The Patriot Witch
I must admit that I approached this novel predisposed to write a negative review. I was not a fan of fantasy fiction and was certainly antagonistic to the very idea of using fantasy and magic in a book on the American Revolution. That said, I now admit I thoroughly enjoyed C. C. Finlay’s work.
Patriot Witch is based on the interesting concept that New England witches were not eliminated in the years preceding Lexington and Concord, but went into hiding in the midst of populated areas. The central figures, the young farmer-rebel Proctor Brown and his colleague Deborah Walcott, practice their ancient rituals and make prudent use of their special powers as Boston and the surrounding towns inch closer to armed rebellion. John Pitcairn, a British marine officer, early on stands in as a symbol of royal power and arrogance and is ready and able to apply his magic to frustrate the rebellious colonists. Proctor must deal with his love for Emily Rucke and his desire to fight British military might while simultaneously adjusting to life as a witch. Clearly, this plot has possibilities in the hands of a clever craftsman.
C. C. Finlay plans to add two other novels to his Traitor to the Crown series. Consider me a convert to fantasy fiction.
