Reviews

“Waterspell blew my expectations out of the ballpark. What a brilliant and unforgettable story! I devoured this book … literally consumed by the originality and depth Deborah brings to her characters. She provides a strong balance between action, adventure, fantasy, and romance and Carin’s combination of pride and vulnerability make her a fabulous character! Quite frankly, I am just astounded by the emotions this book stirred in me. It is simply extraordinary.”
—Feifei Le

“A marvelously complex and captivating fantasy series.”
—The Published Page Bookshop

“A must-read for fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy immersive world-building, well-developed characters, and a storyline that seamlessly blends magic and human emotion.”
—Dalton S, NetGalley

“Best audiobook series I’ve ever listened to.”
—Dear Red, Google Audio

“Fascinating series, great world building, captivating characters & page turner.”
—K S, Audiobooks Unleashed

“This is up there with the great books of wonder! Would love to see this as a movie. Have spent 3 days reading each book with hardly any sleep. It’s so enthralling that I would say I was bespelled by each word!”
—Manna Corley

“Such a joy to narrate this. It didn’t feel like work. The story and characters take flight so naturally and then soar. … It takes you down so many unexpected paths. And it’s all its own creature, never fearing to be entirely its own magical self.”
—Simon de Deney

“In this four-book saga, the author has created an epic fantasy world full of magic, danger, romance, and travel through time and space. The characters are vivid and complex, including a young woman on a hero’s quest, and a powerful warlock who isn’t sure whether to kill her or embrace her. This is a most enjoyable read for fans of fantasy and fine writing.”
—Shirley, NetGalley

“I stayed up late many nights to read what happened next in this series. It’s definitely a page turner and keeps you guessing.”
—NetGalley reviewer

“An exciting action-packed adventure. Very well written and the characters were intriguing. I’m excited for book 5 The Karenina Chronicles.”
—Rubie C, NetGalley

“First off there’s the writing itself, the quality of the prose, the effortless way that Deborah Lightfoot sets the stage and calls the shots, with none of the ponderous, overblown verbiage that weighs down so much high fantasy. Then there are the characters, each determined to leap off the page, whether it’s our plucky heroine Carin, out to uncover her past, or the mysterious, mercurial Warlock himself, one minute a friend, the next one a fiend, but never less than intriguing. But what most sets this book apart is its wild premise, an inspired bit of imagination I won’t dare reveal here. … If you’re seeking a novel novel, one that challenges and comforts both, I can’t think of a better journey to take than within The Warlock’s pages.”
—Nancy H.

“Once I started I only stopped to eat, sleep, and do those tasks that I could not put aside. It was imaginative, entertaining, and much more than just a delightful read. The main characters came alive on the pages and the book kept me guessing about what would happen next. Waterspell is a series that I will highly recommend.”
—Patrick M.

“I was totally roped in with book 1, and book 2 did not disappoint. Excitement and adventure abound while you watch the growth of the main characters and their complicated attachment to each other. The writing for the Waterspell series is flawless, it’s so well done, you find yourself plopped right in the middle of this fantasy world. I can’t wait for book 3!”
—Amanda M.

“This was an extremely well written fantasy story … [it] flows well with a very readable style that holds your interest throughout. The world building is solid and intriguing, the magical aspects well drawn and versatile and characterisation is energetic so that you are immediately invested in their future. The ending with its wonderful cliffhanger will ensure that you read on … All in all a marvellous addition to the fantasy genre and I would recommend it for lovers of magical mystical tales.”
—Liz Wilkins

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“An impressively immersive quality in Deborah J. Lightfoot’s writing draws you in and keeps you there as the pages turn. The quality of her 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, one that I look forward to learning more about as I explore subsequent books in this series.”
—Martin Dukes

“In this second book fascinating new characters are introduced and the central characters’ relationships continue to be explored. They, in turn, explore the wider environment of the world which Lightfoot creates for this series. The world is a detailed and convincing one, conjured up for us most vividly by Lightfoot’s elegant prose, serving to place narrative in a brilliantly realised context and keeping the reader avidly turning the pages for more.  The Wysard is an excellent sequel to The Warlock. Lightfoot’s powers of imagination are very impressive, as is the quality of her writing.”
—Martin Dukes

“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. 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.”
—Martin Dukes

“An immersive and convincing world … the depth of characterisation is truly impressive. There is a completeness in this series and in the journey of her characters that is very satisfying. Lightfoot’s prose is a real pleasure to read. She has a light touch with regard to language and her world building benefits from excellent descriptive powers, as well as a sure instinct for balance.”
—Martin Dukes

