A witch’s code, steampunk weapons and gadgets, the frontier southwest, a stagecoach robbery, and a group of bandits led by a man named Shadow Wolf. All of this and a lot more are contained in Jewel E. Leonard’s Alight (The Witches’ Rede Book 1) which I spotted among a list of independently published books in a reading challenge last year. The concept, cover, and blurb sounded exciting so I picked it up. And I’m glad I did.
The main character is Maeve MacKenna, a witch and waitress in the Tiff & Tawny saloon where the piano keys tinkle downstairs while the bed springs creak upstairs. The reader is introduced to a number of interesting characters including artist Milton Price, inventor Edison Stilwell, prostitute Sabine, and troublemaker Fancisco Esquiver. After establishing the regulars of the saloon, a mysterious stranger named Rafaele Forino enters the town’s watering hole and turns Maeve’s world on its head. Not able to get her mind off him, Maeve has other troubles when she accidentally discovers the Wolf Pack, a bandit group who forces her to take part in a stagecoach robbery.
The two main characters of Alight turn out to be far more interesting than the book’s dust jacket promises. Innocent and spirited Maeve is a heroine worth rooting for, and Rafaele is not your typical brooding gunslinger. The interactions between the two are some of the highlights of the novel. As this is the first in a series of books, the plot takes its time getting these two together and relishes in their initial awkwardness.
There’s a bevy of supporting characters—so many, in fact, I had to write them down to keep them straight. They are largely there to support the character development of Maeve or Rafaele or to advance the action. The novel progressed in unexpected directions with equal parts action and romance. Alight should satisfy those looking for a little steam in their novels.
Book one of the Witch’s Rede has some memorable scenes. The aforementioned stagecoach robbery, a surprising murder early on, and a skinny dipping segment are the type of moments that are a blast to read. The writing keeps the reader engaged and the narrative flows naturally. Little humorous moments like an offhand comment Maeve thinks after the hangman tests out the gallows on a sack made me break out in laughter (sorry…I won’t spoil the joke).
While the novel meanders a bit halfway through, it jumps back on-track for an explosive climax. A few twists occur at the final chapters, not only ending the novel satisfactorily but also setting up future installments. Alight doesn’t conclude with a cliffhanger which forces you to read the next novel in the series—something I appreciated—although everything isn’t all tied up in a nice bow either. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series.