Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 49 votes)
5 stars
18(37%)
4 stars
18(37%)
3 stars
13(27%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
49 reviews
July 15,2025
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I have finished the two volumes for a few weeks now, and this supplement is long overdue.

So far, I really like this series. I enjoy the stories and the characters. The first volume was especially impressive, with its engaging plot and well-developed characters.

However, the second volume wasn't as strong as the first. The story seemed to drag in some parts, and I wasn't as invested in the characters as I was in the first volume.

Despite this, I'm still looking forward to the upcoming volumes. I believe the author has a lot more to offer, and I'm excited to see where the story goes next. I hope the author can bring back the magic of the first volume and make the next volumes even better.

I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys reading fantasy novels. It has its flaws, but overall, it's a great read.
July 15,2025
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"Absolutely Mesmerizing"


This captivating story is set in a colony in the Carolinas in 1699. It unfolds the thrilling account of how one brave man endeavors to rescue a woman who is unjustly condemned to be burned at the stake as a witch. The author's storytelling prowess is truly phenomenal. With vivid descriptions and a masterful command of language, the author brings this historical period to life. We are drawn into the world of the colony, feeling the tension and fear that笼罩 the people. The man's determination to save the woman is palpable, and we root for him every step of the way. This story is not only a tale of heroism and injustice but also a testament to the power of a great storyteller. It leaves us on the edge of our seats, eagerly turning the pages to see how it all ends.

July 15,2025
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A beautiful conclusion, only that one could have omitted some scenes as in my opinion they were just fillers. Otherwise, a great book.

This review seems to express a somewhat mixed feeling about the book. On one hand, the conclusion is described as beautiful, which implies that the overall ending was satisfying and perhaps had some elements that left a positive impression. However, the reviewer also mentions that there were certain scenes that they felt could have been left out. These scenes, according to their perspective, did not contribute significantly to the main story or its development and were rather just taking up space. Despite this criticism, the reviewer still rates the book as great, suggesting that the positive aspects outweighed the negative ones. It would be interesting to know more about which specific scenes the reviewer thought were fillers and what they would have preferred to see instead. Overall, this review provides some valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of the book from the perspective of this particular reader.
July 15,2025
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I love this series.

It is an absolute reading recommendation!

This series has truly captured my heart. The stories are engaging, the characters are vivid, and the plotlines are full of twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat.

Each book in the series builds on the previous one, creating a rich and immersive world that I can't get enough of.

Whether you're a fan of mystery, romance, or adventure, this series has something for everyone.

I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great read that will keep them entertained from start to finish.

So, if you haven't already, give this series a try and see for yourself why I love it so much!

July 15,2025
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4.5.

This is truly an excellent read. The moment I started this book, I was completely engrossed in its captivating narrative and well-developed characters.

The author has a remarkable talent for weaving a story that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from beginning to end.

The writing style is engaging and flows smoothly, making it a pleasure to turn the pages.

Now that I have finished this wonderful work, I am eagerly looking forward to exploring the author's other creations.

I have no doubt that they will be just as amazing and will provide me with many more hours of enjoyable reading.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story and is looking for a new author to discover.
July 15,2025
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**Original Article**:
The importance of recycling cannot be overemphasized. It helps to conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and protect the environment. Recycling also has economic benefits as it can create jobs and save energy.

**Expanded Article**:

The significance of recycling truly cannot be overstated.

Recycling plays a crucial role in conserving our precious natural resources. By recycling materials such as paper, plastic, metal, and glass, we can reduce the need to extract and process new raw materials. This not only helps to preserve the environment but also ensures the availability of these resources for future generations.

Moreover, recycling is an effective way to reduce waste. Instead of sending waste to landfills or incinerators, recycling allows us to turn waste into useful products. This helps to minimize the amount of waste that ends up in the environment and reduces the negative impacts of waste disposal.

In addition to its environmental benefits, recycling also has significant economic advantages. The recycling industry employs a large number of people and creates jobs in areas such as collection, sorting, processing, and manufacturing. Recycling can also save energy as it often requires less energy to process recycled materials than to produce new ones from scratch.

