journey in the end, and if, like me, you grew up enjoying Roald Dahl, I highly recommend snagging this one!

review by liliyana Shadowlyn 2024

https://lshadowlynauthor.com/2024/06/09/review-a-westerly-wind-brings-witches/

 

I loved this life affirming and intriguing story that mixes paranormal and women’s fiction. Moira is an interesting character and I liked the past life and how the character changed. Recommended.   Anna Maria Giacomasso (Librarian) NetGallery

 “A funny book, based on a tragic childhood, where Moira, the lead character in the book, is ignored at best. One day she decides to go to Cornwall where she finds witches. I will not tell you anything more, or it will spoil the story, but I do recommend the book as it is a good read. It is a comedy with real humour, I found it both funny and, at times, heartbreaking.”    Mary Hawkes (reviewer) NetGallery

 “The book looks at some of the more challenging times in history, the Elizabethan witch hunts and the Black Death of the 1300s, from a point of view that I haven’t read before, and I found it fascinating. It made the times more real, not just dates and events in history books but the reality of witches and women in a time so different to our present.  I think the author portrayed the subject of witches and past lives well, and it has intrigued me to want to find out more.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy an alternative story which will pull you in and let you see a different side to some of the more famous events in history whilst also weaving a story that you will love.”   Anna Headde (reviewer) NetGallery

Moira’s story is both sad and exhilarating. …as we explore three of Moira’s lives, the present and two past lives. This made for a pretty good read!   Cindi Austin (reviewer) NetGallery

The concept of the past lives was intriguing and historically fascinating. ..I loved the past lives. These scenes made me feel real emotion and I just wanted to read more about it. I did enjoy the book and do look forward to what this author may produce in the future.    Simply_ Bibliotaphs (reviewer) NetGallery  

This isn’t just a story about a modern woman trying to reclaim her ancient birth right as a wise woman or witch. In addition to that exploration, there is a lot of discussion about the Big Questions. Why are we here? What is Life about? This could have silted up the  narrative, what stops this from happening is that these  discussions are nested amongst the coven and tend to occur once everyone is seated around a blazing fire. So, there is also a lot of humour threaded through the arguments. What Moira does have going for her is a hungry, questioning mind that doesn’t let go of a concern, which I enjoyed and appreciated.

There are also some lovely poignant moments which I found moving. While this is an ambitious book that attempts to cover a lot of ground, this is one that will stay with me for a long time. And if you are interested in reading a book that attempts to look at what being a witch truly meant and can still mean – then give this one a go.   Sarah Higbee (reviewer) NetGallery

This uses a dark historical feel. It had everything that I was looking for in this book and I enjoyed the way the characters were written. I can’t wait for more from this author.    Kathryn McLeer (reviewer) NetGallery

5.0 out of 5 stars Will be keeping this one for rereading! At first I was not sure, but then wham! I’ve never had tears for a character but this one got me welling up. Thought provoking, engaging, you really identify with the story line. Perfect for those with interest in any metaphysical path.   Verified purchase Amazon Review in the United Kingdom on 12 April 2024