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“It’s nearly impossible to put down. From the first page, it pulls you into a rich, well-drawn and intriguing world populated by equally intriguing characters. It’s also impossible to read just this one. You might as well get all three in the series and, like me, you will then be hoping for a book 4.”
—Amazon Verified Review

“This series is fantastic! Love the magic and romance.”
—Linda, Amazon

“This book made me FEEL – and strongly! I also loved that this story was so completely unpredictable. It’s one that I’d find hard to forget … it is one of those rare stories that will stick with me.”
—Ali’s Books

“If you like epic fantasy that sweeps you to amazing, immersive worlds and while following intriguing characters, be sure to add this series to your to-read list.”
—Once Upon a YA Book

“I was HOOKED. I read until 3 am two nights in a row to finish this. The magic system is unique and the characters are as morally gray as they come.”
—Megan, Goodreads

“I so enjoyed this! Very well written and keeps your interest.”
—S. Bates, Amazon

“Keeps you enthralled until the final sentence. Carin and Verek are such rounded and full characters.”
—Amazon Verified Review

“I really loved the main characters, particularly because they are complicated—not cookie-cutter at all. I also enjoyed the writing. It is stylized perfectly to the story, so you feel you are in the Waterspell world. I definitely recommend these books!”
—Beck Digs It

“I was hooked instantly when I started reading [Waterspell Book 1] The Warlock. I willingly gave up sleep and honestly could not wait to get up to read more of this book. I’m reading the whole series, and I absolutely am loving it.”
—Sarah, Amazon

“Grabbed my attention and kept it. It’s a truly unique book. This is a series not to miss.”
—Tahlia Newland

“… a fabulous trilogy that should be read by every fantasy reader who would like something a little different. The author cleverly creates tension without resorting to the battles, complex political intrigue and predictable structure favoured by many in the traditional fantasy genre. I give it 5 stars without hesitation.”
—Tahlia Newland

“The writing is absolutely fantastic with so much detail and description. The imagery was so vivid that I felt like I could see this mystical world forming around me.”
—Laura Hartley, “What’s Hot?”

“It’s a great medieval tale, and would be equally as interesting for men as women. (It’s no wispy piece of fluff fiction!) … plenty of mystery and twists and turns.”
—Beth Hobson

“I adore the world building of the novel. It just felt like a thin mist crawling in … rearranging the landscape. Everything was so detailed and full of imagery.”
—Fire Star Books

“Waterspell is a really good book. It flows so smoothly that once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. … Carin is never portrayed as a victim even when she is bruised, poisoned, punched, imprisoned and terrified. Instead she is a resilient survivor throughout the entire book.”
—Goodreads Review

“Great characters.” Lord Verek is “mesmerizing! I mean dark, dangerous, slightly rude, yet still somehow gentle and tortured by his tragic past. What’s there not to love?”
—Hazel the Witch

“Wonderfully written. I was hooked right away and loved that I couldn’t predict what was to come next. 5 out of 5 stars! Highly recommend to young adults and older.”
—Memories Overtaking Me

“I couldn’t go to sleep until I finished it. The characters and setting came alive, and I found myself pulled into the story like Carin was pulled to the enchanted pool.”
—Jane, Amazon

“An interesting, unique adventure, strong in narrative. The spoken language has its own cadence to it, strong and rich, easy to get lost in and enjoy … I found the ending was fabulous in every way.”
—Beth Hobson

“As soon as I started to read it, I was hooked. Five stars!”
—The Book Lover’s Report

“A new mystical world … the characters and setting most definitely will leave you wanting more.”
—Let’s Get Booked!

“This is Young Adult in age, but Epic in Fantasy … Imaginative, exciting, plenty of action, and an ending that will leave you satisfied.”
—A Life Through Books

“I don’t see how this could avoid being a hit—I couldn’t put it down. Good, complex story; well crafted, well written.”
—S. Caldwell

“This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. Everything about it is gorgeous. Every word is a work of art!”
—Amazon Review

“This series is so vivid in my mind thanks to wonderful descriptions and attention to detail.”
—Texas Book Nook

“A good mix of magic, mystery and a bit of romance.”
—Becky’s Barmy Book Blog

“A fascinating, complex world and interesting characters.”
—Zili in the Sky

“A delightful read … tight writing, fast-moving narrative and intriguing characters.”
—Goodreads Review

“Deborah J. Lightfoot just really has this way of bringing the reader into her world.”
—My Reading Addiction

“This author has woven such a spell … I can’t seem to get enough of this series.”
—Once Upon a Book

“Lightfoot does a wonderful job at creating a story. She has created an environment that is easy to understand yet complex enough to keep the reader thinking through her story. Her writing style is engaging and she has great pacing.”
—Bookworm Lisa

“The story just keeps getting bigger and bigger.”
—Book Briefs