The Scot, the Witch & the Wardrobe
By: Annette Blair; Book #3 of the Accidental Witch Trilogy
From the beginning, indeed, from the title, this book promises to be a whimsical little tale at best. That was my thought, and then I started reading. My suspicions about how whimsical and downright silly it is are confirmed word by word as I go along. Each character I am introduced to is more over the top than the next, can I go on? Yes, I can, and I do.
The chapters are short and easy to get through. Each is more enchanting than the next, like little spells being cast upon me to keep going, to keep turning page upon page. The characters grow on me as I read along; the story is just enticing enough to keep me going. It isn’t a masterpiece, it isn’t a work of art but it is good.
Generally I’m reading no less than four books at any given time, the one I pick up when I’m of a mind to read depends upon my mood. This book was a good one when I was feeling a little on the down side, long day at work and just needing something that will take my mind off of everything for awhile. Most people would watch a good sitcom, I don’t do television; books are what I do instead. The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe is comparable to a good sitcom.
Set in Salem Massachusetts and involving quirky characters, family curses and mysterious family legacies, the book is satisfying in a playful way. The main character, Victoria Cartwright, is charged with a mysterious quest when she finds a key left behind by a distant ancestor. The key has a letter with it that states she is to open a wardrobe with it to find her destiny. Upon opening the wardrobe she discovers an antique carousel unicorn. Of course, now armed with her trusty steed all she needs is a white knight in shining armor to round out the story.
Enter the Scot, Rory MacKenzie who sees Vicki on an antiques show and recognizes the unicorn as the work of one of his ancestors. Not only is the unicorn seen to him as something that belongs in his family but he also sees it as instrumental in ending his family curse.
Much witty banter and flirtatious kvetching ensue as Vicki and Rory meet up in Scotland. There is the typical element where you know they’re going to fall for one another because they seem to despise each other so much, but it’s nicely done for a theme that’s been done so much it’s like beating a dead antique carousel unicorn.
It could be lame were it not for the excellent writing and the fact that the characters are fun and interesting. Overall the book is likeable and very similar to a carousel ride, fun but seemingly over too fast. The Scot the Witch and the Wardrobe is third in a series by Annette Blair. The series is called the Accidental Witch Series. The first book is called The Kitchen Witch and is also a delightful read. The second, My Favorite Witch, I honestly haven’t had the pleasure to read as my small town library doesn’t have it yet and the third, obviously, the Scot the Witch and the Wardrobe, as you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed.
