COVEN OF ANDROMEDA
by Ron Blacksmith
After her grandmother’s death, a young woman discovers that her family history is more complicated than she thought in Blacksmith’s fantasy novel.
Twenty-two-year-old Bree Tanner, her 24-year-old sister, Molly, and their mother, Mary Ann, are heading back to their hometown of Ballad, after the sudden death of the sisters’ grandma. The old woman was more than just a beloved townsperson—she was also the high priestess of the town’s coven. Now, Bree and Molly must join the coven and decide which of them will take their relative’s place. Upon arriving at her grandmother’s house, Bree is quickly drawn to the handsome next-door neighbor, Sam Sorken, a quiet writer; according to the coven’s members, her grandma had been close to him, as well. There’s just something about Sam that seems familiar to her. Sam is well aware of the power that Bree and her family hold, and he wields some power of his own, although he never mentioned it to the former high priestess.Also, it turns out that his connection to Bree is otherworldly; he’s not at all sure that she’ll ever understand this, but he’s hopeful that things “might work out differently for them both.” Meanwhile, the coven has sensed a mysterious, dark, unseen presence around the community, and Bree’s world is about to be turned upside down. Over the course of this novel, Blacksmith effectively presents a narrative set in alternating worlds and time periods; readers not only follow the blossoming relationship between Sam and Bree, but also one between Briella and Sameril of the world of Eldoria. The author expertly weaves the fates of the two pairs together, and hints about how the relationship reflect (or deflect) each other will have readers taking notes of characters’ corresponding names and abilities. Bree’s story, and timeline, is clearly the main one, but the tale of Briella is undeniably fascinating, and just as important to Blacksmith’s impressive worldbuilding tapestry.
An ambitious and expansive magical fantasy that will appeal to readers of romance, epic fantasy, and twisted tales.