Reviews
"There is an impressively immersive quality in Deborah J. Lightfoot's writing which draws you in and keeps you there as the pages turn. Although the cast of characters is small, Lightfoot turns this to her advantage and the reader comes to know them in a level of detail that might be harder to achieve in a story that embraces a wider milieu. I enjoyed the relationships between them and the fact that each of them have their own distinctive voice. The quality of Lightfoot's writing is excellent and she has the knack of engaging the enduring interest and sympathy of the reader as they follow the twists and turns of the plot. The two main characters are each very different and very interesting, the relationship between them the central theme of the book. Lightfoot creates a detailed and convincing world in which to set her story." —Alex Longbow
"Quick-moving story with an entertaining cast of characters. Lightfoot offers readers all the elements of a fantasy novel, but I was not prepared for her unique twist in which she introduces a modern element to the story. I love to be surprised, and she did not disappoint. Easy to read and enjoy, The Warlock is a well-written and thoughtful tale filled with imaginative storytelling. The small cast of characters creates an intimate environment for the reader to dive deep into their individual stories and personalities. Five stars." —The Redhead Notes
"A lot of fantasy aims big, with epic conflicts that embroil whole planets and countless lives in the balance. How refreshing, then, to spend time with an author who can whisper as well as shout. The Wysard is the second book in Deborah Lightfoot's Waterspell saga, and like the previous volume, it maintains a laser focus on a handful of characters. There is our spunky hero, a young woman known only as Carin, who seems to hail from a barely-remembered world that could very well be our own. Aiding her efforts to find herself we encounter the titular Wysard, one minute her foe, the next her friend, and one of the most intriguing individuals you're likely to encounter in the pages of any novel. Rounding out this mismatched pair is a small cast of secondary figures, including a mercurial woodsprite and a few mere humans. Lightfoot presents each of these participants with depth and real emotion, though the story always returns to the elemental struggle between Carin and the wizard. Theirs is a game of deception and doubt, filled with half-truths and double-crosses, and Carin, like the reader, is never quite sure of the wizard's true intentions. Together they set out on a perilous quest, almost losing their lives in the process, while constantly searching out the truth hidden in each other's past. A lesser author might spell things out, paint the wizard as good or evil, but Lightfoot knows the most compelling tales are rendered in shades of grey. If you're a fan of graceful prose, devilish plot twists and sophisticated mind-games, The Wysard won't disappoint. It's living proof that great fantasy can be great literature as well." —Brian Marshall
"This second installment in Lightfoot's Waterspell series deepens everything that worked in the first: the mystery, the moral ambiguity, and—most of all—the characters. Verek remains one of the most compelling characters I've encountered in fantasy. We see more of his grief and guilt in this book—how that shapes him, hardens him, but never quite breaks him. He's infuriating and unpredictable, yet never cartoonish with brief, albeit strong moments of tenderness. There's always something deeper underneath the pain. And Carin, in her stubborn, perceptive way, begins to see it too. Their relationship continues to evolve with a beautiful slow burn. One of the things I appreciate most about The Wysard is how it resists the temptation to simplify. The characters don't grow in straight lines; they stumble, regress, and contradict themselves. And the mysteries? They deepen, even as we get closer to the truth. This series continues to be everything I look for in fantasy: character-driven, morally complex, emotionally grounded, and richly atmospheric." —Ariel The Tempest
"The second book of Deborah J. Lightfoot’s Waterspell series left me enthralled by its dramatic climax and eager to read more. Nor was I to be disappointed by the third instalment, The Wisewoman. Lightfoot creates a fascinating world in this series, a world that continues to unfold and to be revealed with new detail and interest as the story develops. Likewise, the scope of Carin’s exploration expands to include strange new worlds and dimensions as she continues to grow in power and confidence. Her developing relationship with Verek is one that I followed with great interest, conditioned, as it is, by the very different circumstances that they face in this instalment. We learn much more about Carin’s past and we are introduced to an entirely new character, the wisewoman of the title, whose presence brings an entirely new dimension to the story. Lightfoot has a sure touch with regard to characterisation. Each of her characters has their own authentic and convincing voice, patterns of speech and motivations that contribute to the weaving of a most engrossing and absorbing tale. Narrative, description and speech are exceptionally well-balanced in her work. As with previous books in the series, reading The Wisewoman left me very keen to read on. I am now looking forward to seeing how Lightfoot draws together the strands of her story in The Witch, the final book in this series." —Martin Dukes
"Lightfoot has always been a versatile writer, able to provide psychological nuance one moment and outright adventure the next. But with this work her narrative skills have really kicked up a notch. Critical too is the intricate plot, and leave it to Lightfoot to center the action not on swordplay or sorcery, but on an incipient ecological threat that mirrors our own world's woes. And lastly, we're lucky enough to take part in our heroine's personal evolution, with Carin revealed as a force to be reckoned with. There are passages of rich, lyrical beauty. More than a few hairpin curves. Even a subtle yet telling nod to the dangers of a pandemic. But most of all there are people here—living, breathing, real—and despite all the ways our home-worlds differ, we know them nonetheless. I can think of no better example of magic at work than what plays out in these pages." —Brian Marshall
"After a long and immersive journey through Deborah J. Lightfoot's Waterspell series, The Witch brings the original quartet to a profoundly satisfying close. It's the kind of ending that feels both neatly wrapped up and emotionally resonant, a testament to Lightfoot's skill at storytelling and worldbuilding. From the very beginning of this series, I've been captivated by the rich, immersive world she creates, a place where magic is fading but still alive in the hearts and struggles of a deeply human cast. This final book honors that tradition, drawing together loose threads from previous volumes with care and precision. There's a palpable sense of completeness here that gave me comfort even as I mourned leaving these characters behind." —Ariel The Tempest
"Lightfoot creates such an immersive and convincing world in her Waterspell series that I feel saddened to reach the end of it. In particular, the depth of characterisation she achieves is truly impressive, leaving me with the sense that I know the people she writes almost as well as my own family. Accordingly, it was a delight to spend more time with these characters as Lightfoot navigates a perilous way with them through fresh challenges and adventures. In particular, it was good to see the loose strands from the previous books brought together and thoroughly addressed. There is a completeness in this series and in the journey of her characters that is very satisfying to read." —Martin Dukes
"The last fantasy I read that was memorable was by Tolkien. That was until I found the first Waterspell book in my large 'to be read' pile. I was entranced from the beginning! The world-building was amazing but the characters pulled me in. I kept immediately reading each consecutive book. I couldn't help myself. I just finished The Witch and I am satisfyingly sad. But wait … there is another!" — Lynda Key