The Water Witch (Fairwick Chronicles #2)

By Juliet Dark

Editions: ebook, paperback

Expected publication: February 5th 2013 by Random House Publishing Group (first published September 13th 2012)

Genre: Adult Urban Fantasy / Paranormal / Romance

Source: NetGalley

After casting out a dark spirit, Callie McFay, a professor of gothic literature, has at last restored a semblance of calm to her rambling Victorian house. But in the nearby thicket of the Honeysuckle Forest, and in the currents of the rushing Undine River, more trouble is stirring. . . .

The enchanted town of Fairwick’s dazzling mix of mythical creatures has come under siege from the Grove: a sinister group of witches determined to banish the fey back to their ancestral land. With factions turning on one another, all are cruelly forced to take sides. Callie’s grandmother, a prominent Grove member, demands her granddaughter’s compliance, but half-witch/half-fey Callie can hardly betray her friends and colleagues at the college.

To stave off disaster, Callie enlists Duncan Laird, an alluring seductive academic who cultivates her vast magical potential, but to what end? Deeply conflicted, Callie struggles to save her beloved Fairwick, dangerously pushing her extraordinary powers to the limit—risking all, even the needs of her own passionate heart.
~ Goodreads

Bomy's Flutter: good read, but less exciting then the first book in the series

World building: Fairwick is a magic world, its beauty grows with this book. The gothic charm of Callie's home was less the focus as we explored more of the fey world, and as a personal preference I'd say I missed some of that Honeysuckle haunting beauty.
Characters: Callie evolves from the first book, or at least she does in the magic area of things. She reached me less in this book, for some reason, as the focus shifted more towards the magic action, let's say. I missed Liam's mystery vibe and no other character managed to capture my attention the way he did in the first book, but then again I am the evil reader and love tortured, dark characters. The ones in this book felt less dark and more magic, so if you're into that vibe then you'll love the overall effect of this one more then the first.
Plot: More elaborate then the one in the first book as far as urban fantasy scenarios would go - more magic action and intrigue in Fairwick -, but less haunting romance development, and I'm more of a fan of the latter then the first.
Writing: Beautiful, as was in the first book. The third person narrative flows beautifully and scenes are vivid and beautiful. The tone was less gothic-y and more fantasy though, I'd say - I'm more of a fan of the first.
Curb Appeal: Beautiful cover and the blurb certainly gets your attention. Because I loved the first book, I probably would get the second by default, but just the presentation of it alone would sell it to me with ease, too.

All in all, this was a good read, well paced and eventful but less darkish-vibe then the first and more fantasy oriented, which will undoubtedly be a good thing for you guys if you love fantasy stories. For me though, it was exactly that gothic dark romance of the first book that made me love it and want to follow the series. I'm certainly going to read book #3 when it comes out, and I think this is a series with awesomeness potential.