Crone Wars (series)

We all have guilty pleasures when it comes to reading and mine is rip-roaring urban fantasy! The Crone Wars series by Lydia M. Hawke does not disappoint.

Claire Emerson’s divorce and loneliness have left her feeling lost and without direction.When her sixtieth birthday brings unexpected magical powers and a supernatural calling, Claire is thrust into a world she never knew existed and finds herself in the midst of a magical war. Refusing to believe she’s the powerful defender of humankind her so-called protectors claim, Claire attempts a return to her safe life… only to have her powers ignite when she’s attacked by dark supernatural creatures. And without the training she was supposed to have received, she has no idea how she’ll defeat sinister mages plotting her demise. A staunch denier of magick (yep, with a k, the real deal) she thinks she’s losing the only thing she has left: her sanity. The snarky gargoyle and oh-so-tempting shape shifting wolf don’t help the situation.

The Crone Wars series is a unique take on neopaganism and the Triple Goddess, with the Crone being the focus of the story. The Triple Goddess represents the three phases of a woman’s life – Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Crone is an important figure in Triple Goddess neopaganism, and Hawke does an excellent job of weaving the Crone archetype into Claire’s journey. The Crone represents wisdom, transformation, and change, which are all themes that are explored throughout the series. Claire’s journey from a lost and lonely woman to a powerful defender of humankind is a testament to the power of transformation and finding purpose, even when you least expect it.

I loved the way Claire’s character develops throughout the series. She starts off as a lost and lonely woman who’s recent abusive marriage has left her with zero self confidence. But as she embraces her inner power and transforms into the Crone, she becomes a force to be reckoned with and her magical calling gives her a new sense of purpose and a reason to continue living. She must learn to embrace her inner power and transform herself to fulfill her destiny.This theme is relatable to anyone who has gone through major life changes and is struggling to find their place in the world and it’s empowering to see an older woman embrace her power and become a bad-ass hero..

Hawke’s writing style keeps the reader invested in the story from start to finish. Using action, magic, humour and heart, she does an excellent job of building a rich and imaginative world filled with supernatural creatures and magic.

Overall, Crone Wars by Lydia M. Hawke is a fab choice for fans of urban fantasy.

I’m looking forward to the fifth book in the series coming Spring 2024!