For fans of Starling House and A Discovery of Witches with a Thomas Crown Affair twist: a contemporary New England coven hides the mysteries that lurk in the marshes north of Boston—and how they are connected to the largest unsolved art heist in modern history.
Once, Maeve Ryan was the strongest witch of her generation. But Maeve messed up a spell to contact the Lady of the Fens, an eerie Revenant who lures the unwary to their deaths in the brackish marshlands of the North Shore. Maeve destroyed her reputation, hurt her best friend Ash, and tainted herself with unbound, wild magic that transforms witches into insane Revenants.
With unbound power eating away at Maeve’s mind, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. Forever. But Ash’s research into how the spell went awry leads in an unexpected direction: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a link between the Lady and a decades-old art theft worth $500 million. When Ash disappears through a stolen painting’s empty frame, Maeve has to follow.
Inside is the Other Marsh, a haunting, deadly realm where only the Lady’s rules apply. Within this half-world lie secrets about North Shore’s history, Maeve’s failure, and the fate of the masterpieces that disappeared over three decades ago. But as Maeve fights toward the truth, she risks her friendship, her coven, and her life against enemies hiding in plain sight.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Once, Maeve Ryan was the strongest witch of her generation. But Maeve messed up a spell to contact the Lady of the Fens, an eerie Revenant who lures the unwary to their deaths in the brackish marshlands of the North Shore. Maeve destroyed her reputation, hurt her best friend Ash, and tainted herself with unbound, wild magic that transforms witches into insane Revenants.
With unbound power eating away at Maeve’s mind, all she wants is to get rid of her magic. Forever. But Ash’s research into how the spell went awry leads in an unexpected direction: the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and a link between the Lady and a decades-old art theft worth $500 million. When Ash disappears through a stolen painting’s empty frame, Maeve has to follow.
Inside is the Other Marsh, a haunting, deadly realm where only the Lady’s rules apply. Within this half-world lie secrets about North Shore’s history, Maeve’s failure, and the fate of the masterpieces that disappeared over three decades ago. But as Maeve fights toward the truth, she risks her friendship, her coven, and her life against enemies hiding in plain sight.
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Praise for this book
"Gorgeous, feral, and strikingly original, Portrait of a Witch Undone is a love letter to the wild magic of the North Shore marshlands, the otherworldly allure of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (and its infamous heist), the power of female friendship, and the searing thrill of stepping into one's own power. A captivating, uncanny enchantment of a book, and a pure delight for readers hungry for a fresh take on witchcraft." - Lana Harper
"A rare gem of a novel that marries art and magic with masterful storytelling. Shay's witches draw power from the land they inhabit, and each other, demonstrating the kind of fierce loyalty that transcends family and blood. You won't want to miss this enchanting debut." - Paulette Kennedy
"K. S. Shay's Portrait of a Witch Undone is brilliant. Full of atmosphere and razor-sharp storytelling, this powerful fantasy debut contains everything you could possibly want: a failing coven of witches, an earned and slow-burn romance, a strong friendship story, and strange Marshes full of secrets and dangers. Maeve is a reluctant hero who more than earns her place on the page, and her story kept me turning pages toward an exciting finale I didn't want to let go of. K. S. Shay enthralls with this twisty and memorable tale of generational trauma seeped in magic." - Sandra Proudman
"Portrait of a Witch Undone is what happens when the art heist, the witch, and the feelings all show up to the same party and absolutely refuse to leave. Moody, gorgeous, and utterly compelling. K.S. Shay, how dare you." - Cynthia St Aubin
"If you've ever dreamed of stepping inside a painting or love a good art heist, this is the book for you. Portrait of a Witch Undone is both those things, but also a fun and inventive journey of friendship, witchery, and self-acceptance. Recommended!" - Shveta Thakrar
"A rare gem of a novel that marries art and magic with masterful storytelling. Shay's witches draw power from the land they inhabit, and each other, demonstrating the kind of fierce loyalty that transcends family and blood. You won't want to miss this enchanting debut." - Paulette Kennedy
"K. S. Shay's Portrait of a Witch Undone is brilliant. Full of atmosphere and razor-sharp storytelling, this powerful fantasy debut contains everything you could possibly want: a failing coven of witches, an earned and slow-burn romance, a strong friendship story, and strange Marshes full of secrets and dangers. Maeve is a reluctant hero who more than earns her place on the page, and her story kept me turning pages toward an exciting finale I didn't want to let go of. K. S. Shay enthralls with this twisty and memorable tale of generational trauma seeped in magic." - Sandra Proudman
"Portrait of a Witch Undone is what happens when the art heist, the witch, and the feelings all show up to the same party and absolutely refuse to leave. Moody, gorgeous, and utterly compelling. K.S. Shay, how dare you." - Cynthia St Aubin
"If you've ever dreamed of stepping inside a painting or love a good art heist, this is the book for you. Portrait of a Witch Undone is both those things, but also a fun and inventive journey of friendship, witchery, and self-acceptance. Recommended!" - Shveta Thakrar
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