The Vine Witch Series is a trilogy of novels written by author Luanne G. Smith. Set in a magical world of witches and vineyards, the series follows the story of Elena Boureanu, a vine witch who has been cursed and turned into a toad for seven years. The first book in the series, titled "The Vine Witch," introduces readers to Elena as she breaks free from her curse and returns to the vineyard where she once worked. As she tries to reclaim her place in the world, she discovers that her previous life has drastically changed and she must adjust to a new reality. Along the way, Elena uncovers secrets about her own past and the vineyard she loves, with the help of a winemaker named Jean-Paul.
A spellbinding novel of bloodlines, self-discovery, and redemption by the author of the Washington Post bestseller The Vine Witch.
And she won t rest until she can defy the evil powers that are still a threat to herself, Jean-Paul, and the ancient vine-witch legacy in the rolling hills of the Chanceaux Valley. Determined to save her beloved vineyard and get revenge on Bastien, Elena finds herself up against a powerful bierhexe from a rival vineyard who will do anything to prevent Elena from reclaiming her old life.
Along the way, Elena uncovers secrets about her own past and the vineyard she loves, with the help of a winemaker named Jean-Paul. As the series progresses, Elena faces new challenges and enemies, and must use her magical abilities and knowledge of wine to protect the ones she loves. "The Glamourist" and "The Conjurer" are the second and third books in the series, respectively, and continue Elena's story as she fights against dark forces threatening her world.
The vine witch series
OFFICIAL AUTHOR INFORMATION: Luanne G. Smith lives in Colorado at the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, where she enjoys reading, gardening, hiking, a glass of wine at the end of the day, and finding the magic in everyday life.
FORMAT/INFO: The Vine Witch is 263 pages long divided over 35 numbered chapters and is the first book in the Vine Witch series. Published by 47North in October 2019, it's the author's debut novel. The cover art and design are by Micaela Alcaino.
OVERVIEW: I’m not sure why I’ve picked The Vine Witch. I have no interest in wine and even less in books with a significant romance arc. I won’t say no to a glass of good wine or to a good romance book, but I don’t actively seek them out. Maybe it was the cover? No idea. To my surprise, I adored every second of Smith’s debut. A sign that I’m growing old and sentimental for sure.
The Vine Witch, set in a fantasy version of rural France, blends romance, folklore, witchcraft, and murder mystery. Elena Boureanu, the titular vine witch, had never suspected she’d spent seven years eating moths and slugs to survive in a fetid pond, turned into a toad. Focused on making Chateaux Renard's wines exceptional, she paid little attention to petty rivalries or little things. And yet someone has cursed her and turned into an animal.
When she regains her body, she wants nothing more than revenge against whoever stole seven years of her life. She suspects it was her ex-fiancé Bastien Du Monde, ambitious, business-savvy and charismatic vigneron, and she plans to make him pay. First, though, she needs to regain her power. When she returns Chateaux Renard, her home, she discovers it was sold to a scientifically minded ex-lawyer Jean-Paul Martel who seeks a new vocation in life. Her Grand-Mere and magic teacher grew old and lost her edge and the vine that made Renard’s Domaine famous lost its magic:
She took a sip of the wine to chase the memory from her mouth, but if she was looking for relief she was vividly disappointed. None of the musky hues of spice and rose petals the Renard vineyard was famous for hit her palate. It was all chalk and mushrooms.
A closer look at the vineyards make things obvious - someone cursed them. Elena can deal with an intricate spellwork, but her magic reserves are still weak and when Bastien is found dead and Police consider her the prime suspect, things get complicated.
Shaped by historically accurate details, the story feels true to the era of the late Belle Époque. Smith enriched it with fascinating details particular to that era (fashion, automobiles, pre-industrial wine and cheese making practices). I'm sure she's also made a lot of research on witchcraft, witch trials, and herb lore as they're very detailed. All of this in less than 300 pages, something I highly appreciate as it proves the skillful writer can find a perfect balance between world-building, pacing and characterization.
The plot, while slightly predictable in places, impressed me with a great balance between murder mystery, action, and slow-burn romance. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Smith threw few clever surprises at me, the perfect bitter-sweet ending being one of them. Well done.
Both main characters and their sidekicks feel human. Elena and Jean-Paul are three-dimensional and their romance is believable and engaging. I prefer Elena, but I can see female readers falling for the handsome lawyer whose life is just about to turn upside down.
