Witchy Eye

Witchy Eye Series, Book 1

By: D. J. Butler

Narrated by: Courtney Patterson

A brilliant Americana flintlock fantasy novel set in a world of Appalachian magic that works.

Sarah Calhoun is the 15-year-old daughter of the Elector Andrew Calhoun, one of Appalachee's military heroes and one of the electors who gets to decide who will next ascend as the Emperor of the New World. None of that matters to Sarah. She has a natural talent for hexing and one bad eye, and all she wants is to be left alone - especially by outsiders.

But Sarah's world gets turned on its head at the Nashville Tobacco Fair when a Yankee wizard-priest tries to kidnap her. Sarah fights back with the aid of a mysterious monk named Thalanes, who is one of the not-quite-human Firstborn, the Moundbuilders of the Ohio. It is Thalanes who reveals to Sarah a secret heritage she never dreamed could be hers.

Now on a desperate quest with Thalanes to claim this heritage, she is hunted by the Emperor's bodyguard of elite dragoons, as well as by darker things - shapeshifting Mockers and undead Lazars, and behind them a power more sinister still. If Sarah cannot claim her heritage, it may mean the end to her, her family - and to the world where she is just beginning to find her place.

©2017 D. J. Butler (P)2020 Tantor

It was ok not one I would spend a credit on book 2

It was ok, I could not really get into the story until the end.

Great Historical Fantasy

Much like Tolkien re-enchanted England with LoTR, Butler brings the diverse and rich heritage of America to us. Religion, mysticism, occultism and history become one in Witchy Eye and you won’t be able to stop reading once you orient yourself in this reimagined land of the free.

Fantastic narration and story

I’ve lived in Appalachia, and the narrator nailed the accents. The story is really interesting and flows well. I look forward to reading more.

tonally odd but fun

this book is tonally odd but fun it takes real history skews it adds magic and beast men associated with the areas mentioned u enjoyed it a lot but it was hard to get past the odd tone

Awesome book

This was my first book from author D. J. Butler and it didn't disappoint. The story was engaging, magical aspects new and fascinating, and the narration was excellent. I'm looking forward to starting book 2. Highly recommend this one.

Witchy Eye is Amazing!.

This is now in the running for my favorite book of the year. DJ Butler has crafted a world that's familiar yet so different that it is its own thing. I loved the characters, the magic and the pace. The pilot's been done before, yet it kept me engaged the whole time. Looking forward to continuing the series in the next installment.

Rough Start

The first few chapters are rough, but it gets better and finishes strong. Strong believable characters.

Refreshingly Unique & Entirely Enthralling

This story vs others is like the difference between Miyazaki and Disney. Unlike many examples of this sub-genre (Flintlock Fantasy/Alternate History) this story is not based around any cheesy or predictable plot lines such as star crossed lovers or conflicted ingenues yo-yoing back and forth between love and hate. Nor does it contain the “leveling up” nonsense plot line of young dumb dumb progressing to master adept with the usual cast of helpmates. Sure, there’s some of that, but it’s much less ham fisted than most and there’s plenty of other side stories of equal interest. Basically, more than one character is interesting and worth caring about. This story is full of unique individuals with fascinating backgrounds who must adventure through a mythical America that has the perfect balance of real and fantastical characters. There was never a point where the story risked losing the reader in some over the top descriptive world building or boring fictional mythology. The author made it seem effortless to show and not tell the various peoples, their respective cultures and religions and managed not denigrate or condemn any particular group in favor of any other when using historically accurate religious or mythological backgrounds. As a consequence this story feels more grounded in reality while also being entirely fantastical and engaging. I look forward to the next few books. Go ahead and spend that credit! The narration is very good as well.

Jarring Worldbuilding

Every time I start to get into the story, there's some detail in the background world building that jars me out of a willing suspension of disbelief.

This is an alternative history, and I understand that alternative histories will cast historical people to play different roles than they did in history. However, Butler's versions of some historical people are so far from reality, I don't see why he didn't just make up characters to fill these roles.

Having studied the historical people extensively, for me the alternative versions are too unrealistic. The creatures and magic are fine. What Butler does with Franklin, Penn, etc... too bizarre to believe.

A breath of fresh air

Well written, great world building and no whiny heroine. Fantastic fantasy world set in colonial America. It is interesting, funny and well written. I look forward to delving further into this world.