Overall, recycling is a win-win situation for both the environment and the economy. It is essential that we all do our part to recycle as much as possible and help to create a more sustainable future.
July 15,2025
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This is the second half of McCammon's Speaks the Nightbird, and this review encompasses the entire novel. It can perhaps best be described as a historical fiction mystery thriller set in South Carolina in 1699. McCammon is truly a wordsmith in a most unique way. His prose isn't fancy or filled with overly complex words, yet it has a mesmerizing quality. Even in his early horror works, his prose stood out. Here, his gifts in this regard are on full display as he takes us on a journey to the late 17th-century colony of South Carolina. The atmospheric qualities of this work are truly amazing; you can almost feel and smell the dampness and roughness of the outskirts of 'civilization'. The character development is also remarkable, as is typical in McCammon's work.

The plot centers around the investigation of a woman accused of being a witch. Our main protagonist, Matthew, is a clerk to a magistrate who adopted him from an orphanage. Together, they travel to a small settlement south of Charles Town, located in the great salt marshes of the Carolina coastal zone. Once there, they find that almost everyone is convinced the woman is a witch and eager to burn her alive. McCammon did thorough research on witch trials in the colonies, often referring to the Salem trials that occurred just a decade or so before this story. The supposed witch turns out to be an attractive woman with few friends in the settlement. She was married to a local preacher who, along with another preacher, was brutally killed in the early spring.
It soon becomes clear that the settlement is rapidly falling apart, with people dying or leaving in droves. Shortly after their arrival, Matthew takes shelter from a torrential downpour in a horse barn and stumbles into an altercation with the owner, resulting in three days in jail and three lashes upon release. The witch trial, however, cannot be postponed and is held in the jail so Matthew can record the minutes. After some damning testimony, the magistrate is convinced of her guilt, but Matthew thinks otherwise. But how can he prove her innocence? McCammon presents us with a mystery as Matthew, believing the woman is innocent, concludes that someone else, whom he calls 'the fox', is behind the deeds attributed to the witch. Someone who clearly wants the new settlement to fail. But why? Who would have an interest in seeing the town fail? As the story progresses and more characters are introduced, McCammon weaves a thrilling tale set in the Carolina swamps.
I just finished the Baroque Cycle by Stephenson, which was also set in the same era, though most of the action took place in Europe, so this felt like a revisit of that time. It's a good, enjoyable read that McCammon skillfully plots to a stirring conclusion. However, I do have a few minor complaints that led me to round down the 4.5 stars rather than up. Pirates did not bury treasure; it's basically a myth. They spent whatever they acquired with abandon. So, while it serves as a useful literary device here, I can't fully buy into the premise. Second, while I liked the 'witch' as a character, she came across as a bit too pure, and of course, she had to be attractive (eye roll).
July 15,2025
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I received Part 1 as a gift back then because I simply can't avoid stories with witches and most people know that. So, I was really looking forward to a great witch story and somehow got something different than expected.

Matthew Corbett is a court clerk and visits Fount Royal together with Judge Isaac Woodward. There are currently significant problems related to murders, weather, poor harvests, fires, etc. The reason for this is a witch, as she causes the misfortunes and of course must die before the settlement is completely destroyed. At least they want to give her a "fair" trial, hence the judge. Unfortunately, it doesn't look too good for the accused either, but Matthew won't give up and sets out to search for clues. What he uncovers is already terrifying, but will it save the so-called witch from her fate? Who is behind all the events and what are they for?

Something is definitely not right in Fount Royal and a witch is supposed to be to blame for everything? Today, this would probably only cause people to shake their heads, but not back then. In addition, it really looks bad for Rachel, the accused of witchcraft, and one can only find her guilty. The witnesses are very convincing and can also answer Matthew's deeper questions convincingly. However, the court clerk remains convinced of Rachel's innocence. At least he is one of the few. Who would have thought what a sophisticated plan was behind all this. Certainly not me, and with that the author could absolutely surprise me. Even though it was less about the witch herself and rather about the things that happened, it was quite varied and entertaining. Maybe a bit disturbing in places.