Elena is a strong lead. Fierce, intelligent, and hungry for knowledge, she's easy to like and admire. Her past remains mysterious but we learn she has mastered divine arts while still in her teens. Hungry for more, she sought the magic she hadn't been taught (including blood magic) and developed an extraordinary talent known as shadow vision. She knows there’s a glorious magic to be found in the darkness and she wants to understand it. I admit I have a soft spot for protagonists with a darker side and Elena fits the archetype well.
Jean-Paul believes in science and innovation. He treats the mention of magic as the superstitious nonsense and has no interest in seeing it applied in his vineyard. When his beloved laws of physics, doctrines of religion and the empirical evidence of the senses are rendered useless by what he'd seen, he must reassess his beliefs. Smith portrayed his inner conflict well and found a clever way to change him.
And now the romance. I liked it - perhaps because, while important and highlighted, it never overshadowed intricacies of the plot. Jean-Paul and Elena share a strong chemistry. Their beliefs are at odds and this adds some tension to their budding relationship.
Besides the vine magic and slow-burn romance, I enjoyed the investigation of the murder mystery and Elena’s focus on discovering the witch wielding blood magic. This part of the story went into dark places and added another layer of complexity to the story and characters.
I need to mention and praise the prose. Rich, nuanced and appealing to all senses it makes reading The Vine Witch a worthwhile experience. I loved the way the author described tastes, smells, landscapes and emotions. Here’s a little sample:
Despite his desire to leave, the fresh-baked smell captivated him, and he reached for the sticky tart. One bite and the full complexity hit him. The pastry tasted of fruit and nuts, butter and brown sugar, and the rich spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, all heat-seared by fire. Sweet, yes, but also sophisticated, heightened by a hint of salted brandy. Not unlike a well-aged wine, he thought, the way the flavors evolved on the tongue.
Descriptions of food and wine made me salivate. Description of the Chanceaux Valley made me want to visit it. When a book does it to me, I don't need another proof it's well written.
If you’re in the mood for witchcraft, romance, and the wine, I have an inkling you're going to love The Vine Witch.
October is the perfect month for stories about witches, and The Vine Witch is an atmospheric tale that, while very light on spooky elements, offers plenty of magic and witchy folklore. I don’t know much about wine, but I have a feeling that readers who do are really going to connect with a lot of the elements in this story. I did have a few issues, mostly in the second half, but overall I enjoyed Smith’s debut and I’m anxious to read the next book in the series.
The Vine Witch Series is a unique blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance, with a strong emphasis on wine and vineyards. Luanne G. Smith's writing is vivid and atmospheric, capturing the beauty and magic of the vineyards and the challenges faced by its characters. The series has been praised for its strong female protagonist, intricate world-building, and the blending of magic and wine. Overall, The Vine Witch Series offers readers an enchanting and captivating journey through a fantastical world of witches and vineyards, filled with twists, turns, and a touch of romance..
Reviews for "Witchcraft Through the Ages: The Historical Elements in the Vine Witch Series"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "The Vine Witch Series" to be disappointing. The characters lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. The plot was also slow and lacked any real excitement. I was expecting a gripping tale of witches and vineyards, but instead, I was left bored and uninterested. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone looking for an engaging read.
2. Jack - 1/5
I couldn't get into "The Vine Witch Series" at all. The world-building felt weak, and there were inconsistencies throughout the story that made it hard to follow. The romance aspect felt forced and unnecessary, taking away from what could have been an interesting plot. I ultimately put the book down and had no desire to continue with the series. It just wasn't for me.
3. Emily - 2/5
I wanted to like "The Vine Witch Series," but unfortunately, I found it to be predictable and cliché. The storyline lacked originality, and the twists and turns were easily anticipated. The writing style was flat and lacked any real depth or emotion. Overall, I was disappointed with this series, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and unique read. There are much better witch-themed series out there.
4. Mike - 2/5
"The Vine Witch Series" was a letdown. The pacing was slow, and the plot failed to hold my interest. The characters felt underdeveloped, and their actions often felt illogical and out of place. The magical elements were also poorly explained and didn't add much to the overall storyline. I was hoping for a captivating witchy tale, but unfortunately, this series didn't deliver.
5. Lily - 1/5
I found "The Vine Witch Series" to be extremely boring. The plot lacked any real excitement, and the characters felt flat and uninteresting. There was too much focus on mundane details and not enough on the mystical world of witches and vineyards. Overall, it was a lackluster read that I couldn't wait to finish. I wouldn't recommend this series to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging fantasy story.