Review & Giveaway – To Condemn a Witch by Lisa A. Traugott

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TO CONDEMN A WITCH

By LISA A. TRAUGOTT

Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Rose Castle Media

Pages: 399

Publication Date: August 11, 2025

Synopsis

A stolen scroll. A cursed bloodline. A prophecy that binds three witches across life and death…

Scotland, 1729. When clairvoyant healer Fiona MacLeod discovers an enchanted scroll, she awakens a prophecy linking her fate to two other women: Eleanor, a servant-turned-mistress caught in a scandal, and Matilda, a vengeful ghost burned for witchcraft. Together, they must form a coven—maiden, mother, and crone—to protect a changeling child marked by ancient magic.

But a ruthless witch hunter is closing in—one who will stop at nothing to destroy the child and the women sworn to defend her.

Spanning the infamous Hellfire Caves of England to haunted Scottish glens and the wilds of colonial Virginia, To Condemn a Witch is a haunting prequel in the Tales of the Witchborn series—a dark tale of feminine power, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between witches who rise, no matter how often they are condemned.

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Review

This novel is really the first in the series, or a prequel to the previous release, To Rescue a Witch. I loved both books. While I am not a regular reader of fantasy, the author weaves a tale of several lives that intersect, and the details kept me turning the page. I had to keep reminding myself that this story happens before the other. This is why I read books in order (not that I had a choice here), because you know the details of what happens with the lives of these characters.

This novel feels grittier than the previous book. Perhaps because we are dealing with the witch hunter and the feelings towards witches. However, not all of those accused of being a witch are actually witches. They are healers who understand how certain herbs will heal ailments and more. Considering the time period, the fear of the unknown or the fear of failure tends to terrify people.

Unlike the previous book, I didn’t particularly like many of these characters. They are all flawed in one way or another. However, that is what keeps the story intriguing. Eleanor is conniving, Fiona is bitter, and William is shattered regarding an incident from the past. Even some of Fiona and William’s children are not immune to acting out and creating drama of their own. Probably my favorite character is Annaliese. She is a young child, but so inquisitive.

The chapters are told from multiple points of view. This gave me a better impression of the characters, their thoughts, and their motives. Despite the numerous points of view, the story blends together, and it doesn’t feel disjointed.

If you haven’t read the previous book, wait until you read this book. You won’t be disappointed!

We give it 5 paws up.

Click Here to see my review of the second book, To Rescue a Witch.

About the Author

Lisa A. Traugott is the award-winning author of the Tales of the Witchborn series (To Rescue a Witch and To Condemn a Witch), a haunting historical fantasy saga in the realm of ghosts, goddesses, and rebellion. She double majored in history and theater to guarantee unemployment yet somehow became a full-time author. An original cast member on American Grit with John Cena, she also had five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

She lives in Austin with her husband and two kids where they enjoy walking ghost tours and telling scary stories around the campfire. You can get a FREE chapter of To Rescue a Witch at LisaTraugott.com.