Even though the whole thing was a bit different than expected, I thought it was good and definitely want more of it. There was tension, puzzles to solve, and Matthew is a really decent young man in search of the truth. Whereby he puts the well-being of others above his own. I perceived him as a really great and likeable character that one just takes to heart.

Conclusion

Anyone who is interested in a great and exciting story can safely pick up Matthew Corbett and the Witch of Fount Royal. The author has definitely managed to convey the atmosphere perfectly and ensure that one experiences the situations together with the characters. I'm looking forward to learning more and am curious how it will go on with the good Matthew. In the end, 4 stars for the duology and a reading recommendation.
July 15,2025
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In the conclusion of this original and compelling mystery, McCammon truly exploits the freedoms and limitations of his plot's milieu to full effect.

He masterfully navigates through the various elements within the specific setting, using its freedoms to introduce unexpected twists and turns that keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

At the same time, he deftly handles the limitations, turning them into opportunities to build tension and create a sense of authenticity.

The result is a conclusion that ties together all the loose ends in a satisfying and engaging way, leaving the readers with a sense of fulfillment and admiration for McCammon's storytelling prowess.

His ability to make the most of the plot's milieu in the conclusion is a testament to his skill as a mystery writer and his ability to craft a truly unforgettable story.
July 15,2025
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This is the second part of Speaks the Nightbird. For some reason, the publishers decided to split it into two volumes for paperback.

I finished the first part, \\n  Judgement of the Witch\\n several days ago and truly relished the story of a witch trial that occurred in 1699. This second volume of the novel details how Matthew Corbett, the clerk for Magistrate Woodward, endeavors to prove Rachel's innocence and the steps he undertakes to set her free.

The novel delves deep into the hysteria of the times and how innocent individuals were blamed for unfortunate events that impacted the well-being of small towns and villages. Matthew gradually pieces together the truth, which leads to a nefarious plot to try to bring the town of Fount Royal to its end. But why is this necessary and how was it accomplished?

This novel was extremely compelling and had me turning the pages throughout its entirety. Not only was the story engaging, but there was a vast amount of information about the time period it was set in. This encompassed the day-to-day lives of the people in the village and how they perceived religion and superstition.

There were also vivid descriptions of the medical practices of the time that were somewhat stomach-turning, including bleeding the patients and using "blister cups" to draw blood to the surface. Of course, these practices did more harm than good. There were also details of the native American life in the area at the time that were quite interesting. This is the first novel in a series featuring Matthew Corbett, and I will be reading more of them.
July 15,2025
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Speaks the Nightbird was an outstanding book.

It was extremely well-written, with characters that had an immediate and powerful grip on your attention.

The story is narrated through the eyes of a Magistrate's clerk. Both he and the Magistrate have been dispatched to a town in 1699 to pass judgment on an accused witch.

However, the town has already determined her guilt. But Matthew, the young, inquisitive, and intelligent clerk, endeavors to go the extra mile to uncover the truth.

This book is not only historical but also an astute mystery that will maintain your sense of anticipation and keep you guessing right until the very end.

It offers a captivating blend of historical context and engaging mystery-solving that makes it a truly enjoyable read.
July 15,2025
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This is an absolutely remarkable historical mystery that is truly a must-read.

The author's writing style is not only captivating but also extremely vivid, allowing readers to easily immerse themselves in the story.

An additional plus point is the unique humor that McCammon brings to the narrative. It has the power to transport you to Fount Royal and make you feel every emotion that the protagonists experience.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

This book truly deserves a perfect 5-star rating ⭐️❤️. It is a literary gem that combines history, mystery, and humor in a seamless and engaging way.

Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or mystery novels, this book is sure to satisfy your reading cravings.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to discover the captivating world of Fount Royal and embark on this thrilling adventure with McCammon's characters.

It is an experience that you will not forget.
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