Five Star (ME) February 2007

I was pleasantly surprised to find that Witch Faith, the sequel to Witch Honour, is actually a science fiction/fantasy blend. Not that there is anything wrong with witches and dragons; it was the juxtaposition with space ships that threw me. Witch Faith is a fantasy-magic novel supported by a fairly credible science fiction premise. Not having read the back blurb or the first book, I was intrigued by the introduction of the main character, Witch Magda, who comes from a future Earth to crash land on the planet where the story is set. She has three witches as friends, Sylvia, Leenan and Tephee, carried over from the first novel. With so many characters, it was hard at first to distinguish them and their points of view. However, as the story unfolds and the characters develop, the plot becomes intriguing.

The world where Magda finds herself was settled by humans about 1000 years previously, but the settlers lost their technology and their connection to Earth after what appears to have been a crash landing. The original Captain King becomes the First King and a whole religion is based around him. The Arc Priests are in conflict with those who worship the Mother-earth and witches. The coming of an Earth ship sets off a religious fanaticism that is both bloody and vicious. In this Harris is reflecting current times, where religious beliefs are divisive, causing hatred and death. She also reflects that this has been human nature for a long time. Sadly, one has to agree with her.

There is a great hero in Cadogan Ho and I found that I warmed to him and his devotion to witches and his connection to Mother-earth. There is also humour in this work, a light touch to balance some pretty harrowing encounters with pilgrims. Consequently, I read Witch Faith in one sitting as I became captured by the story and the deftly handled romance. I wanted to follow it through to the end. Harris did not disappoint and I can only wonder why she is published in Maine USA and not in Australia. I was so intrigued by this book that I’m heading off to the Internet to buy book one.

The author’s website can be found at www.nmharris.iwriter.com.au