Birth of the Witch by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts at her witchy best, with an ending that has me desperate for book two.
Birth of the Witch is classic Nora Roberts. Her witchy romances are always some of my favorites. I was especially excited to receive an ALC from Macmillan Audio just in time for my annual October Nora Roberts reread. This was the perfect book to escape into over Samhain.
The story weaves together Neve and Caden’s past and present lives in a way that kept me invested throughout. I loved watching them grow up and become stronger in their abilities as memories of their past lives slowly return. As they travel the world, their connection deepens and they uncover clues to the three magical items needed to fulfill their destiny and defeat the darkness that has followed Neve through the centuries. Their journeys eventually bring everything back to Piety Island, where it all began.
Family and friendship are a big part of the story, and I especially loved Neve’s aunts, Dorcas and Elspeth. They play an important role in preparing Neve for what’s ahead, while Caden’s family provides him with plenty of support along the way. I enjoyed getting to know both families and seeing the role they play in helping Neve and Caden face what’s coming.
The pacing worked really well for me. I kept finding reasons to put my headphones on and escape back into this world. Roberts balances the characters’ everyday lives with the larger mystery and growing threat without losing momentum.
And that cliffhanger! I knew going in that this was the first book in a trilogy, but I still wasn’t prepared for that ending. I’m desperate for book two.
Stephanie Németh-Parker does a phenomenal job with the narration. She handles the multiple character POVs and accents beautifully, and I never had any doubt about who was speaking. She made an already enjoyable story even better.
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: November 17, 2026
If Birth of the Witch sounds like your kind of read, you can pre-order a copy HERE or request it from your local library.
