Wonderfully sculpted characters, an intriguing world threatened by imminent darkness. Everyone is forbidden to use magic as a powerful evil threatens the world. Harper Grim is a healer with exceptional magical abilities. She must hide her gifts while serving her people in the city of Westfall in Idrudelia. But how can she protect the ones she loves from danger when the king in the East has declared that all magic is evil?

In this mesmerizing, character-driven tale, Harper must fight under the shadows to save her world. Shay Casper's The Witch has an engaging plot and vibrant characters. Harper was one of my favorite characters and the responsibility she must carry is huge. The reader immediately becomes involved, wanting to know if she can pull it off and what can happen should the king find out about her unique magical skills. The plot is driven by phenomenal conflict. The sense of uncertainty lurks over the characters are they face annihilation and this creates suspense in the narrative. Harper and Juniper's stories unfold at a wonderful pace. The vivid imagery adds another colorful layer to this intricate fantasy novel. Except for the occasional sentence fragments that might put off some readers, The Witch by Shay Casper is cleverly executed, balanced, and engaging. Readers like me who enjoy conflict that is raised to staggering proportions will find this story absorbing. Fans of fantasy will be intrigued by the complex world-building and the excellently written theme of magic. This fantasy tale examines what it feels like to have skills that cannot be openly celebrated.