Alexander MacBeth lives with and works for his Uncle Bartholomew after the death of his parents. The Salem witch trials are very much real and the Puritans are keeping their eye out for any sort of witchcraft. And since Alexander himself is a witch, he has to be very careful in order to keep himself safe. When he meets a young nobleman, Crispin Nottingham, he can’t resist falling for him. But after Crispin’s mother tries to put an end to the affair, so begins a series of events in which Alexander fights to survive each step of the way. Witch in the Wind by Damian Serbu is an adult historical romantasy pirate adventure where Alexander must use his forbidden powers to protect himself and the ones he loves.
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Crispin had always warned Alexander about using his powers. And though he loves Alexander, his career and social standing were his duty. So when his mother, Portia, steps in to stop their relationship, Crispin is unable to interfere. While trying to escape death, Alexander unintentionally leaves bodies in his own wake. Desperate to avoid execution, Alexander flees on a pirate ship and proves to be valuable, thanks to his power over the wind and his mother’s special gem. But he is still in love with Crispin – even while developing a new romance with the ship’s Captain, Henri the Twisted.
As the story continues, Alexander adapts to pirate life and helps the crew find valuable goods at sea. But old and new enemies on the ship cause him to watch his back at every turn. And when rumors about a Navy ship seeking out piracy reaches Alexander and the crew, Alexander’s fears come racing back to him. It’s only a matter of time until he has to confront his enemies and make a decision that will determine the rest of his life.
Review
Serbu successfully combines two subgenres – magic/witchcraft and nautical/pirate adventure – in Witch in the Wind. I enjoyed Alexander as a character and their developing relationship felt authentic and romantic. Readers will also see parallels of homophobia and witchcraft as being feared by radical religious ideals, which was a unique twist. Since the story takes place over six years or so, readers get to see Alexander’s growth – both with his magic and as a character.
This book loses points for lack of world building and fleshed out magic system. We understand that witchcraft is genetic but we have no explanation as to why Alexander holds power over the wind vs literally any other power or element. Considering later plot twists show us that more magic is known. I also found the antagonist’s/main villain’s storyline weak as well. I don’t want to spoil too much so I will leave it at that. The story and world that the author created has so much potential, so I would still encourage others to check this one out.
Damian Serbu joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about his writing experience and how his profession helps his creative work. Keep an eye out for the interview on a future episode and pick up a copy of the Witch in the Wind, available now.
